Chizaram’s father, Ejike, led her to the outskirts of a nearby village, his heart heavy with guilt. The sun beat down on them, casting a golden glow over the dusty landscape. Chizaram’s blind eyes squinted in the bright light, her small hand clutching her cane tightly as she walked beside her father.
“Papa, where are we going?” she asked, her voice laced with a mix of excitement and trepidation.
Ejike hesitated, his mind racing with the lies he had concocted. “We’re going to visit my sister, Chizaram. She lives in this village, and she’s eager to meet you.”
“Papa, why are we going to Auntie’s house?” she asked, her voice laced with a mix of excitement and trepidation.
Ejike hesitated, his mind racing with the lies he had concocted. “She needs our help with something, and I think it’s a good opportunity for you to spend some time with her.”
Chizaram’s face lit up with a smile. “I love Auntie! I’m sure we’ll have so much fun together.”
As they approached the village, Ejike’s anxiety grew. He knew he was about to abandon his daughter, leaving her fate in the hands of strangers. But he pushed on, driven by his own desperation.
“Wait here, my dear,” he said finally, his voice barely above a whisper. “I’ll be back soon.”
Chizaram’s face tilted up towards him, her blind eyes searching for reassurance. “Please come back quickly, Papa,” she said, her small voice filled with uncertainty.
Ejike forced himself to meet her gaze, his eyes welling up with tears. He knew he was about to break his daughter’s trust, and it was tearing him apart.
With a pat on her shoulder, he turned and walked away, leaving Chizaram alone in the unfamiliar village. He didn’t look back, fearing what he might see in his daughter’s face.
As he disappeared from view, Chizaram’s smile began to falter. She stood there, her cane trembling in her hand, her ears straining to pick up any sound of her father’s return. But there was only silence.
And then, the realization hit her like a ton of bricks. She was alone. Her father had left her.
The village that had seemed so welcoming just moments before now seemed cold and unforgiving. Chizaram’s heart raced as she called out for her father, her voice echoing off the buildings.
But there was no answer.
She stood there for what felt like hours, her hopes slowly dwindling. As the sun began to set, casting long shadows across the ground, Chizaram knew she had to find shelter. She took a deep breath and began to move forward, her cane tapping out a slow rhythm on the dusty ground.
As night fell, Chizaram curled up in an alleyway, her heart heavy with fear and uncertainty. She had never felt so alone in her life.
And as she drifted off to sleep, she had no idea that her life was about to change in ways she could never imagine.
Chizaram’s eyes fluttered open, her mind foggy with sleep. She sat up slowly, her back aching from the hard ground. The alleyway was dark and quiet, the only sound being the distant barking of dogs.
She rubbed her eyes, trying to remember how she had ended up here. And then it hit her – her father had left her. She was alone.
Panic set in as she scrambled to her feet. She had to find help. But where could she go?
Chizaram took a deep breath and began to move forward, her cane tapping out a slow rhythm on the ground. She had no idea where she was going, but she knew she had to keep moving.
As she walked, the darkness seemed to press in around her. She stumbled over uneven pavement and dodged low-hanging branches. Her heart raced with every snap of a twig or rustle of leaves.
Meanwhile, back at home, Ejike walked through the front door, his heart heavy with guilt. His wife, Nneoma, looked up from her cooking, a look of concern on her face.
“Where’s Chizaram?” she asked, her voice laced with worry.
Ejike hesitated, his mind racing with the lies he had concocted. “She’s…she’s staying with my sister for a while,” he said finally, his voice barely above a whisper.
Nneoma’s eyes narrowed. “What do you mean? Why would she be staying with your sister?”
Ejike shrugged, trying to appear nonchalant. “Oh, you know, just a little visit. She’ll be back soon.”
Nneoma’s eyes lingered on his face, searching for the truth. But Ejike kept his gaze steady, his lies hidden behind a mask of deceit.
Nneoma’s eyes narrowed slightly, her mind racing with suspicions. She knew her husband too well, knew when he was hiding something. But she didn’t press the issue, not yet.
“Okay,” she said finally, her voice neutral. “I hope she’s doing well.”
Ejike nodded, his relief palpable. “Yes, she’s doing great. My sister is taking good care of her.”
Nneoma’s eyes lingered on his face, searching for any sign of deception. But Ejike kept his gaze steady, his lies hidden behind a mask of sincerity.
As the night wore on, Nneoma couldn’t shake off the feeling that something was off. She knew her husband was hiding something, but she had no idea what.
Meanwhile, Chizaram was struggling to find her way in the dark alleyway. She had no idea where she was or how she had gotten there. All she knew was that she was alone, blind, and scared.
As she stumbled through the darkness, her cane tapping out a slow rhythm on the ground, she stumbled upon a small market stall. The vendor, an old woman with a kind face, looked up as Chizaram approached.
“Child, what are you doing out here all alone?” she asked, her voice warm with concern.
Chizaram’s eyes welled up with tears. “I…I got lost,” she stammered. “My father left me.”
The old woman’s face softened. “Come, child. You can stay with me tonight. We’ll figure something out in the morning.”
Chizaram nodded gratefully, her heart overflowing with gratitude. She had found a temporary haven, at least.
But as she settled in for the night, she couldn’t shake off the feeling that her journey was far from over.
The old woman, whose name was Akua, took Chizaram in with a warm smile. She led her to a small room in the back of the market stall, where a soft bed and a warm blanket awaited.
Chizaram collapsed onto the bed, her body exhausted from the day’s events. Akua brought her a bowl of warm soup and a piece of bread, which Chizaram devoured gratefully.
As she ate, Akua asked her gentle questions about her life, her family, and how she had ended up alone in the village. Chizaram told her everything, from her father’s lies to her blindness, and Akua listened with a sympathetic ear.
When Chizaram finished speaking, Akua nodded thoughtfully. “You are a strong child, Chizaram,” she said. “You will get through this. But for now, rest. You are safe here.”
Akua’s face was kind and warm, but her eyes hid a sinister secret. She had built a reputation as a child trafficker, and her market stall was a front for her illegal activities.
“Come, child,” she said, her voice dripping with false sweetness. “You can stay with me tonight. I’ll take care of you.”
Chizaram’s instincts screamed warnings, but she had nowhere else to go. She reluctantly followed Akua to her house, her heart racing with unease.
Meanwhile, back at home, Nneoma was having a nightmare. She thrashed in her bed, her eyes closed tight as she dreamed of Chizaram in danger.
“Ejike, Ejike!” she cried out, her voice shaking with fear. “Something’s wrong with our daughter”
But Ejike just rolled over, his voice gruff with sleep. “You’re just having a bad dream, Nneoma. Go back to sleep.”
Nneoma’s eyes snapped open, her heart racing with a sense of foreboding. She knew something was wrong, but she couldn’t shake off the feeling of helplessness.
As the night wore on, Chizaram’s unease grew. She tried to push the thoughts aside, telling herself she was just being paranoid.
But as she lay in bed, she heard whispers in the next room. Akua’s voice was low and urgent, speaking to someone in hushed tones. Chizaram’s heart raced as she strained to listen.
“…yes, I have her…no, she’s blind…yes, she’ll be easy to handle…”
Chizaram’s blood ran cold. She knew she had to get out of there, fast. She threw off the covers and crept towards the door, her heart pounding in her chest.
Just as she reached for the handle, Akua’s voice rang out, sharp and commanding. “Chizaram, where do you think you’re going?”
Chizaram’s heart sank as she turned to face Akua. She could sense the malice in the woman’s voice, and her instincts screamed at her to run. But her legs felt heavy, as if rooted to the spot.
“What do you mean?” Chizaram asked, trying to keep her voice steady.
Akua’s laughter was like a cold breeze on a winter night. “You really are naive, aren’t you? You think I took you in out of the goodness of my heart?”
Chizaram’s mind raced as she tried to process what was happening. She had been so blind, so trusting. She thought she had found a safe haven with Akua, but now she realized she was in grave danger.
“What do you want from me?” Chizaram asked, her voice barely above a whisper.
Akua’s eyes gleamed with a sinister light. “Oh, I think you’ll find out soon enough. But for now, let’s just say you’re going to be a very valuable commodity to me.”
Chizaram’s heart raced as Akua approached her, her movements slow and menacing. She knew she had to think fast, to come up with a plan to escape. But her mind was a blank, her thoughts frozen in fear.
Just as Akua reached out to grab her, Chizaram’s instincts kicked in. She ducked and dodged, avoiding Akua’s grasp. She made a run for the door, her heart pounding in her chest.
But Akua was too quick. She caught Chizaram in a tight grip, her fingers digging into the girl’s arm like claws. Chizaram struggled and kicked, but Akua’s hold was too strong.
As she was dragged back into the house, Chizaram knew she was in for the fight of her life. She would have to use all her wits and cunning to outsmart Akua and escape. But for now, she was trapped, at the mercy of a woman with a heart of stone.
Meanwhile, back at home, Nneoma’s nightmare had not ended. She woke up with a start, her heart still racing with fear. She knew something was wrong, she could feel it in her bones.
“Ejike, wake up!” she cried, shaking her husband awake. “Something’s happened to Chizaram, I know it!”
But Ejike just groggily opened his eyes, his face a mask of sleep. “What are you talking about, Nneoma? Go back to sleep.”
Nneoma’s frustration boiled over. “You never listen to me! You never take me seriously! But I know something is wrong, I can feel it!”
Ejike sighed and sat up, his eyes bleary with sleep. “Okay, okay. I’ll go check on her in the morning. But for now, just calm down and go back to sleep.”
Nneoma’s anger turned to despair. She knew she was right, she knew something was wrong. But no one would listen to her. She was trapped in a nightmare, and she didn’t know how to wake up.
As the night wore on, Chizaram’s fate hung in the balance. Would she escape from Akua’s clutches, or would she be trapped forever? Only time would tell.
I struggled and kicked, but Akua’s grip was too strong. She dragged me back into the house, her eyes gleaming with a sinister light. I knew I had to think fast, to come up with a plan to escape. But my mind was a blank, my thoughts frozen in fear.
As she pulled me into the house, I caught a glimpse of a room filled with strange equipment. I didn’t know what it was, but I knew it couldn’t be good. My heart raced as Akua pushed me towards a chair, her hands cold and unforgiving.
“You’re going to make me a lot of money, Chizaram,” she hissed, her breath hot on my ear. “And there’s nothing you can do to stop it.”
I knew I had to act fast. I thought back to all the times my mother had told me to trust my instincts, to always be aware of my surroundings. I took a deep breath and focused on the room around me, searching for anything that could help me escape.
That’s when my cane reached it – a small window, high up on the wall. It was my only hope. I would have to wait until Akua was distracted, and then make a run for it. My heart raced as I prepared myself for the escape, my mind focused on one thing – freedom.
Meanwhile, my mother was still trying to convince my father that something was wrong. “I know it, Ejike,” she insisted. “Something has happened to Chizaram. We have to go find her.”
But my father just shook his head. “You’re being paranoid, Nneoma,” he said. “Chizaram is fine. She’s just staying with Akua for a few days.”
My mother’s face was a picture of frustration. She knew something was wrong, but no one would listen to her. I wished she was there with me, to protect me from Akua’s clutches. But I knew I had to rely on myself if I was going to escape.
I took a deep breath and focused on the window, my mind racing with thoughts of escape. I knew it wouldn’t be easy, but I was determined to try. Akua was distracted, busy preparing some sort of equipment, and I knew I had to act fast.
I slowly got up from the chair, my eyes fixed on the window. My heart was pounding in my chest, and my legs felt like jelly. But I knew I had to be brave, for myself and for my mother.
I took a step forward, my eyes locked on the window. Akua was still distracted, and I knew I had to move quickly. I took another step, and another, my heart racing with excitement and fear.
Finally, I reached the window and quietly opened it, the cool night air rushing in. I hoisted myself up and climbed out, my feet scraping against the wall as I dropped down to the ground.
I hit the ground running, my feet pounding the pavement as I sprinted away from Akua’s house. I didn’t dare turn back, of course i can’t see anything.
I ran for what felt like hours, my cane tapping out a rhythm on the ground. I was blind, and the darkness was suffocating. I had no idea where I was going, but I knew I had to keep moving.
As I walked, the sounds of the city grew fainter, replaced by the rustling of leaves and the snapping of twigs. I was in the bush, and I knew it. My heart raced with fear, my senses on high alert.
I stumbled over roots and fallen branches, my cane slipping on the uneven ground. I fell hard, my palms scraping against the rough earth. I cried out in pain, my voice echoing through the silence.
I lay there for a moment, my body trembling with fear. I knew I had to get up, to keep moving. But my body felt heavy, my limbs like lead.
Finally, I pushed myself up, my cane scraping against the ground. I took a deep breath and began to move, my senses straining to detect any danger.
The bush was alive with sounds, the rustling of leaves and the snapping of twigs making me jump with fear. I knew I was not alone, that there were animals out there, watching me.
I walked for what felt like hours, my body aching with fatigue. I stumbled and fell again, I was very tired and thirsty. Nobody to help and so I slept there in the bush.
The next morning, my mother woke up early, her mind still racing with worry about me. She turned to my father, her eyes pleading. “Ejike, please call your sister, Nneoma. I need to hear Chizaram’s voice. I need to know she’s okay.”
But my father just shook his head. “Nneoma, there’s no need to worry. Chizaram is fine. She’s just staying with my sister, Ujunwa, for a few days.”
My mother’s face fell, her eyes welling up with tears. “But I know something is wrong. I can feel it. Please, Ejike. Just call your sister.”
But my father refused, his face hard and unyielding. My mother knew she had to take matters into her own hands. She decided to secretly visit Ujunwa, to see me for herself.
She waited until my father left for work, then she quickly got dressed and set out for Ujunwa’s house. Her heart raced with fear and anxiety, but she knew she had to see me.
As she approached Ujunwa’s house, she could feel a sense of unease. Something was off, she could sense it. She took a deep breath and knocked on the door, her heart pounding in her chest.
And then, she heard it – the sound of footsteps, heavy and slow. The door creaked open, and Ujunwa’s face appeared, her eyes cold and hard.
“Can I help you?” Ujunwa asked, her voice dripping with malice.
My mother stood tall, her eyes locked on Ujunwa’s face. “I’m here to see my daughter,” she said, her voice firm. “Chizaram. I need to know she’s okay.”
Ujunwa’s smile was like a knife, cutting through my mother’s heart. “Oh, Chizaram is fine,” she said. “She’s just…indisposed. Yes, that’s the word. Indisposed.”
My mother’s eyes narrowed, her mind racing with suspicion. She knew something was wrong, she could feel it. And she was determined to get to the bottom of it.
“Let me see her,” my mother demanded, her voice firm. “I need to know she’s okay.”
Ujunwa shrugged, her eyes glinting with amusement. “I’m afraid that’s not possible,” she said. “Chizaram is…unavailable. Yes, that’s the word. Unavailable.”
My mother’s face was a picture of determination. She knew she had to see me, no matter what. And she was willing to do whatever it took to make that happen.
“I’ll wait,” my mother said, her voice firm. “I’ll wait until Chizaram is available. I need to see her, Ujunwa. I need to know she’s okay.”
Ujunwa’s smile grew wider, her eyes glinting with malice. “Very well,” she said. “You can wait. But I warn you, Nneoma. You may not like what you see.”
And with that, she turned and disappeared into the house, leaving my mother alone on the porch. My mother’s heart raced with fear and anxiety, but she knew she had to stay strong. She had to see me, no matter what. And she was willing to wait as long as it took.
Ujunwa walked back into the house, a sly smile spreading across her face. She pulled out her phone and dialed a number, her eyes gleaming with malice.
“Ejike, it’s me, Ujunwa,” she said, her voice dripping with sweetness. “Your wife is here, looking for Chizaram.”
Ejike’s voice came through, laced with guilt and worry. “What did you tell her?”
Ujunwa’s laughter was like a knife, cutting through the air. “Oh, don’t worry, dear brother. I didn’t tell her anything. But she’s getting suspicious. You need to do something to distract her.”
Ejike’s voice grew urgent. “What can I do? I can’t let her find out what we did.”
Ujunwa’s smile grew wider. “Leave that to me. I’ll take care of it. You just make sure to keep your mouth shut.”
Meanwhile, I, Chizaram, was sitting in a strange village, my cane tapping out a rhythm on the ground. I was blind, and alone, and I had no idea where I was or how to get back home. I was begging for food, my voice hoarse from crying out.
As the day wore on, my mother waited anxiously at Ujunwa’s house, but there was no sign of me. She grew more and more desperate, her mind racing with worst-case scenarios.
Finally, as the sun began to set, she stood up, her eyes blazing with determination. “I’m going home,” she said to Ujunwa. “And I’m going to get to the bottom of this.”
Ujunwa’s smile was like a challenge, but my mother was not deterred. She stormed out of the house, her heart heavy with fear and anxiety.
As she walked home, she felt a sense of unease growing inside her. She knew something was wrong, she could feel it. And she was determined to find out what.
When she arrived home, she confronted Ejike, her eyes blazing with anger. “Where is Chizaram?” she demanded. “What have you done with her?”
Ejike’s face was a picture of guilt, and he knew he couldn’t deny it. “We abandoned her in another village,” he admitted, his voice barely above a whisper. “Ujunwa and I, we thought it was the best thing to do.”
My mother’s face was a picture of shock and anger, her eyes blazing with fury. “How could you?” she spat. “How could you abandon our only daughter in another land?”
And with that, she turned and stormed out of the house, leaving Ejike looking guilty and worried. My mother was on a mission, and she would not rest until she found me, her beloved daughter.
My mother searched the whole village that day, but there was no sign of me. She asked everyone she met if they had seen me, but no one had any information. She was getting desperate, her heart heavy with worry.
As the day wore on, I, Chizaram, was begging people to let me sleep in their shops as they were closing for the day. I was tired and hungry, and I had no idea where to go. I was blind, and alone, and I felt so vulnerable.
Meanwhile, my father was regretting everything. He had never meant for things to go this far, he couldn’t just put on with health problems, that was why he pushed me away. He was filled with remorse. He joined my mother in searching for me, but we couldn’t find me anywhere.
As the sun began to set, my mother and my father were exhausted. They had searched the whole village, but there was no sign of me. They didn’t know what to do next.
“I’m so sorry,” Ejike kept saying, his voice filled with regret. “I was so stupid, I didn’t think things through.”
My mother just shook her head, her eyes filled with tears. “We have to find her,” she said. “We have to make sure she’s safe.”
But as the night wore on, They couldn’t find me anywhere. I was alone, and scared, and I didn’t know what the future held.
As the night wore on, my mother and my father continued to search for me, but I was nowhere to be found. They were getting desperate, and they didn’t know what to do next.
Finally, they went home, exhausted and defeated. They knew they would have to start again in the morning, but for now, they just collapsed into bed, their hearts heavy with worry.
I, Chizaram, was alone in the dark, my heart filled with fear. I didn’t know what the future held, but I knew I had to keep going. I had to keep searching for a way out of this nightmare.
As the night wore on, I, Chizaram, curled up in a ball, my cane by my side. I was exhausted, but I couldn’t sleep. My mind was racing with thoughts of my mother and Ejike, and how they had abandoned me. I felt so alone, and so scared.
But as I lay there, I heard a faint noise. It was the sound of footsteps, coming from the direction of the market. I perked up my ears, my heart racing with hope. Could it be my mother, coming to find me?
I waited, my ears straining to hear the sound again. And then, I heard it. The footsteps were getting closer, and I could tell that they were light, like a woman’s footsteps.
I called out, my voice shaking with excitement. “Mother?” I said, my voice barely above a whisper.
And then, I heard a faint reply. “Chizaram?” It was my mother’s voice, and it was getting closer.
I jumped up, my cane in hand, and I started to move towards the sound of her voice. And then, I felt her arms around me, holding me tight.
“Chizaram, my daughter,” she said, her voice filled with tears. “I’m so sorry. I was so wrong to abandon you.”
I held her tight, my own tears streaming down my face. “I’m sorry too, mother,” I said. “I was so scared.”
We stood there for a long time, holding each other and crying. And then, Ejike appeared, his face filled with regret.
“Chizaram, my dear, I’m so sorry,” he said, his voice shaking with emotion. “I was so wrong to abandon you. Can you ever forgive me?”
I looked at him, my heart filled with anger and hurt. But as I noticed the tears in his eyes, I knew that I had to forgive him. I nodded, my voice barely above a whisper. “I forgive you, father.”
And with that, we hugged, all three of us, our tears mingling together as we held each other tight. We knew that we had a long road ahead of us, but we were together, and that was all that mattered.
The End
