Saturday, June 14, 2014

Something for Something

Aunty! Aunty! Aunty!' Miranda screamed out in excitement as she saw her aunt approach her with a strange looking boy. Her favorite aunt had just arrived and she was coming to stay for a long period of time. ‘Nne'm oo! My baby!' Aunty Amaka said as she kissed her cheek and brushed a bit of sand that was stuck on one strand of her beaded hair. ‘Where is your mother?' As she asked the question, Miranda's mom met her by the door. ‘Nne e biakwala?' ‘Eh eh aunty.' She turned to Miranda. ‘Take this, show Joseph where to keep our bags.' Miranda did as she was told.
     
         He tip-toed into her room. There she was lying peacefully, sleeping like an angel. This was exactly why he was so attracted to her, her innocence. She was just 5years old and was this beautiful already. He could just imagine how breathtaking she would look in ten years. ‘Abeg make man chop e own now before she old and other men go start to dey enjoy am.' He thought to himself, almost audible enough to be heard.   Just as he was about to touch her he heard a door open and close and he hurried out of the room to avoid being caught.

          ‘Joseph! Joseph!' Little Miranda called him, ‘Please can you gimme one rubber band? They taught us how to make bracelets in school yesterday with straws and I want to make one for mummy and daddy.' She stared hard at him with her face looking sad enough to bend his will. How could he say no to these beautiful brown eyes looking right into his soul? 'I will give you on one condition,'  he said. Seeing as the poor little child was desperate and eager to hear the ‘condition' he was encouraged.  ‘Will you do it for me?' She nodded still not aware of the price she had to pay. ‘Oya come.' He said, dragging her little hand towards the room. As soon as they got into the room, he locked the door and told her to pull down her pants. She looked at him with a confused expression on her face but obeyed as she was very eager to get the rubber band she needed. Thirty minutes later, with tears in her eyes she pulled up her pants, and with it what was left of her innocence.