Chapter 10: Love and Clear Eyes

I just wish say Ifedayo don kpai.

At least, if e die when I still believe say e love me, e for better.

No be now wey e stand for my front with face wey I sabi but no sabi again.

E stand as third son of Ife family—Zainab husband.

Ifedayo waka come, use hand pull gold pin from my hair.

"All these things too much. You fine pass when you no get makeup—just natural."

"Ngozi, I no mean to lie you. I just too like you. You no fit understand how I dey feel?"

Ifedayo hold my hand, put am for him chest.

I feel the heat from him skin pass the cloth.

Even with cloth, I feel say him heart dey beat strong.

I try drag my hand comot, but e hold am well. My body cold, but the heat from Ifedayo dey burn me. Na mixture of shame and pain dey inside me.

"Ngozi, finally, we fit dey together for long, long time."

"Ngozi, I dey happy well."

I pull my hand, shift back, raise my chin, look Ifedayo with cold eye.

"Ifedayo, I no go be side woman."

Ifedayo shock, then sigh.

"Ngozi, no dey too want."

"Zainab papa na Local Government Chairman, her mama na daughter of big chief."

"Your level and her own far. To even allow you enter this house na big thing."

"No fear—even though you be lowest now, my mama promise say once I pass highest exam, you go become better side woman."

I hear say for big family, side women get level.

Equal wife, noble side, good side, lowest.

Good side name dey family record—even main wife no fit beat or send her anyhow.

Lowest na the bottom; dem dey call am side woman but e no even reach some maid level.

Why I go be side woman for Ifedayo?

Because I like am?

For my mind, the insult dey bitter. Juju woman for Benue land no be small thing. We dey fear God, but we no dey fear person. Na only love hold me down, but now my eyes don clear like after harmattan rain. Love dey blind, but pain dey open eye wide.