Ruth:From Farm To Queen

Ruth balanced the heavy basket of cassava on her head, her bare feet sinking into the red mud of the village road. The basket was too heavy for her small body, but she had no choice. Her wrapper was torn, her slippers were broken, and the sun was wicked. But the sun was not as wicked as the voice waiting for her at home. "Ruth! If you waste time for market again today, you will sleep outside with the goats!" That was Mama Nosa, her stepmother. Since Ruth's father died three years ago, Ruth's life had become hell in that small house in Ugonoba village near Benin City. Ruth was 22 years old. Her mates were married, some were in university, but Ruth was still a servant in her own father's house. She woke by 4am daily, fetched water, went to farm, cooked, and hawked garri at Edaiken market. That Tuesday at the market, she spread her small mat near the gutter. Nobody was buying her garri. Sweat entered her eyes. Suddenly, the whole market became quiet. A black Range Rover drove into the market. Dust covered everywhere. A tall, handsome man in white native came down. He wore an expensive gold wristwatch. He was David Osayande, the billionaire son of Chief Osayande, the richest man in Benin. "Please, who has cold water?" he asked. Nobody moved. They were scared. Ruth looked at her table. She had one pure water left, the one she was saving for herself. With shaking hands, she gave it to him. "Sir, take," she said softly. Their fingers touched. He looked at her eyes. They were beautiful and innocent. "Thank you. What is your name?" "Ruth, sir." "You have beautiful eyes, Ruth." For five years, nobody had told her she was beautiful. Tears rushed to her eyes. Then his girlfriend came down from the car. Vanessa, a fine Lagos girl with blonde hair. She looked at Ruth with disgust. "Who is this dirty girl?" "She is not dirty," David said coldly. "She is the only person with manners here." He gave Ruth five thousand naira. That night, Ruth could not sleep. Not because of the money, but because of his eyes. And David too could not sleep, thinking of the farm girl who gave him water.