My lazy father who is desperately looking for a way out of his debt quickly agreed, without taking my feelings and happiness or that of my sister into consideration. My mother and her mate pleaded with him not to sell me out but he turned deaf ears to their cries and pleas. I confronted him and told him I can't marry Mazi Obiora, giving reasons that he is a wife beater that has no male seed in him and is just looking for an innocent woman to blame and turn into a punching bag for his own misfortunes. That he has already made the mistake of giving out his first daughter to him and he shouldn't make another by hand-leading me to the same slaughterhouse.
He only asked with no sentiments or remorse whether I can afford to pay off the debt. Of course, I couldn't, it was a huge sum of money. He said paying the debt was the only way out. As if that wasn't enough, he then added that we the girls are useless to him and that this was the only way I could amount to something for the family and I want to throw it away".
Three days to the marriage, I overheard my mother and her mate discussing a wealthy woman named Ego, who owns one of the largest farmlands in the whole of Nekede. They said she has a heart of gold and that she helps the less privileged, offering employment to those willing and able to work and pays handsomely.
The next morning when everyone was still fast asleep, I packed a few of my belongings and without bidding anyone goodbye I ran away. I didn't care what would happen to me on the way; I just wanted to get away from that place. Somehow, I ended in Umudibia and was pointed to this farm that belongs to the Ego I was looking for".
Slowly she went down on her knees and with her hands like she wanted to pray, she pleaded almost in tears "Nda, please I want to work for you, I am ready to do anything as long as I am compensated for it. I will save it till it is enough to redeem my family from that debt".
"Get up Oluchukwu, you don't have to kneel down". She said as she stretched out her hands to assist her up. After a deep breath, she continued "Believe me I understand what you are going through. I have a father very similar to yours; who didn't see my value simply because I was a girl. Now, I have achieved what most men can only dream of and I made sure he didn't get any dime from me. You are employed my dear, to be my personal maid.
"Just like that?" she exclaimed out of joy.
"Of course, just like that. I own the whole place, my dear''. She said smiling and they began walking back to the compound. "I must add, I love your courage, most girls would have settled for the marriage and when it doesn't work out, they begin blaming the gods. I love that you didn't walk into a trap with your eyes open without trying to escape".
"Nda, thank you; may the gods continue to favour you". She blessed the woman that has just turned her life for the better.
"Isee! Isee! Isee! Now come let us get you set up and refreshed". She said and called out on other maids to come attend to her.
Just three days after the arrival of Oluchukwu, Ego began feeling unwell. She felt nauseous sometimes coupled with severe headaches at odd hours. She always had to empty her bladder, more than usual and she craved certain strange foods which were also unusual. Of the strange things happening to her, the one that really got to her was the changes that were occurring around her breast. They were swollen, feeling heavier and the areola became darker. A strong woman like her was now feeling unusually fatigued almost all the time.
She invited Agadinwanyi, the village healer, to come and give her the diagnosis. She arrived Ego's compound in the early hours of the morning, dressed in a black wrapper that was designed with red painted cowries and pieces of broken mirrors. In her hands was a staff covered with white cloth. Agadinwanyi entered the master hut dancing to the songs of the spirit that was only audible to her. She greeted Ego and got a well-deserved one in return. Wasting no time she sat down on a mat with her legs outstretch and asked Ego what was wrong with her. She told her all the symptoms she was currently experiencing.
Agadinwanyi listened carefully without interrupting and when she was through laying down her complains; she slowly raised her head and looked at Ego smiling from ear to ear.
Which Ego found unusual, "Agadinwanyi, what's wrong with me? Why are you smiling?"
"I have good news," She said still smiling and shaking her head.
"How can all these symptoms tormenting my life mean anything good?"
"You are blessed Ego. The gods of your fathers have truly remembered you"
"Agadi, why don't we just climb the ube tree instead of shaking its branches?"
"You are with child, my daughter," she said sweeping Ego off her feet with surprise.
"What?" she exclaimed in shock. "I am with child?" she wondered beating her chest slowly with her fist. So Oluchukwu was right, after all, she had previously told her nothing was wrong with her, that she was pregnant. As much as she wanted it to be true, she still didn't believe her as it wasn't possible. She has been celibate since Nnanna passed away.