The trunk where Obi usually sat to speak with Obiefune had grown white edible mushrooms "ero", with green algae spread on it's sides. Obi knew that termites and ants had begun to feed on the tree through the tiny the holes dispersed on it's surface.
She sat down drinking in the serenity of the environment. The students did not take good care of the farm and it became weed infested. Getting to the spot was difficult as Obi trod on wet grasses and decaying leaves scattered on the ground.
The smell of earth hit Obi's nostrils and she savored it. Obi found it strange how she thought the earth smelled like calabash chalk(nzu). She ran her hand across the grasses reaching underneath the heap of wet brown colored leaves . She probed the soil with her finger and dug out just enough soil to fill her hand. She ran her thumb across her palm spreading the soil before she brought it to her nose to inhale.
Obi felt her mouth water as the scent infused into her taste buds. The birds had been chirping, squirrels made their impression on the tree branches as they jumped from and Obi watched them.
She finally tore her eyes from the rodents and focused on the tree where her name was carved together with Obiefune's. Obi noticed the change in color of the bark that had been exposed, it had grown from milky brown to dark brown. Obi stood up and walked toward the tree inhaling deeply, she ran her hand across their names as the memories of her first kiss hit her.
"Don't scream or kick me", Obiefune had been afraid of being kicked. Obi smiled as she ran her tongue over her lower lip.
She suddenly became conscious of herself and stepped away from the tree. "Maybe it's because you were my first, it's just hard to forget you. What were you thinking when you carved this? Nothing lasts forever don't you know? I am getting married in a month!" Obi spoke with tears in her eyes. "There's no life here and I want the best for Tobe and the twins. I know, yes I'm crying again" Obi laughed and sniffed "Don't worry he is a nice man, he's funny and he cooks too! He doesn't tease me with my name. Tobe thinks he's a wrestler but I think he's just exaggerating. He is a nice man and I enjoy his food but I can't help but wish I could taste your tasteless Achara tea again.i wish you would tease me again, Why did you just abandon me? "
Obi observed the silent exchange between the tree and her, she watched the bark and felt ridiculous hoping for an answer.
" Benjamin kissed me last week, we were talking and he kissed me. I know what you're thinking, but it didn't feel like ours. Maybe I could grow to love him. I'm not as wise as you thought me to be and our destinies are not as entertwined as we thought. Maybe we shouldn't always pursue things that are not meant to be. "
Obi smiled and hugged herself stepping away slowly from the tree." I hope you find another good thing, ngwanu"
She walked home with a decision never to the visit the tree again.
Obi could make out her shadow as she headed to their house. The sun was going down and the heat it had borne earlier had vanished. She came across a guava and her eyes flew to the ripe fruit on one of the branches of the tree. Obi tried walking away but her craving overtook her and she decided to climb in order to fetch the fruit.
At first Obi wasn't sure but after battling with the thought she placed her foot on a legde in the tree where two branches sprang out from. She hoisted herself above and sought for a way to get to the fruit
Obi progressed to the guava fruit, placing her feet on the right branches and started climbing like a monkey. But in her haste to fetch the fruit as it was only an arm length away, she missed a footing and fell from the tree.
Her scream was piercing as she descended being slapped on her face by leaves. Obi had shut her eyes waiting for the impact but was surprised to be suspended mid air.
Obi slowly opened her eyes and peeked around,she felt hands beneath her back and squirmed before the person lowered her gently.
She then looked up to see the least expected person standing frowning at her with his scar filled face.
YOU ARE READING
Against All Odds
Romance"What is your name? " he enquired with a staid expression. Obi's eyes roamed around still trying to ascertain the safety of their current surrounding. Her lips were still quivering out of shock and her breathing distorted. "Obiukwu" She finally le...
