The sound from the daily ritual of the cocks woke me up from my deep slumber, turning reluctantly on my small mat I notice the uneven steps from passerbys who seem to be going about with their business. With a sigh, I tried to have a little more sleep but hastily stood up at the remembrance of my early morning fetching of water. With an unsteady movement, I walked towards the backyard as I picked up the jerrycan and a piece of wrapper and left the compound.
"Adaure" I shouted as I stood under an udara tree near my friend's house. She hastily rushed towards me with her jerrycan and a piece of wrapper as though she has been waiting for me.
"Otutu oma" she greeted with a deep smile as we head towards the public tap which was built by the king of the village.
Being the first village to ever have the privilege of owning a tap, Umuire has turned out to be the most popular and developed kingdom as people from far and near kingdoms always come to the village to fetch water. The tap water is seen as one of the greatest source of healthy water in the kingdom and also the neighbouring kingdoms as such the queue is usually much.
"Have you heard?" Adaure asked all of a sudden as we entered the lane that leads directly to the tap.
"What gossip do you have this time?" I asked as she faked an angry face and walked ahead of me.
"Adaure wait" I shouted as I ran after her "okay what news do you have?" I asked with a smile.
"Nothing, I don't think you need my gossip" she said with a smirk on her face.
"I'm sorry nah, can't you forgive for once?" I said with a smile as she finally smiled.
"I heard the palace needs additional maids and the selection will be on the next eke market day, I can't wait to be one of the Royal palace maid, I hope you know what that means?" Adaure asked as I stared at her in confusion.
"But why will the palace need more maid when there are over thirty maids serving there already beside how sure are you about this news of yours" I said with hands akimbo.
"I overheard my father saying it after he returned from the palace yesterday, I also heard the prince is coming back from overseas so many changes will be made while expecting his arrival" she said as I almost choked with the chewing stick I was battling with.
"You mean the prince is about to come back?" I asked as Adaure stared irritated at my question.
"I just said that now. By the way, I won't miss the selection on eke day, imagine me being a palace maid" Adaure said proudly.
"I pray to be selected too" I said as Adaure suddenly stopped walking and stared at me with a smirk on her face.
"I thought you wouldn't be interested"
"I need that job more than you and you know that so why wouldn't I be interested?" I asked as Adaure rolled her eyes without saying a word.
The news of the maid selection was the topic of interest at the tap as many maidens were already bragging of being one of the Royal palace maid, I mean who couldn't dream of such a respected job since Royal servants literally act like royals and are previledged to eat, bath and enjoy conducive environment like the Royal family, some Royal servants even goes to the extent of sending Royal food remnants to their families and these foods looks far better than what the villagers feed on, their families are always the first to gain from any gift from the king.
As I head towards the little hut where I and my mother lives in, I couldn't stop thinking about the Royal servants selection, being an only child who lives with her poor mother, I knew getting a job at the palace will not only help me but will also help me take care of my poor mother.
