7 Chapter Seven

Waking up to the sound of a cockcrow, Farida stretched and yawned drowsily. Rubbing a hand over her eyes, she smiled to think how Rahma could possibly wake her up. Not knowing whether she should leave the hut or not to have a bath, she decided to clean her mouth while standing by the door using a chewing stick and a bowl of water covered with a leaf, she found together with her knife sitting close to her bundle of clothes.

Spitting out tiny pieces of chewing stick and rinsing her mouth with water before going back inside but not without noticing a maiden with hair tied back, coming towards the hut she is currently occupying, waiting for her day to start as one of the servants of the chieftain.

'I see you pulled through the night without waking up the whole household,' the maiden she saw earlier said entering the hut.

'Good morning to you' Farida said smiling at the intruder.

'Save the good morning to yourself as nothing is good about the morning, seeing as you're the first person I lay my eyes on this early,' the young woman said glaring at Farida.

What's wrong with this lady, she's very rude, wondered Farida. 'Oh, I think someone woke up on the wrong side....'

'Watch your tongue you ill-mannered girl,' she looked at Farida with eyes that spat venom.

'Ah, I suggest you do the same young woman,' not wanting to pick a fight with the maiden in front of her, Farida lay down closing her eyes.

'How dare you talk to me like that, you insolent girl.' she asked in a calm and collective voice, making Farida snap her eyes open sensing trouble from the intruder's voice.

Not wanting to make enemies in her new surroundings but knowing she's not one to sit by while being insulted to her face was another thing entirely. 'I demand you get out young woman,' she said pointing towards the door.

'If I don't, what will you do?'

Farida looked at the young maiden, who she was very sure was her age mate, contemplating what to do. She smiled, as her eyes settled on what could cause her immense pain and at the same time get her out of the hut. She moved closer to her without saying a word, her smile grew wide as she watched her step back.

'I will not tell you what will do but rather allow you to feel what I Farida is capable of,' her smile not wavering at all as she cornered the woman away from the doorway.

Sensing something sinister will happen, the maiden tries to move sideways but Farida beats her to it, now blocking her path. 'I suggest you move aside because I'll like to get out of the hut as you demanded,' she tried to talk her way out of the situation as she has been cornered and there wasn't much she could do about it.

'It is too late for that my dear.' Farida said in a whisper before grabbing a handful of the maiden's hair that sat on her head like bales of cotton and yanked hard until she heard a satisfied scream that definitely had woken the whole household. She did not let go even as the troublesome maiden kept screaming and clawing at her hand until they were both out of hut.

'How does it feel, my lady? Hope I wasn't that bad in illustrating what you asked for?' She asked innocently with a mocking smile and eyes glittering mischievously.

Looking around her, the young woman fought back tears of pain and humiliation, seeing that servants were watching with interest. 'You'll pay for this, I promise you.' She said loudly for everyone present to hear before turning on her heels and walking away with her head down.

'I'll wait patiently for it my dear.' Farida said her voice dripping with sarcasm to the retreating form of the unknown woman.

'There is no need for such sarcastic comments because you're in for pain and hatred.' A new voice said calmly beside Farida. Making her snap her head to her side, meeting sympathetic brown eyes belonging to a petite woman standing with a smile on her lips. 'Not again!' She thought, rolling her eyes. Ignoring the woman, she went back inside and sat down knowing the woman came inside with her.

'I'm Aladeje, I just came to check how you're faring this morning but I see you're doing perfectly well and already making trouble.'

'You can say that again Aladeje, I'm Farida.'

'I already know your name, Kalaje made sure of it last night,' Aladeje said laughing.

Remembering the chatterbox from yesterday, Farida smiled a genuine warm smile. 'Isn't she coming today?' She enquired, feeling more relaxed with the petite woman.

'Of course she is coming. I'm sure she's on her way by now hearing what you just did to Wuloma.'

'Wuloma?'

'Yes, that's the name of the maiden you pulled out of the hut by the hair and by now the news has spread like a wildfire that the monkey had fallen from the Iroko tree.'

'Oh!' was all Farida could manage to say feeling remorseful of her earlier deed.

'You shouldn't feel guilty Farida, I'm very sure she was rude as always and the matter of fact is that every single person in this village has been wanting to do just that, for the gods know how long.' Aladeje said smiling.

'As if knowing that will make me feel better.'

'Kalaje never mentioned you are surprisingly sarcastic.'

'Then count yourself among the lucky ones to see this side of Farida milady.' She stood up, dropping into a curtsey, before they burst out laughing.

'Your stay here will surely be interesting and eventful Farida.'

'I pray so my dear.'

******

'What will you do my dear?' A beautiful woman asked the young girl sitting in her hut looking devastated.

'I don't know for now because I'm still thinking but I swear on my father's grave, she'll pay for what she did.'

'I have no doubt of that, But I advise not to trouble yourself about a lowly servant,' the woman said to Wuloma, sitting down on the mat.

Wuloma stood up abruptly, filled with an overwhelming sense of anger. 'What do you mean?' Her voice raised an octave, she continued ranting, not waiting for an answer. 'You didn't see the victorious smile on the stupid girl's face and her words, you didn't hear them. She was mocking me!'

The woman looked up at her with distaste. 'Absolutely, I wasn't there Wuloma but all I know is that she'll be dealt with sooner than later. I'm just pointing to the fact that you've more important things on your plate to think and deal with, like getting the chieftain to marry you.'

'That too, I don't know what to do,' Wuloma whined. 'All my effort is in vain, it's frustrating.'

The older woman glanced up at Wuloma, a smile tugging at the corners of her mouth. 'You've to be bold for once in your lifetime.'

'I don't get you.'

'You want the chieftain to notice you or not?'

'Of course I want that and to be his wife too.'

'Then you've to compromise yourself, get pregnant with the heir. That is the only solution. You know he refused all the women brought to him. You've to play the hard way to get what you want Wuloma, as your sister in law I'll help you if you agree to do as I say.'

'What? That's outrageous Lamee!' She protested.

'Yes it's quite outrageous my dear and it's the only way-out for you. It is a necessity and entirely in your own interest.'

'No Lamee!'

Wuloma found her feet moving on their own accord as she walked from the hut. She shoved her way through the busy household, paying little heed to those around her.

She could not help but wonder what a preposterous suggestion. She cannot believe what Lamee suggested she do to be with the man she loves dearly. As much as she hated to admit, Lamee was right, using her body was the only way to get her heart desire, since the Chief has never shown interest in her intimately.

She still does not understand why Lamee, a woman she looks up to, was attempting to talk her into compromising herself. Knowing full well the chieftain would only look upon her with hurt and hatred in those lovely dark brown eyes of his for the rest of their life together had stoke up anger in her.

'I'm a lady with good moral values and will never do such a thing that'll drag my family name into mud and make the villagers question those values, no matter how I treat those around me to seek attention and respect.' She told herself aloud, tears welled up in her eyes.

So angry she was that she failed to see the man coming towards her until she bumped into the form with such force that cast her body backward. She would have fallen onto her backside, if not for the strong hand that pulled her So fast that her chest collided with the man's own.

That was inevitable.

Regaining her balance and sense of thinking, she pushed at the man's hard chest and he let go. 'Can't you look where you are going?' She snapped angrily. Wiping the tears that manage to roll down her face, she looked up at the man's face and she nearly died of embarrassment, seeing who owns the face.

Her mouth opening to give an apology but no word came out. Even in her state of embarrassment, she could not look away from the handsome face.

'I'm sorry Wuloma, I never saw you coming.' Fashade said in a flat tone that the wind itself can decipher he does not mean it.

'He just did what? Called my name and apologized? He recognizes me and even recalls my name. My efforts weren't in vain at last, he noticed me!' She was dancing in her head and smiling wide at the chieftain.

'I'll take my leave now and I advise you look where you're going next time,' he said with a hint of warning.

That did it, breaking whatever spell which had settled over her. The dancing stops and the smile slips off her face. She curtsey deeply with eyes downcast, apologizing repeatedly which he never stayed to listen nor acknowledge.

******

'You can straighten up your spine Wuloma,' the voice of the last person she expected spoke. She let out a little gasp when her eyes settled on her once upon a friend.

'You?' Was all that was able to tumble out of Wuloma's mouth.

'Yes me. I hate to see the Almighty Wuloma being laughed at. So, I came to your rescue.'

Wuloma stood looking flabbergasted at Kalaje, her nemesis. 'Don't you think a thank you will suffice?'

Snapping out of the shock, she glared at the annoying young woman. 'I'll thank you to mind your own business,' she said furiously.

'I will definitely mind my business if you at least look around you to see that I am right today Wuloma, everyone is laughing at you.' Kalaje intentionally heaped coal on a fire already set ablaze by the new maiden in the chieftain's household. 

'Isn't that wonderful? The attention you seek is being given to you on a platter of gold.' Kalaje's face crinkled up in a smile, showing her perfect white teeth and dark gums.

Noticing the curious gazes just like this morning, she turned to Kalaje now furious. 'I'm done here!' She said through gritted teeth, her eyes brimmed with tears.

'I'm definitely sure of that Wuloma, seeing you looking miserable, humiliated and out of your wits is disappointing. I wonder what…'

'I hate you.' Wuloma stumped off, muttering all the insults her brain could come up with at Kalaje until she stumbled and almost fell flat on her beautiful face did the insults stop.