Save the Servant Girl

Chapter 3 

Asha and her sisters watched as Soma stomped away, her servant rushing to dab the remaining speck of blood on her lips.

"Get away from me!" she screamed like a wild animal at the servant girl.

From where they stood and from the way Soma had stormed out, they all knew she was going to report to her parents. The issue might then be brought up to the council of chiefs and the royal house. And her father wouldn't be happy with her at all. Zeep turned to Asha, and she could see just a bit of what her father's anger would be like through her sister's furious stare. Her heart was beating heavily, and she just couldn't understand how things had escalated to that point.

"Let's go home so you can be punished! You have not just ruined my one chance of being close to the prince; you've managed to turn everyone's eyes on us. Like you weren't trouble enough or weird enough!" Zeep yelled while dragging her sister forcefully, even though it wasn't a classy way to act outside.

"Come on, Zeep! Stop being too hard on her. I for one think Soma deserved whatever she got. Did you hear the names she called you? She deserved a hefty punch for that!" Nena said, demonstrating with little hands as they walked home. Zeep merely glares at Nena as she continued her funny demonstration. 

Asha had no idea when laughter escaped from her lips. But when she saw the evil glare from Zeeps she had no choice but to keep her face like that of a remorseful child. She must try her best to make Zeep happy and convince her not to rat her out to their father. 

"I am sorry Zeep, you know I don't enjoy seeing anyone around me being treated so poorly!"

"Oh, what a kind soul you are, living in a house run by servants! They handle your bathing water and cook your food, yet you don't think you're part of those mistreating them?" Zeep retorted, still upset about Soma potentially taking her place in the prince's life.

"I'm truly sorry. If it's about the prince and Soma, just let them be. Trust me, they're not worth your frown! Let Soma have the arrogant prince."

"Shut up already! Do you think I enjoy being called cursed because I don't have a husband yet at my age? You think I love being home with you both when I should be running my husband's home? I am not!" 

"I know!"

"And yet yiu ruined my chance of being with the prince with your clumsy attitude."

"Take it easy on her, Zeep!"

Nena chimed in. Though she usually sided with Zeep due to loyalty, Asha knew her older sister cared for her. Grateful for that, she now hoped to be on Zeep's good side too. How did things get so bad that Soma got hurt? It wasn't her plan, and she sighed, feeling troubled.

Zeep stayed silent until they reached their compound's gate. As they walked in quietly, Asha couldn't help but think about the girl who accidentally spilled drinks on Soma's dress. She was sure to face punishment. Despite saving the girl from Soma, Asha questioned if it was the right move. Both she and the girl might now face consequences from their father and the girl's mistress, whoever was in charge of her.

"Please, Zeep, don't tell Father about what happened today at the meeting. I'm so sorry. I'll do anything if you promise not to!" Asha pleaded when they reached their room, realizing that punishment was inevitable unless she apologized to Zeep

I have no words for you, Asha. Just leave me alone! Can you bring me the prince? Can you?" Zeep asked, angrily throwing her headgear on the floor.

"Please, help me beg her, Nena. You know how awful Father's punishment can be. He might beat me or make me skip dinner because of this."

Nena wanted to plead with Zeep, understanding Asha's fear, but Zeep maintained an unapproachable face as she called in the maid to wash her feet.

"You not only ruined my chance of meeting the prince privately, but you've also dragged all of us, including Father, into trouble. You know how Soma's parents are. They treat her delicately, and you dared to lay a finger on her."

"But I didn't mean to," Asha mumbled, nervously folding her arms in her lap.

As the day grew dark and their father hadn't returned, Asha thought her punishment might be avoided. She believed that Zeep would forget her anger with the approaching night.

The realization hit her that she was about to face punishment when their father arrived home, loudly calling her name. Though he wasn't wicked, Asha perceived him as stern – so stern that she often thought of him as wicked.

Almost in tears, she rushed out of their room to meet her father in their spacious, empty room adorned with carved wooden chairs meant for visitors.

"What's this I hear about the meeting today?" her father inquired, taking a seat on a stool while a servant hurried to bring him water and some wine.

"I— father it was a mistake, an accident I mean"

"Where are your other sisters?" 

Asha had barely looked back to call them when she saw both Zeep and Nena filing in front of their father. 

She winked at them to take her side in the sorry but Zeep just shot her a glare.

"So, Asha, tell me what went down between you and Chief Nnutu's daughter. Spill it!" her father demanded, his stern face looking even tougher. His eyebrows furrowed in a frown, and his large nose flared up. He seemed furious, like he had faced embarrassment where he was coming from.

Stuttering, Asha explained to her father how everything unfolded, doing her best to portray herself as blameless in the story.

"So, you pushed a privileged member of our kingdom for a servant? Why?" Chief Japthan questioned his youngest daughter. Struggling for words, Asha found herself in a tough spot, and just when things couldn't get worse, Zeep entered to add fuel to the fire.

"Father, Asha is just as lousy and silly as everyone says she is. You can't imagine she stumbled into a pile of Ash and got her dress all dirty. She must have been angry about looking so out of place and that's why she picked on Soma" 

"What are you saying? I did not do that because…"

"Keep quiet, Asha! How many times have I told you to behave properly? Do you realise the embarrassment you've caused me today? I was at the meeting when such a trivial matter was brought up by Chief Nnutu. Do you understand why I always avoid such things? Do you know my position in this kingdom? How can my own daughter fight in a meeting attended by noble daughters from families closest to the throne? Get me a cane from below my bed. Let her experience what it feels like to be embarrassed!"

"Oh, Father, please... It truly wasn't my intention to cause you any embarrassment."

As Asha wept, Zeep rushed to fetch her father's cane hidden under the bed. Nena stood aside, feeling a bit guilty for not intervening to save her little sister. Zeep hurriedly handed her father the cane.

A loud scream filled the room as the pain from the first flog spread all over Asha's body. However, her father didn't stop at just one lash; he added five more before sending her off to her room.

Asha cried all night, hating her sisters for what they did to her. At that moment she wished her mother were alive to console her or there was somewhere to run off to. But there wasn't! And she hated all of them even more, from Soma down to her sisters, especially Zeep. 

But her pain multiplied when she woke to hear one of the maids telling the other girl that the servant girl who had spilled orange juice on Soma and caused a fight would be whipped at the center of the market. 

"That can't be!" Asha screamed at no one in particular. She dashed out to see if there was anything she could to save the girl or maybe help her after she must have been flogged. It was so typical for her people to treat the poor so horrible, like they were no more than beasts. And it pained her that she couldn't do anything about it.