Adoko into Umudioga village and then an apian way into Agbu-Ukwu.
The later route wouldn't have taken them the whole morning to reach their destination, but for their acquired status and their banishment from Umudioga, they had to take the alternate route which indeed was like going round the whole villages instead of going through. They had to go through many villages like Umuochiaku, Ohia Nwoji, Ohausara, Urueke river and Amihie before getting to Agbu-Ukwu but not without going through its forests.
The two girls were already fumed out, their whole body were wobbling, a day journey on foot was not an easy task.
The task Aruma had given to them was worse than a message, punishment was a suitable word for it. Uju kept wondering if she had known that they would embark on such journey, she probably must be waiting for them to go and come back same day but how ridiculous such expectation could be.
The girls were extremely exhausted and very hungry, they had gotten to their destination but were shocked by what they saw on their arrival.
It was Echezona who was critically ill. It was the same man who brought them to Aruma's place few days back. He had pox all over his face, and his tongue was stiff that he couldn't utter a word even at the arrival of the two young girls.
"What happened to him?" Uju who was worried and concerned asked.
Uju's presence caused dissociation amongst his wife and children, they moved a distance and stayed together in a place as if they were bounded together.
"Go away from us, you impurities." Olam, Echezona's wife, barked at the two girls. Their children who were five in number also drew backwards with their mother, even though they knew nothing about their mother's stigmatization.
"Go away," some of them were shouting ignorantly.
"Please, nne, we came from a very far place and we're very hungry, please give us food, no matter how little and we'll go back as soon as you wish," Uju pleaded on her knees, Ulumma also followed suit in the pleading. Life had really changed her into a humble person. The old Ulumma will never go on her knees begging for anything from anyone, but now she didn't have any option.
"First of all, let me remind you that i'm not your mother, and it disgusts me when you address me as such. Lastly, aren't you concerned that my husband is lying here critically ill, and all you know is food. Have you asked whether we ate anything before selfishly thinking of your insatiable self. Ngwa, come and eat food and suit yourselves," she said sarcastically.
"Please, let us take even if its one mango from the tree." Ulumma said the right thing at the wrong time in the wrong place. Uju must have noticed this but she still maintain her pleading eyes.
"Mama, please even if we can't have food please give us a resting place for this night and we'll be gone at dawn."
"Never! You think i don't know who you are?" she said with hands akimbo, twitching her toes and moving her body from left to right and vice versa.
"WITCHES!" she said with strong emphasis, and her children moved more backwards and clinched their mother's wrapper tightly. As children they are, they would believe whatever their mother says, now they've known the true identity of this lady that comes often before, to their house.
No thanks to their mother.
Uju walked dejectedly out of their presence holding her sister's wrist.
They moved to a guava tree in the compound after Olam had banged the door behind them.
Uju cried like a baby, which left Ulumma undecided whether she should console her or join her.
Ulumma took one of Olam's wrapper which she had forgotten to bring in after washing, she spreaded it on the bare floor.
"Ulumma, what are you doing?" Uju asked in bewilderment.
"Uju, whatever will happen, let it happen here." the old Ulumma was gradually coming back from holiday.
"Please, for my sake, don't just start that, let's get out of the one we already found ourselves."
"Why should a woman whom my mother help so much when she was alive, turn around and be so cruel to me for no cause, and you are here telling me not to start what." her voice was getting louder.
"Ulumma, you're shouting!"
"I don't care if the whole villagers hear me."
"Remember, you're no more free-born like you used to be, so you could be causing more troubles for us."
"Will you sleep on the bare floor? Or will you sleep on the air or while standing? Uju, please if your eyes are heavy, mine are feeble. I need to rest and if you wish to sleep on the ground, its your choice but i am not sleeping on this floor, i'm going to their doorway to spend my night. May the day break." she exit.
Uju ran after her, and held her back, Ulumma was really pissed off by this approach and she turned violently and barked at her.
"Leave me alone!" her voice was so loud to wake Olam. Uju was more embarrassed at the sight of Olam, and she drew herself backwards and backed the woman, who was sleepy now.
"What are you two still doing here?" she asked with her eyes half closed.
Ulumma did as if there was noone there, not to say that someone was speaking. She proceeded to the the veranda besides were she spread the wrapper and lay on it, Olam watched with surprise written all over her. Ulumma was muttering something like "come and push me out."
Olam was too weak to start shouting, she had to leave the troublesome one and go to bed.
**************************
Sitting in front of a hut unknown to her, Uju was peeling egusi, she was humming to the song of the Ekpe cult who were making preparations to carry their masquerades, including the long juju, round town. The sound was clear enough to her hearing but it was coming from a very far place, definitely Aro-Ukwu. From that direction, she saw a figure coming closer, but later it seem not to be coming towards her.
As the figure was getting clearer to her sight, he (because it was that of a man) began moving towards her direction again.
Uju was now shaking, she was now double-minded, having battle with herself whether to run or not. The lad got closer and closer, she had sighted him from afar for a couple of time and he still hadn't gotten closer.
As he was approaching, Uju was seeing someone she knew very well but was still unsure of whom he was. She fidgeted involuntarily waiting as he gets closer.
Finally, the tall chocolate coloured skin lad was in front of her, and she was amazed. She looked at him for a moment with her eyes and mouth wide open.
She was trying to mention something but she couldn't utter a word.
Finally, she found her tongue and screamed,
"A G U N N A!"
She threw herself on him and wept on his shoulder. He was now taller and bigger, and looked more like a big brother to her, his arms was broad enough to contain her, and he didn't stumble when she threw herself on him.
"Agunna, why did you leave us?"
"Agunna, can't you see we suffered a lot?"
"Agunna, i hope you weren't hurt?" Uju was asking too many questions at a time, but the young man keep saying, "Agunna says."
"Agunna says he's alright and will be fine." the young man replied.
"No, you're Agunna, i know your face. I know you very well. I know you. You're Agunna." Uju was still saying while the young man turned his back and started leaving her. The farther he was out of sight, the louder the Ekpe drum sounded until he was completely out of sight.
"No, don't leave me, please."
"Agunna, Agunna, Agunna!"
Uju screamed while Ulumma shook her violently and drew her up by her arms.
"Why are you screaming by this time of the night?" Ulumma said in an angry hush tone. Uju was still silent, looking at Ulumma in a silly way.
"Do you know that you were so loud and you scared me."
Uju stood up from where she laid and held Ulumma tight.
"Please don't leave me, i'll stay with you." she said panting. Ulumma shrugged and they went back to the veranda where they spend the rest of the night.
Going from Agbu-Ukwu back Ozala-Abo was a very difficult task, especially when the mission was futile and when banned from using the easiest route. Uju was contemplating on how to use the route they'd used before, it was not an easy journey.
Ulumma was not left out in the worries, she was begining to see this as more of punishment than an errand. It was never easy when coming with filled stomach, how about now moving the same journey on an empty stomach.
Ulumma resorted on using the easier route which they had to go pass several settlements in Umudioga, including their market. They were doomed for real because that day was Eke market day, and the people of Umudioga go to market on every Eke market day. They were going to be jeered, no doubt, and perhaps captured, and if they'd be unfortunate, they'll definitely not escape lynching.
Lynching? But what are they living for? What is life without good food, good shelter and good clothing.
"I think we have only one option which is the best at the moment." she finally gulped out. Uju looked at her with eyes wide open in anticipation for solution which was the best option as described by her sister. Ulumma did not wait for her to ask what the option could be before she continued,
"We have to go through Umudioga." Uju for the first time after four days, let out a very loud laugh. The laughter was so much that it jerked her and made her stagger to lean on her sister's body. Ulumma was so surprised to see Uju laughing for what was certainly not a joke. How she wished she could always laugh like this, she looks quite pretty when she breathed out laughter and her white teeth radiating like a goddess' white robe. The laughter was becoming strange, what was even funny about what she said to think about? Uju was now slowing down to catch her breath once more.
"You see my sister, you would wonder why i laughed so loud, but you thinking about going through Umudioga was laughable." Uju voiced out amidst diminishing chuckle.
"What's so bad about it?"
"You talk as if you were born this morning."
"Don't even use the osu thing as an excuse, because we'll go pass there this morning."
"Today is Eke, have you forgotten? Aren't you afraid of open disgrace?"
"Its better we die openly than we die in a place where nobody will see us. I'm not going through forests and rivers and run round the world when i can go to my destination quickly before my goat would blink its eyes." This was the same girl that said way back then that she dreaded an open death, what's really giving her this effrontery? Uju thought.
"Ulumma, please your stubbornness isn't going to help any matter here, let's take.........." Uju paused when she saw Ulumma walked out on her, she was moving so fast, that Uju had to run to get hold of her. Ulumma pulled her arm roughly from her hold and proceeded, not minding if she had fallen on the floor. Uju was shocked at this behaviour, that she curbed her hands firmly to get full hold of her wrists and thigh, she hold her with all her might.
She won't understand that i'm doing this for sisterly love, she thought. Ulumma struggled to get off her hold. So she was this strong to stop her from moving. Uju was indeed four to five years older than her, but yet she felt challenged that Uju was able to halt her movement. In the mood she was, and her one arm free from the hold, she could give her a back-breaking punch, but she wouldn't dare no matter how mad she may be at the moment.
"Uju, leave me alone now." she warned.
"Not until you listen to me." Uju said panting heavily, she was getting weaker now and it was noticeable through her voice. This could be the best chance to take someone unaware. Ulumma pulled out violently, making Uju hit her face with her hand inadvertently. Uju winced as a response to the sharp pain but Ulumma seemed not to know what has happened instead she was on her heels. What was even wrong with her. She ignored the pain she had incurred and ran after her sister until they had reach Umudioga.
**************************
The Eke market day of that week was cloudy and it looked like the sky was going to drop its content heavily.
Akwanwa was busy selecting beads and wrappers for her outing with Ifenna. She ignored whatever that was going on in the house, even though others were working tirelessly to make sure they put their goods together for the market day. She and her new found prince had scheduled that day for taking a stroll round the village.
Ahurone and her daughter had complained severally to the blind Madueke about her nonchallance especially when it had to do with work, but Nwabiala was always there to defend her daughter.
"Enemies of progress, i who offered to do all her responsibilities, am i complaining?" Nwabiala said harshly to the duo who were now dumbfounded.
"Isn't it because you succeeded in giving the prince love potion for your daughter,?" Ahurone said.
"To be a beautiful woman is one thing and to give birth to a beautiful daughter is another. It's not what any woman can do." Nwabiala said in a way to make sure that Ahurone found her words painful.
"Hey, hey, hey!" Mgborie cut her short pointing her five fingers close to her face,
"if you want to be respected, you better respect yourself and don't talk to my mother anyhow."
"As far as i'm concerned, i can't see any woman here."
"Its you that's a witch." Mgborie abused, "as helpless as you are, you still couldn't do better than mixing concotion for the prince to eat and lose his senses."
"Hey, hey, hey!" Akwanwa burst out of her room waving her fingers towards Mgborie. Mgborie snatched her hands and threw it back at her.
"Will you deny it, i was there. He came in search of Uju and the next thing you served him with your concoctions, and then what again, he lost his senses."
"You know what, Mgborie? You sound like a loser. Why not admit the fact that i'm far better than you and......"
"Oh my beautiful daughter," Nwabiala cut her short, "don't let allow this enemies of progress spoil your day, you look so beautiful in this your outfit." Nwabiala praised her as she kept blushing.
"The sunshine of Madueke's household, the most beautiful girl in the kingdom, the prince saw and couldn't resist, it only takes real women to produce destined queens.
Madueke overheard this noise making from his backyard where he was enjoying the fresh breeze from the east wind, he had called for someone to help him find his way to the scene but it seems that everyone was carried away, so he manage to scrabble his way into the scene. He dissociated them with his walking stick and they ran helter-skelter to avoid his stick.
"What's wrong with you all, can't someone have peace for a day in this house?" he said angrily as he flinged his stick not minding who it may hit.
They dispersed to their normal morning duty while those who were going to market, went back to their preparation for the day's market.
Akwanwa waited for Ifenna for some moments, but he didn't arrived as anticipated, so she decided to go and meet him instead. She was dressed nicely, adorned with many kinds of beads, waistbeads, and also put on a nice indigo. She was looking beautiful and she also had to confirm from her mother that she looked good.
She met Ifenna on her way, he came dressed in his princely attire, he looked so handsome in it. The paramours would certainly catch the eyes of the entire village when they are going to embark on their pleasure stroll round the village.
"You're like the sunshine." he praised. Akwanwa gave a blushing look that impressed him, he went to her and looked her eyes for some moments. He felt like he should carry her on his arms, he then moved his arms round her curvaceous waist, Akwanwa fidgeted.
"You know we're on the roadside, my prince." Akwanwa said with a smile.
"I thought this was all about me and you, why should we bother about passersby even if we were in the market square." he returned the smile.
"I take correction."
Passersby were passing and greeting Ifenna as they go pass the lovers. But there was one passerby that changed the whole drama of the scene.
Ifenna and Akwanwa were now in high cloud, Akwanwa sat on the tree with the help of Ifenna. They discussed many issues concerning their family lives, social lives. It was here that the issue about Uju was raised by Ifenna.
Akwanwa never liked discussing such topic especially when it has to do with their relationship.
"You don't look good when i say about Uju, were you two having any quarrel or anything i don't know?"
"No, but why are you always asking me about her, you know she's no longer a member of this village, let's just forget about this discussion and go to another."
"Don't tell me you supported your father's action against her."
"I never support the oppression of the helpless, but my father chose to and there was nothing i could do."
"How did you view you father's claim about she and her sisters being witches?"
This constant question was getting annoying but she tried hard to squeeze some words at the least.
"Well, i had a mixed feeling, i didn't know whom to believe."
"But she was innocent."
Akwanwa ordered to be brought down from the tree, Ifenna did as she said. She backed him with a sad countenance written all over her, Ifenna noticed this and went in front of her and felt her smooth face with his palm.
"Do i bother you with too much question?" he asked with a smile.
"Infernal questions indeed." Akwanwa said almost angrily.
"I'm sorry, but i see some similarities you two share."
"Similarities?" she asked dazed by his words, she knew the only similiarity might be in their beauty which many people had testify about, and that was what she expected him to say.
"Yes, infact, you two are similar in many ways."
"Beauty, right? You've been praising her all day. Not that i'm against it, but you should not put yourself into trouble for her sake." she said and paused a bit, seeing that he wasn't saying anything, she had to break the silence and add,
"and please stop comparing us or try to create any rivalry between us. Let her be on her own and I on my own." she said and turned back gracefully to leave him, but there was a surprise to behold.
Uju had been staring at them for some moments, but turned away her gaze sharply when Ifenna's eyes met with hers.
Uju legs were wobbling as she thought of the risk she had taken, and also been caught was another case altogether. She didn't bother about Ifenna, but fear of being openly disgraced by Akwanwa gripped her.
She didn't know what to do but to run with all her might to go out of sight before Akwanwa could have the motivation to raise alarm. She began feeling that her running may arouse suspicion amongst the neighbouring and they might get to see who she was, so she slowed down and finally stopped and panted heavily. Just as she was panting, she felt a grip of human palm on on her wrist, which startled her that she jumped to her feet before seeing that it was Ifenna, she let out a sigh of relief.
"Are you running away from me? I'm I a wild animal? Will i eat you?" he said scolding her puerile attitude. Uju looked at him without saying anything. Ifenna observed her for some moment, and toured her smooth body with his tender palm. Uju winced a bit in discomfort as he drew even closer to grope her waist.
"You are so beautiful like lilies by the spring." he said as he was almost carried away.
"Please don't get yourself into trouble for my sake, i don't worth it," she said humbly.
"Shhhhh, you worth more than seven princesses, you deserve whatever expression i give to you. Please come with me." he said with a sharp smile. Uju began to feel sorry for him, because she was certainly going turn him down.
"Give to Akwanwa what belongs to her and dont try to put rivalry amongst the two of us."
TBC AT 8PM
