Fate Biased

Aunty Ngozi's Lament (Ep4)

   Aunty Ngozi stood by the window, her gaze fixed on the horizon. Her heart weighed heavy with sorrow, her thoughts a whirlwind of memories and regrets. The passing of her husband, just a year ago, had left an emptiness that seemed impossible to fill. She clutched a faded photograph in her hands, tracing the outline of his smiling face with a trembling finger.

The rituals of mourning had become a part of her daily routine. The mourning garb, the shaven head – they were external symbols of the pain that raged within. She had followed the traditions faithfully, as she was expected to, but as the days turned into weeks, she couldn't help but wonder if these rituals were a genuine homage to her husband's memory or simply a mask to appease societal expectations.

Aunty Ngozi's relationship with her late husband had been one of deep companionship. They had faced life's challenges together, supporting each other through thick and thin. Their bond had been forged through shared laughter, whispered secrets, and a love that had stood the test of time.

But now, with her husband gone, Aunty Ngozi found herself grappling with an internal struggle. The whispers of the town reached her ears, casting doubts on her intentions and painting her grief-stricken heart with shades of suspicion. They said that a woman like her, a widow, must remain steadfast in her devotion to her husband's memory. To seek solace in the arms of another would be seen as a betrayal, a stain on the legacy of her marriage.

Aunty Ngozi's heart, however, yearned for more than just rituals and traditions. She longed for companionship, for the warmth of another's embrace, for someone to share her innermost thoughts with. But every time she dared to entertain such thoughts, guilt clawed at her conscience. How could she even think of seeking emotional solace when her husband had only been gone for a year? Would it be seen as a betrayal, as a lack of respect for the love they had shared?

The weight of societal expectations bore down on her, threatening to snuff out the flicker of her desires. She gazed out of the window, her eyes tracing the path of a lone bird that soared against the canvas of the sky. She envied its freedom, its ability to navigate the vast expanse without the chains of judgment holding it back.

Aunty Ngozi's close friend, Chinyere, sat beside her, her presence a comforting presence amidst the storm of emotions. Chinyere had been a pillar of support, a confidante who understood the depths of Aunty Ngozi's struggle. She placed a hand on Aunty Ngozi's shoulder, her touch a silent reassurance that she wasn't alone in her feelings.

"They talk as if they know the ache in my heart," Aunty Ngozi whispered, her voice tinged with both frustration and sadness.

Chinyere nodded in understanding. "It's easy for them to pass judgment from the sidelines, but they don't feel the loneliness that consumes your days and nights."

Aunty Ngozi's eyes glistened with unshed tears. "I miss him, Chinyere. I miss his laughter, his voice, his presence beside me. Is it wrong to want that again?"

Chinyere's gaze held a mixture of empathy and determination. "Your heart knows what it needs, Aunty Ngozi. Don't let the whispers of the town drown out your own desires. Your love for your husband is true, but that doesn't mean you have to imprison your heart in the past."

Aunty Ngozi's heartache was palpable, her inner turmoil a reflection of the battle between tradition and the yearning for a connection that went beyond societal norms. As the sun dipped below the horizon, casting long shadows across the room, Aunty Ngozi's resolve began to solidify. She knew that the path ahead wouldn't be easy, that the judgments and whispers would persist. But in that moment, she made a silent promise to herself – a promise to honor her husband's memory by living a life true to her heart, regardless of the biased fate that sought to confine her.

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© Perizel 🖊️
Oluwaseyi Salako ✍🏽