Chapter 11: Samba Ran Out of the House
Hannah empathized with Samba's struggles, offering her food and money during the two weeks of imposed fasting.
Samba expressed her gratitude to Hannah for her generosity and for helping her resist the temptation to steal.
In response, Hannah reminded Samba of the value of friendship, and together they found solace in laughter despite the hardships they endured.
Their bond continued to strengthen, providing Samba with much-needed relief and support in an otherwise turbulent home environment.
******
In the living room, Angelina placed a bottle of fruit juice in the freezer. After a while, she instructed Samba to retrieve it.
Samba brought the juice to Angelina, who poured it into a cup. Upon tasting it, Angelina became furious when she realized that someone had consumed part of the juice and diluted it with water.
With no one admitting to the act, Angelina immediately accused Samba, refusing to believe her denials.
Fearful of unjust punishment, Samba pleaded her innocence, invoking God's name as her witness.
Unconvinced, Angelina remained adamant that Samba was lying and bringing a curse upon herself.
She declared that Samba would fast for two days as punishment for the alleged theft.
At school the next day, Samba confided in Hannah about the unjust accusation and punishment she faced at home.
Hannah offered comforting words, reminding Samba that the truth would eventually come to light.
Unable to hold back her tears, Samba wept openly.
"Samba, don't cry anymore," Hannah consoled her.
"Your father will return soon, and all this mistreatment will end."
Still weeping, Samba replied, "I hope so, but I know that one day she will know the truth."
"Amen to that," Hannah agreed, offering her unwavering support to her dear friend.
******
Angelina instructed Samba to wash all the clothes in the house while she went to the market to buy groceries.
By the time Angelina returned, Samba had already finished the laundry and was cleaning the kitchen floor with a mop.
Hearing Angelina call her name from downstairs, Samba rushed to help her unload the groceries, which had arrived in a tricycle.
Meanwhile, Joy remained in the living room, watching a movie.
Their two-story house echoed with Angelina's shouts as Samba hurried down the stairs. She carried the groceries upstairs while Angelina only took her bag.
As Samba made multiple trips up and down the stairs without any assistance, she quietly prayed for help and deliverance from her suffering.
After finishing with the groceries, Samba was instructed to continue cooking in the kitchen and complete the floor mopping.
Meanwhile, Angelina joined Joy in the living room to watch movies.
Samba diligently cooked the meal and informed Angelina upon completion.
Angelina proceeded to serve the food and called both girls to collect their portions, leaving Samba to carry the last plate.
As they gathered at the dining table, Samba couldn't help but imagine how different her life would have been if her mother were still alive. Despite her difficult circumstances, she held on to hope and prayed for a better future.
******
Angelina brought home some snacks, intending to share them with Samba and Joy.
She left the snacks on the bed before going out. Upon returning home, Angelina discovered that the snacks had disappeared.
Surprised and unable to find them, she accused Samba of stealing the snacks and demanded a confession.
"I swear to Almighty God, I am not the one who stole the snacks," Samba pleaded.
Angelina didn't believe her and threatened to punish Samba, instructing her to kneel in the living room with her eyes closed until she confessed.
Samba went to the living room to serve her punishment, then silently prayed for a way out of her unjust predicament, confident in her innocence.
As time passed, Angelina fell asleep, and Samba seized the opportunity to escape.
She cautiously left the living room and ran downstairs, trying to devise a plan.
Hearing Joy approaching, Samba quickly hid under the staircase.
Once Joy had gone upstairs, Samba continued her escape, but Joy spotted her running towards the main road. Despite calling out, Samba didn't stop.
Joy's voice woke Angelina, who found her daughter relaxing in the living room.
Joy updated her mother about Samba's escape, and the pair discussed their frustration and plans to deal with Samba upon her return.
Regretting her mistake of not securing the door during Samba's punishment, Angelina promised to be more vigilant in the future.
Meanwhile, Samba continued her escape, desperate to find a safe haven and prove her innocence.
After running a long distance from the house, Samba sat down to rest, wondering how she would survive now that she had left home.
As she was lost in thought, tears began to fall from her eyes.
She reflected on her late mother and how she would survive without any means of livelihood.
Finally, she decided to search for a job and prayed to God for one.
While she was deep in thought, she felt a hand touch her shoulder, startling her.
She turned to see a woman dressed in native cloth. The woman appeared to be around 48 to 50 years old and was plump. Her name was Mrs. Laughter.
"Little girl, why are you lonely and weeping?" asked Mrs. Laughter.
Samba rose from where she was sitting, still crying, and explained how her stepmother had mistreated her, punishing her for things she didn't do, and how she had run away from home.
"Sorry, oh," Mrs. Laughter said with pity. After a moment, she added, "I am going to take you to my house now, and I will tell my husband about you. If he agrees to let you stay with us, then you are welcome."
"Ok, ma. I will be grateful, ma," Samba said, feeling relieved that God had answered her prayer.
She followed Mrs. Laughter home. When they arrived, they found her husband relaxing on a bench in front of the house. Mrs. Laughter called him inside to explain everything.
The house was in a rural area, a "face-to-face" building. Mrs. Laughter and her family lived in a room and parlor they rented.