EPISODE THREE:
SEPARATION.
Panting
heavily, she ran as fast as her legs could go before it caught her. She had been running for hours in a thick jungle
that was filled with mysterious creatures. She was right to think that it was a
demon that chased her; Ese didn’t know where she was, or how she got to the
jungle, all she knew was that she had to run until she found sanctuary from the
monster that sought to devour her.
She
ran through the dark narrow route that had trees on either sides of the path.
Soon she saw light ahead and then two houses came into view, the monster’s
growl could be heard only meters away. As she ran, she saw the first house, it
was her house, her mother smiled and wore fine linen laced with jewelry, her
father too was dressed in expensive attire, her brothers were also dressed
properly, as though they all had a ceremony to attend. “Mama! Mama!!” she cried
out as she advanced towards the house, her family frowned at her approach. “You
are not welcomed here, you will make all our riches go away if you return, go
back to your husband’s house!” they all said in unison to her, her knees went
weak as they shut the door on her, she cried but continued running.
“So
my family sold me off in the name of marriage to become wealthy?” She thought
as she ran further. The second house came into view, the door opened and she
saw the monster standing by the doorway with the face of the man that was her
supposed husband. He leaped on her and pulled her forcefully. She screamed for
help, but no one came, he was too strong for her to fight off, so he prevailed
in pulling her into the house and shutting the door.
Smiling,
the monster turned to her, she shuddered in fear and wished the earth would
swallow her. “Welcome home my wife!”. Ese screamed as her eyes fluttered open,
her chest rose and fell in rapid movements, her body was covered in beads of
sweat. Her head whipped around, taking in her surroundings as her body shook
vigorously. She was in her room, she heaved a sigh of relief, releasing a
breath she didn’t know she held.
Her
mother walked into her room with a worried look on her face. “Oh, my jewel, you
are awake now, I thought something bad had happened to you, you suddenly
fainted when your father introduced you to our in-laws.” Her mother said, the
words she spoke stung Ese’s heart and she thought she’d get a heart attack. “So
it wasn’t a dream?” Ese muttered to herself, looking at the cemented floor as
tears trickled down her cheeks. Her mother walked towards her and tried to
console her, she shifted back, away from her mother’s embrace. “Leave me!” Ese
growled angrily, her mother was confused, she didn’t know what to do or say.
Her father walked in with his walking stick, he had a dead chewing stick in his
mouth and his reading glasses hung firmly on the bridge of his nose.
“Ese?”
he called her, she didn’t reply nor throw him a glance, she was still in shock
from all that happened. “Eseoghene!” he shouted, her mother flinched but she
didn’t even stir a muscle. Her parents shared a look, “My dear child, speak to
u— the look she gave her mother silenced her instantly. “You horrible souls!
Yes, that is what you people are, what did I even do to deserve such cruelty
from you both?” Ese asked, staring at them with bloodshot eyes. Her mother
looked away in shame, her father only scowled in irritation.
“Will
you shut up your mouth! What do you know? You are already a woman and going off
to a man’s house is all that is left for you, going to school is a waste. After
all, the kitchen is where you’ll end up. And also it is in our tradition!” her
father said spitefully, she scoffed, “You close minded fool! This isn’t the old
generation!” she retorted angrily, her mother gasped, “Ese?”. Her father was
infuriated, “You dare open your filthy mouth to insult me? What do you know
about our customs and traditions? You forget that I am your father, the head of
this family, and my name is Oghenevwede. I will deal with you today!” he said
and pounced on her, throwing slaps and blows from all directions to her face.
Her mother pleaded, but it was all in vain, until he was satisfied and walked
away.
He
later walked in, “And your husband will be back in a week or so. You better
behave yourself!” he said and stormed off. Her mother quietly followed him out.
Ese cried, she felt like killing herself, all her dreams were just shattered
right before her eyes, and she couldn’t do anything about it.
Few
days had passed, the two friends hadn’t seen each other until one evening. They
had gone to the stream to relax, to spend the last days together and get away
from the cruel world. They couldn’t tell if this was a wicked coincidence or
not, but they both wished it was a dream. “At least your case seems more
acceptable, they will further your education, and you aren’t married to him
yet, plus he is still young, so you might probably fall in love with him
sooner.” Ese said, her eyes fixed to the sky. Ogho stared sorrowfully at her
best friend. “The man that they have sold me to in the name of marriage is
about to clock 36, Ogho 36! And I’m just going to be 15. I hate my parents for
doing this to me. And if I die, my blood will be on their heads!” she added.
Ogho cried, “Stop saying these things please!” they both hugged each other and
wept bitterly.
The
two friends were being separated.
This
is only Fiction.
The
Imaginator.
-Preye Johnmark.