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 hissed, going over to her seat.I sighed and went back to my work.Aunty Lydia and I worked in silence, which I was grateful for.
Apart from the occasional errands I had to attend for her, we worked in absolute silence.I enjoyed it that way and made sure to obey her whenever she called me."Madam the madam"was the familiar voice I heard coming from the doorway.
I looked up to see Mrs Johnson. She was here for her dress.I quickly stood up to offer her a chair."Amara my dear thank you"she said whilst patting my shoulder.
"My favourite person, my personal person"aunty Lydia praised her.
"After spoiling my dress Lydia"Mrs Johnson said teasingly.
"It's not my fault. We all make mistakes. After all your dress is fixed now. Amara bring it"
I went over to my seat and took a polythene bag from underneath the sewing machine.I handed the polythene bag to Mrs Johnson. She brought out her cloth from the bag and her jaws dropped.
She was grinning from ear to ear like a little child. She turned over the cloth and scrutinized it in and out. She kept on admiring the cloth with her mouth agape.
"Go and test the cloth now"Aunty Lydia urged her.
She nodded her head and walked towards the dressing room with the dress. I was so pleased on seeing the way she admired the dress. If she hadn't reacted this way, aunty Lydia would have dealt with me severely."And why are you smiling?"aunty Lydia asked interrupting my thoughts.
I looked at her and suddenly lost my voice."I..I...was..I.."I stuttered as I tried to figure out what to say.
"Come on go and sit down osisor (fast fast). See her nose."
I quickly went over to my seat and continued my work.
"Oh God please let Mrs Johnson like the dress"Mrs Johnson came out immediately I made that silent prayer.
She strutted and stood in front of the mirror admiring her dress.A smile made its way to my lips as I gazed at Mrs Johnson who was admiring her outfit.I was really proud of myself at this point. The dress really brought out her curves."Omaka(it's too beautiful)!"aunty Lydia complimented her.
"I know. Amara you are so talented. God bless you my daughter. See how beautiful I look on this dress. This sewing talent runs in your family o! Your mother really passed it to you"
"Thank you ma!"I said ecstatically. I was beaming with joy. She praised my late mother which doubled my happiness.
I turned over to look at aunty Lydia, hoping to see her smiling but she suddenly wore a frown on her face and she glared at me. I froze in place and smile immediately disappeared.
Why is she frowning at me?
Isn't she suppose to be happy?I couldn't fathom why aunty Lydia was glaring at me.
"Ehm..I'm the one who taught her how to sew now. I taught her this tailoring thing not her late mother. It's me you should commend"Aunty Lydia said with a hint of jealousy in her tone.
Now I knew it!
She could never stand my mother. Somebody praising my mother obviously irked her. She wanted the spot light all to herself.Why did she hate my late mother this much?!
Even in death?She still hated her."Ah my dear you are talented. It's true. You really did well in training Amarachi"Mrs Johnson said turning to face Aunty Lydia.
I sighed and rolled my eyes. Aunty Lydia had gotten what she wanted.
Mrs Johnson went to the dressing room to change and came out in her former clothes.
She dipped her hand into her hand bag and brought out four thousand naira, handing it to aunty Lydia.
"Thank you my dear"aunty Lydia said immediately as she snatched the money from her hands, folding it and stuffing it into her wrapper.
"Amara wait I have something for you. You deserve a treat"Mrs Johnson said as she searched her handbag.
A treat? Really? For me?
Wow!She brought out some five hundred naira notes and counted it. She then handed it over to me with a smile."That's three thousand naira"she said with a wink.
Surprise washed over my face as I stared at the currency notes in my hand.
Three thousand!First Nonso gave me three thousand now Mrs Johnson gave me too!I opened my mouth to object but Mrs Johnson immediately cut me off.
"You deserve it my dear. Keep it""Madam Lydia, I'm going now. Take care o"She added as she walked away.
"Oh bye bye"aunty Lydia replied.
I stared at the money in my hands with surprise.
She was right. I deserved it
"Ehen give me that money"aunty Lydia said once Mrs Johnson left jolting me out of my thoughts.
"But.."I tried to protest but she slapped me immediately.
"Come on shut that gutter you call a mouth! She gave you money and you accepted. You didn't tell her to give me the money instead! Useless girl. Hand it over now!" She commanded.
I couldn't do anything but cry.
I deserved this money. I was the one who worked till ten o'clock yesterday night. I deserved this reward. But I had no say in the matter. I reluctantly handed her the money with tears in my eye."Wipe that tears off now osisor(fast fast). You want people to pity you. Fool"
I quickly obeyed her and cleaned my eyes. She put the money in her purse,eying me.
She then took her purse and headed outside."Lock the shop by six!"
"Yes a..aunty"I replied in a rather low tone.
God!
What did I ever do to deserve this kind of treatment!?I continued my work and kept on sewing clothes to clear my head from the harsh treatment aunty Lydia melted onto me.
After some hours, Ogechi entered the shop. She hardly came to the shop. She only did when she needed money.
She was dressed in a short mini skirt and crop top. She was probably going to see one of her boyfriends.I ignored her presence the way she ignored mine. She went straight to her mother's private office.Only God knows what she is doing there.After some minutes, she came out holding some currency notes in her hands.
"Why are you taking that money?" I asked once I caught a glimpse of what she held in her hand."Is it your money!?"
"Mind your business Amara!"she cautioned me harshly and she left.I couldn't help but stare at Ogechi as she walked away.
She was just a rude and unmannered girl.I sighed heavily and continued my work.I occasionally glanced at the clock. I couldn't wait for six, I felt suffocated in here.Around five, aunty Lydia stepped inside the shop. I greeted her but she ignored my greetings and headed straight to her private office.
After some minutes I heard aunty Lydia's loud scream echo round the shop. She came out of the shop with her hands on her head screaming.
"Amarachi o! Amarachi e bu onyo shin(Amarachi you are thief)!"
She kept on repeating that statement as she wailed.I was so confused.
Me? A thief?I stood up from my seat to try and calm her down but she pushed me away.What did I do?"You this girl! You are thief! A big thief! Just like your mother! You take other people's belongings!"
"Aunty...what did I do?"I asked with my swollen eyes. I was tired of crying every time. I was tired of being accused always.
"What did you do?! Did you just ask that!? Amara where is my money!?"
I became dumbfounded. I didn't take anything so why was she accusing me?
"I kept eight thousand naira in there. I saw only five thousand naira!"she yelled at me.
"Aunty.. aunty..I promise I didn't take anything. Ogechi came in here and took some money with her. I didn't do anything"I pleaded.
She immediately slapped me.
The impact was so strong that I almost lost my balance.She pushed me out of the way and went towards my bag.
I quickly remembered Nonso gave three thousand naira too!If she sees that money then I'm dead."Come and see thief o!"Aunty Lydia shouted.
My heart sank as I saw aunty Lydia holding the three thousand naira Nonso gave me.
Now I'm dead!
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
AMARACHI "Did aunty Lydia just let me go home instead of ogechi?"I asked no one in particular as I walked back home.I was so perplexed. I still couldn't believe I had the day off."Amara what will you use today to do?"I asked myself.I couldn't help the wide smile that formed on my lips."Maybe I should go to the shop" Immediately that thought came to my mind I frowned. Even on my off day i still wanted to work.I shook my head. I wasn't going to work. Aunty Lydia gave me the day off so I will use it to rest. "Piccolo"was the voice I heard behind.I immediately turned around to meet the smiling face of that stranger that helped me."How are you?"he added as he walked up to me.I smiled back at him."I'm fine ummm.."i racked my brain trying to figure out his name."Ummm"he s