Against All Odds

Chapter Forty Eight :Hello Stranger

The stay at the village had been quite interesting for the family. Chukwudi shared his tale of living and serving his uncle for four years and being settled on the fifth. He had thought of a business to go into till he discovered palm oil exportation as well as the importation of foot wears. Obi had not been in contact with her cousin for years and deep down she understood why. Life made it that way, a time must come when people would part and run their own race. They were supposed to leave on Saturday because Tobe and the rest of the children had to go back to school.

The previous days were about tales of labor, hard work and family. Uncle Jonathan and his wife made it a habit to run in the village  to keep fit. The villagers frowned at his wife running in shorts and singlet. Some women had gone out of their way to report the incident to mma Chukwudi who paid no heed to their reports.

The whole situation amused Obi and her siblings and Chukwudi even decided to go running with Jonathan and his wife, just to watch any drama that will unfold.
Uncle Jonathan and Chukwudi conversed like old friends, Chukwudi had explained how he bumped into the man at a mall, when he sought for food. He had wanted an African delicacy but had no idea where to get some, after a while he decided to go with snacks, hence the mall.

Chukwudi had been muttering curses in Igbo while he picked the snacks from their aisle before he caught Jonathan's attention.

They exchanged pleasantries and Jonathan took him to a restaurant where he ate. They talked for a while and when Jonathan mentioned his story to Chukwudi he was touched. The conversation continued then he spoke of Obi's father and mother. Chukwudi had to be sure that it wasn't just a coincidence, so he told Jonathan to describe the couple and where they lived That was how uncle Jonathan got to contact Okechukwu.
"mmadụ niile kwesịrị ị mara asụsụ ya, had it been I didn't speak in my dialect, I wouldn't have drawn his attention to me"

Rebecca decided to make smoothies for everyone including mma which everyone enjoyed except mma who had  complained that it was too cold and slippery.
The old woman handed Obi the drink before requesting for her mmiri utazi which the boys had a fair share of.
Tobe, the boys and their two aunt's, ifenna and Oluebube went for sight seeing. Obi had been so bored that she decided to stroll around.

She had spoken with Benjamin over the phone who called them every day. Obi walked along the route that she used to trek to school. The road was wider even though it was just pure sand grading, the grasses were far from the road and few trees could be seen. Birds chirped and the sound of the gushing stream could be heard, some strange flowers could be seen along the road with a cherry tree. Obi plucked two different kinds of flowers which she recognized as pride of Barbados and hibiscus which were both red in color. They reminded her of days when the biology teacher taught them about reproductive parts of flowers.

Obi looked around the road searching for trees that she used to see along that road, including the guava tree she fell from. Obi saw the school gate and laughed to herself. Who knew if the old teachers still taught there? She also remembered the farm and memories that came with it. Her smile slowly died down and she progressed.

She wandered through the village and when she got to Obiefune's house she inhaled deeply before walking away. This was the house where her virginity was taken. A huge part of Obiukwu was pained when she thought about it. After all these years none of the Ukaegbu's had reached out to her, not even Obiefune who claimed he loved her. What if she had waited for him? It made her wonder for a brief moment if Obiefune really loved her or if he was after her virginity all along.

Obi slowly stepped away from the gate and when she turned to leave, a voice startled her. "Obiukwu! Obi ọ giwa?" The voice asked unsure. Obi turned to see a strange man in a shirt and trousers with what seemed like a book held underneath his arm pit. Obi nodded to his question and he came and embraced her.