The only child

CHAPTER 16

Koge resumes work in the palace. She is feeling really happy. As a newcomer, she is shown the whole palace so as to be familiar with the new environment. She was taught how to perform her duties well.

She was then asked to go back into the palace. She performed all her duties so well. They were so impressed by how intelligent she is. The Queen called Homa to come and meet her in her room. Immediately, Homa answered.

"I am impressed with the way Koge worked today. I am really impressed. I hope that she will continue this way," the Queen said.

"Yes, ma. You would really enjoy her service ," Homa said with a smile.

"I hope so. Call her for me. I want to see her," the Queen said.

Homa goes to inform Koge that the Queen sent for her. Koge presents herself before the Queen.

" Koge, I believe that you are a good girl. You really amazed me with the way you performed excellently. I am really astonished. I hope that you will continue. You should keep improving. The King will have a word with you in the evening," the Queen said.

"Okay, ma. Thank you. I promise to never let you down," Koge promised.

She left the Queen's presence to continue with her work. She made sure she finished everything before evening.

In the evening, the King sent for Koge.

" Koge, my wife told me how you performed your task excellently. I hope you will do better. I just want to remind you of a few things. In this Palace, we are one. No one is treated like a maid here. We all are one big family. Now, take note. No sinner goes unpunished. No matter how loved you are, once you commit an evil act, you will definitely suffer for it. You can never escape it. We hope that we will not weep in this house again. See you tomorrow ," the King said, going inside to retire for bed.

"Thank you, sir. I promise I will never let you down," Koge said.

Everyone went to their various rooms to rest their heads for the night. Koge went to meet Homa in her room to discuss with her.

"Homa, the King and the Queen are really nice. I am so fortunate to work here. That means I will really enjoy my stay here. I'm so happy right now. The King and the Queen are so nice. I never knew that they were like this'', Koge said happily.

"I bet you that this is just the tip of an iceberg. You will never regret coming to work here. Anyways , go and sleep because I'm already feeling very sleepy," Homa said.

So, Koge went to her room to sleep. She thought about all the day's activity before she slept. She slept like a baby.

The next morning, Koge gets up very early. She does her task so well just as she did the previous day. She made sure everywhere was tidy. She was also commended by the Queen.

Kune is grateful for finding a good Samaritan who takes care of her. Nuga always makes sure she lacks nothing. He goes to the farm early in the morning and to the forest at night. Nuga just came back from the farm and did not meet Kune at home. He was so worried. He wondered, "could it be that she ran away? This has never happened". He kept walking to and fro in the house until he saw her enter the house.

"Kune, where have you been? I've been looking for you. I hope you are fine," asked Nuga out of worry.

"I'm fine. I just went to the market to get some foodstuffs. I thought to myself that things would be very cheap as the bush market is held today. So, I thought of going quickly before you would come back. But, unfortunately, I could not find yam to buy on time. I almost walked to the end of the market before I finally saw a single stall where yam was displayed. It was very expensive, just one yam. I could not buy it, then I kept searching till I got to another stall where I found yam at a cheaper rate. Well, after buying it, I came back home. I'm sorry. I hope you have not been back for so long? You must be very hungry," Kune said.

"I've been back for about thirty minutes now. I am very hungry," Nuga replied.

"You don't have to worry. Food is ready. Come and eat," Kune said.

"You mean that food is ready? You are just coming from the market. How come food is ready? ," Nuga asked out of surprise.

"Yes, I cooked food before leaving home for the market," Kune replied.

"Wow!!!," Nuga said with a smile.

They both ate to their satisfaction before going to bed. Nuga slept for some hours, then headed to the forest. Kune bade him goodbye. She knew that before he would come, it would be dawn. She made sure she locked the door tightly before going to bed again.

The next day, Kune woke up to prepare food before Nuga came back. She prepared a tasty delicacy. She had learnt the recipe from her late mother. She hastened to cook the food. When she was done, she had her bath and cleaned the whole house.

Nuga was returning from the forest when he met his friend, Loyem. Loyem is a hunter just like Nuga. He is the first son of his parents out of twelve children. He called Nuga from behind. Nuga waited for him to walk up to him before they started discussing.

"Nuga, my man, how are you?" Loyem asked.

"I am fine. How is family? I want to quickly get home so that I can take this to the market to sell," Nuga said.

"Okay. That's very necessary. I'm very famished," Loyem said, holding his stomach.

"Come over to my place to eat," Nuga said.

"See this one. Who wants to eat three days' food with you? We both are just coming from the forest. Where will we find food to eat now?" Loyem said with a sharp burst of laughter.

"Don't worry, there is food. I am very sure that Kune has prepared food. You have nothing to worry about," Nuga said assuringly.

"Wait…who is Kune?" Loyem asked.

"Well..she is my friend. It's a long story. Don't worry, when we get home, she will tell you her story," Nuga said.

" Nuga, I thought you said that you are very wise. How could you put a total stranger in your house? Where did you find her? ," Loyem queried.

"In Butu forest. She was really tired and sick," Nuga replied.

"What!!!," Loyem exclaimed,"you saw someone in Butu forest and you brought her home. You don't even know if she is a ghost. You don't know her. You know nothing about her. A total stranger!!! For her to be in Butu forest simply means she was sent there to die. She is a criminal. Can't you use your brain? Nuga, if I tell you I am proud of you, I am lying to you. In Fact, you are a bundle of disappointment," Loyem said.

"Hey..see, if you like, call me a bundle of disappointment or a yard of disappointment or a roll of disappointment, that is your own cup of tea," Nuga said while leaving Loyem behind.

"Wait..are you leaving me behind?" Loyem asked.

"No…. I'm coming..," Nuga said sarcastically. They both went to Nuga's house.