FLAMING HEART

SEVENTEEN: SURPRISED

"Look here, everyone! Obioma is my responsibility and I never brought her here with a stabbed leg." — Uloma

★ ★ ★

"I asked what happened and you refused to tell me, so please do not interrupt someone who is willing to narrate the story. Go on, Oby." Uloma urged.

"So I told her I didn't bewitch anyone, that if people were buying me gifts, it was because of their generosity. I went further to give her the gift Charles had given me if that would make her happy and also to allow peace to reign but instead it provoked her more. She began to curse me and my mother. I got angry and asked her not to insult my mum for she knows nothing about her. She then pushed me and that was what led to the fight."

"You insulted my mother also. That's why I pushed you." Evelyn shouted.

"Stop lying Evelyn. I never insulted your mother."

"Go on!" Uloma urged.

"I didn't hear when Uju came in because the fight was serious. Uju then separated us. I thought the fight was over not knowing Evelyn has a plan of her own. She refused to stop the fight instead she dug her fingers into my neck even after Uju had separated us. If you look at my neck well, you'll see the sign of her fingers."

"I saw that!" Sharon added.

"If you also look well, you'll see the fangs of her own fingers on my chest and face also. Look at my newly styled hair, she had loosened it with her useless fingers." Evelyn defended.

"That was during the fight. Yours was after the fight. I didn't ask you to be weak and still start a fight. You've got only mouth and no strength." Obioma remarked.

"Is that all?" Uloma asked dryly turning to look at Uju whose gaze was fixated on phone screen; less concerned.

"No! When Evelyn did that, I wanted to do my own back but Uju stopped me by holding my hand. While I was trying to free my hand from her grip, Evelyn stabbed me in the leg with a scissor." Uloma held her mouth the moment Obioma said that.

"What!" She shrieked.

"Yes, that's why this bandage is on my leg." Obioma brought her bandaged leg to Uloma's view. "Uju then started to blame me. She said it was my fault but I'm really confused here. How was it my fault? To me, Uju is extremely glad at all that happened. She saw all these happening but did nothing to stop Evelyn. Instead of doing what was right, she went ahead to say hurtful words to me." Obioma mentally slapped herself the moment she saw Uju glowering at her. She had forgotten all about her new decision to stay away from Uju and had been carried away with her narration.

Uju went back to her food without saying a word and Obioma felt that was worst. She would have preferred some kind of comeback. Silence was worst.

Uloma shook her head that moment as she dropped her spoon. "This is really disappointing. This only happens in the midst of young and immature kids not grown ups like us." She stated and then pointed a stern finger at Evelyn. "You Evelyn! I don't know what your problem is. I don't know if it's your idleness that's messing with your brain. You pick up fight with everyone. I can still remember how you fought a lot with Sharon when she came here newly. What is your problem?"

Uju raised an eyebrow at Uloma while Evelyn's jaw dropped. "Are you saying you believe all that Obioma had said without listening to my own side of the story?" She asked.

"Everything Obioma said here is true because I know your behaviour. It is what you're capable of doing. If you have a problem with the gifts offered to Oby, you should take it out on the givers of the gift and not on Oby. Honestly, you have no right to be angry because it isn't your business."

Uju had stopped eating and was now looking at Uloma with an expressionless face. Uloma continued her rebuke; unfazed while Evelyn's eyes were getting glossy.

"And you,Uju! I expected better from you. I was glad when I heard you came just in time to separate the fight but then how can you allow sentiment and hatred into this? You ought to be the mediator and not stimulator. You're much older and so should know better than take sides."

Uju's eyes widened then and Obioma could literally feel the steam oozing out of Uju's boiling figure. "Are you implying I instigated this fight?"

"No. I believe you understand what I'm saying." Uloma met her glare.

"But I don't."

"Well, good for you." Uloma began to eat her food but soon stopped after a spoon. "Please, let's learn to live together as one. I'm sorry to say but Evelyn, you're misbehaving too much. I sincerely think you should get a job. Since you graduated, you've been idle. Don't forget, an idle man is a devil's workshop. If you were busy, I tell you, you wouldn't have time to pick fights over trivial issues. Even Uju isn't helping matters. She pays your bills for you thereby encouraging you to remain idle. You think that is love, right? But she's spoiling you. Have you ever thought about your future? Look at Oby, instead of being idle, she has decided to follow Sharon to her salon. Can't you learn from her?"

"It is my money and I decide what to do with it, Uloma!" Uju stated quietly but everyone knew the gravity of her words. Evelyn on the other hand had begun to whimper as tears slithered down her cheek.

"Look here everyone!" Uloma ignored them like she hadn't heard Uju speak. "Obioma is my responsibility and I never brought her from the village with a stabbed leg. Whenever she goes back to her family, I want her to return the way she came: with complete body, biko!" She turned back to her food and began to eat slowly. Obioma could see Sharon smiling broadly from the side of her eyes. She was indeed surprised Uloma would take her side. She was grateful and that instance, she felt vindicated: avenged!

Uju kept staring at Uloma with tilted head and a glass on her hand like she couldn't recognise who was at the table with her. Her hawked sized eyes were dark as she stared maliciously at Uloma. "So this is your matured judgement, right?" She asked finally and when she didn't get a reply, she dropped the glass on the table violently and the water content spilled and poured to the floor. She stood up and left the table; hissing as she did as she went up the stairs to her room.

Evelyn stared at Uloma once more before getting up; taking the same route as her boss. Their food were yet to be finished - Evelyn's looking untouched as this discussion immediately the food was served. Uloma continued to eat her food like nothing had happened and for the first time, Obioma saw Uloma as her heroine.

"This is very delicious, Sharon. Thank God those two left, I'll add their food to mine." Uloma complimented instead.

"All thanks to Obioma! She taught me all I know." Sharon smiled sweetly.

"Stop." Obioma blushed as she stared at her.

"Oby! Tomorrow, you'd follow me and I'll drop you at Dr Agnes's clinic. She's our doctor. She'll help you treat injury so this won't transform to something terrible." Uloma informed.

"Alright!" Obioma replied. "Thank you very much, Uloma!" She appreciated but Uloma waded it off with a wave of her palm.

That night, Obioma retired to bed with a little smile on her lips.