CHAPTER TWENTY: RETALIATION

Nneoma!’                                                                 'Aunty,' she responded quietly, unable to smile. ‘Come in, come in,' Ogechi said, taking the former's hand. She led her into her living room. Nneoma dropped her bag on the floor and sat down on one of the cushioned seats.

'You look troubled, Nne. What's the problem? And how is your mother?' Ogechi gazed at her concernedly, subsiding on the adjourning seat.

'She's fine, I believe but I'm not so sure.'

'You are not so sure? I don't understand.'

'Oh, aunty Oge, I ran away from them.'

'Ah… Nneoma?'

She began tremulantly, 'Pius came home.'

'Your fiancé?'

'Yes, he came home for the Easter Holiday. When he called at our house, I was not yet back from school. When I came home, my parents said I should visit them as they desired…'

'Mmh.