Chapter 6 Chapter 6

Kwararafa

Haija sat outside the hut and couldn’t stop crying. A week had passed and Sakira was yet to be found. They had lost her when they were on the run. They had been able to escape and hide from the Bornu warriors. After the chaos had calmed down, they returned home.

Unfortunately, Sakira did not return with them. Zulu and his men had searched the village but their daughter was nowhere to be found. It seemed like she had been taken by the warriors from Bornu. Zulu was filled with rage but there was nothing he could do. Their daughter was gone. Zulu came out from the hut and sat beside his wife. He threw his arm around her and did nothing but to calm her. Haija cried more as she buried her face in her husband’s

chest.

“I miss her” she cried “I miss her so much” she sobbed

“I miss her too” he said as he tried to control himself from crying.

Britain

Another hectic day for Sakira and the rest, they set out to the farmlands and began to uproot weeds from the land.

“We cannot finish this today” Sakira said tiredly

“We don’t have a choice” Rita said.

“No, I can’t continue. It’s nerve-racking. I’m really tired” she sighed and sat on the floor.

She couldn’t cope anymore. It’s been two weeks since she has been here. She was tired of them, tired of the work they were given continuously. She missed Dave, ever since that day, she never saw him again. She hoped he would come around again but she never saw him. She had only a memory to herself. She was lost in thoughts; she hadn’t realized Mark behind her.

Hastily she got up and greeted him.

He scoffed. “Resting on the job eh?” he asked harshly.

Having no reply, she remained silent. Mark derided and slapped her suddenly. Surprised at his wicked act, she confronted him.

“What have I done to deserve that slap” she asked trying to keep her tears in

He scoffed again. “This brat, what right do you have to question my authority” he slapped her again.

This time she tasted blood. Everyone watched what was going on but refused to intervene.

“You will not slap me again” she stated angrily.

She was shaking as adrenaline flowed through her body.

He laughed. “You really have the guts to talk back” he said.

“Young master please, forgive her. She doesn’t know what she’s doing” Mary begged.

“You had better mind your business” he said sternly. “As for you, you’re going to get what rightfully you deserve” he said to Sakira and walked away.

She broke down and cried heavily as soon as she realized he had gone. What he did to her was typical abuse. She only rested for a little while and he hit her. She really did not deserve that. But unfortunately, that is what all slaves were made to face.

Suddenly Mr. Benson walked to the farmland engorged with rage. She stopped cutting when she saw the man drew near her. As he got closer to her, he sent her a grave slap that made her loose her steadiness and she fell to the floor. This time she couldn’t hold in her tears she looked at Mr. Benson with anger and scorn.

“You don’t disrespect your masters. You hear me?” he shouted.

Mark came out from his back giving a contented smile. So, this was what exactly what they went through. Their own side was never heard, they judged from only one side. This was wrong, Sakira thought. She had rights and no one should take it away from her.

“I never disrespected your son” she spoke back fearlessly.

They were astonished by her act. They expected her to beg at their feet but they were wrong. They were dealing with a tough person.

“You never heard from my own side” she said crossly as she cried.

“You don’t have anything to say when it comes to disrespect” Mr. Benson said unsympathetically.

“I’m human” she cried. “I have rights. I don’t deserve to be treated like this” she added.

Mr. Benson ridiculed. “When it comes to being a slave, you’re not any difference from an animal” he said as he walked away.

Later that night, Sakira sat on her mattress and could not stop crying. She wanted to go home. This was hell on earth. She can’t cope with this anymore. She needed to leave desperately. Picking herself up, she was about sneaked out the quarters.

“I wouldn’t do that if I were you” a voice said.

She turned to see Mary.

“I’m not going to remain here” she said.

“You can’t leave by yourself” she said. “Where exactly do you want to go from here?” she asked

Sakira thought about that and hated to admit that Mary was right.

“Who exactly do you know that can help you leave this place?” she asked

Sakira fell to the floor and cried.

“I don’t want to be here anymore” she cried.

“Do you think anyone of us wants to be here either?” she asked “I don’t want to be here as much as you don’t want to be here. But what choice do we have? We can’t all leave at once, where would we run to? Sakira, this is our fate, this is where destiny wants us to be. You just have to accept it” Mary said.

“No, I don’t want this destiny.” She cried. “I can’t accept this” she said

“You should apologize to the master tomorrow” Mary said as she went back to sleep.

No, she wasn’t going to remain here, destiny should not determine her, she should be the one to determine her destiny. This is not what she wants. She would leave this place even if it would cost her life.

***

She knelt in front of Mr. Benson feeling vastly dishonoured.

“I sincerely apologize for the rebellious act I portrayed yesterday” she said neutrally

“Well, I hope you’ve learnt your lesson” he said sternly as he walked away.

She got up from her knees and was about to leave the house.

“You should apologize to Mark for disrespecting him” he said finally.

She reached for the stairs and climbed to Mark’s room. She knocked the door on the right after getting directions from Mr. Benson. She has never been to this part of the house.

“Come in” she recognized the voice.

She entered and Mark smiled as he saw her.

“What a surprise visit” he said like nothing ever happened.

She detested him. Everything about him built the hatred she had for him.

“I have come to apologize for disrespecting you yesterday” she said.

“That’s better. You should have done this earlier and I wouldn’t have involved my father”

he said.

She tried her best to hold in her anger and gave a loud sigh instead.

“I’m very sorry for my unruly act” she said unapologetically

“It’s fine. You’re forgiven” he smiled.

He stopped her as she was about to leave the room.

“Don’t go anywhere, I haven’t dismissed you yet.” He said strictly

There was no smile anymore it was now a look of lust. He got closer to her and rubbed her jaw. She cringed at his touch and wanted nothing more than to be away from him now.

“God, you’re very beautiful” he said lustfully.

The words sounded repulsive in his mouth and she did not appreciate it. She tried not to be affected by his move but it was ineffective.

“You shouldn’t be doing this” she stuttered.

“I can do whatever I want with you” he said immorally

He pinned her to the wall and began to kiss her neck. She did not like what he was doing, again he was abusing her. She fought back but he was stronger. His hands fondled with her body, she cried and wished for him to leave her. He found the closure to her dress and was

about to pull it down.

“No!” she cried. “Please don’t do this” she pleaded. “I beg you” she cried.

He pulled away and smiled when he finally found her weakness. He held her hands roughly and threw her on the bed. He locked his door and began to unbuckle his trousers.

“This is going to be fun” he chuckled.

“No!” she cried. “Save me God” she whispered to herself.

She got down from the bed and tried leaving the room but he caught her again and threw her on the bed. He was on top of her and locked her in between his laps. She punched his chest and screamed but he hit her until she became weak and could not fight him anymore.

She felt something hard penetrate through her body and she screamed loud but it was futile.

She cried heavily as he rocked her body. Why did this have to happen to her? She thought.

This was not what she wanted; she never wanted to be broken like this.

A few minutes later after he had gotten his pleasure, he tossed her out of his room. She felt dirty, numb and inert and she walked torpidly away from the house.

She cried as she walked and she looked staggered when she noticed Mr. Benson. He turned to see her messy looking hair and dress roughly handled. He was pleased with his son; he did know how to give a good punishment.

“You were here all along?” she asked in disbelief.

“He gives what he wants. You deserved it. Now leave” he said pitilessly

The statement he made hurt her badly. How could a father talk this evilly? He had a daughter for God’s sake. She thought. She returned to the quarters and the reaction everyone gave her was pity. She didn’t need the stupid pities.

“You’ll be fine” Mary said.

Sakira scoffed and laughed softly. “I’ll be fine, he stole my virginity” she said

“He did the same to every female here. You’re not different Sakira” Mary said.

“You knew this was going to happen” Sakira cried.

Mary kept silent and looked at the floor.

“And you never warned me. You wanted this to happen.” She concluded

“No Sakira, I would never….”

“Why didn’t you tell me!!” she shouted as tears fell from her eyes.

“Because it wouldn’t have changed anything” she said.

Sakira couldn’t believe what she just heard. They were all the same. They just accept what they are given. No, she’s not ready to live that useless life. She has had enough of this place and was ready to leave this place. She has wasted enough time.