Yenochi

Yenochi

By Obodozie Divine Chinoye

Chapter one

(The pain never seems to stop)

Reading novels and articles I got to know people suffer daily from a deadly sickness known as depression and I too was a carrier.

Unlike other sickness this was contacted through experiencing bad things.

Life has bestowed upon me a terrible curse which I carried everywhere I went.

"Must I shed tears?"

I probably would have filled a tank with my tears everyday if they were used to fill a nation definitely I would have drowned nations.

Walking from street to street with no destination in mind, I started my journey.

I eventually got to my aunt's house the same place I ran out of.

But what was I to do? This was the only place I knew of.

Ikeja is a big place and I had no idea where to stay.

Thoughts of being raped would always drag me back to my aunt's house.

Hell was at the corner and I knew it but then this hell was better than the hell of being raped,killed or even kidnapped. Aunt Sue was poison I was ready to consume regardless of how deadly it was, I had no choice just like a beggar.

"Now you return" Her voice came shaking me to the spine.

"Aun..aun..aunty..." I tried saying but she interrupted me

"Spare me that and tell me where you kept my money you theif"

"I didn't steal any money"

"Shut up you little witch! Didn't you go to Chief Maxwell's place?"

"N..no"

"And you say you are not a theif. You are preventing me from making Money. You are good for nothing all you do is eat my food"

"Being a prostitute is not being lucrative" I blurted angrily.

"How dare you? You ungrateful witch. All I do is give you a good life but you are so ungrateful you lazy girl"

She shouted hitting me hard.

"Owwww!" I screamed in pain but she just wouldn't let go.

"I will kill you today!" She screamed hitting me with a stick.

"Let go of her!" A man said pushing my aunt away.

"What's her sin that you want to end her?" The man asked while I tried recovering from the brutal beating.

"What your business with her and the way I beat her?" My aunt questioned rudely.

"She is a human just like you"

"And I don't know that. Is that why you are reminding me? Please spare me all that and let her go let me continue from where I stopped" came Aunt Sue dragging me but the man stopped me.

"She's not an animal and I don't plan on letting you treat her like one"

My Aunt watched him and then smiled mischievously.

"He is your boyfriend right? He's the reason you refused to do the jobs I gave you" She said making me disgusted as I knew she thought I knew the man and he sleeps with me.

"No..n..no ooo Aunty I have never seen him in my life"

I replied knowing if I didn't deny it that minute I was in for trouble that night.

"Madam you are wrong. I haven't seen her until today"

"Stop all this pretends and say the truth, you don't know her yet you care about her"

"Caring doesn't pertain what you are saying"

"I have heard now give her to me"

"Sir please don't" I begged In tears.

This was an opportunity to skin me alive and my Aunt was not ready to let go of it.

"I won't beat her" She assured the man which obviously was a lie she was doubling the beating in her mind and it meant my death.

"No I can't" Came the man.

"It's getting late it best you give her to me"

"No she will stay with me"

"Then it's not free" My Aunt replied smiling.

"I said it now. I knew you liked her" Came Aunt Sue in a way that disgusted me.

"No oo I don't plan on doing that with her. She's like a sister to me"

"Sister indeed. That's what they all say. You have become useful today Yenochi" came Aunt Sue.

"For a night is ten thousand naira" She said again.

My own Aunt selling me out to a stranger for money.

"How much to take her off your hands completely?" The man asked shocking both I and Aunt Sue.

She stared at him and then at me.

*Was I about to be sold to a stranger?*

*Is Aunt Sue going to do this?*

"One million" She replied and my heart skipped a beat.

*She obviously would sell me.*

"Okay"

The man replied bringing out his phone.

Aunt Sue noticing he is a rich man increased the price and she sold me to him for a sum of ten million naira.

"You can have her as long and as much as you want. She's all yours" Aunt Sue said making me shed tears.

"Stop crying it's okay" The man replied leading me to his car.

"Sit" He replied watching me.

After driving for a while,he stared at me and offered me food but I had lost my appetite the moment I got sold to a man who looked like he was in his thirties and I a sixteen years old girl a slave to a stranger.

He drove into a large compound with a big mansion and then parked.

*This man must be a ritualist*

I concluded and made a final prayer to God to forgive me my sins and welcome me gladly to His kingdom.

"Come in" he replied rather humble making me even more scared.

He opened the door and I entered Into the huge house with beautiful designs.

He took me into the house showing me the kitchen, living room and then a room.

"This is your room from today"

"My room?"

"Yes, is anything wrong with it?"

"No sir it's perfect"

"Call me Stan"

"Ehn.."

"I said you should rather call me Stan"

"Ohh.."

I replied feeling uncomfortable.

"But if you're not comfortable with that you can say Sir"

"Okay Sir"

"Are you not hungry?"

"No" I lied

"Your mouth saying one thing and your rumbling stomach another,I will get you food"

And with that he left.

I walked down the room starring at every sight to be seen and each was breath taking.

The bed was soft and the designs welcoming.

I sat on the bed about to sleep when he knocked.

"Are you asleep yet?"

"No" I replied opening the door.

"Here" He said handling me a plate of jollof rice assorted with meat.

He also handed me juice.

"It would probably be okay for you" He replied and I just stared at him.

"Don't worry it's not poisoned" He replied and I just smirked.

"I will leave you to eat and sleep" He said and walked out.

I stared at the food knowing I was farmished I didn't care if the food was poisoned at least I died eating.

I told myself and made a silent prayer and began eating.

As I ate I wondered what was installed for me in this new place was it prostitution or to be his slave?

I made up my mind that night if it was to be his sex slave or prostitution I would definitely run away, he made a deal with Aunt Sue and not me so I didn't care.

************************************

"Morning sunshine" I heard waking up.

"Mum? Dad?" I replied smiling

"You came back for me" I replied smiling.

"Yes dear" They chorused and I knew I was dead. The food was actually poisoned.

"Why did you leave me all alone? Aunt Sue made my life hell, she even sold me out" I told them and they just smiled.

"We are here now, we promise we will never leave you again" Came my mum.

"Yes you are here and there's no going back" My dad said scaring me.

They held me and dragged me.

"Dad you are holding me forcefully" I cried out in pain.

"I'm not your dad" He replied changing to one of Aunt Sue's Clients who was obsessed about me.

"Let go of me!" I screamed

"Mum save me!" I shouted and my mum changed to Aunt Sue.

She stared at me and laughed.

"Let go! Let go!" I kept on screaming till I woke up.

I stared at the whole place and knew it was just a nightmare the same one I kept on having repeatedly ever since I stayed with Aunt Sue.

"What's wrong you were screaming?" The man asked rushing into my room.

"No...no.. nothing" I replied shaking

"It doesn't seem like nothing"

"It's just a nightmare" I replied when he didn't leave.

"Must be one heck of a nightmare for you to scream the way you did"

He replied and I kept mute.

"I need to use the bathroom" I said wanting to stay away from him.

"Oh it's there" he replied pointing at a door.

"When you are done freshening up, come down for breakfast"

He said and I only smirked.

I watched him leave and I locked the door to make him stay out of the room.

Ever since my horrible experience at Aunt Sue's house I didn't want to have anything to do with men especially older ones.

*They are disgusting*

*They only know how to take advantage of a person*

After taking my bath I realized I didn't have anything to wear except what I had on yesterday.

I went through the cupboard and saw a dress there.

I stared at it and put it on and went down the stairs.

As I came down I was mapping places I would use to escape from this mansion.

"Good you are done" I heard him say as he turned to look at me.

He kept mute on seeing me.

"Why did you put on that dress?!" He thundered at me.

"I'm..so.. sorry..I didn't.. have..any..other..thing..to wear.. that's why" I replied scared.

"Just shut it!" He replied angrily.

"Bekky!" He screamed and I shivered even more..

A lady came immediately..

"Get that dress off her!" He screamed and it resulted to me crying.

The lady came close and took me upstairs.

"Stop crying" she told me as she took off the dress.

"The boss isn't always like that"

She said again.

I stared at her and looked away..

"That dress belongs to his daughter and seeing you in it brought bad memories"

She said staring at me..

"What happened to her?" I managed to ask.

"She died along with his wife in a factory accident, ever since then boss has been that way"

She said and I frowned.

*But I didn't know*

*So why did he shout at me like that?*

"Here wear this" She replied handling me a dress.

"Who owns this?"

"It's mine"

"Thank you"

I replied putting it on.

"Come down for breakfast" She said walking out of the room.

I stared at the dress and then at my old dress. I took my old dress and placed it in a nylon and walked downstairs.

The man was sitted on a chair in the dinning having his breakfast.

"Good morning Sir" I greeted and he stared at me.

"Morning" He replied and I smirked.

"Have a sit" He replied and faced his food.

"Thank you Sir but I can't"

"And why is that?" He asked staring at me.

"I'm leaving..I appreciate what you did for me yesterday but I want to leave"

I replied about to leave when he stopped me.

"I won't stop you from leaving but I can't let what I bought leave"

I stared at him and he continued.

"I hope you haven't forgotten I bought you from your Aunt, so you are Mine"

"What you did is between you and my Aunt. I advise you collect your money back, I can't stay here"

"You don't have a choice in this matter. You were sold to me and I choose what happens to you not you"

I stared at him and walked away heading for the door when I got stopped by bodyguards.

"Take my advice have your breakfast and be a good girl"

He replied and I frowned.

The bodyguard carried me and placed me on the dinning chair.

"For someone who got sold you sure put up a fight" He remarked and continued eating.

"The food wouldn't bite. Eat" He replied when he saw I wasn't ready to eat.

"I'm not hungry"

I replied and my tummy rumbled.

"Tell that to your stomach" He said and stood up.

The maids quickly gathered and cleared the plates.

"I will see you in the evening"

He said to me.

*By then I would be far gone*

*There's no way I would allow him have his way on me*

I told myself as he walked away.

I stared at the food and then my stomach started rumbling I was sure if it could talk it would have said this:

"Stop being stubborn and eat. I know you want to"

I smiled and devoured the food.

"How's it?" Bekky asked watching me.

"Delicious" I replied and she smiled.

"So what are you doing here exactly?" She asked me.

I stared at her and swallowed the food I was chewing.

"I don't even know myself" I replied knowing I was lying.

*How could I tell her I was bought by him to be his sex slave*

"The boss must like you"

*Eww*

I told myself.

"Why do you think so?"

"He has never cared for anyone the way he did for you ever since his wife died.. When you screamed yesterday he rushed to your room immediately" She replied and I could sense Jealousy.

*Was she in love with him?*

*If she was then I'm happy for her I don't want anything to do with this man and if he cared that's his problem not mine*

"Hmmm I don't think you are right" I replied and stood up.

"He doesn't care and even if he did I don't care" I replied and headed upstairs.

As I went upstairs I became confused as to where my room was, the rooms looked the same I stared at all the rooms door and entered one.

"This must be my room" I said and walked into the room.

As I entered I realized it wasn't my room and that I was in the wrong room.

From the pictures on the wall I guessed it was the man's room.

I went through the pictures and they looked familiar.

"What are you doing here?" I heard and I felt my heart was about to burst out of my chest.

"I'm...so.. sorry" I replied seeing the man standing in front of me.

"As usual yet you keep getting on my nerves. Is this your room?"

"N..no...I thought..."

"That's what you do think yet you do it wrong. Get out!" He screamed and I ran out.

*There's no way I'm staying here* I concluded and went downstairs.

I ran out thankfully the gate was opened.

I ran as my legs could carry me heading for no where in particular.

I ran until I couldn't run any more, I stopped sure I was far enough from that mansion and there was no way the man would find me.

I smiled to myself and sat down on an abandoned chair.

I watched the cars move and wondered where I would go next. I had no money on me and had no where to go.

A Jeep that was moving stopped and the owner came down to my surprise.

"Why did you run?" Came his voice this time he was calm.

"I don't want to stay in your house"

"Because I shouted at you"

I stared at him and was about leaving when he held me and dragged me into the car.

He drove the car back to the mansion.

"Bekky she's your responsibility now" He said handling me over to her and with that he left the house.

"Why did you run away? The boss was worried"

*He's only worried the money he spent would all waste if I leave his house* I told myself.

"I don't want to stay here"

"Your attitude shows it, with the way you are behaving the boss might throw you out, out of anger"

"Oh really"

"Yes. Don't do it again"

*Of course I will do it again and this time around he would push me out himself*

"Okay" I said smiling.

"Where's he off to?"

"Who?"

"The boss" I corrected and she smiled.

"His company"

"Ohh.."

"Yes.. It's time to prepare dinner" Bekky said after about two hours passed and we were still talking.

I watched her and followed her to the kitchen.

I helped her cook, clean and then we set the table.

After setting it I heard a car's horn and I immediately guessed it was him.

"Good evening sir" We both greeted.

"Good evening" He replied and Bekky helped him with his bag leaving the both of us alone.

He stared at me and walked upstairs without saying a word to me and this made me happy the farther he was from me the better.

He came down later on and Bekky began serving his food, I came close and offered to help but he stopped me.

"Don't"

I stared at him and stopped immediately.

Bekky served the food and walked away.

"Wouldn't you eat?" He asked and I smiled about to sit.

"Not you but Bekky" He replied and i saw her smile.

*I didn't know why that hurt*

"Ooh"

"Martha!" He called

"Yes sir"

"Take her to the maids quarter and give her the maid's dress and let her have her dinner there"

*What!*

I stared at him and I was sure he smirked.

"You are still my commodity. Don't forget that. You seem to be abusing the privileges I gave you so I gave it to someone more deserving. Bekky"

He replied while I just stared on.

Bekky immediately took my place while I followed Martha.

***********************************

Three days passed and during these days I noticed the man was avoiding me but I wasn't happy which was a surprise to me normally I would jump up in happiness knowing he wanted nothing to do with me and my body but then why?.

I couldn't take it anymore I decided to ask. That morning after cleaning the dinning I went to him.

"Morning sir"

"Morning. May I help you?" He asked staring at his newspapers and then at me.

"I will like to know why you bought me from my Aunt"

He stared at me and then at his newspapers.

"Why?"

"No normal person would buy just anyone without a reason"

"So I'm abnormal?"

"No I didn't mean that"

"You said so yourself"

"I didn't mean that Sir."

"I told you to call me Stan"

I stared at him and he smirked.

"Why did you buy me sir.?. sorry Stan"

"You are beautiful right?"

I stared at him and he dragged me close.

"Can't I have my pleasures then?" He asked and I felt my heart sank.

*So I was his sex slave then?*

He watched me for a minute and then he laughed.

"I'm only kidding. I now know why you kept avoiding me?"

He replied letting me go.

"You thought I wanted to sleep with you, I'm not that bad." Came his voice as he walked away.

I touched my chest and felt my heart racing fast.

Somehow I felt safe when he held me but then why?.

He didn't want anything to do with my body why then was I sold.

***********************************

"Come in" Came his voice as I knocked.

He stared at me and then at a book he was reading.

"You really do not give up" He commended

"I really want to know my purpose here"

"If I said something would you leave?'

"Yes"

"I want you"

"Excuse me?"..

"You heard me, you do know what that means right?"

He asked and stared at me closely.

"I don't get you"

"That day, I took you from your Aunt she said I should enjoy you so until I'm ready I will".

He said and I knew I was in trouble.

"Please Sir. Please don't" I begged almost in tears.

He stared at me and angrily told me to leave.

"Get out!"

I stared at him and walked out..

*Why did Mum and Dad have to die?*

I asked myself as I ran to the maid's quarters.

"Hey come here"

"Me?"

"Who else did you see?" Martha questioned.

"Have you forgotten your place?"

"My place?"

"Yes. You are a maid just like the rest of us so don't pass that boundary"

I stared at her and knew she wanted trouble and I was not ready for it.

"Go and do that laundry"

"Isn't that your job?" I asked angrily.

"And so? Aren't I your senior?" She questioned.

I watched her and went to do the laundry.

As I was doing the laundry,I saw a picture in the boss trouser.

A beautiful woman and I guessed it was his wife's picture.

After doing the laundry I went to return it to him.

"Sir..Stan I saw this"

I said as I entered the room.

"I'm... so..sorry.." I replied closing my eyes as I had seen him shirtless.

"You saw what you came to see" He replied and I frowned.

"I didn't know you were shirtless"

"Now you do. You can open your eyes now" He replied and I did.

"You are still shirtless"

"And you are still looking"

He replied staring at me.

"I came to gi..ve.." I tried saying but I slipped thanks to the water on the floor and fell on him.

He stared at me and I did the same.

"Give me what?" He asked still staring.

"This" I replied about to stand up but he held me back.

"What's that?"

"Your wife's picture. Let go of me!"I replied trying to stand up.

"No I prefer you being this close" He replied and I felt my heart beat.

He stared at me and took the picture from me.

"Jenny" He said staring at the picture which I found weird,on one hand I was on him and he just wouldn't let go and on the other he was staring at his late wife's picture.

"Can you please let me go?"

"Why? Mind I remind you..."

"You bought me right? I don't care. I wasn't the one you paid it to"

He stared at me and let go.

I stared at him and stood up.

"I'm leaving" I told him.

"The door is that way" He replied and I angrily walked out.

*He always does this to me* I muttered angrily to myself.

*

The next day came, after taking my bath and performing my duties I went to the living room and found out the boss had not come down for breakfast.

"Why isn't he down for breakfast?" I asked bekky who wasn't smiling.

"Today is the day he lost his wife and daughter and he doesn't eat or come down till the next day" She replied and I frowned.

"Ooh.."

"That's why the curtains are down"

*He will get sick if he doesn't eat*

I told myself but why did I care.

I went upstairs to his room and heard him crying.

Deep down I felt his pain I had also lost my parents on the same day and I had always hated that day.

That Wednesday was always the most dreaded day for me.

Today being Wednesday I realized I was not the only one who lost someone dear to them.

My hand missed and I mistakenly opened the door and entered.

He stared at me, his eyes bloodshot and I knew I was in trouble.

"What are you doing here? Didn't I say no one should disturb me?"

"I'm so so sorry.."

"As always... What do you want?"

"I was worried about you" I replied staring at him.

My reply was shocking to the both of us.

He stared at me for a while and continued.

"Why were you?"

"You haven't eaten so I thought of bringing you food"

"I don't want any food"

"Crying and locking your self won't bring them back believe me I've tried"

"You don't understand what it means to lose a loved one"

"I lost my parents.."I replied staring at him.

"I know what it feels like. I cry everyday but still they don't come back and it hurts really badly. They are the reason for my nightmares" I told him and he kept mute listening to me.

"So we both know what it's like to lose a loved one" He replied and I tried smiling.

"I'm sorry for barging in on you like that"

I replied about to leave..

"Where are you going?"

"To the maid's quarters"

"No. Stay here with me" He replied shocking me.

I stared at him and he held me.

"You and I have something in common and so we understand each other's pain very well so I rather I have you here with me" He replied and I smirked.

*Why was I seeing this part of him?*

*Why can't I hate him?*

These questions kept repeating in my mind.

"Why are you quiet?"He asked staring at me.

"Nothing really" I replied but he kept staring.

"What's wrong?"

"You have beautiful eyes and I can't help but get lost in them" He replied his gaze fixed on me.

I stared at him and I felt like butterflies were in my tummy.

"Sir.."

"Stan.."He replied coming close to me.

I shifted but he held me by the waist and pulled me close.

"I don't want you far"

He whispered softly and I felt my heart skip.

"I don't want this" I managed to say bringing my senses back.

"Why?" He questioned.

"This was all a mistake. Me coming here, all this is a mistake" I replied pushing him away.

"You have a wife and you are way older than me. If this is a game to you it's not for me.I may not be rich or have the money to repay you back but that doesn't mean you can do with me what you please. To me my body is not for sale and it's priceless"I replied while he stared at me.

I stared at him and walked out.

*What's going on?*

*Why don't I hate him for what he did?*

I asked myself walking to the garden.

After a few minutes of staring into the air bekky came.

"I'm worried about the boss"Bekky said

"Why?"

"I don't like seeing him this way"

"Are you in love with him?" I asked staring at her.

She stared at me and started blushing.

"Yes" ...

*Somehow hearing that hurt me*

*But why?*

"Help me make him fall in love with me"She pleaded

"Why me?"

"He seems to like you"

"He doesn't".

"Will you help me?"

"I will try"

"I really do like him a lot but he doesn't seem to notice me"Bekky said sadly.

"He will now" I assured her and I felt deep down it hurt but then why?.

*Bekky is a beautiful girl, intelligent and also in her early twenties so she was a perfect fit for him so why did I want to be in his chapter.?*

*No..no..no.. It's all in my head..I don't want this and I need not think about it anymore*

I told myself..

The next day came I smiled walking towards the boss room with a tray filled with breakfast I had prepared.

On getting there I saw that the door was opened and I could hear voices, I walked in only to find Bekky there with the boss.

She had brought him breakfast and he was eating it while I stood there like a rod watching them smile at each other.

"Ooh you are here" The boss said finally noticing my presence.

I stared at him and then at Bekky.

"Yes.. I'm sorry for interrupting you both I will leave now" I replied heading towards the door.

"Who has the food on the tray?" His voice came.

"It was supposed to be for you" I managed to say.

"Ohh you shouldn't have, Bekky made me a delicious breakfast" He said smiling at her.

*At first I found it odd because he wasn't that way with her before but later I felt upset*.

"I see that" I replied walking out the door.

*Deep down I wanted to burst out and shout "He's Mine! Back off Bekky!" But why?*

*Was I falling for a man who's in his early thirties and I in my timid teen?*

*No I can't subject myself to love him* I told myself walking into the maid's quarters...

I stared at the breakfast and had no choice to make it my breakfast..As I ate I imagined him in love with Bekky and that imagination hurt...

"Yenochi what's wrong?"

I heard and thankfully I was brought back to reality just in time else I would cry my eyes out as the imagination was just too terrifying to think of..

"Bekky.." I called shocked to see her..

"What's wrong?"

She asked and I was tempted to ask what happened between she and the boss..

"Nothing really"

"I saw your face when you came in with a tray of food you looked sad seeing the boss eat my food. Why?"

I stared at her and tried to fake a smile.

"Nothing actually. I was just surprised"

"How?"

"Seeing you and him I realized the both of you are the perfect couple"

"Thanks" She replied smiling and then she walked away.

I stared at her and knew I had started this and that Bekky loves Him a lot and Me I'm not sure of my feelings yet and I don't know of his yet so why should I put my head in clouds for him...

*He doesn't care so why should I?*

Later that day I went to the garden to sit and wonder what my life holds for me.

*Had my parents not die I would have being in a university studying. But rather I was cursed to live with a witch termed an aunt.*

*Sold to a Man who till now I don't really know why he bought me. For his pleasures or as a toy he could just play around with to forget his sorrows.*