The Queens Vengance

Chapter 11. Papa Nnamdi's chi

The next day I could walk better and squatting was less painful than it used to be. I woke up as early as 5 am I don't even know why I did but I just woke up and saw it was 5 am I looked around everyone was still asleep I sighed and decided to take a walk. I was walking down where the camp Chief office, kitchen building and hall buildings were situated when I rounded up the Camp chief's office which was before the Kitchen and opposite the hall, I heard a rustling behind me I looked back my heartbeat racing I checked and saw no one was there but I felt as though someone was watching me. " who is there ?" I asked picking up a stick that lay close to the wildflowers there was silence and I debated on going back to the tent or walking around to God knows where. After a few minutes and I didn't hear any rustling I decided to continue my walk.

 Just when I was about to round up the corner I heard some muttered voices I stopped and hid behind the wall. I could not make out what they were saying but I heard a voice say in Hausa " we attack in August" I was too scared to peep from the wall and see who was talking after a few more minutes of muttered talking I hear their footsteps walking away from the area where I hid they were not subtle when walking and matched on crumbled dried leaves that announced their departure I breathed in relief, and my mind began racing who was going to attack in four months time and why? I had enough tension already from the creepy feeling of being watched and the strange conversation I stumbled upon and walked back to the tent needing to be alone with my thoughts. But no matter how much I tossed or turned I couldn't sleep. My mind kept racing back to the muttered voices I heard.

The gong was sounded alerting everyone that breakfast was ready. I muttered a good morning to the woman beside me but she didn't answer instead she put on her slippers and picked her son up while walking out of the tent her antics made me laugh. Most people were getting up from their beds and picking their food flask to get their food. I turned to look for Mama Aisha but I didn't find her at her corner instead I saw a small girl on the bed sitting up and looking around, the baby who I learnt was a year old was left unattended too and I wondered why Mama Aisha would leave her children unattended too especially when she knows that she is the least favourite on camp. " Where is your mummy?" I asked the small girl in hausa , she shook her head not knowing her whereabouts perhaps she had gotten up earlier and left to get food" did she go for breakfast?" I ask her again looking round but then I spotted the large bowl she would usually collect food for herself and her children in, the girl did not answer me. Conflicted on what to do I decided to take them and get breakfast considering that mama Aisha might be worried if she came back and didnt find her children I told Aisha to wait incase her mother came back while I picked up her food flask and the baby and went to get food.

I met Zara and Mariam halfway they were coming to get me for breakfast they both smiled upon seeing me" ayyee! see who is up and better ?" Mariam said cheerily almost jumping on me I had to turn sideways to protect the baby I held in my arms from Mariam's drama." Papa Nnamdi's chi had mercy on me" I said joking as I turned around to show them I was well they both laugh at that. " aww" Zara cooed while walking closer to look at the baby" whose baby? " she asked Mariam moved closer to admire the baby as well and the little girl almost as if hearing the conversation opened her eyes a stormy grey-blue stared at us her mouth lifting up in a smile. It was Mariam who gasped " you have the witches baby?" she asked with a shocked look on her face " she is no witch," I say my voice harsher than I intended she was a good woman and I hated that because she had blue eyes people would call her a witch using the shawl to shield the baby's face from the sun Zara smacked Mariam on the butt" this girl how can you call someone a witch," she asked scolding her Mariam retaliated " it is what I heard," she said " you are always hearing things," Zara says scolding and they continue their bickering as we walked towards the dining area. I cam back after getting food I explained to Zara and Mariam why I could not eat with them as I had to return the baby in case mama Aisha was back so she would not worry. But when I came back to the tent I found Aisha on the bed alone" is your mother not back?" I asked she shook her head and I nodded I brought food for her to eat and fed the baby as well.

After Zara left I sat for a few minutes under the mango tree watching the sun go down too tired to think from a distance I saw Papa Nnamdi who was wearing a bright yellow shirt that was hard to miss he had his trousers pulled up which made me chuckle and he was wearing his rim glasses that always sat on his nose and never close to his eyes talking with another man whose head was sprinkled with grey hair and was supporting his stance with a walking stick. They were standing and talking about only God knows what he turned around sensing someone was watching him and when his eyes found mine he eyed me and turned his back I smiled at that. I gazed around and saw Oluchi a girl from my village known for her beauty she was light-skinned and had the most beautiful smile I had ever seen at the moment she was carrying a bucket of water on her head Papa Nnamdi groped her butt the girl turned back trembling with fear her head cast down he was touching her waist and she kept removing his hand when she tried walking away he pulled her back the man beside him did nothing but smile at them while he touched her arm  I was disgusted by his behaviour and rage shook through me  I was not about to allow any girl go through the terror I went through. I briskly walked toward them slapping him on the face and pulling the girl behind me the man beside Papa Nnamdi shuffled his feet stepping back with a shocked look on his face  rubbed his left cheek where I slapped him shouting " are you mad?!" " what is your problem young girl?" his friend asked me while lifting Papa Nnamdi's hand to examine where I had slapped him.

 The girl behind me was sobbing, " you should be ashamed of yourselves molesting a girl young enough to be your grandchild " I said with a calm and yet my voice was not calm, " its not your fault mannerless girl" his friend said and I laughed " what is so funny?" Papa Nnamdi asked I rolled my eyes while grabbing the hand of the girl behind me" old fools" I said and Papa Nnamdi and his friend began to insult me " I don't blame you mannerless goat" " yes his friend shouted" " see her the only thing she understands is meeeh " Papa Nnamdi said mimicking a goats bleat. "and yet you are the one who is bleating like a goat" I shouted back.