Chapter 3 Chapter 3

Sakira and a few other girls were made to get into the ship at the Benue River. She tried to struggle but the men were stronger. They were packed and locked up in a dark cabin. Sakira tried not to cry but it didn’t work. Hot tears rolled down her cheek as fear rose in her. She had no idea of where she would be going. The ship swayed in motion and they heard noises from the top of ship, the shackles on them made noises as the ship moved. Sakira remembered her mother’s youthful song when her grandma passed on and cried in bitterness and in a louder voice singing; and other captured children started wailing.

Later, an event was going on the deck. The sound of music played and could be heard from the dark cabin. Silence was the only thing speaking in the cabin. Suddenly the door to the cabin was opened and the girls jolted in fear. A huge white man came in as he looked rough and scary. His boots made intimidating noises as he got closer to them

“Well hello there, ladies. Time to have some fun” he chuckled wickedly

He held a girl roughly and picked her up. Sakira looked at the girl and shivered in fear. She wondered where the girl would be taken to

“No please, I beg you” she cried

“There isn’t anything like begs” he snarled.

And in a twinkle of an eye, she was taken outside. The only thing that could be heard of her was screams and cries. Sakira closed her eyes and wished for all this to just be a nightmare. But regrettably, it wasn’t. The door opened again and her heartbeat increased. The man at the door walked majestically into the cabin and stopped in front of Sakira. Sakira looked up, her body interpreted fear but she tried to be as bold as she could be.

Mr. Benson crouched in front of Sakira and grinned.

“What is your name?” he asked impersonally

Silence

“I will ask again. What is your name?” he asked austerely

Silence

Suddenly, a weighty strike landed on her face and her lip tore immediately.

“What is your name!?” he growled.

“Sakira” she said as she shook with rage.

She gave him the coldest look she had.

He held her face roughly

“No matter how tough you may act, I’m still your master” he said as he released her face like she was a disease.

Leisurely, he got up and walked out of the cabin.

The next day, Sakira was summoned and was sent to the deck of the ship

“She’s here sire” the white man bowed and left.

She noticed the way everything was; the ship was a fancy one. All the white men were here eating and drinking, while her and her kinds were down there hardly having water to drink.

Have this people no hearts?

“Get the drinks from the waiter over there and serve my friends and me, do you understand?” he said without even second thoughts.

She hesitated.

He glared at her and repeated himself

“Do I make myself clear” he asked unemotionally

She had to obey peacefully to avoid problems.

“Yes sir” she said and left

A tray with three wine glasses and a bottle of champagne, she carried to where Mr Benson was.

“Here it is sir” she said as she stood in front of the men

“Good. Drop it” he said to her

“Is this her?” Mr Solomon asked

“Yes” Mr Benson smiled

“She indeed looks smart” he said.

Gently dropping the tray on the table, she opened the bottle and poured the wine into the glasses.

“Impressive” Mr Solomon mocked. “I never expected she could have functioning brains”

he added

“This one’s mine and she’s not going anywhere” he laughed.

“What is your name?” Mr Solomon asked Sakira

“Sakira” she said sternly

“Hmm, Sakira” he repeated.

“You may leave” Mr Benson dismissed her rudely.

As she returned to where she was previously, she looked up to see someone. The person looked familiar; the hair colour was the same. Could it be that guy? She asked herself.

Noticing a presence, Dave turned around and was very surprised when he saw Sakira. His big smile returned to his face.

“You, you’re here. How? What are you doing here?” He asked with surprise, the smile turning to a serious look.

“I…I don’t know” she said frowned “I was separated from my family. A man seems to be the reason why I am here” she added

“Is the man’s name Mr. Benson?” he asked curiously

“I don’t know” she said

Dave frowned when he heard the statement from her. He knew it was none other than Mr. Benson that was responsible for her presence here. She was going to join the others at his place. He was well known for slave trade and unfortunately, she has become one of them.

“He brought you here” he said and she nodded slightly. She was not comfortable with him, after all he could be the like them.

Dave was not at ease with this. He knew Benson was merciless when it comes to slaves and he treats them like animals. He wished he could do something, but his father would never let him. His father had presaged him not to ever meddle with the matters of the Bensons except business. As expected, his father called.

“Dave, I want you here now” His father said.

Sakira turned around to see the man that called Dave and saw it was an older version of him.

“I didn’t get to know your name” he said.

“Sakira” she said candidly

“Just as beautiful as the name itself” he smiled.

“It was a pleasure meeting you. I look forward seeing you again” he beamed as he left.

Dave hurried to join his father at the other side of the deck.

“Father, can we buy that girl from Benson” Dave asked

“It is obvious Benson won’t sell her.” his father said.

Dave was dissatisfied. He certainly did not want Sakira looking like the other ones at Mr Benson’s place. She was young, bright and innocent. She doesn’t deserve whatever she was going to face at Mr Benson’s place.

He perceived a set of people laughing and he turned to see them laughing at Sakira, who was on the floor picking up shattered glasses. And then, a woman arrived and drew Sakira by her hair. Insulting and beating her. Dave couldn’t stand the sight anymore.

“Don’t go anywhere. It’s none of your business” His father said firmly.

“But father” he argued.

“No buts. Sit there and don’t get up” he said simply.

Sakira left the place and headed to a small dirty cabin. She sat on the bed and cried. All her arm was covered with blood. Glass shards had already penetrated through her skin... She couldn’t stop crying. She wanted to go back home. A knock was suddenly made on the door.

“Who is there?” she asked in fear. Afraid that someone might have found her in another cabin

“It’s Dave” the voice said.

She opened the door as she recognized the voice and he entered with a box that had a red cross on it. He sat on the bed, opened the box and called her to sit.

“What is this?” she asked

“A first aid kit” he said.

He placed the box to his left and moved closer to her. Gently lifting her arm, he cleaned the skin with antiseptic and removed all the glass pieces in her skin. It stung her but she could withstand it. He cleaned the wound again with alcohol until the blood stopped.

“There, your wound should heal in no time” he said.

She stared at him with shock.

“Why are you nice?” she asked, “Why are you not like everyone out there?” she added

He smiled.

“That’s because I chose to be” he said.

He looked at her and smiled. He got up, closed the first aid box and was about to leave.

“Rest well” he advised and she nodded.

He left the room

At least light has been added to what’s remaining of her. She returned to the original cabin before any suspicion rose and did sleep well and did not have to feel any pain throughout the night.