The Lie.pdf

7/27/2019 The Lie.pdf

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The Lie

By

Hellene Alabi

4,176

The meeting finally ended at three-fifteen that Friday afternoon, Adas head was

pounding, even as she nodded into the phone she winced and gestured to her secretary to drop

the documents and messages she brought into the emptying office, she was the branch manager

of a first generation bank.

Assuring Mrs. Ogbodo that the bank stocks were not really dropping she smiled weakly as she

finally replaced her phone and took a sip from her mug of tepid coffee, she gagged and placed it

down grimacing and opened her top drawer and reached for the bottle of Aleve she kept specially

there for days like this.

Whenever she was having her period, her head pounded, her skin grew hot and cold and she

suffered double visions, she was afraid to go to the hospital because she was sure she will find

out they were symptoms of the big C, so she suffered and swallowed pain-killers her husband

sent her from Canada. She endured more of the bitter fluid to wash down the slim pill.

She shook her head and groaned in regret, she had to stop abusing her body like this.

Her secretary came in again and her desk phone started ringing simultaneously, she grabbed the

phone and dropped it back on the cradle, what now, Chichi? she asked as she looked at her

through hooded eyes, sorry ma, your gate man called, he said it was urgent, you should call him

as soon as you can she said and slowly retreated thankfully taking the half drank cup of coffee

with her. Ada sighed, Daudu, her gateman was melodramatic, he called everything urgent.


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The last time the PHCN people visited and threatened to cut their electricity, he had called and

announced it as urgent , when her mother-in-law came to stay for two weeks two months ago,

she had been called approximately four times daily because of one urgent excuse or the other.

She blamed herself for buying the idiot a phone and actually recharging it. Frowning she reached

for her mobile phone and found out he had also called her fourteen times there, she hissed and

dropped the phone, she had too much to do, she decided to tackle most of the documents and

soon was lost until Chichi came in to say goodnight.

She looked up with a squint, she really needed to visit an optician, her eyes were getting worse

she thought as she blinked at the wall clock, it read 8:45 and she rubbed her eyes to remove the

black spots as she bade Chichi goodnight.

Stretching her lean arms above her small head, she grabbed her phone which was still on silent

and stuffed some of the documents into her laptop bag and shut down her Sony Vio lap top, then

reaching for the desk phone she told her driver John to bring the car around to the front of the

building.

By the time she made it down from her eight floor office with the elevator, John was waiting

agitatedly for her in the almost deserted lobby, what is it John? she asked as she took in his

worried expression, Madam, I don dey call you since he replied as he hastily stepped forward

and took her laptop bag and her hand bag from her,

Proper English John, Ive warned you! she scolded, she hated when he addressed her in pidgin

English, Na Aisha, madam John replied ignoring her warning as he rushed forward to get the

door for her, my daughter? she asked blankly, yes ma,she faint, dem don rush am go hospital

na im we dey call you for since he continued as they got to the car.


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Ada halted as her stomach dropped and the taste of the coffee she took all day came back up, she

struggled to swallow, what she said but her voice was weak and her throat too bitter, clearing

her throat again, what did they say is wrong with my child? she asked a little stronger, John

shrugged as he swung his car door open, dem no know, but dem say if she no get blood, she go

die he replied as he entered into the car and expertly reversed and entered the already congested

road.

*

Judith has been a nurse for eight years, she had started as a cleaner, then she had been moved

after three months to the dispensary, where she quickly learnt about pharmacology, she was

doing so well that the doctor, an aged man that had studied as an obstetrician, had decided to

train her as a nurse. He had allowed her to inject patients the first six months of the training; it

had not been easy for Judith, a bubbly, plump kind hearted girl of twenty-two, who hated hurting

peoples feelings. Eventually she got the hang of it and was swiftly moved to fixing of IVs and

carrying out minor examinations. It was no surprise to anyone when the old doctor finally

promoted her to Head nurse and married her. When he was not in the hospital, she covered for

him. When the young girl was rushed to their hospital that afternoon, she had taken one look at

her and known what the diagnosis was. When she had called her husband for examination, he

had pronounced the same diagnosis. Because she was bleeding profusely, she had suggested that

they either turn them away or contact the police. After several pleadings from the young aboki

man who seemed to be the culprit, that also brought the unconscious girl, they had finally agreed

to call their friend Ete, who was a police sergeant and put the girl under close observation.


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It was almost nine forty-five before a harried woman rushed through the hospital dirty glass

doors to ask about her daughters condition. Judith examined her through large innocent looking

eyes, she was rake thin, her grey colored skirt suitthough well tailoredwas two sizes too big

for her, permed hair that got to her shoulders, parted on the side, eyes that were closely set and

red rimmed, she had been crying obviously, a thin runny nose and her thin lips were chapped and

slightly bleeding, she must have been biting them throughout on her way to the hospital.

Madam, calm down, she is stabilized now she said soothingly, pitying the woman, being a

mother of a five year old daughter herself, the mothers were always the last to know, she thought

shaking her head as the poor woman started to cry, whhhat is wrong with her? she managed to

get out between sobs, em, the doctor is with a patient, but he will soon be through Judith said

evasively, quickly getting up to go fetch her husband. Ada started pacing, wondering what they

had for dinner the night before and whether or not she was looking ill in anyway but she couldnt

remember, a frustrated sob escaped from her as the old doctor made his ponderous way towards

her. She stopped pacing and wiped the tears from her eyes angrily, she hated to be so weak.

Madam the doctor said in a calm baritone and steered her away from the reception towards his

office, she followed silently as he squeezed her wet palm and murmured platitudes to her. She

calmed down considerably as she was ushered into a large, colorfully decorated office. He

offered her an armchair and sat on the one close to it, looking at her keenly, he noticed she was

strained and undernourished, your daughter will be just fine, we had to transfuse when we saw

that she was in dire need of blood he mumbled patting her hand as he rang for housekeeping,

but you on the other hand need some food in your system, we will get you an orange drink and

maybe some snacks he told the orderly that showed up, looking at her as he spoke, she nodded

and managed a dry-lipped, close-mouthed smile.


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He sighed, it was always so difficult when handling relatives, no matter how many times he had

done it, we will wait a little for the orderly and the food while I finish my evening examination

of your daughter and another patient, just stay here till I return he said and got up before she

could protest.

Ada sat there numb, cold and wondering how she had failed so woefully as a mother.

It must be the prawns, she thought again as she finally remembered yesterdays dinner, I thought

they didnt look fresh yet I used them for the coconut rice, she berated herself, what else could it

be that will make her faint?

The door opened again quietly and the orderly handed her a paper plate of meat-pie and a plastic

bottle of fanta, she took it and nodded to him. As he retreated, she took a small bite of the pie and

found it warm and moist. She took another bite, this time bigger and chewed slowly, she took a

gulp of the fanta and another big bite of the pie, it was quite tasty she thought as her mind

wandered towards work, she still had three reports to write and the employees data base to

update, she sighed and placed the half-eaten snack on the worn stool beside her and drank all the

fanta, then looking around, she noticed that the office was slightly dusty, she frowned. Why

would the doctors office be dusty except for the reason that he didnt use it all the time. She got

up abruptly and headed for the door, something bad has happened she thought in panic as she

yanked the door open and found the doctor standing in front of her, he smiled and ushered her

back in.

Shes stabilized and resting, I had to sedate her when we couldnt hold her down for the IV he

paused and frowned, she was quite beside herself with grief and remorse, she said you would

kill her if you found out

Ada blinked uncomprehendingly, why would she be remorseful for eating bad prawns,


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I dont understand doctor, I made the dinner she said to the doctor who merely nodded and

offered her the seat she just vacated, you think her illness has to do with food poisoning? he

inquired quietly as he sat down heavily, yes, is it something else? she asked as the cold finger

of fear gripped her again, oh God, please let it not be anything worse, she prayed as the doctor

cleared his throat, em, yes it is he said and stared into space, does your daughter have a

boyfriend? he asked suddenly, Ada threw her head back and laughed heart ily, boyfriend? she

thought, she had problems getting her daughter to mingle with other people, she was a chronic

bookworm that was why she started counseling in church with the teen pastor, Patrick, she was

too antisocial, no, doctor, she doesnt have aboyfriend, she barely even have female friends

much less boys she replied with a wan smile, the doctor wrung his hands and hung his head in

deep thought, he found this particular case difficult to handle, maybe because he saw that she

was already overwrought and overworked, well, your daughter was three months pregnant and

trying to abort it, she took some strong, local contraceptives and would have bled to death if your

gateman hadnt rushed her to the hospital he said bluntly, the truth couldnt be sweetened he

thought as he saw astonishment, then confusion on her thin features, I am here for Aisha Ivory

Isa-Mohammed doctor she explained, they probably had more than one female teenager here.

The doctor sighed and nodded his head, Im talking about her he paused and flipped her chart

open he had entered with open, age fifteen, weight forty kilograms, blood group B-positive,

with a healed fractured wound on her right arm, five stitches on that injury he looked at her in

askance, yes she fell from her sleigh when she was ten, I was in the kitchen preparing the

eggnog for the church Christmas brunch in Wichita she replied automatically defensive, eyes

wide with shock, pregnant? she whispered almost in awe.


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The doctor nodded gravely, to whom? she asked in a strangled voice, we were hoping you

would help us with that, you have no clue at all? he asked her again, she shook her head, both in

disbelieve for what she hearing and in denial, I know no such boy she replied her mind in a

blur.

Can I see her, doctor? she asked, still not believing that she was discussing her daughter,

shes asleep and wed rather not want her awakened he replied, oh no, I only want to see, just

to make sureher voice trailed off.

He nodded, pitying her.

They both got up at the same time and headed for the door.

Ada re-entered the reception and felt ashamed as if she had done something wrong, did all the

orderlies know? She wondered as she passed a nurse who greeted her genially, they must all

know and wonder what kind of mother I am, she thought again in disbelieve, the doctor opened

the door down the hall and gestured for her to enter after touching his lips with his index finger,

she nodded dumbly and hesitated, what if there was no mistake? And her daughter had actually

attempted abortion? No one taught you how to deal with such problems when you became a

mother, babies were the only things that came without manuals she thought distractedly.

She straightened her spine, her late mother would have said she was being spineless; the Da-silva

women were strong and indestructible.

She entered the room and could barely make out the tiny form sleeping quietly on the hospital

bed. She neared the bed and looked closely, it was really her daughter, smaller and a little pale,

but her daughter nonetheless, sleeping on the hospital bed.

Ada felt hot tears coursing down her face before she realized she was weeping openly, her little

girl had been violated and was trying to fix the problem, or was it consensual? She thought as


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anger and doubt bubbled together within her constricted chest, she shook her head forcefully, she

knew Ivory, someone had forced themselves on her but why hadnt she told me? Ada agonized.

She jumped when she felt the doctors hand on her shoulder, he motioned her to the door and she

shook her head at him, she was not leaving this room until her daughter woke up. The doctor

looked at her sympathetically, it was always so hard, he touched her elbow again, lets just

discuss, you can come back he said quietly, Ada turned and walked out of the room without

struggle, her red eyes ablaze.

Immediately the door closed she turned towards the doctor, someone will pay for this she

hissed through clenched teeth, the doctor nodded passively, he knew mothers always believed

the best of their off-springs, we have a police friend on ground if you want to talk to him, as you

know, this is a serious matter he said as Adas eyes grew bigger, it was painful for the doctor to

see, you already involved the police withoutmy consent she roared, I will sue if this case

embarrasses any member of my family she thundered at the doctor, finally satisfied that she had

an object to vent her anger on, and to even insinuate that she brought this upon herself is both

insulting and demeaning of my capabilities as a mother she said, enunciating her words,

Madam, I apologize for annoying you, but the police was called to protect the hospital, she was

brought here profusely bleeding and unconscious, please let us sit and discuss this issue

privately he begged, his hospital was just beginning to gain recognition, he didnt want any

negative reports circulating the estate.

Ada glared at him and decided to do as he advised, they went back towards the dusty office, she

paused as he opened the door, I have to make some calls she said and walked away abruptly in

the opposite direction.

The doctor sighed heavily, shaking his head.


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*

what are you saying? the male voice asked tinged with worry and astonishment, it was so

difficult hearing him talk like that, I dont have details yet but I thought you would want to

know her thin voice trailed off, she was so fatigued, we will know more by tomorrow, shes

sleeping now she added to reassure him.

There was static and silence, areyou still there? she asked raising her voice a little,

I told you not to drag my children to thatchurch of yours! his tone was raw and vicious, she

drew the phone away from her ear and stared at it before pressing it back to her ear, honey this

has nothing to do with church

How do you know? came the quick reply, she closed her eyes and ran a paper dry hand over

her face, her eyes itched and watered, honey, lets just wait till tomorrow, when shes awake, I

will get the truth from her she waited when she heard a sniff from the other end, oh God, why

was this happening now?She thought desperately, she sighed and stifled a sob of her own, TJ?

she said hesitantly, he coughed then cleared his throat, Just make sure you let me know the

minute shes awake, no matter the time, I want to talk to her he ended the call before she could

say anything back.

Slowly dropping the phone, she turned and walked back towards the doctors office, she squared

her shoulders before knocking on the door, without waiting for a response, she opened the door

and entered, it was going to be a long night, she thought when she saw the scrawny looking man

that was seated on the seat she just vacated.


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The sun was bright; the curtains moved lazily in the breeze, the room smelt faintly of Dettol and

some flowery aerosol freshener.

Aisha sniffed and tried to sit up.

She gasped as the pain shot from her navel to her lower abdomen.

Cradling her flat throbbing stomach on her hands she blinked the tears from her eyes and tried to

look around without moving.

Her mother was sleeping, folded on the worn armchair the color of yeast.

She wiped her tears with the back of her palm and agonized on what to tell her mother when she

woke up.

Ada stirred and sneezed twice before opening her eyes, she groaned as she straightened stiff

muscles, then staring belatedly on the bed she met her daughters pensive look, rushing to her

side amidst moans of pains she dropped to one knee and took Aishas cold hand, kissing it she

stroke her forehead as she started to weep, Im so sorry I didnt protect you better she

whispered into the frail girls ear.

Aisha managed to turn and buried her head on her mothers neck sobbing openly.

Ada was not sure whether it was in pains or shame she wept, it didnt matter, her daughter was

hurt and she did what any mother would do naturally; console her.

*

The doctor finished his check up and patted Aishas shoulder, the nurse moved in and started to

sponge bath her, she had been instructed not to allow her stand up, she had lost a lot of blood.

Ada paced outside the room, once in a while she will take a sneak peek at the half opened door to

see if her daughter was alright, then she will resume pacing. She wasnt sure what to tell her


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husband. After breakfast, she had asked Aisha who was responsible for her pregnancy and she

had replied that it was someone from the church, meaning her husband had been right after all.

When she had pressed her for a name Aisha had started crying again and she had been asked to

leave the room so that the doctor could conduct his check up on the patient. She held her phone

now in her hand, dreading the call to TJ her husband, the nurse presently came out of Aishas

room, smiled at her and walked away. Ada reentered the room and stared at her daughter,

suddenly she wished her own mother was still alive, Dame Mona would have known exactly

what to do she thought dismally. She took her seat again and leaned forward, daddy wants to

say hello to you, are you up to it? Aisha nodded vigorously. Finally after inhaling and exhaling

several times, Ada placed the call, just as she was going to say hello, her husbands brusque

voice cut her off, put her on the phone! he said without pleasantries. Ada handed the phone to

Aisha who shifted to get comfortable and for the first time since the ordeal started, she saw her

daughter smile as she chatted animatedly with her father. Ada got up and left the room, feeling

lost and dejected.

*

Is it Sister Chinyeres son, Godfrey? You told me he was always playing pranks when you

went for counseling Ada asked trying in vain to get the name of the boy responsible for

knocking her daughter up and leaving her to clean up the mess, she has been calling the names of

all the boys in the teenage section but Aisha kept shaking her head, her father had asked and she

had started crying, presently tears welled up again in her eyes and Ada leaned from her sitting

position to wipe them, if you tell me, it will be our secret, I wont even tell your dad. She

cajoled quietly, Aisha shook her head again, Please mum, I dont want to talk about it ever

again she said turning her head away, she was healing the bleeding had stooped completely,


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there was no spotting and the doctor had informed Ada after the morning check up that she will

be ready to go back home by evening. Ada sighed heavily, TJ had ordered her to bring his

daughter as soon as she could fly; it was almost as if Ada had allowed what happened to happen

deliberately. Why was he so angry with her? She was just as shocked by the whole event as he

was, she rearranged the sheet protectively around her daughter and got up and stretched, it was

Monday afternoon, she would have been rounding up the Monday morning meeting and

returning to her office to tackle the files, but she was instead in a hospital room, trying to make

her daughter tell her how she got pregnant right under her nose, some mother, Ada thought again

as she exited the room, she was going home to cook and hopefully sleep a little before returning

to bring her daughter home.

The flight was almost full, Ada sat down and rearranged Aishas blanket, mum, Im ready to

talk Ada braced herself as if she was about to receive a blow, okay she replied in a shaky

voice. its pastor Patrick, he said I should never tell or else I will go to hell for tattling Aisha

said quietlyplucking at the thread of the soft woolen blanket, pastor Patrick did what? Ada

asked confused, told you not to tell me? Aisha shook her head, Pastor Patrick did it She

glanced at her mother and saw her stunned, pained expression, pastor... Ada muttered and

couldnt speak, okay, I will never tell anyone, I promise As the plane taxied towards the

runway for takeoff and Aisha closed her eyes as the sleeping drugs took effect, Ada looked out

of the window and wondered what she will tell TJ when they got to Canada, her stomach was hot

and cold at the same time as she tried to imagine the six feet plus pastor with her diminutive

daughter, it brought tears of rage and humiliation to her eyes. She thumbed the brand new novel

by Chimamanda Adichie, Half of a yellow sun she had thought it will keep her company


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during the long flight, but the only thing that consumed Adas thoughts now, was what to tell her

husband when they got to him.

TJ was waiting for them at the arrival terminal when they cleared with immigration, he picked

Aisha up as if she weighed nothing and glared at Ada, who did this? he mouthed behind his

daughters back, Ada stared at him for a long time, her internal struggle mercifully did not show

on her thin, sharp features, its Danladi, from the Islamic settlement she whispered back.

Danladi, was the gatemans younger brother that lived with them until a few weeks back and was

killed in a bomb in their Kaduna settlement a day after getting home. TJ turned and walked away

saying nothing, Ada followed, already feeling heavy with guilt for lying on a dead boy, but the

lie was better than facing the truth.

The end.

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