(Episode 04) Puff & Power Girls: A Visit to Villa

Click here for Episode 03.

A Visit to Villa, March 1998.

It had been about 24 hours since the meeting, 24 hours since Amaka's surprising suggestion over dinner at Aisha's house. Frida stood in front of the reception at Aso Rock, a place that exuded both quiet authority and an immaculate sense of order. The visitor's registration area stretched out before her, a polished expanse of marble floors that gleamed under the soft, golden light of chandeliers, each crystal prism scattering delicate reflections onto the cream walls. The sunlight filtering through the tall, narrow windows carried a muted warmth, though the air inside was cool enough to raise a faint shiver along her arms, the temperature carefully maintained to a crisp chill. A faint scent of polished wood mingled with the subtle fragrance of fresh lilies arranged by the far wall, their perfume barely noticeable yet pervasive. Behind the deep mahogany counter, a clerk sat perfectly still, the quiet punctuated only by the soft hum of the air conditioning and the distant echo of footsteps across marble. The room felt spotless, serene, and almost otherworldly, as though the world outside could not reach into this carefully controlled space. Yet Ronke never for once saw a cleaner, cleaning lady or help during the times she had visited.

Is this a setup? She entertained all her thoughts with precision. Am I being crossed?

Her thoughts raced anxiously: Frida said she trusts my judgement so why do the walls seem to be closing in on me? Amaka was quick to notice that all her concerns were rooted in insecurities. Visiting villa always made her feel this way. In fact, she imagined: perhaps Frida trusts my judgement for this very reason? Going down memory lane, she revisited the previous day at Aisha Frida's:

24 Hours Ago

"If we go ahead with the plan now we will have to modify this blueprint. I want to believe my memory is true when I say you, Roseline Ronke is the one who suggested we change the plan to this blueprint." Aisha was considering changing the plan.

"Casually. Your memory is correct, what does this conclude with?"

"I'm asking you if we can change the blueprint based on what Mary said."

"Mary Amaka has only given us vague reasons, I don't see any logic in the things she said. First she said that power will change hands, that always happens, that wil continue to happen. Second, she said we will be caught in the mess of it. To that me I say: when has politics ever been a mess free affair? Mary complained about nightmares, nightmares she believes are like prophecies. She said she saw a future where we are all stuck in sinking sand and rather than searching for ways to jump out we worsen our situation by looking more and more into the sinking sand, her words not mine. To that one me I say: you call it a nightmare when it is a simple dream. The only judgement I have to pass here is that Amaka probably needs more sleep and the more sleep she gets, the more she can stop trying to ruin our lives."

"Ronke, do you remember what it was like being with Yasser?" Amaka looked at Ronke for the first time since the meeting.

"What has this got to do with anything?"

"When you see him what do you feel?"

"Are you trying to get to me? What exactly is your point? What is this about?"

Amaka shifted her gaze elsewhere, remaining quiet.

"What is going on?" Ronke rose from the breakfast bar and began to fume verbally, her eyes resting on Amaka. "First you say we should change the plan because vou have been having sleepless nights. The only reason you are having those nightmares is probably because Yasser has been feeding you gossip, gossip and more gossip.

He will never be real with anyone, not even you!" Amaka returned the gaze, speaking calmly. "This is my point exactly. I do not expect you to know Yasser, he has broken your heart and clouded your judgement. Every single piece of intel or data or news or gossip or whatever you call it," she began to raise her voice, "that I have ever shared concerning him you shun. It's funny because it is your job to gather information on him. You have something in your heart for him."

"You think I still love the bastard?"

"I never said it was love. You have something in your heart for Yasser."

That ended the conversation between Ronke and Amaka. The kitchen grew silent with only words hanging in the air. After Amaka said goodbye and headed home, the silence remained between Frida and Ronke. Silently, they cleaned the dishes together, letting the sound of ceramic dishes ring in their ears. As soon as that was

over, Ronke collected her handbag from the meeting room and began to head out.

"Ronke," Aisha said at the front door, "Amaka left a message for you: Go to Villa tomorrow, meet with Yasser, get us new information, prove to me that you have

nothing in your heart for him."

"She must be joking."

"Ronke, I trust your judgement. Call me tomorrow." Without saying anything, she headed home, went to bed, woke up the next day and drove to Villa. Ronke registered her name in the only visitor's book on the counter, said good day to the clerk and proceeded to the waiting lounge. The room brought back memories, it was the first place she met with General Yasser in 1996. She quickly brushed off thoughts of the past in an attempt to stay alert. Logic was slipping away, she could only rely on her emotions now. I have hope and trust that Frida will not set me up.

She thought to herself. The door opened. "Have you signed the register?" General Yasser was accompanied with a guard. It was not a familiar face.

"Yes I have." She spoke to the guard but maintained eye contact with Yasser.

"I see you don't know why I am here."

"I was told you asked to see me." The General finally spoke.

"And who mentioned this to you?"

"My guard, Ibrahim, the old one." Ronke assumed Amaka will be paranoid enough to leave a message under her name, but she went through the guard. She was starting to trust Frida. "You may have a seat." She was already seated on the ottoman, legs crossed. But it did not matter, he said that to all his guests.

"Thank you, the meeting is about Mary Amaka." "You may leave." He waved the guard away and assumed a comfortable position on a couch, facing her.

Their eyes met and she began to speak. "I have worries about her."

"What kind?" "First, you are not spending enough time with her and she is starting to get worried

about mere shadows, causing her to have sleepness nights!"

"And the second?"

"You are not letting her fuck you enough."

He rose from the couch and looked at the top of her head. "Will that be all?"

"Yes, General."

He walked out of the room and left her with the sound of silence. If she considered following him her legs went against her. Stuck, frozen. She sat in the lounge long enough for the clerk to remind her that she was no longer a visitor. It was time to leave. At the counter in the registration area, on her way out of villa, she received a note from the clerk. The note will have surprised her had she not noticed Amaka's name on the register, just below hers. Click, clack, clack, click. Amaka's familiar late entrance for any meeting, Ronke heard her footsteps.

"Get it sorted." Passing by, Amaka reiterated the same words on the note. The General will not be stupid enough to leave a message under his name, he went through Amaka. She understood everything now. Why Frida trusts her judgement, why Amaka sent her to villa. There was definitely a set up. Still feeling emotionally paralysed, she left villa. Drove far, headed North and contacted Frida. It was a simple message.

"I have a new blueprint."

To be continued…