After the death of Father, things turned from bad to worst.
I had to quit my education to join my mother in her fruit business.
My elder brother was apprenticed to a local trader in the next village.
My younger brothers continued with their primary education, but it was not easy for Mother to even fund their fees.
Few months later, a woman came to the house to see my mother. When I passed by, I greeted her and she responded staring at me.
“Nkoli, so you have a grown up daughter and you are complaining… she had said to mother clapping her hands.
“I don’t understand “mother I replied.
“Send her to the city to go and learn a trade, instead of staying in the village, she is too beautiful to be in this village” she had answered rolling her eyes.
“Ngozi, you know I don’t have anybody there, or even know anyone and I need to be sure where my daughter is going to, mother answered.
“She is a grown up, Nkoli, she won’t live with you forever. That reminds me, I have a relative who stays in the city and need a house help. According to her, she is willing to send the person to school or finance her to learn any trade of her choice she had answered.
“Ngozi, are you suggesting my daughter is good to go, I don’t want anybody to turn my daughter into something else and besides she is my only daughter”
“You worry too much Nkoli, leave the girl alone… the woman is my relative. I am giving you assurance that she will be fine. You don’t have anything to worry about, what are friends for? She had said laughing loudly and throwing her hands in the air.
“You know some of these women are wolf in sheep clothing, immediately the girl comes they turn her into a slave…” mother said shrugging.
“I will sent for her, so that you can talk with her yourself she had said.
Mother felt satisfied.
I was outside, eavesdropping in their conversation. I don’t know how I felt, part of me yearns to be in the city but the other part was scared. I was scared because I don’t know what awaits me. But I was clear of one particular thing, I don’t like Mrs. Ngozi.
Few weeks later, I left for the city with Mrs.Egodi.
The night before I left, mother had called me quietly into her hut to avoid waking my two younger brothers. Truly, I knew that there will be a heart to heart discussion.
“Nkemdiri m, she had called.
“Yes Ma, I answered, yawning wildly.
“Do you want me to die? She had asked.
I opened my eyes so wide.
“Nkem, do you want me to die? She asked again.
“No mama, why will you say such thing? I asked, driving mosquitoes off my legs.
“Good, then be a good girl, don’t steal her money or jewelries, don’t flirt with her husband, don’t gossip with her name”, She said.
“I will never do such thing Mother, you know your daughter will not involve in such dubious acts,” I said wondering why mother had suddenly forgotten that the woman said she is a widow.
“Lastly, maintain your virtue as a woman, always remember where you come from, It matters a lot, a woman is supposed to keep herself until her wedding night. Don’t allow anybody to steal your pride away from you.
“I will never let you down mama, I answered.
The car jolted and I heard my madam, Mrs. Egodi asking me a question.
“How old you are, she asked.
“Seventeen Ma, I answered. I thought she had asked me the question before.
Halfway to our journey, she asked her driver to stop so that she could get some fruit.
She bought some apples, banana and groundnuts. Comfortably, she eats them without offering any to me. Truly I did not mind, because I was raised to be satisfied with what I have.
I never knew my woes had just started.
“Hope you can cook anyways she had asked
“Yes Ma, I answered.
The car sped off.
I was mesmerized and fascinated by the sight that greeted me on the way, the magnificent buildings, the street light, and the rest.
I hope to tell Ginika and Ijeoma of the wonderful buildings that lined the street of Duru.
Few hours later, we arrived in a mansion where I could proudly call a paradise.
A beautiful tall fair lanky girl came out of the house, she is about twenty years of age.
She hugged Mrs. Egodi and kissed her cheeks.
“Mum, I missed you she said still holding her (Mrs. Egodi)
“I miss you too my baby”, she answered.
“Who is she? She asked pointing at me.
“Ooh, she is Nkemdirim, our new maid” Mrs Egodi answered.
I noticed she was looking at me, as we were entering inside the house.
I was uncomfortable, later I overheard her telling her mother that she did not like me. My heart sank.
The next few days was spent on tutoring me on how to use most appliances in the house.
“I wonder why you behave like a fool, are you a fool? You can’t even iron a simple cloth, I have spent few days teaching you the same thing over and over again, and Kiki shouted fuming.
“I am sorry, I replied trembling.
“Hold your apologies, village ape”, she had shouted.
“Don’t worry, I will ask my mother to send you back to the hell where you come from, pig!!” she replied and climbed upstairs.
I stood there fidgeting, I wonder why Kiki hate me so much. The way she insults and looks at me suggested it all.
I was scared, her mother Mrs. Egodi does whatever her daughter suggests, and it is just like being in between the devil and Red Sea.
Two days later, my madam came back from work looking so stressed out.
I greeted her and made to collect her bag but she hushed me. “Why are you smelling like that? Please don’t touch my bag with your filthy hands.”
“I am very sorry Ma” I apologized, wondering how I smelt.
“I hope you are not applying that shit you called pomade, because I asked you to dispose of it” she said addressing my special palm Kernel oil.
My mother had specially prepared it for me for my journey to the city and whenever I applied it, it gives my dark colour a sheen that is incomparable.
Since it was a gift from my sweet mother, I found it very difficult to dispose it when she told me to do so.
“I am asking you for the very last time, Nkemdirim, did you apply that shit? It dawned on me that she has been asking me a question.
“Ma… I … I, I am really sorry, I don’t have any other cream, please forgive me”, I pleaded.
What followed was a very thunderous slap that left me crashing on the floor.
“How dare you question my authority, you local champion! Ooh, you have grown wings. You want to poison me in my own house with your filthy smells”. Fine, there will be no more leftovers for you henceforth, I will rather feed it to the dump than give it to a smell like you. Get out from my sight before I lose it, she screamed.
I weakly stood up, feeling dizzy. I walk towards the kitchen to finish my work before she called me back.
“Let me not catch you with that shit again or else you will regret ever knowing me, ape!!” she shouted and push me out of her way.
Tears drip down my cheeks and I quickly wipe them away, that night I went to sleep with an empty stomach. The leftover food which was usually my share was thrown inside the refuse bin. I strongly fought the urge to go back and eat it from there.
Few days later, Madam’s friend visited, it was on a hot Sunday afternoon. I had just finished my work and resting in my room.
“Nkemdirim! My madam has called. “Please get us some drinks”.
I immediately went to the fridge to get some drinks.
When I entered into the parlour where the women were laughing boisterously, they stopped their conversation and received the drinks from me.
“What a beauty, her friend’s exclaimed.” You are so beautiful”, with a nice physique she said glancing down.
My madam remained taciturn smiling.
“Thank you ma, I replied.”
“Don’t allow your beauty to be a waste… she continued but was interrupted by my madam.
“Selina, please allow her she is busy inside she said. I quickly left the parlour.
Few days later, my madam was in the parlour going through her phone when I went to her.
“Good evening Ma, please are you busy?” I asked.
“What is good about this evening Nkemdirim, can’t you see it with you two eyes that I am busy, or do you want me to keep me on raising my voice every single day because I have a blind maid.
“I am sorry ma” I apologized.
“That is what you keep on saying every single time…” Sorry, Sorry, Sorry. Nkemdirim Sorry for your miserable self, she said standing up from the couch because she was lying down initially.
“What is it?” She thundered.
“I hesitated” I was scared of what to do or say next.
“Speak up and don’t waste my time before I lose it” she shouted.
“Ma, you agreed with my mother that you will finance my remaining secondary education or… I was interrupted by her.
“Will you shut up your mouth, you miserable bitch.
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Ooh, you have the audacity to question me right? Did you pay me for feeding you, did you? Did you pay me for putting a shelter over your head? Both you and your mother are ungrateful fools. Nkemdirim, before I open and close my eyes, let it be that you have taken your smelling self out of my sight…Get out!!! She shouted.
I stood there, hot tears pouring down my eyes. Kiki came downstairs, she is in her final year in the university.
“Mummy she called sitting close to her, my pocket money has finished”.
“How much did you need my baby she asked ignoring me.
“Like one hundred thousand naira, she said rolling her eyes.
“Just that?” my madam asked.
“I will give you three hundred thousand naira because I want you to change your hair and some of your old clothes, you need to look sweet.”
Thank you my sweet mummy, she said hugging her mother tightly.
“Get out from here Nkemdirim you stinks, Kiki said.
I quietly left the sitting room.
That night, I dreamt of leaving Mrs. Egodi’s house.
In the morning, I contemplated living the house, but I asked my self. “To where?
My ordeal continues.
Two years later, towards the month of December, I was mobbing the sitting room when Madam entered laughing happily while answering a call.
“Kiki and I cannot wait to see you Romeo my dear son”
I was surprised, I never knew my madam had a son. On few occasions, I over heard Kiki discussing with her friends about Romeo but I never knew it was her brother.
“Yes… Yes…My madam continued. In two weeks’ time?” Yes! She shouted happily.
Kiki, come and speak with your brother she shouted. Kiki rushed downstairs. I finished my mobbing and went to the kitchen to wash the dishes.
Few days later madam called me into her room and threw some fine dresses at me. I was surprised, this had never happened before.
“Listen attentively, my son is coming back from USA tomorrow. I don’t want you to contaminate him with your odour, so make do with those clothes. As soon as he returns back to America, you return them to me and continue with you rags.
“Yes Ma I answered, thank you ma”.
I was happy nevertheless.
I was not around when he returned, I went to the market to buy some salad condiments, though I was done with preparing the main meals.
When I enter into the house, I noticed it was unusually filled.
Some of Madam’s friends, Kiki’s friends and Romeo’s friends, they all come to welcome him.
“Don’t stand there staring like a fool, go in and finish up the cooking Madam said to me in a way that attracted no attention.
I rushed in, and within few minutes, I started serving the food. Surprisingly, Romeo got up to help me but his mother stopped him.
“Nnaa, you just returned. Allow her to do the serving, you need to eat, you are hungry” she said.
“Don’t worry mother, he said rushing towards the kitchen.
Mrs. Egodi eyed me angrily. I knew I was in for trouble. I was really tired, I had been working since morning even before Madam, some friends and Kiki went to pick Romeo from the airport. Had it been he had not volunteered to help me serve the food, I might have fainted.
When the food was all served, Romeo still insisted that I join the table.
I hesitated, ” I am sorry, I don’t want to eat now I lied, declining the offer.
I quickly rushed back to the kitchen.
Maybe I have just entered a new chapter of my life.
One week later, I overheard my madam discussing with Romeo. It was a cool night and I was in the kitchen eating my dinner.
“My son, remember your father’s last wish before he died and you promised to fulfill it. You are my only son and you need to settle down she had said.
“I know mother, don’t worry yourself, I am only twenty seven, I have it in mind Romeo said laughing.
“Romeo, I am your mother, don’t joke with this, you will be returning back to America next month and you need a wife. All these beautiful girls that have been coming around here since you arrival… Romeo interrupted.
“Please let us not argue about this mum, those are Kiki’s friends and I am not interested in any of them. I will surprise you mum, okay? You know I am full of surprises he said laughing.
“Romeo, I don’t understand at all, don’t you have a girlfriend? She asked.
“I never had a girlfriend mum, and that is why I want you to give me some time, he said.
It hurt me that Romeo will be traveling back next month, he had always save me from his mother’s wrath. I noticed he was different from the two, very humble and kind.
I knew I have been developing something special for him… (An affection) from the day he volunteered to help me in the kitchen. Romeo is a very handsome man, fair like the early morning sun and has a deep brown eyes. His height is just outstanding.
Most times I have caught him looking at me, especially those times that I am busy with the house chores.
Whenever he is around in the house, he always help me with chores, I pray Madam never find out. Romeo is working on his new buildings, two different places. I was really impressed that he was able to have attained such a feat at his early age.
If he was not in the house busy with his laptop, he is at his new sites.
I got to know that he is a practicing lawyer and a successful one overseas, but I kept on wondering why even at his sophistication, he had no girlfriend.
Sometimes, I fantasize hugging him or laying on his broad chest, but I always end up feeling disappointed with myself for harbouring such thoughts. Back in the village, before the death of Father. I had a boyfriend, Obinna.
I had followed him to his house on several occasions where he had made noodles and egg for me. We had kissed, though I had later confessed to mother, after I starting feeling sober.
“Next time you do such a thing, I would report you to your father”, she had chided.
Obinna is a good boy though, but I ended the relationship the day he asked me to sleep with him.
“No, we can’t do such thing, Obi I told him.
“Why? Nkem everybody is doing it, let…
I interrupted him…
“Obi, we are not everybody can’t you get it, a parcel that will eventually be opened does not need poking I replied looking at him pleadingly.
His mind was made up, he insisted.
I had quietly left his house, there need not be any compromise.
After some days, he came back pleading.
“Nkem, I am really sorry, it is the devil, please forgive me.”
“I am Sorry Obi, I am not in the mood for relationship now, my father just died, I replied.
Few days later, I heard he travelled to the city.
I had wept, later I started wondering if my crying was because Obinna left without telling me or if it was because I hated my self for being with him all these while.
Kiki’s friends comes to the house often to see her, I noticed it they were not just coming to see her but Romeo. Kiki knew about this and was very comfortable about it. Romeo will always greet them warmly, ask them to drink or eat whatever they want and quickly go upstairs to his room. This act alone gladdens my heart.
Few weeks later, I was at the corridor of the house reading a novel which I had picked from the dinning room. Kiki was not around, she went to visit her friend. My madam had left for work. I thought that Romeo left the house too but I was startled when he joined me outside. Sitting around or close to Romeo, always make my heart beat faster as if it is going to explode. I was not uncomfortable though, but I prayed he did not hear the sound of my heart pulse.
“Nkem” he called, sitting down. “How are you doing this morning?”
“I am fine, I replied shyly.
“What is the name of the book you are reading” he asked.
I showed him the book, he nodded smiling at me.
It was really difficult looking up to his face.
“Have you ever loved someone before”, he asked. I was not surprised, I told him about Obinna.
Nkem, he called again this time more gently, I can feel the heat of his eyes on me.
“Yes I answered, trembling.
“Please raise your face he pleaded.
“I did, he smiled and look straight into my eyes.
“I love you Nkem, please marry me? He continued…” I tried so hard to suppress this feeling, but I couldn’t. Nkem you have taken over my thoughts, my world and my soul, please don’t say no”.
I don’t even know the way to feel, my head spinned, my eyes hurt, my stomach rumbled, my feet shook. I stood rooted to a spot. Then I wondered what his mother or sister will say, what they will do and how they will react. Then I thought about Mother.
“Nkem, please make me a happy man forever, I can’t just keep you off my mind no matter how much I tried. I noticed there was tears in his eyes just like there was tears in mine.
“I knew that two months is too short for us to know each other, but I am a man and I know what I want, I have come across many women Nkem, but you are the one my soul accepts. I am willing to wait for you till when you are ready, please don’t let me down he pleaded.
I wanted to speak but tears filled my eyes. He hold me close to himself.
I never knew that life can be fair most times, I looked at him and said ” I love you too Romeo, and I would love to marry you but your mother… he interrupted me by placing one of his fingers on my lips.
“Don’t worry about anybody Nkem, this journey is ours. The most important thing is that we love each other. Will you marry me Nkem? He asked for the second time kneeling down.
“Please stand up Romeo, I pleaded. “I will marry you”
“Thank you so much my love, he shouted hugging me so tightly that I fear that I may break in his arms.
Few hours later, my madam rush into the house shouting my name.
“Nkemdirim! Nkemdirim! I knew Kiki must have told her.
“Yes Ma, I replied rushing out to meet her.
“You home breaker! She shouted and gave me three hot slaps in quick succession.
I fell down. Romeo was not at home, he had left the house earlier to attend to some things.
“Ooh, this is your plan, to come and dominate over my house you smelly bitch. I will kill you before you accomplish your devilish plans. She pounced on me, I tried to wriggle free from her hold but she held me down. Kiki, came out from her room and joined her, they beat me black and blue. I was used to it though but this particular one almost took my life.
Thankfully, Romeo walked in with his friend and rush to save me from the lion’s den, blood was gushing out from my nose and mouth, and I almost passed out.
Romeo was pained, he tried calling the police but his friend stopped him. I was unconscious.
“Romeo, so you want to call the police on your own mother and sister because of this rag!! Mrs Egodi shouted, moving towards me. His friend held her back.
“I am very disappointed with you mother, I never knew you have the heart of a beast but I know what to do Romeo replied, he looked at Kiki and shook his head.
He turned to his friend, “I am taking her to the hospital”.
I was hospitalized for few days. When I returned, I found that Romeo had purchased a lot of things for me ranging from clothes of different designs, Shoes, perfumes, expensive wigs and others. I wonder how he got the perfect sizes. I was marveled when I found out that he has put message across to my mother of his intentions towards me.
While at the hospital, he told me he has postponed his traveling till everything is settled.
Mrs. Egodi was in cold war with his only son Romeo, she rarely talk to him and if she did, it is just briefly.
Few weeks later, we travelled to the village for my marriage rites introduction. His uncles were solidly behind him, and all his friends came with him, including some of his white friends. His mother and sister was absent but everything still ended well.
Whenever I tried talking to him about his mother and sister, he will reply thus:
“My Angel, is it a crime to marry the one you love? I told you earlier that this journey is ours, and we don’t need a third party. I won’t let you down, he would always replied.
He kept to his promise, after my Introduction, I stayed back in the village with my mother according to his instructions. He gave me enough money to take care of myself and my family before he returns. He went back overseas to attend to some business, he returned after two months for our traditional marriage and wedding.
Our traditional marriage was the talk of the town, even the governor of the state attended it because he was a friend to Romeo’s late father. Mrs. Egodi and Kiki attended the ceremony grudgingly. My husband Romeo kept showering praises on me because on that special day, my beauty held people spellbound. A week after our traditional marriage was our white wedding, my husband suggested we did it overseas but I persuaded him otherwise. He accepted wholeheartedly.
After our white wedding, we travelled to Dubai for our honeymoon before coming back for our house opening. At that time, I was undergoing a program in a medical school overseas.
“No condition is permanent in life, my elder brother Okechukwu is doing well in his business and my two younger brother still continues their education but in a better way. My mother refused leaving the village to any place whatsoever, I keep sending both money and foodstuffs so as to be sure she lacked nothing. Okey my elder brother had erected a new structure in my father’s compound which is the talk of the town, I have the same plan in mind too. My years of pain was over, because I have been rewarded with a paradise. This was too good to be true.
THE END.
STORY WRITTEN
BY
MMESOINSPIRES.
