UYAI ✔️

Uyai (ten)

Uyai kept asking herself what she was doing standing by door of the village fire wood supplier. She wondered why there was no soul in sight. Uyai looked around observing the building, there were about three buildings in the compound, one looked like a store house, the only building made without clay. It was really impressive except from the splinters of wood she had encountered on her way to his compound, the environment was well kept, the grasses were trimmed, beautiful hibiscus flowers adorned the sides of the house, even potted plants were kept close to the cemented stairs. This was by far the most beautiful and largest compound she had seen in this village. It spoke of how wealthy the old man was. She had no knowledge of the extent of Effiong's fathers wealth. Come to think of it, when he had boasted of his father's occupation, he was quite modest. She wouldn't have guessed he was from a wealthy family given the simple way he dressed and his humble nature. Uyai knew that all the rich men's children were in the city, so why was he still here in the village?

As she raised her knuckles to knock on the fine and sturdy woody door with intricate designs carved to perfection. She paused.
What if it wasn't Effiong that opened the door? If it was his father, how was she going to explain herself?

The place was still so unusually quiet, only the sound of her breathing and the whistling birds she could hear. She was expecting to see a lot of workers moving about, cutting woods here and there. She was beginning to doubt anyone was around. Boldly, her knuckles connected with the door. She repeated the motion thrice. Still, no answer. Impatient, she tapped her feet on the ground and roved her gaze over the house. Looking for a hint that a soul was in sight...That was when she saw them.

They were three of them, and they looked her age. Each had bundles of fire woods placed on their head. They all possessed the signatory curves women in their village were known for. It made Uyai painfully conscious of her non existent curves. She grimaced, suddenly remembering that the skirt she wore made it worse. It was her mother's old skirt she donned before she came. The skirt was quiet large, as usual she had folded it twice on her waist for it to fit. She was sure she looked horrible with the skirt hanging off her waist in an unruly fashion, giving no hint of a curve at all. She was really a sight to behold.

Uyai pulled off the grimace she wore and downed a blank mask instead, pretended not to notice that they stared too long. It didn't help that they began whispering to each other and giggling stupidly. Uyai quickly averted her eyes so she wouldn't have to read their lips. She knew whatever they said was not pleasing to the ears.

Realising how silly she looked still standing by the door. She quickly swiveled around and slowly but consciously went down the stairs. She heard movement and looked up. Maybe Effiong had arrived.

But it was another group of women, these ones were not bearing any firewood, they looked at her, then laughed and hurried back. Uyai was puzzled at their weird behaviour, she looked around to find the other ones, but they were not in sight. She sighed raising her skirt to avoid tripping, when she heard laughter.

They were more women and they looked as if they were invited to watch an interesting show. Uyai felt like a specimen under perusing and cynical eyes. She could probably imagine what was running through their minds. If she were a mind reader she'll be amazed at the detailed story they'd concocted in their head. She shook her head.

"Uyai...?" She turned abruptly. It was Effiong, looking ragged, dark circles lined the rims of his eyes. She looked down at him, taking notice of the bare chest lined with sweat, wooden axe he held and the new formed blisters in his palms.

"Thank God you're here." She exhaled.

"What are you doing here?" He frowned moving past her to open the door. She stepped aside giving him space. He went inside and closed the door and Uyai wondered if he had just ignored her. She stood for a while in disbelief. Effiong had just abandoned her outside his hut. She was so embarrassed and she looked up to gauge the reactions of the women, but they had disappeared, she felt as if she had dreamed their presence.