WANGARI

chapter 4 ( community)

Wangari had gone to the spot to building her house.

it was the third week and she knew that the chief would be knocking on her door any minute.

Wanjiru had joined her and other village women too.

" I think it is unfair what the chief is doing."
one woman said.

" I cant believe he is kicking you out after all you have done for his brother and that land."
another one said.

" that land was basically dead before you came.

now it is vibrant and the shamba produces enough to feed the whole village."

another woman agreed.

" but I know you will succeed no matter where you go. you are a good woman and you have blessed hands."

an old woman said.

" thank you Njambi but you really did not have to come. we can handle it."
Wangari said.

" oh nonsense I am as strong as I was at the age of twenty five."

Njambi said.

they all let a laugh.

" we all know that Njambi. we have seen you carry two pots of water at once and your husband makes it known everywhere that you are strong."

A young woman said.

they all laughed .

" you can help in laying the foundation Njambi and we will take care of the mixing."

Wangari told her.

" fine I will sit down but only because I have been up before there was light."

Njambi said.

they all laughed .

" okay we know you are strong."

a woman said.

*

at sun down, they all retired to their huts.

Wangari was grateful for them.

her cloth was filled with mad when she got back to her hat.

a friend who had helped her with her child brought him back.

" thank you so much Wanjiku."
she said .

she was sad to leave her house but at the same time she was excited about a new home.

It was not much but at least it was hers and no one ever would kick her out.

Kahuria was crying.

" kahuria you should grow up and build your mother a big hut."
she said to him.

" for now I am building you a home. a nice warm hut. and no one not even your evil uncle will kick us out. so don't cry any more. everything is going to be fine."
she said to him.

for the next couple of days Wangari went out everyday with her friends to build her hut.

everything was looking good but even she could see that she would need more than a week to complete it.

she tried to ignore those thoughts each day, praying that somehow by a miracle it would be done before the end of the week.

on the last day , everything was done but the roof.

' we will make do.'

she told herself.

' I will talk to the chief , maybe he will give us some more time.'

she was getting back to her hut when she saw the chief coming .

his advisors were by his side and his men struggling to carry him .

he was fat and by the look of his clothes, unclean as well.

" Greetings Wangari.
he said.

" Greetings chief."

she said.

" I trust that you are all packed up and set to leave tomorrow."
he said.

" yes I am. in fact I am building a house that is almost complete and I only need a few more days to finish the roof."
she said.

" Wangari, I think I have been more than lenient. I have given you three more weeks as you requested and now I have to ask you to leave.

your husband, my dear brother has not returned .

the hut is needed."

the chief said.

" yes, i know that and I am grateful for the time you have given us but i just need  a few more days."
she said.

" I have made my decision. Kariuki's wife is pregnant and she cannot live in a small hut with Kariuki's mother any more. you leave tomorrow."

he said and left.

Wangari was distraught.

she looked as the chief was being carried away.

fat and unclean as he was, he was the chief and everything he says goes.

she heard Kahuria crying and her heart became heavy.

being without a husband was hard but it was proving to be quite harder every day.