Obiageli - Episode 19

 

Obiageli did not tell anybody what had happened at the stream, she had joined the ceremony without any hitches as they married Nnnena off. Obiageli was happy for her sister, though was going to really miss her, she had been the only sibling she had been close to, but wished her well in her husband's house, Nnenna had been good to her. It was two days later.. . "The traditional marriage was so nice, Nnenna looked so beautiful" Oluchi commended as they cooked that afternoon, Obiageli looked up from picking vegetables "Yes mama, and very soon it would be my turn, I'll look all smashing when you dress me up, not so mama?" she said smiling fondly...thinking of her groom.... Oluchi was staring at her open mouthed, Obiageli looked at her "Mama" she called wonderingly, and Oluchi recovered and tended the fire "Yes Obi my daughter, you'll be really beautiful" She said Obiageli smiled again, as Oluchi turned the soup in silence then said " Obiageli, you want to marry so early? "She asked "If my suitor comes and I like him, what would I be waiting for?" Obiageli replied with a shrug Oluchi stared long at her "I was thinking you should go to College" she said suddenly Obi looked up surprised "College?" In their village, only few persons went to college, and especially not a girl, so it was weird hearing her mother say that, and in their compound, only Ikenna had been sent in the whole family, and that was because he wanted to go, all other girls have been married off after learning to read and write, why would hers be different, she wondered...besides she was too old for that, the only thing on her mind right now was to get married to Uche "Yes...why would you want to run off so soon?" Oluchi continued like she hadn't just said something incredulous, she tasted the soup "But mama, what if my suitor comes....what if there's someone I like"Obiageli began Her mother looked at her in shock, then "Who do you like?"she asked, "is it Ifeanyi?" Ifeanyi had been coming of late to help her with stuffs, Obiageli frowned "Its not Ifeanyi, I don't even know why he's always coming", her mother relaxed "No one mama, I'm just saying"

Obiageli stood up to collect knife to slice the vegetables when Uche walked into the compound, dusting his feet, Obiageli gaped at him then smiled and sat back on the stool as she began to slice the vegetables, he had gone to greet her father, then made his way towards her mother's hut. She hadn't seen him since his initiation began which had lasted seven days, and she had missed him.

Read " The Bet " by the same author ( Funmi Anita Adesina )

All episodes of this story can be found here >> https://www.ebonystory.com/story/obiageli

. He was as disturbing as he was when she last saw him... "Daalu Nne"he greeted her mother ,who looked up and smiled at him " Uchenna, how is your father and sister?" "They are fine mama" "And how did your initiation go?" "It went well" he replied eyes on Obi as she met his gaze and looked back down shyly "But it was very stressful" he said "Yes it is, I remember when my brothers did, it is not easy to be a man" Oluchi said "so you came to visit us?" "I came to see if I could get leftovers from Nnnena's marriage" he said Oluchi laughed "Okay now, won't you sit down?" "I prefer to stand" he said, his hand touching the roof of the hut "Okay, I forgot you're now a man" Oluchi teased, Obiageli chuckled and continued slicing "Actually Nne" Uche began "I came to check on some traps nearby and decided to check in" "Okay you are welcome" Oluchi said, A silence as she added more salt to the soup, Obiageli finally met his gaze "Mama" he began "I want to take Obi with me to the forest" he said finally Oluchi looked at her then chuckled "Was that why you really came?" she asked "I came to visit, but since she's at home..." he said Oluchi had not forgotten his coin on her even though he was just a little boy then "Obiageli is very busy" she said "That I can see, but I'll wait.."he said "No.." Oluchi said "She can't follow you, after this she has work to do" Obiageli looked at her mother shocked.. Uche began to say something but stopped, it was no use, it was clear she didn't want her daughter with him "Okay I'll just visit then" he said and sat down "Okay, I hope you'll stay and eat" Oluchi said as Obiageli brought the vegetables "Yes I will" Uche said and did.

That night Obiageli tossed and turned on her bed wondering what was up with her mother, she was waiting for her to sleep so she could sneak out "Obi..." her mother suddenly called "Yes mama" "What's with you and that boy Uche?" Obi was silent then said "Mama we are friends" "You both are getting too close" Oluchi said, Obiageli turned to look at her "Mama, is anything wrong with it?" "Yes...if he likes you he'll come and marry you" This was more difficult for her than she had imagined, Uche was what most mothers would pray for as a prospective son in law..it was difficult doing this alone... Obiageli stared at her mother surprised "Mama, what is wrong in that?".her mother looked wideeyed at her " Wrong?.. everything Obi" "I don't understand mama" she said "I thought you liked Uche" Oluchi sighed, not yet.. She shouldn't tell her just yet, she groped for an alternative.. "You know you are a very beautiful girl..and men would come from far and wide" She began Obiageli was already frowning, she laid back and stared up at the roof, but her mother continued undeterred "I don't want you to marry from the village..and you have to go to college first" Obiageli bit her lip "Mama I don't want to go to college "she said firmly "Why, I only have to convince your father and apart from that I dont want you marrying off so soon, you know you are all I've got" There was a silence as Obiageli frowned, confused, She didn't understand, most mother's couldn't wait to give off their daughters "Mama, I would come visit you"she said " no, Obiageli, no.. No getting married, yet"Oluchi said and laid to sleep. Obiageli laid thinking long after her mother had gone to sleep. Oluchi had resolved to tell Okafor. *Comments please How would Okafor react?