Episode Four: The Cry Of Amanda - OCHU JUACHI

Episode Four

The story so far on "The Cry Of Amanda

 

One year, the Garri price had been exceptionally good, which was why I found myself present state. The wholesalers had come directly to the village buying at N14,000 to N16,000 naira a bag. It meant that, for once, I had enough money to think of working for a better life, so I borrowed N300,000naira. With that and the money I had saved. Previously, I bought a plot of (Continue Reading)

cassava farm, I was willing to pay the interest rate of N900,000 naira. I had planned to use the entire cassava from the newly bought land to pay the interest and use the money from the profit I made to pay off the original loan.  But I met with a bad luck the following year, the prices dropped, despite my efforts to appease my customers, that year began my downward cycle. No matter how I struggled by trying other crops, the profits I made was only enough to see my family through, my debts kept steadily increasing, I was forced to give up my new plot of land to my creditors.
As I thought of my past, my eyes brimmed with tears of bitterness at my fate, welling over as my thoughts turned to the future; so now, Amanda had gone with Miss Grace, I had controlled my tears, my parting words to her had been to obey Miss Grace without questions. If she had any problems, she should write a letter and let me know. I consoled her by saying if I had a chance, I would come visit her, of what I had prepared to tell Amanda, not a single word came out. In another four to five days, Amanda, my daughter, while still living, would be forced into hell in Lagos, I would once again face the painful sight of my creditors. Agony tore my heart as I recalled the words of my creditors echoing in my mind.  The thought of such statement could easily transformed one from a living to a dead being. He meant those words, because the expressions of his face were too scaring to disbelief him.  He’s well known in the village as a man of few words and many actions because nobody dare cross his path and live to testify.

Late into the night, when all our children were asleep, my wife’s voice muffled with sounds of weeping, whispered, “Pete, didn’t you know what Miss Grace took our daughter to do?”. I could barely utter a word to her but stared at her for over 30minutes before I cleared my throat and gain momentum to talk to her. My dear, I knew, but it was necessary she go with her because I had no choice but to hand her over to Miss Grace........

Stay in touch for the next episode of "The Cry Of Amanda" next week. Please, drop your comments. Thanks.