FOREVER MINE.

Chapter Eighteen

The two gentlemen drove through the gate and parked in the yard as Jina and Mrs Wabua strolled towards the entrance. Suddenly Jina doubled back at the entrance, seeming to have forgotten something. Mrs Wabua boisterously yells at Mercy, grinning as soon as she enters the living room. “Hey, Mercy dear!” The latter hops towards her and she enfolded her in her arms, but her eyes wander around as though in search of something. 

“Sorry I didn’t come with your friends, but I promise next time, hm!” Said Mrs Wabua entertainingly. 

Mercy nodded in hearty agreement and smiled, blushing slightly.

“ My boneless girl!” she remarked and clapped her cheek and stroked her hair. Realising that there was no one else in the room, she  slumped in a chair and crossed her legs

Mercy made long strides towards the kitchen and was promptly thwarted by Mrs Wabua, 

“Dear, first come." She beckoned her with her hand.  Mercy double backed and curtsied to her. The charming woman inherently patted her shoulder and asked, 

“ Where is Esther?”

“In the kitchen, Auntie,” she answered plainly and drew her gaze to the direction of the kitchen.

“Oh, I see, go and call her for me.”

 Mercy leapt off to the kitchen with verve.

 Mrs Wabua crooked her arms to her lap and entwined her hands, appearing to be in contemplation.

Suddenly, the gentlemen enter engrossed in a conversation as Jina trudges behind them. Hardly had they occupied the seats when Esther came from the direction of the kitchen holding a tray of cups which she placed on the dining table. She’s certainly a hardworking girl who has learnt from experience at her tender age that life is not for the faint-hearted. 

Mrs Wabua instantly beckons her,  “Esther, come overhear.”  As she turned, she hit one of the cups with her hand and it took a tumble on the floor breaking into a thousand pieces. The loud sound attracted the attention of everyone, especially Jina.

“ I am finished.” She muttered and trembled with nervousness and clapped her mouth as her heart palpitated in fear. She could predict the consequences for her actions wouldn’t bring a smile on her face but tears.

“ What was that?” Jina asked aggressively as she strode towards Esther.

 The latter quickly moved forward and went on her knees in front of her, visibly shaking.

“Auntie I..Am.. sorry, I broke your cup.” The poor girl chattered in fear as tears welled up in her eyes. There was tension in the room. Her sight solicited sympathy from the company. Mrs Wabua started on her chair and before she could attempt anything, Jina impulsively sent the poor girl with a kick. 

Jina poised near the dining table enraged gazing at Esther disdainfully as the latter feebly shook like a damp fowl craving a mother’s love and warmth. It was n***d to everyone that Jina was treating her inconsiderately. Richard was extremely upset. He raised his voice and yelled,

 “Jina!”

The latter quickly twisted her head and turned to look at him, her face crimson with annoyance.  He walked manfully and stood in front of her forsaking his usual gentle touch that he’d always persuaded her within likely similar circumstances. After tossing his head, he  demanded in a foul tone, 

“Why did you do that, honey? That was uncalled for.” His face twitched with anger.

“Because she deserved it.” She answered timidly without showing remorse for her actions. 

“She’s a duffer who can’t seem to do anything right, a dunderhead, just!” She ranted and spat.

Richard lifted his face and ground his jaw glaring at a fish wife in front of him.

 “You needn’t drop your bundle all the time. I am getting fed up.”

Jina's nuts screwed up at his utterances and she slams her fist on the table making everyone flick.

“Are you fed up with me because of this dunny here? Ha!Ha! Ha! Amazing!” She motioned to Esther and gave a sarcastic chuckle as she shook her duffy weirdly.  The whole company eyed her with alarm.

“She deserved it!” Richard demonstrated in mimicry and resumed, “did she deserve to be treated with disrespect or humiliated just because she broke a worthless cup, or because you want to expose your true colours? I am opposed to your equitable deplorable character in all its intensity, Jina. You look despicable.” He flushed with fury.

 Jina heaves in anger but fortifies herself by clutching at the sharp edge of the table. 

Mrs Wabua drifted in great sadness. Jina's malevolent behaviour has confirmed her suspicions. For some days she’d had an inkling that he wasn’t treating the poor girl fairly and the stark truth now faded in. Esther, though prodigiously dutiful a girl she has been struggling to be to earn her keep, could scarcely earn a pinch of gratitude from the one she considers her own. All her efforts have proven futile.

 “What a shame that a hungry mouse should find refuge in a cat's mouth!” Mrs Wabua muttered angrily and in a foul mood flounced towards Esther. “Come, honey, get up now.” Her eyes were watery. Her friend's dismal act was so repellent that she dared not look at her directly.

Esther lowers her head in shame as tears freely stream down her face. “Everyone must be gazing at me right now. 

"Death, where are you? Save me from this shame.” She thought and her heart fluttered fast as tears welled up from their source.

  Mrs Wabua’s touch on her hand was a great solace she could obtain at a time. 

“Have you no heart Jina? You of all people should know how to treat... She paused and then resumed, 

“Poverty and barrenness are often forgotten soon.” She said her voice heavy with sarcasm and helped the poor girl up. She was bawling her eyes out and couldn’t see clearly.  

“Come here baby, don’t worry. I am here for you, always.” She said with immeasurable tenderness and enfolded her in her arms. She buried her face in Mrs Wabua's bosom repose for some time. The air in the room was heavy with tension. Jina stole a flicking glance at her friend and turned her puffed-up face away.

“Even you, my best friend! You have decided to side with this filthy brat? Traitor, you are all a bunch of damn traitors.” She pursed her lips at the thought. She thought and her hatred towards Esther marginalised to hostility; the kind that she would have to use as a hinge to be able to pull out all the stops until she had exterminated the puny monster that was trying to devour her happiness. This she will chase until the bitter end.

Mr Wabua stood rooted on the entrance with a miffed gesture on his face, unable to discern the compelling circumstances that led Jina to act the way she did. 

“There’s fire on the mountain,  Richard! If you don’t tackle the matter in time, it might end in a disaster.” He said his piece candidly, wet his lips and pouted. After a moment he started again,

“Oh, brother! I am not a prophet of doom my friend but a single matchstick can set an entire forest ablaze. I hope you know what I mean.” The gentleman said with a propensity of exaggeration and slumped in the chair near the door.

They say a word is enough for the wise and perhaps Richard internalised his friend’s proverbial utterances as such to hold a gist of truth in them.