Half of a Yellow Sun

Kainene looked Chief Okonji right in the eyes, with that stare that was so expressionless, so blank, that it was almost hostile. "What about me indeed?" She raised her eyebrows. "I too will be putting my newly acquired degree to good use. I'm moving to Port Harcourt to manage Daddy's businesses there."

Ola

"So Kainene will manage the cement factory?" Chief Okonji asked, turning to her father.

"She'll oversee everything in the east, the factories and our new oil interests. She has always had an excellent eye for business."

"Whoever said you lost out by having twin daughters is a liar," Chief Okonji said.

"Kainene is not just like a son, she is like two," her father said. He glanced at Kainene and Kainene looked away, as if the pride on his face did not matter, and Ola

"Why don't you all come to my house this weekend, eh?" Chief Okonji asked. "If only to sample my cook's fish pepper soup. The chap is from Nembe; he knows what to do with fresh fish."

Her parents cackled loudly. Ola

"That sounds wonderful," Ola

"It will be nice for all of us to go before Ola

Ola

"You won't be here?" her father asked. She wondered if the expression in his eyes was a desperate plea. She wondered, too, how her parents had promised Chief Okonji an affair with her in exchange for the contract. Had they stated it verbally, plainly, or had it been implied?

"I have made plans to go to Kano, to see Uncle Mbaezi and the family, and Mohammed as well," she said.

Her father stabbed at his avocado. "I see."

Ola

After di

"Such a cool night," Chief Okonji said behind her. Ola

"Yes," she said.

Chief Okonji stood in front of her. His agbada was embroidered with gold thread around the collar. She looked at his neck, settled into rolls of fat, and imagined him prying the folds apart as he bathed.

"What about tomorrow? There's a cocktail party at Ikoyi Hotel," he said. "I want all of you to meet some expatriates. They are looking for land and I can arrange for them to buy from your father at five or six times the price."

"I will be doing a St. Vincent de Paul charity drive tomorrow."

Chief Okonji moved closer. "I can't keep you out of my mind," he said, and a mist of alcohol settled on her face.

"I am not interested, Chief."

"I just can't keep you out of my mind," Chief Okonji said again. "Look, you don't have to work at the ministry. I can appoint you to a board, any board you want, and I will furnish a flat for you wherever you want." He pulled her to him, and for a while Ola

His eyes were closed. "I love you, believe me. I really love you."

She slipped out of his embrace and went indoors. Her parents' voices were faint from the living room. She stopped to sniff the wilting flowers in a vase on the side table near the staircase, even though she knew their scent would be gone, before walking upstairs. Her room felt alien, the warm wood tones, the tan furniture, the wall-to-wall burgundy carpeting that cushioned her feet, the reams of space that made Kainene call their rooms flats. The copy of Lagos Life was still on her bed; she picked it up, and looked at the photo of her and her mother, on page five, their faces contented and complacent, at a cocktail party hosted by the British high commissioner. Her mother had pulled her close as a photographer approached; later, after the flashbulb went off, Ola

She was in bed reading when her mother knocked and came in.

"Oh, you're reading," her mother said. She was holding rolls of fabric in her hand. "Chief just left. He said I should greet you."

Ola

"Chief just sent his driver to the car for them before he left. It's the latest lace from Europe. See? Very nice, i fukwa?"

Ola

"Did you see the one he wore today? Original! Ezigbo!" Her mother sat down beside her. "And do you know, they say he never wears any outfit twice? He gives them to his houseboys once he has worn them."

Ola

"Which one do you want,