HAUNTED BY THE PAST

Chapter Three

Mauda couldn’t tolerate the unpleasant sight. The two, in her opinion, were tainted with impurities. They had been possessed by the evil spirit and needed cleansing.

"God of my ancestors, why have you punished me like this,hmh?"

She whined as she raised her hands to the heavens. She blabbered some traditional incantations and prayed to the god of life and purity. This way, she would exorcise the evil in their sinful hearts.

" Shameful ungrateful children! look at their sinful eyes. They have no shame at all, pooh!"

She scowls and springs up out of hiding in immense anger and thundered, “Stop! Hold it right there!”

Her chest heaved in anger. The colour of her face turned red.

“So it’s true, why? my child, why? Why have you betrayed your mother, why?” She asked, her voice full of rage and bitterness.

"Mama Tina, please lower your voice. My father might hear you." Implored Rabu, his lips trembling slightly. He loosened his grip and pushed Tina away with a sneer. "Didn't I warn you not to Come? Why did you insist."

Rabu said, piling all the blame on Tina.

"I knew something like this would happen, '' he resumed with bitterness in his voice. He was indifferent all of a sudden.

" Shut up you swine! Let Mahuge hear me for all I care. Tina’s heart curled.

"This is all your fault, mother. You incited this. Now Rabu is angry."She thought and cursed inside her heart. With a globe of anger in her eyes, she gives Mouda a hard stare.

I will go and tell him myself. He needs to know the kind of son he has raised."

Mauda rasped walking towards the direction of Mahuge, who was engrossed in a discussion with Tony.

Under that gruff expression on his face, Mahuge is a charming, cheerful and hospitable character. He has a good sense of humour too. He only becomes wild when he is provoked.

"How is your son, Rabu? He must be a fully grown-up man now, isn't he?" Tony inquired and beamed a smile. A little insect lands on his nose and he slaps it with his hand hitting his nostrils. His host turns his face away looking in the direction of the farm. Minutes later he draws his attention to Tony.

Mahuge nods in hearty agreement and picks his teeth with a dry stick he picks from the ground. Then he spits on the ground and as if to compliment on his earlier response resumed.

"Not only has he grown into a charming young man, but also a responsible one. He is a good example to his young brothers and that makes me proud."

There was an undertone of pride in his voice as he spoke.

"Quiet! I can hear someone shouting Rabu’s name."

Wambui hushed the others who seemed to be absorbed in a hearty conversation as they cut down the shrubs to the ground level.

The whole group halted in unison, but they barely heard anything.

"You must be daydreaming. Does anyone hear anything?"

"No," they all declined one after another.

"It is too early to dream, my dear," said Mahuges first wife, her voice imbued with slight sarcasm. The rest agreed with her. Wambui was annoyed. She was sure she wasn't wrong. She glared at them. They pursued their giggles, but she listened intently to the sound. Minutes later, Amelia called out again.

"Rabu.."This time, his voice was clear and audible.

"Wambui was right all along," said Nduna's first son. His mother glared at him. Although Amelia and Nduna were both Mahuge’s wives, they never got along. Not even their children could help mend their relationship. No one can define the reason for the rift between them.

"It is too early to dream! Who's dreaming now? Wambui asked, ridiculously mimicking Nduna. The latter's blood boiled. She scowled and stuck her tongue out to provoke Wambui.

"You all have to retire home now. Mahuge wants everyone home." Said Amelia as her small eyes searched around for Rabu.

"Why, what happened?" asked Wambui.

"Nothing." There's a visitor at home. Rabu and Nisha are urgently needed at home as much as all of you. Wambui looked behind and realised that they had just cleared less than half of what they were supposed to do. Of all the three wives of Mahuge, she was the most hardworking. Perhaps that was why she was Mahuges favourite. He was sure she would be able to feed his family even when he was gone.

"So soon! Who is that visitor anyway? Whoever it is, this wasn't the right time to pay a visit unannounced."

Amelia keeps quiet after swallowing hard. She loved and respected Wambui so much that she didn't wish to make an issue out of such a small matter. She wanders her eyes across the whole group, and asks,

"Where is Rabu? Didn't he come with you?"