Narrow rescue
Noticing the presence of his brother in the compound, Oluk opened the door slowly and held it in place at a certain radius. He wanted to disguise the evidence that they were playing tricks on Semakula. He then backtracked to his seat and sat close to his wife.
The visitors moved directly towards the door. Joan was already set to welcome them. Immediately, she rushed outside, moved closer, and received them with a cheerful greeting.
They walked together to the sitting room conversing while beaming with happiness. However, Odwil's repose was withdrawn before they entered the house, Semakula had been staring constantly at them as they proceeded. This compelled Joan to stop and ask him.
"Hey! Fred, have you been around?"
"Yes! Haven't you been aware of it?" asked the landlord.
"No!" she replied.
"Are you serious? Please be realistic!" Semakula Fred was wearing a baleful look as he spoke. Joan felt intimidated and just kept going as she accompanied her visitors to the house. But before she could enter the house, she stopped.
"Wait!" she said, "I shall be back shortly," Joan informed them as she proceeded to the room.
Odwil who had been watching over them from a distance had smelt danger. Just when they reached the room, he could not hesitate to inquire about the cause of their stay at the verandah.
"Who are those people outside?" he asked. He and the group were approaching closer to Oluk who was seated in the room. He heard the question and pretended to be unaware of anyone and all that was transpiring outside the house. He verbalized a fictive justification for his defense. He repressed the situation with a question. His brother would not allow for such behavior.
"So, do you mean there are people outside? Joan, who are they and what are they doing?" He pretentiously inquired.
"I saw Fred and a lady stand outside there chatting. I think they have just arrived but, I do not understand why they resorted to staying outside. Well! Let me go and attend to them." Joan picked up two plastic chairs and retreated outside. She zipped past them as she proceeded to a tree shade just before the house meanwhile the visitors were being welcomed by her husband into the house concurrently. Odwil felt out of place in the mansion based on his previous experiences, so he immediately opened up the bag and commenced to count the notes he had brought to confirm its adequacy. Oluk was so happy to see him pull out the money. He underwent a deep breath and joined his brother in counting the notes as Sebagala watched out silently.
In a low voice, Oluk verbalized, "Fred is our landlord. I think he has come for his money. It is fine, you and they have arrived at the right time. Then you need not be afraid of anything here because we are safe. Let's go on counting these notes and then I shall go out and call them when we have confirmed all is right."
Joan was already outside and in the compound. When she reached the shade, she hurriedly picked up dry leaves that were spread out under the tree after which she swept the place. She later placed the seats, left and right facing each other. They were set to be used.
"Fred! Fred and your friend, please come and take up these seats!" She called out to them.
Semakula turned and faced her direction. He then threw a terrorizing glance at her with his face twitching as he jerked forward, but he didn't displace. Joan kept an eye on him steadily as he enact. She was introduced to an impulsive drama accidentally and, was later compelled to nearly take to her heels with the intensity of the behavior. The man moved back and forth twice as she watched.
When Semakula perceived that Joan was so outraged and affrighted, he halted his actions and started walking calmly towards her. The lady with whom he conversed departed immediately, she waved to Joan silently and exited through the gate. Joan was strengthened to wait while watching out for his anticipated response.
Semakula reached the shade and sat humbly and quietly on the chair provided. Joan was enraptured by his tranquility. She bowed before him and greeted him with expressions of true-to-life love.
He could not believe how kind she was that day. Indeed, it was a counterfeit adoration displayed at the pretext of concealing the actuality.
"Father, you are highly welcome. Thank you for being part of us this morning. We are sorry. Your stay outside here was an unwitting happening. Yesterday, I was very tired and the effect has persisted in my body till today. My husband too did not sleep all over the night, he turned over and over. I do not understand the cause. I thought he was just leaving me, but good enough he is still alive. We both woke up late. Can you imagine we didn't sleep on the bed? We spent the whole night in the sitting room!" Joan pleaded this statement would be the only justification for their failure to attend to him.
"Well! I heard all the excuses you brought forward. I am not here to judge anyone. I believe your utterance is genuine, it has brought ammunition for my criticism," replied Semakula. He talked with a solacing voice that assured Joan of their safety.
He paused and continued, "I am so much interested in sharing something with your husband. Isn't he very occupied?"
"Not really! I do understand he is still having a moment of talk with his brother. So, it will be better when you stay patient and wait for him," she proposed.
"It is fine! I am not a person who rushes things. I am already around and he too is around. Even if their meeting last till evening, I will follow your instructions," he seconded. But it was an amusing response. Joan was stimulated to think of whatever disturbance her husband would face if his brother came without money. She kept silent while gazing at the ground.
By then, a moderate wind was constantly blowing and slightly shaking the tree branches. Cool air filled up the shade, and staying under the tree was gratifying. Semakula felt the pleasurable outcome of his hard work. This reminded him of the behavior of these tenants in the early morning.
"Eh! The torture you encounter for your own house is so alarming! Should I receive this money, the tenants will find their way out. A well-built mansion supplied with such a beautiful environment, should not be the kicking about grounds for clowns. How dare they do this to me? They think I am happy! I built this place with a hustle" he mediated, whispering silently to himself. His abode was a three-roomed self-contained permanent building. He believed that leasing the mansion would be the best way of earning income. Only disappointments could let him down.
A few seconds later, a lizard fell off the tree following unpleasant sounds from the tree leaves which resembled that of a rolling snake. Joan jumped from the chair and yelled while running towards the house where her husband and friends stayed. The men were done counting the notes, they were just busy cracking gags and laughing. When they heard her outcry, they quit the room immediately. Oluk held a cane. When Semakula saw the charging men, he was so frightened. He felt like fleeing but, his flight would be impossible. The men would easily get him and so, he stayed firm to face the consequences of any fictitious story.
The men found her sitting on the verandah. She smiled straightaway on seeing them. Oluk asked immediately, "Joan, What is wrong with you?"
"A lizard!" she shouted. Her answer was like a shot.
"Rubbish! How can a mere lizard shake you like that? You must be crazy!" her husband criticized.
They directly fell back into the room without telling Semakula anything. His heart rate was so elevated. He regained control of himself immediately and continued waiting peacefully.