Pains of Amara(Completed)

Chapter 18

AMARACHI

  "Did aunty Lydia just let me go home instead of ogechi?"I asked no one in particular as I walked back home.
I was so perplexed. I still couldn't believe I had the day off.
"Amara what will you use today to do?"I asked myself.
I couldn't help the wide smile that formed on my lips.

"Maybe I should go to the shop"
Immediately that thought came to my mind I frowned. Even on my off day i still wanted to work.
I shook my head. I wasn't going to work. Aunty Lydia gave me the day off so I will use it to rest.

  "Piccolo"was the voice I heard behind.
I immediately turned around to meet the smiling face of that stranger that helped me.
"How are you?"he added as he walked up to me.
I smiled back at him.
"I'm fine ummm.."i racked my brain trying to figure out his name.
"Ummm"he said mimicking me.
"Chikaima!" I exclaimed even surprising myself.
  
    I immediately felt embarrassed at my sudden outburst and looked down.
"Finally she remembered my name" he said teasingly.
"Do you remember mine?"I asked softly with my face down.
He looked at me and nodded his head"Amarachi".
     I looked up at him,surprised he could remember my name.
I was about talking when I heard someone call my name.
I turned and saw Aunty Lydia trying to catch up with me. A wave of panic coursed through me as i thought of the different accusations she would use to disgrace me in front of Chikaima.
   "Amara you are still in this area?"she asked.
"Good morning ma'am"Chikaima greeted with a straight face.
I noticed his expression had changed on seeing aunty Lydia.

  "Ooh you!"Aunty Lydia exclaimed.
"How are you now?"she added with a pretence smile.
"Fine thank you"he nodded.

"Amara lets be going fast ok"aunty Lydia said turning to me.
I really wanted to talk with Chikaima but aunty Lydia had to ruin everything.

I nodded my head slowly and gave Chikaima a faint smile. I'm sure he knew what I meant as he flashed me back a smile.
"We will see some other time"he said and walked away.
I could feel aunty Lydia's cold stare upon me but surprisingly she didn't ask anything. We just walked in silence.

*************
It was 7pm. I laid on Nne's bed thinking of my late parents. The room was dim and it was only the burning flame of the candle that shed light in the room.
Everything that happened today was still a shock to me. First Nne got injured and Aunty Lydia, instead of adding more work for me made me go home. She even opted to make dinner and send to Nne.
What is going on?
Aunty Lydia sudden kindness is baffling me.

   "Amara"Aunty Lydia's voice called out to me which jolted me out of my thoughts.
She stood at the entrance of the doorway. I sat up straight and quickly went to greet her.
"No no sit back"she replied as she took me back to Nne's bed.
We both sat and I stared at her, still perplexed over what was going on.

   Aunty Lydia cleared her throat and took hold of my hand.
"I'm sorry Amara"

What?
Did I just hear her right?
Aunty Lydia is apologising to me?
I blinked severely as if my eye was the organ I used for hearing.

   "I know you are surprised I apologised to you"she began.
I nodded and still kept silent.

  "Amara I've wronged you so many times and I'm deeply sorry. Nne could have been injured badly today"
Aunty Lydia really sounded remorseful.
  I kept quiet and watched her as she kept on talking.
Aunty Lydia stared at me and I'm sure she could easily decipher that confusion was written all over my face.

   There was a brief silence between us before aunty Lydia sighed and smiled at me. I smiled back faintly.

  "Amarachi please forgive me"

  "Aunty..you..you"I stammered before she quickly interrupted me.
"No forgive me please. I have wronged you"Aunty Lydia said as she tried to kneel down.

  I quickly brought her up.
"No aunty don't do this. I hold no grudge against you. You don't have to beg me"i replied suddenly finding my voice.
I really didn't hold any grudge against her.

  Aunty Lydia suddenly pulled me into her embrace.
"Thank you amara. Thank you my child. I'm your mother and you are my daughter"

My heart suddenly started palpitating.
Did she just call me her daughter?
She pulled me out of her embrace and i couldn't help the tears that trickled down my cheeks.
This was what I always wanted. I just wanted her to treat me like her daughter.

  Aunty Lydia cleaned my tears and hugged me again.
"Amara wait I have something for you"she said as she stood up to go.

Finally what I wanted is coming true.
Aunty Lydia returned quickly with a small bag and a dress.
That was Ogechi's make up bag and dress.
"Aunty it belongs to Ogechi"

"Yes i know. What is for Ogechi is for you.  After all you are her sister"she replied.

  I swallowed the bile forming in her throat unsure of what was going on.
"Take Amara. Put it on" she requested handing the dress to me.

  I did as I was told. I must admit Ogechi had nice clothes but it seemed kind of short for me.

A smile formed on aunty Lydia's lip on seeing the dress on me.
"You look beautiful"she complimented with a wide grin.

I nodded shyly and smiled.
"Now sit let me make you up"

I sat and allowed her put makeup on my face.
Aunty Lydia then went out again and came back with one of Ogechi's wig.
She put it on me. I couldn't help but admire myself on the mirror.
I looked so different and more pretty.

"Aunty..."I began but was quickly interrupted by her.
"Call me mother"she corrected.

"Mother.."I began
"I look so beautiful. But all these belongs to Ogechi. Why am I putting it on?"

"Because you deserve it and you look so beautiful too"she replied.
I nodded my head still not satisfied by her answer.

"Amara oh I forgot"aunty Lydia suddenly cried out.
"What is the problem?"i asked concerned and scared.

  "I was supposed to go collect my remaining sewing balance from chief clement. I sewed a very beautiful gown for his wife. He paid me half and told me to come and collect the balance today. I've forgotten. I've been so busy"she lamented.

  I stood fixed at the spot unsure of what to do before finally voicing out.
"I can help you go collect it"I said in a low tone but loud enough for her to her.

Her eyes suddenly lit up on hearing that statement.
"You will?"

"Yes aunty....I mean mother"i replied.

Aunty Lydia shook her head and smiled.
"Thank you so much. Please rush and collect it ok"
"Here take this two hundred naira for your transport fare. It's not far. You know his house"

"Yes aunty. I'll take a bike"i replied.
I took the money from her and headed outside.
I had a gut feeling that something was fishy but I shook it and kept on walking.