TAMAR - Episode 20

Zity lay quietly on her bed as the physician checked her and confirmed that she and the baby were alright.

Chakan gave a sigh of relief, I was happy that Zity and the baby were fine.

the Physician, who was a woman said that she needed a good rest and gave her some drugs which will make her rest well, so I left her, Chakan sat beside her, Zity asked him to leave her side and he quietly left.

After two days Zity was still on bed rest, she sleeps most part of the day, the medicine the physician gave her took real effect, all she does was to sleep and eat and most time cry when no one is around and sleep again, Chakan has tried to plead with her severally but she refuse to allow him close to her or hear what he has to say.

One day as I sat by the passage close to Zity’s room which was open, waiting for her to summon me, Chakan went inside to check her and they both started quarreling.

“I have told you to keep away from me, I have warned to leave me alone and stay far off, you disguist me with your presence…I will be leaving to my father’s house ones I’m fully recovered, I don’t want you anymore and as for the baby, you will never be allowed to see this child, I will personally bring up the child in my father’s house, my mother will be so glad to have a little one, a grandchild to keep her busy, you will be totally forgotten, I will make sure of that. you are a cheat and I h@te you…I h@te you Chakan…”

“You are my wife and I can’t leave you alone…I’m sorry Zity…” Chakan pleaded

“Sorry for what exactly, for disrespecting me by sleeping with a common slave in your chamber or is it sorry for causing me so much pain? I have never cried so much like I have cried this few days. Chakan you are a d!sgrace. Don’t you dare give me the excuse of “not being around when you needed me, that was why you stoop so low to go after a common servant, you just don’t have anything to tell me, leave me alone I have not decided what I want to do with you because you d!sgust me. I h@te you so much for hurt!ng me this way…”

“I take no pride in the shameful act, I never wanted it to go that way but I tried, I wanted you Zity, but is either Okra is taking you to this party or she’s teaching you to be in charge and not allow your husband to control you. Okra is always taking you to a gladiator party, it was more of partying everyday than your marriage. I tried to make you see reasons why you should stay home sometimes and you asked me if I was a child that needs baby sitting, whenever I needs my wife she is never around or she is too tired. But I’m sorry Zity, I feel ashamed of myself, I promise such will never happen again, I promise. If you want to sell Shamara, if that will make you happy then go ahead, at least that’s what you have always wanted, do whatever you want to do with her. I love you…and I really do want you to spend more time with me than you do outside, we suppose to be together especially now that we are expecting a child. I’m sorry, I will do anything to make it up to you, i promise. please forgive me Zity. Don’t leave me, i beg you in the name of the gods, let’s make this work. our baby will arrive soon, we will both be a happy parent and bring up the child in a good way, I’m deeply sorry…”

Zity did not say anything as Chakan moved close to her and knelt down, she ignored him. he later stood up and kissed her fore head, he held her in his arm and she tried to fight and push him away but he held her still until she was relaxed.

 she began to sob in his arm, he wiped off her eyes while consoling her, Zity forgave him eventually.

Shamara was not sold but she was never allowed into the main house again, she was given a hard labor which kept her busy everyday.

On one of those days I have nothing much to do, I decided to go and visit Rhonda, I made sure I finished all I was doing.

 Chakan took Zity on a chariot ride on one of those cool evening.

I took the money Adolfo gave me and went straight to the market, I bought lots of things for Rhonda, for the twins and for little Jon. I also bought food stuffs for them and hired a truck rider that conveyed me to the place.

I paid the old man, who looks haggard more than he charged me.

he was grateful and asked me if he can come back to carry me later, I told him yes, it will really make my journey eas because walking back to Chakan’s house will be a very long distance.

 I don’t want Zity and her husband to come back before me, so I agreed for the truck rider to return for me.

Rhonda was so happy to see me, is being months since I last visited, she told me she has being praying for me, she was so happy to see all the things I bought and the cash I handed to her, she couldn’t thank me enough.

I saw little Jon sitting and playing with a wooden toy on the ground, he looks so much like Adolfo and hehas Chakan, his step brother’s eyes.

little Jon will grow to be a real carbon copy of Adolfo more than Chakan was.

He is going to grow into a handsome man just like Adolfo, his real father.

he looks so perfect sitting on the floor and getting busy with his toys, the twins were washing their cloths and that of Little Jon, they quietly sing as they work together, I lifted little Jon to my laps and tickles him, he giggled a little and then I lift him into the air and he began to laugh hard with his toothless mouth which made me laugh too.

I thought of Vim word, as it flashed through my heart, “marry me Tamar so that we can raise beautiful children together, I will never stop you from worshiping your god, I will serve whichever god I so desire, money, Jupiter and whatever god I want and you will serve yours too, I will protect you, please marry me Tamar..”

I quickly snapped out of the thought, as his word came flowing.

 I have never stopped thinking of him ever since he came and Zity was ready to let me go but deep down I wanted to pray about it and to seek God and know what he says, but silent met my every prayer, I do not know what God is saying, I don’t know what Abel will say but Abel has trained me enough to seek and trust God in every situation and circumstances.

 Abel will want me to have a mind of my own but the thought of marrying Vim crowded my mind, he is a jealous lover and can be violent too. He is one of the most handsome and powerful young man in the kingdom, many maiden of the land will kill to have him as theirs, many will want him close and to also be his wife yet he chose me, a commoner, a slave girl, not as beautiful as the Tivi girls. Not even pretty like Shamara or Obia, neither is she a true born maiden of the land. I have nothing to my name yet he chose me to be his, he did not force himself on me or rape me when he had the chance to, he begged me to marry him, which was never heard of a royalty begging a mare servant for marriage.

 I felt so honored to have him yet I feel God is telling me something else, I felt God may have other plans, I wish Abel was close by to help me seek the face of God or to tell me what to do like he has always done, is a difficult situation and I feel like I don’t even know what to do, I wish…”

“Tamar, are you alright? you seem to be in deep thought, is there a problem? I don’t mind if you share it with me, what troubles you so deeply…? Rhonda asked

“Hmm, is very complicated Rhonda, I wish I know what God thinks of me or thinks of this whole thing happening around me…”

“For I know the thought I think towards you, says the Lord, thought of peace and not of evil, to give you a future and a hope. God’s thought for you is all good, for no evil is found in him. I don’t know what is bothering you Tamar, but I’m certain that God will always guide you to the right path. whatever that is not of him he will keep faraway from you, he led you and the mid wife to save Jon and bring him to me, he will also do much more through you because you are his masterpiece. when God created humanity in his image, he put so much effort so that we can turn out to be like him, after creation the bible said and God looked and saw that it was good. God did a perfect work in making us and that is why we are called small gods, for we are God’s master piece he has created us anew in Christ Jesus so that we can do the good things he planned for us long ago. Jesus said before his crucifixion, “my peace I give to you, do not let your heart be trouble, have faith in God and have faith also in me” so my sister, you have to trust God more than you trust your instinct, because even dev!l can give you a package well wrapped and decorated and it look so attractive that you can hardly resist, but inside the package is filled with venøm, po!son and all manner of b@d things you never expected to see in the beautiful wrap, don’t allow the w!cked one to creep into your heart and make his dwelling, a crowded mind is a confused mind and that’s the devils abode, waiting for any little space to make it his territory…”

“..Rebuke the devil and he shall flee from you, say no to confusion and think of what God says. for his thought toward you are of good and not of evil to give you a future and a hope, don’t be afraid…

“.. listen Tamar, I don’t worry too much on what me and my children will eat or drink because I know God will always provide for us. Jesus said in the book of Mathew, “therefor I tell you, don’t worry about your life, what to eat or what you will drink or about your body, what you will wear, for isn’t life more than food… ?Tamar, he will never allow our feet to be strike on a stone, even if he allows us to be smite, he will lift us up and heal us again, for in him we are secured..”

It was as if Abel was talking to me when Rhonda speaks, she speaks with so much authority like Abel, I did not tell her what my trouble was and yet God used her to speak to my heart and made it still.

 I was glad to be around her, I always feel good to be around my fellow believers, it boast my faith and keep me focus when I feel confuse, those who trust and totally depends on God will never be put to shame.

As we were speaking, the truck man came back, it was time to go.

 Rhonda held my hands and quietly prayed for me, she prayed so well and my heart was gladden.

 I kissed little Jon and the twins, I hugged Rhonda before leaving with the truck man.

when I got close to the house I came down and paid the man, he was so happy as he rode away.

 I trekked to complete my journey which wasn’t far anymore.

I saw a new fine chariot and two others packed outside the house, I know one belong to Chakan and the other looks like Vim’s own, but I don’t know who the new and well decorated one belongs to, I did not know what to expect as I went inside.

My heart skipped as I saw Vim, he stood a head taller than Chakan, Zity was sitting beside him.

My leg shakes as I move towards them, I was missing my step because I know that Vim was watching me, when I manage to get to them.

I greeted them warmly with my head bow, just then Okra came inside, Zity doesn’t seem so delighted to see her but she acted cheerful.

Zity spoke first as she saw me

“Tamar, I was already wondering where you could be, my brother has being here since, he even had to go and check you at Adolfo’s house but you were not there and none of the servants knows where you went to…where could you have gone…”

I stammered a little as I try to still my heart beat which was beating so fast especially with Vim standing there and staring at me, no sign of anger was written on him but he wasn’t smiling either,

“I’m sorry, I didn’t inform you my lady, I went for a walk, also to give out some of my things that I’m not in need of to those in need of it. my apologies if I spent so much time…”

Vim face lightened up with smile and Zity Smiled also, Chakan did not say anything but he has a cheerful look.

Vim spoke

” i thought you have stopped all this your charitable work, which almost got you into trouble back home when Obia reported you to father, but is all good, you are not in any trouble, your things are totally yours to deal with as you so desire. I actually came for you…”

Before Vim could say another thing Zity spoke excitedly.

“So my brother decided to take you as his, you are so lucky Tamar to be chosen by my one and only brother. He said mother and father has already approved your union with him, the new chariot you saw outside belongs to you, he bought it for you, and has also gotten three servants girls who will serve you in your new home. Vim has taken one of the houses in father’s estate, where you two will live as husband and wife, a new box of fine jewelries and wears has being bought down for you, you are such a wonderful and lucky girl and you deserve it because you have served me well Tamar. so all that is remaining now is to free you which I’m doing right away, i will give you a certificate of your freedom which i have already prepared down, because you are going to belong to my brother not me anymore. I will really miss you but I know you can always visit and I too…”

Okra spoke angrily as jealousy and envy was written all over her

“wait a second, has everyone gone crazy? Zity I know your brother doesn’t like me but I sincerely has to say this not withstanding, how can your brother stoop so low for a maid when there are so many beautiful maiden, a true born and also royal born ready to die for him?what did he see in this thing you called your personal servant? Could it be that she charmed him? ooh, she has probably bewitched him, because your brother, a royalty, handsome like those gods they carve in the temple of Jupiter, powerful like twail, he command respect where ever he goes, how can he not go and get a wife of his kind, this is a total disgrace to your household, a disgrace that the only son of Lord Reese, the second prime ruler of this kingdom married a slave girl. people are going to make fun of him and you too because you are his sister and she is your slave girl, Zity do you know that this your slave will be higher than you when she becomes your brother’s wife, she practically becomes more powerful because she is married to a very important man, and one way or the other you will have to see reasons to what I’m saying. this is not just right please..”

Vim laughed out loud before replying Okra.

“I’m so glad you know I don’t like you and I won’t, no matter what you do. you are talking to my sister as if I’m not present or there is no other human here except her, why don’t you go and mind your home, rumor has it that you are deceiving younger women to ruling over their husbands and you think Zity is the next one in line for you, you should be ashamed of your self. everybody is not ill minded like you, focus on your business and leave me and my wife to be alone. Stay away from my sister or haven’t you heard that I have gladiator friends who I can send to your house, right in your house to give you some whip, if you dare come close to what I cherish must, mind your business Okra, go and attend to your merchant husband, who is so unfortunate to marry a shrewd woman like you. I love my sister dearly and I will marry Tamar, be it slave or free is not your problem, she is whom I chose and that is how it will be. let me see anybody in this kingdom that will dare say ill things to her or behind her back, they will be hanged upside down and whip thoroughly. I am not joking about that. You can leave now, this suppose to be a family gathering not for friends and family which I know that you are not even Zity’s friend, you are only finding away to spoil her mind and make her start doing your bidding. leave at once, I hate your presence it smells only of havoc…get away from here and don’t you ever come close to wherever I am or where my wife Tamar is. Zity belongs to Chakan, I can’t make that decision for her, she has to make it for her self, if she still want to be seeing you and allowing you to deceive her, let her make that choice…”

Okra looked at Vim angrily and sighed heavily before walking away.

 Vim asked me to follow him to the new house, I will also ride on my new chariot.

 I looked at lady Zity she nodded urging me to go ahead.

Everything sound like a dream, despite it was too good to be true for a commoner like me in the eyes of the people, married to lord Reese only son, one of the most important young man of the kingdom.

Yes, despite how mouth watering and tempting it was, yet I will not accept it.

Is hard to say no to such beautiful offer, I know Vim will be hurt, I know Zity will be angry, I know a whole lot of things will go bad but I will not accept.

 I understand Abel’s word to me when he said there’s more to come, Abel has asked me to open my heart and let God speak to me and guide me, God has spoken through Rhonda and it may not have come out clear yet I got the message.

 this not God’s will for me and I will not give in to all this temptation.

I want to be married, I have always wanted to have a family of my own, I want to have children.

 when I held little Jon in my hand, I have wished I will also get married some day and bear children of my own.

I know I want to be loved and Vim has proven to love me, he is ready to do anything I asked of him, yet I don’t feel it in my heart to accept this offer presented to me in a platter of gold.

Rhonda has said, some package may come well decorated, wrapped so beautifully and hard to resist but inside is filled with venom, and I understand what she means now.

I know if I marry Vim, he will drag me out of faith and pull me down to their gods, who am I to disobey my husband if he decides to say don’t worship your God again, chose any gods of the land and serve, I don’t want my wife to be a Christian or worship her God any more.

Vim will say with authority “you belong to me so you have to do my bidding”. and in that instant I know I’m done for, which way do I go, I can not disobey my husband because he has become lord over me, I can’t even make him to believe because his heart is stubborn and for him to believe God it will require a big miracle.

God has to come down to turn his stoned heart.

Vim need to see what will make him believe, like a miracle or an encounter and that will not come easy.

Je has gotten angry the day I tried to speak to his parents about God and he has told me not to speak to them again, that was how the devil held the gospel from getting to his parents, which I know it will still happen someday if God permits.

 I can’t marry Vim, not like this, not when he doesn’t want to have anything to do with God.

Even though he has said I will worship my god he will not disturb me and he will serve his own god, I’m in deep doubt it will never go as it sound, he will drag me to his and It will be better if I was never conceived in my mother’s womb, it will be better if I have never see the sun light than to bow to an Idol, a god made by men. God forbids it!

I know everything may crumble but I know God has spoken to me on what to do through Rhonda, I know as always he has directed my ways.

 for God’s plan for me is of good and not of evil to give me hope and a future.

Vim took my hands, claiming me as his wife.

We walked down to the flower cot and sat like couple.

when i was alone with Vim at the flower cot, as he talks to me about the marriage preparation which was already in process because he has put everything in place and my personal maids were back home waiting to attend to me.

He has gotten boxes of jewelries, shoes, clothes and well decorated charioteers.

He mentioned that the wedding ceremony will  begin tomorrow, he was so happy as he speaks.

He held my hands and kissed them, calling me his wife.

I swallowed hard as I decided to tell him the bitter truth.