SISTER’S AT WAR. EPISODE 11.

SISTER’S AT WAR. EPISODE 11.

SISTER’S AT WAR. EPISODE 11.

The sun was high in the sky, and the market was buzzing with voices. Traders called out to buyers, bargaining and shouting prices. In one corner, Ijeoma and Amaka’s shop was busy as women stopped to buy vegetables, pepper, and other foodstuffs.

Obiora walked into the market, his heart beating faster than usual. He had told himself he came to buy foodstuffs, but deep inside, he knew that wasn’t the only reason. He wanted to see Ijeoma. Ever since he first set his eyes on her, he had carried a quiet love for her in his heart. She was beautiful, elegant, and carried herself with pride. Even though she barely gave him attention, his feelings didn’t fade.

As he approached their shop, Amaka’s eyes lit up, but Ijeoma’s face turned cold.

“Good afternoon,” Obiora greeted softly.

Amaka smiled warmly. “Good afternoon, Obiora, you’re welcome. What do you want to buy today?”

“I need some vegetables,” he replied, his eyes unconsciously shifting to Ijeoma.

Before Amaka could speak, Ijeoma snapped sharply. “How much do you even have? If you cannot buy it for the amount I said, please, don’t waste my time. Leave it and go!”

Amaka gasped. “Sister, why are you talking like that? He’s a customer.”

“Which customer?” Ijeoma scoffed. “Abeg, if he cannot afford it, let him step aside for serious buyers. Time is money.”

The words cut through Obiora like a knife. He stood silently for a moment, his chest heavy with embarrassment. People in the market turned to look at him. Without a word, he dropped the vegetables and turned away.

“Obiora, wait” Amaka called, but he didn’t stop. He walked away quietly, swallowing the sting of Ijeoma’s insult.

Amaka’s heart ached. She could see the disappointment written on his face as he left, and she knew she had to do something.

That evening, when the market had settled, Amaka made up her mind. She couldn’t let Obiora go on thinking they all despised him. So she carried a nylon bag of fruits and walked to his house.

When she got there, she knocked gently.

“Who is it?” came his calm voice.

“It’s me… Amaka.”

The door creaked open, and Obiora’s eyes widened in surprise. “Amaka? You… you came to my house?”

“Yes,” she said with a small smile. “Please, don’t be surprised. I came to see you.”

“Ah, please come in,” he said quickly, stepping aside.

Amaka walked into the small but tidy room. Obiora tried to pull out a chair for her. “Sit down.”

She shook her head. “No, I won’t stay long.”

Obiora’s brows furrowed. “Then… why are you here?”

She swallowed hard before speaking. “Obiora, I came to apologize for the way my sister behaved today. She embarrassed you, and I know you felt hurt. Please, don’t hold it against her. She wasn’t in the best of moods.”

Obiora stared at her silently, and for a moment she felt nervous under his gaze.

“Please, Obiora,” she continued, her voice soft, “I don’t want you to think badly of us because of what happened. Forgive her.”

She lifted the nylon bag in her hands. “I also bought you some fruits… just to show how sorry I am.”

Obiora blinked, touched. “Ah, Amaka, you shouldn’t have bothered yourself.”

“I wanted to,” she said.

He smiled faintly. “You are kind. But don’t worry, I hold no grudges against your sister. I’m not angry.”

“Are you sure?” Amaka asked, her eyes searching his.

“Yes, I’m sure,” he replied gently.

“Alright then,” she said, handing him the nylon.

He accepted it with care. “Then I’ll take it as a gift. Thank you, Amaka.”

“You’re welcome,” she said, chuckling shyly.

As she turned to leave, Obiora asked, “So soon?”

“Yes, I have things to do at home,” she replied, though her eyes lingered on him.

For a brief moment, they stared at each other, a silent understanding passing between them.

“Take care,” Obiora said softly. “And… thank you again.”

“Oh, it’s nothing,” Amaka replied, smiling as she stepped out.

When Obiora closed the door, he looked down at the fruits and whispered to himself, “What a kind girl…” His lips curved into a small smile.

Later that night, in their room, Ijeoma was busy showing off the jewelry Ikenna had bought for her. She held the gold necklace to her neck, admiring her reflection.

“Amaka, look at this one!” she said proudly. “Ikenna bought it for me today. Isn’t it beautiful?”

Amaka glanced at the jewelry but her mind was elsewhere. She was still thinking of Obiora his soft voice, his gentle smile, the kindness in his eyes. Before she knew it, she was smiling unconsciously.

“Amaka!” Ijeoma snapped her fingers in her face. “Since I showed you this thing, you’ve just been smiling like someone in love. What is it? Tell me, who is he?”

Amaka blushed, trying to hide it. “Nobody…”

“Stop lying!” Ijeoma pressed. “Tell me now. Who is making you smile like this?”

Amaka hesitated, then whispered, “You already know the person.”

“Who?” Ijeoma asked.

“It’s… Obiora.”

Immediately, Ijeoma burst into mocking laughter. “Ahhh! Amaka! You didn’t see any other man? Of all people, you fell in love with that poor wretch? That low life? Amaka, it seems you enjoy poverty!”

“Ah ah, sister, why are you talking like this?” Amaka frowned. “There’s something special about him. I don’t even know how to explain it. Obiora is a good man. He’s gentle, he’s kind… the way he speaks, the way he carries himself I admire him so much. The very first day he came to our shop, I started to like him.”

“Hmm! Mrs. Liker!” Ijeoma scoffed. “Better leave that Obiora. He is poor! He cannot take care of you. I don’t want my sister to suffer.”

“Sis, nobody knows tomorrow. Life is not all about money,” Amaka said quietly.

Ijeoma hissed. “You’re talking like a child. Everything is about money! Look at this jewelry very expensive. That’s what money can do. Ikenna is rich. He commands money. Everything about him is money!”

Amaka touched the jewelry, admiring it. “This is really expensive… sis, you are so lucky.”

“Yes, I am lucky,” Ijeoma boasted. “Do you know how many companies Ikenna has in the city? How many houses? Let me shock you we are relocating to the city after our marriage.”

Amaka’s eyes widened. “Are you serious?”

“Yes!” Ijeoma said proudly, adjusting her necklace.

Amaka smiled faintly, but as she lay back on the bed, her mind drifted away again not to Ikenna’s wealth, not to the shining gold, but to Obiora, the man her sister despised, yet the man whose gentleness was slowly stealing her heart.

To be continued….