WAZOBIA: A Tale of Two worlds

Twent Eight

The ancient-looking wall clock was the only thing that made house for a second.

"You came back," she said.

"I couldn't not."

We both sat, relaxed, testing our arms on those of the chair and our backs reclined, heads resting on the heads of the chair. It was a moment to relish heavy nostalgia. I would be here all day so there was no rush at all.

"Did you come back to visit me, or to fulfil our little covenant?" She asked casually.

"It depends," I breathed, nervously, "I don't know how things have been going, or if you're still, you know , going ahead with it."

She stayed silent for a while.

"Ọ bụrụ na m laa azụ, gịnị ga-abụ the kpataram?" If I backed out, what exactly would be my reason?

I smiled.

"Ihe edighi."
Nothing.

She smiled too, thn gave a little chuckle.

"Mummy gị?"

"She's fine." I sat up straight, "but I don't think her head us. There's a lot of tension and all. You know my brother-"

"He's now Igwe"

"Yes. I'm almost sick."

"It was bound to happen," she said, sitting up also. "Anybody else wouldn't have been suitable. Your brother makes too much sense. After all, he is the son of Ejiofor."

We were both lost in serious thought for a moment.

"Well take care of him when the time comes."

"My dad is coming back to the house. I can't stay."

"You have to," she said suddenly, her eyes were wide at me.

"Why?" My brows furrowed.

"Your mother," she said, "it's either you stay there or send her out, and you can't do that"

"Why not?"

She grunted and got up, "Child, I thought you'd have a more articulated thiught processor by now," she started moving towards the inner curtains, the one she first came out of.
"Come, come and see your sisters."

The building at the back was where Ahunwanyi's daughters lived. It was big and brown, but not as creepy as the main house where Ahunwanyi lived, though it was equally hair-raising.

"Unu nwa abọghọ" she called out, "you people should open the door, what are you even locking it for at this time?"

The door clicked open and two of them peeped out

"Nne, we've finished all our housework now what is-" the one talking saw me and stopped.

"Nwa Ejiofor ... Simbi," she said and opened the door wider enough for her full body to stand directly in front of me.

I tried hard to remember her name, she was one of the daughters I'd made good friends with during my meetings with Ahunwanyi.

"Eruchalu," she helped me.

She came up and hugged me briefly.
Ahunwanyi smiled.

**********

"Do you guys attend school?"

"Yes, in the neighbouring villages," Eruchalu told me, "we don't all go to the same school though, it's incriminating."
She poured cold water into a cup of Milo and Peak milk, "If Ahunwanyi sees you have potential she'll send you to the city or abroad, usually within the continent. Ahunwanyi has something about the white people, or foreigners, though she does allow it where you are very bright. But you'll go through a re-initiation first." She plopped ice cubes into the cup.