FLAMING HEART

FIVE - THE START OF A NEW LIFE

Uloma drove into the compound and to the garage where two additional cars where parked. She opened the car's door and the ladies from the gate coupled with two more ladies crowded her. 

Obioma sat still in the car; suddenly feeling nauseous. She had always felt this way each time she was in the midst of unfamiliar faces. It was even worst now that she was in the city. She had no place here. Prior to the aforementioned, she had wondered how she would put up with additional people when she had already drafted out strategies on how to escape Uloma's nasty behaviour.

"Obioma, do you want to sleep inside the car? Bring the bread and bananas along with you." Uloma called out bringing her back to reality. 

As she came out of the car, various pairs of eyes swept over her body; sizing her and examining her features. Obioma felt like hiding under a covering. Being the center of attention had never been her something she craved. She was used to being sidelined. 

"Girls, I know you're all surprised that I brought a girl home. I didn't even plan for this; it just sort of happened. Well, this is Obioma. She's . . .you know . . . my village sis and she'll be staying here with us for quite a long time. She would be helping with household chores."

"So she's a housemaid you brought from the village?" The skinny girl from the gate asked in a tone Obioma didn't like.

"Well, not really a house help because she is my responsibility now but let's say an helper. That's pretty much better." Uloma turned to look at Obioma. 

"So, Obioma meet my house mates. This is Chiamaka, Uju, Sharon and Evelyn. Girls say hi!" She pointed as she introduced.

From this, Obioma discovered the skinny girl to Evelyn while the fair girl with the spot was Sharon.

Sharon extended her hands to Obioma while the other lady by her side - the one with the name Chiamaka - waved a little. The girl introduced as Uju was a huge dark girl with big hawked eyes, full lips and long eye lashes. She was on an afro hair cut and there was something Obioma just didn't like about her. Though she smiled, it seemed forced and insincere. Obioma couldn't understand if she was being superstitious but then, there was an evil light in those hawked eyes; one that reminded her wicked river goddess in Amopa: Ejieke.

The story of the wicked river goddess was told to her by her grandmother and the story was told to her grandma by her own mother. Her grandma told her that many years ago, the people of Amopa were suffering from a very deadly disease. All the medicine men tried all their possible best to find the cure to the sickness to no avail. The sickness was so serious that the people were desperate to find a cure at all cost. After going from one village to another, they decided to ask Ejieke, the river goddess of Eke river. She told them she would cure them on a condition which was sacrificing their first born child; be it male or female.

The people begged her for some other alternatives but she refused, saying, that was the only way. The people had no choice than to do what Ejieke asked them to do.

Her grandma ended the story by informing her about the evil glint that shone in Ejieke's eyes and how she laughed bitterly whenever she was consulted. Perhaps, the river goddess had possessed a human.

Uju whispered something to Uloma that instance, and Uloma laughed out so loud while Uju smiled. For some strange reasons, Obioma concluded Uju had said something bad about her. It wasn't surprising that Uloma would laugh at her expense.

Sharon and Evelyn carried Uloma's luggage into the house while the rest walked ahead of them leaving Obioma to her fate. She heaved a sigh and stood admiring the tall buildings and large compound. Chief Otumba really had enough money to spend, Obioma thought. How then would he build such a house for just one person if he didn't?

The storied building stood high and mighty; the walls secured with electric wire and the gate so gigantic obstructing the outside world from seeing the beauty within. Obioma marvelled as she dragged her bag into the house.

She stood awestruck when she got into the house. She stood akimbo staring at the well ventilated, well-lit and spacious sitting room; portraits hanging on the wall; beautiful chandelier hanging on the ceiling illuminating everywhere. The window blinds were wide open giving chance for the rays of the afternoon sun to brighten the room.

There were sofas and couches arranged beautifully in the living room leaving Obioma dazzled for a moment.

"Follow me!" An authoritative voice ordered and Obioma turned sharply at reflex to the direction of the voice. There she saw Chiamaka's round yellow face waving her forefinger at her.

She nodded slowly and dragged her bags as she followed the her. They stopped at a room next to the kitchen and Chiamaka opened it for them both to enter.

"This is your new room." Chiamaka announced.

Obioma took a good look at her new room. There was a huge bed decorated with pink mattresses and a well polished wardrobe. By the side sat a reading table and a lamp.

"Where you girls expecting someone?" Obioma asked.

"Why do you ask?"

"Well, the room is so arranged and beautiful. It's like it has been prepared for someone."

"You're right. All the rooms in this house are like that. We don't know when a new housemate will join us so we keep all rooms neat just incase. So do you like the room?"

"Yes, I do."

"Good! Uloma gave you this room because you'll be in charge of the domestic chores. So keep your luggage here first so we can check out the kitchen. According to Uloma, must things will be new to you since you haven't been to the city before. "

Obioma did as she was told and they walked to the kitchen which was very close to her room. Obioma marvelled at the kitchen once again. It was by far bigger than her entire house in the village. The walls and the floors of the kitchen were well tiled and there were cupboard occupying a great portion of the walls.

"This is a gas cooker for cooking meals." Chiamaka pointed. "You put it on by rotating this to the left."

Obioma nodded.

"This is a refrigerator for. . ." She pointed to the refrigerator.

"I know what it's for."

Chiamaka's eyes widened at that. "How did you know?"

"Well. . ."Obioma shrugged, "My elder brother used to get books for me since I was a kid; he discovered I loved to read so I read about many things even though I never get an opportunity to use them."

"That's nice." Chiamaka complimented.

"Alright then. Go and take a shower. Lunch would be ready any moment from now." She informed before walking away.

Obioma retreated to her room; slipped out of her dress and walked into the bathroom naked. She stared at the shower; smiling broadly as she touched it. She gave a contented sigh as cold water rained upon her.

It had indeed been a long and stressful day. Her thought drifted to her family in the village. The day had hardly been spent but she was already missing her family especially Nkechi. Funny enough, she missed the village; the simplicity of it all.

The city was so rugged as shouts emitted from various angles. She had even seen a group of people fighting on the road whilst on the road and instead of separating them, hailing and booing could be heard.

She wrapped the huge towel she found hanging in the bathroom around her body and finally stepped out of the bathroom after a long bath. She took out her cream which was a mixture of oil and other content from her bag; applying the content on her body before wearing the black shirt she had seen immediately she opened her bag. She complimented her dressing with her wrapper wrapped around her before stepping out of the room.

The girls had already gathered by the dining table and were dishing out food into plates. She was asked to sit down and a plate was passed to her. She stared at the empty plate wondering what they wanted her to do with it.

"Serve yourself." Uloma came to her rescue as she shoved a spoonful of rice into her mouth.

There were some glasses of juice on the table and some fruits. People in the city must really eat a lot, she wondered.

After the meal, she helped clear the table with Chiamaka and then retired to wash the plates without being told.

Everything was so easy. There was no need to take dirty dishes to the backyard in a bowl neither was there a need to run to the stream to fetch water; no need to bend low to pour water on her body. It was comfort now.

Se retired to bed after the chore and fell flat on the soft and comfortable bed. She covered herself with a blanket and dozed off immediately. It sure was a very long day.