UNCAMOFLAGED

CHAPTER 1

"Nkiru, I've told you I don't want to see that boy Mike or whatever his name is around you," Mama grumbled. I continued peeling the egusi while I tried to act like I didn't hear her.

Mama has been all around me for some time now, ever since I started seeing Mike. She strongly hated him and always made it clear in his presence that he had no place in her heart. As much as I let this not bother me because of the love I have for him, Mama's fault findings have slowly started to creep in. She always finds a way to discredit him.

"How can you be seen around the village with that boy that sags and drinks ehh? Nkiru don't bring shame to me." Mama would never fail to remind me.

Mike is simply a typical of don't judge a book by just the cover. He sags his trousers a few times but he was still a good boy. He loves and cares for us, but Mama doesn't see that. A few times whenever he visits, he helps us to break the firewood and draws water for our domestic chores. Even with all of this, Mama still doesn't appreciate him. Rather, she brings up talks about Ekene the catechist's son even when Mike is still there.

One afternoon in Mike's presence, she began, "My daughter, Ekene asked about you. I suggest you visit him tomorrow or so." This irked me so much but I didn't say anything. I only turned towards Mike who was equally as perturbed as I was.
To Mama, Ekene was a clear evidence of perfection: God-fearing, well-dressed, well-spoken and loved by all in the village. I have always wondered what they saw in him. I went to the parish once a week, and I think I have caught him looking at me in a funny way. I simply continued to ignore Mama's praises about him. To her alone, Mike was black while Ekene was the white angel.

One Friday evening, Mama and I went to the church for an evening catechism. The catechist was not around to preside over the session so Ekene had to stand in for him. One needed to see the way he raised his shoulders as he taught, I was so irritated. When it ended, everyone hovered around him to sing praises of how wonderful the class was. Mama was not exempted. She stood by the side and waited till a good number of the people were gone. She signaled me to get closer and I did. She then dragged me to the mango tree under which Ekene was standing.

"My son, you did so well today, I wish you will continue handling the catechism every week."
"Mama Nkiru, you can only thank God and not me, He alone did it, I'm just his mere servant." Ekene said in such a calm voice, emitting humility.
Mama gave him a huge smile. "Remember you've always wanted to see my daughter."
"Ehh, yes but that should be whenever she is free to come."
"She is very free oh! There's nothing left to do at home for me."
All the while they both conversed, I remained calm beside her and maintained a straight face. They were just discussing like I was invisible before them. I was so annoyed.
When Mama noticed me again, she pushed me to his side and started adjusting her wrapper, "Nne, come back before dinner oh, bye bye." She turned and walked home leaving me with her beloved Bro Ekene.

"Sister Nkiru, let's go inside, the mosquitoes will soon start biting." He turned and led me into his room in the house quarters of the church. There was a glint I noticed in his eyes that made me feel wary, but what could I do? Isn't he the angelic bro Ekene?

His room was quite modest. The crucifix, images of the Virgin Mary and many other saints adorned his walls, he had a small table and a single chair. The curtain covered the other side of the room but you could bet that it was equally well arranged.
"What would you like me to offer you?" he asked.
Trying not to be rude, I wore a smile, "Anything."
"Then a soft drink will do," he said with that disturbing excitement in his voice. He walked in to the other side of his room, giving me the time to take a better look at his room. My eyes strayed to a white material at the edge of his bed. If I hadn't known better I would have said it was a female underwear, but what would it be doing in the angel's house?

Ekene came in with two half filled with some yellow liquid which turned out to be Fanta. The smell of it soon filled the air. He placed it on the table and shifted it towards me. I sat on the only chair in his room.
"So how are you doing, sis Nkiru?" He asked as he took a glass for himself.
"I'm fine"
"You are not regular for catechisms."
"I usually have things to do with my time," trying not to sound rude, though it was not working.
"You are not drinking it?" he pointed at the glass.
"Well, yours is not empty yet," I retorted finally getting almost angry at the way he was looking at me.
"Nkiru, you know you are very beautiful."
I stared at his lips as he continued, "I have always admired you, I've liked you since the first day I saw you."

I stood from the chair, all surprised. I was speechless at this point for I knew where Ekene was headed at. "I think I will be going now," I made for the door.
From behind, his broad hands withheld me. My heart skipped a beat.
I turned to face him but he was quick to jump on me, holding my waist tight. I tried to twist off his grip, but beneath that gentle and small body was a strength I never knew was there. He tugged at my round-neck polo, "I will have my way with you as I've had with the others," he growled into my ear. I struggled in vain to get rid of him, but it seemed that he has done this more than once before, for he knew every move I made. I could only scream in tears. He slapped me and forced me to the ground barbarically.

The floor was now covered with the pieces of my polo, then he went down to my shirt. The blows I landed on him were not too strong, but I kept on hitting him. My throat was getting sore from crying. The madness I saw in his eyes were anything but the angel Ekene that Mama knew.

I could only plead now that he focused on unzipping his trousers. The grin on his face was devilish as he brought it out. I couldn't stand the sight. I fought him with everything in me, but the slap he gave me made me hover in the brink of unconsciousness. Then I heard a loud bang and then a crashing sound before the darkness set in.

Everything was calm and dark, I couldn't place distance or time, but it was peaceful. A white light shone from the sky and I heard voices from the distance
"Nkiru! Nkem!"
"Mama don't worry, she will be fine."
"Ekene has killed me! hei, I have killed myself oh! How will I explain that I took her to him myself?
Nkiru biko! I'm sorry, please wake up."

I heard sobs around me but my eyes were still heavy. I managed to open them. Everything seemed to be moving and blurry. After a moment, things became clearer, and I saw Mama crying profusely and Mike dabbing my face with some warm clothe. Then my memory flashed back to moment I heard the crash on bro Ekene's door.

Somebody burst in and threw several punches to Ekene and got him off me just before he almost had his way. The stranger took off his shirt and covered me whilst lifting me up his shoulder. I saw that white material and the opening that proved it was female panties.

As I was lifted from the ground and being carried up to the door, I looked down to see the stranger's dropping trousers. I closed my eyes, for I knew then that I was in the safe hands of the man I loved.