Adulteress; Part Two

PART TWO

Chapter 7

"Disgraceful!" Uncle Chinta breathed harshly.

"I understand your displeasure, brother," was Lady McGregor's modest reply.

"And to think that I honoured your household with my presence. I should never have been involved with you lot! What a tarnish to my image, just when Delew's organization is looking for another business partner!" continued Uncle Chinta.

Lady McGregor clenched her fist. "If it's just that, brother, there are many other organizations that would gladly go into partnership with..."

"You don't seem to understand, little sister that my reputation has been soiled!"

"What about me? Eh, Ebuka? I'm the one bearing the whole burden! It was my only son, my flesh and blood that refused to listen to his mother and dispose of that bastard witch he insisted on marrying! Now, he's six feet under the ground and she is not here to pay for it! To hell with your reputation! I don't want to hear of it! I'm in enough pain already!" Lady McGregor screamed in a berserk manner. Then she broke down weeping, something she hadn't done since her son's funeral.

"Well," her brother replied with an air of dignity. "Well!" He looked disdainfully at his sister and turned to leave. He turned again and asked quite humbly, "Do you have a hand in her death?"

"I wish to God I did. It would reduce my agony and shame. Besides, she was his widow when she took her life," said Lady McGregor.

Amara gasped in shock.

She stared keenly at Mrs Olu as she bowed her head and said a gentle prayer. Although Amara stood far off, she could hear the words as if the slim woman was whispering into her ear.

"Forgive her, righteous Father. She knew not what she did. Hold not her sins against her and grant peace to her troubled soul."

"Mummy, what are you doing?"

Amara stared at the little girl that tugged at her mother's hand. A smile crossed her face. It was little Tolu, the toddler she had met at the party. How grown she was, in such a short time, thought Amara.

"My dear, I'm praying for this unfortunate woman. She was a friend of mine, before she took her life," Mrs Olu replied kindly.

"But, doesn't that mean she's in hell?" Tolu asked curiously.

"Tolu, we don't know. Still, we must hope on the mercy of God."

The child looked at the flowerless grave and closed her eyes in prayer.

Amara wondered who the unfortunate woman that had killed herself was. She tried to read what was written on the tombstone. She could see only a name.

"Ama..."

"Chidimma, it's good to see you," Mrs Olu said to a familiar lady who joined her by the side of the grave.

Chidimma gave her a brief hug and caressed the cheek of darling Tolu who smiled brightly.

Chidimma spoke, "Thank you, madam for visiting my friend. She's so lonely. Her family..."

Chidimma held her shuddering mouth and continued appreciating Mrs Olu.

"It's alright, my child. Amara struck me as a very good girl. I liked her the moment I met her. It's just so unfortunate what happened."

"She's a good girl. A very good friend! The rumours are untrue! She never slept with another man. She loved brother Desmond deeply..."

Amara lowered her eyes in shame. So her childhood friend still believed in her innocence.

"It's that woman, Lady McGregor that hates her and..."

"Enough, child! You have nothing to prove what you're saying. If it were as you say, she would not have confessed it."

Chidimma sobbed.

"Chidimma," Amara called but she was unheard. She too began to weep.

She stopped suddenly.

"How is the child?" asked Mrs Olu quietly as she observed her daughter's curious stare.

"She isn't there anymore. She has been taken."

"God bless the poor thing."

The movement of Mrs Olu's mouth as she said those words stayed with Amara. It didn't irritate Amara; it perplexed her.

Amara rushed forward and confronted the women.

"Whose child are you talking about? Can't you hear me? Answer!"

Chidimma said gently, "Mrs Olu, I never told you, but I named the child Amara, after her mother."

Amara's eyes widened. Then she looked at the name on the tombstone. It was hers!

To be continued.