Early, the next morning, she set out with Chike to the market. Chike was a young boy of about seventeen whose parents had handed him over to Jideze to serve him just as Jideze had served his boss. Chike was a sweet young boy, who respected her and never provoked her to wrath.

The other sales boy of Jideze came from his house and so didn't live with them.

After purchasing all she had written down on a piece of paper the next morning, Obiageli placed the goods into the booth with Chike rendering help to her.

"We are going to Aninri street. There is someone I want to see there. It's kind of far from where we live, so tighten your knuckles."

Chike looked at her; completely astonished but not interjecting. He simply tightened his knuckles as he had been told and got into the car. Obiageli watched him in amusement as he tightened his knuckles. She threw her head back and laughed really loud; it had been such a long time she did so.

"Chike, that was only a figurative use of language. I didn't mean you should tighten your knuckles." She laughed and Chike smiled shyly, releasing his knuckles.

The drive to Aninri was a one hour journey. She had directed Chike to the street and down to the house. She knew she was being crazy for coming there. She knew he might had left for Lagos but it wouldn't hurt to check. Who knew, he might still be around. They say when you least expect it, it happens right? She would spend the rest of her life blaming herself if she didn't check.

"Wait for me here, Chike. I will be back soon. You can come out and stay under that shade." She pointed to a locked shop. Chike nodded as usual and did as he was told. Who was he to ask questions?

He was only with her to receive orders and not to question her authority. He watched her disappear into the brown rusted gate which looked like it would fall to pieces by mere shove of hands.

Obiageli rubbed her palms together to calm herself down. The house had not changed at all. It looked the same with the green plants growing healthily.

She greeted a woman who was about leaving and the lady returned her greetings. She walked straight to Ifeanyi's one room apartment which was at the top floor. She climbed the almost darkened stairs, taking a step at a time. She was very nervous and she felt she should calm herself by climbing slowly. Finally, she stood in front of his door.

There was a low music coming from the room and Obiageli knew someone was inside. She rubbed her palms together, taking deep breaths as she did so. She did the cross sign thrice, kissing her rosary after she had done that. She placed her knuckle on the cold wood, knocking lightly but no response.

She tried again, much louder and then heard footsteps walking towards the door. She moved back involuntarily, swallowing as she did.

The door swung open and an unfamiliar face looked at her, slightly annoyed. Obiageli's face fell as she looked at the fat man standing in front of her; nothing like Ifeanyi.

"Yes? How can I help you?" He frowned at her.

"I. . .I'm sorry. But, I came to see Ifeanyi." She informed.

The man gave her a blank look.

"Ifeanyi! He lives here." She tried to explain.

"As you can see. I live here. You must have made a mistake. Try knocking at the next door." He tried closing the door at her but she held it.

"I'm sorry."

The man gave her a 'What now?' look, but she asked her question nevertheless.

"You just moved in recently, right? Did you meet the occupant of this room before you moved in?"

"No, I didn't. He or she was long gone before I moved in." He answered her but not without shutting the door at her face. Obiageli groaned as she turned to go.

Chike opened the door of the car for her immediately he saw her walking out of the gate. He saw the gloomy look on her face but dared not ask. He simply drove, adhering to all the directions Obiageli gave him. Finally, they arrived at the house in the evening.

Obiageli got out of the car swiftly, walking into the house without sparing Chike a second look. On a normal day, she would help bring out foodstuffs from the car boot, but that day, she left everything for the young boy to carry.

She went into her room straightaway. All she wanted was to curl on her bed and think about her miserable life. However, the moment she opened her door, she saw a red eyed Jideze sitting icily on her bed; a letter in his hand and her box toppled over with the remaining letters all over the room.

Her drawer was lying on the floor, her mirror broken. Her two pillows were at strategic places on her floor. In summary, her room was a wreck.

She shivered immediately, as she took a step backward. She kept staring at the letter in Jideze's hand. His eyes were fixated on the floor, he didn't spare her a look even when she entered the room. She could see from the veins standing on his neck and forehead that he was very angry.

He stood up then and walked to her, but she backed away as her back met with the cold wall. She placed both palms by her side on the wall, as she stared shakily at Jideze's red eyes.