Suddenly, they heard the sound of footsteps outside the hut, and Amara’s eyes widened in fear. She quickly looked at the door and then at Nene, who was trying to sit up but was too weak.
Amara placed a finger on her lips.
“Shh. Don’t make a sound.”
They both listened quietly as the footsteps moved closer to the door of the hut.
Amara turned quickly to look at Nene, the pregnant mermaid, who was lying weakly on the mat. Nene looked at her with fear in her eyes, clutching her swollen belly, her silver tail folded beneath her body.
Suddenly, the door opened with a loud creak.
Amara rushed forward and pushed the door, using her body to block the person outside from seeing inside the hut.
“Who is there? Why are you opening my door like that?” Amara asked, breathing heavily, sweat on her forehead.
Standing by the door was Mama Jadeeka, the village gossip. Everyone in the village knew her as the woman who loved to poke her nose into other people’s business. She stood there with one hand on her waist and the other on the door, trying to push it open wider while stretching her neck to look inside Amara’s hut.
Amara blocked her view with her body, spreading her arms across the doorway.
Mama Jadeeka raised her eyebrows and tried to look over Amara’s shoulder.
“What are you hiding in there, Amara?” she asked suspiciously.
Amara forced a small laugh. “Hiding? Hiding what, Mama? So early in the morning?”
But Mama Jadeeka did not stop. She bent to the left and then to the right, trying to see inside the hut, but Amara moved with her, blocking the view like a wall.
“Ah! Ah! Amara, you are behaving strangely this morning,” Mama Jadeeka said, clicking her tongue. “Are you hiding something, or is there a man in there with you?”
Amara’s eyes widened in shock. “A man in my hut? Mama Jadeeka, what kind of talk is that so early in the morning?”
But Mama Jadeeka was not ready to leave.
She pressed her face closer, her eyes sharp like a hawk’s, searching for the smallest clue.
“I only came to borrow your water pot,” Mama Jadeeka said, folding her arms across her chest.
Amara gasped. She suddenly remembered the pot of water she had left in the bush while rescuing Nene. She knew she could not hand over the pot now, because the hunters might be searching for its owner, and if they found out she was the one who had taken the mermaid, it would bring great trouble.
Amara swallowed hard and forced a small smile.
“Ah, Mama, I am using the pot now. I cannot give it out. Please.”
Mama Jadeeka raised her eyebrows even higher and hissed.
“You are using the pot? What are you using it for now? You are hiding something, Amara. I can smell it,” she said, leaning closer, her eyes narrowing.
Amara’s heart was pounding with fear. She pressed her back harder against the door, blocking every space Mama Jadeeka might use to look inside.
“Mama Jadeeka, I asked you, what exactly are you looking for?” Amara asked, her voice growing firmer.
Mama Jadeeka shrugged and snapped her fingers.
“I only came to borrow your pot. But since you are behaving like this, maybe you are hiding a man inside your hut.”
Amara’s eyes widened and her mouth opened, but for a moment no words came out.
“A man in my hut? Me? Ah, Mama Jadeeka, please leave my compound. Stop talking nonsense!”
Amara shouted, waving her hands to chase Mama Jadeeka away.
Mama Jadeeka clapped her hands together and shook her head, then slowly turned around.
“Amara, I will come back later. Let me see what you are hiding in this hut of yours,” she said, walking away but still turning her head to look back.
Amara watched her until she was out of the compound before quickly shutting the door and leaning against it, breathing heavily.
She turned around slowly and saw Nene looking at her with fear and confusion, tears in her eyes.
Amara moved to her and sat beside her, touching her hand gently.
“Don’t worry. She has gone. You are safe for now,” Amara whispered.
Nene nodded slowly, holding her belly and breathing heavily.
“Thank you, Amara. Thank you,” she whispered back.
But before Amara could say another word, she heard a loud gasp inside the hut.
She turned quickly and saw her son, Chijioke, standing there with his mouth wide open, his eyes looking as if they would pop out.
“Mama! Mama! What is that?” Chijioke shouted, pointing at Nene, who was lying on the mat.
Amara’s heart dropped into her stomach.
