Chioma sat at the dressing table, staring down, pen in hand, eyes drained of tears. Her face was as blank as the piece of paper beneath the pen; the one she’d stared at for thirty minutes since she asked Eyitayo for a pen and an envelope. It had been an hour and thirty minutes since the phone call; an hour and thirty minutes since she made up her mind, and yet she still couldn’t find the right words to explain it. But she had to. She owed Amaka that much.
She heaved a sigh and began to write:
Aunty Amaka. I have gone to Oshodi to see Kingsley. He said he was there at the market because he was trying to save Matthew. He wants to explain everything to me in person. I did not tell Aunty Eyitayo and Uncle Gabriel where I’m going because they will tell you and you will tell me not to go. But I know what I’m doing. I have to see him. Thank you for everything you have done for me.
‘She’s still not answering,’ Eyitayo said, placing her phone on the stool by her chair. ‘Let’s give her some time.’
Chioma shook her head. She was dressed in a boubou Eyitayo had given her. In her hands she held the white envelope. ‘I have to go,’ she said.
Gabriel watched from the door to the kitchen, a mug of coffee in his hands.
‘Is that the letter for Amaka?’ Eyitayo asked.
Chioma nodded.
‘Can’t you see your pastor another time? And, do you really have to stay there for the night vigil?’
Chioma nodded.
‘But you’re coming back here first thing in the morning?’
Chioma nodded again.
Someone knocked on the door. ‘That must be the taxi,’ Gabriel said. ‘Are you sure you don’t want me to take you there?’ he asked.
‘No, it’s OK.’ Chioma said, standing up.
The gateman who had gone to get a taxi opened the door from outside. Eyitayo looked at Gabriel. He placed his mug on the dining table and walked over.
‘At least wait to see Amaka before you leave,’ Gabriel said.
Chioma shook her head.
Outside in the sun, the taxi idled and the gateman held the gate open. Eyitayo and Gabriel stood in front of Chioma by the back door of the car.
‘Are you sure about this?’ Eyitayo asked.
Chioma nodded. She was still holding the envelope in her hand.
‘OK. Call us as soon as you get there.’ Eyitayo embraced her, then Chioma gave her the envelope.
As the taxi drove out of the compound Eyitayo looked at the envelope in her hand. It was sealed.
Chioma turned in the back seat of the taxi and watched the gate close. She turned back, leaned forward, and placed her hand on the driver’s shoulder.
‘We are not going to Apapa,’ she said. ‘Take me to Oshodi market.’
She dialled a number. ‘Hello, Kingsley, I’m on my way… No, I didn’t tell them where I’m going… Yes, I’m coming alone.’
Eyitayo sat opposite Gabriel at the dining table and placed the sealed envelope down on the table between them.
‘Should we open it?’ she asked.
Gabriel shook his head.
‘What do you think she wrote?’
‘Thanking her for what she’s done, I guess.’
‘Do you think we should have let her go?’
‘We can’t hold her against her will.’