TAMAR - Episode 10

One of the slave girls who was two years ahead of me took likeness to me. Whenever I was alone in the flower garden, she would come and sit with me unlike others who kept their distance.

Eura was quiet and beautiful, she was the only household servant who immediately took likeness to me in Adolfo’s house. She said to me:
“You like being on your own, mostly in this garden. I’ve seen you muttering some words, you seem strange and have an aura around you… The other servants seem not to be comfortable when you’re around them. Are you the daughter of a priestess or a fortune teller?”

“I’m just Tamar, an ordinary girl… My father was no priest neither was my mother a priestess. My father was just a common man among his people, so also was my mother…”

“I like you, you seem special. How do you cope with the mistress? She’s insatiable, please take no offence, but it’s true… She’s always unhappy and we all know that she doesn’t like Adolfo as much as he loves her; she’s quick to anger, which makes us to stay far away from her until she needs us, but she never does… Everyone of us wants to serve her but she’s never comfortable with us coming close to her. I sometimes wonder how you do it, she feels comfortable around you, even when she switches into rage. I’ve heard her shout at you to get away from her, and yet, you never take offence but instead, you stand behind the door waiting for her to summon you again. If I’m the one, I’ll run so far away from her until she’s calm enough to need me again…”

I replied: “I don’t like it when she becomes violent but I really don’t have a choice, I’m to serve her in all weather, and that’s what I will do. Eura, patience is the key to staying sane even in a world as crazy as this, and when you see me out here alone, I’m communicating to God, who loves me despite my shortcomings and has endowed me with blessings. I was the weakest in my family, yet I’ve survived what killed others. I’ve been sold to different people in different lands, shipped to different places, walked miles I never thought I would ever be alive… I’ve seen women get raped, I have seen a lot of death, helpless slaves abandoned in the desert or thrown into rivers. I’ve gone through oppressive situations, but in all, this God has kept me. I lost my parents during the war; then my brother Joe, my two sisters, Kath and Deb followed suit… They all died, yet, God kept me. I’m not worthy, yet He counts me worthy to live, and when I thought I was going to lose my faith and submit to the ways of the people in this kingdom, when I thought I had had enough of everything in life, when I thought I was done with God, I started hating him for taking everything away from me, and for not being the kind and loving God that my parents told me He was… I was almost submitting to the ways the people when he sent a young man named Abel to rekindle my faith. Abel bought me from a merchant who wanted to sell me because his wife didn’t want me, and he built back my lost faith. I’ve learnt to give thanks in every situation because God has kept me for a reason, He has set me aside, probably to help Zity or some other person who needs to be helped… I’m yet to know but I’m ready to be led by Him…”

“truly, you’ve been through a lot … we all have one sad story or the other”, Eura said. “..After the war broke out and the soldiers conquered our land and took the young females away, I was sold off and brought down to this land. I’ve served two mistresses in different households who kept selling me off till I was bought by Pami, Adolfo’s chief servant. He brought me to serve in Adolfo’s household. Adolfo is a kind man, but the mistress is difficult to please… Tamar, you speak greatly of this God of yours, you make Him sound so interesting, as if He’s a friend you can easily communicate with. I had served different gods before I came to Adolfo’s house, and non of them seemed so real, like the way you make yours sound… What god is that?”

“He’s not just my God Eura, He is also God for everyone, and He’s always ready to be your friend if only you’ll open your heart and accept him into your heart. I’m a Christian, and you’re the first person I’ve spoken boldly to concerning this…”

Eura was shocked and began to talk in a very low voice
“Please Tamar, let me be the only and last person you’ll boldly say it to, you have to be careful… I heard they either stone them or give them to the circuit animal by the gate, please be very careful Tamar. I like you already and I don’t want any harm to come to you. The people of this land don’t like Christians, they adore their own gods and goddesses instead, and hate any strange foreign god or religion at that… I’ve seen them stone a man and his wife to death and also sold off their children to become temple slaves… It’s a very risky religion Tamar. This kingdom takes great offence in that…”

I replied, “This body you see is like a container, it contains the soul. It will be taken away from me one day, and my soul will return to the creator who made it. These people you fear can only destroy the flesh which is this body, but, what I carry inside of me is far greater than what the world can see, they can’t destroy me because I’m a strong seed. I’m dead to this world and alive in the Lord, I’m no more scared of death. I used to be until Abel opened my eyes… If God permits them to take a life they did not create, then so be it, it only shows my work here is done, I will gladly go to be with my creator. So Eura, I’m not scared of death, for greater is He that is in me than He that’s in the world. Death is not our final place, there’s life even after death. Come to know Him, that He may give you an everlasting joy, He’s not asking for too much; He doesn’t need a blood sacrifice, and you don’t need to sacrifice any animal to Him, the sacrifice of his son, Jesus Christ on the cross is the final sacrifice. The only thing He asks of you is your heart… Open it, let Him come in and dwell, so that you will feel this peace, joy and confidence I have in Him. Confess your sins and denounce them and ask Christ to come into your life. You’re not perfect but He is and He’ll guide you in all you do…”

“After that, what else do I do? I’m willing… You’re filled with so much confidence and I feel peace in my heart as you speak to me.. I want to know this God more… Show me what to do, Tamar…”

And that was how Eura became my first convert. What a joy in heaven over one sinner that repents, I was happy to bring Eura to Christ.
We talked quietly in the garden as I filled her in with the word of God, just as Abel planted in me which was beginning to bear multiple seeds. She was happy and was willing to learn how to become a better Christian. We quietly prayed together in the garden, most times.

The merchant’s wife traveled again and Zity needed me to keep her company.

“I can’t wait to get rid of this thing so that I can be free and live my life like I’ve always wanted. Okra traveled, she has another man, and she’s happy… She’s seeking for a way to leave the merchant so that she can be with her new lover. Whenever the merchant travels to sell his wares, she also travels and comes back before he returns… She says if she returns from her journey she’ll bring a physician to terminate the thing. I don’t know how long she’ll stay this time but I can’t wait to get this thing off me…”

“My lady, it’s not a thing, it’s a child, and he or she will make you happy, I promise you. Please, don’t get rid of your child, give him or her a chance to be born and a chance to live, even if you don’t want the baby, Adolfo will, or you can take the child to your mother. Also remember that it’s Adolfo’s child, he has every right to know you’re pregnant, he’s your husband, my lady. Please, don’t destroy the child that is happily growing in your womb…”

“Shut up Tamar!” Zity bellowed angrily.

“…Why do you talk to me with so much confidence? Have you lost your mind and forgotten that I’m your mistress? What do you even know? I expected you of all people to understand me more and support me! This thing is not yet a child, it has not formed into a child, I’m just two months and three weeks gone! It’s still blood, that’s what Okra said, and it’s the bad blood that the physician will flush out of me once Okra comes back. Why can’t you understand me? I don’t want it! I want to live a free and happy life, I don’t want anything to tie me down from achieving that…”

I went to the garden and kept praying. Eura joined me, as soon as I asked her to join me in praying for the mistress, she willingly joined me, for where two or three are gathered in His name, the Lord will be in their midst.
I went on fasting for Zity, I needed God’s intervention, I was in agony, I couldn’t allow Zity to do such evil. Even if I couldn’t talk her out of it, I would ask God to intervene…”

Okra didn’t come back from her journey on time like she has told Zity, she came two weeks later and Zity’s pregnancy was already more than three months. The day she came, I was sent out of Zity’s chamber but I eavesdropped as Okra told Zity that she had a heated argument with her husband after she told him she was leaving the marriage. She told Zity that she had a little problem which she wanted to sort out first, after which she would get a physician for her.
Zity wasn’t happy but there was nothing she could do.

Vim came to visit his sister but Zity was in a bad mood and couldn’t really entertain him. He left with a promise to visit some other time.
Her stomach was already protruding, and pregnancy didn’t treat her well: from early morning sickness, to being quick to anger. Everything seemed to irritate her, but I was so happy that God engaged Okra with her own personal problems which made her not to be able to get the physician to perform the abortion.

By the time she came, Zity’s pregnancy had advanced and it was dangerous to perform an abortion at that stage. That was what I heard Okra telling her that day. She cried and refused to come out of her chamber for days.

Adolfo called me into his study, and it was right to tell him exactly what was going on, even though he was going to know one way or the other.
Zity wasn’t willing to tell him herself, but Adolfo was definitely going to know whenever he sees Zity’s body changes and her protruding belly.
It was just okay to tell him without getting myself into trouble.
God won over the wickedness of men. God’s plan for the child was going to stand without anybody destroying a live they did not create.

“Is your mistress well?” He enquired. “She has refused to see me even after I went to her chamber to check on her. I noticed she had not been well… Do you know what is wrong with her?”

“Yes my Lord, she’ll be fine. She’s going through one of those women’s difficult times, but it’s a good thing, because you’re going to be a father in few months from now. She’s pregnant, my Lord…”

Adolfo stood from his seat in shock, he held his chest, and was surprised at the news and wondered why Zity didn’t tell him all this while.
He asked me how long she had been pregnant and I told him it was five months already.
He was totally shocked, but so excited that he even hugged me, without minding his status. He then proceeded to Zity’s chamber, and pleaded with her to open the door. He was not ready to leave until Zity later opened the door. I watched as he gently drew Zity into his arms, he was crying, just knowing that he was truly going to be a father again. Zity was cold to him, but, she didn’t pull away from Adolfo’s embrace. I watched with a smile as she later relaxed back into his arm.

I left for the garden, but I couldn’t sit because my heart was gladdened. I just knelt down there and sang my thanks to God. Seeing how happy Adolfo was made my heart so glad. All I could do in the garden was just to render thanksgiving to God. When Eura joined me, we praised God quietly so that we wouldn’t attract attention to ourselves. I shed some tears as I marveled at God’s mighty works.

Zity started behaving fine when Okra stopped coming around her. I helped her through every difficult moment of pregnancy. Sometimes, I would soak her swollen feet in a warm water and dry them after sometime.

The day Vim came again, I was in Adolfo’s study, he was writing a new theory, and wanted me to tell him one of those Bible stories I do tell Zity.
While I told him, he translated it into his own theory and wrote it down.
He didn’t even know that it was a story I got from the Bible, but he was impressed with it.
It was one of those stories that I was telling him when Vim came in. He greeted Adolfo, but avoided looking at me, he focused on Adolfo instead. I stood up, bowed and excused myself from their presence.

I was in the garden with Eura when Vim came. He asked Eura to leave, she bowed and quickly left…

“I learnt that Zity is with a child, you should be looking after her not her husband. “Is he also marrying my sister and you too?”

“My Lord, Lady Zity doesn’t need me now, I checked on her before leaving for Adolfo’s study. She also sometimes sends me to go and check on Adolfo. I was only listening to his theory and was telling him some stories I know, of which he demanded of me. I hav…”

Vim rudely interrupted me, “Enough! I saw you so close to him, and heard you two laugh. He seemed to be taken by you… Can’t you see, or do you like him too?”

I frowned at the question, and kept my head bowed. It was an insult to Adolfo who had never thought of such.
I wanted to reply but kept quiet, wisdom is profitable to direct as Abel would say. So, I tried to change the topic.

“Adolfo is a good man, my Lord, and everybody likes him. I’m not an exception. I’m glad to see you my Lord, you look good, how are the master and the mistress? Hope everyone is in good health?”

“I’m…I’m glad to see that you are happy here too, I thank the gods for blessing my sister and Adolfo with a child. Though not yet born, I’m happy to know that Zity will soon be a mother. Mother will be thrilled at the news, father’s heart will be gladdened, a child will keep Zity busy, I don’t like the kind of friends she keeps, I told her of it the last time I visited, especially one merchant’s wife but now Zity will have better things to occupy her mind. Yes, everyone is in good health back home. You didn’t ask of Abel? although he is well, and he sent his greetings when I told him I was coming down here.”

“I’m glad to know that my Lord..”

Vim wanted to say something but held back again, he looked at my hands and then back to my face and to my mouth,

“Look at me Tamar, stop bowing your head, we all miss you back home. Maybe I, I mean Abel… miss you more…”

“I miss everyone too, but I’m glad to be here to serve my Lady, she needs me more now than ever before, my Lord..”

I looked at him as he smiled, I was looking straight to his face now.
The man sitting beside me was truly a handsome young man and even more with those beautiful smiles of his.
He looked like one of those athletic men. I now understood why Obia wanted to kill herself because of him, and why most of the maidens in the kingdom were dying to be with him before he started avoiding them, which nobody seemed to know or understand why he suddenly changed.

He was looking into my eyes and then back to my mouth, he swallowed hard before standing up to leave. I asked him to extend my kind greetings to everyone and also to Abel and he promised to do that.

I was grateful to God, most especially for Zity as I prayed that she would deliver like the Hebrew women when she’s due.

My heart was so joyful as I marveled at God’s wonderful works in my life.
I wish I could sit and talk with Abel, I wanted to tell him everything that was going on here, he would be so happy too.