Against All Odds

Chapter Forty Four and Five

Hey Everyone!

So there are two chapters here (lol)
I was going through my drafts and figured out that I had not saved the Forty fifth chapter.
I had to incorporate it into this chapter, don't get confused.

It means more for you ❤ ❤ ❤ ❤ ❤ ❤

Chapter Forty Four :Progress

The harmattan "uguru" slowly set in, in the last week of November, trees shedded their leaves and the air became too dry and dusty. The dry season often came with sicknesses like conjunctivitis "apollo eye" and broken lips. Uguru made businesses like petroleum gel production, skin oil products and lip gloss thrive. People sought such to apply on their skin to limit water loss and avoid whitening.

Where the rich used good cream and oil, the poor used kernel extract"eloaku", coconut oil and even ground nut oil which is mainly used for cooking.
Broken heels was also among the harsh conditions that uguru brought with it. People often found rough surfaces to scrub their heels on and peel of the torn flesh to avoid the dirt filled vertical lines.

The dry air made it easy for fires to break out and people who often burned their bushes on farm did so with vigilance. Obi had been feeling cold due to the windy weather and she covered herself properly as they walked back from church. They had gone for a Thanksgiving service and officially stopped mourning their mother. Her father had arrived the previous day and so did Benjamin who Obi's siblings had grown fond of.

Tobe was the one who had surprised Obi with a talk about Chioma and Obiefune. Her siblings also missed the pair just like she did. They were now free to rid themselves of burial clothes and black wears that they had acquired for that purpose.
As they walked back from church, Obi saw  the spot where she had first encountered the ukaegbu's. She smiled to herself remembering how embarrassed she had been.

"ọ gịnị na-atọ gị?What's amusing you" Tobe asked pulling Obi's hand. She gave him a weak smile before shaking her head. Benjamin walked behind with her father as they conversed. Obi knew what Benjamin was discussing with her father.

He had flared up when the two of them came to him to ask for his blessings. It was the necessity that drew her to his presence, Obi had thought about it and decided she had to suck up to her emotions and have a talk with her father.

"You barely know each other!, Obiukwu you are too young! I will not allow this" Okechukwu had barked feeling betrayed by Benjamin
He glared at Benjamin stung by his craftiness. Okechukwu suspected that Obi only accepted Benjamin's proposal to spite him.

"Obi I know why you are doing this and I will not give you my blessings! E kwuchala m ọ. I think I've been too lenient with you. Tomorrow I'm taking all of you to Enugu and that's final"
Okechukwu stood up and walked out on Obi and Benjamin. "Does he think I can't elope with you? Hia! I'm just doing what culture demands". Obi stated

"Don't worry I'll convince him before nightfall inula" Obi nodded doubtful that he could pull it off.

Whatever Benjamin was discussing with her father must have been very serious because for a moment Obi saw his face pale from shock then he regained composure. They got to the house in a matter of minutes before Obi pulled Benjamin aside.

"kedụ ihe gị na papa n'ekwu?What sis you say to my father? " Obi's brow arched up as she waited for an explanation

"I told him we would run away with your siblings" Benjamin bluntly replied her

Obi became angry and stomped away, she knew that Benjamin was hiding something and his tone irked her.
Ifenna and Oluebube were arguing over a toy Benjamin had gotten them. It had the same color so they were often confused as to who owned which.