Chapter 37: Chapter 37

"You know you just sold your daughter for money." grandmother shook her head disapprovingly at father who kept walking funny as they left Mrs. change office; he intermittently wiggled his feet with every step as if suffering from a sudden muscle spasm. She didn't know if others noticed it but she made it her duty to be acutely conscious and wary of any movement father made because at times he was unpredictable.

Uyai stole a glance at mother as they walked stiffly beside each other. Mother was quiet, too quiet and had not uttered a word since the final decision had been made for Uyai to continue with the contest. Only her lips had a cynic twist to it, a sign that she was contemplating on a matter privy to she, herself and her.

Uyai took notice of the fact that mother had not acknowledged her presence even once but seemed to be avoiding her however how impossible that was seeing they walking quite close to each other.

Would they ever breach their strained relationship?

"Sold? I did no such thing." Father denied abruptly, pausing again to wriggle his shoe clad feet.

"Yes. Sold. Weren't you against her strutting her behind for the world to see? And in her undies for that matter!" she gave him a pointed look, making sure to narrow her gaze in a heated glare.

"Mama!" he grinned cheekily giving her a pat in the back "It's a normal thing girls do. Besides Uyai has nothing behind to strut, so it's okay. Like I said who would like to look at a walking stick?" he shrugged carelessly and wrinkled his nose for effect.

Uyai winced and deftly stole a glance at the models who were huddled together as if planning a coup. At their curious gazes she abruptly averted her eyes to her opened toe sandals. How she wanted to hide when her father repeated the same thing he had said to Mrs. Chance and he did it in front of the models who at that moment looked utterly confused thank goodness.

"Goodness!" Grandmother huffed annoyed, and angrily shrugged away father's arms looking disbelievingly at him "As a father don't you think you're too harsh?"

"I'm her father. It's my job to state the truth. Besides who knows, like Agbani Darego she could be the next Miss. World. Don't you think so wife?" He turned to mother.

"Who said anything a about Miss. World, she's not contesting for that." Grandmother scoffed and upturned her nose in annoyance

"I'm still not comfortable with her participating..." mother began to show her disdain in the matter, her face twisted in a frown.

"It doesn't matter she's goi--wait!" he paused, abruptly halting his step. "So this is not Miss. World?" He enquired with a huge frown.

"Weren't you listening all this while?" grandmother rolled her eyes.

"Then what in the world is she going for if not Miss. World?" He threw his hands in the air for good measure.

"Something akin to Miss. World." Uyai mumbled, casually bypassing the other models feigning unawareness of their presence; her eyes carefully avoiding theirs. Especially Presh, she didn't know how she was going to tell her she was back on the contest after raising her hopes up.

"Er? Does the same benefit apply?" he asked worriedly.

"Yes Papa." Uyai internally rolled her eyes.

"Ah! Good." He exhaled. "Wife, there's something wrong with this shoe you bought for me." He frowned. He felt like his precious feet were imprisoned in the little confinement called a cover shoe. How in the world was his feet going to breathe without the cool sensation of a fleeting breeze caressing it. He felt so utterly uncomfortable since he wore it but hid it well enough until now. He couldn't wait to go home and sink in feet inside his ever reliable discoloured slippers that had till date served it's purpose. Why his wife had to buy this shoe was beyond him.

He huffed loudly showing his discomfort.

"There's nothing wrong with the shoe." mother hissed shooting him an annoyed look. "You've been used to wearing slippers all your life, you'd think a little change would be appreciated but No! You still insist of behaving local." she huffed and turned away angrily.

"Local?" father scoffed. "How many men of my age still look this handsome?" he gestured cockily to himself affronted by mother calling him local.

"Handsome?" mother chortled. "how laughable, with your pot belly?"

"Laugh all you want. It's evidence of good living." he upturned his nose refusing to give in.

"Do they have to do this here?" Uyai muttered to herself.

"It's normal. Couples tease themselves often." grandmother said. As always sharp ears.

Uyai felt someone forcing her way in between her and mother. Instinctively she looked at the intruder and saw a pregnant Affiong wearing a smug smile.

Uyai cocked an eyebrow. What did she want?

"Uyai." she nudged Uyai's elbow.

"What?" Uyai asked bored, only she didn't whisper.

"You should thank me." she whispered for Uyai's hearing only.

Uyai scoffed. "what for?"

"I made father change his mind you know." she continued not dismayed by Uyai's indifference.

"Really how nice." Uyai muttered, sarcasm oozed from her voice with ease.

"Really." Affiong nodded vehemently "I explained the benefits of the contest knowing that father wouldn't resist such an offer. Of course I know how much you want to attend this contest. So I did help you."

"Thanks." Uyai said noncommittally

"A little emotion would suffice you know." Affiong frowned having noticed Uyai's lack of emotion.

"Thank you dearest sister." Uyai drawled with an exaggerated emotion, her voice cracked for effect.

"You're welcome." Affiong said. Uyai could hear the smile in her voice.

I could definitely go into acting, Uyai thought smugly.

They had reached the studio room when she saw Peter conversing with a familiar figure. She couldn't see the person's face because his back faced them. It was when Peter tapped the fellow's back to get his attention that he turned and when Uyai saw his face, she stilled.

His eyes had lit up when he saw her and not wasting a second he strode across the room towards her, Peter's presence now completely forgotten.

As he drew nearer, he inhaled sharply as his heart began a familiar beat of thud thud ...

She was becoming more beautiful and she wasn't even extravagantly dressed.

"Hi." he smiled in greeting when he neared her. He made sure to put in a little distance between them even when his whole being screamed that he wanted to be closer. In order not to arouse any gossip or make them both uncomfortable especially after her rejection.

It still hurt no doubt but he could live with it. At least she gave him a seemingly good reason for saying no!

"H-Hi." Uyai stuttered, painfully aware of her parents presence.

"How are you?" he asked, his voice dripped with concern and husky with emotion as he tried to conceal his growing affecting for her.

"F-fine." Uyai nodded stiffly.

"I heard from Peter about the contest. That you're quitting. He was about to tell me why, but then you showed up." he continued too focused on his speech to notice the stiffened reply she had been giving him.

"ehg! ehg!" someone coughed, loudly.

That familiar way of coughing.

Father.

"Em..." Uyai's voice trailed off.

"Effiong!" for the first time Uyai was happy for Affiong's interruption.

"Oh. Affiong." he answered as he looked over Uyai shoulder.

Uyai refused to turn. She kept imagining the varied expressions her parents wore.

Did Effiong know those were her parents?

Her unspoken question was answered when she saw the young man visible stiffen and his eyes had gone wide with shock, fear, nervousness? She was unsure.

Of course not too long, she felt her parents approach them. Uyai's muscles continued to tense until she froze.

"And who might you be young man?" father's intimidating voice came out rough and gruff as he stood threateningly in front of Effiong, his eyes hard and his lips put into a stern line.

"I-I am..." Effiong began then coughed throatily, his gaze unfocused as he shifted uneasily on his feet.

"He's from our village." Affiong thought to input, but father shot her a dark look and she flinched and shrunk back to lean against mother who held her firmly and protectively.

"M-My name is Effiong Sir." Effiong supplied after he had regained his cool. He now looked father in the eye unblinking.

Father cocked an eyebrow as if his introduction was incomplete.

Thank goodness Effiong was alert cause he continued "My father is Chief Ifiok Sir, the village firewood supplier, you must ..." Effiong said, his chest puffed on stating the latter as if that alone was enough to be proud of.

Uyai mentally rolled her eyes.

"The village firewood supplier?" Father's interjected, his eyes had lit up "You mean my very good friend Chief Ifiok?" Father asked amazed.

"Yes." Effiong nodded.

Leave it to father to be unpredictable. Wasn't he going to swallow Effiong whole?

Uyai grimaced.

"Wait. Aren't you that young man that drove my granddaughter's here with your truck." Grandmother came closer, giving Effiong a good scrutiny.

"Oh! Mma. Yes, I am the one."

"I don't understand," father shook his head, his nose wrinkled in confusion as peered closely at Effiong. Father was starting to look at him doubtfully.

"Drove who? When? How long have you known my daughters?" He queried at once, his brows furrowed as he took a threatening step towards Effiong who retreated with a step of his own.

"How have you been my son? Do you live in the city?" grandmother ignored father's outburst instead fired Effiong with her own questions.

Wisely, Effiong nervously answered grandmother's question with a hurried "I've been fine. Yes I do live here now."

"Ah!" grandmother exclaimed "I hope you've been taking good care of my granddaughters." She playfully asked.

"Good care of?" father gasped, his eyes narrowed in a glare. "why would he take good care of my daughters?" Father was pissed looking accusingly at Uyai, Affiong and then with a stormy glare at Effiong who winced.

"Mma, Uncle, Auntie." Just in time Peter made his presence known as he greeted them before father could kill Effiong with his glare

"Ah! Peter you're here also." Father said startled, his nose wrinkled as he measured him taking notice of the close proximity between he and Effiong; the aura of familiarity they both exuded.

"Yes. I came with my friend." he said innocently stating his claim by throwing his arm around Effiong shoulders whose nervousness seemed to be ebbing away by the second, the pressure of Peter arm around him being of little comfort not necessarily giving him the boldness he required to face Uyai's father.

The man was quite intimidating reminding him a little of Uyai.

"You two know each other?" grandmother asked showing slight interest.

"Yes since childhood." Peter supplied with a sincere smile. His eyes glinting in remembrance of their childhood days however a short memory since Effiong and his family had long since relocated to the village.

"Hmm..." Father hummed, his eyes narrowed suspiciously as he glared at the arm around Effiong's shoulder.

"So... Uyai, what's the latest development?" Peter turned casually to Uyai, his gaze enquiring in attempt to waylay father's attention on Uyai

"I-I er... I am back on the contest." Uyai said with a little grimace aimed at father.

"Really? Why the sudden change?" he asked Uyai but his eyes had moved to father who had on an air of indifference.

When nobody answered and Ete Affiong noticed the eyes on him awaiting answer.

"It'll be good for her." he shrugged.

Uyai face had been pulled in a grimace when she felt a hand on her shoulder. She had abruptly turned when she felt the presence behind her. It was Raina and behind her was Pwesh, Isabelle, Catherine and Miss. Fiona.

"Can I have a moment with you" she demanded but then noticed the strange look the old man was giving to her, she backed away a little and added "Please."

Uyai smirked at that and excused herself to follow Raina who lead her to a spot underneath the constructed studio lights.

She knew they were being followed by the sounds of sleek pointed heels on the tiled floor that traced their footsteps.

Uyai controlled the urge to turn so she wouldn't have to face Catherine, Presh and Isabelle. But unfortunately as unlucky as she would have it, they came to stand by her sides making a barricade around her so she had no where of escape.

"Uyai did I hear correctly? You've had a change of mind?" Raina began.

Uyai nodded slowly and tentatively without wording an answer.

"Er... What do you mean by that?" Presh drew closer that Uyai had no choice but to let her gaze wander to her slightly nervous face.

Uyai grimaced first before answering in a low tone "I'm not quitting anymore."

"Why not?" Isabelle asked in a daring voice.

"I'm sorry but I-I don't understand..." Presh pulled her face in a frown and her voice had a little crack, while her eyes shone with liquid.

Uyai felt a discomfort in her chest at that pitiful sight.

"I'm sorry." she said to Presh who smiled sadly. Then with a daring glare she said to Isabelle "I don't need to explain myself to you."

Uyai watched pleased as Isabelle gasped in surprise. She was not expecting Uyai's rude tone but Uyai was tired of tolerating her.

"Figures. You have gotten bolder." Catherine stated, her eyes examining her manicured fingers. Uyai was unsure if she should acknowledge it as an insult or a compliment.

She took it as a compliment notwithstanding by a simple reply "Thank you."

Catherine only scoffed.

"Oh you guys!" Miss. Fiona whined softly "We don't need to be all hostile with each other. It's good she changed her mind though I'm unsure why..." she trailed off

"Er...Uyai I'll also like to know why you changed your mind. Did those people--" It was Raina who spoke this time.

"My family." Uyai interjected.

"Yes. Do they have an influence over your decision?" Raina asked

"Yes." Uyai nodded

"Explain."

"At first my dad was against it because he was scared I'll go nude on stage." Uyai began to explain.

"Not totally though." Raina chuckled amused.

"So I convinced him I wasn't going nude on stage while of course inputting all the monetary benefits if I win the contest and he was pleased with my explanation giving me the go ahead, so yes I do have his permission now." Uyai licked her lips throwing her gaze to the ground to stare at her sandal clad feet.

"Is he aware you're going to be wearing a bikini, like a two piece suit that covers almost nothing. I mean you're practically naked." Raina cocked her head to the side as she stared unsurely at Uyai who looked up with a slight hardly noticeable grimace.

"Is he?" Miss. Fiona asked again with a frown.

"Yes." Uyai could only reply. She excluded the fact that her dad had called her a walking stick and had claimed she had no curves whatever to be ogled at.

"Your father is sure weird." Presh mused.

"I concur." Raina and Miss. Fiona both hummed.

"I guess I don't really have a chance." Pwesh grinned crookedly pretending to be unaffected.

"Are we done here?" Catherine asked no one in particular appearing bored.

"No one invited you here so do whatever you want." Raina answered haughtily and they both glared at each other for a long time before Catherine pulled her eyes away and with a scoff sauntered off. But before she could move a fifth step further. Raina's loud voice brought her to a sudden halt.

"Catherine!" she barked.

Uyai watched as the other model paused in her step and swiveled in their direction. Curiosity, uncertainty and suspicion marred her well made up face.

"What!" she replied rudely and stiffly, her gaze wary as she looked at Raina.

"What happened to you?" Raina asked, almost in a whisper. Her question was simply but Uyai knew how much weight it carried.

She watched as Catherine visibly swallowed. Her eye had gone humid with a sheen. Uyai observed as she tried to hide a sigh.

"Reality did." she simply replied with a shrug of indifference.

"Are you happy? Satisfied?" Raina's voice ran curious as she took an unconscious step towards her.

"Not one bit." Catherine smirked her eyes held an emotion that was difficult to decipher.

Isabelle was confused as her eyes wavered between the two. What in the world were they talking about and what was that look in Catherine's eyes?

Miss. Fiona and Uyai watched on silently.

"Don't you think that's a problem?" Raina continued unsatisfied.

"A problem?" Catherine chuckled humorlessly. "Life is the problem. It's a race. Haven't you been taught? It's all about the survival of the fittest."

"Again I ask, are you happy?"

"I don't know." Catherine shrugged stiffly.

"Hmm..." Miss. Fiona hummed

"I miss the old you." Raina smiled sadly, slightly and silently retraced her steps. "Too bad you let life control you. It's supposed to be the reverse." she smirked wryly.

"Funny." she chuckled again. "It's time for a change don't you think?" She flicked her long tresses back to fall at her back. "Besides change is constant and the old me is gone." she said with as much confidence she could muster.

"Is it?" Raina quirked an amused brow.

Catherine blinked twice, suddenly she felt so unsure and filled with angst

"I sincerely doubt that and I'm willing to bet you could do little to change the real you. Don't let a simple competition alter that wonderful trait you had managed to cultivate." Raina continued .

"I concur." Miss. Fiona spoke up.

Uyai remained silent.

"I-I have no inkling what you're droning on about. You don't know me like you think you do so don't be so assuming." Catherine sneered and abruptly turned with her back to them and strode off, her back stiff and countenance weak.

Isabelle followed a second after, flicked her long Brazilian wig to the side, strutting with an extra push of her hips.

It was quiet after they left and the tension began to wane with their departure.

"Well, I guess a congratulation is in order." Raina broke the silence as if the conversation she's been witnessed to hadn't just occurred.

"Really what for?"

"You're finally attending your first pageantry girl! " she exclaimed dramatically pumping her fist in the air.

"Right." Uyai mumbled.

"You should be happy you know and proud. Not many get this kind of opportunity." Miss. Fiona with a slight nudge of her shoulder.

"We should celebrate." Raina suggested with a wink.