NKEM 10

 They were all seated and listening attentively to the moving speech Okoro was making. He was a natural orator and even the children who crouched before the benches on which their parents sat listened too. Nkem and Gladys sat together, gaily dressed in the middle and their mothers sitting opposite each other. They  nodded at every point Okoro made. 

The atmosphere was cool. A light shower had washed  away the heat of the day, replacing it with a cooling breeze. The applause rose again from everyone seated in a semi-circle as Kori artfully traced the origins of both families and with mildness recounted the ills in both but he however made them sound like virtues worth emulating. 

"It is not doubt these two are in love", Okoro said pointing his long lean fingers at the couple beaming with smiles. He waited until their roar of applause and ululation quietened before he took back the thread of his speech.

" It is in our tradition to let the wrappers remain folded above the breast of the young maiden until the marriage rites have been fully settled before the man can know the secrets hidden in the wrappers of his wife". There was a cynical laughter that embodied some of the disapproval of the elderly ones seated. He continued, but the times are changing, love, blind love... especially when two people are in love, it is easier for them to break any law for their love to thrive. We are not going to sit all day on this. The deed has been done. A child is already forming in a woman's belly. We cannot on account of anger and bitterness deny an innocent child a chance at life." He paused again, allowing the weight of his statement to descend on the minds and hearts of his listeners before he reached forward like a suppliant child, linked his fingers together in a form of plea, knelt down on one knee before Gladys' mother and nestled the folded fingers on her palm. She held them and her body shook with tears. Okoro had touched a spot in her heart. The tears flowed freely melting every hardship she had hitherto been nursing for Nkem and his mother. She nodded her head vigorously, signaling an acceptance of the plea if only for the fetus about to come to life. The same effect his speech had on her mother was evident in her misty eyes. She wiped the tears as did her mother. There was a prolonged applause. Okoro stood and waited until there was some quiet. He called both mothers forward and asked them to hug each other in the spirit of unity because both families have now become one. 

The mothers hugged and wept on each other's shoulders for what seemed like eternity. The sound of a thin wail of a guitar accompanied by other instruments rend the air. Nkem's boys had come in at the right time. They struck a number and the people either stood to dance or nodded their heads to the rhythm with wine in hand or going for more.

The four of them walked very fast, almost sprinting. The fear that the ceremony would have ended before they had the chance to make their presence known was imminent in their mind. Adora was trailing behind her  mother who was ready for battle and behind them was Ibe and the youth from the site. Ibe was the only excited fellow among them. He was going to show Gladys that he was not a piece of rag to be discarded.  She will get to know the dirty secret Nkem was hiding from her. That would completely change her mind towards the bastard and then, he could use that opportunity to get into her, making her forget Nkem completely. He chucked at his clever plan.

Majority of the people had risen to the dance floor and they were digging it in their individual style. Nkem too rose to the occasion, circling and holding Gladys in a superior dance step. As he turned to make another round of dance, he saw a woman marching angrily towards them from the distance and trailing behind was Adora. As soon as she saw her, his stomach lurch with a sudden painful sensation. His legs froze then suddenly became like rubber, unable to bear his weight. Sudden sweat broke out from his face and he felt like fainting. He wished the ground would simply open and take him in. Gladys didn't notice because she was too engrossed in the dance. It was the happiest day of her life. She was now technically Nkem's wife and that was all that mattered.

The woman's loud voice stopped both the music and the people dancing all together. Everyone turned towards the voice. The woman pushed forward her timid daughter whose belly showed the sign of pregnancy.

She removed her head tie and tied it on her waist in readiness for a physical fight.

"Where is that useless and stupid Nkem who did this to my daughter", she said pointing to her daughter and looking about the people as though expecting somebody to step forward as Nkem or somebody point the fellow out to her.

 There was a hush from the people as all eyes turned to Nkem who stood like a statue unable to form any word in his defense.

"Is this true Nkem?", Gladys asked, unable to believe her ears. Nkem looked at her as the tears formed in his eyes, unable to speak. She held the sob as much as she could but it proved useless. She burst into tears and ran away as fast as her leg could carry her.  Nkem made to stop her but she pushed his hand away. The people were for some minutes stunned to believe their ears. Okoro was the most embarrassed of the lot. He didn't wait to confirm the veracity of the claim. He just dusted his clothes, took his walking stick and walk away. It was a good thing he had collected full payment before coming to MC the occasion. Others shook their heads and muttered chai! Chineke! clapped their hands or simply folded them on their chest and walked away. Nkem's  mother was too stunned to believe her ears. She couldn't move nor speak. She just sat down dejectedly on a bench; her palm gummed to her face in shame. Others cursed Nkem who has proven to be a useless fellow.

It was Gladys' mother's turn to rain down  invectives at both mother and son.

"I have always told Gladys that you were no good for her but like a foolish maiden, she is too blinded by love. I know madness runs in your family. Your father did the same thing. Your mother stole him from me. It is no surprise to me that you have taken over from where he left off". And as an afterthought, she threatened,  "if anything happens to my daughter, this village will not contain both of us".

She turned to the few people remaining and  announced that the party was over. The angry woman can slog it out with Nkem but certainly not in her premises. She told  everybody to leave immediately. 

THE END

I am back again after a brief spell of absence. The story is unending; it is only unfolding. Many thanks to all my readers for your patience. I remain yours sincerely, Julius Topohozin.