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 the clock in this shop and aunty Lydia never had the decency to thank me for once.I sighed heavily as I pulled out my tailoring book from my bag going through some measurements I had taken earlier. I was going to sew a V-neck off shoulder gown.
My stomach rumbled, which reminded me that I hadn't eaten since morning.
"Should I eat first?"I contemplated whether I should eat or not, I weighed the chances I had. If I ate first and aunty Lydia came in, she will get so angry with me but if I don't eat and she comes in, she won't let me eat again.
I finally made up my decision to eat, I shouldn't work myself to death.I took out the bread, akara(bean cake) and a sachet of pure water that I bought on the way. Immediately I perceived the aroma, my hunger doubled and my stomach growled. I divided the bread into two and stuffed the akara into the bread. I immediately stuffed the combination into my mouth.
I let out a low groan as I savoured the delicious delicacy. Heaven knows I was really hungry.What I bought was little but it will still hold my appetite till the evening.I finished my small breakfast and set out to work.
My whole body was really aching me but I had to work, it wasn't even an option for me.Work. Work. Work.My entire life revolved around working.††††††††
"This gown will be very fine o"I said to myself as I admired the V-neck off shoulder gown. I wasn't through with it but the shape of the gown had come out. A tailors work wasn't easy to be honest.
"Amara nwannem(Amara my sister)"
I looked up to answer the familiar voice standing by the doorway.Rebecca!Becca was my childhood friend. Infact she was my best friend. She was two years older than me but I loved her like a sister.†††††††
Amarachi immediately stood up to hug Rebecca."Don't fall me down o"Becca said as she hugged her back laughing.Rebecca was taller than Amarachi a little. Her fair complexion radiated and she was endowed with hips. She was very beautiful. She was also very talented. She owned a little bakery which was very successful.
"You hugged Rebecca what about me?"came the male voice behind.
It was Chinonso.He was the oldest among them. At age twenty-four, he already had things going good for him. He worked in his father's company and already had a house of his own. He was a successful promising young man with good looks too.Amarachi was really delighted to see her two best friends. They had been friends since they were little."It's not like that o"Amara said laughing as she went over to hug nonso.Nonso had a soft spot for Amara. He was in love with her but hadn't told her yet. Becca noticed the way he hugged her tightly and a frown appeared on her face.Rebecca had feelings for nonso, but it was obvious to her that he only saw her a sister which she didn't like."This one you guys came to visit me, what should I offer you guys now?"Amara asked as she went back to her sewing machine.
Becca shrugged her shoulders and her eyes scrutinized the shop as if she was searching for something.
"Amarachi my mum told me she saw you coming out from Chief Justice's compound this morning" Nonso said as he took a chair and sat next to her.
"Yes o. This morning aunty Lydia woke me up by six to go fetch water from the community tap"Amara replied. Her friends knew her aunty's behaviour towards her, they weren't surprised.
Becca raised her eyebrow and sat next to Amara.
"Six in the morning? But the tap opens by seven. That's too early""I got there,and I didn't see anybody. But it was like God sent Chief Justice's wife to me. She took me to her house and told me to fetch water there"Amara said happily.
"Chief Justice's wife is around, wow, that means Jordan will also come back too. Once he comes all you girls will be dying for him"Nonso said with a hint of jealousy in his voice.
Amara and Rebecca started laughing simultaneously.
"Are you jealous?"Amara asked as she nudged nonso's shoulder."Mba(no)"nonso replied as he tried not to look at Amara which only made Amara and Rebecca to laugh the more.
Nonso sighed deeply as he gazed at the two girls laughing at him.
"Is ok ah"he finally said.
"Ehen Amara you shouldn't be working too late in the night. It's not good for you. You are a girl"Nonso advised changing the topic.
Amara stopped laughing and sadness washed over her face.
"I know"she said meekly."I don't understand what's going on?"Becca asked.
"Yesterday I met Amara on the road around ten in the night. I offered her a lift in my car. She said she had been working since trying to fix a customer's cloth"Nonso replied.
"Wow, he offered her a lift in his car? Wow" Becca thought to herself.
"Amara it's not good. What if you didn't see me? What if something bad happened to you? Please don't work that late again. How much will aunty Lydia give you for fixing that dress? Exactly she won't even give you a dime. So don't kill yourself"Nonso lamented as he stared at Amara.
Amara could really concern written over his face and was oblivious of the anger rising in Rebecca."Why does he care about Amara this much? He isn't even this concerned about me!"
"Nonso I know. You know my aunty. Don't worry I won't work that late again I promise"Amara said as she took hold of his hand, caressing it a little before letting go.
"Nonso let's be going o. You need to drop me at my bakery"Becca said immediately she noticed Amara holding his hands.
"It's true I forgot"Nonso said as he stood up.
"Why won't you forget? When you are all over Amara!"Becca thought to herself.
"Amara take care you hear"Becca said as she stood up to leave.
Nonso dipped his hand into his back pocket and brought out 3000naira, handing it to Amara.
Becca's jaw dropped on seeing the money Nonso gave Amara. It really irked her. She was letting her love for Nonso overshadow her sense of reasoning."But Nonso..."Amara was cut short as Nonso interrupted her.
"Take it. You need it. Seeing the way you uncle and his wife treats you. Please take it"Nonso said as he took hold of her hand and gave her the money.
"Nonso thank you"Amara said as she stood up with a flushed face
"It's nothing Amara. I'll be going now ok. Take care of yourself. I'll see you soon"Nonso replied as he hugged her once more to the dismay of Becca who eyed them from a corner.
"It's good ok. Take care of yourself Amara bye"Becca chirped in not wanting to be left out.
She and Nonso headed outside to Nonso's parked Camry car.Once inside, Nonso ignited the engine.Becca sat in the front next to Nonso. She glanced at Nonso, time after time hoping he will notice her facial expression but Nonso was more focused on the road.
"But you know what you did wasn't fair?"Becca cried out,tired of keeping silent.
"What did I do?"Nonso asked without glancing at her.
Becca sighed and folded her arms.
"You gave Amara three thousand naira. For Christ sakes!I told you last week that I needed money...""For your hair that hasn't even lasted for two weeks"Nonso said cutting Becca short.
"But it's not fair. I asked you first and you gave her"Becca cried out.
"Amara needs the money more. You know the way her aunt mistreats her. Rebecca please stop being childish"
"Me childish? It's ok. Drop me here. I'm ok here"Becca replied harshly.
"Are you sure?see why I say you are being childish? This small argument we had, you want me to drop you"Nonso said as he shook his head at her.
"Please Nonso drop me here now!"
Nonso sighed and pulled over the car, unlocking it for her.
Becca came down from the car and eyed Nonso who lowered down his car window to have a good view of her angry face."No be so them dem dey do am o(that's not how they do it o). I'll see you later Becca"Nonso said as he smiled at her.
Becca ignored his statement, he waved at her, ignited his car engine and zoomed off.
Becca stared at his moving car and a frown appeared on her face.
"Amarachi, I've always seen you as a sister. Don't take away my Nonso from me o. Don't make this our friendship turn sour. Don't make our friendship turn to enmity"
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
AMARACHI"God I'm so tired"I thought to myself as i stretched my arms. Little darkness still covered the horizon as i dropped my last bucket of water. It really isn't easy for me. My whole body was aching me after that countless trips to Mrs Justice house. I proceeded to sweeping the entire compound. After that i washed the plates and washed any dirty clothes available. It was already 7 once i had finished my entire housechores. I quickly made way to the kitchen to prepare breakfast of plantain porridge. I heard footsteps approaching behind me as i peeled the plantain. I turned around and saw Aunty Lydia."Aunty good morning" I immediately greeted. I didn't want yesterday's event to repeat itself. I just wanted to be on my best behaviour today. She totally ignored my greeting and scrutinized the surrounding, pacing to and fro. I could tell she was surpr
AMARACHI My heart was palpitating as i watched Nne getting laid on the stretcher and rushed inside one of the hospital wards by the nurses.It was painful seeing her in such a condition. I could never imagine loosing Nne. She isn't only my grandma.She is my best friend and mother.I love her so much.If anything happened to Nne i will never forgive Ogechi and aunty Lydia.Tears kept on streaming down my cheeks as i sat down burying my face in my palms. I could hear ogechi hissing and murmuring."Why is this one crying now?"Ogechi said rudely.I couldn't blame her. I ignored her remark. She was incapable of having human emotions. All she thought of was her self."You aren't the only concerned about Nne o"she added. I wasn't in the mood to exchange words with her. Nne is the only one on my mind right now. After wh