Chapter 12: The Plea

Na dangerous work, so no easy to find person do am. Aunty Li search everywhere, finally find me through estate agent. At first, I no too trust—e sound like juju. No be spirit lover I dey fear, na to make sure say Aunty Li and Ngozi no be scammers.

In this Nigeria, person fit set you up for bush, collect your phone, even do worse. I dey shine eye, dey check their story, dey watch body language. But as I see say true love dey worry them, my heart calm small.

But as I see them, my heart no fit reject. Aunty Li look finish—just like me that time I dey beg for my wife hospital money. As she see me, na so she kneel down. I rush help am up, but she hold my arm tight.

For our culture, if mama kneel for you, e mean say matter don pass play. My mind dey cut. I remember my own mama, the time she kneel for my uncle for burial money.

"Oga Long, we no get any other hope. Abeg, my pikin no fit last again."

Her voice break, tears full eye. Even agent self dey wipe face. The pikin dey shiver, dey hold her like wrapper. Spirit of compassion hold me.

I look Ngozi—she never sleep well for long. She try help her mama stand, but no get strength.

The thing pain me. For road, if you see fellow suffer, you no go leave am. Na Naija way.

Parent love deep no be small. I get daughter too.

For my mind, I dey see my own girl. I no fit look away. Na so I swallow spit, gather mind.

"I go do am," I talk, troway my cigarette. "Whether e work or not, I go follow you."

I look her again, my mind dey shake, but I no fit turn my back.

As I troway smoke, I look sky, talk small prayer for my mind. Make God guide my hand.