Chapter Eight

She didn't finish her homework, so she gladly did her punishment. She was made to wash the latrines and sweep the dining halls. She didn't complain. She was sure she deserved it. Within no time she was all done and called upon by the headmistress. She was sure it was about missing the opening tests, what they all called 'opener'.

She knocked on the door.

"Yes, come in."

"Akoth Ogola, how are you?"

"I'm fine Ma'am, thank you,"she replied, "And how are you?

I'm okay, but not entirely okay. You know you didn't sit for yesterday's tests and I've had so many complaints from the teachers. Are you really serious with school? Do you want to improve your life? If so then you need to get serious with school Akoth. Not everyone gets a second chance, and I'm completely sure that I don't want to regret giving it to you. Now, I'll let you do the papers but I will not tolerate the slightest mistake, do you understand?"

"Yes Ma'am," she nodded. "Thank you so much, I will never fail you. I swear."

"Okay, you may go back to class now. Go start preparing for the tests."

She went back to class as she waited for the test. She was the kind that hated last minute rushes, so she just waited for the test. She was sure she was going to pass and she did. School was good and everything flowed perfectly well.

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Back in Kajulu, Kisumu, the home was in chaos. Sewe had intentionally let her cattle raid on Anyango's crops. Much damage was done to the sweet potatoes that were about two months from harvesting. When Sewe learnt that Anyango had hit her favorite ox, she was furious. It was as if she had been wronged when in fact it was the other way round. Sewe and her daughters had ganged up against Anyango. They heaped insults at her all the while she locked herself in the house with teary eyes. Oweke was just coming back from the river when he heard the commotion. Sewe was using obscene words and Oweke had to stop her. It was humiliating. Finally, Sewe left for her home after hours of being begged to let go of the matter.

In the evening when the husband got wind of the matter, he was fumed with anger. He just knew Sewe was at fault, her nature just couldn't let her be wronged. That woman! She was always looking for trouble. Arguments arose at Sewe's home.

"Sewe what is your problem? Why do you always have to be like this? You remember what happened last time, huh? It was because of you that Anyango is having her own home,just you! Did you just have to go disturb her peace there too? I'm tired of you Sewe." Joannes was almost frothing in the mouth.

"Don't you dare use that tone on me Mister," Sewe's tongue never failed her. "Why are you always on her side? Have you heard my side of the story? Have you seen what her son has done to me? I hate you Joannes." Sewe always knew how to twist things.

"What son? Sewe, I'm tired of your drama. Like literally tired."

"That wretched son of hers dared raise a hand on me, his step mother. Obviously you are going to be on his side even though the whole world knows he does not have your blood in his veins. I told you bastards don't deserve a chance. Yeah, right, her whoreson almost killed me today," Sewe was almost crying. She was a star in faking emotions. Joannes bought it.

"How dare he!" He said as he reached for his stick ready to go in pursuit of Oweke. Sewe stayed behind with a smirk on her face, knowing what Joannes would do to the boy.

"Battle won,"she told herself.

Joannes was never one to tolerate nonsense. When he got to his youngest wife's home, he began beating the crap out of Oweke. Anyango would not dare interfere. Her husband was always right. He didn't want anyone challenging his decisions. Everything he said was final. He had never liked the idea of Oweke staying there.

Anyango had given birth to him while courting a guy back home before being forced into marrying Mzee Joannes. Otondi was furious when he heard the news of his daughter bearing a child before going into marriage. Joannes had agreed to take both Anyango and her son as his, despite not liking the idea of having a foster son. He had promised to take him in but deep down he wasn't for the idea, though he hoped his mind would change, with time.

"Father, what did I do wrong? I only stopped the two from causing a scene here," Baruch pleaded as he wiped tears off his eyes.

"How dare you raise that voice at me, bastard! I want you out of my home tomorrow morning. It seems this home is not fit for the both of us. You cannot tame a wild animal."

"What?" Anyango was in shock. She expected anything but that.

"Joannes please. You cannot do.."

"Not..a word from you," he cut her short pointing his walking stick at her then left, cursing between his breath.

The next morning, Anyango woke his son very early to prepare for the journey to her mother's home. He was seventeen years of age but she still treated her like a toddler. He often felt that it was too much but the mother would not hear any of it. She too needed a break from the husband, and the best place for that was her mother's home. She offered great advice.

By eight they were already at Kiboswa market. They made a quick stop to grab some stuff for the mother. They couldn't just go to her with empty hands.

They covered a short distance and were at home. Ogola was in school. Mama Marsella was just coming from the farm.

"Mama, you never rest."

"Aah, my daughter. You are here. How are you Baruch? It has been long? Go prepare porridge for your mother and I." Arnold left, with his belongings in his hands. Marsella knew something was wrong,but she didn't bring it up. She wanted to hear it from her daughter.

"You should have told me you were coming,I would have prepared a good meal for you," she said in jest.

"Ooh mother, I know you already know that I'm here for a reason," and of course she did. Nothing ever escaped that woman.

"I know my daughter. And I know it involves you and your son. What happened this time, Anyango?"

She explained everything to her. Marsella always knew her daughter was soft, but she couldn't let her stay there. Not after what she did to Ogola some time back.

"My daughter, you are now an adult. You should learn how to deal with your issues in marriage. You know I won't always be around to lend you an ear or shoulder to cry on. My time is near Anyango, there's no point trying to lie about that. As much you love peace, you should stand your ground my daughter. Don't let yourself be weak, or else she'll take advantage of you. Go back to your home, Anyango. Act like an adult, for once, please."

The two engaged in a lengthy conversation after which porridge was brought and the three took to it. Baruch was made to swear not to tell Ogola that the mother had been there, and he promised not to. He would live with them as he helped his grandmother with the work at home. His education had come to a halt when he wasn't performing in class. Joannes said he would not waste his money paying fees for a dunderhead, as he called him, and so he was made to look after the cattle. The three made stories till before midday when Anyango bid them goodbye and left for her home back in Kisumu.