Yellow Tales of a Nigerian Housemaid (completed)

Chapter Twenty Two

An unusual wind blew past and a piece of paper fell off from the dustpan, I bent to pick it off the floor and when I stood up, our eyes met.

They were dark and unnerving
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It was aunt Oby.

She was standing against the wall, hiding away from our view. Obviously she had been eavesdropping on our conversation. I couldn't tell how long she'd been standing there and what her mind must have conjured against me. Seeing me, she stood firm, just few metres away from me. Her eyes were dark and mean, her right hand on her waist and her expression depicting anger.

My hands were visibly shaking, with the dustpan making sharp movement sideways.

The breeze blew again and I could feel it's coolness rising through my skin.

"What's that?" I heard him ask, but I was so troubled and stiff to make a sound.

"What is it?" he barked now standing and walking over to me. I knew from his spot he wouldn't see my aunt because the iron bars were obstructing his view. He'd been sitting by the edge of the wall with no idea on why I was stunned.

I immediately turned to respond but noticed he was already standing behind me. I turned around in shock but was surprised to see my aunt had gone.

Was my eyes playing pranks on me?
Have I been day dreaming?
Where could she have disappeared to in such a short time?

"You haven't answered me! Are you okay at all?" He asked stepping out to take a look at what had gripped me. Having seen nothing, he turned to face me, his eyes full of worry.

"Uh.. uh nothing sir!" I responded, my heart still beating like that of a runner who just finished a thousand meter race. "I was just watching a snake crawling on the fence" I lied instantly.

I could see his eyes widen with surprise. He walked out sharply towards the fence and anxiously examined it.

"I can't see anything! Are you sure about this?" He asked

I nodded calmly.

"It ran into the next compound and even caught a red head lizard" I added trying to make my little lie believable.

"This is serious! I'll have to tell your aunt once she comes. We can't be safe you know?" He asked looking at me.  "It's dangerous especially for you. You wake up very early, even before the day breaks and if snakes are running around here freely, we can't assure your safety" He said really concerned.

At the mention of my aunt, my heart began throbbing beneath my chest. Each beating drawing me closer to collapsing. I wanted to scream and beg him not to tell my aunt but that meant I'll have to tell him truthfully what actually went wrong.

And again, I didn't want to pass off as a liar even though I knew I'd gradually become a pretty little liar. With  Mama and my aunts, I'll have to come up with different lies daily to escape their wrath. It wasn't a pleasant spot to be in since I'll have to tell more compelling lies in order to cover up old ones. I also needed to be smarter, always a step ahead if I really wanted to avoid being beaten daily.

However, right now, I've got something more pressing. Aunty Oby had just seen me speaking with him, and this meant war. I know with him around, I needn't worry but my safety isn't guaranteed once he leaves the house.

What would be my defence?
What will I say?

I excused myself and carried on with my chores silently. My heart battling with the lies I'll have to come up with to escape this punishment. My mind seemed blank as nothing was forthcoming. It wasn't long until I heard uncle Ugonna's voice. I was glad he was home. Although I know he wasn't a great mentor, but at least he protects me when the need arises.