??Beautiful??
(Ifeoma)
Written by Rejoice Jeremiah. C?
EPISODE 15?
The Bruises ?
?Ifeoma?
I left the room in the dark and headed to the clinic to stay with Ujunwa.
The electricity haven’t been back yet.
I guess the person who turned it off isn’t ready to turn it on anytime soon so her secret would be safe.
‘How is that possible. I can’t let her win!’
Suddenly, I got grabbed by the hand and dragged to a corner.
“Who are you?” I questioned.
I couldn’t see him ’cause there was darkness but I felt it was the Prince, the wounded sheep.
‘He’s the one’
“What did you drag me here?” I questioned again not letting him answer the first.
“Wow, you talk like you already know who dragged you here even though it’s dark here. Is it really true then?” he asked.
“True that what?” I asked, not caring if I’m being rude or not.
“That you have some sort of supernatural powers,” he said.
“What are you going to do if I tell you if I do or I don’t?” I asked.
“You know what Ifeoma, I think you have something to tell me,” he said.
“Something like what?” I asked.
“You don’t expect us to talk about your powers, do you?”
“And you don’t wish to be heard talking to a maid in the darkness, am I right?” I asked.
“Come with me,” he said and grabbed my hand.
“To where?” I asked, trying to free my hand from his grip.
“Just be quiet, it’s an order from your Prince,” he said.
I rolled my eyes…
We entered a much private corner and he out on his torch light on his phone and there were two seats there.
“Sit,” he said and sat down on one.
I sat on the other.
We faced each other.
“You know Ifeoma. That day you pulled that trunk off my legs, I was shocked but then the table made me get perplexed. If the table was right where it was and I fell, I would have hit my head on the edge but surprisingly I fell and the table was suddenly a little bit shifted. I had a lot of thoughts about it and I refused to believe that you did that. So you really did that? You shifted the table with your power?” he asked.
I inhaled.
“What are you talking about?” I asked.
“Don’t just pretend Ifeoma. You can’t hide this from me. I
heard Ola say that you have nice powers to even raise the dead.” he said.” Is that true? It is right? Did you wake Uju with your power?” he asked.
I exhaled. “So? What are you going to do? What are you going to do to me? It was never to be used but because of you, I had to use it on my very first day of meeting you at that narrow part. Then I had to use it again so you don’t hit your head on the table. So are you going to reveal to the kingdom that I have such a power? Are you?”
“No Ifeoma, I’m not gonna do that. You know that you are like the real life merlin. Have you seen that movie? It’s a wow. Merlin has magic and he used it to save the Prince so many times,” he said.
“Your Sister, Princess Ola is possessed by a black magic in a bracelet form,” I told him, ignoring the merlin story.
He chuckled. “What are you talking about?”
“There’s a bracelet she always wear. A gold bracelet. I found out it’s black magic and I had to get a same of the bracelet. Uju tried to swap the bracelet but I guess she got caught by the Princess and thus made her go unconscious,” I said.
“What? Why would my sister get possessed and by who?” he asked.
“Do you believe me?” I asked him.
“Of course I do,” he said.
“Why?” I asked.
“Because you are saying the truth. I noticed a strange side of my sister tonight and it isn’t something good at all,” he said.
“I’m glad you believe me. But about your question, I think you are the reason why she got possessed but I don’t know who possessed her but for her to be freed, we have to destroy that bracket first. But I think I know a little about why she is pos” I said.
“We…. You can just do that with your power,” he said.
“The power that had possessed her is really strong and there’s no way I could get the bracelet to me with my power. I know I telekinesis things but not that bracelet,” I said.
“So since Uju’s attempt failed and Ola now know the bracelet wanna be changed, how is it gonna be possible to get the bracelet off her wrist?” he asked.
“I will think about it tonight..” I said.
“Really.. You don’t have any idea right now?” he asked.
“No I don’t,” I said.
“Why am I the reason why Ola is possessed?” he asked.
“For her to take you off the throne.. In another words, to kill you,” I said.
“Whaaat? What are you talking about?”
“We have to act fast and stop her from getting fully possessed. If you must know, she turned off the electricity too.” I said.
“Really? Who would try to kill me through my sister?”
“U’m going to find whoever it is..” I said.
“Damn it,” he said.
“Keep my secret safe until It’s time for me to reveal it,” I told him and stood up.
“Where are you going?” he asked.
“To stay with Uju. I can’t leave her all alone tonight,” I said.
“Don’t worry, your secret is save with me Ifeoma,” he said.
I headed to the door but he called me and I halted.
“Ifeoma.. Thank you for pulling the trunk off my legs and for shifting the table,” he said.
I exhaled.
‘Finally, he’s saying that’
“You are welcome,” I said and walked out but returned back. “Don’t sleep so deep vs tonight, anything can happen,” I told him.
“I don’t think I’m gonna sleep tonight,” he said.
“You can,” I told him then walked out and headed to the clinic.
“””””””
A rechargeable lamp was on in the room Uju was.
I pulled a chair closer, sat down and fixed my worried and sorry eyes on her.
Her eyes were still closed but she was breathing and taking a drip.
I placed my hand on hers.
“I’m sorry Uju. I made you do this, I blame myself for this, please forgive me. You are going through a lot already and this shouldn’t have been added to them. I’m so sorry Uju. Forgive me and live for me biko.”
A tear dropped from my eyes.
“”””””””””””””””””””
?Prince Eric?
I stayed up all night, I couldn’t get a blink of sleep.
I stayed up all night thinking about why my life is being wanted by a dark magic just as Ifeoma said.
Wondering if I should be scared of what’s coming my way.
Sorting ideas of how to save my sister Ola from this power and wondering who is behind this power.
Who in this Kingdom is trying to kill me and take the throne which rightfully belongs to me?
Who would prefer to use my sister?
‘It has to be someone whom she is close with ’cause I was told that Ola hardly leaves the palace’
‘Who’s this traitor that Ola is close with?’
”
”
Well, I guess I finally got a blink of sleep around 4am in the morning and that led me into a nightmare.
In that dream, poisoned apples was brought to me by Ola.
“Wow Ola I love this white water apples. Where did you get them. They look really fresh,” I said.
She smiled. “I will help you with the knife.”
she said and cut one into three. I took one piece and was about to eat it when the door opened and Ifeoma rushed in and hit it off my hand.
“Don’t take it! It’s poisoned!!” she shouted.
“What?” I looked at Ola and she began laughing, stood up and left.
“Are you okay my Prince?” Ifeoma asked.
“I am” I said and we stared into each other’s eyes and I woke up to discover I was having a killer headache.
I groaned and looked at the wall clock.
“6:40am”
I got up, went to the bathroom, poured cold water on my head, washed my face and headed to Ola’s room.
I got to the door, breathed in and out before knocking and she wasted no time to open the door.
“Ola, good morning,” I said with a smile.
“Prince Eric, what are you doing at my door this early morning?” she asked.
“I’m here to have some chat with my beautiful sister,” I said.
She chuckled. “Some chat? This early morning, okay na… The door is open,” she left the door and I went in and closed the door.
My eyes landed on her drawer and I saw the bracelet, just one.
I glanced at her wrists and there was no bracelet.
‘I guess that one on the table is the one with black magic’
“You like the bracelet?” she asked.
I smiled. She knew that was what I was looking at.
Interesting.
“Yes, it’s beautiful,” I said and walked to the drawer and picked it up.
‘She let me pick it up. Is she aware that I know about the bracelet?’
“Where did you buy it? I think I’ll love to buy it for the maiden I’m gonna choose as my bride,” I said.
“Really? Well I think I have one to let,” she said with a smile.
“One to let? Wow, did you get it two?” I asked, knowing fully well that it has to be the one Uju came with to swap with this one in my hand.
“Well stop asking like you don’t know,” she said and took two steps closer to me.
‘Oh yeah you know. Your eyes and ears must be every where in this palace’
“So are you here to take swap it just like Uju tried to?” she asked.
I tightened my grip on the bracelet. “And what if I say yes, I’m here to?” I asked.
“Well then I’m sorry to disappoint you but you can’t oh Prince Eric,” she said and stepped back with an ev!l smile on her lips.
“Well, I’m the one holding the bracelet now and I’m damn sure this is the ev!l one, I need to destroy this to save my sister,” I said.
She laughed out. “Oh really? To save me? How do you intend saving me?”
“First by destroying this evil thing that I’m holding,” I said and headed to the door and she erupted into another laughter.
I was almost close to the door and I was wondering why she didn’t try to stop me.
It was then I felt my hand holding nothing.
I looked at my hand and I wasn’t holding any bracelet again.
I turned and I saw it on her wrist.
She smiled and waved her wrist for me to see. “What do you think is in my hand?” she asked.
“You evil demon, get off my sister,” I said.
“Then should I possess you instead?” she asked.. “Oh no, I can’t possess you ’cause it’s you I want to kill.”
“Give me that bracelet!” I said and rushed for Ola’s wrist but I was thrown back by whatever wave that threw me up, I hit my back so hard on the wall, dropped on the floor and groaned out in pain.
“You see? You can’t do anything. It’s your destiny, you can’t change your destiny. Your destiny is to get killed after returning to the Kingdom and then another man, a great man who’s worthy of the throne would rule Amaeze Kingdom. This is the destiny, you can’t run away from your destiny Eric,” she said with a smile.
‘Another man?’
I got up.
“You want to come get it again?” she asked raising her wrist up.
“Another man?” I asked.
She smiled. “Yes”
“My destiny is to become the King of Amaeze Kingdom and rule the people in peace and harmony just like my father, the King. That destiny you just said is the one you made up yourself and that isn’t going to happen because whoever you are, you are gonna get destroyed. You better get ready,” I said, turned and walked out of Ola’s room.
I headed to the Head of maids, Mrs Ugo.
“Good morning my Prince,” she greeted.
“Assemble the ten maidens at 10am. I have to announce something to them, be there too.
“Okay my Prince…but my Prince you have bruises on your arm.. What happened? Are you alright my Prince?” she asked and that was when I noticed the bruises on my right arm.
I also think my back hurt from bruises too.
“Don’t worry Mrs Ugo and don’t tell the Queen,” I said.
“Ohkay my Prince.”
“”””””””””””””””””””””
?Ifeoma?
“Uju….you are awake,” I said immediately she opened her eyes.
“Ifeoma…” she called and looked around her.
“Uju thank you for waking up,” I said happily.
“Ifeoma what I’m I doing in the palace clinic?” she asked.
“Don’t worry, just relax okay. Let me call doctor Kadi,” I said.
“No tell me ’cause I can’t remember why I’m here,” she said.
“Really?” I asked.
“Yes, really,” she said and tried sitting up which I helped her to.
“Uju you see I don’t think you should think about how you for here for now until you are fully recovered. I will explain everything later okay,” I said.
“Ifeoma, I’m perfectly fine. I don’t even feel the slightest headache or pain so tell me, I want to know what happened to me. Did I stumble and fall or did I get hit by something?”
I looked closely at her. “You mean you can’t remember anything that happened last night?” I asked.
She wore a confused look. “Last night? What happened last night?”
“Uju, you really cant remember going to Princess Ola’s room and…trying to swap the bracelet then I guess she caught you and made you go unconscious.”
“Princess Ola? Princess Ola can’t hurt even a fly talk more of making a human, me go unconscious. Why would she do that. All I could remember was going into her room last night, dressing her bed and leaving. That’s all I remember,” she said.
“What about the bracelet, don’t you remember that?” I asked her.
“What bracelet? I don’t know any bracelet,” she said.
I heaved a sigh. ‘She made her loose her memory, all the memory which has to do with the bracelet’
“It’s fine… I would need to call Dr Kadi,” I said and left to do that.
“”””””””””””””””””””””””””””””
An hour later, I was back at the upper floor and standing by Prince Eric’s door.
‘I know Uju is sick and still at the clinic but I can’t forget that I’m the Prince’s personal maid and that I have to clean his room this morning’
I knocked for good number of times before opening the door and going in.
I saw the wounded sheep sitting at the edge of the bed, shirtless.
Since his back was on me, I saw the bruises on his back.
“My Prince, what happened to you?” I asked and rushed to him.
He turned and on seeing his abs, I looked away immediately, putting my hand on my eyes.
“What is it?” he asked.
“Are you asking? You are shirtless. I can’t look at a shirtless Prince,” I said.
“So if I weren’t a prince, would you have looked then?” he asked.
“What happened to you?” I asked, ignoring his question and still looking away.
“I went to Ola’s room this morning and she threw me to the wall, her power is really strong like you said,” he said.
I took my hand off my eyes and turned to him, “what!” I exclaimed.
He was still facing me. I saw the abs again and looked away again.
“What did you go to her room to do?” I asked, covering my eyes again with my hand.
“To collect the bracelet,” he said.
“What? To collect the bracelet and you thought she would let you?” I asked.
“I knew she wouldn’t but there is no wrong in trial,” he said.
I sighed.
“I need to call doctor Kadi, you need to get treated,” I said.
“No, don’t do that. It’s good that you are here, get a hot water and towel, you have to press a hot towel on the bruises,” he said.
“What? Me? No I can’t besides my wound isn’t gone yet so I can’t touch hot water with it,” I said.
“Okay then, I will just leave the bruises,” he said and I felt him talking his shirt to wear back.
“No! You can’t,” I said.
“You can’t upset the already healing wound in your hand,” he said.
“I will do it with my one hand, besides it’s my left hand that is wounded. I will get a hot water and towel,” I said and went to the bathroom to do that.
I got the hot water and a towel.
“Don’t look at me, just turn your back. Your arm is hurt too. I’ll get the first aid kit too,” I said, went to his closet and brought out his first aid.
“Don’t be scared of my abs, it doesn’t bite,” he said as he turned his back to me.
“I told you that I can’t look at a shirtless Prince,” I said.
“And I asked you that I weren’t a prince, would you look at me shirtless?” he asked.
I sighed. ‘Just shut up, let me do this. !’
“I won’t,” I said and dipped a small part of the towel in the water, squeezed the water out and pressed it on the bruise on his back.
“Damn that hurt.. Take it easy,” he said.
“I’m being easy,” I said.
“What about uju?” he asked.
“She’s awake but lost her memory, a part of her memory actually, the ones that has to do with Princess Ola’s power and the bracelet,” I said.
“She can’t remember anything?” he asked.
“None of it..”I answered and pressed the water on the bruise again.
“D@mn…it hurt,” he said.
“My hand hurt more, no matter how I try to take my left hand off the water, it still touches it and it hurt really bad. You shouldn’t have gone to her room to get anything. What if she tried to kill you?” I asked, vexed up.
He turned and grabbed my bandaged hand.
My stubborn eyes went to his abs again, I looked up and our eyes met.
“I told you not to do this,” he said.
“But you told me to do it at the first and I can’t disobey my Prince,” I said.
“Now, I’m telling you to stop. The bruises will heal in no time,” he said.
Our eyes were still fixed on each other’s eyes.
“You don’t know? You have no idea how worried I am for the Prince of my Kingdom. I can’t let anything go wrong, I can’t let anything happen to you. It feels like I have to save you every time and because of that, I can’t get a sleep.. Your life is standing at the edge of a cliff, one more step and you are falling down down. I can’t let you get killed Prince Eric.. But you can’t make matters worse by taking such a risk of going to collect the bracelet from a demon. You have to protect yourself too. This kingdom can’t loose you Prince Eric, this kingdom would be gone if we do,” I said, and breathed out. “You know what my Prince? I’m going to stand by you and fight this. If I don’t then I’ll be a coward. Teusyvme my Prince, we are going to win this.”
‘Wow, what came over me that I had to talk that much?’
It was then I noticed that we’ve been staring at each other’s eyes and a maid isn’t supposed to stare into the eyes of my Prince.
I faced away but he was still holding my hand which I then took off but he took my hand again.
“Ifeoma…” he called and my heart skipped when he placed his hand on my hair and stroked it.
My heart raced.
“What are you doing?” I asked him, surprised that I wasn’t making any move to stop him.
“I should be asking you that Ifeoma. What are you doing. What are you doing to me?” he asked.
“I don’t understand?” I asked.
“You just made my heart beat in a special way,” he said.
“Huh?”
“How are you able t….” he was saying but got cut short by the sudden opening of the door.
____________??
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