Agadinwanyi interrupted her with "So who is the father?"
That question sucked out the little excitement she managed to muster, leaving her lost at sea and feeling terrible. Choking on her own words she managed to say "I don't… know".
Her response threw the healer aback "How do you mean you don't know? Every woman knows who the father of her child is"
"You don't understand, it isn't because there have been so many, rather it is because there was none. Since Nnanna died, I have not had any other man, at least not in that way. I'm really trying hard to recall how and when it happened but I am certain I haven't been with anybody." She said hitting her head in frustration.
"It's alright before you break your head. Though it is strange it is not new to me. You may not remember now but you met a man as that's the only way you got pregnant".
"Agadi, can you help me with the identity of the father?"
"Of course, I will ask the gods on your behalf." Having said that, she murmured some inaudible incantations, then tossed the shells. She contemplated on them for about two minutes before looking up at Ego who curiously was awaiting a reply and said: "The gods are silent!"
Disappointment evident in her voice she asked: "How can they choose to be silent now?"
"My child, I can't answer that; but is it really important to know who the father of the child is?"
"How do you mean?" Ego inquired.
Seeing the gloominess on her face, she advised "I mean you have all that is required to give the child the best that life can offer. If I am to offer a piece of advice to you, just accept the child for who he is, a blessing, and forget about the father. It is your baby and that's all"
"Agadi, you are not far from the truth". Ego responded suddenly smiling to hide the disarray still longing inside. "Thank you very much, that's exactly what I will do".
"You are welcome". She said as she packed up, telling Ego that she has another urgent issue awaiting her in a compound not far from there.
Once alone, she could not shake the thought of being pregnant away. How did she get pregnant? Who got her pregnant? Where did it happen? Could it be Nnadozie? But he didn't succeed in having his way with her, nor had he previously succeeded without her knowing. He likely did it because no other man has gotten that close to almost having carnal knowledge of her. But how come she doesn't remember? What if it happened in the evil forest? Maybe those men that carried her away raped her in the process? Could it be the gods or the bird? It sounded strange and impossible to her; cowries falling from nowhere sounded the same way but it did happen. With that bird, anything is possible.
The old lady said she could only demand one particular thing and she doesn't recall requesting for a child. This reminded her of the old lady, and her promise to pay her a visit once she caught the bird. It was already three months and not for once has it crossed her mind. Right there and then she made up her mind to keep her promise. She imagined how it would feel relating the struggle of getting the bird to the old lady, how she would react to it and especially to the news of her strange pregnancy.
The next morning, Ego, Oluchukwu and some of her men were all in the evil forest heading to the old lady's hut. Ego's retentive memory led them straight to where the hut was located. In less than thirty minutes, they had already assembled in front of the hut with all the goodies they brought. The environment surrounding the hut was still void of life and activities. From amidst her men, she called to the old lady "Nne! Nne! It is Ego your daughter oh!"
She waited for a reply of any kind but none came from inside or outside the old hut. She repeated her call for over three times but got back nothing in return. Wondering aloud and walking towards the hut she said "Maybe she went to get firewood, this one she isn't responding" she said aloud. Ego went to the dwarf door and pushed it open. It gave way to the unpleasant smell of decayed food items and dust. Spider and other rodents had long invaded the hut with the spiders leaving their trademark on everything. Rats were not left out, those made their own contributions too.
"This place is a mess, I personally don't think anyone is residing her," Ego said coughing as some dust particles have found their way into her nostrils.
"The place looks like what has been abandoned for ages now". Oluchukwu said as she pulled her away from the door to further avoid the dust pumping out from the hut.
"Onumara!" Ego yelled
"Nda!" A deep male voice replied from behind. He is currently the wrestling champion of Nekede and the one in charge of her security.
"Take some of the men and search around. Don't return till you have useful information concerning the where about of the old lady and her dog Ogologo" She ordered. He nodded, got three men and went out as ordered.
Addressing Oluchukwu, "I don't understand oh. They are supposed to be here. I spent two days with them in this hut. What could have happened to them? She asked with panic evident in her voice.
"Nda don't worry, they will find them". She assured her, then asked after a long stare at the hut "But are you really sure this is the hut?"
"Oluchukwu, this is the place, I'm sure. She went closer to the hut, pointed at the clay pot outside and said: "This pot and stool were exactly here that particular day". She went beside the hut "This is where I kept the firewood I helped the old lady with". Back to Oluchukwu, she said, "You don't believe me?"
"I do Nda, I do". She further assured her.
"But the look on your face indicates otherwise. I had dinner with the old lady in this hut".
"You keep referring to her as the old lady, don't you remember her name?" Oluchukwu asked.
"I do. No, I don't remember her name because she never told me" she said sounding unsure.
"Nda, Onumara is returning already and he is not alone".