MY NAME IS DERA
CHAPTER 2
Kennedy came back from his trip unexpectedly in the early hours of the morning. Dera walked in carrying a bucket of water on her head.
Kennedy quickly went and took the bucket of water off from Dera's head. Who gave you this heavy bucket to carry at this your little age? And why are you not in school Dera? Kennedy asked looking surprised.
Dera was about to answer when Tracy walked in. And she just bit her finger and started looking at her mother.
Kennedy turned towards Tracy and asked her the same question!!!Why is she is fetching water instead of going to school?
We have no water at home and besides, she refused to go to school today.
Dera was shocked that her mother just told a lie against her. But she dare not tell her father that her mother was telling a lie. Her father cared about her but he is not always around as he keeps traveling always.
Am I lying Tracy asked Dera opening her eyes. Dera shook her head slowly and tears clouded in her eyes.
Drop that bucket immediately and get ready for school Kennedy said with a mean look. The time was almost 9am but Kennedy insisted on taking Dera to school. Dera dressed up quickly wearing her school uniform and Kennedy took her to school.
When they left, Tracy was still murmuring to herself when someone came in. It was Dorathy her friend.Where is Dera? Dorathy asked looking around.
My husband has taken her to school Tracy answered with a hiss.
What are you waiting for to chase that girl away from your house.?
In this hard economy? You’re training a child whose mother dumped by the roadside?
If you knew, you should have left her there.
Things are hard and you’re feeding someone’s child.
You are a very nice woman Tracy, if I were to be the one...Hmmmm….
I would have made sure she go missing a long time ago Dorathy said demonstrating by snapping her fingers.
Kennedy came back to the house with his face tight like he had a quarrel with someone on his way back. Good morning Sir Dorathy greeted and stood up from the bench she was sitting on outside the house.
Good morning… Kennedy answered and went into the house.
Why is his face tight like that Dorathy asked in a very low voice demonstrating... Tracy opened her hands showing she has no answer to the question.
Ehhh...I’ll be going Tracy, I was actually going to get something down the street there. I just decided to greet you Dorathy said and left the house.
Tracy walked into the house and saw her husband sitting back in the parlor and looking at her walk in like he was expecting her.
Ken why are you frowning your face like this? What happened? You had a fight with someone on your way back?
Why Tracy ? Tell me why?
Why will you choose to maltreat that girl?
I remember how you cherished Dera when we found her. Now God has blessed us with ours and you suddenly forgot. Kennedy asked looking concerned.
What did that girl say I did to her?
Which lie did she tell against me?Ken , you’re not always around. That girl is a chronic liar, everything she opens her mouth to say is a lie.
You're the liar here Kennedy said standing up from the chair he was sitting on and walking up to Tracy.
You told me she didn't want to go to school. But I saw the joy on her face as we walked into the school premises. She was so happy and I learnt that she has been skipping school. Don't be in a haste to forget what God did Kennedy said and walked out.
This girl is bitting more than she can chew. She wants to bring misunderstanding inside my sweet marriage but I promise I'll deal with her Tracy said to herself and followed her husband back into his room.
During the one week period that Kennedy was around, Tracy pretended to have changed. She doesn't send Dera anymore to go and hawk or do difficult domestic chores.
Kennedy had to travel again, and this time he doesn't know how long he was going to spend. Kennedy left the house in the morning hours. After Kennedy had left the house, Tracy went to Dera’s school and told them that there was an emergency and she needs to take Dera back home. Dera knew her Dad had travelled and she was back to her daily suffering. She followed her mum back home.
Tracy took Dera straight to an empty wooden storage outside the house. This is where you'll sleep from today Tracy said pointing inside the storage.But mummy, I’ll feel cold here and mosquitoes will bite me alot Dera said and tears flowed from her eyes.
You told a lie against me to your father right?You told him I don’t use to give you food right?
Let’s see if he’s here to save you from me.
No no mummy I didn’t lie , I didn’t tell daddy anything at all Dera said kneeling and crying.
Who are you shedding crocodile tears for?Who are those tears for?
Quickly stand up and wash those oranges there so you’ll go and sell them Tracy said pointing at the dirty oranges lying on the floor.
Dera stood up crying and wiping her tears at the same time and tried walking into the house.
Where are you going to ?Tracy asked her dimming her eyes.I want to drop my bag Dera answered!!!
I told you this is your new room Tracy said pointing at the wooden storage. Keep you bag immediately and do what I asked you to do.
Dera kept her bag, she went and started washing the oranges still putting on her uniform. Tracy came out with a little bag containing some of Dera's clothes and she threw it out to her.
Pick the one you'll go and sell these oranges with and keep the rest in your new room she said and walked out. Dera picked her bag, took out a dress and changed. She kept the bag inside the wooden storage and continued washing the oranges.
It took a few minutes and she was done washing all the oranges. She cleaned her tray and perfectly placed the oranges inside. She was about to leave when Tracy came out.
She counted the oranges and it was 20 in number. Make sure you sell all if not no food for you. Don't even come back if you're not done selling.
Dera nodded her head and left with the oranges...
Buy your oranges...Buy your oranges Dera kept shouting…
The time was 2pm yet she has managed to sell just ( 8 ) eight out of the oranges. The sun was scorching, Dera was sweating and hunger was really dealing with her.
Dera was dehydrated and had to go to the nearest borehole to drink from it. The time was 4pm yet she was left with 10 oranges. Dera only prayed for who will rescue her from hunger which had decided to ravage her stomach.
It was getting darker already and Dera was not done selling her oranges neither had she eaten. She was tired and hungry , she walked and sat somewhere keeping her Tray close to her and expecting customers.
Two guys walked up to Dera at the spot she was sitting and waiting for customers to buy her oranges before she goes home because it was dark already.
Who left a little girl like you outside by this time?one of the guys asked Dera.
Dera knew the answer she gave to the man last time made her mother to beat her. So she wasn't going to make the same mistake this time.
I just want to sell all my oranges Dera said looking at the two guys.
What is your name one of them asked with a smile.
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