?Beautiful??
(Ifeoma)
Written by, Rejoice Jeremiah. C?
EPISODE 2
The Wounded Sheep
(Minutes Later)
“You’re walking too fast, can’t you slow down?” he asked.
“You don’t question your God sent, you would have been dead if not for me so just shut up and walk with me,” I half barked at him.
“What? Do you know you’re talking to this way? You don’t know me at all and what I can do to you,” he said.
I scoffed at him. “You are nothing but a wounded sheep.”
“What the! Are you so disrespectful? Who is your father? What’s his title in this kingdom?” he asked.
“You have mouth to talk because I didn’t leave you on that only path with your broken leg okwaya?” I asked.
“There was no way you could have left a handsome man like me there. My handsomeness calms the Je.zebel in women,” he bragged.
I chuckled. “You’re sick in the head no doubt.”
“Watch your mouth young girl,” he said.
I made a long hiss.
‘Wait, me young girl?’
“No woman in this kingdom would hiss at me,” he said.
‘Mtchew his small handsomeness is really getting into his brain’
“Wait you haven’t answered my question, why did you say I shouldn’t be an employee in the palace because you don’t wish to see my handsome face all the time?” he asked.
“I never mentioned handsome face there,” I snapped.
“Well, I’m sure you said it in your mind,” he said.
‘Annoying piece of sht!’
“Never!” I said.
“Don’t ignore the question, give an answer ” he said.
“It’s none of your business.. The trunk would have fallen on your mouth instead,” I said, pissed off.
“I have the answer,” he said.
I scoffed.
“Wait, you’re a maid in the palace?” he asked. It didn’t sound like a question tho.
“Yes I am and we are not going to get along, trust me,” I said.
“Yeah that’s right,” he said then he laughed out. “So you are just a palace maid?” he asked in a mockery way.
I shook my head. “Are you a new not a palace manservant? You should respect me as your superior or else I would get you fired. Let me give you a hint, I’m friends with the Princess so you better watch your tongue when you talk to me from now on,” I threatened.
My threat only made him laugh out more. I font think he was in pain at all.
“You are such a funny girl. Whenever you need transport fare to the Princess, don’t hesitate to come to me for it, I’m gonna give you that,” he said.
‘This br.at! Should I just leave him here? Oh it’s too late. We’ve reached the palace already,’
“You must be scared that you are gonna be fired. Don’t worry, trust me,” he said.
I scoffed. “A new employee telling his superior to trust him.. Who does that?”
“Me”
I knocked on the big gate and it was opened by the gate guard, Paul.
“Good morning Paul,” I greeted.
“Ify welcome.. This one you came late today, hope all is well?” Paul said then he looked at the wounded sheep. “Eh eh… Are you not the new servant?”
“Get off the gate and quit asking questions. Don’t you see that I’m in pains?” The wounded
Paul widened his eyes. “Hmm sorry o, Ify let me take him in. You should hurry to Mrs Ugo, the maids caretaker. She’s been asking of you,” Paul said.
“Yea, thank you,” I said.
“She’ll be the one to do that, go on miss,” wounded sheep said.
I looked at him. “What?”
“Take me to the palace doctor,” he said to me.
“What is even wrong with you… You are so annoying me! Are you going to let him take you or I should leave you here now?” I asked him.
“None of the two” he said.
“Ifeoma just take him. I’m sure Mrs Ugo will see the reason why you came late today,” Paul said.
“You heard him, go on,” Wounded sheep said.
I looked up and saw Mrs Ugo staring down at us from the balcony.
I exhaled…
“Fine, I will take you,” I said.
“””””””””””””””””””””””””‘
(Minutes later)
I curtsied at Mrs Ugo.
“I apologize ma for my lateness today. Actually I met the new servant, Ebuka wounded on the way so it took a little of my time.. I’m very sorry. It won’t repeat itself,” I apologized.
“It’s okay Ifeoma. You did a great job saving Ebuka this morning. You don’t need to apologize at all. You can go up now and help your colleague Uju.” Mrs Ugo said, surprising me.
‘Wow! I never expected this response..’
I curtsied again. “Thank you ma.. Thank you” I said and walked away to upstairs where I met Princess Ola descending the staircase, she seem to be in a hurry and didn’t look okay.
I greeted her with a curtsey. “Good morning my princess.”
“Thank you Ifeoma.. Meet Uju in my room now,” she said.
“Yes my Princess…but my princess, you don’t look fine,” I said.
“I am…” she said and walked away.
‘She don’t… What must be the problem?’
I entered the Princess luxurious and beautifully furnished bedroom and there was Uju, dressing the bed.
The room was already tidied.
“Oh my God I put you in so much stress this morning Uju, i’m so sorry. What do I do now?” I said, feeling really angry with myself.
She smiled. “You don’t have to worry bes, it wasn’t stressful at all. Even if I was angry with you, not anymore because you helped Ebuka, the new handsome boy in the palace. Chai Ify, that guy is too fine o,” she said.
I hissed.
“That arrogant and ungrateful goat? Abeg don’t talk about that one here… What about the King and the Queen’s room? What do I do now.. I Can’t let you do everything nah,” I said.
“Just drink water and chill. I’ve not eaten my breakfast yet.. We’ll eat together,” she said.
I smiled. “No no, eat all the plate today.. I’m so full,” I said.
“That sound like a lie,” she said.
“No no,” I chuckled.
*
*
Uju and I ate her breakfast although I ate just a little. She always want me to eat when she ever she is eating.
After that, there was nothing else to do until evening time.
Uju and I went to the servants quarter and we stayed in the room she is occupying with three other maids.
There we played some whot cards then the maids brought up the topic about the wounded sheep which got me so pissed off. The most annoying part was that, Uju got so interested in the conversation.
“He’s so handsome.. Oh my God. I feel so pity for him. He must be in pain,” Amaka said.
“Thanks to Ifeoma, she walked him down to the palace,” Uju said and smiled at me.
“Are you both friends already?” Mary asked me.
“Yes Ifeoma, come with me,” Uju said, grabbed my hand and dragged me out of the room.
“What is it Uju ?” I asked.
“It’s hours gone and you don’t even care to go and see Ebuka,” she said.
I raised my brow. “What am I seeing him for?”
“Really? Why would you ask that. You are the one who knows the details of what happened to him and you also walked him to the palace. You should go and see how he’s doing. Okay, fine.. I will escort you.. I heard he’s still in the clinic,” she said and took a step but I stopped her.
“Just tell me you are craving to see him and don’t use me nne,” I said.
“Kind of but even at that, you also need to see him nah.. I’m sure you want to,” she said.
“Who want to.. Don’t let me knock you on the head o. Stop talking nonsense..” I said.
“Oya just come, let’s go, just a minute and we will go out,” she said.
“Uju,”
“Please.”
“See Uju you better don’t fall for that wounded sheep. He’s not a husband material at all. Don’t say I didn’t tell you, ” I said.
“Ehn I’ve heard you. Let’s go,” she said.. “But he’s not a wounded sheep.”
“Wounded goat would have been better right?” I asked.
“Ify”
“”””””””
We were almost at the palace clinic and about going in when my name was called…by Mrs Ugo.
I turned and she was abit away with two bags in her hands.
“Ohhmm she should have let us see him first,” Uju mumbled.
“Yes ma!” I answered and we walked to her.
“Are you sick? Is any of you sick?” she asked.
We shook our head.
“Then?”
“Actually, I want to go and see how the wounded sh… Ebuka is doing.” I said.
“And I’m escorting her ma,” Uju said.
“Really? Well, you should do that later after you’ve taken this bags upstairs to the kitchen for me,” she said and handed the bags to us.
As we walked away, Uju kept mumbling her anger.
“””””””””””””””””””‘””””””””””
?Ebuka’s pov?
I was on a video call with my best friend Charles.
“Is your leg gonna be okay?” he asked.
“Yeah yeah.. It was a big trunk but it doesn’t hurt that much.. I would be fine in just few days.” I said.
“I’m so sorry man. You said a maid in your pop’s house saved you?” he asked.
“Yeah… Like seriously man that girl is a cr@zy girl but strong, I mean really strong. You needed to see this trunk. She pulled it off my leg and also walked me to the palace. It was incredible..” I said.
“Man that smile on your face, it look suspicious. Do you like her already?” he asked.
“What, smile? Come on mam there’s no smile on my face. That girl would only get tear off your eyes with her badmouth. She isn’t my type too.. She’s dark skinned and wears long skirts.. She’s a total local girl. You know my style man..”
“If you needed a type like that, then you wouldn’t have suggested this plan of disguise.. You would havd showed up as the Prince so classy ladies would come.. What you are looking for is a wife material man,” he said.
“I know. I know but not that one.. It’s never gonna work and remember I told you that Prince in my village only marries titled men’s daughters or princesses from other kingdom. He can’t pick ordinary girl as his queen. I told you all this.”
“Yeah, the bride choosing contest. Well I Can’t wait to be a part of this man. It seem it’s gonna be fun,” he said.
“I don’t think…” I said.
He laughed.
The door opened causing me to quickly hid the phone but it’s the palace doctor. Doctor Kadi
He walked in and smiled.
“How are you my…my Prince?” he asked.
“Don’t call me that again, the walls have ears,” I said.
“That’s right…E..Ebuka,” he said.
“I think I’ll be fine in few days. It all depend on your hard work to make it work,” I said.
“I will try my best,” he said. “And please be careful when you make calls though there’s no one close but just like you said, the walls have ears,” he said.
“I will,” I said.
“Is there anything you need?” he asked.
“No no…” I said.
“Okay.. I would leave then..” he said and turned to leave but I stopped him.
“I need that maid named Ifeoma. Tell her to come with a plate of four three Apples and a knife.” I said.
“I will deliver your message..” he said, bowed and walked away.
‘But wait, why do I just want her to bring me apples?
Is her trouble starting to seem fun to me?’
“””””””””””””””””””””
?Ifeoma?
“What! Me take Apples to him.. Why?” I asked Dr Kadi.
“What do you mean by that question. He don’t expect him to come get it himself, do you?” Doctor Kadi asked.
“But…another maid can do that, not me sir,” I said.
“I want you to do it, now don’t waste time… You were the one who saved him and brought him all the way here, I don’t expect you to see this one as a stress” he said, turned and walked away.
Uju came out from the store room she was.
“Ify why’s your face like this kwanu?” she asked.
“Is it not that wounded sheep. I can’t believe this! I’m going to give him this last warning. He shouldn’t ever play with my kindness o. Which kind nonsense is this nah.” I fumed.
“What did he do ?” Uju asked.
“I’m sure he’s the one that told Doctor Kadi to tell me to take apples to him… That guy is really trying me o,” I said.
She smiled. “Really?”
“What? Why are you smiling.”
“Then let’s go, I will escort you.” she said.
“Just carry the Apples to him, I’m not going..” I said.
“What! Noo you have to, we have to..” she said.
“I’m serious.”
“No don’t be please”
“”””””””””””””””
Minutes later, Uju and I were standing in front of the door of the room the wounded sheep was.
“Open it na,” Uju said.
I breathed out, grabbed the doorknob and opened the door.
There he was, sited on the bed.
Our eyes met instantly and he gave a smirk lopsided smile but the smile faded once he saw Uju.
“Come in Ifeoma, and any other person should leave,” he said.
I scoffed.
“What..is he serious?” Uju muttered.
“I told you the goat is a bossy idiot,” I said.
‘I heard you Ifeoma, come in and only you should, shut the door when you do,” he said.
“Hia!” Uju exclaimed. “I..I just escorted Ifeoma to know how you are doing. I hope you recover fast,” Uju told him.
“I will, excuse us,” he said.
“Fine.. I will endure it because of your handsomeness,” Uju mumbled to only my hearing. “See you Ifeoma.” she said and walked away.
I exhaled, walked in and closed the door.
“You are just irritating,” I said and dropped the plate noisily beside him and turned to leave.
‘Wait I wanted to warn him.’
“You can’t leave the apples like this. I don’t eat unpeeled apples. You’ll need to peel them for me to eat,” he said.
I turned to him and scoffed so loud.
“Let me give you a last warning. Let this not repeat itself again.” I said.
“What’s that?”
“All that happened today…and this…” I pointed at the plate of apples. “..You and I are both servants here and I’m your superior. Get well soon cos you’ll have to return my errands. I can’t go on errands for you for free. Get that into your head,” I said, turned and walked away.
“Hey, you have to peel the apple,” he said.
“The last time I checked, your hands weren’t broken with your leg,” I said and slammed the door shut.
Uju was right at the door.
“I thought you left,” I said.
She shook her head.”I couldn’t just stop myself from eavesdropping..”
“Now you know what I was talking about him,” I said.
“You are right but it seems like his handsomeness overshadowed his arrogance..” Uju said and smiled.
I walked away.
“Ha wait for me na.”
“No stay there and keep talking nonsense,” I said.
“Ifeoma na”
___________
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