In view of the death of gospel singer, Osinachi Nwachukwu, I had wanted to keep this story private because it felt like I was violating my neighbours’ privacy.
But let’s face two facts.
When have I ever kept anything from you? And if a matter gets a public display, doesn’t that make it a matter of public interest? My neighbours brought their private matters outside. Now, I can all talk about it as it is now my business.
Also, we must keep talking about Osinachi Nwachukwu’s death regarding domestic violence; so that one day the horrors may lessen.
My neighbours seem to like fighting a lot. Sometimes, I hear them arguing loudly or violently. Other times, all I hear are doors slamming and objects being thrown around. But none of these was happening outside their apartment. So, it was my duty to look away, right? I did. But they say “na from clap dem dey enter dance”.
On the last Sunday of March, Mother’s Day, they went at it again. But this time, they brought it outside. They fought and fought to the extent that the wife ran out of the house in only her underwear; down the street wailing and giving spectators full drama. I would have crawled under a rock if I were her a few hours after the incident. The shame would have been too much.
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Everybody that had eyes and a window was watching her! People stopped what they were doing and stared at her openly. Now, my neighbour is a beautifully endowed woman. She is light-skinned with a pretty face. So, imagine the looks! I wanted to melt on her behalf.
What was she screaming? “Help me o! I’m tired! He wants to kill me! Is this one marriage? What did I do?” and so on. She just kept on screaming and running down the street. It took me a moment to come to myself but I ran after her as soon as I did. I wanted to calm her down so that I could get her to go back home. Another neighbour joined me to help her. But it was already a mess.
After she had been convinced to go back inside her apartment, my neighbour filled me in on the gist. Apparently, this woman runs out like this almost every two weeks. My neighbour was surprised I didn’t know. How could I have? When all I do is mind my business?
I was sad though.
Then the news of Osinachi Nwachukwu’s death broke and the truth behind it shattered our hearts. Now, Nigeria is talking more about domestic violence than almost anything else. It seems like my neighbour has started seeing the light. She has been posting inspiring messages on her WhatsApp status for some time now. In fact, she has even begun to share empowering and uplifting posts. Almost like she’s preparing for something. For her sake, I hope she is.
Nobody deserves to be treated less than human by another human. More particularly, nobody deserves to die the way Osinachi Nwachukwu died. So, to any woman or man looking for the courage to get and go, I say carry go!
You no kill your mama, so no be your husband or wife go kill you.
