Chapter Seven: Forgotten Promises
1230 Words
Several days had passed since Isaac fractured his leg.
Life had become extremely difficult for him.
He remained bedridden inside his room, unable to stand or even walk without assistance. The once energetic young man who could climb trees and roam freely around the village was now completely dependent on his aging mother.
Every morning, Isaac's mother cooked for him, fed him, cleaned his room, and helped him with almost everything. Since she was too old and too weak to carry her grown son to the bathroom, she often used warm water and a clean cloth to wipe his body.
The burden was becoming heavier each day, yet she never complained.
She simply cared for her son with the unconditional love only a mother could give.
Unfortunately, the same could not be said for Malika.
Ever since Isaac's accident, she had completely moved on with her life.
On that particular afternoon, Malika was dressed beautifully in a burgundy native outfit that hugged her figure perfectly. Her long braided hair, decorated with colorful beads and cowries, flowed down her back. Around her neck hung expensive-looking beads, and her wrists were adorned with bracelets that jingled softly whenever she moved.
But her mind was no longer on Isaac.
She had set her sights on someone else.
A young man named Chuma.
Chuma had recently arrived from the city to spend the holidays in the village. His father was the village head, one of the most respected men in the community.
Unlike many villagers, Chuma and his siblings had received quality education in the city. His family was wealthy, influential, and admired by many.
To Chuma, he represented everything Isaac no longer could.
Power.
Status.
Influence.
She had already convinced herself that Isaac was no longer useful to her.
If she could win Chuma's heart, she believed her future would be secured.
That morning, she had prepared a special meal for him—fragrant jollof rice, bush-meat pepper soup, and fresh palm wine.
Carrying the food in neatly packed flasks, she headed confidently toward Chuma's family compound.
As she walked, she smiled to herself.
"If I can make Chuma fall for me," she thought, "I will become one of the most powerful women in this village. Everyone will respect me. I will be the future queen of this village."
Unfortunately for her, when she arrived at Chuma's compound, he wasn't home.
Disappointed, she turned around and began walking back.
Along the dusty village road, she encountered Emeka.
He was returning from the farm.
Emeka wore a brown pair of short knickers and a black native shirt. A red beaded bracelet decorated his left wrist. His dark skin glistened beneath the afternoon sun, and a low haircut framed his handsome face.
Balanced on his head was a woven basket filled with freshly harvested cassava, while a cutlass rested comfortably in his hand.
The moment he saw Malika, his expression darkened.
"Look who is walking around the village as if she didn't cause someone's fracture," he said sarcastically.
Malika stopped.
Hatred flashed in her eyes.
"The feeling is mutual, Emeka," she replied coldly.
Emeka frowned.
"Why haven't you gone to see Isaac?"
Malika laughed.
"You want me to visit someone whose recovery is now in the hands of the gods?"
She shook her head.
"Do you expect me to stop living my life because your friend can no longer walk?"
Emeka's jaw tightened.
"You of all people know why he's in that condition."
Malika scoffed.
"His bad luck caused his accident, not me."
For a moment, Emeka was speechless.
The lack of remorse in her voice shocked him.
Malika began walking away, then suddenly stopped and glanced back.
"And mind your business, Emeka," she said sharply. "Stop interfering in my affairs."
With that, she continued down the road.
Emeka watched her retreating figure with disgust.
For the first time, he truly understood why Isaac's mother disliked her.
Meanwhile, at Nadia's compound, things were not much better.
Nadia was sweeping the compound absentmindedly.
She wore yellow shorts and a simple sleeveless top. A yellow beaded bracelet adorned her wrist, and matching beads circled one of her ankles. Black slippers covered her feet.
But her mind was far away.
For two days, she had not seen Isaac.
Her mother had forbidden her from visiting him, fearing that Nadia was becoming too emotionally attached.
As a result, Nadia spent every waking moment worrying about him.
Was he eating?
Was he recovering?
Was he still in pain?
Lost in thought, she continued sweeping without paying attention to where she was going.
Slowly, she drifted closer and closer to the old well in the middle of the compound.
One more step...
And she would have fallen in.
At that exact moment, her mother emerged from the kitchen carrying a wooden spoon.
The sight before her nearly stopped her heart.
"Nadia!" she screamed.
Nadia froze instantly.
She finally realized where she was standing.
Her body trembled.
For a moment, she couldn't move.
Her mother rushed forward and pulled her away from the well.
Then, overwhelmed by fear, she slapped Nadia across the cheek.
The sound echoed through the compound.
Tears immediately filled her mother's eyes.
"What was that?" she cried.
"What has come over you?"
She grabbed Nadia's shoulders.
"Do you want to kill yourself?"
Nadia stared at her silently.
Her mother's voice broke.
"Your father is already gone. Do you want to leave me too? How am I supposed to survive without you?"
The older woman burst into tears.
Nadia immediately hugged her.
She began crying as well.
"Mama, I'm sorry."
Her voice trembled.
"I didn't even realize where I was going."
Her mother slowly calmed down.
"Is it because I stopped you from seeing Isaac?"
Nadia lowered her head.
She didn't answer.
But she didn't need to.
The silence said everything.
Understanding dawned on her mother's face.
She sighed deeply.
"You may go and visit him."
Nadia looked up in surprise.
"Really?"
Her mother nodded.
"I almost lost you because I tried to stop you."
Relief flooded Nadia's face.
"Thank you, Mama."
"But first," her mother added, "be careful with your own life."
Nadia nodded.
Then she picked up an empty clay pot.
"I'll fetch water from the stream before I go. If I visit Isaac, I may return late."
Her mother smiled weakly.
"If that will make you happy, then go."
Nadia hugged her tightly.
"Thank you, Mama."
Moments later, she began walking toward the stream.
For the first time in days, hope filled her heart.
Meanwhile, at Isaac's house, the young man lay on a mat inside his room.
His injured leg remained heavily bandaged.
A mobile phone rested in his hand.
Again and again, he dialed Malika's number.
No answer.
He called once more.
Still nothing.
Isaac frowned.
"What could be wrong?"
Worry filled his eyes.
"She hasn't visited me since the day I fell from the tree."
He stared at his phone.
"I've called her countless times, but she refuses to answer."
A painful feeling settled in his chest.
"I hope she's okay."
He sighed heavily.
"I hope nothing has happened to her."
Completely unaware that Malika had already moved on and set her sights on another man, Isaac continued worrying about the woman who had long stopped worrying about him.
And somewhere in the village, destiny was already preparing to reveal a painful truth.
- Writer
