Chapter 6 6th Chapter

"Quiet!"wambui

hushed them as soon as they were at the threshold.

"He's visible already." She mumbled. The whole party was dumb and they pursued.

As they advanced, they could see Mahuge's timid form. They all quickened their paces and cowed as if they were a herd of cattle heading to the kraal after grazing.

Mahuge raised his head and gazed at them until they were close. What his heart embraced was a delight; the kind that could only be expressed innately. Rabu's head stood over others.

"Rabu is now his father's height! Like father, like son."Victor exclaimed and turned to Mahuge to see his reaction.

"Hmh, he took a lot from my bones. He's all grown up and strong." Mahuge said, swelling with pride as he stared at him. It was always hard to determine Mahuge's feelings due to the gruff expression that he constantly wore on his face.

Rabu raised his face and he met his father's gaze. Instantly, his heart palpitated in fear.

"He's mad at me! He won't spare me."He thought and his legs faltered. He slowed his pace and walked behind all the others.

"He will skin me alive. Mauda must have told him about us. That foolish girl has ruined me." At the thought, his heart raced and he felt that it would soon bump out of his mouth.

"He's such a strong, handsome and well-moulded man; a worthy son. He will protect the family and your inheritance. How lucky you are, my in-law!"

"You are right about that. Mahuge said and his lips curved into a slight smile and he resumed," he's a very good example to his younger brothers. At least when I join my ancestors, I'll sleep peacefully with the knowledge that he will take care of the family and extend my lineage." He spoke with certainty though his claims were insufficient and kept dabbing the bristles on his chin.

Gradually the party arrives and exchanges greetings with Mahuge and the visitor; Mahuge's wives first as they knelt followed by his sons who bent Lithely to him and his companion, and then lastly his daughters.

Rabu's mind was crowded with murky thoughts. His foolishness would have worse repercussions; his father and the entire family will be disgraced if the village chief finds out about his impudence.

He shook feverishly and his folded fists which he had clenched earlier to bolster his confidence were wet with sweat.

Mahuge wandered his eyes around the group and then beckoned Amelia to his side.

Quickly, she gets on her knees to hearken to the cause of his summon.

"Go and untie kibuzi from its tether. Make sure you tighten your grip. It's always been stubborn."

"Ok, my husband," she mumbled and broke off to the direction of a very fat goat grazing in the tall grass near the threshold.

He lifted his head and then called Rabu in a sharp voice. This was his way of illustrating his primacy in the family,

"Rabu"

The latter who had been cowering behind others answered in a low voice,

"Yes papa," his fear weighed. His belly ached with anxiety. Mahuge wasn't pleased with the way he responded.

"Rabu!" '' he called his name again and this time louder than the first.

Rabu understood the essence of this, and so did the rest. Quickly he strode towards his father and stooped in front of him.

"The rest you may go. Amelia will tell you what to do and make sure you do it promptly." He said his own and they obliged, breaking off in murmurs heading to the direction of Amelia.

Mahuge gazed at them for some time and then turned to Rabu, his forehead forming small furrows.

"You, are you not a man? The tone of his voice intimidates Rabu and he lowers his head. His heart was filled with guilt.

"You better tell the truth before he clutches you in his arms."

"Are you a woman or do you want to disgrace me?" Rabu frantically shook his head to disagree and was quiet. He could feel sweat dripping down his body.

"Rabu, don't be a fool. Why don't you run away before he lashes his anger at you? If you don't, you won't flee here alive."A voice told him but he had no enthusiasm to do it.

"Be the man you are. A man is never a tail but ahead. You are supposed to speak with vigour and confidence just like your father. You have disappointed me." He said and pouted contemptuously.

As he spoke, Victor turned and gazed at Rabu questioningly and then as if to defend his nephew said,

"Leave him alone, he's just a child..."

"A child?" Mahuge raised his voice, "did I hear you say a child! a man who is old enough to impregnate a woman is no longer a child but a real man." he said sharply with an undertone of anger and continued as if to clarify his statements,

"At his age, he should be married. I married Nduna, my first wife when I was merely fourteen."

"Fourteen!"

"Yes, and do you know how old he is?" he asked, motioning to Rabu who was ill at ease engulfed in great fear.

"Hmm," Victor shook his head.

"Sixteen!"

"What?" Victor said raising his eyebrows puzzled and said,

"Then why don't you find him a virtuous wife? He's running out of years." Manure shifted his gaze to Rabu as he ground his jaws,

"He's already found one."

"Uh-huh, that's interesting."

Rabu almost wetted his pants when heard this.

"I don't want to marry Tina. I don't love her. That stupid girl seduced me and now I will be forced to marry her, no. That will be over my dead body." He thought.

Anger flustered in his heart and his heart pounded in his chest. He had almost opened his mouth to elucidate the entire truth when he was interrupted by his father,

"Kalsi's daughter, Ngeruwa is a very beautiful girl. Her father and I have been friends since childhood. Marrying into his family will consolidate our friendship."

Victor gave Mahuge a toothy grin and inferred,

"I have always known you are wise, my in-law, you are wise!"