Juhanah

chapter Three

CHAPTER THREE

The heartbreaking news spreads like wild fire. One person told another, which passed to different people, within minutes, the entire community knew about it.

“Death!!!” A dark woman exclaimed, “Have you heard that Mr. Peter is dead….”

“Dead?” A woman replied, “I saw him this morning on his way to work, he wasn't looking pale.”

Fastly, the message got to his home.

Mrs. Peter stood under the mango tree in the compound, washing some fruits she would take to the market later in the day, when a group of women walked in sobbing.

On seeing them, she stood up, then dried her hands with a towel beside her.

“Is everything okay?” She asked.

The women looked at one another, waiting fearfully for who would spill the sad news, but they remained mute.

“I ask again, is everything okay?” She asked, but this time, her voice broke down. She could feel something, but couldn't predict what it was.

“Mrs. Peter…..A woman broke the silence, “ It's about your hus ... .ba..nd…..” she stammered.

“What about him?” She asked.

The woman took a deep breath, then continued “we heard….” She paused. Immediately, some woman walked towards her, then held her warmly, “ As I

said earlier….” She continued, “ It's about…

“No!! This can't be true…..” she screamed.

Women held her tightly, wiping the tears that rolled down her cheeks, she remembered the argument they had that morning,and the harsh words spoken in anger, she wished she could turn back the hands of time.

Juhanah stood at the doorway, watching silently and contemplated why her mother was crying and why women were in their house…

Later, the news reached the neighboring village, people who had never met Mr. Peter, came to offer condolences. His death became a discussion in every home, offices, schools, and Churches.

***********

Friends, relatives, neighbors gathered In black,their faces with sorrows.

At the entrance of the house,Mrs. Peter sat on the ground sobbing profusely, her swollen eyes and trembling voice revealed the depth of her pain.

Little Juhanah, stood without uttering a word, she looked round, as if searching for an answer, all she knew, her father was no more, tears didn't rush down her cheeks, she seemed strong, she knew how to control her emotions.

As the funeral procession slowly made its way to the cemetery, silence filled the air, sobbing was heard,slowly the coffin was lowered into the grave, while everyone watched with heavy hearts.

When the first handful of sand fell in the coffin, sobs became louder, his wife collapsed on the hands of her relatives as tears rushed down her cheeks profusely, even the strongest man couldn't hide his emotions.

**********

What remained was a widow with her daughter and a future without hope.

She sat on the worn out sofa in the sitting room, staring at the framed photograph of her late husband, her face was clammy with tears.

“Peter, why now?” She asked, sobbing.

No one answered.

For the first she knew what his absence meant.

Now she knew she wasn't just a mother.

The breadwinner.

The provider.

Now she has to work harder, that's all she knows.

Months passed.

One morning, Mrs. Peter sat under the mango tree, washing some fruits she would carry to the market later in the evening.

When a car drove in, she watched in silence, she stood up, cleaned her hand with a towel.

She walked slowly, towards the car, she was curious.

The door opened slowly, A woman stepped out, dressed in a luxurious attire, with a light make up that brightened her beauty.

“Hello…..”

Mrs. Peter remained mute, she stared at the woman quietly.

“I know, you can't recall…..I'm Evelyn, your friend from back in the years.”

On hearing that, she took a deep breath, then took a long glance round her.

Words couldn't describe how beautiful her friend looked.

Indeed, money is everything.

Her hair.

Her nails.

Her shoes.

Her bag.

Her make up.

Her car.

It all spoke about money.

“You've changed….” She spoke at last.

“Yes, I have, do you live here?” She asked, as she looked round.

“Yes…..”

*******

“That is what I went through…….”

Her friend didn't utter a word for some seconds.

“You mean, you went through all of this, all alone?”

“Yes, I did, life is difficult, sales isn't going well, and my daughter needs food, education, good clothes, good health, all of this, I can't provide, all hope is lost, my husband died when I needed him the most, he left without a good bye, I blame myself, I caused it, I killed him, I know…..”

“Shhhhhh!!!! You didn't kill him, it was time for him to die”

“I don't think so, I caused it, I'm sure whenever he is right now, he's disappointed…..” she said, sobbing.

“You don't have to cry again, wipe your tears….”

“Tears? I don't think there's an end to that, I need money, I need happiness….”

“Can money buy happiness?Absolutely not, it can't buy happiness…..”

“Yes, it can, I just need money, I'll be happy, believe me……

They spoke for hours.