Proud Bicycle Owner | The Ink Well Prompt #151

Maria Orlova

"Billy, is there any time you ever get serious in your life?". That was the voice of Shirley from the kitchen where she was preparing the family's favorite dish for the night, Amala. As the only bicycle owner in the whole of Azumili town, in the primitive time when such technology had not reached Africa, Billy enjoyed the rendezvous that comes with such a famous life. He would deliver goods from one village to the other but anytime the Mbomuzo festival was getting close, he literally got lazy and would only accept money to deliver goods but wouldn't render the service.

"Woman, can you ever concentrate on matters that concern you and leave my headache to me?". Billy hissed as he replied to Shirley, his older sister. It has been two whole days that he got a keg filled with kernel oil to deliver to Mazi Okongwu of the next village before the next market day from Ikenga, the biggest palm oil merchant in the land.

On the night of the second day which precedes the market day, the crickets have started chirping loud enough to remind men that nightfall is near. The cockerels and hens with their chicks have started to return to lay and darkness have started settling on the brown skies.

"Do not say that you have not been warned". Shirley complained further, wanting to inspire Billy to deliver the kernel oil to Mazi Okongwu before nightfall.

"The consequences of not doing the needful may affect all of us, Billy do what you have to do now before it is too late", Shirley persisted but Billy turned a deaf ear to all her queries.

The next morning which was the market day, Mazi Okongwu trekked to Azumili to meet Ikenga with a rage of anger to unleash. As he approached Azumili, he met Shirley who was returning from the village stream, carrying a clay pot filled with water on her head.

"Mazi, biri'kwe (Live long, Mazi)", Shirley knelt to greet Mazi Ikenga and noticed that he wasn't in a good mood. "How are you, daughter?", Mazi replied with a dint of smile to Shirley and then asked: "Can you please direct me to Mazi Ikenga's hamlet?", in her mind, Shirley thought that it could be more dangerous to allow Mazi Okongwu reach the supplier of the kernel oil, Mazi Ikenga, who thought that the goods have been supplied.

Nicholas Githiri

"Mazi, if it's about your kernel oil, I think I know where you should go?", he wondered how she was able to know what he came to Azumili for.

"Alright, that would serve". Mazi followed Shirley as she led the way to their house, walking steadily but life a queen on a mission to recover a lost gem in a wild forest. All that Mazi concentrated on was Shirley waist and the beads that strolled sideways as she walked. His anger had suddenly disappeared. For all he cared, the profit from the day's trade can hold if he can get Shirley as his second wife.

"Billy, come over, see who's here to see you." On hearing Shirley's voice, Billy jumped from the wooden chair at the back of the house and came to see whom it was that came with Shirley, to his amazement it was Mazi Okongwu, the owner of the kernel oil.

"Otutu oma, Mazi (Good morning, Mazi)". Billy greeted reluctantly and spoke to Mazi like a sober child. "Mazi, I have not been feeling too well since I got your goods from Mazi Ikenga." "Please, forgive me of my inability to deliver the keg of oil as at when due".

Mazi shook his head in the affirmative of his forgiveness to Billy. At that moment, Shirley had dropped her pot of water and watched the discussion. Mazi Okongwu asked Billy to take the keg at once to his stall at the market. Without mincing words, he tied the keg against the bicycle carrier and rode off to the next village, leaving Mazi Okongwu with Shirley behind.

In the twinkling of an eye, Billy had delivered the keg to Mazi Okongwu's stall where some of his errand boys were busy attending to customers as they trooped his shop to buy one palm oil product or the other.

Luis Quintero

Meanwhile, Shirley had given Mazi a seat and a cup of water to drink. They already familiarized with each other. She told him of their late parents, especially their father who used to be an interpreter for the missionaries who came to evangelize the region and how Billy had inherited the bicycle which was meant for their father as a reward for his services to the missionaries.
"Since I found you, I haven't been able to get myself together", Mazi Okongwu started making advances at Shirley. She twisted her fingers as Mazi unleashed his intentions to her.
"I will take you to the city if you accept my proposal". Mazi Okongwu continued to make Shirley see reasons why she should accept his proposal. While they were still on the matter, Billy came in, sweating profusely. "I have delivered it to the stall, Mazi".

The discussion came to a temporary end as Mazi rose to take his exit from their compound. Billy escorted him out while Shirley looked on. Soon, Mazi had disappeared into the long and lonely path that leads out of Azumili.

"See how you ran out like a wet dog to deliver the keg of kernel oil". She said, making fun of her brother, Billy. "Laziness almost cost you a thing". " If you had listened to me, Mazi won't be here to look for you". "And you should be thanking me that I came across Mazi Okongwu while he was seeking direction to go to Mazi Ikenga's house, else, all hell would have been set lose".

"Anyways, I'm grateful for your stubbornness. Mazi now has an eye for me. Thanks to you for making me cross path with Mazi Okongwu".

Billy couldn't believe his ears. He was going to be an in-law to a wealthy man.
"All I need for the bride price on you is another bicycle. So, that I can become a proud owner of a delivery company and employ another rider". The both laughed at the expensive joke that Billy told. It was a lesson learned by Billy never to postpone what was meant to be attended to for a season to another time.