Chapter 3: Box of Truth

Half believe, half doubt, I open Auwalu special box.

Inside, apart from golden punishment tools, I see one booklet wey dem print with the chief wife face…

As I open the box, my hand dey shake. My chest dey beat fast, sweat dey my palm even though weather cold. The golden punishment tools dey shine like say dem dey laugh me. But na that booklet pain me pass. Chief wife face dey there, fine and proud, her eye dey shine for print like she dey look me from paper. I begin dey reason—wetin Auwalu dey hide for me?

That night, I push away the man wey fine reach like polished stone.

“Abeg, I need real man for my side, no be steward wey dey do fine boy. No dey come again.”

As I talk am, my body dey do me one kind. E no easy to push am away, but my pride no go gree make I play second. For this compound, if person no wise, na so dem go take play you anyhow. I dey hear my own voice echo for my ear—strong, but my heart dey bleed. I no fit even look am for face as I talk am finish. My chest dey tight, but I carry myself waka go my corner, head high like say I no dey feel anything.