The Fire Within

Chapter Thirteen

148 Chapter Thirteen aving fidgeted all night, Adey got up to face a bright morning. The sun promised to be out sooner than usual. The children were busy with their routine morning chores in Pa Adey’s compound and in the apartment occupied by tenants. The older ones swept the rooms and the surroundings, the younger ones washed the dishes used the night before, while the youngest went around just looking on like white overseers during a forced labour session. It was a bright new day and full of promises, yet Adey was gloomy. His forehead was hot. Since the night before, he had been considering what to do about his situation. Now and again, the question echoed in his head. He wondered if he should open his heart to his father, and in fact, he walked up to the door of the parlour before deciding against it. How would he begin? How would he say it all happened? When did he discover sex, and how? He would not be able to face the look of surprise and disbelief in those old and deeply searching eyes, which had always been friendly and full of hopes for him. No, he would wait for Mungeu’ and together they would talk it over. Adey knew he loved her very much and so should it come to the worst, they could get married. “You?” questioned a voice, “Getting married now? Ha! ha! ha!” It seemed to mock. “Yes I will ...” The argument continued within him. Adey remembered Mungeu’s stories about her parents and their terrible reactions the first time she was pregnant. Deep down in him, after listening to Mungeu’s stories, Adey was convinced that in spite of Pa Anye’s apparent indifference after Mungeu’s disappearance, the man loved his child. Adey was sure were Pa Anye the only hurdle in their path, they would be able to handle him after a while. But with Angwi present to paint the error in a most hideous light, they had no way out. It would be terrible. As Adey’s already fatigued brain toiled along the thorny and undulating landscape of thought, he realized the situation was going to be the same no matter from which perspective it was attacked. Chaos was sure to prevail, either temporarily or forever H 149 after. Once is enough and considered a mistake, but the same error twice, is something else. Adey had to go to church. Together after their hurried breakfast, Acongne, Wumboro, and Adey rushed to St Raphael’s Church situated on a knoll at one end of town, where they hoped to catch up with the 9:00 am Mass. Mass had indeed already started by the time all three stole in, placing themselves just near the door. The church was half full with children who made their presence felt by slowing down the choir and once in a while singing out of tune, with others shouting here and there and ultimately crying if reprimanded by any of the church wardens. The wardens’ red bands with the white cross standing out made the children look at them with a feeling somewhere between awe and fright. While Acongne and Wumboro superficially floated along with the current of the Mass, occasionally stealing glances around to see what beauties the 9:00 am Mass could boast of, Adey knelt down deeply in prayers. He could not remember how long ago it was since he last prayed with such fervour. He prayed that his fears about Mungeu’s state turn out false, but if already too late, that he receive the courage to fight. Adey alone was sure of the love he had for Mungeu’. He joined the rest as they stood up after the final blessing to wait until the priest and the servers had disappeared into the sacristy. There was disorder as the parishioners jostled against one another on their way out of the church. Back at home, Adey felt a bit relaxed at having placed his problems into the hands of his God, the Architect of life. He strongly believed nothing could happen if God did not want it. After all, was that not what the catechist taught him in those days when he was struggling with the doctrine of the church in order to receive his first holy communion? Why had there to be rain on that fated day? Why had he to be out on that particular day? Why had he to shelter...