Chapter Eight: Betrayed For Love

I

Rachael was sick then before their departure to Sudan. Her child was no longer suckling. She had had a few nights with Andrew before the sickness. As such she thought she would be injected at home to make things okay. It was however Jacob who could do it. In absence of Andrew she went to Jacob's home one fine afternoon. Jacob asked her money to go and buy drugs as she would wait till heat would reduce. It was then three prompt that Jacob began mixing the drug to administer it to the patient.

Once he injected, it hadn't taken long for her to sleep. He got outside and saw his wife going out to fetch water. Children had gone to play in the neighbourhood. He assumed minutes he thought his wife would be occupied at the tap. He closed the windows and the door too tightly. He peered through a little opening he had not closed to see if his wife would come or not. It was an opening which would not allow him being seen outside but him to see anyone passing by. Nobody was there to see him in the house, neither the young children playing far away. He tested her eyes if she could still see but not at all. He removed the skirt and the lingerie and mounted.

Just after he had completed his work, he opened his house, got out and opened his radio as he listened to Arabic news. It was nearly late when she got up, only to feel abdominal pains. She wondered how she got a sleep but could recall she was to be injected. She called Jacob who said he had injected and the drug was too concentrated as instructed by the pharmacist and physician.

“That's how it affects people,” he lied. “How do you feel now?”

“Abdominal pains,” she said. “And why do I look this way? I didn't get my clothes like I put them before. What did you do?”

He denied dead that he had not done anything at all. Rachael put it aside that if anything happens she would tell it being caused by him. Her threats had turned into compassion and left limping to her home.

She was limping and tried to be upright which didn't work at all. And so Andrew asked, “Why do you limp?”

“It's the drug injected,” she said.

Andrew said, “We shall see.”

Jacob had paid visit a certain afternoon to get Andrew and his neighbour eating lunch. He had clapped and welcomed inside yet he refused to eat with them. He claimed he was alright. With what he saw Andrew had to let him eat if he had done anything, it would be proven if no child would die or any gentleman.

It was joined by Nathaniel, that as a leader you could taste food even if you can't eat a lot to show respect. As such, he carelessly grabbed a spoon, scooped food and ate. He angrily got out of the house and of the compound back to his home.

“I see,” said Andrew.

“Why is he refusing to eat hear nowadays while he had been?” asked Nathaniel.

“We shall see!” replied Andrew.

After Nathaniel left, he asked Rachael who told her that sooner as the drug was injected, she fell asleep. When she woke up she felt pains in the abdomen which was polished by Jacob being a side effect of the drug.

“Let us see what happens,” he said once more.

Not long enough, Jacob's first born died. Funeral was arranged and it was over and forgotten. Two weeks later, the second born fell sick and died instantly before reaching the hospital.

Funeral was organized too and it was over. Andrew witnessed them and waited for Jacob to call a secret meeting to discuss that but he was reluctant. Even after the funeral he wouldn't discuss with people.

Then, it rushed to another family and killed a child too. That's how it was known by most of the clan members that something was wrong somewhere. The secretary called a meeting to discuss that issue.

In persons all clan members had gathered, even Margaret who was called by Rachael and told what was happening. She had revealed that she knew that Jacob might have done something. She feared that it would bring misunderstanding between her and Andrew. Then, the secretary introduced the people to the happening.

“My people we have gathered to discuss the cause of an abrupt loss of lives. Jacob our leader saw it and kept quiet. I had to plan his role if he's occupied and aggrieved. Let someone tell us what the cause might be.” he enquired.

Andrew didn't hesitate, saying, “Jacob will tell us better.”

Jacob was still quiet.

“Why do you keep quiet Jacob?” asked Andrew.

You must know the cause as the leader for we all know our taboos.

“My people, you will think I have done something but not. It's the death of my children which has demoted my soul.”

A slice of truth: a bit of lie.

“I don't know the cause,” denied Jacob.

“A liar,” said Andrew angrily. “Don’t be talking this way. Can't you people see someone has confused women in this clan?” 

“Jacob. Tell us now what you did,” he added.

Everybody was confused not knowing why Andrew would fume. Andrew rose instantly and jumped towards him. It was more of a war zone. Voices topped. Margaret felt concerned. Faces were aggressive as those of a lioness avenging her dead husband. She growled as if a man.

“This shouldn't be a matter of quarrels. You did and God turned it against you,” she said. “We are concern about lives. I apologize on behalf of Rachael who was raped by Jacob who drugged her.”

Each one of the people developed expressions describing best the happening and Jacob too. He got his small head heavier, shy and dizzier. He shook his head. Hands pointed at him. Jacob denied and swore but there was no alternative. Heads shook continually and hands shook as if cursing the roots of the disgraceful man.

Andrew approached him, held his collar tightly and topped his voices, “Idiot, reckless, Ahab: go to Sodom.”

Andrew was returned to his seat anger overridden. He was advised till his mouth was less wordy.

“He can't be a leader from now on,” suggested Andrew.

It was agreed. It was got from Rachael for clarity while she explained. That's when Jacob asked for solution as a matter of acceptance.

Dark dawned.

They called an old woman. She tied clothes worn by Rachael and Andrew at portions behind them. She lit the tied out part and fire blazed. It burnt till the knot was consumed separating adulterer from that innocent woman. It was over indeed with respect to culture.

Andrew was convinced not to touch Rachael. People dispersed. While Margaret bathed, Andrew got into the house.

Rachael was under the bed. Baffled to return he heard a hearty breath. He returned knowing only she might be under the bed. He sat like a baby on knees and sent his hand. It was a fruitless search.

He set his hands farther feeling softness. Rachael had no more space to squeeze herself in. Wall was hard to break through. He sent two hands and squeezed it. She cried under the bed. He crawled closer, pulled her out and beat her.

From that day, Andrew disowned her. Instead of living with quarrelsome reformed Andrew, Margaret decided to go to Sudan with her telling her to find a husband to give her children.

Julius was away, a child and couldn't be allowed to get hold of Rachael.