Chapter 6: Gossip and Shame

*'Who give supporting babe right to look main guy? Na only main babe fit look am! See as supporting babe dey insult am today—dem go punish her well later.'*

*'Lol, supporting babe no even sabi say main guy go be chief, abi?'*

*'If supporting babe no shamelessly go seduce am that time, main guy for don dey serve chief wife dey play compound game. But since she come, make e use her practice, so e go sabi serve chief wife later.'*

*'No think say supporting babe dey on top now. Later, when main babe jealous, main guy go finish her family chase him babe, lock her for cold room make guards use am anyhow till she die. Supporting babe don finish~'*

*'Supporting babe wey no sabi truth suppose follow her whole family go. Main guy na correct guy this round.'*

My heart shake so teye, lantern fall from my hand, scatter for ground.

Palm wine pour enter my eye, burn me well.

I stop Auwalu from opening him collar.

I look him innocent and soft eye, weakly wave my hand.

“E don late. Go rest abeg.”

The way the stories dey pile for my head, na so my hand begin shake. As lantern fall, the sound loud reach outside, and palm wine wey touch my eye burn me pass pepper. I quick use wrapper clean am, but shame dey hold my throat. Auwalu still dey kneel, but I fit see confusion for him face. I no fit bear the pressure again, so I just use hand wave am off, voice low like person wey rain beat. The pain for my eye be like the pain for my heart—sharp and hot. I carry my body waka enter inside, the night quiet but my head full noise.