EPISODE TWO:
THE NEWS.
Ogho
arrived home just in time to see two Range Rover Sports exiting their compound.
She was bewildered, wondering how and why such luxurious cars were leaving her
compound, and whoever the people were, what they came for. Edewor was breaking
firewood near the kitchen, he turned to look at her, she faced him waiting for
him to say something, but he just resumed his wood breaking. She frowned, that
was odd, Dewor always filled her in with the latest gist, this time that he
wasn’t saying anything, she didn’t know what to think.
Her
parents were sitting and discussing in the living room when she walked in, they
both hushed up when they noticed her presence. Her mother was smiling like
someone who had been given and international visa to the United States. Her
father on the other hand just stared at her, she walked in further. “Come
child, have a seat. Your mother and I have something to discuss with you.”
Ogho’s father said, her frown deepened, she had an eerie feeling about this discussion. Her mother’s smile was even
more bothering than whatever her father had to say. “You weren’t home when our
visitors came.” He started, “Eh, you were not home, oh you could have seen this
f—, “Woman, please be quiet and let me finish!” he said sharply to Ogho’s
mother who frowned a little then rolled her eyes.
Akpenvwe
cleared his throat and faced his daughter. “Oghonoro.” He called, “Papa?” she
answered, he didn’t always address her by her full name, except it was
something serious. “You are my first child, and I see that you love to explore.
You have your father’s spirit!” he praised, she smiled a little. “Ogho, you are
my only daughter, and you have always dreamt of being a lawyer, and I must say
I am proud of you. But you see, we are poor and I didn’t even go to the
university, that’s why I’m not so educated. If not, I would have become an
engineer. But I want you to finish your schooling and become that lawyer you’ve
always desired to be.” He said, Erhi her mother nodded in agreement.
“Those
people who came are from the city, Lagos. Yes, they are from this community.
The Ejomafuvwe’s, their son Patrick is not in Nigeria currently, he is young
like you, he should be around his early twenties thereabout.”, “What does that
have to do with me?” Ogho asked, the sound of ‘son’ in the topic of education
was quite hard to relate. “Hmm, be quiet and listen to your father!” her mother
snapped, she frowned. “Well, it has something to do with you, because his
family has chosen to further your education to the university level, and even
help you acquire a job.” Her father said.
“Why
have they chosen to help me? They do not know me? And how does this relate to
their son?” Ogho questioned, hoping not to hear what her mind was insinuating.
“You will marry their son! Ah! Just tell her the whole thing, end of story!”
her mother said eagerly and walked out, probably to check on what she was
cooking. “Eh? Papa? What is mama saying? Who am I marrying?” Ogho asked, she
didn’t know what to feel at the moment. “You have been betrothed to their son,
he will be your husband, and th— Ogho’s scream interrupted him.
“GOD
FORBIB! Papa, what are you telling me? How will you use education as a cover to
sell me off to early marriage? To someone I don’t even know? This is not the
old generation papa I am not marrying anyone. When I am old enough, I will get
married to the man of my dreams, not now!” Ogho said, raising her voice in
annoyance. Her mother rushed in, “You, silly girl, can’t you see that this will
bring us out of our suffering? Eh? Can’t you see the opportunity in this? They
will further your education, they will take you to the city and take good care
of you, then when the time is right you will commence full marriage with their
son!” her mother yelled at her. “Never! I will rather die in this village than
be tied down to some stupid contract you people have made with strangers over
my head, it’s won’t happen. Fia! Never!” Ogho said angrily, this provoked her
father and he slapped her.
“Foolish
girl, you don’t have any say in this. It has been settled and it final. Whether
you agree to it or not, you have been given to that young man and he is your
husband! Stop all this foolish behavior, his parents will be back in a week’s
time to take you. Get prepared.” Her father said and angrily walked out. Ogho
sat on the floor crying helplessly.
Ese
arrived home and met visitors. Her mother frowned at her presence and went to
drag her into the living room, there was no time to dress her up properly.
“Where have you been? Come and sit quietly!” her mother said. Ese quietly sat
down after greeting the visitors who were smiling widely at her, “She is the
one.” Her father said as he discussed with one of the elderly man, and there
was another one, quite younger than the rest. He should have been around his
mid or late thirties from Ese’s guess. She observed that they brought some gift
with them. “What is happening?” she thought to herself. She watched as her
father collected an envelope that was fat, “What could be inside it?” she
thought, the younger man smiled at her, showing off his brownish teeth, Ese’s
stomach churned in disgust.
“My
daughter, stand up, come and greet our in-laws and your husband, Anaborhi.” Her
father called her saying. At that moment, it felt like she had been struck by
lighten. She couldn’t move, nor speak and everything went pitch black.
This
is only Fiction.
Watch out for Episode Two (2)
Photo credit: Jakarta Post.
An interesting read, keep it up.
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