FLAMING HEART

Obioma and Ugomma were at the back of the house, washing the utensils when they heard a man, screaming at the top of his voice. The two sisters exchanged puzzled looks before jerking up from the wooden stool which was so down to earth, it felt like they were sitting on the bare ground. Ugomma led the way bravely while Obioma followed put. From Ugomma's shaky legs, Obioma could tell Ugomma was just as scared as she was. It was quite early in the morning and the c**k had just crow twice. What could be so important for a visitor to arrive that early? Could it be what she was thinking? There was just one thing that made people walk into their compound unannounced. Just then, Ugomma stopped in her track and turned to look at her younger sister whose expression revealed she already knew what was going on. It had happened some days ago too. Ugomma's lips began to quiver as she remembered the past few days' occurrence. Chill ran down her spine and she placed a hand on her head, trying to stable her breathing. She took a deep breath, willing herself to be strong. She was the older one so she had to be strong, she told herself. But as she brought a foot forward to continue her journey to the front of the house, her legs gave way and she would have fallen had Obioma not been behind to help her out. "Are you okay?" Obioma asked with a shaky voice and Ugomma's eyes welled up as she shuffled to her feet. She nodded and quickened her pace with Obioma running after her. Their mother, Florence was already out of the house and was trying to pacify the angry man whose eyes were red and wild. His protruding belly shook violently as he paced around in agitation. It felt like it was filled with water as it shook with ease before him. "Don't tell me that, woman! I don't want to hear that again! I have been very patient with you and your family but it seems you people are taking me for granted. I was here three days ago for this same issue and here I am again. Do you think I am jobless?" Obioma rolled her eyes secretly at the feeble man whose grey beard hung weakly under his chin. His hair was almost bald due to his hair loss and Obioma watched as he stopped pacing around, leaning his weight on the stick he held in his hand. "Just listen to yourself, Florence! More time? How much more time do you need? Isn't five years enough?" He yelled. "Pa Chika, I understand you but — " "Don't tell me you understand me!" The old man yelled once again and the women cowered at the fierceness of his voice. Despite being old, his voice was deep and held a commanding tone that silenced anyone he spoke to. "Did I send your husband to die before paying his debt back?" He spat and Ugomma winced. "Just give us time, sir." She voiced out and the old man turned his attention to her. His eyes roved around her body as he looked at her from her head to her toe intently — Obioma had to check for herself to see if her sister still had clothes on, due to the intent way the man was examining her. His lips curled into a smile when he finally looked at Ugomma's face and he opened his mouth to say something when a voice interrupted him. "What is going on here?" The raspy voice questioned and everyone turned to look at the thirteen years old boy who kept sticking his nose into matters above him Florence's eyes narrowed as she glared at the boy. "I thought I asked you to stay indoors." "But mama — " "Come on, go back inside! Do you think we are playing here?" Florence didn't let him finish but the boy stood his ground despite the scary look on his mother's face. "I don't think anyone is playing. I will pay you your money." Ikenna maintained eyes contact with the old man and from the resolution on his face and voice, everyone remained silent as they gawked at the bold boy. "Just give me some time and I'll gather the money my late father owes you." The eerie laughter of the old man brought everyone out of their daze and all eyes fell on him as he laughed hard. "So Florence, it has gotten to this. You now rely on this rat to pay your debt." Florence cursed under her breath as she looked at her son in anger but the boy wasn't looking at her. Instead, his gaze was fixated on the old man. "You want your money, don't you? I said I will — " "Shut up!" Florence screamed with so much ferocity the boy flinched. "Go inside!" She pointed to the termite infested door which looked like it would fall by the mere shove of hands. "But mama — " the boy began to protest but Obioma shut him up. "But what?" The boy's glassy eyes looked up to his elder sister and he shook his head. "Just go, Ikediegwu." She softly ended and the boy nodded, taking one last glance at the man before walking into the tiny hut. "This is an insult! Disrespect at the highest order! How can that small rat — " "You heard him. Just give us some days." Obioma rolled her eyes at the man and he gasped but soon recovered from the shock and pointed a stern finger. "I don't have time for this. I am leaving this village in a week time so I won't be able to come here again for my money." He announced and sighs of relief escaped the women's lips. "But, I am not leaving here till I get what I requested for. My money or — " He stopped and looked at Ugomma, smiling crudely as he assessed her once again. Ugomma shivered under his gaze and kept her head bowed. "No way!" Obioma was first to protest. She turned to her mother for support but the weak and tired woman collapsed to the ground, crying quietly. "No! There is no way you are taking my sister along with you. You have five other wives for crying out loud! She is young enough to be your granddaughter, can't you see?" Obioma's voice was strained with emotion as she fought the urge to cry. "Then pay me my money!" "Give us more time." "More time? Five years and still counting is enough time. I have been patient with you but it is clear you don't want to pay me my money. I am not leaving here without my money or the girl or this house will be seized!" Pa Chika thundered, his eyes darting about the large compound. "Then prepare to sleep here because I don't have your money neither is Ugomma leaving here with your old feeble self. Who knows if you will die on your way home seeing how weak your bones are." Obioma spat and her mother pinched her on her arm to silence her. "Then be prepared to go to the King's palace." The old man fired and everywhere became quiet as his words seemed to sink in. "Or you replace your sister." His eyes met with that of Obioma and Obioma froze. Florence dropped to her knees immediately, holding the man's legs and urging her daughters to do the same. Obioma watched as Ugomma complied, kneeling with her head still bowed as she begged the man. Obioma wondered what was going through that head of hers. She sighed weakly, now coming to terms that the fight was now over. Going to the palace to settle this meant only one thing: pay the money or release the girl. Coming to think of it, the old man had really been patient with them. Her shoulder slumped as she figured she would give anything not to be in Ugomma's shoes. She couldn't imagine herself getting married to a man thrice as old as her. She felt worst that she couldn't help her sister get away from the mess either. To everyone's surprise, Obioma fell to her knees, clamping her palms together as a tear dropped. "Please, don't do this." ★ ★ ★ Who else feels the need to beat this old man to pulp cus that's the only thing on my mind right now? I hope he listens to the women and leaves poor Ugomma alone. Or he should take Obioma. she seems like the perfect woman to handle his feeble ass. We'll likely hear news after three days of their marriage that the old man is dead.