The LONGEST WAIT

ies' THE L

PTE

vernment had granted amnesty to us, and I had no choice than to return home. I didn't become a militant because I wanted to. It was because of unemployment. I was 35 years old, married and had two kids. I needed to take car

hell, but that is a story for another day. When I finally graduated, I got married to my childhood love and within a short while, we produced two beautiful girls. Now, with no

eved we were just collecting our own share of the national cake. Our community had immense wealth which was not being enjoyed by us. Poverty was rampant and our youths wer

we ever got into a firefight with anyone, it was simply for defensive purposes. The hostages we captured we treated fairly until their ransoms were paid. Person

e almost three million naira. I was going to use that money to start up a business to take care of my young family. I believed that with that amou

h and couldn't understand why she sounded so happy. After she had served me my ev

mething in church today and I

ys say things. What's new this

ine" to jappa and it d

t but who wants to j

we are trying our best. However, it is an opportuni

r children? Remember, both of your children are females. They need the

. In fact, they even love you more than they love me, especiall

travels and leaves the man. It is the man who should trave

pportunity is only for women. So,

uch would it co

ust one million f

e million five hun

s n

ind of money in your life? In fact

n and a woman are on

es

s we are o

init

seen, then I have seen, too.

ered my elder brothers and sisters used to call her my wife. I used to cry each time they call me that because I was shy. I

take. I couldn't just let my wife go on a strange journey like that just because of the promise of a good life. I was having a very hard time making a concrete decision on that. I didn't want to tell my mum about it because I knew she would object to it immediately. My elder broth

ima told me, point blank. "You want to all

in no time at all, she would return with a lot

r comes back to y

never abandon me and her kids. Remember, she is

weak. Chisom, in spite of the fact that she has had two kids is still ve

t with my wife enh, I will send thunder direc

sn't cross the Atlan

old yo

re you subscribe to it. Do you understand. It could be a trap or anything. What if she is being trafficked? W

stead came to you for advice. I have heard you and I will take whatever you have told me under seri

just want the best for you.

ccused Chima, my friend for being jealous. She said Chima didn't want us to progress and that was the reason he was against her trave

who went to one Middle Eastern country like that and

ife, Obiageli is a good woman. It is unfortunate that what

e the facts. The facts remai

from what his own wife went through. He is talking from

he said and leave the rest to God. I didn't want a situation whereby she would someday say she had a golden opportunity to

as in charge of the program and gave him the money. From what I heard the man was going to use the money to process their docume

am said they would be taking off from nearby Benin Republic. That made me suspicious because I couldn't understand why they had to take off from Benin R

mpted to travel out before. So, the whole thing was confusing and

and all the things she would need. I prayed with her and gave her my blessings. That

eir goodbyes to their mother. Chioma, my eldest daughter wept until she almost passed out. As

ou are

, de

with my daddy, and he will

a very strong heart like your father. Some

poke and smiled in spite of th

of the room. When were left alone, I we

still are. Chioma is just eight and Chidinma is five. What ever you do, always remember us. At the appropriate time, the good

CONTIN