?Beautiful??
(Ifeoma)
Written by Rejoice Jeremiah. C?
EPISODE 5
Princess Ola Like the wounded sheep?
Doctor Kadi returned with first aids kit.
My palm was bl.eeding a lot.
I can’t believe I had so much blood.
“This is a lot of blood,” Doctor Kadi said and got to work on my palm.
He cleaned the wound up and it stopped bl.eeding.
“The wound has to be stitched, it’s a very deep cut and it can’t be left like this,” he told me.
I exhaled.
“It’s fine. You can stitch it then,” I looked at the wounded sheep who was staring at me without a word. “..but he’ll have to pay the bills,” I said.
“It’s okay.. there’s no charges for treatments in the palace clinic,” Dr Kadi said.
“I know that but bill him for being careless with a knife. I should have let it pierce him instead,” I said.
Dr Kadi glanced at him then turned back to me.
“Thank you Ifeoma for not letting it pierce him. He is already suffering the pains on his leg… Forgive him. I will make sure your wound get treatment in a way it would heal fast,” he said to me.
“When is the wound getting stitched?” I asked him.
“Right now,” he said.
I raised my brows. “Here?”
“No no… I will take you to the room,” he said and stood up. “Come with me”
I stood up and held tenderly to my wounded hand.
“I will call on my assistant to bring your medications,” he told the wounded sheep who haven’t taken his eyes off me.
He’s been staring at me the whole time like a goat.
That was annoying me.
“Stop staring at me like that!” I barked at him and he blinked.
“Come quickly Ifeoma,” Dr Kadi said and we walked away.
?Ebuka?
“Oh d@mn it!”
‘Because of my curiosity she’s gotten hurt. This is gonna be really bad.
What I’m I gonna do now?
I’m regretting what I did and I don’t pray she finds out I intentionally threw the kn.ife..
Just wanted to confirm my curiosity but nothing like what I imagined happened.
G0sh…. I’m feeling so bad and concerned about her
What do I do?’
I picked my call and sent a message to Ola.
?The maid, Ifeoma got injured for me… I want you you to make her really happy in a way that she would forget about it… You have to excite her in a really special way.?
Minutes later, she replied.
?You’ve been giving that girl troubles since yesterday. How did she save you this time? Why not let her be. She’s just a maid and don’t deserve to be saving your a$$ always?
‘Tch…Just do what I tell you to do..’
?I noticed she doesn’t have a nice phone.. Get her a phone, take her to the boutique and get her clothes and whatever she say that she needs. I heard her father is a hunter, let him get a work in the palace with a mouthwatering payment. If all these are given to her, I’m sure she would totally forget about her injury. Do all these in your name.?
I sent.
?Fine… I will do it? she replied.
I dropped my phone and exhaled.
“I hope it works.”
“””””””””””””””””””
(An hour later)
?Ifeoma?
“Oh my goodness… What happened. How did you get a cut?” Uju asked.
I was sitting on the clinic bed. I have to stay in the clinic for the rest of the day.
“Talk to me Ify, what happened?” Uju asked.
“I caught the knife that would have injured the wounded sheep,” I said.
“What! How?”
I told her everything.
“Geez! Why would he play with a knife and you had to save him again for the second time…”
‘No you are wrong, it’s the third time I saved his a$$!’
“… Now I’m beginning to think he’s crazy and shouldn’t be here. Damn his handsomeness for all I care.. he can’t let him keep doing this to you. Who’s he sef…just take a look at your pretty hand had been given a deep scar!” Uju said taking my hand.
“It’s okay Uju. I’ll be fine…” I said.
“No o.. You are not fine. Let me go there and tell him how’s his going to pay for hurting you.. Ah Ah. Just imagine.”
“No o Uju…leave him. I will be the one to deal with him. Sebi he’s not going out of this palace. It’s me and him. He will surely pay for this,” I said.
“Of course he will.. Is like that his fine face is going into his head…this is unacceptable nah,” Uju said.
“I told you it’s okay.. It’s okay..”
“”””””
Later that day, around 6pm, Princess Ola came to the clinic to see me with a maid named Ozioma behind her.
Her dazzling gown adding to her royal beauty. The beauty of an African princess.
“My princess,” I greeted.
“Ifeoma, how are you feeling?” she asked.
“I’m fine… I’m tired of being stuck in here for hours. I can’t wait to get out of that door. I’m supposed to be cleaning the upstairs with Uju but Dr Kadi and Uju didn’t let me.” I said.
She smiled. “Don’t worry, you are going to be fine. I brought you something to eat before you go home,” she said.
Ozioma walked toward and dropped it beside me.
Deliciously garnished Fried rice, with a chicken lap on top and juice.
Waw Yummy…
“Thank you my princess,” I said.
“You are welcome..” she said and dismissed Ozioma who left immediately.
“Ifeoma you are given a two weeks off, let your hand heal. You can’t work with such injury,” she said.
I raised my brows. “My princess. I can still work with it. It doesn’t hurt at all,” I said.
“No I don’t believe that. An injury and a stitched one at that hurt so bad so you can’t lie to me Ify. Come back to the palace in two weeks.” she said.
I wasn’t happy to be given this off. It’s all his fault.
‘If I hadn’t saved him again, this wouldn’t have happened.
God…I’m so heartbroken. I’m not going to be in the palace for two weeks?
I don’t think I can stay that long from the palace. I have to shorten it. I have to.’
“My princess two weeks is really long, please let it be just a week. My injury would have healed by then. I’m sure about it.. Please my princess’ I begged.
“Are you sure you need just a week off?” she asked.
“I don’t even need any at all but since you insist, just give me only a week please,” I said.
She took her time before accepting. “Okay then. A one week off then.”
I smiled. “Thank you my princess.”
“Uhm Ifeoma,” she called, like she had something else to tell me.
“Yes my princess?” I answered.
“Your father, he’s a hunter right?” she asked.
“Ye..yes he is my princess,” I answered wondering why she would be asking that.
“Alright. It won’t be a bad idea if we have two hunters delivering bush meats to the palace. I will talk to my father about it,” the princess said.
My eyes went wide open. “My my princess.”
She smiled. “I had no idea that your father is a hunter, I would have done this a long time ago,” she said.
‘Oh my…..but… how did she know? Won’t it sound rude to ask her how she found out? I think it would. She’s the princess of this kingdom, she might have heard it from anyone.’
“Thank you my princess” I said.
She took my left hand which wasn’t injured.
“You have to do this for me, Ifeoma.” she said.
My princess, what is it?” I asked, wondering.
“Forgive that newservant. Don’t hate him for giving you this injury. You know the palace forbids enmity between workers. You all are supposed to work in unity. So you should forgive him and forget what he caused for you ok?” she said.
‘Wait… could it be that the Princess like that wounded sheep, could it be..I’m having a feeling. The princess had never cared this much about a maid or servant’
“Why are you looking at me that way Ifeoma?” she asked and I blinked, looking away immediately.
“No…I don’t mean to look at you that way my princess, my apologies. I Can’t tell how I looked at you,” I said.
“It’s okay. Here is some money for your treatment,” she said and dropped a small bundle of money of #1,000 notes on my hand.
“Oh my… My princess, this is much..a lot.” I said.
“It would be enough for your treatment for two weeks but since you said one week, you can still have all of it, use the rest to make a new hair and eat a healthy food so your wound can heal fast,” she said.
I smiled. “Thank you so much my princess. I’m so excited to be shown this care from you, thank you so much…” I said.
She smiled. “You are welcome. Now I have to leave. I will see you in a week time time,” she said.
“I will see you too my princess. Thank you..” I said.
She stood up and left.
“Oh my gooooodnesss…! ” I exclaimed as I began counting the money not minding the injury on my right hand.
“Forty thousand naira!!” I gasped.
‘Is she doing all this just for me to forgive that wounded sheep… This is no ordinary. Oh my goodness… This is a secret I can’t let anyone else hear it.
The princess like the wounded sheep
His small fine face and built body must have trapped her into liking him.
And this would be a really dangerous love.
No one must find out or else that wounded sheep would be in trouble.
A royal princess can’t fall in love with a servant..
There would be trouble if she do’
I covered my mouth with my hand in shock.
‘Ahhh Oh my God. What do I do to stop her from falling for that wounded sheep? and I’m not even going to be at the palace for seven days. Gawd.. This is bad…really bad. Princess Ola can’t fall the a servant after rejecting two princes and four wealthy men. Ahn this is really bad.. I won’t let that happen. I have to warn that wounded sheep in someway’
“But first of all, I have to keep this money save and consume this delicious meal in front of me” I said and grinned.
“”””””””””””””””””””””””
?Ebuka?
“So what did she say, did she say. Did she say she had forgiven me or she will forgive me and forget?” I asked Ola.
I was on a phone call with her.
“No she said none of the two but I’m sure she would forgive you. It might take just a little while. Mag be a day or two. I gave her a one week off so by the time she returns, she would have forgiven you,” she said.
“That’s good. A one week off was a nice idea. That girl is like a wolf. She could destroy my face if I don’t earn her forgiveness,” I said.
She laughed. “I can’t believe you are scared of a maid.”
“I’m not. Shut up!” I snapped.
A knock came on the door.
“Okay..fine.. what-” she was saying but I cut her short.
“Let’s talk later,” I said and ended the call.
The knock came again then the door opened.
The phone is a button phone so I didn’t need to hide it from whoever that was coming in.
Well, it was Ifeoma, the wolf.
Her hand was bandaged and she carried it tenderly as she walked to me.
‘Why is she here?’
She got to me and her face was not looking nice at all.
‘Should I apologize? Okay, I should.’
“See I know you are mad at me. I apologize for causing you this pain. I promise not to get you into this kind of trouble again. You gotta forgive me,”
“Where did you say you are from?” she asked me.
‘Why’s she asking that? Do she want to take her trouble to there?’
“It’s not necessary to know where I’m from,” I said.
“Which school did you attend and which university?” she asked.
‘Why all these questions?’
“I attended secondary school but not a university,” I said.
“So how did you get to be speaking all this shubiri – shubiri (american English) when you didn’t even go to university?” she asked.
‘What?’
“Ohhh…that.. I worked with a white man for ten years so I learnt all their English with him,” I lied.
“Oh.. I see.”
‘She believed. What a nice lie’
“Now there’s something I need to tell you,” she said.
“What’s that?”
‘I hope it doesn’t have to do with her injury’
She took two steps closer and then another step.
I moved back.
“Listen to me very carefully,” she said.
Our face were only few inches away from each other.
‘What…what what is she trying to do?
For the second time in one day, our face got this close. This annoys me.
How dare she get her face close to me.
I’m the crown prince and i’m going to deal with her when I finally reveal myself.
But for now, I gotta endure this sht!’
“Because of you, I’ll be off from the palace for seven days so let me make this clear to you…. Don’t ever go close to the Princess and don’t ever get yourself in trouble with the Princess… Stay hundred miles away from her and you will live long, do you understand?” she said.
I raised my brows. “What? What are you talking about?”
“Let me ask you this. What do you think happens to a sheep that enters into the lion’s den?” she asked me.
“It would certainly get devoured by the lion,” I answered.
“Good.. You are smart enough to know that. Take my advice and save yourself from a short life,” she said and withdraw back. If you are here to work, work and nothing else. This is the fourth time I’m saving you,” she added then turned and walked out of the room.
I caught my breath which I’ve been holding since and chuckled.
“What?”
“””””””””””””””””
(Two hours later)
?Ifeoma?
“I’m really not going to see you for a whole week. Seven days no be here oo,” Uju said, sad.
I was sad too.
“Yes it is and I’m going to miss you so much but what can I do. I can’t disobey the princess. I’m even glad she accepted my plea and reduced the two weeks to a week,” I said.
“Yes that’s right. I know you are going to be fine Ifeoma. At least you are going to have a lot of time with your dad for seven days…. It’s called making good things from bad situation,” Uju said and I smiled.
“I will miss you so much Uju. Don’t forget to store all that went on in the palace into your head. You must gist me a whole day when I return,” I said.
“Of course I will,” she said.
I hugged her.
“Be careful with your hand,’ she said.
“I know,” I said.
We withdrew.
“Do me a favor Ujunwa. Keep a close eye on that wounded sheep,” I told her.
“Why? I’m I finally right? You like him right?” she asked with a smirk smile.
“Stop it Uju. Just help me keep an eye on him till I come back okay,” I said.
“Ah you are talking as if you are going to another kingdom or to the city. Is it not this Eziala. I can take permission from the princess and visit you sef,” she said.
I laughed. “You think so?”
“Yes nah.” she said.
I smiled and hugged her again.
“”””””””””””””””””””””””””
“Papa, I’m back” I said, entering the living room.
My father was sitting on his favorite seat, sniffing his snuff with a glass of palm wine.
I hid my injured hand so he wouldn’t see it.
“Welcome Adannaya, how was work today?” he asked as his eyes instantly went down to my hands.
“It was fine papa,” I answered.
“Why is that hand behind your back?” he asked.
I raised my brow “Eh?”
“That your left hand, why is it behind your back?” he repeated the question.
I sighed.
‘I cant lie to him that nothing is wrong with my hand. He’s going to find out in no time but I’m going to lie about how I got it’
“I injured it a bit,” I said.
“Let me see,” he said.
I removed the hand from behind my back and he gasped.
“What…what happened to your hand. How did you get hurt?” he asked. “Come closer.
I walked closer to him and he took my injured hand to check it.
“Did it get stitched?” he asked.
“Yes” I answered.
“How did you get hurt this much Ifeoma?”
“I…I was not careful with the knife and it slid a cut on my palm,” I lied.
“You should have been careful ehn.. Look at your hand now. Sorry my daughter, it must hurt so much eh,” he said.
“Not much papa,” I said.
“That’s a lie, it hurt much,” he said.
“Okay fine papa it do, a lot but it’s just for a little while,” I said.
“I prepared delicious pepper soup yam, I will go and dish out for you since your hand is hurt,” he said.
“No papa, I can dish it out myself. You know I do make use of my two hands,” I said with a smile.
“”””””””””””””””””””””””””””
Later that night, Papa and I sat at the living room and I told him about the One week off and also the money the Princess gave me.
Then I also told him about what Princess Ola told me about talking to the King about getting a contract at the palace for my dad.
“I don’t want that offer, once you return to the palace, tell her,” he said.
“Papa, why?” I asked.
“I don’t want it. I’m fine with the market sells,” he said.
“It’s fine papa if you don’t want to. I will tell her once I return to the palace,’ I said.
“Has it been announced in the palace?” he asked after a minute of silence.
“What announcement papa?” I asked.
“About the return of the crown Prince in five days,” he said.
My eyes went wide open. “The crown Prince is finally returning back?”
“That’s what they announced in the meeting at the onowu’s house today,” he said.
“Really? Oh my…God.. This is good news Papa,” I said.
“A prince who haven’t returned yet and is already seeking to get a bride,” he said.
“Really? How?” I asked.
“In the traditional way which the Prince or King of Amaeze kingdom picks their Queen. Daughters from noble families from the three villages, Eziala, Amafo and Umunta except Obiala would go on a seventeen days stay at the palace and would try their best to win the Prince heart. Who wins his heart become his queen,” papa said.
“I had no idea about this tradition,” I said.
“It stopped many years ago and the King didn’t use that to marry the queen because the queen was a princess from another kingdom but no one know the reason why the crown prince want to use that method again after many years.” he said.
“Wow…” that was all I could say..
“”””””””””””””””
(The palace)
?Ebuka?
she laughed out.
“What… What was she thinking to tell you all that?” Ola asked.
I was on a phone call with her again.
“I have no idea. Seriously, that girl is a weirdo,” I said.
“No she’s not. She’s just amazing…wow.” she said.
“What? Amazing you say? There’s nothing amazing about that girl…” I said.
“That was a nice advice tho..” she said.
“I think so too,” I said.
“I have to sleep now, goodnight,” she said.
“Goodnight little sis,” I said.
“Stop calling me that,” she said.
“I don’t think I will,” I said.
“Goodnight.”
The call dropped.
I dropped the phone and glanced at the knife which was on the table. Then my eyes went down to the legs of the table.
“Yeah, she’s amazing, she saved the prince thrice. She deserve a token some day,” I said.
___________
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