Chapter 31: My Hearts Keeper ( A Weakness Called Love :Memoirs Of An African Housemaid )

I had been happy and healthy since our incident with Ameena, my mother is a fierce woman who can handle anyone in the village. So Ameena's mother did her usual rant and had to succumb to defeat. At any rate, her daughter deserved every bid of what I did to her. I don't regret my actions. In fact, when ever I remember the occurrence, I can't help but smile with pride.

I planned on seeing my beloved that day, I had no clean clothes to wear, I washed a set and waited for them to dry. I was lucky it was a bloody sunny day, they dried up within minutes. I have to be impeccable to keep Mudi's interest in me. I contemplated going alone but I decided it's better I get Shatu, so that if He is not in the Village market we can just go to his house. It was mid day, probably too early to go to his house. But I don't mind, I want to see him, and so I will. Maybe I will try and see him in the late evening also. I can't get enough of him.

I heard a Salam to which I answered to. It was Shatu, just the girl I wanted to see. Perhaps it is a sign I was on the right track. Yes! Her presence must mean something, luck perhaps. Today, She is my good omen.

We sat and mapped out our itinerary for the day. By the time we were finished, my clothes had already dried out. I dressed well, and applied my makeup. Shatu watched me as I got ready.

We sun was at its climax, the heat penetrating.   The breeze was still, even the trees must feel the heat. We walked to the village market in silence. The heat took the life out of us I guess.

When we reached the market, girls sat under the tree shades with their trays and plates beside them. I saw Maryam sitting alone, so I thought of asking her about the whereabouts of my Mudi. I walked over to her with the biggest smile I could muster and said "hi"
"Hello" she replied flatly
"I was wondering if by any chance you've seen Mudi today" I asked
" do I look like Mudi's keeper?! " she said
"look over there in the circle" she said again pointing to a group of young men that sat in a circle.

I looked and behold he sat beautifully there. His skin shone and sweat dripped from his forehead.His hands outstretched lazily on his thighs and palms open as if defending himself from the penetrating heat. He wore a short sleeve shirt, which reveled His well sculpted muscles that shone beneath the blazing sun, as if trying to emphasize his evident masculinity. Even a midst all that men, Mudi stands out. His Charisma is out of this world.

"Thanks" I said to Maryam before walking away .

I went near the circle Mudi sat, and flashed him my heartfelt grin. He just looked at me expressionless and turned away. It was like I was nothing to him, like he had never seen me in his entire life. I walked a little closer and whispered "Mudi" he looked at me, no wonder to prove he heard me well and again looked away. I came back to where Shatu was standing and chatting with a girl, I caught her arm and dragged her aside without even excusing myself. "What?" She asked a bit irritated.
"What's wrong with Mudi? I called him and he looked at me and totally ignored me. I need you to call him." I replied

I would have thought she will move, but she stood there.
"Why are you standing?" I asked
"Maybe it is because of the rumor that has been going around,"
She said
"What rumors?" I asked eagerly
"I only heard right now, when we were conversing with Tani. It appears everybody knows except us. People have been saying you and Hajji Shatima are romantically involved. That you like him and that he is your new Mudi and that Hajji had even communicated his interest in you,  to your father"

My blood boiled, anger cursed through my veins as if I will explode. How can people be that heartless, to spead such nonsense.

" I know the culprit behind this. I will crush her in the must brutal ways, I will brand her and make her husband less for as long as I live" I swore as I turned to leave so I can find my culprit and let her taste a bit of my fury.

"Don't, it's not her fault entirely. You have done enough to her. Come to look at it, if you had not given her a reason to spread rumors she wouldn't. No offense. Plus you are not sure it is her. You have to proceed with caution. This is not the right time to talk to Mudi, he will insult me if I talk to him right now, he probably feel fooled. Let's wait until evening then you can talk to him by that time both of you love birds would have already calm down. " she replied.
"Let's go" Shatu ordered
I complied. But deep down I can't believe Shatu defended that scum. Now she is even turning my friends against me. I will punish Ameena. May be not as intense as i wanted . Shatu has a point. I was still burning with rage. Somebody has to be responsible, somebody has to pay. Ameena has to pay. But I kept my revenge plan to myself. I did not share it with Shatu.

We went back home and I interrogated my mother on the issue. It turned out it was true. Hajji Shatimma had indeed signaled his interest to my father. My father was happy. What is wrong with my parents, just when I thought things had blow off, it appears they are only warming up.

"  if you were to cuff My feet to Hajji Shatima with iron chains made from the strongest metal and then ship me to the ends of the earth, I will find a way to let myself free, and I will walk a thousand miles to come and marry my beloved. Even if it means I will have to drag the old hag across the world just to be with my beloved I will do it. Even if I have to go through a scorching fire, If I fail, I will try. Again and again and again until I die trying" I swore bitterly without shedding a single tear.

I was becoming stronger, my heart had gotten a resoluteness that cannot be shattered by wind, steel or rock. I will chase my destiny, until I draw my last breath.

Lips agape, my mum froze. Unknown to me, my father was listening to our conversation, he came out and shouted
"What is wrong?"
Head bowed down, I held my peace and refuse to answer. He kept asking until my mother regained her voice and said
"Nothing, just Ladi speaking her nonsense"

I looked up for the first time and we locked gaze with my father. I saw something in his eyes, it was fear. Perhaps it's the fear of losing a daughter. I cannot say.

All three of us remained silent until, I finally ask permission to go to Shatu. I was eagerly granted my will.
Before I even exited our gate, I could hear my mother narrating what had happened hysterically to my father. I knew he already knew because, I heard him arrive minutes before he spoke. I chose to ignore his presence.

On reaching to Shatu, I saw her taking a nap. How can she be so relaxed in this dire situation! My heart had no peace all, I couldn't think about anything else. Shatu!"I yelled
"Uhhhhh" she murmured lazily turning to the other side.
I shook her vigorously
She now sat down, rubbing her eyes.
"We've waited enough, let's go now please" I said desperately.
"Uggggh! You are such a pest" she replied as she rose from their mattress . She washed her face and put on a hijab.
"Let's go mrs Mudi" she ordered
I smiled and nudged her as we exited her house.

The sun was falling, it was no longer hot. The journey to Mudi's house was silent. I was enshrined in my thoughts. I wonder how he will react to me, I didn't even know what to say. I just trusted my heart, I know it will know what to say in the presence of its keeper.

Shatu snapped me out of my thought when she said "we are here, let me go get him"

She went in and I waited and waited. I sat then stood, I squat then walked. I drew my veil backwards but then decided I may look prettier if I simply let it rest on one of my shoulders. I stood and made the most alluring posture I could. Chest out, bottoms back, chin up, veil wrapped around my neck the edges flowing, just as in the Indian movies I love. Only that the superficial wind never blew on me, so the veil still cling to me.

I stood their for a while under our tree, my back started aching no wonder from the way I had been pushing my chest out. But no worries, I will endure until he sees my magical view, no pain no gain.

Just then, I saw them, Shatu and Mudi, my momentum returned. I looked over and smiled, the most beautiful smile I could.

They came over and Shatu said "I will be home napping" with that she walked away.

I did not bother answering her, my eyes were on my man candy.

"Hello my love" I said smiling then bowing my head.

"What do you want ? " he asked rudely

"You" I replied still smiling

" I don't understand you, one moment you are here calling me your love, the next you are all over Hajji Shatima, professing your undying love to him, you are such a hypocrite"

"I love only you" manage to say

"How was your tea? " he asked bitterly

"Terrible" I said

"Shut up! " he replied
"This is not a game, Ladi, this is not a joke. You happen to think I'm a fool right, I'm a toy you could play with and just throw away when you have lost interest. Not caring whether that toy have emotions or feelings. But that's the point right, chase him until he loves you, then drop him hard. You think I have time for nonsense?" He asked

I was lost of words, I just kept looking at him talking as he clenched his jaws. His face a taunt mask of pain.
"I have a life, you have no idea what I'm risking to be with you when all you think about is yourself" he stopped when his eyes met mine.

I was shaking involuntarily. I think I was having a panic attack.
"I love you, please don't do this" I kept repeating this only.
He moved closer to where I am, all his features soften, he looked at me affectionately.

He engulfed me into an embrace. I may a village shrew, but it was the first time any man had ever hugged me. The fact that Mudi was my first made it exhilarating. I was shuddering  beneath  the  hot  breath  from  his  nostrils falling upon my head.
I let him comfort me. I let me cross the rules, I let myself felt him warmth. it was galvanizing. I rested my head on his hard muscular chest, I can feel the melodious beatings of his kind and affectionate heart.

Then I remembered something that made me smile. It was not his hard muscles that enveloped me, it was not his manly smell, it was not his soft gesture towards me, neither was it the electrifying feeling. I realize he was jealous. The great Mudi was jealous. I made him jealous. My heart jumped in sheer utter joy.