By Jessica-Ken:
WRETCHEDLY
RICH ∆
An African Story
BY JESSICA DURU ¶
@@*∆∆∆*@@ THE WAKE-UP CALL ♻♻♻
“★✡✡✡ The Resurrection ✡✡✡★”
The twelve tribes: Eje, Evie, Ekwo, Erie, Ele, Esa, Eti, Ekpe, Efa, Eme, Erin and Ekpoh, were in mourning, with their heads gone. The elders at that time were considered rulers of each tribe. They governed the people and made the law, ruled with an iron fist, making the people spite them. Every normal Igbo story would tell of great kings who ruled and were loved by their people, but this wasn’t the case for the elders of the twelve tribes.
———
‘Hmm. So the boy thinks himself a hero? ’ Ukpaka chuckled, watching everything in the clouds. ’He will never know what’s coming—”
12:45am :::♣♣♣♠♠♣♣♣
Ukpaka stood in the middle of Oshirishi river, with hands stretched out and lips muttering words the river could hear as it swirled, revealing a world not any man could reach . The image of a woman appeared just below; her face demonlike and hair thrice as long as anything ever seen. She was the devil’s bride; second ruler of the dark kingdom; and her demoness—JEZEL
The chief priest was promised half of everything he ever wanted, and he lay with the evil queen, dining at darkness abode.
The Chosen One ⚙⚙⚙
I thought it had ended—the war was only beginning and was to last—if something wasn’t done.
***★***
“Obiajulum! Obiajulum!”
“Ma!”
It was the voice of my mother—I thought she was calling for a reason.
“Nne, I’m coming.”
I was in my room studying for the exams. I had completely forgotten that I was the only one at home, when suddenly, I came to a stop at my mind’s reminder.
Freezing as the hairs on my skin stood erect, I heard the hooting sound of an owl, as the creature appeared, scaring me to death. “Jesus!”
The horrific creature made its usual turn, still standing, taking the form of a man, as it said, “Your soul is all we want!” Another black man emerged as he said.
Shrieking as I fell, I made to move backwards with my hands placed on the floor, as a fierce grip came upon my legs and held me in place, as I screamed, “Let go!”
Twelve men emerged—twelve evil doers I thought to be dead. “We want your soul. Your soul. Your soul-” Their chants pierced deeply into me, as I felt angry fingers scratch every part of my body. I cried in torment, praying they’d let me die a less painful death and not have me bear this awful pain.
“Leave me alone. Leave me alone. Leave me alone!”
I was jerked up immediately as I saw popsy looking at me with worried brows. “Is everything alright, son?”
I was sweating profusely, even with the fan on. “Papa, where is NNE?” I asked.
He replied with his brows getting relaxed as he sat on the chair adjacent to the bed. “Your mother has gone to the market, Nana.”
Papa called me Nana only when he wanted to address an issue.
What have I done wrong?
He smiled as though he had read my mind. “You’re perfectly safe, son,”
I looked at him, not understanding a thing. “Safe from what?”
He revealed. “Nwanyi Ajani told us everything.”
I stared, still confused. “Told you what, Nna m? I am not understanding what you’re saying.” I said for him to elaborate. “Who is Nwanyi Ajani?” I sought with curiosity.
“Nwanyi Ajani is the oldest woman in this village.”
I sat dumbstruck at his reply. The oldest woman in Ekpe? I twisted my lips, not voicing my question.
Papa went ahead to tell me how Nwanyi Ajani had told him about my encounter with the village heads. How she knew this I knew not. It remained a mystery and my question was left unanswered even till today…
*****UNTITLED*****
Obiajulum was all grown up and had gone through university walls, thanks to the scholarship he received for being the valedictorian. He was living large, along with his wife and kids.
Obiajulum and Adanne’s marriage was blessed with such darling kids; Chiaobi, Chimuanya and Chikezie. The duo married in their sixth year of being in a relationship, and their union was blessed with a son, and a girl, then a boy afterwards-their last seed.
Adanne hadn’t left for her country home, as she stated that her heart belonged in Nigeria. Her father having been saddened by this, let her do as she pleased, and the subject fully accepting her feelings, admitted to loving Obiajulum, awakening a whole new desire.
Obiajulum and Adanne’s love story was one anyone would love to tell; from being enemies to being friends; and becoming two love birds-who wouldn’t love to hear of such happy tale?
“””Obiajulum”””
It was our anniversary. I couldn’t be more pleased seeing my wife standing right in front of me, all radiant and like the first time we had met. It was like a child’s play. Bumping into each other, throwing angry stares and hisses, neither of us talking to each other. But look-there we were, after all that silly stuff, going through everything together; staring into each other’s eyes, not wanting to look away.
“My beautiful wife,” I called sweetly, making sure my eyes were kept in the same position and not moving to look at something else. “You’ve been…”
“Daddy!” Our son came running as I frowned. “Son, what is it?” I looked at his little stature, not pleased with the interruption. “Can’t you see daddy’s busy?”
My darling wife laughed, seeing him pout. “Baby, what’s daddy done now?”
I smiled interestingly, watching her carry him. “Honey, let me tend to Chikezie,” she said to me, “I’ll be back.”
I pouted, making Chikezie laugh. “Mommy, daddy’s angry.”
He got a cheek draw and I began laughing.
*****
Obiajulum and Adanne were both living well to the extent many couples envied them. They’d do all things together, go sightseeing, and even assist each other when necessary. Their love was indeed the kind anyone would wish to experience. The couple were lucky to have each other—as their wedding vows read; “for better for worse—” it was going to be for the two.
***“Darling, isn’t it about time the kids came back from school? I wonder what’s keeping them.” Adanne said with worry as her husband looked up from the newspaper he was reading.
He looked at his wristwatch, checked the wall clock to be sure he was seeing right, as it hit him knowing it was half past 5. “What?!!” he sprang to his feet, looking around for his keys.
“What’ you looking for?” His wife asked.
“The car keys of course.”
Adanne looked at him, surprised. “But the school’s already got it covered. Why then did we pay for the bus?”
Obiajulum thought for a moment. “You’re right,” he groaned and looked at the clock again. “But they shouldn’t be wasting much time.” he sighed and took up the newspaper. “The kids need to eat, you know?”
Adanne added, “And shower.”
The kids came in at that minute, rushing towards their Mom. “Hi mama,” Chikezie the youngest greeted.
“Good afternoon, mommy. Good afternoon, daddy.”Chimuanya and Chiaobi followed.
“Oh, my babies,” their mother said. “Your dad and I was getting really worried.”
Chikezie made to sit on his mom’s laps as Chimuanya rushed and sat instead. “Loser!”
Their father scolded. “Chimuanya, oya get up from there!”
“But daddy…”
“Get up and go and take your bathe. Osiso!”
Their mother laughed, watching her leave with face squeezed.
“Mommy. Daddy. Brother Chiaobi ate someone’s food.” Chikezie reported, rolling his baby eyes at his big bro.
“Chiaobi, is that true?”
Chiaobi frowned at his parents’ question.
“Is that true? Answer me!” Their father got up with angry eyes as Chikezie sat on his mother’s laps, making silly faces at him. “Mme-eeeh. I told you I will tell.”
Adanne brought him down and made to intervene. “Honey, please stop. You’re scaring our son.”
Obiajulum barked, “Scaring our son?!”
Adanne had never seen such rage in him before. “Hon, what has come over you?”
Obiajulum ignored her and went back to questioning his son. “Chiaobi, tell me the truth—” he looked the boy straight in the eye as he trembled. “Oh, that means it’s true?”
The frightened boy’s shaky response came. “D-daddy, it was only small.”
His father’s rage grew even more. “Small, eh?” he pulled out his belt, and his wife quickly got in. “Honey!” she looked at him in fury. “Honey, please stop this madness. You’re scaring me.”
He pushed her out of the way and made to hit their son, as he dodged; shaky hairy legs brushing roughly against the hard glass table, as a loud cry erupted in the room.
ANTICIPATE THE NEXT
Africans reading this, hope I’m doing well?
Btw, you can access chapter 1-8 if you’re interested to read. A simple dm would do (@authoressjessy £ Facebook). I don’t bite 😉