TAMAR - Episode 8

I sat quietly beside Abel at the fountain as he shut his eyes and began to pray silently, only to my hearing.

I wanted to shut my own eyes but I needed to know when someone was coming, so, I waited for him to finish so that I could tell him all that was on my mind.

“If I have a thousand tongues, it’s never enough to thank you. I’m always grateful to you alone Lord, for all your mercies towards me and this household, and also to Tamar, the girl you led me to find and save. She lost everything but never lose You because You are ever present father. You are our sustainer in time of need, our rescuer in time of trouble. Out of no way, you have made a way, I thank you for my successful journey. You made it possible, You led me out and brought me back because you said in your word that our going out and coming in shall always be blessed. I came back in peace not in pieces and met everyone I left behind in perfect condition. I’m grateful for this, oh Lord, only You deserve the glory, only you Lord, not the empty gods of this land, for your words say that those who makes them are like them.

In wisdom I ask that you’ll always guide us, and may we always find favour before men and women, take away our fears and give us boldness to stand out for you. The people of this land are lost in darkness, they hate anything that comes from You… Please father, help them to see the light that they may come to know you and the power in your name. Thank you Lord for our answered prayers, in Jesus name…”

We both chorused “Amen” together in a low voice.

He bowed his head for sometime without opening his eyes, and when he later did and turned to look at me, our eyes met. He smiled and returned his gaze to the water fall.
I was looking at him, smiling and wishing I had his kind of faith.

We were both silent as we concentrated on the water fall and it’s pleasurable noise.

I just admired God’s wonderful work. No human had been able to comprehend the ways God worked.

“I was told that Zity had been married off, and that she would send for you later. Do you ever wish to be married some day?”

The question took me off guard, though I had this beautiful feeling, like butterflies in my stomach when Abel looked at me intently and asked the question.

My palms started sweating, I began to blush.
I had laid on my bed on so many occasions, and wished for many good things like getting married to a God-fearing man like Abel.
I imagined having beautiful kids and having a family that loved God.
I had wished for many good things, yet I was just a common slave who couldn’t have anything until I was set free by my owner.

“Will Zity ever agree to set me free?” I thought deeply to myself.
It could only be when a free born of the land or somebody like Abel showed interest in getting married to me; only then would I be free but I was stuck with Zity for now, and I would serve her because that’s what I had been called to do.
I can’t get married or do anything of choice until Zity, whom I’m bound to serve for life decided to free me from the chain of slave.
Until then, I do not have right to do as I please.

Abel took my sweating palm firmly into his and asked again when I didn’t reply to his first question
“…Why do you feel uncomfortable with the question, don’t you want to have a family of your own someday? Oh… Sorry, If I’m making you uneasy, but you’re growing into one of the most beautiful maidens in this household. It’s been almost four years that I was led to you. Tamar, time flies so fast. You’re no more the scared, worn out, naive little girl I bought from the merchant for just fifteen shillings. I told you on that first day that you were special and you truly are. I know you have worries but first, in everything, love the Lord, put Him first. In all your ways, acknowledge him and He shall give you the desires of your heart. Don’t be defined by where you’ve found yourself, instead, stand out and be a vessel of honor to everyone who comes in contact with you…”

I kept quiet as Abel spoke. I had few questions that I wanted to ask, so I enquired:
“The people of this land do different abominable things, and most of the food we eat here are offered to their gods first, before preparing it for the consumption of the house. Sometimes, I get scared while eating, praying quietly that nothing happens to me. If I have a choice I’ll never eat any of those cursed food of theirs…”

Abel interrupted and said
“Rejoice, because you have something to eat daily, who are you to call the food bad, when the Lord has not said so? For whatever the Lord has made is pure and good, for many are looking for such opportunity, to live in a house filled with plenty like this place. What they do before or after the food is cooked shouldn’t bother you, all that matters is that you give thanks to God, who has made provision for every food and drink., You’re not offering thanks to a carved image made by mortal men but to God who made it possible. Tamar, don’t be scared of eating any food in this house, for what you eat does not defile you but the word that comes out of your mouth does…”

“You seem to have answers to many questions, Abel. I overheard someone saying that you’ve been celibate, meaning that you don’t have interest in women… Is that true? Don’t you want to have a family of your own someday too?”
I asked him

“I embraced celibacy for now because I’ve been lost to the world and gained from the Lord. I know you won’t understand, but the truth is that I have not yet seen whom to start a family with. Tamar, I walk according to the Lord’s direction, he leads and I follow. If it pleases Him that I’ll remain this way till he calls me to glory, I’ll gladly stay pure for Him. I don’t live for myself anymore, I live for God alone. I don’t want to be unequally yoked with an unbeliever. Tamar, our bodies are the temple of the Lord and should be kept holy at all time, so that He can live in us and direct our ways. We shouldn’t defile ourselves with the things of this world, we should be holy because the Holy Spirit, who is our comforter and advocate does not dwell in a dirty environment or in a confused body. If you follow the ways of this world, they will lead you astray, but I urge you to follow the Lord’s way and find your footing.”

“I’ve really missed you Abel,” I said to him. “..Your word is always an encouragement to me. I always feel so close to God when you’re around, filling me in with the word of God. I thank God for bringing you my path everyday. I could have lost it, I would have probably ended up like the people of this land, if not you. Though it will never be enough, I want to say: thank you, thank you again and again for everything…”

The day went on as usual.
during my spare time, I sat with Abel and allowed him to tell me about the Lord.

Lady Phin sent for me one day and told me that her husband, Lord Reese wanted to see me.
I went straight to his chamber. Lady Phin sat beside him, Vim was there too and also Obia, one of the maids was also standing there.
Lord Reese cleared his throat and said,
“Obia, repeat exactly what you told us about Tamar…”

“My lord and lady, I caught her again. Tamar was giving money to somebody, sometimes to different men. Some are also women. She’s is a thief, she usually steals our master’s money and goes out to buy something and give to some people on her way to the market, and also on the road that leads to the temple. I followed her without her knowledge and found out where those people stayed. I’m not lying, I’ve seen her severally. Sometimes it’s either money or she buys things… If I lie against her, let twail the god of thunderstorm strike me dead. I’ve seen her many times before coming to report her to you my lord, I could have gone to Abel but Abel was on a journey then, and he may have chosen to favour her, that’s why I came here,” Obia narrated.

Vim looked at me expressionless and bowed his head.
Lord Reese and Lady Phin were both staring at me, obviously astonished.

I bowed my head not in shame or because Obia told lies against me, but because that was a normal thing to do. I was afraid, yes I was, but something within me wanted me to be bold like a lion.
Nevertheless, I feared for what they would do or say to me. The room was silent after Obia’s narration.

Lord Reese spoke again,
“Tamar, you know what we do to people that steal. You know what we do to slaves who steal from their masters or mistresses. We tie their faces and bodies to a tree and strip them. We give them painful strokes of an intertwined whip until their skin peels off and bleed. We leave scars on them which will always remind them never to steal again. Why will you steal from us? You have everything at your disposal, we treat everyone in this house equally; much better than how most households treat their slaves. I thought you were a good girl, that was why I wanted you for my daughter. Taking things that doesn’t belong to you is bad and that is stealing! You stole and then took the money to some people! Why, Tamar?”

I breathed in deeply, I tried to speak but words failed to come out of my mouth. Vim looked at me before saying,
“Father, I don’t believe Tamar stole the money Obia saw her with. Probably, Zity gave it to her. We all know that Tamar doesn’t steal, why will she start now? I don’t believe Obia, it’s obviously not Tamar that she saw because she cannot do such a thing, she…”

He suddenly stopped as his parents stared at him surprisingly with the way he defended me.
I saw Obia boiling in anger as Vim spoke in my defense.
I was also shocked to my marrow to hear him defend me the way he did. In all honesty, I never expected it. I thought he would support Obia, and with what happened between both of us at the fountain, I thought he hated me so much.

They returned their gaze back at me, urging me to open up about where I got all the money Obia said she saw me with. I summoned courage and spoke, still bowing my head.

“The master gives us one shilling everyday to do as we please with it and I have been saving mine. After sometime, I found out I had no need for the money in my disposal. I everything I wanted was in the house. I have been blessed with so much here, I have good food, good cloths and good shelter, while there are so many beggars on the streets who barely have anything to eat, so…so I shared it to them… Sometimes, I buy food and wears with my shillings and give to them… I have never stolen before, my Lord… I’m sorry if what I did was against the law of the land or this household. I was touched by the plight of so many beggars anytime I passed through the market and temple roads… I apologize my Lord and my Lady…”

Everywhere became silent again. Lord Reese asked Obia to leave his chamber after warning her not to bring any report that she wasn’t sure of to him ever again.
She bowed and left immediately.
I could see anger written all over her as she walked out.
Vim was staring at me, Lord Reese seemed to be in deep thoughts. He looked at me and smiled, while Lady Phin, who had been silent all this while spoke:
“My husband, I have told you that I will sell Obia, she’s filled with envy and jealousy, she’s so bitter and has seductive spirit. I will sell that girl, she’s getting out of hand.”

Turning to me, she asked, “..Tamar, why would you give out the only possession you’ve got? Your one shilling which the master gives to all the household slaves everyday, is just a shilling which is not much. You gave them all to beggars, I…I’m touched by your kind heart, you didn’t have much yet, you gave up the little you had to street beggars who were not in any way related to you. You don’t need to apologize my child, the one shilling is yours; you can do whatever you please with it. You’re a good child and have proven it in different ways, I’m always glad that I chose you for Zity.
Please get your things ready, Zity has sent for you, it’s been five months since she got married, and she sent a message across to us sometime last month for you to come but we were already used to you and didn’t feel like parting with you. She has sent another message this month that she’ll come and get you herself if you don’t come back to her, so we are ready to let you go back to her, we’ll really miss you Tamar…”

I smiled and bowed my head without uttering a word. Vim, who seemed uncomfortable with the news of me going back to Zity spoke,
“Father, mother… Zity has many servants and maids in her husband’s estate. The last time I went there, she had many slaves attending to her. Why does she still want Tamar? I don’t like that Adolfo’s son, Chakan, he may want to take advantage of Tamar… I don’t like the idea of sending Tamar to Zity. I care for her wellbeing like every other person, that’s all… Slaves are also human too. If you still want her to return to Zity, no problem…”

“Tamar belongs to your sister, not to us. Vim what is going on with you? Why the sudden care for Tamar? Tamar is a special child, she’s not like your April or Obia. Hope all this care is pure? Stay away from her if your thoughts towards her are not pure! You baffle me, I don’t even understand you again Vim. What is this sudden change all about my son? I wonder when you started caring so much about a slave. Anyway, if the gods permit, Tamar will return to your sister in a week’s time. She belongs to Zity not to us. Adolfo will not allow harm to befall anybody under his care, and Zity won’t allow Adolfo’s son to come close to Tamar. With what I’ve heard, Chakan is a well-behaved young man, so, bury your worries my son, we all care about Tamar’s well-being too.”

I was later dismissed, and I got ready to return to Zity. A day before I left, I saw Obia, at the back house, burning incense and crying out to her stone god.

I stood very close and watched her, she turned and rolled her eyes at me and continued doing her enchantment.
I waited there until she was done before I approached her: “Obia, I’m not angry with you for reporting me to our master and mistress. I understand you didn’t know that the money you saw me spend was all mine, I don’t steal, I have no reason to do so. It will only make me ungrateful if I ever do such…”

“Why are you telling me this, what do you want? You almost interrupted my conjuration, and my evening enchantment! Don’t ever come close to me if you see me in the mood of worship to my god who blesses my sorcery powers…”

“Why does your enchantment sound as if you were crying out of agony? Was your god oppressing you? Do you think your so called god cares about you? I know we have freedom to worship anything and anyone, but if this is what you have chosen, then, I’ll leave you alone. But just tell me what your god has ever done for you ever since you have been in service to it…”

“You better mind what you say, because Venus, the goddess of both love and kindness does not take likeness to insults, Obia retorted and continued.
“..If you want to know what Venus has done for me, I will tell you. I prayed to her to make lord Vim to fall for me, and she granted my desires, and Lord Vim started desiring me. Suddenly after few years of you being here, Vim no longer looks at me or wants me any more. I took note of the way he defended you inside the master’s chamber,. It seemed you came and used your charm to turn his eyes away from me, and also made Lord Reese and Lady Phin to take likeness to you. Vim, now wants you instead of me and I’ve seen the way he looks at you most times, do not even mistake it for love because Lord Vim is not capable of loving anyone, he’ll use you and dump you like a vulture does to a carcass. I just burnt incense to Venus the goddess of kindness to favor me and bring him back, and also to make me find favor before the master and mistress. I’ve asked Venus to destroy every power you’re using to find favour from our master. I’ve tried different acts of seduction for Vim but, it didn’t work out. I’ll pray everyday, sacrifice animals, roll on the floor, pour dust on my body and cut myself with a blade until I bleed… I’ll let Venus drink my blood, and burn candles and incense to Venus if that’s what it will take to get Vim back, because when he’s on my side I can get away with anything I do. Someday, I dreamt of being his wife and owning this entire palace and estate, it will be a day of joy, a dream come true. Venus has already started working for me, goddess of kindness has begun to favour me, Venus has taken obstacles like you off my way… I heard that Zity sent for you and that you’ll soon return to her, so, Venus has started working for my good, and very soon it will be perfected, just watch and see…” She ranted endlessly.

I shake my head in pity for Obia, and walked away from her.
She acted like one of those temple prostitutes. So fetish and possessed.

she could do anything to get Vim to her side, and I was never in any competition with her.
She is beautiful with fine body shape like one of those their goddess, she can still get Vim with her appearance that’s if he’s not already tired of her.
Vim didn’t even like me, he probably defended me that day because God wanted somebody to stand up for me after the accusation from Obia.
All I’m concerned about was returning to Zity, she needed me.

Adolfo’s slave, a young lad came for me the following day and I hugged and waved Abel good bye.
I will miss him so much.
He said a quiet prayer for me as I went to meet him before leaving, but I felt comfortable he’s not too far away.

I also had beautiful memories that we shared in my heart: those times we prayed at the fountain and the undiluted word of God he shared with me. I cherished every moment I spent with him, it was always fulfilling.

I waved everyone goodbye and left with Adolfo’s slave who came to get me and he also helped me with some of my luggage.
I saw Vim watching from his chamber where he stood with a sad countenance.

As I crossed the streets still within his father’s estate, I looked back and noticed that Vim was still up there watching me.

I silently prayed that Obia’s sorcery powers will not work on him.