One month later
Nigeria - Moscow

"Russia?!" Ebun's parents chorused in unison.

Ebun had given her conversation with Sean a proper thought, and she realized just how much she needed the opportunity. The more she thought about it, the more intriguing it was.

She knew it wasn't going to be very easy traveling to Russia, and strangely, it was the possible difficulties that came from the journey that excited her the most. She sure did like being the criminal at last after visualizing badass moves for many years.

Each day brought in bouts of anticipation for her escapades with Sean once she could get to the airport. She was excited for her numerous trials - for the times when she would find a rapist that looked like one of the six men and kill him in the way that would bring her utmost joy.

However, overthinking was one hell of a drug, and Ebun had been an addict for so long. She doubted and overthought her encounter with every human being, and it brought a kind of sadness to her soul whenever she felt she was going to be at a disadvantage again.

That mentality applied to this encounter as well. Ebun couldn't resist the urge to overthink even if she tried. What if she lost to the serial rapists and got raped again? What if this was all a lie? Or a bloody trap? What if Sean was so pissed at the way she hit him at the boxing ring and wanted to take revenge in a way that would destroy her to the point of death?

Ever since that incident, she doubted her strength in times of danger. What if the voyage to Russia will do serious harm and no good at all? Could she trust Sean? It was just a boxing match, yet Sean was a man and a misogynist too. He could choose to kill her or rape her one day.

Sean is a misogynist quite alright, but he didn't say he liked men or he would take their sides for other reasons. He's a misogynist based on a personal experience. Sean hates women who sexually assault men and easily get away with it because society believes women are always the victim and never the perpetrator. He doesn't hate women for no reason the way society and religion do.

The analysis from her inner voice still didn't make her feel any better because it wasn't convincing enough. Ebun hated men, but she doubted if she would kill just any innocent or decent man.

Exactly! It's the same thing with Sean. Just see it as you doing your business and him doing his. Besides, he cares about his parent's wishes to an extent, which means you are safe. The two of you need each other. Nothing more.

Then, she remembered her conversation with Sean and how he had spoken about the barracks and secrets he was yet to demystify until she agreed to follow him to Russia. He was equally taking a big risk because Ebun felt barracks like that were mighty secrets, and Sean chose her because she was a strong woman, and he'd seen that quality in her, which was why he deemed her worthy.

Another thing that Sean said came across her mind again;

"...The reason why I'm not in Russia right now is that cases like that are rare..."

That was realistic and believable, considering that men were more rapists than women. At last, she was convinced that she could go to Russia and fulfill her desires.

She wasn't going to be defeated. If the worst happened, she would defend herself and believe she would conquer. Somehow, the idea of Sean having that impression about her made her heart flutter? Was it because no man had ever thought of her like that? So there were men who didn't think of women, especially her, as weak?

But the owner of the boxing ring had also thought of her as a strong woman, which was why he paired her with Sean in the first place, so why did Sean's perception matter so much?

It's because you've never seen such a handsome man discuss something with you that's worthy of your attention.

Pfft. It could have been a gremlin, and Ebun would still have been captivated. Maybe it was the trip to Russia that was making her feel this way, she concluded.

After processing a chain full of thoughts, Ebun decided she would go because the positives outweighed the negatives.

"Yes. I want to study Dentistry at First Moscow Medical State University, " Ebun replied to her parents with a smile on her face, and it was because she wanted to convince or impress her parents but because the thought and the mention of 'Russia' brought so much joy to her heart. "I did my research and learned that Russia has the best dentistry schools in the world!"

"America and The United Kingdom are up close too. Why are you choosing a country so far away from home?" Yemisi questioned with every ounce of skepticism in her voice.

"Exactly! I'm beginning to agree with your mother. It's like you want to be so far away from us." Ebun's father added.

"And I have a huge suspicious feeling about this, " Yemisi narrowed her eyes.

Ebun's heart started pounding. Darn Yemisi. The wench just had to be present in the living room. Why did she always have to be so damn attentive and have an odd feeling about almost everything? Ebun's mind began to process several thoughts. What had she done or said wrong to arouse so much suspicion?

Was it her smile? Did it make her sinister intentions obvious? Should she have kept a mildly straight face instead? Should she have looked like someone serious about getting the best education in Russia? Moving forward, how was she going to convince her mother, her father, and most importantly, Yemisi since she seemed to have the bigger say as the firstborn.

Ebun had to try her hardest so she could go to Russia by all means.

"I want to be far away. Not essentially from this family but away from this environment, this country at large. I don't think I can do well or heal if I remain here, no matter what I venture into. America didn't appeal to me either because I feel like I'll be at a disadvantage due to my skin color. That's why I feel like Russia would be a much better place."

"Russia has some of its disadvantages as well. Russia is a Soviet Union country, and if you do your research properly, you will find histories of war affiliated to Russia. Besides, it's a country that's popularly known for missile production and weapon supplies. Such a country is prone to war at any time, and war is not only about gunshots and bloodshed. War is rape, starvation, fear, deprivation of movement, diseases, and hopelessness."

It was going to be so hard to convince Yemisi. Due to her sheer eloquence, there was nothing Ebun would come up with that Yemisi wouldn't counter. She was so excellent at speech that Ebun nearly began having second thoughts about her decision. That spoke volumes because she'd pondered thoroughly.

"Do you still want to school in Russia?" Ebun's mother asked. Minutes after Ebun gave her reasons for choosing Russia, her mother looked convinced. Now, Yemisi had won her over.

"Yes." Ebun stood her ground.

"You don't care about the missiles? Probabilities of war, or..." suddenly, Yemisi's eyes shone with realization. "Are you going there to get reven—"

"I think you're going too far now, Yemisi." their father interrupted sharply, and Ebun was grateful he did. "We should let Ebun make her decision and give her some breathing space. We should trust her to do the right thing for once. How are we going to know she's trustworthy if we don't allow her to prove it?"

"Hmm..." yemisi sighed. "Okay. Can I make a request, though? If you grant this request, I'll let Ebun be, and I will trust her, " Yemisi pressed desperately.

"What is it?"

"May I follow Ebun to Russia and stay with her for a week? I need to ensure that she has gotten a safe place to stay. I'll come back to Nigeria when I'm sure that she's safe."

Ebun's heart pounded some more. She looked in between her father to Yemisi several times, hoping her father would not consent to such a bizarre proposal.

"Hmm..." their father pondered. "We can just make arrangements for that here, or better still, we can secure a room for her at the school's hostel."

"No. I want to see to it myself. Ebun's just eighteen. Not twenty-six, and she might have a few problems with lodging and accommodation." Yemisi insisted with a tone of finality. It was no longer a request.

She sounded like she was going to do it anyway, even if their father said no.

"You are right. You may follow her to Russia."

***

After the discussion with Sean at the boxing ring, Sean gave Ebun a number she could dial to reach him as soon as she decided.  Chewing on her lip repeatedly, she punched the digits on the scrambled piece of paper into her phone. Everyone in the house knew that Ebun barely used her phone since she had no friends and kept contact with no one, so she had to be careful because she knew this phone call would attract so many questions if she got caught.

Few seconds after the second ring, Sean's deep voice came at the receiving end.

"Have you made your decision?" he asked.

"Yes, " Ebun whispered. She was grateful that he'd asked her a 'yes' or 'no' question without wasting time on pleasantries or wondering who it was that called him. On the flipside, that must mean that he'd given this number to her alone. "I'll be coming to Russia..." Ebun continued after looking around cautiously.  "...but there's a problem. My elder sister wants to come with me and stay for a week to ensure that I've settled well because she's suspicious of my decision. She'd most likely employ secret eyes to watch over me."

"I expected that to happen, so don't worry. As long as you're coming to Russia, I'll start making preparations ahead of your arrival, and I'll ensure that they warrant no suspicion at all. When would you be coming?"

"I don't know, and I don't think I'll be able to communicate with you till I get to Russia."

"Did you specifically tell them that you'd like to study in Moscow?"

"Yes."

"Good. I'll send another number to you right now. Dial that number as soon as you arrive."

"Okay. Thank you. I'll have to go now. Bye, " Ebun's heart pounded when she began to hear footsteps approaching.

Should I hide my phone under the blanket? She pondered. No, that will look even more suspicious. Hmm. What to do? What to do?!

The door to her room opened abruptly before she could think of a way out. It was Yemisi narrowing her eyes at her like an eagle.

"Who were you talking with on the phone?"

Shit.

"Umm...I was...I—"

"You should get to the embassy on time, Yemisi, so you can make inquiries. Russian Embassies close by four-thirty!" their father interrupted again.

At this rate, Ebun would have to sacrifice an alabaster box for Thanksgiving because it felt like some unknown, supreme force was on her side. Yemisi hissed beneath her breath and gave her a final look of disdain before shutting the door.

Ebun sighed in relief and checked her phone screen. A notification from Sean appeared on her phone.

+7 999 124 6780

***
Moscow, Russia
Two weeks later.

It took two weeks to prepare for the journey, the documents being Ebun's final exam results, the visa and ticket processing, packing every necessary item, and most importantly, awaiting the admission letter from the University.

Yemisi expected to get feedback from the University a month after the application but was surprised to see that Ebun had gotten accepted so quickly.

As early as five am, Yemisi drove Ebun to the airport. Ebun didn't care to wish any of her siblings goodbye. The only sibling she loved and cared very much about was Cassandra, but she was studying abroad. At four-thirty am, Ebun's parents and siblings were present in the living room. As expected of African Parents, Ebun was mandated to sit for thirty minutes and received intense lectures on how to conduct herself and live a decent life since she was going to be far away from home.

"Ranti omo eni ti iwò n se oo. Remember the daughter of whom you are." her mother repeated severally, after which showers of prayers followed.

The flight from Lagos to Moscow was an approximate duration of eleven hours which was one hell of a journey as Ebun inevitably slept for half the while. She often feared that Yemisi would check her phone while she was asleep, but as soon as Ebun remembered saving the unknown number as 'Josephine,' she knew she could come up with some reasonably believable story. So she slept and woke up feeling severely jet-lagged.

On getting to First Moscow State Medical University, Ebun realized that she was late for resumption; hence the dormitories were full, so she and Yemisi spent hours in a cyan minivan that drove them through several streets that were near the university in hopes of finding a permanent place to stay.

So they'd spent a total of thirteen hours on transportation, and it was seven pm already. They'd just driven by the famous Red Square in Krasnaya, ploshchad. Famished and exhausted with numb butts, Yemisi decided to descend from the minivan to buy some snacks and take a brief walk.

Ebun waited patiently behind. Instead of taking time to admire the city's beauty as the night was still young, she used the opportunity to text 'Josephine' quickly. She initially thought of calling but was afraid that the minivan driver would overhear her conversation and snitch to her sister.

I'm currently in Moscow, Russia. We're looking for a place to stay.

I wish I could have secured a room for you at the university's hostel, but the only request they could allow was to grant you admission to The University early. The response came seconds after.

Oh, you were responsible for that? Are you the vice chancellor's son or something?

Can't wait to see you. Sean responded, ignoring her question.

Ten minutes later, Yemisi came back from her walk with nylon full of edibles and an accomplished smile on her face. "Driver..." Yemisi brought out a dollar note from her pocket and gave it to the middle-aged man. "I've found a place. Please take us to Hostel Pavlov."