Enemy Camp

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We often find help in least expected  places

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"How on earth is this happening to me!" Obanma spoke loudly as she dug her hand into her bag for the umpteenth time in search of her purse.

This wasn't carelessness, this was grand theft at its peak and she was the unfortunate victim.

"Weatherall! Ọnaga!"

The voice of the unseen conductor notified Obanma of the importance to keep her feet on the move.

She had gotten to the bus stop at  control in Owerri at 11pm in the night, had stepped down from the bus and paid the driver before moving away. Oluchi had instructed her to call when she arrived the bus stop for more instructions on how to get to her own place.

The cab drivers that lined up the roads, offered their services which was turned down speedily by Obanma because Oluchi had instructed against them due to an alarming rate of crimes being committed in the city. It wasn't advisable to let a novice completely trust a stranger with safety especially at night. Oluchi had told her using a bus would be better and she had agreed quite easily.

The moment she dug her hand into her bag to retrieve her phone with which she intended to call her friend, she realized that she had been robbed.

The question of how, plagued her mind as she wandered aimlessly looking for help. How had someone taken not just her phone but the purse where her money was kept as well without her notice?

She didn't know who to call at that time, memorizing numbers had never been her forte. Hunger bit her stomach and fear tugged her nerves. She was a helpless stranger in a city she didn't know and being a girl made her predicament seem too dangerous.

Her feet were cramped up from her voyage from Lagos, her backpack got heavier from carrying it for too long and tears threatened to fall from her eyes.

Nature seemed to gloat because her thoughts began to run around warnings from her uncle which she always chose to ignore.

He would always advice her to travel at respectable hours so that she would arrive at a time when emergencies would not be threatening. Adaugo had also expressed her concerns while she left for Lagos that morning but she had assured her sister of staying at Oluchi's in Owerri.

She was certain that they were no doubt calling her phone, her aunt would be worried sick and Adaugo would probably not blink her eyes that night.

The junction buzzed with noise, drivers calling out to people and different large vehicles parading the road. Obanma finally decided on what her fate would be. She decided to ask the men around for directions to a nearby bus terminal so that she wound spend the night there.

All the answers that came from them only seemed to further terrify her. She would have lodged in a hotel if her purse had still been intact. Times like that didn't require what ifs and what would have been but rather what to dos

"You Wan make ị carry you go there?" Came a man's response as he twirled his car keys around his fingers.

The smell of cigarettes clouded the air and the unmistakable glow of lit ones was spotted on one too many hands in the park.

An individual bumped into her as she contemplated on revealing her predicament to the man who seemed to be the least terrifying of all.

She didn't care about the fact that she had almost fallen to the ground or the fact that the stranger only managed to pull her up before walking away, the apologies rendered by the cab men drowning the stranger's voice. She knew they were only sympathetic because they assumed she was going to board a taxi and pay handsomely.

"Oga abeg I need where to stay, I was robbed"

The man seemed quite taken aback by her comment, disappointment washed over his features but he managed to give her a half smile after she practically rapped about all that happened.

He notified the others of her predicament immediately and they took turns to interrogate her.

All she realized from their harping was that the place was always too dangerous at night and cases of pickpocketing were high.

One of the men approached her and placed his hand on her shoulder, the stench of his body odour worse than the smell of cigarette which she battled with.

"I fit carry you go my house" He offered politely, while Obanma shrug off his hands wrapping her arms around herself. She'd rather sleep on her toes than let any of them take her to their houses.

"Is there no church around here?" She further enquired and they all gave a unanimous "No!" that seemed to further aggravate her fears.

She meant to enquire about a police station as well but after a student was raped in a cell not too long ago in her school, her faith in the force men had waned completely.

"Boys go tear you, if you stay here. It's better you come with one of us"

Two of the men approached her and she realized that they did not have good intentions at all, there was something cynical in their eyes.

She took two steps, backwards, prepared to run as fast as her legs could carry her to one of the kiosks she had passed on her way. Maybe the people there would be more empathetic about her situation.

A loud honk by a truck riled up her emotions and her hands began to shake violently.

"Wetin dey do this one?"

The man had almost gotten to her before a hand grabbed her drawing a loud shriek from her lips.

"Obanma calm down its me! " The voice declared with his hands still secured on her body.

The voice sounded too familiar, her dizziness coupled with the fact that she felt her heart had taken a leap out of her chest made her legs unsteady. They practically shook on the ground while she tried to regain composure.

"It's Onyedikachi, I bumped into you right now. I wasnt sure it was you till I came back to verify " The voice whispered into her ears. The relief that washed over her, kept her mind from enquiring how he had found her.

"Chairman weldone oo! Thank you for keeping my sister safe. I Don dey find am since" Onyedikachi still held her while he addressed the cab drivers.

They seemed too hesitant to believe, but he reached into his pocket and handed over a wad of cash to the man closest to him.

They began to sing his praise immediately as he led Obanma away. He retrieved her backpack from her, slowly leading her to the the place where a vehicle was parked.

She scanned the black vehicle, noting the logo which left her quite skeptical about leaving with Onyedikachi.

"Na Gee boys full Owerri now, who no know that one. Imagine Nduka wey no dey work dey drive Lexus formatic. Their own Don bad sef na G+, you no hear of that girl wey just commot from one Lexus formatic car for Owerri wey run mad? Dem guys dey plus up now, make ladies shine their eyes. Reason am now!"

That had been the voice of Philip, one of Joshua's friends who had paid her visit in school. They had been discussing about how the economy of the country promoted little or no investments in the youth and how difficult it was to find millionaires who were just in their 20s.

Josh insisted that there was while Philip claimed the only ones who were such were fraudsters, with hands tainted in blood.

"Guy reason am, our leaders are old, they only give opportunities for the old to rule while we waste away with potentials. Did you hear of the FUTO guy who built a car out of nothing? What was he offered? Handshake with the president and 20k!

I bet you that if it were in other countries that he would be manufacturing cars that his country would be exporting now. They don't want us to be innovative so that we don't disrupt the sale of their imported goods. Imagine leaders who want to provide electricity being at the forefront of generator importation! "

Obanma's thought kept her at the spot staring at the interior of the car she was instructed to get into.

" Obanma we're waiting, the driver has somewhere else to be tonight. Please get in "

Onyedikachi's voice cut her contemplating short and she hesitantly entered the vehicle and shut the door.

"Turn off the AC please" Onyedikachi instructed and the driver did as commanded.

Obanma's eyes were glued to the window and she almost screamed when she drove past a Catholic church not too far from where they had come out from. Her instincts were right, those men were devious.

Her mind constantly questioned if she had made the right choice by following Onyedikachi. The last time she had seen him, he had told her that they would treat themselves accordingly like strangers.

That was the day daa Agatha had insisted on having her placed on eloaku diet. She could feel the bottle inserted by the side of her backpack.

Chijioke had told her a good Samaritan brought her home and she objected, the voice which soothed her and kept calling out to her while she was unconscious sounded very much like Onyedikachi's. Obanma's temple throbbed painfully and she soothed it out by rubbing circles on her forehead. She was beyond stressed and the hunger she felt worsened her situation.

"Are you sleeping?"

"Obanma I was asking if you wanted to eat?"

"Mmmmm.  What did you say?" Her hands left her head which she brought her head up to face him.

"We are getting food, what does he get for you?"

Obanma listed what she wanted, adding  aspirin for her headache.

The driver gingerly stepped out of the vehicle and headed to a restaurant which they had parked outside of to get the items requested.

" I have aspirin at my place, I doubt he'd find one now. The pharmacies are closed" Obanma nodded without looking at Onyedikachi and when she did stare at him, she saw that his eyes were glued to his laptop typing furiously like his life depended on it.

She didn't want to be caught staring at him and was startled when his phone rang.

"He stood me up sir, I was at control for hours sir. I just left there now"

Onyedikachi drooped his phone and rubbed his head, his hands spreading to his jaw. He looked stressed, she could tell but her lips were clamped shut even though she wanted to enquire about his wellbeing.

After hassling with her thoughts, her lips pulled apart in enquiry but the question never came as the driver opened the door and came in,handing over food  items to both Obanma and Onyedikachi, his, reserved inbetween his thighs as he drove.

They arrived at a hotel, where Onyedikachi was staying and they all got down. Onyedikachi retrieved Obanma's backpack from her while she took the food from him.

Goosebumps crept onto her skin as thoughts of ladies being used for ritual in hotels came to her mind.

Onyedikachi wouldn't do that! Or could he?

"What were you doing there by this time of the night? Those men you met are quite dangerous" He had carefully arranged his things and carried them together with her bag.

"I was robbed, I lost my phone and wallet and I needed a place to stay. I wanted them to take me to a church."

"Well they didn't look like they were going to take you there. You can stay with me tonight, then tomorrow you'll figure out what you want to do. Our company is holding a convention here, it'll last for two days and one of our guest speakers stood me up" He gestured that she follow him and she did. She tried as much as possible to hide the anxiety that tugged her nerves.

Onyedikachi was working! It sounded a tad unbelievable. Unemployment was the very popular song on the lips of Nigerian graduates, except those heavily connected.

Onyedikachi retrieved his key from the receptionist and they made their way to the elevator. The way the young receptionist oogled at him, Obanma found quite amusing. They must think she was his lay for the night.

The thought came with a realization that made her very uncomfortable. She began to notice eyes on her, non existent lingering of stares. People must think her to be a prostitute!

She didn't dress like one, shouldn't that count?

"Where does your mind always wander to? We got here like five minutes ago and I have been announcing for you to go in."

The last thing Obanma could remember was the beeping of the elevator as they arrived the floor of the building Onyedikachi had entered on the buttons.

She shook her head and went into the room which was pitch dark. Obanma made no attempt to move afraid that she would hit something while Onyedikachi made his way further than she did, releasing the materials in his hand and flipping the light switch on.

The light was blinding at first, as her eyes to readjust to the intensity. She scanned the room, noting how interestingly classy it appeared. No one needed to tell her that it was an expensive hotel.

Her eyes scanned the the room briefly, the large bed situated at the center of the room. Hunger dimmed the enthusiasm to continue checking out good furniture as she quickly retrieved the food on the table and started gobbling food into her mouth.

"There's juice in the refrigerator and water if you want some too. I'm going to shower, you can put on the TV if you want"

Obanma nodded, unable to speak because of the food in her mouth while he began to shed his clothing as he made his way to the bathroom.

Everyone would be worried about her, she knew they must have called Oluchi and she would have broken the news of her delayed arrival.

Onyedikachi came out of the bathroom a tad wet and clothed in what she could tell was his pajamas trousers.
She tried so hard not to stare at his shirtless body but failed miserably. His chest was quite broad, significant but not well toned abs lined his tummy.
Growing more uncomfortable with his appearance she finally spoke.

"Onyi do you want to cover up or something?"

"No I don't, I always sleep shirtless. You can have your shower now, I see you're done with your food."

He moved to where she sat and dished out his own meal of porridge yam. She quickly got up and began to retrieve her bathing materials from her bag. She saw her very skimpy nightwear and shoved it back into her bag. She needed protection from Onyedikachi he was not to be trusted.

Her bottle of eloaku rolled out of her bag and she quickly caught it. He stared at the bottle with a smile, he was the one that gave her daa that bottle the last day he saw her.

The worry written over his features when he arrived their compound with bottles of the liquid and a partly conscious Obanma in his arms.

Chijioke had taken his sister away from him with threats of killing him if something ever happened to her. The fool didn't know he had been her knight in shining Armour.

Daa Agatha was the one who paid heed to all he said and thanked him.

"Is Obinna still trying to take her?" He enquired as he stood with his hands fidgeting in his pocket.

"I don't know what this one is about this time. Thank you for bringing her back home."

Onyedikachi turned to leave but her daa's voice stopped him.

"This is the second time you're saving her, I hope we can repay this debt someday"

Onyedikachi smiled at her then handed over the remaining bottles of eloaku in his bag.

"As long Obinna doesn't go with her, my debt is repaid. Mma will be fine"

He had barely eaten his food as Obanma stepped out of the bathroom her hair secured in a hairnet. He further scanned her body and noted how properly dressed she was. She looked like she was going off to war in dreamland.

Obanma made her way to the edge of the bed, beckoning on chivalry to keep Onyedikachi away from the bed. It was the only way she would get enough sleep.

She shut her eyes pretending to sleep while he finished with his meal and joined her. He didn't turn off the light as she expected but she did not want to speak to him. Things between them had been awkward from the moment they saw each other.

"Do you still need the aspirin?" He enquired as he stepped under the duvet.

"Mba I think it was the hunger that made me dizzy"

"Ngwanu Kaa chi foo"

Obanma's heart thudded painfully against her chest with uncertainty about the outcome of the night. She couldn't sleep, her body began to even quake uncontrollably on the bed as scenarios of rape and murder played out in her head.

What if Onyedikachi chose to avenge his father's death ? 

She could feel the movement on the bed as he got closer and closer.

Her eyes snapped open when she heard his voice reverberating in the room. He was lying on his back, his eyes staring at the nothing in particular.

"Obanma if you keep vibrating like a car Engine, neither of us would get good sleep. I can feel the bed shaking from way over there" He gestured at the edge of the bed where lay he before.

Her mouth couldn't form any words in her own defense.

"I've been battling with pneumonia I would have left the bed for you. Those tiles might just worsen my case. Besides there's enough space to fit two more people on this bed." She only nodded still staring at him and recoiling inwardly at the proximity between them. The pneumonia explained why he had instructed for the AC to be turned off in the car and why the one in his room was off.

Adaugo had once told her that being on the same bed with a man could make her pregnant. Oh Biology her saviour!

" I am not that kind of man, I offered you a place to rest for the night and that you shall get. Sleeping with your Jean trousers on, one foot in and foot out of the bed, huddling at the edge which is quite close to the door, wouldn't really save you if I wanted something else. I am a man, I am stronger and faster. So please relax, stop shaking and go to sleep. I have a very busy schedule tomorrow and just like  you, I can't sleep unless my surrounding is suitable for doing just that  "

How did he know all that? Was he a mind reader too?

She nodded again then slowly relaxed on the bed, still very much awake,but her eyes closed to him. Sleeping was not really what one did in enemy camp. Onyedikachi was still the enemy despite his coming to her aid

He smiled, gently rolling over to his side to really have a look at her. She was truly very beautiful and innocent. He knew deep down that she could escape if she wanted to, he was no superman and she would definitely elude him.

His hands itched to caress and hold her, that feeling was not alien, he had always felt protective of the girl. Onyedikachi simply turned to the other side of the bed with a smile on his face and very familiar words in his heart as exhaustion drove him to sleep.

Smart girl!

For someone who was worried about proximity, sleep didn't seem to agree with Obanma as she woke up practically lying on top of a shirtless Onyedikachi.

Her eyes fluttered open and she was confused as to how she had moved from her side to his. His hands held her protectively in place and she slowly tried to escape them.

Onyedikachi was still sleeping thankfully,his eyes were shut but somehow he had a grin plastered on his face which she found strange.

"I didn't know I should be the one worried about sexual violation and abuse. My ribs ache from your kicks" He taunted releasing her from his hands

Obanma practically ran off the bed as embarrassment washed over her.

He chuckled loudly and greeted her, making his way to the bathroom.

"Oba, you're quite lucky chivalry isn't dead yet "

That was when she noted what she now found herself in. Somehow she had sleepily woken up to shed almost all the clothing she had on her body off because of the heat.

Clad in only shorts and a very transparent singlet, the words he spewed made meaning to her.

Hello Everyone!

How are we doing?

Hope we enjoyed this chapter!

Fate seems to be bringing these two together all the time!

Have you ever experienced what happened to Obanma? What did you do?