FLAMING HEART

EIGHT - LESS PRIVILEDGED

Obioma quickly yanked the door open, totally ashamed and embarrassed. She swiftly walked into the plaza but not without hearing Uju repeating her aforementioned words. She bit her lip hard as she cussed herself. How would she do this in front of Francis - of all people? She was indeed a fool. What would Francis think of her now? She shook her head sadly; resolving to forget about all that had happened and concentrate instead on what she came to buy. He was not her boyfriend after all. Why then should she care?

She quickly purchased all she had written down in her list and took a bus back home. The thought of what had happened earlier lingered on her mind still despite her attempt to forget about it. The thought of Francis being disgusted filled her mind. She would have to avoid him henceforth. She would never be able to look him in the eye again - she never did anyway.

Sharon helped in offloading all that she had bought when she got home. The urge to recount all that had occurred earlier to Sharon bugged her but she decided against it. What would Sharon say anyway?

"I've been looking for you." Sharon interrupted her thought.

"I'm sorry, Uloma sent me to buy all these." She replied.

"Is that the remaining balance you're holding in your hands?" Sharon asked, pointing at the money in Obioma's hand.

"Yes. Balance and transport fare. Uju's boyfriend carried me."

Sharon's eyes opened at that. "Francis gave you a ride?"

"Yes. Together with Uju."

"Mmm okay. So do you intend to give back the money to Uloma?"

"Yes na. Shouldn't I?"

"Why should you? It's your luck you got a free ride. Imagine you didn't, won't you have used the money?"

This sounded really absurd to Obioma. She wondered why she should take something that wasn't hers to begin with. Besides, she had to put on her best behaviour to build up trust. This sure wasn't the way.

"You're right. The money would have been used but since he carried me, I will just return the money back. Uju will tell Uloma and Uloma will not be happy." Obioma countered. She was sure Uju would never miss this golden opportunity to give this house a midnight laugh.

"Anyway, you're right though." Sharon sighed.

After they had kept all that was bought at the appropriate places, Obioma went to return the money to Uloma who was still in that exact position she was when she had given Obioma the money.

That night, Obioma prepared a local dish with the help of Sharon and everyone sat at the dining; eating in silence. Obioma's heart thudded as she eat; watching Uju's every action. It was not long until the expected happened.

"Do you girls know what happened today?"

Obioma swallowed. She wished she had super powers so she could disappear.

"What?" Evelyn asked quickly and Uju had the pleasure of explaining all that had happened in Francis's car. Everyone burst into laughter except Sharon whose face was taut. Obioma suppressed the urge to run into the room. Evelyn's laughter was the loudest and Obioma cussed under her breath.

"I seriously don't know why Francis would offer her a ride." Evelyn voiced out, staring at Obioma with mockery.

"You know how Francis is: always rendering services to the less privileged." Uju replied; throwing some meats into her mouth.

"Are you trying to say Obioma is among the less privileged?" Sharon pronounced with annoyance evident in her voice.

"Yes, of course. isn't she?" Evelyn blurted out.

"No, she isn't!" Sharon snapped raising her voice slightly.

"It's okay before you girls turn here to a boxing ring." Uloma who had been watching with amusement finally said and everyone quietened.

"So what did Francis say after Obioma drooled on his chair?" Chiamaka pursued.

Obioma's heart thudded violently in her chest. She had been wondering all along what Francis thought of her. She was grateful to Chiamaka for asking even when she wasn't sure if she wanted to know.

"Nothing!" Uju shrugged. "He just wiped the residue of the smelly saliva with his handkerchief."

"Ewwww, hope he threw the handkerchief away?" Evelyn voiced out.

"I told him to do so but he refused." Uju replied as she drank some water from her cup. Her eyes fixed on Obioma.

"Why would he throw it away? Imagine it was you who drooled in his car. No one is above mistake." Sharon gritted her teeth in defence of Obioma.

"And who is talking to this one? Are you Obioma or are you her spokesperson?" Evelyn glared at her.

"Yes I am!" Sharon slammed her fist on the dining table with such ferocity, it made everyone flinch.

"It's okay. Let's end this topic." Uloma waved a hand but Sharon stood up and walked away angrily.

"Don't mind the drama queen." Evelyn spoke gruffly.

Obioma shifted her gaze from Sharon's retreating figure to Evelyn's lean figure. She wondered what she had done to deserve such intense hatred from her.

Everyone ate in silence afterward and Obioma packed the dishes to the kitchen to washed them. She headed to Sharon's room immediately she was done. She placed her knuckles on the door and knocked slightly.

"Who's that?" Sharon questioned and Obioma flinched at her harsh tone. "It's me, Obioma!"

"Oh! Come in."

Sharon was lying on her bed when Obioma walked in.

"Can I sit?" Obioma asked.

"Of course!" Sharon replied as she sat on the bed and gestured Obioma to sit next to her.

"Thank you for defending me." Obioma expressed her gratitude.

Sharon sighed at that. "It's nothing. I couldn't stand Uju and Evelyn say bad things about you."

"Thank you very much." Obioma appreciated again.

"You're welcome, Obioma." Sharon took her palm and caressed it. "You will have to be strong, Oby. Don't allow them intimidate you especially Evelyn. She isn't better than you in any way."

"I don't know why she hates me. I don't know what I did to her." Obioma shook her head.

"She's like that to everyone. Her character sucks. Just don't allow all that was said on the dining table affect you, okay?"

Obioma nodded.

"You're a unique being not a less privileged. It was for this reason Francis offered you a ride."

This made Obioma smiled brightly as she nodded once again. Gaining courage, she asked:

"Can I sleep in your room today?"

"Of course, I'd love that very much." Sharon replied as they both fell to the bed and wrapped themselves with the cozy blanket.