Chapter 5

 Three days later, it was finally the day for Ophelia to leave for Madame Rhoda’s. Ophelia has arranged her cloth wraps and put all her best linens together.

She is going to be working for noble people now, so she needs to look her best.

Her mother had made her hair and dressed it neatly the previous day. Her siblings complimented her hair, she was looking beautiful as usual.

That morning, she had taken her bath already and was dressed in one of her best cream-colored linens. Her long dark hair was all out, falling all the way to her waist. Ophelia’s skin color shone as bright as the sun, complementing her linen. Her look was completely breathtaking. Ophelia was one very adorable creature.

Not long after Ophelia finished dressing up, she heard the sound of a mule in front of their compound, and she knew it was time for her to leave. Her siblings were still fast asleep as it was the early hours of the morning, and they normally slept far into the morning.  

Toma was outside, busy spreading a linen when the mule arrived. Madame Rhoda had sent someone to pick Ophelia up. 

“Greetings to you.” The young muscular guy handling the mule greeted.

“Greetings to you too.” Toma feigned a smile.

“I was sent by Madame Rhoda to….

“I know,” Toma cut him off halfway. “I’ll get her now,” she added walking away to get inside the hut.

“Ophelia, Madame Rhoda’s mule is here to take you away,” Toma announced walking into the house to see her daughter already arranging cloth wraps, tying them up. 

“I know mother, I heard the noise,” Ophelia replied calmly, getting on her feet.

“My baby” Toma cooed, her voice was so low now. She couldn’t believe her eyes, her daughter was about to leave her house for the very first time in her life.

“Yes, mother,” Ophelia answered calmly.

“When am I even gonna see you again?” Toma was so sober, fighting back the tears threatening to fall from her eyes.

“Mother please, do not make me emotional now,” Ophelia muttered, trying to act calm. But deep down, she was badly broken already.

“I don’t mean to my child, it’s just that……

“I know mother, I know. But this is what we have to do, you’ll definitely see me again.”

“When? Ophelia when? I don’t wanna do this anymore.” Toma shook her head, the tears now rolling down freely from her eyes. She couldn’t fight it back anymore.

“Mother can you please stop. What do you mean?” Ophelia was also trying so hard not to cry now.

“I don’t want you to go anymore, I have a bad feeling about this.” Toma was sobbing now. 

“Mother” Ophelia’s shoulders dropped as she released a loud sigh. And then she slowly started walking up to her mother. “Mother can you please stop crying already? The twins are sleeping, we don’t wanna wake them up.” Ophelia held her mother’s hand, stroking it softly.

“I know Ophelia, but I can’t help it my child. I miss you already, how will I pull through without you close by?” Toma shed more tears.

“Come on mother, you definitely would. Besides, I’m not gonna be with you forever.” Ophelia said soothingly.

“I know Ophelia, but I just hope you’ll be fine. I have lost a husband, and I am sure I would not survive it if anything happens to my daughter.” Toma spoke with so many emotions in her voice.

“Stop it mother, nothing is gonna happen to me. Don’t you know your daughter? I am a fighter and would never let anything or anyone hurt me. I am a good girl, and I would not want to hurt you in that way. I would never let anything happen to me, trust me, mother.” Ophelia uttered with so much confidence, these words somehow bringing peace to Toma, calming her troubled mind.

Just then, Toma pulled her daughter into a long and heartwarming embrace, squeezing her tightly. Ophelia secretly released a tear, as she held her mother back in her arms. 

“I can barely breathe, mother,” Ophelia spoke in a muffled voice.

“I’m so sorry, my child.” Toma chuckled loudly in between tears, letting go of Ophelia. “I just can’t help it.” She added.

“I know mother” Ophelia feigned a smile, quickly wiping away the tear so her mother would not see it.

“Miss please you can come out now, it’s getting too bright already and the journey is far ahead.” Doha, Madame Rhoda’s boy, spoke loudly from outside, reminding them of his presence.

“I have to go now, mother,” Ophelia announced, picking up her cloth wrap from the floor.

“Alright Ophelia. You are protected against evil eyes my child, we are rooting for you, never forget that.” Toma assured.

“I will never, mother.” Ophelia smiled.

“I love you so much my child.” Toma breathed, with so much affection in her eyes and voice.

“I love you too mother, and I will definitely come back to you all in a much better position,” Ophelia assured with a small smile. She blew her mother a kiss and quickly walked out of the hut. 

The emotions in the atmosphere were too high, and she didn’t wanna stay any longer, because she wasn’t sure she would be strong enough to hold back her tears. And allowing her mother to see her cry is the last thing she wanted, she might even change her mind.

She walked out to meet Doha who was standing by the side of the mule. He helped her climb onto the mule, and he also did the same. 

“Hold on to my waist,” Doha commanded, as he got ready to move out.

Ophelia slowly reached out and held his waist with her shaky hands, not so tight tho. She felt a kind of way doing that, but she had to listen to instructions, as she had never been on an animal before. She goes wherever with her legs, she’s never traveled a long distance before. Madame Rhoda’s place was not too far, it was on the outskirts of the kingdom, a bit close to the border. But she always gives special treatment to anyone she intends to work with, which was so nice of her. 

In no time, he moved the mule and they were already on their way to Madame Rhoda’s place.

She constantly kept looking back at her compound till it was out of sight. She knew her mother would not come out to see her leave and bid her goodbye, she would not be able to handle it. She would probably be in the house crying by now.

Ophelia just hoped it would turn out for good and she would have no regrets. She felt sad and sober, she had never been away from her family even for a day. But she was determined.

This better be worth it. 

*

“Welcome! Welcome the most beautiful.” Madame Rhoda’s lips stretched into a wide smile as Ophelia walked into her compound, after alighting from the mule.

“Greetings Madame Rhoda.” Ophelia greeted cheerfully.

“Greetings my girl. How was your ride? Hope it wasn’t stressful?” Madame Rhoda asked sweetly.

“No it wasn’t Madame, it was okay,” Ophelia replied immediately, still smiling.

“Alright. You’ll go in now, freshen up, and have your meal. Loosen up and just be free with others, we leave for your workplace tomorrow,” Madame Rhoda instructed.

“Flira would show you where to drop your stuff and do all this,” she added, pointing to a thin young girl standing by her side. “You can go now.”

“Okay, Madame.” Ophelia bowed slightly and then walked away with Flira who led the way.

*

Minutes later Ophelia settled on the mattress having her meal. She was served deep-fried dough balls along with meat stew. This is so okay for a start.

The few hours she’s spent here have been good and convincing. Madame Rhoda seems so nice, and the place she’s been given is so comfortable. But she didn’t know why she wasn’t just feeling at rest, she felt like all this was as if she was trying to prove a point.

First of all, the workers she saw when she entered the compound were not looking good at all. They looked scared, malnourished, and maltreated. And so were the rest of them she saw later on. And earlier when she was searching for Flira, she overheard Doha the guy who brought her here, and one other guy talking about selling someone off to the king for a huge amount of money.

And then she also learnt that Uma visits here regularly. Although she might not know Uma very well, everyone knew he was a slave dealer, the biggest in the Empire. He deals in buying and selling slaves to palaces. So what was Uma’s business with this place?

“Is it that……

No! She quickly shushed herself. Maybe she’s overthinking the whole issue, Madame Rhoda seems like a good woman, and all the families she’s helped had nothing bad to say about her. So it must be nice.

But despite using that to console herself, she was still not convinced, she was still feeling troubled in her spirit. And out of curiosity, she decided to speak out.

Flira has been nice to her since she arrived here, and the fact that she’s been here for a long time, she must definitely have answers to her questions. So she decided to share her curiosity with Flira.

“Flira” she called calmly, gently tossing the gourd from which she was eating aside.

“Yes,” Flira responded, partly taking her eyes off the linen she was mending.

“Please, I want to ask you a question.” Ophelia suddenly said.

“What question?” Flira asked, her eyes still on what she was doing.

“Please don’t look at me in some type of way or hide it from me, just be truthful to me please.” Ophelia pleaded.

“What is it?” Flira was now fully interested in what Ophelia had to say. As she gently kept the linen on her lap, paying Ophelia full attention now.

“Okay, Uhmm…..Ophelia swallowed, thinking of how to put the question in a non-offensive manner. “Okay Flira, please what’s the major work Madame Rhoda does here?” She finally found a way.

“I don’t understand,” Rhoda arched a brow, confusion clearly on her face. “What do you mean by major work?” She huffed.

“Sorry if I presented it in the wrong way. I mean why does Uma frequent here? I overheard Doha and someone else talking about going to the palace to sell or give someone to the king. I’m confused, it just doesn’t make sense so please help me out.” Ophelia spilled, hoping Flira would understand this time.

“Oh, you mean what is going on here?” Flira asked, seeming to get the question now, and Ophelia nodded immediately.

“Slavery,” Flira answered simply.

“I don’t understand” Ophelia was shocked to the bones, hoping she did not hear Flira well.

“What don’t you understand, Ophelia? I said slavery. Don’t you know the meaning of slavery?” Flira questioned carelessly.

“I do..but…

“But what?” Flira huffed.

“Who are the slaves?” Ophelia asked, seriously praying it is not what she’s thinking, and she gets an acceptable answer.

“You and I.” Flira dropped the bombshell, and Ophelia’s heartbeat tripled. Her body became cold, and she was shocked to the bone to even say anything.

“How?” She managed to ask, after minutes of intense silence.

“What do you mean by how? Every single person brought in here is for slavery purposes, for Madame to sell and get her money.” 

“So what happens to the person who is sold out, how do they get to see their family again?” Ophelia asked, fear engulfing every inch of her.

“Family? What family?” Flira huffed.

“You lose contact with everyone and accept your fate for life, while praying and hoping. Who knows, life might just get better from there. But most times, we die as slaves.” Flira explained.

“No Flira this cannot be true. She told my mother that I am coming here to work for wealthy people and make money, but she didn’t mention any of this.” Tears and fear took over Ophelia’s voice. 

“Oh Ophelia, how naive you are.” Flira released a mocking laugh.

“Do you think she’s gonna tell you what you’re coming here for? Which sane family would knowingly release their child for slavery?” She scoffed. “We were all deceived to be here, nobody planned for it. But what can we do other than accept our fate?” she concluded, shrugging, terrifying Ophelia the more.

“Oh no! I just lost my father, my family would not be able to bear another loss. It was just like mother saw all this coming.” Ophelia’s voice was trembling now.

“I’m so sorry about that.” Flira calmly patted her shoulder.

“How come no one has said anything about this, her victims are definitely everywhere.” Ophelia was in shock.

“She has an upper hand with the king, so they can’t say anything. They just keep quiet and bear the loss, if not, they'll likely bear more than that.” Flira spilled.

“I’m done for! My life is over!” Ophelia burst out into tears immediately, serious tears.

“No Ophelia, don’t say that, you never know what awaits you. You’re beautiful and lucky enough to be sold as one of the king’s slaves. Unlike us who’re locked in here for life, with no buyer, just suffering.” Flira tried to encourage her but it wasn’t working at all.

“What do you mean king’s slave? That wicked king? I don’t want to be anyone's slave, I was just enjoying my simple life with my family, I don’t want all of this.” Ophelia cried seriously.

“So sorry your family was vulnerable enough to fall into her trap. I just pity you, because you’re too beautiful.” Flira said, with nothing but pity in her eyes for Ophelia, as she tried to calm her down.

It was now that it all clicked. Now she saw why her father hated Madame Rhoda, and why her mother had a bad feeling about this. How was she this naive? Oh! Only if she hadn’t lost her father to the cold hands of death, this would have never happened. Now she saw what her father was always protecting her from. She broke into more tears.

“Is there not a way to escape or run away from all this?” Ophelia suddenly asked.

“No, don’t try it, Ophelia. You will not succeed, and you will only limit yourself. I tried it before, that's why I am stuck here for the rest of my life, being maltreated and treated like an animal. If you like yourself, don’t do it. Better respect yourself and quietly go to the king’s palace so you don’t cause any complications for yourself. Don’t even think of escaping.” Flira advised.

“And who’s escaping to where?” Madame Rhoda huffed, waking majestically into the scene with two muscular men by her side. 

Seeing this, Ophelia and Flira’s eyes widened.