Chapter 4: FATE

Chapter 4: FATE

A flurry afternoon it was indeed at the western coast region of U.S army Barrack. Mr.Henderson,a brigadier general who had just returned a week before from an indaba he went for in Nigeria. He was busy going through the files on his desk when a soldier entered into his office to report a case.

"Sir.. the doctor is here to see you".

He saluted as he delivered the message.

"Let him in at once"! "Ok Sir"

"How is the boy doing? Is he still unconscious?"

"Yes sir...but he's recuperating, with the surgery we carried out on his brain sooner or later he will get to his feet. Just that his head was badly injured as this might lead him to suffer from amnesia".

"For how long will he be in that state till he recovers his memories"?

"Sir..I am not quite certain about that, but time will tell on him sir".

"Ok then,, is there any other thing you want to tell me?"

"No sir, that's all for now."

"Ok then, you may take your leave."

"Ok sir."

"Yeah I have finally found it. This is the document that contains all the secrets we needed in order to be smart and win this war. If we lose it, we will end up losing not only that but also causing a lot of damage to our country". He was telling his P.A as he explained every detail of the document to him.

"Ok sir, i have a suggestion sir."

"Ok go on"

"I think it wouldn't be a bad idea if we make a safe and drill a hole of its size in your office and hide it there with your framed picture hanging outside of it. with that, no one will be able to find it".

"Aha.. i think you made a crucial point there, so let it be done as u said before today runs out ".

"Yes sir" in salutation.

Four weeks passed. The brigadier general seated closely on a stool beside Ikenna who had regained his consciousness not quite long, but was still in a sick bay; as both were staring at each other.

"What's your name, boy?" The brigadier asked.

"My name?". Trying to recall his name.

"I don't have any". He answered.

"You don't have any name?" The brigadier general asked again.

"Can you recall what transpired in your past? " He continued asking him to know if he could recall something.

Immediately the doctor realised that he was still suffering from amnesia so he tried as much as possible to recapitulate the issues to Mr.Henderson.

"Ok then, i want to reassure you that sooner or later you will come around boy." Mr.henderson said this as he patted the boy on his back.

"I will surely notify you, if there is any new change observed in him sir". Said the doctor.

"Ok then. please keep trying your best on him, i might need him someday". Mr.henderson said.

"Ok sir."

Dr.walker is a very jovial sort of a person. He had a way of reassuring his patients regardless of their circumferences. He noticed that Ikenna was not only battling with amnesia but also was influenced by claustrophobia and seemed to be on the verge of total derangement. He came close to where he was seated with a smile on his face in an overture to make him feel reassured.

"I know a lots have been going through your mind. But not to worry, cause with time you will be alright." Said Dr.walker.

Two days later, after Mr.Henderson visited Ikenna in the clinic which was built for an emergency and for treatment. Was embedded at the centre of the barack. There were lots of activities going on outside the camp. As one group of soldiers marching in one direction and other groups doing all sorts of gyms.

"Hey you! Come forward". The lieutenant said, pointing at one of the soldiers. He kicked him on his left leg as he ran over to answer.

"Why 'are you not training with others!? Is this how you 're gonna help your country achieve success? Now go and join the group". The lieutenant ordered him at once.

"My apologies sir". He ran off immediately to join others. As this was going on, Ikenna was watching the whole scene. He tried so hard to recall what happened in his past but to no avail. All he could analyse at that moment was the fact that he is now in a foreign land.

Nevermind the fact that they were English speakers; he could barely make head of what they were saying. Even though some of them have the same dark skin as his, they also speak even faster than the rest. As those thoughts were going through his mind, he heard a voice from a near distance and he was pointing in his direction.

"Hey! Civilian. Advance here at once!" The lieutenant ordered. Pointing at Ikenna from a distance. To Ikenna, he knew the man was talking to him but to make-head of what he was saying that moment was indeed an arduous task for him. He was still standing there when the lieutenant approached him.

"Ain't you the one that asked to come? "

Ikenna was fidgeting to his toe.

"It seems like you're new here...ah?

"Are you lost or what? If you are , better find your way boy." As he turned to leave, Ikenna whom was neither dumb nor deaf finally spoke up.

"Please sir...I am looking for the man that brought me here. He has a moustache and he seems to be the head of this place. Please, where can I find him, sir?"

Lieutenant turned to the boy in amazement.

"I thought you were some kinda...deaf and dumb person."

"I think I know whom you're referring to. That must be our brigadier general."

"But...by the way, why did you seek him? Did you have any invitation from him?"

"No sir. I only want to thank him properly for his kindness."

"Ok then. If that be the case, I will take you to him. Now follow me"

The lieutenant ordered him and they both left for his office.

"Yes!! come in." Mr.Henderson replied to the knock on the door. The lieutenant came in.

"Sir, a boy said he wanted to see you."

"Let him in at once."

"Okay sir! "

Ikenna came in at once and the door was shut.

"Hey..my boy.. it's you." Said Mr.Henderson. smiling.

"Thank you sir." Ikenna said.

"For what? Henderson asked.

"For saving my life sir despite the fact that you were not from my country. So I have come to pay you some respect and show my appreciation."

"Oh..c'mon boy, don't be silly. It's good to show love and care to people that need it the most. I can't see myself overlooking an unconscious person lying on the street. So I got to save your life at that moment.Thank your star that I found you still breathing."

"Thank you very much sir. My God will never abandon you in your time of trouble sir."

"Amen. You sound very religious. Which religion are you."

Mr.henderson asked calmly. He was the only man that Ikenna understood well when he spoke.

" I'm a Christian sir."

"Oh! Really, me too." Said mr.henderson.

"Ehmm...have you in any way recall a bit of your past and what actually transpired that almost cost your life."

"Not really sir." Ikenna answered.

"Ehmm.. it's okay boy, I have this feeling that someday you will recall every iota of things that happened."

"Ok sir. Thanks sir."

"But sir, i realised that I am now in a different environment.sorry sir... I mean in a foreign land."

"Yeah...the thing is ... you're not far from the truth. Where you are now is the United States of America. I picked you up from Nigeria,in a city your people referred as Logs... No that's not it. Yes I mean lagus. Where you were lying half dead."

"But why do you want to return there? I have this feeling that whomever that put you in such a state i saw you last time was meant to harm your life. I think it would be wise of you if you stay here till you get to recall your memories,then you can decide whether to go back or not."

"Ok sir, you're right. Once again,I appreciate your kindness to me sir."

"It's ok ,let me know if you need anything and Don't hesitate."

"Ok sir. Thanks."

"Sir". Ikenna turned as if he forgot something.

"Sir, I want to make myself useful here. Ever since I recovered, all I did was eat and sleep. But now I am fit now.allow me help you in any way i can."

"That's very thoughtful of you. But you still have to rest a little, so you can now tell me where you want to help."

"Ok sir. But please allow me to be useful to myself. At least I can do house chores like; cleaning, washing, polishing shoes and I even cook sir."

"Hahaha. You mean laundry service?"

"Absolutely sir". Ikenna answered in more confidence.

"Ok then. Since you persist, I will let my Personal Assistant put you in the laundry unit. But you have to take things easy, okay?"

"Okay sir", "thanks".

He opened the door and left. He was so excited about having the opportunity to work with white men. Life in white man's land was quite recapitulating. He thought.

"There's something special about this boy. I like him". Mr.henderson declared to his P.A who was standing right behind him during those long colloquy with Ikenna.