MULATTO (Iyila) (Editing)

chapter twenty four ~ Dedicated to Feni

From the ground where Gabriel lay, he watched the girl gather her stuff; a basket and apples that where scattered over the place while she continued to say, "I am sorry." He managed to get up by the time she was done packing her things. He noticed some people watching. Perhaps waiting to see his reaction toward the careless Negro.

“Sir I am deeply sorry for my careless” she rushed her apology and handed over his hat. Recieving and dusting his hat, he coldly said,

“Indeed lady, you ought to be more careful”

“Yes_yes_it is entirely my fault. I am a careless fellow however I beg of you to forgive me” she sincerely begged again.

He starred at her. A Negro with a polished accent and refined English, exactly what he hadn’t anticipated especially in the south!

“Well wha__” he was about to ask for her name before she took a step and tried to run but he was fast enough to grab her and firmly hold her still.

“What have I done” she angrily questioned looking back and forth as though she was running away from something.

“I wasn’t done with you”

“What else do you want from me sir, I have admited my fault and apologised for it, what else would you prefer I do?” she said turning back again. He noticed she was agitated and frightened but when he looked her direction he saw none coming for her.

“Why are you so scared?” he calmly asked. “Me_huh_I am not scarred.I__ I__I am just in a hurry, I have places to go” she quickly answered trying to break from his grip but he made sure that all her struggle was useless. He remained silent for a while to stare at her, he concluded she was hiding something.

“Are you a thief?”

“No!” she screamed. That was the first logical thing that came to his mind. That had to explain her frantic behaviour and her clinging to the apples. Perhaps she had stolen it. That was the only logical explanation but when he stared at her, she bore the face of an innocent person. However all prudent criminals wore that facade not until they were found guilty.

“What did you steal, these apples?”

“No! not at all. In God’s name Mr, I have never stolen from anybody. Not ever in my life have I tried to take what is not mine” she impatiently replied, still staring back again.

“Then you must be running from the law”

“Sir I am not running away from the law, I am only runnig away fro___” she paused and he immediately saw the regret on her face. She had said too much and he was correct, as usual.

“Listen sir, I have to go and I__ who are you to question me?” she angrily questioned. He smiled, a typical thief. Apologies atfirst then anger when found guilty

He wanted to tell her who he was but that would only waste his time, the girl continued.

“Tell me sir, would you not apologised if I were to be a lady, a woman of thesame color as you. Would you not try to court me if I was all fair and beautiful?” she firmly demanded in a whisper. He almost laughed. An intelligent negro, dareful however, obviously foolish. A wise Negro would know better than to speak so rudely to him because a true southerner would likely break her jaw for it. But he was wrong because the Negro had a defiant expression as though daring him to hit her. He was impressed yet angered by her stupidity. She flinched as he rudely drew her closer.

“What is your name?” he asked but he wasn’t sure she would reply and as he thought she didn’t but only tried to break free.

“Let go” she demanded in between her teeth and turned again and immediately she saw a man was rushing toward them she started struggling. That was when he knew the person she was waiting for.