Chapter 7

AMARACHI

  I felt sick in my stomach every time I had to explain myself to aunty Lydia. She can never love me, I want her to love me the way she loves Ogechi but she can never love me.

  I atleast thought she will be happy on seeing that I fetched the water early but instead she called me a witch.

Was it fair?

Isn't this life being too unfair to me?

"Answer them Amara. Quiet their tongues"Nne nudged my shoulder.

I had been silent the whole time I didn't even realise it.

  "Nne she can't say anything now. What can she say? You are spoiling Amarachi o"Ogechi remarked harshly which got her a glare from Nne.

"Aunty Lydia"I began

"Yes the community tap was obviously closed but I met Chief Justice's wife and she took me to her house and told me to fetch from her house" I explained.

I saw how quickly both aunty Lydia's and Ogechi's facial expression changed from anger to surprise.

"Eehn! You mean you saw chief Justice's wife?"Aunty Lydia asked surprised.

I smiled, atleast I hoped they will believe me now.

"Bia nwanyi ina nu nti?(come woman are you deaf) she just said she saw chief Justice's wife and you are still asking her the same thing"Nne said as she held on to her walking stick.

Aunty Lydia eyed Nne and turned to face me.

"Amara is Jordan back?"Ogechi quickly asked. She seemed so happy knowing chief Justice's wife was around.

It was probably because of Jordan. She wants to meet him like all the other girls.

I shook my head in answer to her question.

She suddenly looked sad and then that angry expression was back on her face.

Why was she eying me? What concerns me with Jordan?

"I know you are lying. Even if he is back will you tell me?. You just want him for yourself Amarachi"

I became so shocked on hearing Ogechi's bitter words.

Really me?I want Jordan for myself? I care less about him.

He grew up having a caring mother and father and on top of all that he was born with a silver spoon and look at me!

No mother no father no sister no brother, on top of that the only people I call my family hates me.

Why should I care about Jordan?

"Ogechi you better shut up if you don't know what to say!"I yelled.

This girl's behaviour was getting on my nerves.

"Ewo Amarachi you now have wings to talk back at my daughter!"aunty Lydia yelled back at me as she stood up to face me.

Before I could explain myself, I felt her cold fingers on my cheek.

Nne gasped in shock as I clutched to the cheek she slapped, holding back my tears.

"Lydia obu ara na gba gi?(are you running mad), ishi gi odiru mma?(is your head correct),couldn't you reprimand Ogechi?!" Nne shouted with her failing voice.

I caught a glimpse of Ogechi who was smirking at me, obviously enjoying the way her mother treated me.

"Nne it's fine ok" I said trying to pacify Nne.

"It's not fine. Leave me let me use this walking stick and hit this stupid woman" Nne replied as she tried to raise her walking stick.

Aunty Lydia and Ogechi started laughing as they both watched us.

"Nne you better don't kill yourself for this useless girl" Ogechi said in between laughs.

"You are the useless one. Stupid useless shameless prostitute! I regret having you as a grand daughter"Nne cried out.

I saw the joy in Ogechi's face quickly wear off on hearing Nne's statement.

"Nne go inside ok, rest you need to rest ok. For my sake. Go inside and rest let me prepare breakfast"I said in a whisper.

Nne nodded her head and walked inside.

I turned back to face the devils in front of me.

I sighed and casted my head downwards.

"Mum is it fair!? Nne just called me a prostitute because of this useless thing called my cousin"Ogechi cried out to her mother.

"Well that's what you are Ogechi"

"Leave Nne I'll handle her. As for you Amara, you've grown wings now. Just because Mrs Justice took a liking towards you, you now think highly of yourself right?"Aunty Lydia queried me harshly.

My head was downwards but I could feel her gaze on me like a knife piercing into me.

Why did she hate me this much?

Why is everything I do a problem to aunty Lydia?

I just couldn't fathom what my late parents did to her and my uncle that made both of them hate me this much.

I didn't reply her question, it was better to remain silent rather than defend myself.

"Mum she wants Jordan all to herself, she wants to take him away from me!"Ogechi added pouting her lips.

That accusation again! It irked me. Heaven knows I would have slapped Ogechi right now.

"Don't worry my dear. Now that we know Mrs Justice is back, you need to be on your best character ok. Jordan will be yours. It will be nice getting married into that rich family"aunty Lydia said to Ogechi.

All they cared about was money nothing else. Listening to aunty Lydia's comment sickened me.

I felt disgusted.

Ogechi was already claiming Jordan even before she saw him all because he is rich. It's really disgusting.

"And as for you"aunty Lydia said turning to face me.

"Stay out of my daughter's path have you heard!?"

I nodded my head immediately, waiting for her next order.

"Go to where we keep the dirty clothes, wash all of them, every single one, then prepare breakfast and go to the shop"

I knew she was surely going to give me a handful of work.

I nodded and left their presence.

I could hear both mother and daughter giggling as I walked away.