The LONGEST WAIT

Chapter 14

Tim's Stories' THE LONGEST WAIT

CHAPTER 14

She hugged me with so much force that I missed my footing and fell on the ground, Chisom and all. She was crying and kissing me and crying. She couldn't believe that it was me she was seeing. It was like a dream to her. We rolled on the ground like two lovesick teenagers, and everyone came out of the buildings and watched us. It was a great spectacle.

"Buchi, is this you?"

"Yes, Chisom. It is me."

"What brought you to Italy, my husband?"

"I came to look for you. When you left, I waited for several months and then realized that you had been trafficked. I had to come to your rescue."

"How did you know I was in danger?"

"I saw you on CNN."

"You did?"

"Yes, sweetheart. I did see you."

"Buchi, I am so sorry. Please forgive me for putting you through so much stress. To be honest with you, I regret ever leaving Nigeria. I actually came close to dying. If not for God, you wouldn't have found me alive. Please, forgive me."

"Say no more Chisom, my wife. I went through the same ordeal looking for you. So, I know exactly what you have been through. But don't worry, the only important thing is that I have found you again."

We had completely forgotten that we were still on the ground. We had been so engrossed with each other that we forgot that everyone was concentrating on us. It was after someone said "Please, someone get them a room", that we came back to our senses. We stood up, both of us, and I announced to everyone that I had found my wife again.

"Everyone" I began. "This is the woman for whom I risked my life across the Mediterranean to find. Now I have found her. May God's name be praised."

There was a general round of applause after I said that. In fact, it was more of a standing ovation. Everyone temporarily forgot about their own troubles and rejoiced with us. Some people even shed tears. We held each other's hands and moved to the male section of the detention center.

Later in the day, Chisom and I had another conversation. The conversation had to do with whether we would go back to Nigeria or not.

"Buchi, my husband. Should we start making plans to go back to Nigeria?"

"No, why?"

"You said you came all the way here to find me and take me back."

"Yes, but now that I have found you, I am having a rethink."

"What are you talking about, Buchi?"

"I think we should stay here." I spoke.

"You are not serious, are you?"

"I am serious, Chichi. Wouldn't it be a complete waste of time if we go back. We have both made this perilous journey just to come to Europe. Now that we are here, wouldn't it be foolish for us to go back empty handed? We have to stay here and work. We have to stay here and better our lives. That was your original intent of coming here, wasn't it?"

"That is true, sweetheart, we should stay and make money. We can't go back like that nah. Someday, when we have really made money, our children will join us."

"Yes, babe. That is the idea."

Late that night, Chisom sneaked from the female section of the detention center and came to ours. We needed to do some catching up. It had been many months since any of us had a decent s*x like a husband and a wife. We needed to make up for that. So, we arranged that we were going to make things happen that night. I had already arranged with my cellmate for him to give me some space. I can remember how funny he sounded when I told him.

"Wow, you guys want to make out, right?" He had said, laughing.

"What is your business there?" I laughed.

"Lucky man. My stomach hasn't touched that of a woman for a long time. I wished that my wife was here."

"That is your business. Let me enjoy myself, ok?"

"Ok, let me hide somewhere and watch."

"You are not serious, are you?" I asked him, smiling.

"Just joking. Go enjoy yourself, bro."

When Chisom came to my cell, we didn't even have time for preliminaries. She jumped on me like a toddler would jump on his father when he returned home after several days of absence. I grabbed her and we went straight to bed. She made sure she wasn't wearing anything under her skirt so as to facilitate matters. I got on her and penetrated. She gasped when I did that and held me tightly. As I began the randy rhythm, she couldn't help screaming and moaning loudly.

"Shhhhh!!" I tried to warn her. "Someone might hear us."

"So what? I beg, let me enjoy myself." She spoke and got on top of me.

About thirty minutes later, we were done. We both laid there smiling like two spoiled kids. Then, she got up from the bed, arranged herself, kissed me tenderly and sneaked back to the female section of the institution. My friend came back when he saw her leave.

"Hmmm!! The smell of s*x is still in the air." He said, smiling.

"Enjoy it, maybe it will help ease your wanting." I replied.

"You are crazy." He laughed.

"Yes, but at least I have done something you haven't tasted in years." I laughed.

Chisom and I had a well laid out plan. Our plan was that if the authorities kept delaying granting us asylum, I was going to get her pregnant. When our child would be born, that would force the authorities to grant us some kind of stay. We were praying and hoping that the plan worked well. It was a ticket to our good life. A life that we risked ourselves for. However, fate had a plan of its own. Something was going to happen that would alter our plans in a completely different way.

The authorities at the detention center had a secret deal with criminal organizations. Every now and then, the agents of the criminal organizations come to the detention center, and with the help of the authorities, recruit some smart people to run their businesses for them. These businesses were always illegal and involved mostly drug pushing and human trafficking. Only the very smart and courageous migrants were used.

The deal was that you would be given freedom, given your papers and then you would work for the criminal organization. After some years of working with the criminal organizations, you would be granted freedom and live your life happily ever after. The offer sounded juicy and tasty, but who ever got released from a criminal organization, especially one that dealt with hard drugs and cocaine?

Some migrants had hinted me about it and I had blatantly refused. I had told them in no uncertain terms that the days of me risking my life were over. Henceforth, no matter what happened, I wanted to live peacefully till the end of my days, for the sake of my wife and children. So, I had already made up my mind that should anyone approach me with a proposal like that, I was going to turn it down without second thoughts.

I already had a feeling or rather, a fear that something like that might happen to me. That was because of the way the two white men who had interviewed me looked at me the first day I was brought to the center after haven been rescued. When I told them about my daring adventure, I realized that they became very interested. They had even become more interested after they realized that I was educated and had a university degree. However, I hoped very strongly that they didn't approach me with any dubious deal. But I was wrong.

The very next day, I was invited to the administrative area of the detention center by the same two men who had interviewed me. I told my cellmate that I would see him shortly and went to honour my invitation. As soon as I got there, I was given a seat and offered wine. They were very friendly and kept smiling and petting me.

"Welcome, Mr. Buchi and please, relax and make yourself comfortable." The one who seemed to be the boss spoke.

"Thank you, Sir." I responded.

"Mr. Buchi, we heard you found your wife. Congratulations to you. Your quest is finally successful. What do you plan to do now? Go back to Nigeria with her?" he asked me. He looked serious this time.

"No, Sir. I plan to apply for asylum. I want to stay in this beautiful country to make something out of my life. I can't go back to Nigeria and start life all again. I just wish my asylum application will be granted." I explained.

"Smart choice, Mr. Buchi, smart choice." That was the other man speaking now. "I have been to Nigeria myself and you guys are very smart people."

"Thank you, Sir."

"Now, there is an easy way for you to have your papers in no time and start making quick money." He spoke.

"How do you mean, Sir?"

"We could secure your freedom and that of your wife, too. We will then give you a job and you could make good money in no time."

"Are you serious, Sir? Then, that would be a good thing and God will bless you abundantly. But Sir, what kind of job is it?" I was suspicious.

They talked between themselves in low tunes for a while before coming back to me.

"There is no easy way to say this, Mr. Buchi. I guess I just have to go straight to the point. We want to introduce you to the drug business." He spoke.

"What? The drug business? But Sir, that's very risky. I won't be able to do that kind of job. If caught, I could spend many years in jail. I might even be killed." I was hesitant.

"We know that Mr. Buchi. We would make sure that you are protected. Trust us on this." He tried to assure me.

"I am sorry, Sir. I can't do this." I was firm.

"You can't or you won't? He asked, looking straight into my eyes.

"I won't."

"Alright, in that case, you may go back to your cell because we have nothing more to talk about for now. But the offer remains open. If and when you have a change of heart, you know where to find us."

I got up and left the place. I went back to my cell and thought of the whole thing again and made up my mind that I wasn't going to accept their proposal. I had been through a lot already and didn't want to risk my life anymore. My cellmate realized how moody I was and asked what the matter was. I told him it was nothing. I told him I would be fine.

Meanwhile, back in the detention center, the two authorities had called their criminal boss in town and told him that I had reduced their offer. Their boss told them not to worry. He was convinced that I need a little motivation. He told them that they should arrange a meeting with me the next day.

The next day, I was once again invited to the administration. When I got there, I realized that there weren't just two men this time around. There were three men.

"Good afternoon, sirs." I greeted, sitting down.

"Good afternoon, Mr. Buchi." One of the men spoke. "Please, meet Mr. Giovani, the man we want you to work with.

I raised my eyes to look at Mr. Giovani and my heart fell in my stomach. Mr. Giovani was one of the people we had kidn*pped and tortured back in my days as a member of the MEND. I recognized him immediately and prayed he didn't recognize me. But he smiled and said...

"Good afternoon, Mr. Buchi. How is the k********g business going?"

TO BE CONTINUED...