Mmeso Inspires: Forging

Was it mere curiosity?

Or childish stupidity

Or Nne’s constant chiding

Or Maduka’s sudden departure to Enugu

That caused this woe to me?

Was it jealousy resulting from Ego’s secret marriage to an oyibo man?

Or mere childish fantasy

Or Mama Ndukwe’s insult to Nne on her way to the stream

That pushed me into going for an unprepared war

Fierce battle without armour or sword

I am Finished Nne.

Was it chief Kuku’s promise to send me to oyibo land to further my education?

Or his frequent gifts of sardines and bread

Or his constant conversation with Nne beside the ukwa fruit tree in front of our compound

Where he always gave her money and canned meat probably to facilitate my conviction

Or Nnanna’s illness, my only brother

That caused me to dance to the tune of surugede

Without knowing it to be a dance made for Spirits.

Then, I finally accepted to be Chief Kuku’s wife

Sixteen I was, innocent and naïve

That fateful day, I took my polythene bag where I packed some of my books and clothes and followed chief kuku to the city

Tears flowed as I bade Nne goodbye and Nnanna

I promise to bring along as soon as we settle down in the city.

Settle what?

I noticed Chief was impatient as I hug Nne and Nnanna wouldn’t let me go

As soon as I entered his car, chief Kuku shouted at me for wasting his time

I apologized as Nne had taught, but he hissed, so noisily

Little did I knew Nne, that my woe had begin

Had I known, I would have gone back, probably, to pick something

And run, very deep into the bush

But a choice has been made and I got to live with it, maybe all through my life.

On our way, I noticed Chief was staring at me. I wonder why

Then I heard him asking me a question

“What is it you are carrying? He said pointing at my bag

“My books and clothes” I answered

And for the first time, Chief Kuku laughed so boisterously that I was scared he had gone insane

Was is not this way Obidi’s illness started, a son to the secretary of Nne’s meeting group.

“Throw that thing away” he screamed.

I hesitated, Maduka’s precious Ola (necklace) is in this bag for goodness sake, I thought aloud to my self

Before I could plead with Chief to let the bag be

He had snatched it away from my trembling hands and fling it out of the car

I wept bitterly.

Few hours later, we arrived and was greeted coldly by those in the house

I was wondering Nne, why there were so much kids

And unsmiling women moving about

In an hour time, I discovered I was to be chief Kuku’s fifth wife, I lost consciousness.

That same night, Chief Kuku banged into the room where I was asked to sleep

There I was, huddled at a corner, sobbing

I was startled at the sight of seeing him

He had lied to Nne, he had told her that I was to be his first and only legal wife

Nne had believed him

I have always doubted it, because he is too old

Nna looks younger when he was alive.

He shouted at me out of oblivion “I said, I came to fulfill my duty and you kept quiet, are you mad?

“I am sorry Chief, please which duty are you talking about? I asked him frightened

When he advanced towards me with a grin on his face

I knew for sure which duty he had came for

Nne didn’t tell me about this… I pleaded with Chief “I am sick Chief, I am begging you”

But Chief wouldn’t listen, Chief Kuku steal my pride away, my joy, my honour.

In just few minutes, with just few thrusts

All was gone, I cried until I can feel the hotness of my tears

Chief Kuku cause my blood to spill on a bed which I was not even allowed to sleep afterwards but was given to a concubine.

He left me in pains and walk away without uttering a word

Then I remembered Maduka, he wouldn’t do this to me

Those times I had sneak out of Nne’s hut to visit him, he didn’t do this to me

Or those countless times, I had sat with him on his bamboo bed and watch him work on his traps.

He had always smiled back and teased me

Never had he lay a bad finger on me

But see, Chief Kuku has finally reaped what he has not sown

I thought about stabbing him to death

Nne, Chief Kuku turned your only daughter to a slave

He beats me up at any slightest provocation

I was just a prisoner in the house of a man that happens to be my husband.

My education was totally forgotten

Nne, tell me if I am still going to be a lawyer?

And speak for the voiceless or have I joined the voiceless with no one to speak for me.

I look tattered with no clothes to put on

Sometimes, I wonder if Chief Kuku ever loved me at all or was he paid by someone to do this to me

Maduka, the Love of my life, where are you?

Other articles written by the author:

• Mmeso inspires: Taking the lead with the inspirational voice behind the new generation

• This is a world where you got fight for your place

You travelled to Enugu without telling anyone

Now Chief Kuku had battered your Love without minding anyone

My co-wives pity me at times, but they can’t do anything

Because just like I, they were tied down like a ram waiting to be sacrificed.

Nne, your only daughter have been subjected to torture

I am sure Nna is weeping from the grave too

That fateful day, I escaped from Chief Kuku’s house and ran as my legs could carry me down the street.

My heart was heavy with sorrow and tears flowed like a river

But if only my heart was heavy Nne, it would have been better. I would have been happier

But lo, my Belly is heavy too.

Seven moons gone, I will be due in two months time

The thought set my head on fire and my heart into flames of sorrow

And so, I decided to end it all

I am sorry Nne,

I am sorry Maduka my Love

I am sorry Nna

Forgive me Nnanna, but I just have to end it all

It was almost dusk and so I walked into an oncoming car

Praying that Olisachukwu (God) should forgive me

The driver seems to be so skilled because he swerved on time to avoid hitting me but bumped into a nearby wall cracking his windscreen

I stood transfixed because I was in for trouble

I have heard Chief discussing with his friends how costly those things were

“Why on earth will you want to end your life?” the owner shouted as he came out from the car

Then he paused, I went numb.

We stood looking at each other for few minutes before I whisper… “Maduka”.

Part 2

Ola m, is this you? Maduka asked

I can see that look of disappointment spread across his face as he fixed his gaze on my protruded belly.

Then he came closer, I noticed a lot have changed with him as he has noticed a lot had changed with me too.

Ola m, please tell me this is not you…

Why are you looking so tattered?

What on earth are you doing here and why are you…he paused pointing at my stomach. Why are you pregnant?

I went dumb, tears dripping down my cheeks.

“Maduka, I called regretting why I ever met him now.

I am sorry, this was never my intention. I just want to die… I said and finally burst into tears.

Maduka stood speechless looking at me for a while before he drew me closer to himself avoiding my belly. He smell so nice.

Ola m, you won’t die. You won’t… a vehicle horn blared us into oblivion. We cleared to a safer spot before he said.

“I can’t believe you want to end your life, am I dreaming, and is this you Olamma?

“It’s me Maduka, I have lost my purpose on earth, can’t you see it?  You travelled to Enugu without a word.

“Suppose you told me you will one day return for me, maybe things would have been better, a lot easier”.

Guilt spread across his face as he took my dry hands into his.

“Ola m, I am sorry I didn’t let you know. The journey of a man is like the journey of a thousand miles, sometimes it comes unannounced but you have to be strong and tread it or live in regret all the days of your life.

I travelled to make our world better Ola m, but seeing you in this condition saddens my heart.

Tell me Ola m, are you married? Why are you pregnant? Don’t you have a home?

Maduka it is a long story. I don’t know where to start I replied.

Let’s go to my house he said opening the car so that I could enter.

“Your house I asked, surprised”. Yes my house he answered still stealing glances at my stomach.

I entered and we started off.

Then I began to tell the story of my life to the man I truly love.

Word by word, details by details. Tears was pouring down my cheeks and at a point I noticed Maduka was crying too.

“It’s okay Olam, I am here for you now.”

That word alone gladdens my heart.

“I love you Ola m, and I will continue loving you no matter the condition. I am deeply sorry I left the village without letting anyone know about it, you especially.

But I am here to make amends now.

Maduka took my hands into his and we drove gently home.

When we arrived, I was amazed at the sight of his house.

He helped me out of the car but I was too surprised to speak.

“Tell me Maduka, is this your house? I asked.

He smiled but kept quiet.

“Ola m, I think you need to rest. You look so tired.”

We entered into the house and I knew for sure this is paradise on earth.

Though Chief Kuku’s house looks bigger it cannot be compared with Maduka’s which was tastefully furnished.

Everywhere was sparklingly neat. I was truly impressed.

THEN THE REST OF MY STORY CONTINUES

Yeah, Maduka prove he is a true love.

He took care of me and provide all my needs.

I lost the child at birth, maybe it was a good sign, because Chief Kuku never asked of me.

That was fifteen years ago.

Now I am a Lawyer, a successful one.

Married to Maduka my true love with kids.

Nne and Nnanna stays with us now and Nnanna continue his education.

I am not only a happy woman but fulfilled. I advocate for young girls who were pushed into unprepared marriage and women who were abused in their marriage.

Those years of suffering in chief kuku’s house has ended.

Those lonely years of bitterness, of pains and sorrows.

Yes… now I knew, that I was being forged all through these years, because only the brave can tell their story.

For a gold to be called a gold, it was Forged.

It was not my fault that mine went this way, but I am happy with the gold I become today.

I am Olamma and I knew the meaning of my name.

      THE END.

                            STORY BY MMESOINSPIRES.