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.”
