Chapter 9

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.

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  "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.

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  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"