Pains of Amara(Completed)

Chapter 20

AMARACHI

   I heard Aunty Lydia shout my name in anger.
The surprise made me jerk and abruptly stopped my washing.
"What could be the problem now?"I asked myself as i cleaned my hands on the wrapper I tied on my waist.
While I was yet to fathom what I did,I heard footsteps approaching me angrily.
   I immediately stood up to meet the menacing gaze of Aunty Lydia.
Anger was burning in her eyes for me.
I felt my legs shake beneath me. My heart already started thumping.
"Aunty...."I began but she immediately slapped me.
I held on to my cheek, my eyes were already wettery. I hated whenever I broke down crying before her.
She delighted in seeing cry.
"I won't cry this time"
I won't give her the chance to watch me cry.
I immediately cleaned my tears. I could feel her burning gaze on me.

  "Simple task Amarachi! Simple thing you couldn't do! Why!?"
I was about replying but she interrupted me.
"After that old hag in the hospital will think you are hardworking! If Ogechi were the one, she would have done this task perfectly"venom laced in her tone.
I stared at her with disgust.
This woman will really sell her own daughter for money.
I rather be motherless than have this type of mother.

"Aunty you sent me there to have sex with him. That old man! Do you know he almost raped me?"
I was surprised by my own boldness.

"And so what?"Aunty Lydia said hissing at me.
"Are you the first?! Wasn't your mother raped too?"

What?my mother? Raped?
I immediately staggered backwards.
"Aunty...you...you..mean..my..mother?"I stuttered.

She eyed me and hissed one more time"Go ask your nne?"

"I just dont have your time right now.
Let me just go meet chief clement"she lamented as she walked inside the house.
Was my mother really raped?
How come Nne never told me?

  I couldn't help but imagine the trauma my mother went through as i continued my washing.
Some minutes later, Aunty Lydia came out dressed.
She was probably rushing to see chief clement.
"Stupid girl"she cursed under her breathe as she passed me.
I stared at her as she walked away,shaking my head in disgust.

*******************
   With aunty Lydia gone, I had peace of mind as I worked.
It was just only uncle Francis at home and he never really shouted at me except when his wife was there.
I felt aunty Lydia was the one pushing him to be wicked to me.
Ogechi came home to collect food for herself and Nne.
From the way she stared at me, I could tell her mother already told her everything.
I didnt mind it anyways. I gave her the food and ignored her remarks.

   I was eating outside the umbrella tree when our gate opened and a farmilar figure entered inside our compound.
"Ah Becca. Welcome o..please come and join me"i said as i stood up to get her a chair.
I arrived with a stool.
"Thank you for the chair and don't worry I've eaten my dear"she replied smiling.

"Becca how are you now?" I asked as i dropped the food I was eating.

Rebecca sighed and scrutinized the environment, as if she was looking for something.
"Oh aunty Lydia and Ogechi aren't around"i said in response to her moving eyes.

"What happened?mother and daughter left the house?"

"Yes oh. Nne got hospitalised so Ogechi is staying there with her"i replied.
I saw the shock on her face on hearing that.
"How?"
I narrated everything to her and she listened with folded arms.
"Oh my goodness. You mean that old man tried to rape you?" becca asked with sheer curiosity.
I nodded my head with a pale look on my face"I thank God I escaped. It was even Nonso that helped get back home"

I noticed immediately I mentioned Nonso,her expression changed. She looked like she was blushing as she ran her hands through her thick hair.
Blushing? But Why?

"Becca"i called out snapping her out of her thoughts.
"What's going on?"I asked.

"I didn't want to say this now...."she began as my ears were already itching to hear what she wanted to say.

"But...I and Nonso are getting married" she added.
I was utterly shocked and speechless. I pulled becca in for a tight hug.

   "Are you serious!?"I asked not being able to control my excitement.
She nodded her head,trying to cover her red cheeks.

  "So you and Nonso already had something going on and nobody told me"i said pouting

"It's not like that now. Don't be angry my sister"

How could I be angry?
I hugged again tightly. I was so overwhelmed in joy.
She hugged me back.

"I have to be going now. I want to go run some errands"becca said.
I frowned my face in dissaproval"But you just came now"

"I have to go now my dear"becca said standing up.
"Take care amara"she added.

"Our wife"i called out to tease her as she walked away.

"Wow Nonso and Becca are getting married. How did all these happen? I've been so engrossed in working and dealing with Aunty Lydia that I didn't notice anything. I'm so happy for them"

********************
Lydia waited in the usual spot she and chief clement usually met. It was a bar.
Anxiety overwhelmed her. Chief clement threatened to collect back the money he gave her as a loan.
Where would she see the money to pay back?
These thoughts ran through her mind.
"Amara! Oh Amara! You are a very wicked girl. You caused all these. If only you just did everything right but no. You are as wicked as your late mother!"
Just the thought of Amara made her blood boil.
The waiter came to her, requesting her to order something. She wasn't in the mood for food but she decided to order a can malt drink.

  After some minutes, Chief clement walked inside the bar.
Immediately he caught sight of Lydia, he shot her a glare and sat next to her.
One could still see the marks Amara gave him on his face.

  "Chief...."Lydia began but he cut her short.
"Madam Lydia just give me my money else I take your shop"he threatened.
Immediately Lydia heard that sentence,her heart sank.
Not her shop.
"Please chief. I beg you. One more chance and I'll make it up"she pleaded.
But chief clement was in no mood to listen to her instead he stood up.
"I give you 24hours to give me back my money or loose your shop"

   Lydia felt so helpless.
Never in her life has she ever felt this helpless.
She rained curses on Amara in her mind for putting her into this situation.
"Chief please...Lydia begged as he was turning to leave.
"It's of no use oh!Amara has killed me!"Lydia cried within herself as she watched chief clement walk away but he suddenly stopped in his tracks and turned to meet her.

  "What's that girls name?" chief clement  asked once he was at Lydia's table.

"Amara"Lydia replied almost immediately.

Chief clement was quiet for a moment as he stroked his chin.
"Maybe there is a way after all"he finally voiced out.

This was the golden opportunity for Lydia.
A second chance to redeem herself.
"I'll bring Ogechi. Don't worry about Amara"

Chief clement shook his head at her statement,making Lydia confused.
"I want to marry Amara your daughter"