The only child

CHAPTER 17

When they got to Nuga's house, they sat down and Nuga called out to Kune. She came out to meet them.

"You both are welcome. Let me bring food for you," Kune said while leaving to bring food. In no time, she was back.

"Kune, meet Loyem. He is my childhood friend," Nuga said.

" How are you?" Loyem asked.

"I'm fine. Eat your food," Nuga said.

They ate to their satisfaction. After eating, there were some minutes of silence.

Loyem broke the silence.

"Hmm…your food is very delicious. I never knew you are such a great cook. No wonder, our Elders say,"you cannot tell a good cook from the physical appearance ". Thank you for this rich food. My friend, Nuga told me a little about you, but I would love to know more about you," Loem said.

Kune began, "My name is Kune Uwafara '', She started amidst tears," I am from the village of Akumi. I had a very happy family. We were just three, my dad, my mom and I. My father later died when I was just thirteen years old. His wicked brothers took all we had from us. When I was very sick, my mother cried to my uncle's to help us out but they chased her out of their houses like mad dogs. It was another man who helped me become well again. I could not continue my education for a year because of a lack of funds. I finally got back to school after seriously struggling. Just this year, a competition was being held in the village and I won. So, I became a maid in the Palace. Everyone liked me including the King. But, my whole life changed when the Prince traveled and he came back very sick from the trip. He was bedridden. I was the maid assigned to always take medicine to the Prince. I tried to always do my job not knowing that it would put me in trouble. I was the one in charge of taking care of the Prince since he fell sick. As usual, I took his medicine to him every evening. On one particular evening, I gave him his medicine to drink. He drank it and slept. He slept for a long time and when a doctor was called to check him, he discovered that he had died. When everyone realized the Prince died of poison, they accused me of killing him. The king had me imprisoned in a small prison room. When my sick mother heard of my imprisonment, she immediately died of a heart attack. My world ended. I had no hope. All I thought of was death. The king took me to the village council where it was judged that I would be killed in the Butu forest. The King made sure that I suffered for a crime I knew nothing about. But, it's not his fault , his only son died, the heir to the throne. That was how I found myself there. Somehow, the guards started fighting when it was time to have me killed. A God-sent guard among them helped me. He told me to run as far as I can. I was still running when Nuga found me ," Kune explained.

"Hmm…your story is really touching. No one would ever believe that you have been through something like this. I feel really bad for you," Loyem said. Turning to his friend, he began," Thank you for taking care of Kune. You really tried. May God bless you. Well, Kune, I hope that you will not change from the good person that you appear to be".

"No. I'm not an ingrate, I promise," Kune replied.

"As you can see, Kune is really taking good care of me. She is really nice ," Nuga said.

"Okay, let me take my leave. See you tomorrow," Loyem said while taking his leave.

"Okay, my friend. Let me see you off," Nuga said while escorting his friend, Loyem. They walked outside while still discussing. When they walked a few meters away from the house, Nuga changed topic.

"Nuga, how can you put a total stranger in your house and still feel safe? You are very funny. You don't even know if she was sent to you as a spy. Be very careful. If you like, Don't listen to me, that's your own cup of tea," Loyem queried.

"See, my friend. There is nothing like that. I have strong faith that this girl is not lying. She is telling the truth. Did you not see her innocent face? Did you not see her tears? She is telling the truth. Please, let her be. She has no one again. Let her leave her life ," Nuga said in defense of Kune out of compassion.

"Okay…that's your own problem. I've told you my own. If you like, don't listen. You are on your own," Loyem said. Loyem went home and Nuga returned to his house.

When Loyem got home, he had his bath and laid down on his bed. He started thinking,"so, Nuga does not want to listen to my advice. Why is he behaving like this? He is too stubborn. Someone that he does not know, he accommodated her. He even leaves her in care of the house when he is off to the farm. Can you imagine? He is not supposed to trust a total stranger like that. He ought not to. He does not know her family. He does not even know if she was sent to kill him. I will talk to him. He is my friend. I will make sure that I speak sense to him. This does not make sense. What if she has an ulterior motive? This Nuga will listen to me no matter what. He must listen to me. He will, whether he likes it or not". He slept off after pondering for a while. He slept like a newborn baby. The rain fell heavily that night without him even knowing at all.