KASARACHI
Kasarachi - Episode 4
(Tell it to God)
★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★
" Come in Kasarachi. We need to talk in private. Wait a minute...is that hand marks I'm seeing on your face...? Kasaramma who sl*pped you...?" Mama asked looking at me for an answer
I smirked because I know how stern and wild mama can be when it has to do with her children's welfare
Mazi Kalu was already fidgeting with his hands and giving me an eye signal not to talk. Too bad because I am still very angry at him for laying his hands on me
" It's Mazi Kalu. He slapped me when he saw me standing with my friend Ekene. Mama he said that since Uncle gave him his consent....I now belong to him so he can beat me whenever he wants. Then he will turn me into a son making machine" I said with a slightly sarcastic tone
" Mazi Kalu I know that my husband is dead and that I am a widow...but that doesn't give you the right to touch any of my children. Better don't try something like this next time...if not the entire community will hear my voice oh. That our backyard is an open place for passersby doesn't mean anyone can come close to my daughter to slap her" mama blurted out with a slightly raised tone
" I'm sorry Nkiru. It was a mistake. I didn't really mean to slap my wife to be. I only wanted to scare her away from this boy. Your inlaw Mazi Okafor gave his consent to marry her so she is my woman now and I've got to protect her from all these stouts"
" Mazi Kalu don't disturb my daughter again. I don't know what agreement you had with Mazi Okafor but my daughter is engaged to be married in two weeks time. Leave her alone...for she cannot be yours anymore" Mama warned sternly and dragged me by the hand into the house. I quickly waved a goodbye to Ekene as I followed mama inside
I believe all those words mama said to Mazi Kalu were simply to warn him off and not because she means it. For sure it must be a joke. I thought in my head while smiling
" You are really an awesome actress mama. See how you used style to send Mazi Kalu off. That old hag that cannot stay in one place instead of disturbing me" I applauded mama the moment we got inside the parlor
" How many times have I warned you not to call an older person derogatory names...? Eh Kasarachi...?"
" I'm sorry mama. It won't happen again"
" Better. Now sit down...there's something I have to discuss with you. Thank God your siblings aren't awake yet" mama said and sat down in one of benches closer to us
I sat down beside her ready to listen to whatever she has to tell me.
I really need an explanation because I'm lost as to what her behavior is about
Then I remembered her business and I thought of asking out of concern
" Mama have you finished selling the akara, yams, and plantains...?"
" It was remaining small. Customers were not coming much again so I had to leave it in Osinachi's care. She isn't so small to sell so she can hold up until I get back there"
" No problem mama. I didn't even know Osinachi was awake. But mama what is it that is making you act so serious...? I hope I am actually safe like this oh" I said in a jovial manner blending in a little sarcasm
" Your uncle was here about an hour. It was when he left that I came looking for you to meet what I saw earlier. I thought you told me you wanted to pee...so how come you were standing in the midst of two men at the backyard...?" Mama asked sternly looking at me
I couldn't say anything because I knew I was only going to lie and mama who knows me too well, will likely catch me in the act. I just decided to tell a lie mixed with the truth
" I went to pee mama and after that Ekene came to pass an information to me from Chioma your inlaw's daughter. I didn't even get to hear what the news was about before that trouble maker Mazi Kalu came across us" I said shrugging my shoulders
Chioma is my uncle Mazi Okafor's daughter which makes her my cousin. We used to be best of friends but after her father took our farmland away, I started hating her and everything that concerns her family. I had cut off our friendship and stopped communicating or addressing her as my cousin, because to me she is now a stranger
" Kasaramma do you have anything to do with Ekene...? Like is there something going on between you two that I do not know about...?" Mama asked looking at me as though she was trying to read my facial expression which of course showed surprise but I tried to conceal it
" I don't understand you mama. You already know that Ekene and I are friends so where are all these questions coming from...?" I asked trying to form nonchalant
" Are you sure you two are just friends or you are more than that. Tell me the truth Kasarachi...are you and Ekene lovers...?"
I would not lie, mama's question took me unaware. I found the question really surprising as I didn't see it coming at all.
Before mama would ask me such a direct question, it meant that she has gathered all her facts and knows the truth already, but just wants to hear from the horse's mouth
I sighed heavily as I bent my head in shame knowing that mama will be disappointed at the truth I'm about admitting to.
Her disappointment will not be about who I am dating, but about the fact that at sixteen years old I already have a boyfriend without even telling her earlier
" You are right mama. Ekene and I are in a relationship. It's been four months already and I love him very much"
" What do you know about love Kasarachi...? Wait..I hope you two haven't had carnal knowledge of each other...? Kasarachi answer me honestly...have you and Ekene gone intimate sexually...?"
Mama's question sounded funny to me and I didn't know when I laughed. I lifted my head to look at her and from her facial expression, I knew that she wasn't pleased with me laughing when we are discussing
" I'm sorry I laughed mama. I just find it funny that you think that I will throw my values away because I am in a relationship or love a man. Mama you know my stance regarding sex before marriage. I am not engaging in sexual intercourse until my wedding night with my husband. If it turns out to be Ekene then so be it. I'll willingly give him my virginity..." I answered slowly and seeing the skeptical look on Mama's face, I exhaled before continuing
"...moreover Ekene is just nineteen years old. He is still dependent on his parents... so what can he likely offer me at the moment if we get intimate and I get pregnant by mistake...? I will be the one at the loosing end and I do not want that. I plan keeping myself celibate for my future husband which is likely going to be Ekene when we are grown. Mama you instilled those values in me and I intend to stick to it always" I said in conclusion and saw mama let out a sigh of relief at my responses
" I'm happy to hear this Kasaramma. It means I trained you well. Thank you my daughter for not letting me down"
Uncle Okafor barged into our sitting room without even knocking. His first statement was directed at mama who seems not to be surprised at the question
" Nkiru have you told her yet abi you are busy with baseless chitchats...?"
" Told me what...?" I asked looking from mama to uncle Okafor in confusion
" She hasn't told you yet...? My dear God has finally smiled upon our family through you. Ah! Arinze...how I wish you are alive to see this day. So our small Kasarachi will soon be leaving for America like this...?" Uncle Okafor said with his eyes and hands lifted at the ceiling as a form of thanksgiving
" What is he talking about mama...? Who is going to America and why...?" I queried with my eyes now focused on mama alone
Mama went quiet for a while, then she heaved before finally giving me a reply
" You remember Ekene's elder brother Nonso that traveled to obodo oyibo four years ago...which all of us in the community knew about...?"
" Yes I remember him mama and so...?" I replied flippantly and mama continued
" Ekene must have told you that Nonso his brother returned to this community last week..am I right...?" Mama asked looking at me and I nodded a no in response, because truly Ekene never mentioned such a thing to me even though we've met like three times in the last one week
" Nkiru hurry up and break the good news to her already. Chai! my beautiful niece" Uncle Okafor uttered smiling sheepishly
" Well Nonso is back and he is in need of a virgin girl to get married to. Then after the marriage...he plans to return with the girl to America where he permanently bases now. I don't know how he got to know about you but I'm guessing he must have sighted you somewhere in the community. Anyways the young man in question is indicating interest in marrying you as his wife Kasarachi" Mama said and coughed before continuing
"...Ekene your boyfriend knows about his brother's intentions towards you even before your uncle here told me about it today. I thought maybe Ekene had even told you before me but from the surprise on your face..I guess that he hasn't said anyth..."
Uncle Okafor cut in when he heard mama address Ekene has my boyfriend
" What did you say earlier Nkiru...? Who is the boyfriend to who...?" He asked looking from mother to me in anger and confusion
" That's what I found out today nnayi. I overheard them talking at the backyard when I followed Kasarachi. I suspected they had something going and she confirmed it a few minutes ago before you came in"
" What! You are dating a junior brother to the man whom you will be given out in marriage to...? Kasarachi I hope you two haven't had carnal knowledge of each other because that will be a big abomination...?"
" Nnayi don't worry yourself. Kasarachi here confirmed to me that they haven't been intimate and I believe her"
I bursted into laughter at their naivety. Did she actually believe what I said earlier...?
" I lied mama. I just did not want to get on your bad side and that's why I had to tell you that well garnished lie. I'm not a virgin anymore. Ekene and I actually had s€x last weekend at his friend's house"
" What! tell me you are lying to escape marrying his brother Nonso. Kasarachi do you want to let this golden opportunity slip out of our hands for God's sake...?"
I couldn't believe those words actually came from mama. So she would actually accept uncle's offer to give me out in marriage at my young age. Anyways it is too late now.
They won't succeed.
" I'm not lying mama. I can swear by anything to prove to you and Uncle. But then it is not completely my fault though..."
Mama and uncle Okafor were just looking at me probably hoping that it was a lie
" ...last weekend that we met... Ekene for the first time since we began dating was mounting pleasure on me to have s£x with him. I thought it was his male hormones acting up but now I understand why he did that. Well I gave myself to him mama and I honestly don't regret doing any of that"
" I know you're probably lying. See Kasarachi you are marrying Nonso whether you like or not!" Uncle Okafor uttered angrily pointing one of his right hand finger at me
" Aru! Abomination" we heard someone shouting and clapping hands from the door and we stopped talking any further.
(Do not take credit or Plagiarize AMAH'S HEART stories)
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