My cousin Ese, ran to our house as if someone was pursuing her. The way she ran in made me afraid. I had to quickly check outside, but I didn’t see anyone.

“Ese, what is after you,” I asked.

“My sister, nothing is after me, but I’m in pursuit of something,” Ese

“What could that be?” I asked. I was curious to know.

“There is an opportunity to travel abroad. Someone connected me to the woman. She promised to take care of all expenses and take me abroad. When I start working , I will pay her back. She has been doing it for many people. One of the people she helped to travel abroad was the person that connected me to her,” Ese narrated.

“Wow! Congratulations!”

“Thanks dear. The good news is that I am not going alone. I told her about you. She promised to sponsor two of us.”

“Really?”

“Yes o ” Ese answered me in excitement.

“But what kind of work are we going to do there?” I asked.

“She told me that it is house help job,” Ese informed me.

“That’s what they normally say. But when the person gets there, they will introduce the person to another thing.” I said.

“I don’t care . What ever they want to introduce me to,I am ready. Whatever my mates are doing to make money, I will do it,” Ese boldly told me.

“Ese, please count me out. I am not interested” I told her firmly.

Ese travelled out of the country. After 2 years, she started sending cars, sending money to buy houses etc.

As soon as my parents saw it, they started preaching about going abroad. I made it clear to them that I am not interested . After several pressure and I refused to bulge, they told me that They would no longer sponsor me in school. To the gloryof God, I have already completed my OND so I was not bothered.

After a while, the noise of going abroad died down and I thought that my parents have decided to let me be. I didn’t know that they had another plan

My mother woke me very early in the morning and informed me that my father wanted to have an urgent discussion with me. I came to the living and room and met my father already sitted. I greeted him and sat, wondering what he wanted to tell me.

“Itohan my daughter, I have an important information for you.”

“I’m listening sir”

“You know how I and your mother are suffering. It is not easy to train children in school. I am happy for the level you have gotten to. At least you can get a job and take of yourself. I spoke to my friend living in Lagos to help you secure a job . He didn’t give me a postive answer. I was surprised when he called to say that a company is sending you an appointment letter. This is it. Please open and read it , so that we can confirm it,” my father told me.

I happily collected the letter from my father. truly it was an appointment letter. I was happy. My father urged me to prepare to travel to Lagos.

I actually prayed about the journey but I didn’t get any positive answer. My spirit was totally against the journey. But I know that if I ever say that would not go, I have signed my death warrant. My parents would skin me alive.

I decided to discuss it with my pastor and told him to pray for. The next day, our pastor invited me to his office. He told me that I shouldn’t go for the job. I was afraid to disobey my parents.

On the day that I embarked on the journey, the vehicle that I borded broke down on the way. When they couldn’t repair it, We had to board another One. The same thing happened to the 2nd, 3rd, 4th and 5th one . At that point, I decided to call my father on phone to inform him about what was going on.

What exactly did you say is going on?” My father asked.

“Daddy I am frustrated. I am still on the way, each motor that enters breaks down . This is the 5th one. I don’t know what to do”

“Quickly board another car and continue with you journey. Delay is dangerous” my daddy cautioned.

“Daddy it’s like you are not understanding what I am saying” I cried out.

“What exactly do you want me to understand?”

“I think that the car that is breaking down is a bad omen. Why is it that every car that I enters breaks down”

“It is your bad luck that is breaking down the cars. Listen, let me warn you. Make sure that you gets to that destination. Even if you want to trek, that is your business. But if you lose that job I will skin you alive,” my father threatened.

I was hearing my mother’s voice at the background , urging my father to give her the phone. I was happy because I thought that my salvation has come. However she told me that if I should misss the opportunity, I shouldn’t think of coming back home.

It then occured to me that there must be more to the job that meets the eyes. I decided to call my mother’s younger sister on phone to tell her all my experiences.

She ordered me to board another vehicle to return to Benin. I lived with her for a while until I secured a job. It was later that I discovered what my parents conived with some agents to send me abroad so that I would sell my body to make money for them.

“What!”

Yes o. My parents were worse than your mother. At a point , I started thinking that they might not be my real parents. But with your story, I have laid the matter to rest.

The next morning, Uloma travelled to see her parents. She was relieved when she discovered that her father was still alive. She then asked her mother why she sent for her.

“Mother, you told me that my father wanted to see me. But he said that he didn’t do so?”

“I had to say that because you were asking of him. My reason for telling you to come is because of your sister; Ujunwa. She is sick. I felt that it would be nice for us to visit her.”

“Ha! I hope that it not too serious?”

“Not really, according to what she said. But it is necessary that we see things for ourselves.”

“You are right mummy.”

Uloma became so worried. She felt that Ujunwa could be terribly sick and her mother didn’t want to tell her . When they finally got to Ujunwa’s house, Uloma was surprised to see her in her living room eating chicken. She did not look like a sick person.

“Ujunwa how are you?” Uloma reached out to her because she didn’t acknowledge her presence. She only greeted her mum.

“You can see that I am fine. You are not blind,” she snapped at Uloma.

Uloma expected her mother to ask Ujunwa questions or even reprimand her for insulting her. Instead, she joined Ujunwa in eating the chicken even without washing her hand.

Uloma’s nephew and niece ran to greet her. She carried them and started playing with them.

” Put those children down,” her mother commanded her.

“Mummy what is the matter?”Uloma asked in atonishment.

“Uloma what is not the matter? If you love children, then marry and give birth,” her mother told her.

Uloma brought out the biscuits she bought for sisters children and attempted to give them but Ujunwa did not allow them to take it. She said that Uloma bought cheap biscuits for her children. At that point, Uloma become so angry.

“Mummy, what is the meaning of this? Why did you bring me here to be humiliated”

“Uloma, you are the one humiliating yourself. If you have agreed to marry the rich man I brought for you, your life would have been better. Though it is not too late. That man is still asking of you. As for why I brought you here, your sister needs someone to help her wash clothes. It’s not for free o. She and her husband will pay you.”

“Mummy what did you say,” Uloma asked even as tears flowed freely from my eyes.

“I said your sister’ s house help is sick so there is no one to wash her clothes and that of her husband and children. That was why I called you.”

“You invited me to come and wash Ujunwa’s clothes?”

“You are not doing it for free. I will pay you and also give you some of my old clothes,” Ujunwa told her.

“Ujunwa, you are being arrogant. Have you forgetten that I am your elder sister. To wash your clothes is not the problem. Afterall, I use to wash your clothes before you got married. Washing your children’s clothes is not a problem too; they are my children. But what is not appropriate is the way you have been insulting me. You have been doing it and getting away with it. But this that you did today, you have crossed your line. Unless I am not serving a living God. If I have been serving this God in spirit and in truth, He will turn my shame to testimony.

Uloma made attempt to go but her mother asked,”Where do you think you are going to”

“I am going to my house,” Uloma informed her.

” You must wash all the clothes and mop the floor before going. If you step out of this place when you have not done all these, you will have yourself to blame,” Her mother said firmly.

She gave a signal to Ujunwa and she quickly moved out. Uloma didn’t know that she went to let loose the dogs. She made a move to go. Immediately she came out, the 2 giant dogs descended on her.

Watch out for the next episode.