WRECKED 24 23

Early the next day she went to the girl's room. The nurse met her at the door. "Good afternoon, Mrs Rufai. I wasn't expecting you till noon." It was phrased as a question and a pleasant smile accompanied it, but there was a glint in her eyes that Anaya noticed. The nurses felt she spent too much time with this one girl, and her persistence was becoming a reproach to the nursing staff.

"I've decided," Anaya said, "to come more often. Thank you, nurse." She walked into the room and closed the door. The girl was sitting in the chair in the same position by the window. Anaya had an idea. Everyone spoke to the girl in English. For three months, she had been hearing the same words in the same language and refusing to respond. "We'll try Hausa," Anaya said to herself. "Let's see if my Hausa lesson will yield fruit."

She wasn't so fluent. Jubril mocked her strong Igbo accent. Still, she took her place beside the girl.

"Barka da rama." When Anaya spoke, the girl jumped. I should have thought of it before. "I don't know what happened to you in Sambisa," Anaya continued in Hausa, "but you were very brave, I'm sure. You have to be brave now, and I am going to help you. Let me tell you about my growing up in Aba."

That evening, Anaya went to find Eni. Her eyes were bright and wide with excitement. "Are you alright, ma? Have a seat. Should I serve you dinner? Or Kunu?"

"I don't want anything, Eni. I think she is going to be alright!" Eni did not need to ask who she meant. Her madam never talked about anyone else these days.

"Why?" Eni stared at her. "What happened? Has she said something?"
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"Yes," Anaya announced proudly. "She said 'Allah yaka mu.' The first string of words she has spoken in God knows how long. I told her stories of my childhood. Then, Eni, when it was time to go, I said what I've said every single time, almost of out of habit, Good night! And she said 'God keep you till then.' I could have died. I was so thrilled."

"I've always said if anyone could help that poor soul, it'll be you."

Anaya smiled, and then said, "I'm suddenly tired. Let me go and check on the other girls before I retire. How's Hauwa?"

"Doing well, ma. She is recovering nicely. She asks a lot of questions, though."

Anaya laughed. "Let her be. Being suppressed by that fistula condition would have been unbearable. Her mind is free to explore now. I like her spirit. Select something beautiful for me to wear. The Commissioner for Women Affairs will be coming to see the girls tomorrow."

Chapter end