Captive of Fate

Ketty Arucy

Description

Captive of Fate is the moving story of Ann, a victim of her own need for genuine love, and her gullibility in falling head over heels into the traps of lust set up by clever men. As Ann's biographic narrative unfolds, the reader is faced again and again with the haunting question: "Do all men want only one thing from a woman?" Hidden between the lines and yet hammering constantly at the reader's conscience are issues pertaining to gender violence and the plight of women in Africa.

Sujets

• Fiction

Informations

• Publié par: Zapf Chancery Publishers Africa Ltd.
• Date de parution: 29 décembre 2007
• Nombre de lectures: 0
• EAN13: 9789966040473
• Langue: English
• Poids de l'ouvrage: 2 Mo

Extrait

CaptiveofFate

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Captive of Fate

Ketty Arucy, BA

Zapf Chancery Eldoret, Kenya

First Published 2007 © Ketty Arucy All rights reserved.

Cover Design C. B. Peter

Assdociate Designer Michael Nchimbi

Publishing Consultant C. B. Peter

Printed by Kijabe Printing Press, P. O. Box 40, Kijabe.

Published by

Zapf Chancery Research Consultants and Publishers, P. O. Box 4988, Eldoret, Kenya. Email: [e-mail] Mobile: [phone]

ISBN 9966-7185-4-0

This book is printed on fully recyclable, environmentfriendly paper.

INTRODUCTION

henever she thought about her real world, she did it with W a certain amount of apprehension. She was very conscious of her own crudity and limitations. Her knowledge and experience may have been restricted by her background, but her vision, never. She had groped almost blindly for education. While other girls of her age craved for satisfaction in cheap, short-term interests, she struggled hard with an inborn obstinacy. With this inborn insight, she chose to take a different path. This combined with her Christian convictions helped her to develop harmonious thoughts in the midst of tribulations. What seemed to be well-regulated feelings had become the inmates of her mind as she continued to attain maturity. She appeared contented, portraying herself as a well disciplined and subdued character. Life experiences had taught her that the real world was wide and that a varied field of hopes, aspirations, fears and excitements awaited those who had the courage to go forth into its expanse to seek real knowledge of life amidst its perils. Perhaps it was the knowledge of her helplessness in life that had set this type of thinking. Her vision was to rise like Phoenix from the ashes of her present life to the polite respect of the outside world; a world that was as far from her as the jungle of Africa from the developed cities of Europe and America. After experiencing defeat at every turn, she developed her own philosophy about life. Her objective was not to defy it, but to face it with glum stoicism. She would do anything to safeguard this noble secret to the path of success.

CHAPTER ONE fter a hard day of scrapping the yard and polishing the house rela A x her tired muscles. As she drew back the curtain to allow in in preparation for the Christmas festivities, Ann retired to the bedroom, which she shared with her cousins to rest, and more light, she noticed a book on the windowsill probably left be- hind by Clare, her eldest cousin. Tempted by curiosity, she picked the book to read its title but before she could open it, Clare burst in obviously expecting to find her cousin in some mischief that would provide an opportunity for ridicule. She stopped midway through the door when she saw Ann with her book. “What the hell are you doing in the room at this hour?” Accustomed to molestation and abuse, Ann did not bother to reply. Her only care was how she would endure the insults that would automatically follow the question. Infuriated by the calm on Ann’s face, Clare went on; “I am talking to you. Didn’t you know that you were relieving the house girl this evening? Answer me!” “I was reading...” Ann tried to explain but ran short of words.” Reading what? Who told you to read that book? It is my book, mark you.” She snatched the book from Ann and threw it on her bed. “You ungrateful rat, you have no right to be here in the first place. You should note for one, that you are a dependant. You own nothing and should not touch anything without permission. You are such stress in this house. Don’t you have relatives elsewhere to bother other than Mum! Free food, free clothes, free school fees and many other privileges at my mother’s expense do not give you the right to do what you want whenever you feel like”. Clare paused to look at her cousin’s strained face and realising that the ridicule had reached home, she banged the door and left. Ann tried to remain calm, suppressing her tears as a sign of defiance against her arrogant cousin. It was the only way to hit back, but the question that kept recurring in her mind whenever she

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Captive of Fate

went through such moments was, how long was she supposed to endure this? Two years had elapsed in Mr. Tumbo’s house and all that she felt was resentment. Life seemed to get unbearable everyday. She not only felt disappointed but frustrated by the harassment from the entire household. Her daily life consisted of bullying and harass- ment from everyone in the surrounding. It tormented her even more to realise that instead of protecting her, her Aunt, the only relative who had pretended to care for her by taking her from her parents seemed to delight in wounding her cruelly. If she complained about anything, the response was always the same; “ You deceitful brat” or “Your behaviour is unpleasant to everyone here”. As the fifth child from a poor family of seven children, Ann’s future seemed uncertain when she began as a child. For her family, education was a luxury. Except for her elder sister Cindy who had succeeded in getting through high school and training as a nurse with support from a paternal Aunt, Ann like her brothers had dropped out of school at the age of twelve to work as a house girl to supple- ment her mother’s limited income. Remembering with a smile the excitement that had coursed through her body when her Aunt picked her from her home promis- ing to take her to school, Ann wondered why she ever imagined that her problems were over. Considering the harsh and hostile treat- ment she had to cope with at the moment, her hopes for a brighter future began to diminish. She missed the peace and tranquillity that had prevailed in her childhood despite the impoverished state of her family. In this state, fear gripped in as she began to realise that as much as her present life appeared vague, her future remained un- certain. She felt like a captive in some fate and wished she could predict the outcome.” “Unjust! Unjust!” Ann thought forced by an agonising stimu- lus power, which instigated some urgent expedient resolution to achieve escape from the insurmountable oppression by either run- ning away or never eating or drinking anymore so that she could die. At this point, tears choked her eyes as she tried to absorb the

Chapter One

3

truth concerning her state. She felt like protesting against such in- justice but to whom? She was very conscious of the fact that a moment’s mutiny would render her liable to severe penalties. She grieved and regretted the separation from her family but felt help- less as she contemplated the consequences of rebelling and return- ing home. It would diminish her chances of going to high school, which she was anxiously looking forward to. At this point, she re- membered her mother’s advice that it was her duty to bear with all situations and never to shy away from problems.” “It is weak and silly to say you can’t bear to face your fate.” Her mother had told them one evening cautioning them that the future depended entirely on their power of endurance. While this doctrine appeared too complex to comprehend, she could not rule out the underlying truth especially for someone who felt like a cap- tive in some indefinite fate as herself. She could not blot out the fact that her destiny would be shaped by her power to endure. Sad- dened by the sequence of events in her life, she had to comfort herself by trusting in God. Somehow she believed that through the power of God as preached in the Sunday summons, she would break these chains of undefined bondage and live happily like her tormen- tors. This thought gave her the strength to endure.

CHAPTER TWO ovember, December and half of January was passing away. N Christmas and the new year had been celebrated with the usual festive cheers. Presents had been exchanged while dinner and evening parties were thrown. But for every bit of this enjoyment, Ann had observed from far. Her share of gaiety con- sisted of witnessing the daily apparelling of her cousins descend to the living room in their tight jeans and colourful T-shirts with match- ing makeup not forgetting their gallant shoes and elaborately styled hair. Later, she would listen to the sound of the radio or video down stairs amidst the jingling of glasses and Chinaware as refreshments were served to the broken hum of conversation occasionally punc- tuated by bits of laughter. Ann felt sad, but not miserable. In reality, she had no wish to be in such company where she would hardly be noticed. The par- ties involved ladies and gentlemen, not appendages like herself. On this particular evening, she remained quiet throughout din- ner. Her mind dwelt on the fate that underlay her high school edu- cation. She had topped her school in KCPE examinations and man- aged to secure a place in a national school. But this did not seem to change the state of affairs in Mr. Tumbo’s house. The cold treat- ment she received after announcing her results was the least ex- pected. She felt she at least deserved a commendation if not a pat on the back for the outstanding performance. Instead, she could sense resentment. This baffled and upset her. There could only be one reason for this type of reaction on their part. Jealousy. Two weeks had elapsed since she received an invitation letter to join a national high school in the city for her secondary education. “That school is too expensive. You have to join a cheaper one to avoid unnecessary expenses on my part,” her aunt had remarked carelessly on receiving the news. Ann felt hurt but could not dare to show her emotions. Swallowing her bitterness, she wished her aunt