The only child

CHAPTER 12

Homa goes to inform Koge of her wicked plan. On her way, she met one of her friends, Oloma. They exchanged greetings.

" Ha… Oloma, long time. How are you? See how you look so fresh. Tell me, what's up? What did you bring for me?" Homa asked.

" Homa, you know that I would definitely bring something for you. How can I forget you, my very good friend? We've been through a whole lot together. Don't worry, come over to my place in the evening. I have a very special gift for you," Oloma said.

"Oh, thank you. I will definitely come over. That reminds me, what of Uchi?" Homa asked.

"Hmmm…that's a very long story. You know we both left the village for the city together but on our way , we were robbed. We had nothing to use to continue our journey. So, we alighted and trekked to a small town. By the time we got there, we were informed of a rich woman who owned a big farm in the town. We applied for jobs there and that was where we engaged in farming just to make ends meet, to save up. We worked so hard for a rich woman who owned many farms as well as many laborers. In time, we were called to work as househelp in her house. She took us to the city but she never lets us step out of her house. Whenever we needed something, she was always the one who got it for us. We dared not to cross the fence. There was a security guard who was always at the fence. There was a certain day when only Uchi and I were at home. We were cleaning the house as usual. There was a certain room she always asked us never to enter. But, we decided to go in and check. The moment we entered, we discovered that it was very dark. We could barely see. So, we switched on a torchlight and saw two ladies sitting on the floor with their hands and feet tied. They looked so tired and sad. Their mouths were also covered with a handkerchief. We felt pity for them. We untied their mouths and gave them water to drink. So, we asked them how they got there. One of them started explaining:

" We came here from the village to work and we were working as laborers on the farm for Madam. She told us that she wants to make our lives better and so, she brought us to the city. We were happy at first. We never knew that we were in hot soup. On a fateful day, she brought us into this room. We met five other girls here who were crying heavily. This room is soundproof, so if you are outside this room, you would not hear anything. We also saw two men who pushed us down and tied us like this. We have been here for over three months. The other five girls were taken away one after the other. We don't know what those girls were used for. They just take them and we never see them again. So , we will be next. We don't know where we will be after leaving this room. Madam brought you both here in order to replace us while we are gone. Run for your lives. It is not too late".

Oloma and Uchi stood staring at each other in dismay.Hm….. humans are wicked," Homa said.

"Yes, so we left the room immediately we heard madam's car horn. We went outside to help her bring some things inside the house. We pretended not to have seen anything. All we saw was still very fresh in our minds. We went inside and slept till morning. While it was morning, as usual, she left for work. Only both of us were at home. We sneaked to give the two ladies in the room food to eat. We asked them if they have any idea on how we all can escape. They said that we can escape only at night since the gateman would be on duty during the day. There is an underground room with which we can escape. So, we planned our escape for the next night. We could not sleep throughout the night. The next night, we sneaked to the room where the girls were. We untied them and we sneaked to the underground room. While we were inside the room, we crawled till we got outside. We sneaked to the gate and discovered that we could not open it. So, we decided to jump over the fence. The two ladies jumped first. Uchi asked me to jump next. I jumped. When Uchi was about to jump, madam saw her and fired a gun at her. Uchi died. The rest of us escaped," Oloma said amidst tears.

"Oh, what a sad story!!! I feel really bad.

So, you mean she caught Uchi, how come?" Homa asked.

"We never knew that she had woken up while we tried to open the gate. She had a pistol and we never knew. We were shocked when we heard the gunshot. She came outside the gate and started pursuing us. We ran till we got separated at some point. I was shot on the leg but all thanks to God. I'm fine today," Oloma replied.

"What about the woman?" Homa asked.

"Hmmm ... .the wicked know no peace. After some months, she was caught. She was sentenced to life imprisonment along with her accomplices," Oloma replied.

"I'm glad that she was caught ," Homa said with a smile. They hugged themselves and bade each other goodbye.

Homa continued her journey till she got to her friend's house. On getting there, she met her sleeping. She woke her up.

" Get up, you sleeping beauty," Homa told Koge.

" I hope it's something that would bring good for us," Koge replied.

"At least, get up first. Tell me tell you what I brought for you," Homa said.

"Okay, I'm all ears," Koge said getting up.

"I have two things to tell you. First of all, on my way here, I met Oloma. She told me all she went through in the city. I really felt bad for her. She said that Uchi and her were robbed on their way to the city. They had no money on them so they had to work in a nearby town for a rich woman who owned many farms. With time, she took them to the city but never allowed them to come out of the compound. There was a day when they were cleaning, they went into a room and saw two ladies tied down. They told them that they were also laborers who were held ransom there. The madam had already taken five girls away. They all planned their escape and while trying to escape, Uchi was shot dead. The woman shot Oloma on her leg," Homa explained.

"So, what of the woman?" Koge asked.

"That was the same question I asked. The wicked never go on unpunished. She was caught along with her accomplices. They were sentenced to life imprisonment," Homa replied.

"Yes, they deserve it ," Koge replied.

"Now, last but not the least. I spoke to the Queen concerning you. She said that you will work in the Palace after some weeks. She said that she needs some weeks to put some things in order ," Homa lied blatantly.

"Oh, my gosh. Thank you. I will always appreciate you. Thanks," Koge happily said while hugging her friend, Homa.