HAUNTED BY THE PAST

Chapter four

Rabu, predicting danger, sped off in the direction of the farm.

Tina stares in her boyfriend's direction and then glares at her mother without remorse and storms off retreating to her father’s compound. She grumbles and curses her mother for meddling in her affairs.

"What a pity to have such an uncomprehending woman as a mother! Is she jealous of me? Why can't she leave me alone to enjoy my life? Selfish woman. The reason why she married papa is the same reason that is driving me into madness. I don't…"

Mauda, having hurled a lot of repulsive insults at Mahuge's son, followed her daughter stomping in great fury, her heart wedged with contempt, fear and bitterness. She grumbled and cursed as tears welled up in her eyes.

Nisha raised his voice and screamed out Rabu's name. The sound of his voice echoed in the forest below them. It was loud enough to chase a stubborn ghost.

"Damn you, Tina!"He mumbled resentfully after listening to the echo of his name. He became tense. "Father will stew me alive." Rabu's fear was raw in his eyes.

" If anything happens to me, I swear you will regret it, Tina."

He thought in his heart and ran as fast as he lay his feet on the ground.

"Where did Rabu go? Didn't he come with us?" Nduna asked.

They were all confused. None of them had noticed Rabu’s absence until now.

"Perhaps he has gone for a short call." Suggested Amelia.

"If so, he should have returned by now." Wambui horned in.

In a moment, Rabu stood at the back of the cleared part and gasped for breath. He was panting like a dog. He gasped for breath.

"Did anyone call for me? I came as soon as you called." He said breathing heavily.

His body was drenched in perspiration.

"You, are you a ghost that appears and disappears instantly?"

Wambui asked Rabu. The latter forges a smile and advances the group.

"I was repairing the fence on the other side. Remember what happened last time when our cows grazed in Juma's garden. I didn't want that mistake to repeat itself." He bolstered confidence in telling his lie.

"You did well my dear, "Nduna appreciated him with a smile.

We better get going before Mahuge calls and…" said Amelia springing into action.

"That was a narrow escape!" Rabu thought and sighed deeply in relief.

Tina composed herself on the levelled ground with her legs stretched. She didn’t see her mother come. Mauda stood behind her daughter glaring at her with a grimace. Tina was lost in meditative contemplation. In considerable anger, her mother raised the rod she held in hand, and, summoning all her strength, she landed it on her thin legs. Tina was taken by the storm. She shrieked, jumping off the ground. She stood aloof and groaned in pain. Her mother advanced in her direction to launch another attack. One lash wasn’t enough for a mistake as grave as flirting with men at her young age. As she aimed at her, the latter took a quick leap off and avoided the lash. Mauda tripped off the ground and hitched forward. She fell on her stomach with a loud thickening thud and wriggled in pain. She sobbed in immense sadness as if she had lost her daughter indefinitely. Bitterness clutched at her hurt. She lifted her face to the sky and begged the gods in great agony.

“ Gods of my ancestors, please pity's strip me naked. She is my only child.”

Tina negotiated with the wood fence that surrounded her father’s compound and vanished.

"Kaija has two beautiful daughters. I mean the real definition of beauty. If only you could see them! "

Musa exclaimed with the squint of his eyes and resumed,

"especially the eldest. What's her name-Tina? That girl is a real gem. She is very beautiful."

Kaija's heart eased up. There's a beam of a smile on his face. His thoughts raced back home. He had spent hours away from his family. More than anything else Kaija loved Tina, and now that Musa mentioned her name, he yearned to see her beautiful face.

"Tina is worth many heads of cattle my dear."

Musa pointed his finger at Kaija in emphasis. The latter smiled broadly and stretched up.

Duncan stared at Kaija doubtfully and lowered his face. His eyes were heavy with the weakness of liquor.

"My dear, have your wives called your name through a pot?" They all guffawed with laughter.