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's and Ogechi's facial expression changed from anger to surprise.
"Eehn! You mean you saw chief Justice's wife?"Aunty Lydia asked surprised.
I smiled, atleast I hoped they will believe me now.
"Bia nwanyi ina nu nti?(come woman are you deaf) she just said she saw chief Justice's wife and you are still asking her the same thing"Nne said as she held on to her walking stick.
Aunty Lydia eyed Nne and turned to face me."Amara is Jordan back?"Ogechi quickly asked. She seemed so happy knowing chief Justice's wife was around.
It was probably because of Jordan. She wants to meet him like all the other girls.I shook my head in answer to her question.
She suddenly looked sad and then that angry expression was back on her face.Why was she eying me? What concerns me with Jordan?"I know you are lying. Even if he is back will you tell me?. You just want him for yourself Amarachi"
I became so shocked on hearing Ogechi's bitter words.Really me?I want Jordan for myself? I care less about him.
He grew up having a caring mother and father and on top of all that he was born with a silver spoon and look at me!No mother no father no sister no brother, on top of that the only people I call my family hates me.Why should I care about Jordan?
"Ogechi you better shut up if you don't know what to say!"I yelled.
This girl's behaviour was getting on my nerves."Ewo Amarachi you now have wings to talk back at my daughter!"aunty Lydia yelled back at me as she stood up to face me.
Before I could explain myself, I felt her cold fingers on my cheek.Nne gasped in shock as I clutched to the cheek she slapped, holding back my tears."Lydia obu ara na gba gi?(are you running mad), ishi gi odiru mma?(is your head correct),couldn't you reprimand Ogechi?!" Nne shouted with her failing voice.
I caught a glimpse of Ogechi who was smirking at me, obviously enjoying the way her mother treated me."Nne it's fine ok" I said trying to pacify Nne.
"It's not fine. Leave me let me use this walking stick and hit this stupid woman" Nne replied as she tried to raise her walking stick.
Aunty Lydia and Ogechi started laughing as they both watched us.
"Nne you better don't kill yourself for this useless girl" Ogechi said in between laughs."You are the useless one. Stupid useless shameless prostitute! I regret having you as a grand daughter"Nne cried out.
I saw the joy in Ogechi's face quickly wear off on hearing Nne's statement.
"Nne go inside ok, rest you need to rest ok. For my sake. Go inside and rest let me prepare breakfast"I said in a whisper.
Nne nodded her head and walked inside.I turned back to face the devils in front of me.I sighed and casted my head downwards.
"Mum is it fair!? Nne just called me a prostitute because of this useless thing called my cousin"Ogechi cried out to her mother.
"Well that's what you are Ogechi"
"Leave Nne I'll handle her. As for you Amara, you've grown wings now. Just because Mrs Justice took a liking towards you, you now think highly of yourself right?"Aunty Lydia queried me harshly.
My head was downwards but I could feel her gaze on me like a knife piercing into me.Why did she hate me this much?
Why is everything I do a problem to aunty Lydia?I just couldn't fathom what my late parents did to her and my uncle that made both of them hate me this much.I didn't reply her question, it was better to remain silent rather than defend myself.
"Mum she wants Jordan all to herself, she wants to take him away from me!"Ogechi added pouting her lips.
That accusation again! It irked me. Heaven knows I would have slapped Ogechi right now.
"Don't worry my dear. Now that we know Mrs Justice is back, you need to be on your best character ok. Jordan will be yours. It will be nice getting married into that rich family"aunty Lydia said to Ogechi.
All they cared about was money nothing else. Listening to aunty Lydia's comment sickened me.
I felt disgusted.Ogechi was already claiming Jordan even before she saw him all because he is rich. It's really disgusting."And as for you"aunty Lydia said turning to face me.
"Stay out of my daughter's path have you heard!?"I nodded my head immediately, waiting for her next order.
"Go to where we keep the dirty clothes, wash all of them, every single one, then prepare breakfast and go to the shop"
I knew she was surely going to give me a handful of work.
I nodded and left their presence.I could hear both mother and daughter giggling as I walked away.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.
AMARACHI I woke up so early before anyone else. Yesterday was such a terrible day for me and i didnt want it to repeat itself. I know how difficult it is to please aunty Lydia. She will never be satisfied with whatever i do but atleast if i do my work early she won't have anything to complain about. With that thought in my mind, I stood on my wobbly feet and opened Nne's door quietly so as not to wake her up. I went to brush my teeth and wash my face before taking a bucket, heading outside my compound to fetch water. It was too early for the community tap to be opened but atleast Mrs Justice would let me fetch in her house."I just hope I'm not disturbing her" I thought to myself as i stepped outside my compound. The cold air caressed my cheeks, making me shiver as i inhaled deeply.*************** The rin