The Fire Within

Chapter Four

53 Chapter Four onths had gently rolled by since Mungeu’ and Yefon found themselves at Nju’nki. As it had turned out, Ndomnjie was himself a landlord with houses sprinkled around Nju’nki. His newest house, which still had rooms to be leased out, was around Sokwa, the heart of social and economic activities in the town of Nju’nki. It was to this house that Ndomnjie drove Mungeu’ and Yefon late in the evening when they first arrived. Ndomnjie’s family lived just a few buildings away and it was with the assistance of this family that Mungeu’ found herself quickly settled in her new apartment. Of the two rooms she was to occupy, Mungeu’ quickly transformed the outer room facing the road into her workshop. Her four machines, which Ndomnjie had transported two at a time during subsequent trips from Batemba, were lined two on each of two opposing walls. Along the third wall, was a broad shelf on which cloth materials of different colours and textures were displayed. There was enough room between the shelf and the door leading into the second room for people to try on their new clothes before carrying them home. Settling down had not been easy, but Mungeu’ was now much relaxed, being away from the mind-racking looks and whispering voices of gossips in Batemba. Through Ndomnjie’s family, Mungeu’ easily made new acquaintances and this ensured, in a short space of time, a large supply of customers for her: women coming to have their babies’ clothes tailored and those bringing their own materials to have their dresses made. However, this was the ninth month of Mungeu’s pregnancy and if her doctor in Batemba was correct, then her baby was due any day now. Yefon, on her part, was occupying a single room in another of Ndomnjie’s houses situated closer to the sea in a business cum residential area called West Beach. In all, Mungeu’ and Yefon felt themselves very much at home among these coastal people. It was a Saturday and as dusk approached, a very refreshing wind from the sea tore its way across the town forcing trees and flowers in its path to bow in humility. The atmosphere, which had been so hot and humid during the day, became cooler M 54 and more accommodating with the wind. Mungeu’ and Yefon had just finished a review of the week’s activity, since Sunday was their resting day, and had closed down the workshop for the day. Together they ate supper in Mungeu’s room before Yefon left to walk back to her home. It was at least a kilometre away, but since her route was through the buzzing town, there was a lot to distract her and make the trek interesting. All alone, with Yefon gone, Mungeu’ accepted to herself that all the awkwardness during the day amounted to symptoms, she had learned during her clinic sessions, of impending labour. Quietly she put into a small briefcase all the items she had been told must be present with her whenever she was sure it was time. The cramps were beginning to be frequent and so Mungeu’ thought it was time to walk to Ndomnjie’s wife, Ndolo, and tell her how she was feeling. Ndomnjie, who had lived in the coast for at least fifteen years, had met Ndolo during his struggling days as a young man. After ten years in marriage, Ndolo had not changed much from what she looked like when Ndomnjie first saw her: a tall woman with a slim build yet with broad hips that bulged to the sides. Behind smooth eyelids tipped by clusters of long black eyelashes were islands of black surrounded by very clear soothing white pools, which gave her a gentle appearance. Her delicate yet slightly pronounced cheekbones narrowed down to a small chin. Her full lips always parted in gentle welcoming smiles, revealing dazzling white teeth that lit up her facial features. The gap in the upper row of teeth was simply tantalizing. In spite of her screaming beauty, Ndolo was gentle, understanding and very friendly. After three children—two girls and a boy—with a gap of two years between each and the younger, Ndolo looked like a girl of twenty-three. When Mungeu’ knocked on Ndomnjie’s door round about 9:00 pm, Ndolo, a primary school teacher, was busy correcting children’s scripts; she was holding some in her hand when she opened the...