Flashback
Many Years Earlier
Lydia quickly and stealthily walked out of the compound, opening the gate quietly and closing it in that same manner so as not to make a noise.
"Where could Francis be now?"Lydia thought to herself once outside the gate."Yes, he is probably at Dike's workshop. Francis my love prepare to loose your Chinenye"A smile formed on her lips on the thought of Francis loosing his love for Chinenye. She quickly hurried towards meeting Francis.
She would have to pass the community market which was a very good way of seeing Adanne or as she is popularly referred to as "Nne", Francis' and Emeka's mother.Lydia quickened her steps under the scorching sun. Her face had already started to get covered in perspiration as she wiped the sweats from her forehead.
She just wanted to tell Francis the news and twist it before anybody else could tell him."Francis I gave you my body, you will have to marry me by hook or crook"
LYDIA
"Nne dalu o(Nne well done o)" I greeted. I had stumbled upon Nne on my way to see Francis. She was probably coming back from the market seeing the polythene bag she was carrying.It's a good thing I met her, atleast I can break the news of her darling daughter in-law's pregnancy."Yes thank you Lydia"Nne replied.
Nne never liked me, I know it.The only person she likes is Chinenye. What is so special in Chinenye?Even Francis likes her. I am a good person too but no they won't see the good in me.I just really wished Chinenye died whilst being raped."Nne why are you so cold towards me? Ogini kam mere gi?(what did I do to you?)" I asked with visible annoyance written all over my face.
Nne let out a laugh and smiled at me"sorry I'm just very stressed out"
I know she is lying, Nne doesn't like me, she always think Chinenye is better than me.
'Chinenye', that name. I wonder how Nne will treat Chinenye once she learns of her pregnancy situation.
"Nne you have to stop being rude to me. You are an elder you should know better. Odiru mma (it's not good)" I blurted out.
Nne's smile disappeared and her face wore a frown as she scrutinized me.
"Bia(come)Lydia what do you want eehn?!"A sigh escaped my mouth. I folded my hands and stared at Nne.
I could see that she got annoyed by my remark.Well she deserved to hear what I told her and what I'm about to tell her will surely make her explode."Nne I just came to tell you that your darling Chinenye is pregnant and Emeka isn't the one responsible"I said with a huge grin on my face.
On hearing my statement, Nne dropped the bag she was carrying and her mouth went agape.
"Ogini ki ku?(what did you say). Did I just hear you right? My own Chinenye?"I rolled my eyes on hearing Nne's last words.
"My own Chinenye" really?What was so bad in me?"Yes odiri ime(she is pregnant)" I replied with a straight face.
"Mba(no) obu ashi(it's a lie)" Nne objected.
I feel so annoyed at this point. Did she really trust Chinenye blindly?
Chinenye is really getting on my nerves."Nne obu ezioku(it's the truth) she's pregnant. When she will not stay one place. Jumping from one man to another ,how won't she get pregnant?"
Nne looks so tensed and confused, watching her this way makes me feel so happy.
She deserves it!"Well anyways"I said moving closer to Nne,patting her shoulders.
"I'll be a good daughter in-law ok. Francis and I will soon get married and trust me, I won't get pregnant before that happens. Unlike Chinenye, I'm very modest"I added.
Nne eyed me and pushed my hands away from her shoulders.
What exactly is this old woman's problem?!"Ogini ki ku?(what did you say) you and who will soon get married?,it can't happen"Nne objected.
I had gotten enough of Nne's rejection. I won't tolerate it again.
"What is it you this old woman!? Do you want to marry your son!? Francis and I will get married whether you like it or not!" I shouted.
Nne looked at me dumbfounded, hands on her hips as my sudden outburst had shocked her.
I don't care what she thinks of me again, I'm done trying to win her over."Do you know you lack manners?"
I eyed Nne and hissed at her. I couldn't care less anyways.
"Obu nsogbu gi(that's your problem). Francis bu di m(Francis is my husband). Take it or leave it"
"Old cargo"I added in an insulting tone as I walked away.
I knew Nne was still staring at me but I couldn't care less, after all her opinion on my marriage didn't really matter to me.Whether she likes or not, Francis must marry me.
AMARACHI I felt sick in my stomach every time I had to explain myself to aunty Lydia. She can never love me, I want her to love me the way she loves Ogechi but she can never love me. I atleast thought she will be happy on seeing that I fetched the water early but instead she called me a witch.Was it fair?Isn't this life being too unfair to me?"Answer them Amara. Quiet their tongues"Nne nudged my shoulder.I had been silent the whole time I didn't even realise it. "Nne she can't say anything now. What can she say? You are spoiling Amarachi o"Ogechi remarked harshly which got her a glare from Nne."Aunty Lydia"I began"Yes the community tap was obviously closed but I met Chief Justice's wife and she took me to her house and told me to fetch from her house" I explained.I saw how quickly both aunty Lydia
AMARACHII stepped outside the door of the house, putting on an okrika(fairly used) blue floral gown. I didn't have much fancy clothes like Ogechi, aunty Lydia hardly bought me any nice cloth so the ones I had, I made sure to keep them in good shape. My afro virgin hair was combed and packed to a bun and I carried a little handbag which contained some sowing equipments.I was already through with the house chores and I had already freshened up but I had not eaten.The heat of the sun had already begun, it was probably ten o'clock by now.I spotted aunty Lydia and her husband, my uncle Francis, sitting under the umbrella mango tree discussing. 'Uncle Francis', that tittle 'uncle', was he really my uncle?He accompanied his wife in maltreating me, he hates me the way aunty Lydia hates me.Is this man really my late's father's younger brother?I doubt it.If
AMARACHI After I finished sweeping, I proceeded with cleaning the sewing machines, tables and chairs. I had to make sure everything was neat and orderly if not I'll attract the wrath of Aunty Lydia.Something which I definitely didn't want. I had already gotten enough of her anger this morning, I didn't want more.Once finished, I sat down on my own personal sewing machine. It was actually my late mother's own. The only material things I had in remembrance of my late mother was the locket she gave me when I was still little and this sowing machine.The locket had a small space for storing a photograph and her picture was in it. I wore it everytime, it became my skin. I never took it off because I was so use to it. I took some materials from a polythene bag next to me. Gosh customers cloth! They were so many and they needed to be sewed. I really worked all round th
AMARACHI After my friends left, I went back to my work. It really wasn't easy. Time moved really slow and it frustrated me.I was cutting, sewing and mending customers cloth. More and more customers kept on trooping inside aunty Lydia's shop, bringing materials for sewing.I took measurements endlessly. I liked the fact that aunty Lydia's business was booming but the effect was taking a toll on me seriously. I was working round the clock here and I didn't even get a 'thank you' from aunty Lydia.I kept on working until aunty Lydia came in during noon.She was on a yellow lace top and she tied a wrapper matching the lace coupled with her handbag and her heavy jewellery.I immediately stood up and cleaned her particular seat for her even though I had cleaned it before."Aunty good afternoon" I greeted her with a courtesy bow.She eyed me and hiss
AMARACHI God I'm so dead!Aunty Lydia kept on screaming, calling me a thief. I didn't steal anything. I was innocent.I knew she wouldn't listen to my side of the story. My heart was beating so fast as if it was threatening to break out of my rib cages."God please help me""Aunty wait... it's..."I began but I was quickly interrupted by her."It's what?! It's what Amarachi!? After that old hag called your grandmother will see you as an angel not knowing you are a thief! Nothing but a thief! Just like your mother!"Really? My mother? Why does she always add my mother in her insults! Why can't she let my mother rest?My mother isn't a thief and I'm not one either."Aunty Lydia my mother isn't a thief"I said immediately surprised by my own bravery."What did you say?"Aunty Lydia asked
AMARACHI"You don't have to worry, everything is sorted out"the young handsome stranger said jolting me out of my thoughts and back to reality.I nodded slowly at him. I then turned to look at my aunty. Immediately our eyes met, she put on a fake smile and stretched my bag over to me."Go home my dear"she said rather too friendly.What a facade!I knew once I arrived home, I'll receive the full punishment. All this was just an act to cover up her inhuman behaviour.I nodded my head and took my bag from her, turning to leave but then the young man grabbed my arm, as if telling me to stop."Hold on. How much got missing?"he asked as he brought out his wallet.My aunty eyes widened immediately. I really hope she doesn't collect any money from him.After all the lady took the three thousand naira I had!"Eehm it w
AMARACHI I trudged back home in pains, trying to cover my bruises whenever I spotted someone staring at me. Today had been such a tough day for me. I just wanted to go home and rest--which I knew I would never get.Rest.I can never get rest as long as am staying in that house. It was already evening and I needed to quickly prepare dinner.Even in this condition, I knew better than to rest. Lydia will still make me work.I had suffered enough today, I don't want to suffer again.A deep sigh escaped my lips as I approached my gate. Stepping inside, I spotted Nne sitting under the mango tree sleeping. I quietly closed the gate and stealthily walked inside. I didn't want her to see me because of my injuries. If she did, she will surely ask questions and hell will break loose once she finds out aunty Lydia did this to me. I just wanted to walk past
AMARACHI"Amara!!! Thief!!!where are you? Do you want to starve me!"That was aunty Lydia calling me. I heaved a sigh and hurriedly carried the tray containing a plate of egusi(melon soup) and a plate of pounded yam to the dining table where aunty Lydia , Ogechi and Uncle Francis were seated.I dropped the tray in front of Uncle Francis and quickly entered inside to bring aunty Lydia's and Ogechi's own.I could hear hissing as I walked towards the kitchen.What did I ever do to aunty Lydia and Ogechi?I returned with their own plates and set it in front of them. I caught a glimpse of aunty Lydia giving me a baleful look."It's ok abeg(please)Get out"Ogechi spat at me.I took a cursory stare at aunty Lydia and Uncle Francis to check their facial expressions before leaving.I turned to leave but aunty Lydia called me back immediately.