Chapter 4: Blackmail and Family Decisions

But Sani Garba talk say, "Zainab, abeg no make am hard for me. As long as you dey here, Hauwa no go ever happy. You no wan make things hard for my uncle too, abi?"

The way im voice soft, you go think say na plea, but I sabi threat dey hide under. Sani Garba dey use family matter hold me like blackmail. Him uncle na oga for my papa office. Na so life dey sometimes—big man pikin talk, small man pikin hear.

My papa dey work for Garba Holdings.

For Kaduna, if dem hear say you offend oga pikin, your whole family fit get problem. My papa dey come house tired every day, but him always get small joke to make us laugh. I no wan bring wahala for house.

For Hauwa matter, he use my papa work take threaten me.

The word dey sting for my ear pass slap. I know say this wahala fit cost us everything, and I no wan see my papa eyes red because of me. Inside my mind, I just dey beg God—make dem no sack my papa. Sometimes I wish say life easy, but Naija life hard like stone.

I know say my papa don dey work for Garba Holdings since he be twenty-two till now wey he be forty-five. I no fit let am lose job for this age because of me.

I dey reason my papa dry hand, the wrinkles wey tell plenty story. For this Kaduna, job no dey easy find. My chest dey heavy as I talk.

"Okay."

My voice just small, like rain for zinc roof. I no gree look Sani Garba face, I just dey watch the ground.

Sani Garba come look relieved:

He rub him head, almost wan smile but stop halfway. He try touch my shoulder but I shift. Sun for evening dey orange, painting us like old photograph.

"When she don calm down, I go let you come back."

Him words empty for my ear, like promise wey no get leg. I just dey nod, try hold my face strong. For Hausa land, you no suppose cry anyhow for public.