I stayed with Njideka and she was so helpful, she has two kids, a boy who was grown and living out in the town and a daughter who was about ten or eleven years, I learnt that her husband died many years ago when Chioma her only daughter was just few months old and her brother was eleven years then.
She had issue getting another child after her son was born and took years for her to conceive Chioma.
I told her about myself and how my own mum died with my brother and I have only my father who happens to fell from a palm tree but has fully recovered.
I told her about my pregnancy and she said she noticed it and was waiting for me to talk about it.
She asked about the father of my unborn child and I told her it was a long story and he is married to another woman. Things got out of hand because of that and I decided to run away
She felt pity for me and I asked her not to do that because I was healing from everything that once hurt me.
I couldn't tell her exactly what happened immediately, maybe with time I will but not now because I don't feel like it.
I changed my name to Obianauju, and they all calls me Uju.
Njideka was a very nice woman, sometime we will talk into the night as she tell me about her husband and how they loved each other before he suddenly fell ill and passed and she decided to focus on her kids and raise them all by herself, she did not want to remarry after her late husband.
She was grateful for my presence I was even more grateful to her for her kindness as we bonded together.
I followed her to the farm and also assist in cleaning up the compound while chioma her daughter fetches water from the stream.
It was as if I was living with my own mother because Njideka treated me like a daughter.
My pregnancy became obvious as days turned into months, I don't go out except when I follow Njideka who tells anybody that cares to know that I'm her son's wife.
Her son's name is Nnamdi and I have never seen him, I only hear that he lives in a faraway town and comes home once in a while.
People greeted me and treated me well, everyone around Njideka were nice and it almost make me assume that this village must be filled with good people, people with good heart.
Even if they have any negative feeling they don't make it obvious, they were always acting kind and homely.
One asked me about Nnamdi that he has not being seen for long while, she asked why I left him in town to come and live with his mother, I just replied that he was fine and I just wanted to spend time with my suppose mother in-law.
They asked me the village that I came from and I lied and told them a different village.
Njideka overheard the conversation and after they left we both laughed over it, me and Njideka blended so well.
One day I stroll out to the market side with Chioma in search of the elderly woman.
I have asked so many people about her and no one know her whereabouts or have even seen her
So today with my pregnancy I decided to really search the village for her, and I silently pray I will get lucky today.
I walked with Chioma as we entered the market area and we saw different elderly women selling one ware or the other, I kept going from one kindred to another as Chioma was guiding me and was also showing me different places.
I was tired and we returned back home, I also continued the next day even the as it turns into week and yet my search was fruitless.
The next market day I decided to make it my last search, as I searched all by myself. I did not go with Chioma I went alone to the market, searching again I noticed somebody from afar.
The person I saw looks familiar, he caught my attention and I have to pause and stare.
He was a man, tall and huge he was backing me as he looked at faces of villagers carrying in their wares to sell.
Both young and old was tripping into the market, talking and laughing at same time.
The man that caught my attention stopped one woman and said something to her, the woman called two other traders who came and stand together as the man was saying something to them
I watched from a distance as he began to described something with his hands to them
They shakes their head meaning no before walking past him.
He also stopped other people to ask whatever he was asking and they gave him a negative answer.
I walked to a darkened place and watch this man who looks so much familiar from behind and just then he turned his face and face the main market and I almost fainted.
Who was I seeing, Ukadike, what is he doing here, yes it was Ukadike he stood using his eyes to scan the whole market, I hide very well, I used the wrapper I tired around my waist to cover my head as I followed another way and began to run as fast as possible.
As I was about to cross the other side of the road I turned to look back to see if he was still standing there, I did not see a plantain seller who was riding down the rough road on her bicycle.
I did not see the woman coming and I ran into her and she was already screaming as she rang her bell to warn me but because I did not see her on time and all the thought that consumed me was to run away from this market before Ukadike sees me.
I ran into the woman and she and the plantain fell I also fell down.
I got bruises on my knee.
The woman was not hurt, only few of her plantain broke into pieces.
She wasn't even worried about her goods as she rush to help me, other people gathered to lift me and my protruding belle up.
I heard them saying
“obu nwa Njideka…nke di ya nwuru utoto afo gara aga…opara Njideka na lu ya…(is Njideka's daughter, the one that her husband died many years ago, is Njideka's son that is married to her) they were saying different things and all I was concerned was to keep running.
“eeeh, eziokwu…obu ya, nwayi Nnamdi… opara Njideka (yes, is true oo, Nnamdi's wife, Njideka's first son)
Villagers stopped to ask “obu gini mere…ooh. e si na o na agba oso…obu gini na achuya…(what happened, you said she was running, who or what is chasing her) ndo nne, ndo…o dikwanu ime oo ( sorry my daughter…sorry and she is even pregnant)
They went on asking and there was somebody among them who knows I was related to Njideka and was very ready to answer their question
I was on my feet, I was not even listening to the few crowd that gathered I was trying to find my way of escape.
As I turned back to check if Ukadike was still standing, he was staring at the crowd and immediately I saw him he almost caught my eyes among the crowd, i was bigger in seize due to the pregnancy he may not quickly catch up with the face immediately and when I saw he was interested in what was happening, as he may wonder why the small crowd gathered I quickly took off.
I was not minding the women who were asking me what was chasing me, asking me to take it easy because of my condition.
I ran so fast and did not bother looking back, I almost ran into an elderly woman who was standing in between the road as if she was waiting for me.
And lo and behold it was the old woman that I have being searching for all this while.
I was surprise to see her standing by the road, I couldn't even talk because I was breathless, I was breathing so hard as if I ran a marathon race.
“obu gini na cho gi…ozugo…guzoro ofu ebe…ozugo..(What is chasing you, is okay…stand at a place…is okay)
I bent my body and stood up right again as I couldn't even talk, I was really breathless.
The woman took me out of the road and found a place for me to sit down. I sat as I try to relax.
After sometime I found my voice but before I will speak she started talking
“ihuru Ukadike na ahia (you saw Ukadike in the market) it was more of a question and I quietly nodded before saying.
“how did you know, I actually saw him…he was the one and he almost notice me when I fell down with a plantain seller on bicycle, people gathered to help and when I turned Ukadike almost caught a glimpse of me, I have to run as if my life depend on it….i don't know what he is doing here…how did he get here…what is here doing in a faraway land as this…and you too where have you being. For months now I have not seen you and I don't even know where you live I could have come to visit you… I searched everywhere and almost every day but no sign of you…
“a huru gi (I saw you), I saw you searching for me but you were not alone…you were with Njideka's daughter…right?
I nodded. She knows many things so I'm even tired of asking her how she got to know so many things even without telling her any of it.
I followed her down, we walked to almost the outskirt of that village and I began to wonder why she like living in the outskirt of a village.
She doesn't live among the people, she stay at a far end from everyone I decided not to ask as we entered a small hut with a big compound but she did not reply.
She sat down close to her kitchen, I got a seat and sat beside her, she yawn showing that she was tired, I asked her if she cooked anything so that I can warn it up for her to eat and she asked me not to worry, she will do that later.
She asked if I was hungry, I told her yes I was, I was really hungry after that marathon race.
She stood up, went into her kitchen and carried a pot out, I wanted to help her but she asked me not to. She opened the pot and frown.
I asked her if there was a problem she told me she forgot that she finished the food in the morning. But there was fruits growing in her backyard, I can get some fruits and eat because she was not cooking immediately except if I have to come another day to cook for her so that I can eat.
I agreed to do that, I will get everything she may need and I know Njideka will not say no if I decided to bring some garri to her.
OBIAGERI
She asked me always come alone whenever I want to visit her and I promised to do so.
I saw some ripped guava and plugged them. I gave her some and she said she was fine.
She asked me if I still worried about my father and Ukadike, I told her no day passes I don't think about them. She asked why was running away on seeing Ukadike after several months.
“the reason why I left the village was because he was at war with his brother over who to have me and the fight was almost getting out of hand, Ukadike was about to make a very big mistake by agreeing to give prince Aka the kingdom in exchange for me, I couldn't watch that happen, I needed to do something otherwise everybody will suffer at the end…so I left. I take no joy in being far away from my people but it was all for the best. seeing Ukadike today, I was shocked, so shocked…as I wonder how he got to this village…was he searching for me or was he in another journey to please his father…I just don't know what to think…what if he sees me and takes me back to the village and the war will continue with his brother. not even now that my pregnancy was obvious, Aka will be so mad…even if I have to return someday I will return years later when I'm sure Ukadike is ruling and not Aka…Ukadike must take the seat of power because he was born and trained for that purpose…I can't fold my hands and do nothing while Aka take over power and put everyone at his mercy…I know I'm still married to Aka if he refuse to collect his bride price from my father…I remain his wife and I do not want that…I miss my father, I also miss Ukadike, I really do miss him but he can't see me now or things will go back to how it was in the beginning…another fight with Aka will begin…no way…I just hope my father is alright…
“My daughter, your father is alright, and he prays every day to chukwu obioma to protect you…he is worried, and wept sadly when the news of your disappearance got to him but he is hoping for your return and he is positive that you are alright…Ukadike took it upon himself to search for you after the guards return with no good news…Ukadike left the kingdom months ago, going from forest to forest, village to village in search of you…he knows different places more than most village hunters, he has lived in all this places during the years of his training, he lived in this land and within for three years and half before moving to another. so he knows far and beyond and finding this village or others was not a difficult task, he is searching for you and he will leave here tomorrow night and return again…he said he won't give up until he finds you or hear from you. you are a good child and you care so much about your people and do not want the throne to get into a wrong hand because if the gods do not approve a person as the igwe is the people that will suffer…when two elephant fights is the grass that suffers. you are a wise child and no matter what happens you will always be fine…you are carrying Ukadike seed and is a very strong seed, the baby growing in you is just like you, strong willed and will not agree to a fault. She is the seed of light just like you. you will birth your child at the right time and I know Njideka will be glad to help you…be wise my child and listen when your heart guides you right…if you ever have troubling question or feel bad about something, come down here and talk to me…I will always be here to listen to your troubles…and to comfort you until you find solace…everything will be fine and just be patient and remain positive…
I was relieved when she said the last part, I really felt comforted and also thanked her for introducing me to Njideka.
