Haunted by the past

Tina, presumably thought her mother wouldn't notice her absenteeism. She stealthily walked ounces behind past her like a sly cat,

bestowing fleeting glances to be sure that her intentions wouldn't be foiled by her carelessness.

"If I don't see Rabu today, I will die, or go crazy. This love will kill me."

She said and lingered around her father's compound. A sharp stone peels her heel and she grimaces in pain. She groans and whirls at the corner and peeks around suspiciously. Her heel bleeds profusely and she flips off the blood with her hand and licks it.

"Damn it! All this trouble in the name of love!" She muttered to herself and smiled slightly. There wasn't any human figure visible.

"You are safe now, Tina! This is the perfect opportunity. You Dare not goof around or else your nagging mother will impede your plans." A moment's thought told her. Mauda, Tina's mother, first hides behind the door of her hut and keeps peeping through the tiny hole on the door. The position of her hut was convenient because it stood in the middle of the two other huts in her husband's compound; the bigger ones in the rear belonged to Kaija, her husband and another, to Shooca, Kaija's second wife. It was easy to identify everyone in or around the compound. She gropes out of the hut and pretends not to have seen her. She resumed her chores. Her daughter took the path behind the hut and strode towards the neighbour's compound. Mauda left her presumed task and trailed behind her. She was determined to substantiate the rumours that her twelve-year-old daughter was straying off with a neighbour's son.

"Today, you will have it coming, Tina. You won't escape my anger. It had better not be true or else..."

Despite her periodic warnings about her daughter's nasty behaviour she had cultivated lately, the latter had vehemently refused to take heed of her advice. Kaija, her husband had severally warned her that if he found out that there was a gist of truth in the gossip that was floating around the village about his daughter, he wouldn't hesitate to marry a third wife. Mauda wouldn't wish this to happen. What if his new wife was able to bear him male children? Was this not what he had always wished for? Was it not the same reason that he had married Shooca, his second wife hoping that she would give him an heir? At the thought of this, Mauda's mind was unsettled. She didn't want to lose her stance in the family. If it turned out to be authentic that her daughter had diverted from the morals of the society, and Kaija learnt about it, Mauda would no longer be Kaija's favourite and would be shorn of all the privileges of being a first wife. She seldom wished for that to happen. "No, it can never happen! Somehow, I have to make sure I secure my position."

She would always tell herself. And if her daughter lost her virginity, she would be a disgrace to her and the whole community. Mauda would be a laughing stock amongst other women. If Tina got pregnant before marriage, she would be a pariah, because it was taboo. She had to do something to stop the foreboding disaster. She quickened her pace yards behind her daughter and then stealthily trotted at a slackened pace.

Mahuge's compound was some metres away from Kaija's compound. The two homesteads were immediate neighbours. It would be easy to notice all that happened around from both ends if not for the many trees and shrubs that had grown on the raised ground between the two homesteads.

"Amelia!" Mahuge called his second wife. He had just received an unannounced visit from his in-laws' side. Tony, after hearing about her sister's new joy, couldn't wait to pronounce his abrupt visit to his in-law.

"I couldn't wait to congratulate Amelia for her newfound joy. I am sorry if I bumped into your compound unexpectedly. Said Tony with an apologetic gesture, and resumed anxiously,

"You know how long she has been praying for a male son; Two whole years of ceaseless prayers and sacrifices! At last, the gods of our ancestors have answered our prayers."

He formed a broad smile on the corner of his mouth and thanked Mandwa, his small god.

"It's true, it hasn't been easy," Mahuge said and seemed preoccupied and impatient.

"What is taking her so long?" he muttered and distended his eyes towards the direction of Amelia's hut. He ground his jaws and his gesture altered. Manage was a fierce man to whom every member of his family bestowed maximum respect. One whom the society held with much esteem because he had borne many sons and had many wives. All these distinguished him from many of his age mates. He respected the traditional beliefs and customs and therefore the gods were happy with him was a very rigid character with a heart of a beast.

"You are a true man, a true son of the land. The gods must have favoured you." Tony flatters him trying to divert him from his present worries, but the latter pays no attention. He instead pouts and peeks through the compound impatiently. The compound was destitute of any members because they had supposedly gone to clear the land near his maize plantation. Presumably, only he and his wife, Amelia were around.

Mahuge extends ounces further towards Amelia's hut and yells in a sharp voice,

"Amelia, should I come and fetch you or..."

Tina's heart palpitated in fear. The sound of Mahuge's sharp voice set her teeth to the edge.

"I had better be careful. If he sees me here he will goad me with his tough questions. What would I answer? Nothing. I will just wet my pants!"

She talked alone like a madwoman. She raised her neck and could see Mahuge and a stranger in the compound. This was a good sign! "This must be my lucky day. I hope Rabu hasn't broken his promise. He said he would keep inside his hut and wait for me, oh Rabu! I wish you could open my heart and see how I, Tina, have designed your name on every chamber!" She thought and smiled amiably and crouched her eyes lingering around to be sure there wasn't anyone following her.

Eventually, Amelia comes out of the hut hurriedly to answer her husband's call. The sight of Mahuge made her tremble. He was boiling with fury. The furrows on his forehead deepened and the daze in his eyes implied danger. As Amelia advances the latter keeps tapping his left foot on the ground.

"I am doomed! He will batter me today." Her heart thumped fast in his chest. Tony stood dumbfounded. His in-law's temperament was alarming. When Tony saw his sister approaching, he was gripped with fear and anxiety.

Sadness clutched at his heart. "To think that I cannot instantly embrace my sister because I have to wait until my in-law permits me is devastating. What kind of tradition is this?" He muttered quietly. He had mixed feelings of anger, worry and sadness.

"What took you so long? You know I don't like waiting."

Amelia fell on her knees and cowered her whole body trembling in fear.

"My husband, I am deeply sorry. I..."

"You what?" He folded his hands into hard fists and hardly raised a hit on Amelia's shoulder when he heard Tony cough from behind. Mahuge instantly withdraws and tried as much as to control his temper

"I was breastfeeding Kanai. He wanted to sleep. That's why..."

***

Mouda, Tina's mother, who all this while had been watching her every move, hid behind the hedge where the goats always sheltered whenever it rained. She crouched and waited, stealing skimming glances at her daughter with much vigilance.

" I will wait and see. This time, I will clear all my doubts." she thought. She was overwhelmingly anxious. Suddenly, Tina stretched her neck and whistled Quietly making no careless intention to be heard by Mahuge or else he would displace his present fury to her. She again whistled and then whistled, every time making sure to stoop lower in the tall grass that had grown near the bamboo fence trying not to make any attempt to be seen.

"Let it be." Mahuge curtailed Amelia's excuse. "Go and call Rabu and his brothers. We have a visitor. They should hurry up and slaughter Kibuzi. Tell Mama Nana and Wambui too. We have to prepare a nice lunch for my in-law here. Mahuge said, gesturing to Tony. " Amelia hesitated. She has a strong desire to embrace her brother whom she hadn't seen for a year now.

" Why are you still lingering there as if you are a sculpture? Move it, now!"He commanded. She flinched

In African traditional society, a woman was treated as inferior and was equated to property. She had to follow all the commands submissively without question.

Amelia gets up and almost motions to her brother's side, but Mahuge looks at her with a bad eye. She waves at Tony and diverts to the direction of the farm.

"So, how are your people?" Mahuge turns to Tony and commences their earlier conversation.

Rabu opened a small window on his small hut which was on the further end. His hut was separate from the other numerous huts surrounding the compound because he was Mahuge's first son. In that regard, it was one of his many privileges in the family.

"I hope no one notices me. This foolish girl will plunge me into problems." He muttered to himself as he looked back and forth as if trying to avoid being seen by someone in particular.

In a moment, Rabu jumped through the window and hid at the corner of his hut.

Mauda outstretched her neck and caught his sight. She walked an ounce forward and opened her eyes wide in bafflement as her mouth fell open. "This can't be true!" She muttered and rubbed her eyes with her hand to clear her sight as well as her doubts. " It is real! It is Mahuge's eldest son!"

She talked to herself and distended her eyes to watch the gut-wrenching scene. Her tension crept accordingly. The young man advanced to the spot where Tina was.

" Please, Tina, don't! Don't dissipate the breasts that fed you." She wished in vain.

Tina smiled amiably that in an instant her face gleamed as she rolled her luminous eyes. Her heart was thumping for him.

He drew closer, clasped her round the waist and pulled her close to his chest.

" I have been waiting for you," Tina said in a husky voice.

"I am here now, relax, dear."

They were engaged in an embrace. Tina became weak. His gentle touch always electrified her body and rendered her weak. It was always hard to control her intense feelings whenever she was in his sight because they were incessant. The young man looked into the lass's eyes and drew her a little closer. He imprinted his lips on her forehead passionately and then lowered them to her lips.

Mauda couldn't tolerate the unpleasant sight. The two, in her opinion, were tainted with impurities. They had been possessed by the evil spirit and needed cleansing.

"God of my ancestors, why have you punished me like this,hmh?"

She whined as she raised her hands to the heavens. She blabbered some traditional incantations and prayed to the god of life and purity. This way, she would exorcise the evil in their sinful hearts.

" Shameful ungrateful children! look at their sinful eyes. They have no shame at all, pooh!"

She scowls and springs up out of hiding in immense anger and thundered, "Stop! Hold it right there!"

Her chest heaved in anger. The colour of her face turned red.

"So it's true, why? my child, why? Why have you betrayed your mother, why?" She asked, her voice full of rage and bitterness.

"Mama Tina, please lower your voice. My father might hear you." Implored Rabu, his lips trembling slightly. He loosened his grip and pushed Tina away with a sneer. "Didn't I warn you not to Come? Why did you insist."

Rabu said, piling all the blame on Tina.

"I knew something like this would happen, '' he resumed with bitterness in his voice. He was indifferent all of a sudden.

" Shut up you swine! Let Mahuge hear me for all I care." Tina's heart curled.

"This is all your fault, mother. You incited this. Now Rabu is angry."She thought and cursed inside her heart. With a globe of anger in her eyes, she gives Mouda a hard stare.

"I will go and tell him myself. He needs to know the kind of son he has raised."

Mauda rasped walking towards the direction of Mahuge, who was engrossed in a discussion with Tony.

***

Under that gruff expression on his face, Mahuge is a charming, cheerful and hospitable character. He has a good sense of humour too. He only becomes wild when he is provoked.

"How is your son, Rabu? He must be a fully grown-up man now, isn't he?" Tony inquired and beamed a smile. A little insect lands on his nose and he slaps it with his hand hitting his nostrils. His host turns his face away looking in the direction of the farm. Minutes later he draws his attention to Tony.

Mahuge nods in hearty agreement and picks his teeth with a dry stick he picks from the ground. Then he spits on the ground and as if to compliment on his earlier response resumed.

"Not only has he grown into a charming young man, but also a responsible one. He is a good example to his young brothers and that makes me proud."

There was an undertone of pride in his voice as he spoke but might change into a beast once Mauda reports to him about his son's real character.

"Sh, Quiet! I can hear someone shouting Rabu's name."

Wambui hushed the others who seemed to be absorbed in a hearty conversation as they cut down the shrubs to the ground.

The whole group halted in unison, but they barely heard anything.

"You must be daydreaming. Does anyone hear anything?" Nduna asked them.

"No," they all declined one after another. Then as if trying to spite Wambui said,

"It is too early to dream, my dear," Her voice was imbued with slight sarcasm. The rest agreed with her. Wambui was annoyed. She was sure she wasn't wrong. She glared at them. They pursued their giggles, but she listened intently to the sound. Minutes later, Amelia called out again.

"Rabu.."This time, her voice was audible.

"Wambui was right all along," said Nduna's first son. His mother glared at him feeling ashamed and defeated. Although Wambui and Nduna were both Mahuge's wives, they never got along. Not even their children could help mend their relationship. No one could define the reason for the rift between them; perhaps it was jealousy.

"It is too early to dream!" Wambui mimicked Nduna, "Who is dreaming now?" Wambui asked, ridiculously. The latter's blood boiled. She scowled and stuck her tongue out to provoke Wambui. Noticing that the two women were heating up, Amelia tried to revert curtail them wisely;

"You all have to retire home now. Mahuge wants everyone home." Said Amelia as her small eyes searched around for Rabu.

"Why? what happened?" Asked Wambui.

"Nothing." There's a visitor at home. Rabu and Nisha are urgently needed at home and the same goes for all of you. Wambui looked behind and realised that they had just cleared less than half of what they were supposed to do. Of all the three wives of Mahuge, she was the most hardworking. Perhaps that was why she was Mahuge's favourite. He was sure she would be able to feed his family even when he was gone.

"So soon! Who is that visitor anyway? Whoever it is, this wasn't the right time to pay a visit unannounced."

Amelia keeps quiet after swallowing hard. She loved and respected Wambui so much that she didn't wish to make an issue out of such a small matter. She wanders her eyes across the whole group, and asks,

"Where is Rabu? Didn't he come with you?"

"Where did Rabu go? Didn't he come with us?" Nduna asked.

They were all confused. None of them had noticed Rabu's absence until now.

"Perhaps he has gone for a short call." Suggested Amelia.

"If so, he should have returned by now." Wambui horned in.

Nisha raised his voice and screamed out Rabu's name. The sound of his voice echoed in the forest below them. It was loud enough to chase a stubborn ghost.

Rabu, predicting danger had sped off in the direction of the farm. Suddenly he heard someone shout yell his name and thereupon knew they were searching for him.

"Damn you, Tina!" He mumbled resentfully after listening to the echo of his name. He became tense. "Father will stew me alive." Rabu's fear was raw in his eyes.

" If anything happens to me, I swear you will regret it, Tina."

He thought in his heart and ran as fast as he lay his feet on the ground.

In a moment, Rabu stood at the back of the cleared part and gasped for breath. He was panting like a dog. He gasped for breath.

"Did anyone call for me? I came as soon as you called." He said breathing heavily.

His body was drenched in perspiration.

"You, are you a ghost that appears and disappears instantly?"

Wambui asked Rabu. The latter forges a smile and advances the group.

"I was repairing the fence on the other side. Remember what happened last time when our cows grazed in Juma's garden. I didn't want that mistake to repeat itself." He bolstered confidence in telling his lie.

"You did well my dear, "Nduna appreciated him with a smile.

We better get going before Mahuge calls and..." said Amelia springing into action.

"That was a narrow escape!" Rabu thought and sighed deeply in relief, but he knew that trouble was waiting for him at home.

***

Tina stares in her boyfriend's direction and then glares at her mother without remorse and storms off retreating to her father's compound. She grumbles and curses her mother for meddling in her affairs.

"What a pity to have such an uncomprehending woman as a mother! Is she jealous of me? Why can't she leave me alone to enjoy my life? Selfish woman. The reason why she married papa is the same reason that is driving me into madness. I don't..."

Mauda, having hurled a lot of repulsive insults at Mahuge's son, followed her daughter stomping in great fury, her heart wedged with contempt, fear and bitterness. She grumbled and cursed as tears welled up in her eyes.

Tina composed herself on the levelled ground with her legs stretched. She didn't see her mother come. Mauda stood behind her daughter glaring at her with a grimace. Tina was lost in meditative contemplation. In considerable anger, her mother raised the rod she held in hand, and, summoning all her strength, she landed it on her thin legs. Tina was taken by the storm. She shrieked, jumping off the ground. She stood aloof and groaned in pain. Her mother advanced in her direction to launch another attack. One lash wasn't enough for a mistake as grave as flirting with men at her young age. As she aimed at her, the latter took a quick leap off and avoided the lash. Mauda tripped off the ground and hitched forward. She fell on her stomach with a loud thickening thud and wriggled in pain. She sobbed in immense sadness as if she had lost her daughter indefinitely. Bitterness clutched at her hurt. She lifted her face to the sky and begged the gods in great agony.

" Gods of my ancestors, please pity me. Don't strip me naked. She is my only child."

Tina negotiated with the wood fence that surrounded her father's compound and vanished.

When Kaija returned home in the evening, her daughter hadn't shown up yet. Mauda paced back and forth fumbling around the compound in anxiety. She was ill at ease. Aware of her husband's short temper, she couldn't relax. Kaija would skin her alive if he noticed that her daughter was missing. She warmly received him with a smile and scooted back to the kitchen, and returned with a cup of water. "My husband, a draught of water to wet your throat." She said lovingly as she handed him the cup. Kaija chugged the contents and then said, "thank you, mama Tina." He flashed a smile at the corner of his mouth. Mauda responded with an enchanting smile that gave taste to her dazzling beauty. Kaija loved her more than her second wife, Shoocha, whom he had married out of necessity. He had thought that she, unlike Mauda, wouldn't fail to produce a male child. After three years of waiting in vain, his sanguine hopes were shuttered. He decided he wouldn't marry another wife that would bring her more shame than he already faced. He would first consult the gods for a sign. Short of that, he would keep his two wives and his two daughters. If anything, he still had a conviction that his favourite wife, Mauda, would one day bear him a son.

When he had finished gulping the water, he called his daughter to bring him his snuff box. Mauda's heart fluttered fast. She heaved and trembled.

"She must have gone to fetch the goats. I will bring it instead." She said nervously.