A JUSTIFIED PEEK INTO THE MINDS OF THE CHIBOK GIRLS (PART 3)

Having those keys obviously meant it was her turn to cook for everyone next day. Other girls could help only with making water and firewood available. If the Commander released the gas cylinder out of his “wicked benevolence”, the day would be less stressful. The Commander did this only for her, as his favourite and since he realized how great a cook she was. She had tried endlessly to prepare a terrible meal to avert being appointed before her turn came, but each time she surprised herself.

A JUSTIFIED PEEK INTO THE MINDS OF THE CHIBOK GIRLS (PART 2)

Reluctantly, she collected the keys and headed straight to what now became their “majalisa”- a common Assembly ground. They were just three girls there, seated quietly. She needed to plan the day ahead else she would be digging her own grave. Firstly, she had to hide the best part of the meal for her dear little Kauna, somehow. Sadiq was one glutton who wouldn’t mind commandeering her till he manages to get his fill. This, he often did with utmost impudence. Well, not that she expected to be treated like a queen either but Munkaila was more considerate. Who knows? Maybe the spell on him was gradually fading, she thought, for they all, the “evil men” seem to be under a spell. The biggest part of the planning was the peeling and cutting of the large, gallopy tubers of Yam brought into the camp the day before by Farouk. This had to begin that night with little or no help from the rest of the girls. Hannatu would have loved to help but her so-called husband never gets enough of her. Poor Hannatu.

Morning did not delay its arrival since Asabe went to bed late. She was very energetic, having slept unperturbed that night- a so-called privilege for next day cooks. They needed all the energy they could get, declared the Commander shortly after they were captured. It became a rule afterwards. No one dared flaunt it. It appears these evil men had some intelligence in them longing to be used right even amidst their animalistic tendencies. Soon enough, Yam and tomato sauce was served. As planned, Kauna had a good part of it, and Sadiq? He was not in sight. He must have been sent on a mission. The days’ business was the recruitment of innocent thirteen year olds and slightly above as suicide bombers.

By the way, Kauna has not been so much of a concern to her for fear of losing her mind. Asabe had counted the number of times Kauna had taken in; five times in a row and all were flushed away. She was pretty much a toy to her so-called husband like herself. Kauna bled so much on one occasion that the captive Doctor already pronounced her dead before he felt her pulse seconds afterwards. Even though she was taking her Quranic lessons by then, she couldn’t defeat the tears that rolled down her cheeks. Someday, they would reunite with their parents and what would her response be when asked of Kauna? She mingled her recitation with “Yesu” [Jesus], before Kauna came back to life. Mange (otherwise called Margaret) died three days before and was simply buried in a shallow grave some meters away from the camp. Kauna cannot have the same fate. Never! Her prayers would sustain her.

“Sadiya! Ladi! Ku zo nan”! [Sadiya, Ladi come here.]

It was Shettima calling. This meant they must have offended their so-called husbands in some way. Whatever be the case, they were just about having a gloomy day…

Let the Elections begin already. Hopefully, this Bring Back Our Girls’ mantra would end as a new surge of power emerges. What more can we hope for, but a better tomorrow?

Still we cry, Bring Back Our Girls!