Chapter 9: Chapter 9

Of course the stone didn't disappoint. It struck her right on the forehead. The sound Uyai expected from the victim was a shrill cry. One that would make deaf any living being in close quarters. Her sister always tend to exaggerate her feelings especially if she deemed it bad. So, imagine her surprise when she heard a small whimper instead. Uyai knew it must have hurt, it must have hurt a lot. It struck her right on the exact spot she suspected led Goliath to his death. Thus her reaction was definitely unexpected. Uyai could tell by her strained muscle, knowing the extra mile she took in initiating that swinging motion. At least from her knowledge of physics, she knew the distance, the velocity and the acceleration of the projectile carried enough force to bring her target down. Definitely she had cause to be worried. Maybe the pain was too severe that her brain was still processing the information or taking to too much time to send the signals back to her skeletal muscles to elicit a reflex response; the screaming response.

She looked closer at the victim of her David-Goliath activity, making sure to examine the little reactions she emitted. It was that moment she saw her sister smile-crying if that was even remotely possible. It was worse than a grimace, it made her look like a clown. Was this really the signal the brain had sent? Uyai shook her head in disbelief as Affiong fluttered her eyelashes demurely, while her lips trembled even as she quirked it aiming for a smile. However she couldn't pull it off since it made her look like a constipated clown. Uyai briefly wondered what Edem's reaction was; she didn't have to worry for long when she heard his voice; worried and frightened. The young man was probably freaked out.

"A-Are you okay?" Edem queried, a bit hesitant. He held her lightly on her shoulder as she fixed her gaze on him, a smile, or a grimace formed on her lips, he was not sure. What he was sure of was, she was not okay. Even as she nodded in affirmative, her whole demeanor said otherwise.

Uyai wondered if her sister was trying but failing miserably to look pretty. Did she think Edem would think otherwise if she cried? It was only a natural response to pain, so why was she fighting against nature?

"Are you certain?" he asked again. He wanted to add ' I heard the sound of the stone colliding against your temple, so I beg of you, respond accordingly

Affiong fluttered her eyelashes again still with that same smile he swore freaked the hell out of him. "I-I am o-okay." she said, her voice giving her away. It cracked with emotion. Oh, she tried to conceal it by clearing her throat and gifting him with that strange smile again.

He knew better.

So he grimaced. "Okay...I-I should be on my way. My farm has been neglected enough. I'll bid my farewell to you here, until we see again Imà (love)." he said slowly taking off his hands from her shoulder. He couldn't wait to leave, it was beginning feel awkward, with her unwavering gaze on him still wearing that same smile and his own uncertain smile. He watched as the expression wore off and in its place was now a frown.

"Okay." she grumbled. Effiong smile relieved. Now that was a real expression; not one that would leave him guessing.

"Edem, what really are your plans? Do you intend to marry me? Or is this only temporary." she motion between them. Sue her for being so forthright, it wasn't her forte to mince words.

'Wow!' Uyai thought. Sister was for once in her life wise. 'Good question sister. Ask away.'

Edem blinked taken aback by the question. He recovered after a few seconds and answered immediately. He didn't want to fall his hands so he was extra careful on how he'll rearrange his speech. "Imà mè (my love), how can you think otherwise? I have no plans for this being a brief tryst..."

"So it’s a long tryst then? Is that what you mean?" she interrupted, defiantly raising an eyebrow.

'Don't mind him. He thinks can use you just like that? Show him sister!'

"No. No. Don't quote me wrong my dear. What I mean is that I intend to court you."

"Just court me? You have no plans to marrying me?"

"I do. I do." he rushed out. It seemed he was digging himself deeper. So he tried a different route. " I would love to marry you. Why else would I come all the way. I'd fallen in love with you for a long while now."

'Ha! Liar! Don't trust him sister. He hasn't properly asked for your hand.' Uyai stumped her feet angrily. That infuriating son of Goliath dare spout such lies? How dare he!

"Really?" Affiong giggled, then looked away shyly and her eyes locked with Uyai's.

Dual eyes widened.

The latter scared that she'd been caught, the former accusing.

Uyai silently pleaded with her eyes. 'Please don't say anything, I didn't mean to.'

She turned her eyes away as if she hadn't seen a thing, and Uyai almost thought she didn't, but the little glances she kept shooting her way spoke otherwise.

"So, when next would you come see me?"

"Next week dear."

"Next week? That is too far long. I can't possible wait till next week. I'll miss you terribly. Or won't you miss me?" she pouted.

"Of course. I can't bear to part with you."

Was it just her? 'Cause she thought Edem was being sarcastic. But the silly smile her sister wore told her that she was none too wise about it. She couldn't believe her sister was this gullible.

"But why next week?" She whines like a little girl who had been refused cake. Uyai was disgusted by sister's wanton behaviour and over a man she had just met. Was it because of his physique? Uyai couldn't deny he was good looking with his heights, muscular structure, and angular face not really carved to perfection. But still he wasn't bad looking, so she could see why sister was so enamoured.

"I have plans. Plans for us." he took her hands and gently squeezed it.

"Plans? What kind of plans?" her brows furrowed even as she smiled unsurely.

"My father's good friend who had just been taken to the city by his son had offered me his home for use temporary. With this I won't have to travel too far to see you and you can come see me anytime." he whispered the last.

Uyai had one secret, a gift so to say. She could read lips. And no matter how fast your lips moved she could spell out every word. Sometimes it was a curse, when words were being spoken about her that were non pleasant, no matter how hard she tries to block out their voices, her amebo eyes (over indulging eyes) would align its focus in the direction of their lips carefully following the movement; sometimes it spares a glance in their facial contortions to decipher their thought, if it rhymes with the motion of their lips.

Therefore, she heard every single word that was said between the two, especially the last sentence Edem made. Her prowess as a competent eavesdropper came to play again. Grandmother would be so proud she was diligent in her job as a monitor.

Next week huh? She thought.

Effiong, here comes your chance.

"Your father's friend? Do I know him?"

"Yes you should. He's supplies snuff."

"Oh! Him. I am familiar with his home. So, I can find you with ease."

Hmm careful sister. You are deliberately planning to enter the lions den.

***

"The new local government chairman is showing some promising prospect. I just heard from the news that he was implementing a project about supplying electricity to the whole village, even extending it to Etai Inyang." Ete Affiong told his wife over dinner. Already he was rolling another large bolus of fofõ. Sometimes she wondered how it was able to pass his oesophagus without choking him.

"Indeed? That is good news. But are you certain its not just rumors?"

"I'm quite certain its not besides I heard from Ifiok that he had sited some men with electrical appliances running wires and setting up poles." he said dipping the ball of fofõ into the Okra soup picking it up with the dried stock fish and swallowed the large ball, leaving the stock fish to be masticated in his mouth.

"Abasi sosoño oo (Thank God oo.) The government have finally remembered us after being neglected for long."

"It’s about time. Now another issue is the bad roads. Observing the weather forecast, that road at Insaditiat that leads to the city has to be repaired as soon as possible. Just a week ago, a truck full of yams and plantains had collapsed due to the degree of bumps marring that road. All the goods spoilt and a lot of farmers exhausted their money trying to recover the already damaged goods. Thank God I don't do large scale farming."

"Then you are missing out. It’s more profitable." She pointed.

"Who cares." he shrugged after swallowing the last ball. "It saves me the trouble from renting a truck only to have my goods damage leaving me more expense I could bear with. Tell me wife aren't you satisfied with what we have? Have we ever lacked food on our table? To tell you the truth, we consume more than an average city man does and definitely healthier." he threw his hands up in the air.

"I can agree with you for that. But husband, don't you think our harvest should be taken to the market? We are the only consumers on what we harvest. I can't remember the last I held a naira note talk less of buying new wrappers for myself or even your daughters clothing. Look at your slippers, the whole Chief. You don't even have the shoes to boast."

"Be careful wife how you speak to me. I am your husband."

"And I am your wife. Look at you," she roved her gaze over his form. "You’ve been wearing the same singlet for over five years and you say all is well. Well if you are not tired of our mediocre life, then I am." She rants glaring defiantly, at the same time angrily carrying the now empty plate, which held one piece of meat.

"Watch your mouth woman!" He warned angrily. And she paused and spared him a haughty glance.

"I can't! I've held it for too long. L-Look at your friend the palm wine tapper." She pointed eastward. "Like you, he owns a farm but he's not sitting lazy at home scared his farmland is cursed. He still taps palm wine and sells it making his profit. What can you say for yourself eh?"

"Don't. Don't. Provoke. Me." he speaks slowly gritting his teeth, she had an idea he was withholding himself from exploding especially with his nose being flared like that and his hands balled into fist by his side. Still, she didn't relent.

"Face it husband. You know I'm right. Is it not your mother's money she earned from selling palm kernel oil she used to sponsor your children's secondary school education? How can you still call yourself a man?"

He froze and then frowned. His mother paid his children's school fees? How come he's discovering this truth now?

"So now you can talk eh? What happened to your hands? Did I ever discourage you from selling? Did I ever say? - Wife don't sell your farm product. Aren't you ashamed that your mother in law was the one sponsoring your daughter's education?" He adjusted his wrapper and walked up to her. She kept silence.

"What happened? You've lost your bark." he taunted and proceeded to remove the piece of meat from the plate and put in his mouth. Then with his mouth full he says..."Get all your cards right before you begin to counter an attack." He glares and leaves.

"Uyai!" He called his younger daughter.

"Yes Papa." she comes running and stands by his side with her head bowed in submission.

"Go and call your elder sister. I want to speak with the both of you." He ordered.

"Papa she's indisposed at the moment."

"What do you mean by that? Where is she and what is she doing?" he demanded. Her father was furious and she had no idea what had angered him?

"Papa she's sleeping." she muttered quietly.

"Don't tell me that nonsense! Wake her immediately. Sleeping by this time? What nonsense."

Uyai didn't see what the big deal was, it wasn't an abnormal thing for her sister to sleep this early. In fact it had become a normal routine, so why was father so pissed? She didn't wait to guess and quickly bowed her head. "Okay Papa." she turned and ran to the room she shared with her sister.

***

"So you both allow your grandmother sell palm kernel oil eh?" Was the question he asked his two daughters who still were coming to grasp what had called for such summoning. Perplexed, they kept silent. Warily looking at each other.

"Are you deaf now? Can't you answer the question?" he boomed suddenly and they both flinched.

"Er..."

"P-Papa..."

They muttered in unison. Their eyes widened in unknown fear.

"How can you let your grandmother do that? Tell me! Who cracks the palm kernel?" he glared, and narrowed his eyes while looking between the two.

Uyai timidly and slowly raised her index finger.

"And you?" He turned to Affiong "What do you do?"

"I-I...M-Me...I-I..." She winced as she struggled to find words knowing she never helped. It was all on her little sister and grandmother. They never complained though and had never requested that she joined them so...

"What? You can't talk?" He barked and she flinched. "What exactly do you do as the first daughter? Your mother has so much spoilt you, you lack the necessary trait for a woman. I am highly disappointed." he gave an exhausted sigh. "Now get out of my sight before you provoke me further." he said and they quickly scurried off.

"Son? What is wrong with you? Why are you in such a sour mode? And what did you say to your daughters that had them zooming off like that? They didn't even acknowledge me."

"They didn't acknowledge you?" He rose up from the bench in anger.

"Calm down. They were probably engrossed in their thoughts and I presume it’s your fault." He sat down reluctantly and with a gruff. She joined him and turned to face him, slowly taking in his expression; the furrowed brow, gritted teeth and the balled fist. Her son was not in a good mood.

"Mama, why did you have to pay my children's school fees when it’s my duty to do so. Now my wife thinks me to be irresponsible. I had no idea, why?" he turns and faces her, with hurt in his eyes.

"You talk as if they are not my grand children. I wanted to do it so I did and I have no regret. Your daughters are well learned and can be anything and anyone they want to be."

"All this while I believed the school offered free education so I never thought it odd when they never requested for school fees. I feel like I've failed as a father and a son. Allowing you to perform my duties when you're supposed to be relaxing and reaping the fruits of your labour."

"I am reaping the fruits of my labour, I have two beautiful granddaughters, an amazing family. What more could I ask for?"

***

Uyai leaned her back on the bark of the palm tree as she admired the stars. She began tracing irregular shapes from them and even managed to create an animal out of it. As she gazed at them, she imagined herself standing out just like them and shining so bright she would be the object of admiration. She was tired of the dull and boring life she lived. No excitement whatsoever and worse no friend to rant to; to share her deepest and darkest secret with. She had dreams, visions but they were a far cry from reality.

Now back to reality.

Effiong was giving up.

She suspected he had witness another of their romantic tryst and had left heartbroken judging from the logs of firewood that had been abandoned in a hurry. She knew it was him because of the agreement they had made. He had kept his promise. It was time she fulfilled hers.

She had to help him win her sister's hand.

That's if he showed up again and had not completely given up.