Chapter 17: Chapter 17

Everyone went still, not even a pin drop was heard. Mother broke the silence. she choked out a laugh. A laugh Uyai couldn't judge. A derisive laugh. It came in sequence, from being boisterous to short breaking laughter till it waned down to an unsure smile. Everyone but Edem held their breath in apprehension.

Mother turned around slowly, looking at each and everyone, her lips were quirked in uncertainty as everyone was unsmiling.

She shook her head in disbelief. "That's impossible. My daughter can't be pregnant. Affiong you can't be pregnant. That's just preposterous."

"I understand you think so but..." Edem began, but was cut off rudely.

"Shut up! I was not talking to you." she shunned him, then swiveling her gaze to her oldest daughter "You're joking right? You can't be pregnant Affiong?"

Affiong squirmed. Her beautiful shirt was now smeared with vomit, she looked sickly. Her eyes had taken on a sheen of remorse, she couldn't look into mother's eyes, so she averted her hers to the vomit smeared floor, her head downcast in shame.

"How could you?" Mother whispered hurt and deeply disappointed.

"I-I-I'm s-sorry mother." her voice hitched in a cry.

"And you." mother's furious gaze met Edem's... "You had the effrontery to sleep with my daughter when you had not wedded." Her voice rose angrily as she took a menacing step towards him.

Edem's eyes widened, and his step faltered as he withdrew backwards.

"Who do you think you are to come to my home to seduce my daughter? Behind our backs you slept with her when you knew you were married." she took another step closer, till she neared him.

Everyone shifted awkwardly.

"My once virgin daughter, is now pregnant you bastard!" Uyai didn't know when mother had gotten so close when she heard a resounding slap as skin met skin. The red and ugly looking imprint signified what had just occurred. Everything and everyone stilled. Wide eyes and gaping mouth was the picture painted on every face.

Affiong who still had her head downcast broke out of whatever dejected feeling she was in and an alarming cry tore from her lips when she saw mother going in for another one.

"You bloody bastard! How dare you!" she lunged for him. Edem blocked her attack with both hands.

"Mother. No!" Affiong protested, running to them

"Shut it you useless child!" mother growled in rage.

Affiong flinched, hurt overcoming her features. It was all her fault.

"What is going on here?" A voice boomed. Father had returned in tow with grandmother, perhaps grandmother had gone to call him.

A piqued look was painted on his face as he observed the scene.

Affiong had gone rigid with dread.

"My husband, it's your daughter o. Your daughter has shamed our family, Eyèn nfo aswené nyin oo." mother cried raising her hands up as if beckoning the heavens. Her hair tie had fallen off her head and now laid on the floor.

"What do you mean by that?" He frowned suspiciously, taking note of the tensed atmosphere.

"She had killed us! Anwod nyin ! Affiong has shamed us." mother cried again, this time with a crazed look.

Uyai at this point was at lost for words. She couldn't say she was really surprised Affiong was pregnant. Her sister had been a fool for love and had succumbed to the dangerous wiles of lust. She felt more for mother; how disappointed she must be.

"Why? Whata is it?" father growled.

"Tell him! Go ahead tell him!" mother spat at Affiong.

Affiong flinched. Tears leaked from her eyes. "I-I...F-Father--I-I..." she stuttered, mother scowled fiercely.

"What? You can't talk? But you were able to do the deed." mother taunted cruelly.

It was the first time since Uyai was given the privilege to graze the earth that she had seen mother behave so cruel to Affiong. Uyai understood she was upset and it was clearly visible in her unusual reaction to her favorite daughter.

Affiong sobbed. The tears rushing down her eyes like beads of streams.

"Why isn't anyone saying anything." father demanded.

Affiong sobbed loudly.

"Why are you crying? Go ahead. Dòho èyè. Tell him how you got yourself pregnant by that-that man." mother flicked her hands to Edem in rage.

"What do you mean by that?" Father stiffened.

"Your daughter is pregnant." mother bluntly replied.

"Ekaette!" grandmother hushed in disapproval calling mother by her maiden name.

Mother snorted "Isn't it true? Why bother hiding it. It's out in the open anyway."

"Affiong what is going on?" Ete Affiong looked to his eldest daughter, frowned when he saw her shirt battered with vomit. She was sobbing heavily and he didn't know what to make of it.

"I-I--I am p-pregnant." she squeaked.

"Gbam! " mother exclaimed heatedly.

"What do you mean by you are pregnant?" father's voice was cold and controlled.

"Exactly what she said. Your daughter is pregnant. And guess who the father is?" mother mocked with a chill smile.

"Am I to presume it’s him?" father said pointing to Edem who still had his arms to his face in a defensive pose.

Everyone waited with anxiety. Father was calm, too calm and it left everyone on edge.

Affiong nodded.

Mother hissed.

Grandmother just stood behind mother just in case.

Uyai and the others were still with tension.

"Wife." father said in a controlled voice. His expression not giving anything away. "Weren't you boiling water?"

Eh?

Confusion. That was the expression everyone wore.

Mother nodded slowly in confusion and annoyance.

"It should be at hundred degree Celsius shouldn't it?" father asked with a raised eyebrow.

"I don't understand." mother shook her head.

Uyai feared that she knew exactly what was going on, but she kept her suspicion to herself.

"Shouldn't it be boiling by now?" father clarified.

"Yes it should." mother's eyebrows rose suspiciously.

"Wisdom." he paused and shifted his gaze to Edem's, visibly his eyes narrowed in a glare.

Edem gulped loudly. His hands went closer to his face as if protecting it from a serious danger.

It became clear to Uyai the danger he faced, even before father uttered his next word.

"...is the principal thing. Wife apply the wisdom of your ancestors. Do what they would have done in this situation and in your position." He turned to mother, giving her a knowing look.

Uyai watched as mother's eyes widened knowingly. "Of course husband. I must apply wisdom." she smirked wickedly.

"I hope its sizzling hot." father said.

Grandmother who hadn't come to the knowledge of what father and mother were planning, shot Uyai a puzzled look.

Uyai only shrugged feigning ignorance.

In the twinkle of an eye, mother had disappeared from their midst and in few seconds, had returned with a determined look holding a bucket full of water that was... You could guess the rest.

Eyes widened in both realisation and apprehension. Slowly they backed away, retreating as the water neared

As she pulled her hand in an attempt to propel the water forward towards her target which appeared to be the terrified Edem, Affiong jumped in front of him, a brave attempt to save her lover.

"What are you doing?" Mother hissed. "Get out of my way!" she ordered her daughter who stood in the way of teaching Edem a lesson for sleeping with her daughter. Uyai was sure the lesson would be well learnt with blistered wounds as a reminder.

"Mother stop! I can't let you." Affiong pleaded with teary eyes.

"Ekaete don't..." Grandmother said calling mother by her maiden name. "Son, stop your wife." grandmother turned to father who was looking coldly at Effiong.

"Okay. Wife put away the bucket." father sighed reluctantly as he told mother.

"What? Why?" mother questioned indignantly.

"Just put it away."

"But it was your idea." she protested with à frown.

"Yes it was. Put it away."

Uyai watched as mother grudgingly lowered her hands and slowly kept the bucket aside. Now arms were folded stiffly underneath her breast.

"Now Affiong." Father called Affiong .

Affiong turned and met her father's hard eyes. Her eyes lowered in response "yes father."

"Are you going to marry this man who is the father of your child?" father asked.

"What?! Of course not." mother spat, her eyes widened in disapproval.

"Let her answer for herself." father said stiffly, still waiting to hear his elder daughter's reply.

"N-No father." She muttered weakly

"What? We can't hear you."

"No. I won't marry him." she repeated with a stronger voice.

"Did everyone hear that?" father said turning to everyone gauging their expressions.

They all nodded timidly

"Good. Now this is my verdict."

Everyone stilled.

"I won't raise a bastard child, so you better go along with this man or you leave my house. You have shamed me enough with your careless ways and I won't stand for this. So you better start preparing to go with him and become a married woman or you leave my house." father said calmly but his voice held an edge of anger.

"No. You can't do that." mother protested strongly, dread filled her expression.

She turned to grandmother. "tell him mama."

"Son you can't do that." Grandmother said

"I can, and I will." father replied coldly, hissed and walked away leaving trails of dust in his wake.

Affiong sobbed. She knew father had said his mind and wasn't going to change it. She felt hopeless and defeated. She had successfully ruined her life. She felt disgusted with her self. Remorse filled her entire being. So she cried, letting the tears flow in torrent.

"I am leaving. You've heard your father. Let's get married or I leave for good, I have marital duties to perform." Edem said arrogantly, after recovering from the shock. This was not what he had bargained for, in fact he was tired and just wanted to leave. Who knew the woman he had lusted after would fall in love with him and then refused to marry him after discovering he was married. It wasn't something that had bothered him. It was a norm in his village to take more than a wife, hence he wasn't in the least hesitant in pursuing her.

Women. What was wrong in sharing him? He was strong enough for two women and was sure that he could satisfy them accordingly. 'So why all the anger and grudge?'

The kind of anger that consumed Uyai was indescribable. Edem's arrogant words stoked the flame, fanning it until it rose.

She didn't know when she had moved, her hand was holding the bucket of water before anyone knew it and before he could guard himself, the water had landed on his face. He should thank his lucky stars she knew the temperature of the water had lowered that the heat was bearable if not...

Edem was dead meat.

For the first time, mother supported her.

"Get out of my house and take your goons with you. If I ever see you or smell you around this village, you would curse the day you were born." mother threatened.

Affiong still sobbed watching with teary eyes as her supposed lover turn away from her without a backward glance, leaving with his friends and she cursed her stupidity. Her foolishness. She was indeed a shame to her family.

***

Uyai had just returned from the stream when she saw a bundle of firewood awaiting her. It was clutched in the arms of Effiong. She blinked twice at the sight and when she spoke, her voice held surprise.

"What are you doing here?"

"Nice to see you too." Effiong said with a little smile.

"Really what are you doing here?" Uyai asked, the water pot resting on her head.

"Brought this." He held up the bundle of fire wood.

"But I didn't send for this, besides I don't have money to pay for it." she furrowed her brows.

"I didn't ask for money, besides it is our deal." he shrugged nonchalantly

"Was. Was our deal, if you haven't noticed, I am not keeping the end of our bargain."

"That's a fact." he nodded biting his lower lip drawing her attention to its softness. He had pink lips, how come she didn't notice.

Uyai blinked, discovering the direction of her thoughts.

She coughed. "So what's this then?" she motioned to the firewood he held.

"I heard. About what happened." he said instead.

Uyai snorted. "Right who hasn't?"

"You know how rumors spread like wildfire in our village." he said with a shrug.

"Is that why you're here? To rub it in our faces?"

"No!" he replied aghast. "Why would I do that? Now you're quick to judge." he accused with a frown.

"Sorry." Uyai winced. It's just that it has taken a toil on us, especially mother."

"How's she holding up? Affiong I mean."

"She cries. Father has given her two days to leave the house. Today marks the last day." Uyai sighed.

"Wow! I had no idea it had gotten to that extent. So what does she intend to do?"

"Since father has refused to change his mind, grandmother had suggested to go to the city and seeing we have no one there, it's a problem." her arms were getting heavy, started walking towards the kitchen, motioning for Effiong to follow her.

They both arrived and she squatted so he can help her remove the water pot from her head. When she was finally relieved of the load, she turned to him. " My family is now an opera."

"I am sorry. If I can be of any help notify me."

"Really? You would want to help after... You know she refused you and humiliated you?" Uyai asked, trying to mask her surprise but failing.

"Yes, I'm aware." he replied sarcastically. "besides I'm over that."

"Do you still love her?" Uyai was curious.

"I don't think I still do." he replied with a grimace.

"Why do you think so? Wait! Is it because she's pregnant with another man's child?" Uyai daringly raised an eyebrow.

"You're doing that again. You're judging me. Is that fair?" he pointed annoyed.

"Can't help it." Uyai shrugged. "You were madly in love with her."

"Not madly." he winced

"Is that so." she rolled her eyes.

"Can we just forget about her?" he frowns

"No, not really" Uyai shook her head "weren't you talking about helping out if we need it."

"Yes we were." he sighed frustrated.

"Okay go on. You were saying?"

"As I was saying, if indeed she has decided to go to the city, I know my way around, and I have a truck. I can drive her there."

"Really? That's--that's so... Chivalrous of you. "

"Haha." he chuckled nervously, scratching his head.

"But I'm curious though." Uyai frowned.

"About what."

"Have you really fallen out of love with Affiong? And its not because of her predicament?"

"Yes. I've overgrown any romantic feeling I've had for her, and no. It isn't because of her predicament." Effiong sighed.

"Are you sure? Wait a minute!" Uyai's widened in suspicion. "Have you found someone else?"

"No!" he replied abruptly.

Uyai narrowed her eyes. "What about that woman that kept whining to you when I went to see you the other day?"

"Her? God no!" he furiously shook his head as if that was an unlikely possibility.

"There's nothing between you two?" Uyai raised an eyebrow.

"No. Though I will admit, our parents want us to marry." he declared.

"She's pretty, why won't you?"

"Well because I don't like her?" he replied as if the answer wasn't already obvious.

"Okay. You're still young anyway, so there's enough time for you to marry." she sighed

"Young? I am twenty-three."

"Goodness! You're so old." Uyai rolled her eyes.

"Are you being sarcastic?" he frowned suspiciously.

"So you can tell." Uyai replied dryly.

"Haha. It suits you." he smirked.

"Thank you." she gives a mock bow.

"Uyai." he called softly.

Uyai raised her eyes to his, immediately noticing the brown flecks in them. He had beautiful eyes.

"Don't forget to tell me, if you need any help." he said drawing her eyes to his lips once again.

He had soft lips.

"Uyai?"

"Y-Yes?" she blinked rapidly, blushing in embarrassment. What was she thinking?

Uyai that is very disturbing. Never think of Effiong that way. Effiong really? Uyai cautioned herself. She had suffered from lack of attention for too long. That must be why.

Why am I trying to assure myself again? She face palmed.

"Are you alright?" Effiong's worried voice rang out pulling her out if her thought.

"Y-Yes. I am." She replied hurriedly.

"Okay. Promise me you would tell me if you need help."

"I promise." she replied, trying to mask her embarrassment.

"Thank you." Uyai smiled in appreciation.

"No worries." he grinned and she returned it with a wider smile.