As the day's work had not yet been completed having been interrupted by Abel's arrival, Rungi and Orisi had to once again report back to the main house after arranging and closing their house.
Immediately after arriving at the main house, Rungi was surrounded by the village women whom she has assumed would have gone by now. The women were matter-of-fact curious about Abel.
Rungi just told them it was her husband's friend. However, Songu didn't say a word throughout the entire conversation. Rungi knew she was upset so she diverted the topic and work smoothly went on.
As Abel had instructed, Rungi used the money to buy two kilograms of meat at Mutyo's farm and also green bananas and then saved the rest of the money when she left the main house at the end of the day.
Back at home, she dried the meat over the fire and sprinkled salt over it to prevent it from having a bad smell for tomorrow's meal then divided the meat into two, placing some in the basket and covering it then ordered Orisi to take it inside the house.
Next, she quickly started the process of preparing super. She had already informed Songu that she would prepare the dinner which Songu surprisingly didn't object.
Rungi first put some small banana branches on the surface of the sauce pan then placed one banana leaf on top on them. She then peeled the green bananas and placed them onto the banana leaf. When she was done peeling, she covered the food with another green banana and placed the sauce pan on the fire. This was the traditional Ugandan way of preparing bananas.
The process of cooking the meat was simple, simply preparing the ingredients and adding them to make sauce. Because there was no cooking oil, the sauce was devoid of any added oils but the smell made Orisi take a gulp-Her mother's cooking was always the best.
Noticing her child's hungry gaze, Rungi was helpless but also amused. Usually, because Orisi was always composed, one would almost forget that she was a nine year old child.
"Have a taste and see if the meat is nice," Rungi said as she picked up a tender piece of meat, blowing on it to reduce the heat as she presented the piece towards Orisi's mouth on a cooking spoon.
Orisi eagerly opened her mouth and had a bite. Closing her eyes, she appreciated her mother's culinary skills. She had never eaten anything by her mother and it tasted nothing but heavenly.
"Is it good?" Rungi inquired looking at her child's satisfied face.
"Yes! It's so, so, nice!" Orisi praised.
Rungi simply laughed and stirred the sauce.
When everything was done, Rungi picked up the heavy saucepan containing green bananas (matooke). As she had already pressed the bananas to form a mashed look, she served it on a large try then covered it with the banana leaves which covered it before to keep it warm. She then put the meat sauce in the dish and covered it.
"Let's first take the food to grand-mother's house then come back and have dinner," Rungi said.
The mother and daughter then took the food to the main house. Micheal was also now around. Yingi picked the food from them and placed it on the table.
"It's meat! Dad it's meat!" Kwezi's voice penetrated the air after the sauce bowl was opened.
"Thank aunt Rungi for the food," Michael said
"Thank you, Aunt Rungi!" Kwezi chirped, already settling onto the mat
"It's Uncle Abel who you should thank. Just eat your food," Rungi softly replied.
Songu had been silent ever since she appeared and didn't even pay attention to the mother and daughter.
"Unfortunately I missed him since work was calling. It's been a long time since I saw him," Michael said "How is he doing?"
"He is fine," Rungi replied.
Seeing as silence followed and knowing that Songu had left on bad terms with her, Rungi wisely bid goodbye to her brother-in-law and the children then left the house.
"Rungi!"
Rungi and Orisi turned their backs to look at he source of the voice and found that it was Michael who was now walking towards them.
"I heard everything that went down from my wife already," He started once in-front of them.
"Oh. I..."
Rungi's words were interrupted by Michael before she could explain.
"Follow what you think is best for the child," Michael said, sincerity evident in his tone "Don't mind what my mother says, I will stand behind you two,"
Rungi was surprised at her brother-in-law's words but Orisi wasn't. This uncle of hers was hardworking and simple, just like her father. He would never wish bad on her mother and herself.
She didn't know whether his destiny to live a long life was a good or bad thing given the trials his children had to face in the near future.
"Alright, I'll get going," Michael said. "Your cooking skills are excellent, sister-in-law. It would be a shame to let the food go cold." Without waiting for a reply, he turned and walked back inside.
Not waiting for Rungi's reply Michael walked back inside the house.
"Mom, let's go. It's getting dark," Orisi said as she held her dazed mother's hand.
"Oh. Alright," Rungi replied as they headed to their home.
-----
The two had their fill last night so Orisi woke up refreshed as she brushed her teeth and washed her face.
She then washed the utensils from last night as her mother was heating the sauce from last night and roasting the meat that was kept yesterday, cooking a simple breakfast to boot.
The two did their respective morning routines and then had breakfast. When they were done, they went to the main house to help out with the work.
Around midday, the familiar sound of a car engine announced Abel's return. Maybe because there was some disagreement yesterday, Abel brought some things wig him to appease the elderly woman-After all, she was still his savior's grandmother.
"Grandmother," Abel began after greeting the gathered onlookers, "about yesterday… I want to apologize if I offended you."
Seeing his humble attitude which had completely changed from the shrewd firmness of yesterday, Songu's heart somewhat felt relieved.
"It's no problem, the village head explained the situation, the entire village trusts his judgement,"
"That's really great then," Abel said in relief, the last thing he wanted was leaving this village on bad terms with his deceased benefactor's parent.
"Grandmother, pleas accept some little things I bought today," Abel added as he opened the boot of his car. Some village boys who were standing around quickly rushed to help Abel carry the heavy things.
The village women who were around at the moment whispered in surprise as they observed the happenings: Two heavy fifty kilogram bags of rice! Other two bags of maize floor! Two big jerrycans of cooking oil! Other two jerrycans of paraffin used for lamps! And so many other valuables!
"Elder Songu. You are really blessed! All these good things are all yours!" One woman couldn't help but comment in admiration.
Songu's mood immediately soared to the sky. So what if this man was bent on not giving her her son's money? He was still useful. Knowing her son saved him back then, although her son didn't tell her exactly how he saved him, it must have been a huge help or else how could he value the mother and daughter so much to carry out instructions left behind by her son? Seeing all the valuable things being entered in the house, her former down cast mood rose.
She couldn't afford to fall out with him.
"You didn't have to," she said, her smile now genuine. "It was I who misunderstood you."
Abel acknowledged her words with a nod, then turned to Rungi. "Would you take me to the late Mani's grave?"
Rungi immediately agreed to the request. Songu watched them go, a flicker of displeasure in her eyes, but she masked it with a tight smile.
Abel had thought that Orisi would be sad and cry if she went with them to her father's grave. That's why he had tried to secretly request only Rungi but to his surprise, the little girl was brave-she didn't appear as though she was about to cry, only silently holding her mother's hand as they now stood in-front of her father's grave.
Abel had come with a wreath so he laid it down on his friends grave. "Sorry I came so late," he murmured. "What I promised you, I will fulfill. I make this vow to your family as I stand before you."
Orisi looked at the man and didn't want to bust his bubble to tell him that he was simply talking to himself, her father was not in that grave anymore.
After paying his respects, the three people descended from the burial grounds in silence.
"Madam Rungi, have you decided on what I asked yesterday?" Abel suddenly asked, getting Rungi out of her thoughts.
Registering his question.
"Yes," Rungi replied. She was now very sure of what she wanted. She had thought about what step to take next and she couldn't be more certain about her answer at this very moment. " I have,"