?Beautiful??
(Ifeoma)
Written by Rejoice Jeremiah. C?
EPISODE 6
The Bracelet?
(Next day)
?Ifeoma?
My father had gone to deliver meats to his buyers and I was all alone in the house.
I’ve been in my room, reading novels for hours till I got hungry for lunch food.
I left my room to the kitchen and had some jollof rice that my father prepared very early in the morning of today.
But after eating, I didn’t feel like going back to my room, so I went outside to the verandah and sat down where I continued my novel reading.
Our house had no fence so I could see passing people and they can see me as well.
Few minutes later, my phone began ringing.
It was Uju calling.
I picked it up, placing it on my ear.
“Hello Uju,” I spoke first. Happy to see her call.
She must be missing me just the way I do.
“Ifeoma, how are you?” she asked.
“I’m fine, and you?”
“I’m fine too. How is your hand?”
“It’s here, healing” I said.
“You won’t see a chemist today right?” she asked.
“No, it’s every two days” I said.
“Okay…..uhmm did you hear it?” she asked.
Someway, I knew it’s about the returning of the crown Prince and all that would follow it.
“What’s that?” I asked, not wanting to jump into conclusion.
“You haven’t really heard it?” she asked.
“What nah, Tell me what it is first so I would know if I had,” I said.
“Okay. .okay… The King announced this morning that the crown Prince would be returning in four days..” she said.
“Oh yes my father told me that yesterday,” I said.
“Are you not excited? I heard the prince is very handsome with a killer smile,” she said.
“I’m happy that the crown prince is returning and I wish him a save journey. Don’t talk about his smile. It’s not as if he’s going to smile at you,” I said.
“Yes yes.. That’s right but anyways, that’s what the King and Queen said. But there is another thing o….” she said.
I chuckled. “You mean the Queen choosing contest?” I asked.
“Waw! Your father also told you that?”
“Yes. He said it kicks off immediately the Prince arrives,”
“Yes but the King said the picked maidens have to be in the palace to welcome the Prince so they would be coming into the palace in two days. The ladies are already beginning to be picked. I heard they would be ten daughters of noble and titled men in total,” she said.
“Really?”
“Yes, I’m sure Adaora, the daughter of the onowu would certainly be among,” she said.
‘The onowu is from our village’
“Of course that’s true..well I wish them good luck. More works has landed for us the servants in the palace,” I said.
“You are right Ifeoma. I don’t know if I heard right but I over heard the Queen saying that every servant who doesn’t live in the palace would have to live in the palace for the two weeks of the contest,” she said.
I raised my brows. “What?”
“I hope that’s not going to happen tho. You can’t live in the palace when you have your father to take care of,” she said.
“Of course I can’t,” I said.
“Oh my… Ify, Mrs Ugo is calling me now, I will call you later ok, bye”
“Okay bye,” I said.
The call ended and I exhaled.
“God I hope this is not true. Would I be able to live in the palace for two weeks. What about my father?”
I sighed.
“”””””””””””””””””””
(Next day)
“You’ll have to come back in two days to change the bandage,” Mr Emeka, the chemist man told me after he was done cleaning my injury and changing the bandages.
“Okay sir I will,” I said.
“You said drugs were prescribed for you right?” he asked.
“Yes, the palace doctor gave me drugs.” I answered.
“Alright. The pay is 500 naira,” he said.
“Ah Oga Emeka, you know very well that I’m your good customer including my father. You have to take 400 naira from me,” I said.
He smiled. “No problem, bring 400 naira,” he said.
I gave him 500 naira note and he gave me a change of 100 naira note.
“Thank you sir,” I said.
“You are welcome. Bye bye Ifeoma. Greet your father for me.”
“I will sir.”
Soon I was on the road, heading home.
“Ifeoma!” I heard someone shout my name from behind.
I didn’t turn. It might not be me since i’m not the only one answering Ifeoma and I don’t wish it is ’cause I’m not in the mood to talk with anyone on the road.
“Ify wait na, Ify!” she called again.
That sounded like Joy’s voice.
I stopped and turned. It’s her.
‘Joy is one of the girl’s that I talk with in the village but we are not close friends’
I waited for her and she finally got to me, breathing hard like she ran a hundred meter race.
“Joy, howfar?” I asked.
“Jesus Ifeoma, do I look like I’m fine now. You have no idea how long I’ve been running just to meet up with you. You walk so fast,” she said.
“I had no idea you were following me,” I said.
“That’s okay, but I’m surprised. You didn’t go to the palace today?” then she saw my hand. “Oh my…what happened to your arm?”
“I injured myself so I was given a one week off,” I said.
“Oh my goodness… Sorry about that, I guess you went to the chemist” she said.
“Yes. How’s your kid brother David doing?” I asked.
“He’s fine.. I’m so sad for you, you are not going to be in the palace to welcome the ten contesting maidens and the Prince too.” she said.
“I will see them when I return,” I said.
“But you know the girls that are contesting right? They have been picked already,” she said.
“So quick?” I asked.
“Yes o. I heard the Crown Prince really want a bride once he return,” she said.
“Well I don’t know the girls contesting since I’ve not been in the palace for two days,” I said.
“You know my elder sister is close to Adaora, so she heard the contestants from Adaora. Adaora is among na you should know. Then Veronica, the daughter of chief Amadi. Amarachi, the daughter of Sir Eric, Jennifer an Juliet, the twin sisters of Ada Orji,”
“What? Two sisters are going to contest?” I asked.
“Yes o.. I heard their mother want both of them to contest in case if one fails,” she said.
I chuckled.
“Zara the daughter of Chief Mba, Ngozi, the daughter of Chief Ozo, Uloma the daughter of Sir Mmaduka, Regina the daughter of Mr and Mrs Doctor who’s also a doctor in the city,” she said.
I raised my brow. “What, Uloma is contesting? Is she coming back to the kingdom for that? Don’t she have a fiancé in the city by now?” I asked.
“I’m not sure. Even if she do, I think she would abandon him for the Prince,” she said.
“Nawaoooo”
“The last person is Rose, the daughter of Madam Helen,” she said.
“Wow, I like Rose. She’s a very cool. I wish her good luck and the rest of them.” I said.
“I wonder who the prince would pick.. I’m so jealous. I wish my father is a titled man,” she said.
I smiled.
Joy and I talked on. She even followed me home but when we reached, I saw the Princess car in our compound.
‘Ahn Ahn what is the princess doing in my house?’ I wondered.
“Who’s car is that?” Joy asked me.
“It’s the princess’s. You have to leave.. Come next time okay,” I told her.
“Can’t I go and greet the Princess?” she asked.
“I…..okay you should,” I said.
Both of us headed in.
She was sitting at the verandah with Mercy, a neighbor’s six years old daughter.
‘When i was leaving to the chemist, Mercy had asked me where I was going and I told her.
She must have told Princess Ola where I went and she decided to wait.
But why? I wonder how long she must have been waiting and my father isn’t home’
“My princess,” I curtsied immediately we got to the verandah.
“My princess,” Joy did same.
“Hi Ify, Mercy here told me that you went to the chemist,” Princess Ola said.
“Yes I did. I’m so sorry my princess, you just be uncomfortable here. I apologize for keeping you waiting,” I said.
“No, I’m fine…” She said.
“My princess. You look so beautiful with a very beautiful smile. It’s a pleasure to see you in Eziala village,” Joy said.
Princess Ola smiled at her. “Thank you. What’s your name?”
“Joy Chukwuka, the daughter of Mr Uzo Chukwuka,” she said.
“I like your hairstyle Joy,” Princess Ola said.
“Oh my…Thank you my princess..”
“Joy you’ll need to excuse us now,” Princess Ola said.
“Okay my Princess, bye Ify,” Joy said and hurried away.
“Bye” I waved back and turned to Princess Ola. “My princess, please come in,” I said.
“No…I need you to go somewhere with me,” she said.
“Ohh okay my Princess,” I said.
Soon, we were in her car with her driver on the steering wheel, me at the passenger’s seat and the Princess at the back seat.
I had no idea where we were going but I can’t question the princess and I trust her too.
The car finally pulled at a fashion shop.
ABlady?
ABlady is one of the most expensive clothes and hair fashion shop in the kingdom.
‘Is this the place? I remember she told me about her hair stylist who is going to make my hair yesterday. Is that why I’m here?’
In a minute we were inside the large shop.
“Oh my goodness, Princess Ola. You are welcome,” the workers greeted her.
“Thank you, where’s your madam?” she asked.
“Here she is,” a fair looking woman who looked indeed like a madam appeared.
“Wow, my princess you look sweet,” she said.
“Thank you. Here’s my friend, her name is Ifeoma. I want you to specially take care of her hair and after that let her pick as much clothes as she want..” then she went close to the madam’s ear and I couldn’t get what she whispered to her.
The woman smiled. “No problem. She’ll be given the best care,” she told Princess Ola.
Princess Ola turned to me. “If you need anything, let her know. I’ll be back soon,” she said.
“Okay my princess.” I said.
She left but didn’t use the exit door.
“Hi Ifeoma, my name is Lady B, let’s begin…with your hair” the lady said.
“””””””””””””
?Princess Ola?
I got to the room, opened the door and smiled when I saw him.
The love of my life.
I shut the door and we rushed yourself in a hug and we kssed.
We finally released our l!ps and I smiled at him.
“I missed you,” I said.
“Me too,” he said.
I looked at his clothe.
“Why are we putting on this kind of clothes. I thought I have you money to change your wardrobe?” I asked.
“I’m sorry my love but I’ve not done that. I should do that tomorrow,” he said.
“You have to, I’ve missed you so much. ”
“How did you do it this time?” he asked.
“I brought one of the maid with me… She’s making her hair and pick some clothes too. It would take at least two hours,” I said.
“That’s so smart of you,” he said.
I smiled. “You said you Have something to me, what’s that?”
He slide his hand into his pocket, took out a box and gave it to me.
“What’s this?” I asked.
“Open it,” he said.
‘Could it be a ring?’ I wondered.
I opened it and it was a beautiful bracelet.
“Oh…my Gozie, did you use the money to get me this?” I asked.
“It’s the money I’ve been saving for months to get you this. Do you like it?”
“Of course I do! It’s beautiful,” I said.
He picked it out and wore it on my wrist.
“Wow, it’s perfect on your wrist,” he said.
I smiled. “Yes it is, thank you my love.”
Our l!ps crashed on each other and in a second, we were both on the b.ed with my hands on his shirt button.
“””””””””””””””””””””
(Three hours later)
?Ifeoma?
“Are you okay with these, you sure you don’t need more?” lady B asked.
“I’m fine… These are too much sef.. I will just wait for the princess,” I said.
My hair was done and the clothes picked were pretty much.
Just then, the princess came our from the same door.
“My princess,” I said.
“Are you all done?” she asked.
“Yes, I am..” I said.
Her eyes looked a bit dull.
‘Where did she go?’
“You look more beautiful now,” she said.
“Thank you my princess, and thank you for all these,” I said.
“It’s nothing,” she said.
She walked closer and touched my new hair.
“It fits you a lot,” she said.
“Thank you my princess,” I said.
Just then I noticed the bracelet on her right hand.
I got a bad feeling immediately about it.
‘Where did she get it from? How did she end up wearing that bracelet? It wasn’t there before.
That must be from wherever she went to..
Why I’m I getting a bad feeling about it’
“What are you staring at?” she asked.
“The bracelet, it….it look beautiful,” I said.
“Yeah it is.. I would tell you how I got it later, let’s go.” she said.
All through the ride to my house, my mind couldn’t go off that bracelet.
I felt something really odd and unpleasant about it.
Finally we got to my house and my father was outside.
“Thank you so much for all these my princess, I’m so grateful,” I said.
She smiled. “I’m sure you’ve heard about the returning of the prince and the bride contest..” she said.
“Yes my princess,” I answered.
“There’s going to be a lot of work in the palace, I hope to see you there soon,” she said.
“Yes my princess,” I said.
“And this for you too,” she said, giving me a small box.
“It’s your new phone,” she said.
‘0h my God..”
“Oh my goodness… This is too much for me my princess..”
Five minutes later, I was inside our living room.
“The Princess got you all these?” Papa asked.
“Yes Papa but there’s something I noticed a… It’s nothing papa” I said.
“What is it?”
“It’s nothing papa..”
___________
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