Fifteen minutes later, he stood at the gateway to Becky's home. Much to his surprise, smoke spewed from the kitchen. He could not believe she was already awake.
He scanned the compound. At first, he saw no sign of her. Then he moved closer, and she came into view bent down beside the chicken coop, her back to him, washing dishes.
He paced towards her.
Becky heard his footsteps. She straightened, turned around and met his gaze. Though alarmed, a smile lit her face as she began wiping her hands dry against the leso wrapped around her waist.
Pabonya stood only a few steps away silently studying her.
Graciously, she extended her hand to greet him.
Pabonya didn't react, determined not to be entertained by such gestures of humility. He had hoped to find her in a similar attitude as the previous day. It would have afforded him a favourable atmosphere to engage in a verbal fight.
Becky, noticing the menacing look clouding his face, withdrew her hand . She was reminded of how she had crossed him, and perceived that this visit was not socially concerned. Had he devised a way to settle the unfinished business?
"I don't come in peace," Pabonya confirmed.
Slowly, the smile in Becky's face died curdling into something different. "What does that mean?"
"Trouble! I am here to notify you that your welcome in this clan is overdue. With your yesterday, you made an enemy of me."
"Oh is that so?" She puzzled over those words. Instead of escalating things, it would be better to make necessary concession. "I'm sorry! I spoke so harshly!" she said grimacing with resignition. "I wasn't thinking straight and kind of lost my mind. I sincerely regret it."
Pabonya, having not missed the conciliatory tone in that voice, was amused. His dominance had been restored. But he wasn't about to leave it at that. "Apology not accepted," he spat.
"I was just hoping to make peace."
"Now is not the moment. You ought to have realized that there would be serious consequences. The battle you've picked would only end with one winner. And that would not be you."
Becky sighed in disappointment. Her efforts at reconciliation would bear no fruit.
She had once held this elder in high esteem. That was in the early days, when things were rosy; when he had showered her with favours - lending his men and oxen to help till her land. Then came an incredible dynamic in the climate of their relations. Pabonya turned spiky and Becky was differently regarded. He was eager to scold and appraise her every move with suspicion. That, bit by bit, chipped the respect away. Apparently it had reached a point where she found it meaningless to continue giving respect where it was not being reciprocated.
"So you won't forgive me?" she demanded an assurance summoning a callous smile that reflected poise and fearlessness, "You came here just to aggravate me? You think you can scare me?"
Pabonya laughed incredulously. "I am not interested in scaring, but rather in declaring what is about to befall you.
Though Becky did not fully grasp the weight of his threat, she felt its hostility. Her heart ached. For how long must she endure his humiliation?
She gathered herself. "Perhaps we need to come to an understanding," she said, voice serious now. "It is because of one man that I live among you. I am neither married to you nor to the clan. If you or any elder have grievances, report them to my husband - he would listen. But don't barge into my house at dawn ranting like this."
Again that note of confidence in her voice; Pabonya didn't like.
She had to resist his attempts to bully and molest her to give up her self. She would not allow him destroy every facet of the person she was and replace it with a being of his own creation. Neither would she let anyone rob her of her ability to think and judge for herself what is right from what is wrong. Her ideals would never subscribe to the primitive notions, customs and traditions of the majority of those around her.
Once again, Pabonya had been rubbed the wrong way. These seething challenges were rude insults. And were being done here - in his own territory. Was he not a citizen of the clan by birth? Unlike her - a woman whose position could be substituted anytime? Was this not Kapsoket clan, famed for its strict adherence to the norms and customs of the tribe? Where was the respect for the elders?
It was clear. Becky was heretic. She no longer deserved to remain among them.
"You have forgotten your place," he growl. "I wonder what makes you consider yourself special. Marrying our son didn't empower you to hurl insults at elders."
"I am tired! I am tired! I am tired!" she suddenly yelled like one hypnotized hands raised fingers locked behind her head.
Pabonya stared at her with astonishment. She had turned black with rage. He had been looking forward to this verbal exchange. But now wrought, he pleaded uneasy, his pique suddenly melted,"Calm down," He couldn't handle it.
"Don't tell me to calm down," she shot back. "You won't keep stepping on me like I am nothing. Hurry up with whatever it is you plan to do."
He felt the lethal bite in those words and it was another misery.
He looked into her eyes calculatingly, conscious of the fact that the confrontation was spiraling out of control. Soon they would attract the audience of the neighbors, gossip would spread, and Becky might even gain a gaggle of sympathizers.
He won't let that happen. He had to quickly withdraw and go tie up some loose ends; relay his plans with more precisions. He had to induce a few people to look at her in a bad light; a coalition to back him. A little stain on her image could turn most against her. Only then would he truly bring her world down.
He cast one last look at her and the flaming raging hatred in his heart intensified. He felt like grabbing her by the arms and crushing her underfoot into a paste like some annoying bedbug.
But how sorrowful, he lacked the powers - at least for now.
To Becky's relief, Pabonya turned and left. She resumed washing the dishes. But her mind churned. Was he capable of ruining her life? His influence in Tirita, Kures and the whole of Kapsoket clan was undeniable. How would she stand up to a man of such stature?
She was not a coward. She would face whatever came like a brave soldier. And her husband would protect her. She was certain of his unwavering love. Nothing could come in between them.