Her Father's Wife

Chapter 25

Ona had finished buying her wares. She went into the market to buy one or two food things they needed at home. She was still at it when suddenly, the sky opened up. It did not just rain, it poured. Ona just managed to make it back to Ofiaju's stall.  She sat chatting with him as they waited for the rain to stop. The rain continued unabated for a very long time. Ochanja,  area was known for its poor drainage which causes serious flooding. Within a short period, one could barely differentiate the gutters from the road. Everywhere was covered with flood. The more they wait, the more it rained. Ona started getting worried. Can they still find their way home in this kind of weather? When she expressed a desire to go find Eziafa, their driver, Ofiaju advised against it. She insisted and got up ready to enter the rain, Ofiaju  went with her. She may not know where to put leg, and may enter one of the many erosion gullies. If such happens, the next place one may see oneself will be the River Niger. The lorry was packed at its usual place but Eziafa himself, was nowhere to be found. It was still raining hard, so hard that by the time they got to Ofiaju's stall, they were already drenched to the skin. Ona was visibly shaking with cold, her teeth chattering. At this, Ofiaju suggested he close so that he could take her to his house for a change of cloth. Ona was horrified he would even think of such. What? follow a young man to his house? One living alone for that matter! Ingredient for disaster. The suggestion does not deserve an answer. She merely shook her head. They continued waiting. Ona was all keyed up, once more, she wadded into the rain to go find Eziafa. Ofiaju followed sedately.  This time they saw him. He had locked himself inside his lorry and was fast asleep. Their continuous tapping on the body of the lorry woke him up. Mmm? he answered groggily as he peered out at them from sleep laden eyes. Oh no, he answered indignantly, as soon as he heard their request. He was not going to subject his precious lorry to the torture of fording that flood simply to convey Ona home. She should just put up anywhere till tomorrow. It was already late anyways. Everybody was doing that. They will all  leave early tomorrow morning. Ona is welcomed to share the comfort of his lorry if she doesn't have a better alternative he said with a hearty guffaw at Ofiaju.  This only served to set Ona's nerves more on edge. On hearing this Ofiaju grabbed Ona's arm and stormed off. Ona followed obediently. When they got back to the stall, Ofiaju, carefully explained to Ona that he doesn't live alone. He lives in a big house with many servants, boys that are learning trade under him. As such,  they will not be completely alone like she thought. Ona tentatively agreed to go with him. Ofiaju's house was a wonder Ona decided on sighting the house. All the houses were standing tall, one on top of the other. She cracked her knuckles in wonder. But why would they do that? She asked Ofiaju with interest. She was so curious that she forgot her trepidation over sleeping over at his place. He explained that it was mostly to conserve land. Maximize usage since land is scarce in town. However, most people build upstairs to show off their wealth. So they do that to show off their wealth eeh? She asked again as she nodded with wisdom. Its the same thing  everywhere. The rich live upstairs so they can fall comfortably on the poor, thereby crushing them the more. Its all very clear to her. Onaedo clenched her teeth as she gripped the banister hard. She felt her way timidly upstairs with her two eye shot tight. God forbid, she thought. This people here do ridiculous things. Amazing but ridiculous, imagine building one house on top of another. (upstairs) The people on top will surely fall down on those below. At least Ofiaju has a bit of wisdom. He had the sense to join those on top. Like that, he will be among those that will do the tumbling, not those that will be crushed below. Ofiaju attempted to hold her hand and guide her upstairs, but this was rejected with a huff as she snatched her hand from his. She preferred to grip the banister. It's safer let each person do their own tumbling. Finally they got upstairs. He inserted the key in the lock and they entered the house. He did something to the wall and light flooded the room. Ona stood gaping, what was that? He also bought a whole full moon for himself? Ofiaju wisely stood aside as he invited her to sit down. She sat and felt herself sinking into the upholstery chair, she sat up more straight. Ofiaju chuckled and turned to put on the television. As soon as the television came on, Ona stood up to greet. She beamed at them as she enquired about their families, Ofiaju could hardly contain his mirth. He pushed her back into the chair as he explained that those were not visitors. How do you mean? Ona enquired as she beamed at yet another group of presenters. She asked Ofiaju to explain how he managed to put them inside the box. Nothing like that has ever happened at Ngodo. Since all entreaties to come tidy up proved abortive. Ofiaju went to inform his house help to serve them supper.