Chapter 8

AMARACHI

I 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 he was truly my blood, he will never maltreat me nor allow his wife maltreat me.

A deep sigh escaped my mouth as I walked towards them, bracing myself up for any insult.

"Aunty, Uncle, I'm through with the house work"I said meekly with my face down.

"Ehen so?"aunty Lydia replied harshly.

My uncle didn't even look at me, his gaze was on his phone.

"Do you want us to clap for you?"uncle Francis finally asked looking up at me.

"No, I just.."I was suddenly interrupted by aunty Lydia.

"You just what!?you finished the house work, so? Ibu onye gbu?(are you the first)"

Great!I had annoyed her before I even made my request. Aunty Lydia was a throbbing volcano which could erupt at the slightest provocation.

"Aunty e wey nih wey biko gbaram (aunty please don't be angry sorry forgive me)"I pleaded in my traditional dialect.

Uncle Francis then cleared his throat and stood up"Bia(come) aren't you suppose to go to the shop today?"

Aunty Lydia hissed at me and folded her arms.

"Do I know for the stupid girl?"

"Aunty Lydia,uncle Francis,I'm hungry. I haven't eaten"I finally voiced out my request.

God I have to even beg them before I can eat.

When will this torture end?

This people aren't even strangers, they are my family.

"Amara if I slap you eehn. m maga akanti(if I slap you). All you know is food food food. Will you get out of here and go to the shop osisor!"aunty Lydia roared at me.

She was ready to pounce me noticing the look on her face.

My eyes had already started to get welled up with tears. I cleaned my face with the back of my right palm and nodded my head, quickly heading towards the gate.

"Amarachi" uncle Francis called out which stopped me in my tracks.

I turned and walked towards him.

He put his hand into his pocket and brought out a hundred and fifty naira. He stretched out his hand and I collected it much to the dismay of Lydia.

I know if it was up to Lydia, she will make sure I starve to death.

"Use that money for your breakfast, before you go about and start spreading rumours that your uncle is a wicked person"

I was so happy on getting the money. My face beamed with joy.

"Uncle thank you so much!"

"Aunty thank you too!"

A huge grin appeared on my face, half bread they say is better than none.

Atleast I know I will have breakfast today.

I quickly turned away and headed towards the gate before any of them changed their minds.

†††††††

I approached aunty Lydia's shop which was located in the centre of a busy street in the town. It was a good idea, the many passer-by's who passed that street coupled with the cars, motorcycles and tricycles will have the chance of seeing her shop, thereby attracting more customers.

Aunty Lydia was very fortunate to have so many customers.

I brought out the shop key from my bag and opened the burglary gate. I then opened the second door after the burglary and stepped inside.

I really admire the way aunty Lydia's shop is. It's very huge, the inside is painted cream whilst the outside is pink.

There are about five sewing machines in the tailoring room, which was where most of the sewing was carried out.

One machine belongs to aunty Lydia, one belongs to me and the other three belonged to the girls who worked under aunty Lydia. They were part time workers, they only came on Tuesday and Thursday. I was the one who worked round the clock here.

There was a dressing room,a toilet and aunty Lydia's personal office room. I'm pretty sure she mostly goes there to sleep.

I proceeded to open the windows for ventilation noticing how everywhere was stuffy. I took out some mannequins with beautiful clothes on them outside for display to attract people.

I grabbed a broom from behind the door and started sweeping the shop.

"Amara you are here today"

I turned around and met the smiling face of one of our regular customers, Mrs Johnson.

She was the one whose cloth aunty Lydia spoilt and had me fix it. I spent the entire night yesterday fixing her dress.

"Good morning ma"I greeted with a smile standing up.

"I didn't think you will come today o. You worked here till around ten o'clock yesterday, aren't you tired?"she asked concerned.

I was definitely tired, I wish I could tell her the truth.

Even now,my entire body aches me. My entire body is crying for relief.

"Ma work is in my blood o. I can't stop working. Besides this is what I love doing"I replied cheerfully.

"Amarachi take it easy o, don't over work yourself"she cautioned.

She should be telling that to aunty Lydia not me. Aunty Lydia was the one in charge of my body.

"I'm coming later today for my cloth, hope it's ready o?"she added as she stepped outside the shop.

I followed her outside and nodded my head smiling.

"Good I'll bring the balance too ok. Take care of yourself my dear"she added finally before walking away.

Aunty Lydia was really fortunate to have this kind of customers. They came to her because she was good in tailoring. Nne told me my mum was the one who taught aunty Lydia everything about sewing.

It was really ironical. My late mother taught her about sewing, her success in the tailoring business was all because of my late mother and yet look at the way she maltreated me.

"It's really a good way to pay my late mother back for all her good deeds aunty Lydia"

A faint smile appeared on my lips and I immediately continued my sweeping.