No part of this book should be reprinted or copied without the permission of the author.

CHAPTER ONE
As the heat from the rays of the sun scorched, the birds fluttering around the branches of the waving trees sang.
Dikachi and Oluomachi worked tirelessly as they weed their father’s farm. They’ve been working on the large portion of land for a week now, while their parents were tending another one.
Dikachi who was bent down working suddenly dropped her hoe and heaved a sigh. Oluomachi too stood upright and
turned to her sister saying.

“What is it? Don’t tell me you want to rest again”
“Ah, I’m hungry oh! Papa should have hired workers to assist us, this farm is too big for the two of us” she said and then searched for a suitable place to sit. She spread a
piece of cloth on a log and sat down.
Oluomachi wiped the sweat streaming down her forehead
and replied;
“You know how things are for papa now, he has a project at hand which is the barn he is currently building, and he cannot afford to employ workers for this month. You know
their charges are always high, except he goes to another village to bring workers and you know he doesn’t have that time, so let’s help him.”
“Alright, the hard working daughter but I suggest it’s time we had our lunch because I’m completely exhausted” said Dikachi as she emptied the basket beside her and brought
out two calabash containing boiled yam and oil. Oluomachi dropped her hoe and came to join her and they relaxed over their meal.

While they were eating, they heard the approaching
footsteps and the voice of some maidens returning from
the stream. They listened as they ate.
“Guess what Oluchi,” said one of the girls called Ngozi as the four of them stopped to listen to the matter.
“What is it or has your father built you a separate hut?”
Oluchi queried as the others burst out laughing.
“Why did you say that?” asked Ngozi, frowning.
“The other day you told us your father was building a new hut and you wished it would be yours since you and your
brothers have been sharing one,” the girls laughed again.
“Well, it’s not that,” said Ngozi putting an end to their laughter.
“Then what is it?” they asked in unison.
“Well, I overheard my father the other night tell my mother that the prince of our village was finally coming back”
“What!” the other three shouted.
“Guess what he is coming to do?” asked Ngozi.
“Well, it’s been long since he left for his mother’s village to learn how to fight, you know the people of Umudike are very strong warriors, maybe he has completed his
lessons,” replied Amaka.
“You may be correct. But my father said he is also coming back to take the Ozor title and before he can do that he has to get married.”

“So you mean he is coming back to pick a wife as well as to take the Ozor title?” asked Ndidi.
“Yes, of course! Ha, I know I have always longed for this,”cried Ngozi.
“What?” asked the others anxiously.
“To become the princess of this village,” replied Ngozi as the others burst out laughing including Dikachi and Oluomachi who were eavesdropping. Ngozi’s countenance
changed.
“Why are you laughing or are you thinking any girl in this village can compete with me the daughter of Chief Obiekwe of Ikusika? Ngozi boasted rolling her waist and finally stopping with her arms akimbo.
Oluchi finally putting her laughter to a halt said,
“Ngozi, you know every girl in this village stands the chance of being chosen, so don’t start dreaming of it.”
“Okay then—let’s wait till then” said Ngozi as they continued their discussion on their way home.
As distance mingled with their conversation, their voices finally faded away out of the hearing of Dikachi and her sister as they laughed aloud.
“I know Ngozi will be the first to start day dreaming of the prince. She thinks her father’s fame can give her the
privilege of becoming the princess,” said Oluomachi.

“Don’t mind her. I know the prince will be brave enough to make his choice when he arrives,” replied Dikachi as they
continued eating their food.
They soon went back to work in the scorching heat from the sun. By evening, they rounded off and set-off for their home.
When they got home, they met their father eating in front of the house and their mother was sitting next to him
with a tray of unshelled melon seeds resting on her laps.
‘Mama, papa good evening’, they both greeted.
“Good evening my daughters, how was your day?” asked Ubochi while munching a piece of yam.
“Fine papa, even though it was a tedious one,” replied

Dikachi.
“Kachi ‘nwa m! Agu di na nwata’ I know you girls are
strong. God will bless you for me. I don’t know what I
would have done without you. By next week I will engage
some labourers to join you. May your children do the same for you oh! ” Ubochi prayed.
“My daughters, your food is in the kitchen. You can carry it after you’ve taken your bath,” their mother advised.
“Mama we’ve heard you,” replied Oluomachi and Dikachi as they both ran straight to the kitchen.
“Come back here, make sure you don’t enter that kitchen without having your bath,” Shouted Nneoma.
“Nne, leave them alone you don’t know what they’ve gone through,” Ubochi, their father barked

Ubochi was a hard working farmer, who was a native of Ikusika village. His wife Nneoma bore him only two daughters and he refused to pick another wife because of the love he had for his wife. This made the elders of the
village deny him a chieftaincy title he merited for having contributed much to the village. The villagers treated the family with hostility; the men often did not include him in any ceremony that requires the sharing of any item in the village. The women also taunted Nneoma with her inability to give birth to a male child whenever she was on the road
to the farm, market or stream. This made her to associate with women from her own village as she was not a native of Ikusika, Ubochi received her as a gift for saving the life
of her father on a war field and ever since, he has taken care of her and their children.

Deadly Love Quest available on Okada Books
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CHAPTER TWO
Dikachi, the first daughter of Ubochi, was very
beautiful with a nice shape and was admired by every girl in the village, not only for beauty but for her bravery. She had escaped from being raped by some boys in her village
many times owing to her bravery, and had also fought with most of the girls who had gotten on her way.
These made most of the girls jealous and they kept their distance from her family. The only friend she had was Ugoma, who was a native of her mother’s village and they had been friends from childhood.
Dikachi enjoyed hunting bush meats and birds at her leisure time. This made her father who had always wished
she was a boy give her a gift of catapult which she used forhunting each time her sister and her went to fetch firewood or water from the stream.
One Saturday, Oluomachi and her mother left for the market to sell the produce gotten from their farm. Ubochi took some of his farm produce to a neighbouring village to
sell . Dikachi was left to mind the house and also prepare a lunch for the family.
Entering the kitchen, she realized that there was no firewood left in the house.
Her father had warned her after the series of rape attemptsmade on her not to go fetching firewood alone. She however, decided to go, all alone.
She went into the hut and brought out a cutlass and a rope
made with palm leaves and headed for the farm.

She soon got there and began to cut the wood. She had
only cut but few when she suddenly heard a sound. Fear griped her as she stopped to listen in order to know the
direction it came from. As the sound became clearer, she stood still and gently left the wood she had bent to cut and
slowly turned round to face the source of the sound. She saw that it was a leopard; this sent a sweat running down
her spine as she froze in front of it, she opened her mouth
to scream but no word came from it. The leopard began to
walk closely to her as it roared. While shivering, she bent down and picked a log of wood from amongst the ones she
had cut earlier and raised it against the on-coming leopard;
she held her breath and tightened her lips. The leopard
pounced on her, trying to devour her flesh with his teeth but Dikachi stopped it by putting the wood between its
teeth and struggled with it.
Just then, four young men who were dressed like warriors
were just passing by. They were discussing and laughing
aloud when they were suddenly attracted by the sound of
the leopard and so they followed the sound and finally saw
Dikachi and the leopard struggling. One of the warriorsbrought out his arrow trying to shoot at the animal on top of Dikachi, when suddenly; Dikachi knocked the leopard off
with her knee. As it tried to regain balance, she hit it on the head with the wood several times. It clung to the wood with
its teeth; Dikachi raised it up with the stick and flung it away and it landed some distance away from her. Taking a deep breath, she fell down unconscious. The warrior who
was trying to shoot at the animal went after it. One of them named Dike ran to Dikachi followed by the other two of his
friends. When he got close to her, he realized she had fainted and so he collected a jar from one of his friend named Ahaburu and poured some water on her. The other
warriors surveyed the area. Dike bent over her and raised
her head to his arms. Dikachi coughed and slowly opened
her eyes. Dike watched her open her eyes slowly. He was carried away by her beauty. Dikachi on her part who was still feeling dizzy tried to capture his face and soon found
her eyes fixed on him. She too was carried away as she
felt so relaxed in his arms. Dike soon came out of his
trance and spoke up.
“Are you okay now?”
Dikachi suddenly freed herself from his arms as she recognized there were two other men standing in front of
her.
“What hap---pened ----, who are ---you -----and ----what do
you want from me?” She stuttered.
“Look, don’t be afraid. We found you battling with a
leopard,” explained Dike as Dikachi quickly stood up at the
mention of leopard.
“Oh, the leopard! We need to get out of here. It might
come back,” she said trembling.
“Here it is, already taken care of,“ said the warrior that had
gone after the leopard as he walked in carrying the dead
leopard across his shoulders.
Dikachi became startled as they all watched him put the
meat down.

“I found it struggling to stand as its legs were broken by
your blows, that was when I gave it one final stab and here
it is; meat for everyone”
Dikachi, who was still dizzy, then noticed that Dike’s eyes
were fixed on her. She then staggered to the log she had
cut earlier in an attempt to start knotting them, but Dike
stopped her by pulling her up to face him.
“Look, you are hurt and need to be treated”
Dikachi then realized her right upper arm close to her
shoulder was bleeding; she covered it with her left palm
trying to wipe off the blood coming from it.
“You can’t cut or carry any wood with it,“ Dike pointed out.
“I know, but my father will be waiting at home for me he
doesn’t like me visiting the bush alone,” said Dikachi
unable to look at him as she was trembling from his hand
wrapped round her right wrist.
“Don’t worry my friends and I won’t hurt you. Ebube and
Ahaburu, please help her in cutting more wood while I get
some herbs to nurse her injury,” said Dike as he walked
past them and went to a close by bush to cut some herbs.
Dikachi was surprised at all that was happening. One of
the warriors began to cut more wood the other helped in
gathering the wood. She gently sat down and began to
watch Dike as he moved from leave to leave plucking
them. She admired him, his broad shoulders and his
babylike face. She couldn’t understand why these young
men were helping her.

Dike soon came up to her. He squeezed the leaves with
his fingers and let the water drop on the sand. He then
took her arms and gently placed the herb on the cut.
Dikachi moaned as the cut pricked her.
“Sorry, but this is better than letting that animal rip you apart,” said Dike as he continued nursing the cut. Dikachi
on her part felt every touch of his hands. She just wished
he would continue forever. As he spoke, Dikachi continued
to feel his touch and to admire his lips as he spoke.
“I must say you are a brave girl. Not every girl would have
done the same; I must really say I’m impressed with your
courage,” Dike remarked.
Dike soon finished the nursing role and saw that the others
had rounded off by knotting the wood for her.
“Thanks for helping her but as you can see, she is not
feeling too well Okwudili, please help her in taking the
wood and the leopard home,” Dike ordered.
Okwudili moved forward and lifted the wood onto his
shoulder and was about lifting the game when Dikachi
stopped him.
“No! You don’t have to do this for me; my father will not
find it funny with me.”
“Oh sure, he won’t want to lose his brave daughter so just
lead my friend and he will carry the wood for you because I
can’t watch you carry this bundle of wood like this,”
enthused Dike as Dikachi admired the care in his voice
and wished he was the one to carry the wood for her

“Alright if you insist but I’m going to leave you with the
game as a reward for your kind gesture towards me,” said
Dikachi, picking up her cutlass.
Dike was about to reject the offer when Ahaburu knocked
him by the side and replied in his place,
“Oh thanks. We will love to have it.”
Okwudili and Dikachi made to leave. Dike stood staring at
her. She turned round and their eyes met. She then waved
at him as they both walked out of the farm. As Dike watched her leave, so many thoughts occupied his mind.
He couldn’t understand why he was so drawn to this girl.
Who could she be. He thought as Ebube knocked him off
the thoughts by saying,
“I think we need to continue on our journey home before
you forget your eyes on that girl’s body because you need
it on this journey,” he said lifting up his arrow as Dike jerked him at the back laughing.
“I was just trying to be nice,” Dike replied.
Ahaburu, who was carrying the leopard around his shoulder, replied;
“Of course we know; by looking at her the way you just
did,” he said as they all walked out of the farm laughing
and continuing in their discussion.
Dikachi limped as she walked behind Okwudili who was carrying the wood on his shoulder.

To be continued.

Chapter Two Continuation

.“You and your friends are very kind. I never knew we had
such good people as you in this village,” remarked Dikachi.
“Well, that is how we are. We are trained to do good and
defend our people and please, don’t say another word. I can see you’re very tired,”
Dikachi nodded in reply as they walked along the bush path. Each time they came across anyone on the road and
greeted the person with eyes already fixed on them both,the fellow would not take off the eyes on them even after they’d passed them. What rang on their mind was; what could be going on with Okwudili, the son of Ikemba, a
noble man and the daughter of a man unable to bear a son. Some group of girls who were on their way to the stream also marveled as they came across them and gossiped as they continued on their way to the stream.
Soon they passed a piece of farm in which three girls were weeding. One of them who came out to drop a basket of cassava saw them from behind. She took a full view of
Dikachi and Okwudili from behind and called out to the others.
“Ngozi ! Oluchi !” They both came running up to her as she pointed out to them Okwudili and Dikachi.
“What! This can’t be true!” shouted Ngozi astonished.
“Is that not Okwudili, Ndidi’s fiance? What could he be
doing with that—that ---- piece of dirt,” added Ngozi.
“Of course he is the one. How I wished Ndidi was here to see for herself,” said Amaka.

“Don’t mind her. She never stops talking about him. Now see how faithful he can really be. Nonsense,” said Ngozi.
“Well, I think she needs to hear this so that she can stop fooling herself over him. You guys should continue while I run along to tell her. I’ll join you soon,” said Amaka as she walked out on them while they both went back to the farm to continue their work.
When Dikachi arrived at her compound, Okwudili dropped the bunch of wood beside their kitchen. Dikachi thanked him and offered him a cup of water which he rejected.
“Why—after helping me are you going to refuse this from me? “
“No, it’s not like that. You see, I need to hurry home to see my people, especially my fiancée,” he replied.
“I understand but please accept this; I wish I could do the same for your friends,” said Dikachi holding up a wooden
cup of water to him. Okwudili taking the cup from her replied;
“Alright--- thank you but I don’t think the prince will want any favour from you,” said Okwudili gulping down the water as Dikachi stood amazed.
“What! Did you just say the prince?” she asked
flabbergasted. Okwudili pulling the cup away from his mouth surprised too replied.
“You mean you didn’t know Dike is the prince of Ikusika?
Sure, he had been away since he was ten, but that does not make you forget him,"

“Oh—sure—I ne—never—knew it was him,” Dikachi stuttered as Okwudili dropped the cup on her and ran out of the compound. Dikachi caught the cup and walked slowly into her hut, kept it and lay down on her mat still finding it difficult to believe Dike was the prince as she
played back the scene of what took place in the farm before her in her thoughts.
Amaka on her part walked as fast as her legs could carry her.This made those whom she came across to wonder if she had been involved in a fight.
Ndidi, whose elder sister, Olama, was making her hair in front of her hut as they discussed her engagement
laughing at intervals, suddenly noticed Amaka storm into their compound. Obiageri, Ndidi’s mother came out of the kitchen and stood by to see what could have driven Amaka
with such mood into their compound.
“Ndewo nu’ o-o-oh!” She greeted hurriedly and signaled to
Ndidi who got up from her seat, took permission from her
sister and followed Amaka to the back of the house.
“Amaka—what is the matter—why did you rush into my compound like that?” quizzed Ndidi surprised.
“My friend I came to tell you that Okwudili is back.”
“What— when! Oh, I can’t wait to see him,” replied Ndidi
almost leaving her friend but was stopped by Amaka who grabbed her arm.
“Wait! Don’t just run off like that,” said Amaka.
“Why?” Ndidi asked surprised.

“Can you believe that I saw Okwudili and Dikachi returning from the farm?”
“What! ---- Which Dikachi?” asked Ndidi with her countenance changed.
“Dikachi, the daughter of Ubochi. Not only that—Okwudili was carrying firewood for her while she walked lamely after him,” said Amaka as Ndidi felt her world was crumbling.
“No, it can’t be. He can’t do this to me,” bemoaned Ndidi as she walked out on her friend, in tears. While Amaka left for the farm.
Ndidi entered into her hut without saying a word to her mother and sister who were eating in front of it. She came out almost immediately wiping her eyes with the back of
her hand. As she walked out of the compound, her mother
called out to her but there was no reply.
“I’ve warned her about this girl and the others she mingles
with. Each time they come here, it is either for gossip or something worst than that,” Olama lamented.
“I‘ve tried to talk her out of it but she won’t listen to me.
Birds of a feather flock together---Nwa m, eat your food,”Obiageri begged.
Ndidi left for Okwudili’s place. On getting there, she walked straight into the compound where she met him and his family having their lunch as they discussed their feat that day happily. She walked into the compound without greeting any member of the family, she signalled to Okwudili. He left his meal of pounded yam and egusi soup without washing his hands and ran after her happily while
his family members discussed Ndidi’s rudeness.
“Obi moh!” said Okwudili trying to hug her.
He received a slap on his left cheek and opened his mouth, astonished.
“Is that how welcome is being said in this village now?”asked Okwudili surprised.
“Okwudili, why, why, how could you do this to me,” asked Ndidi sniffing.
Okwudili became surprised and tried to place his hand on her shoulders.
“Obi moh, why’re you crying? What are you talking about?”
Ndidi pushed his hands away and then removed the bracelet round her wrist and then threw it at him.
“Ndidi! I hope you know what you are doing. What has come over you?” he asked angrily
“Since you have become a servant for Dikachi go ahead and carry more wood for her!” she stormed and pushed him out of the way and walked out on him.
He called out to her asking her to listen to his explanation
but she waved him aside as she made her way home.
Okwudili felt dejected and slowly went to join his family.
They all noticed his mood and tried to find out what transpired between them but he ignored them and entered his hut without finishing his meal.

Ndidi on her part narrated every thing to her mother and elder sister while sobbing, they however advised her to talk to Okwudili and find out what actually happened.
Dike and his friends arrived the palace earlier and were welcomed by the King and Queen who sent out the town crier to announce to the villagers the arrival of the prince,
soon the villagers started streaming into the palace to welcome the prince after whom the ijele dancers displayed for him and his friends.
The news of his arrival spread like a wildfire and left the maidens all rejoicing as they all admired him and marveled
at what a handsome man he had turned into.

Available on Okada books
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CHAPTER THREE
The villagers later returned to their various home as the night drew near. Ubochi never showed up at the palace throughout that day. Nneoma and Oluomachi had only dropped by on their way back from the market to catch a little glimpse of the prince.
That night as Ubochi and his wife were discussing the king’s summon in front of the hut waiting for the supper to be ready, Oluomachi fed Dikachi with all that transpired at the palace. Dikachi on her part was not paying attention; she was busy rubbing the bruise on her upper arm with her left hand while remembering everything that happened in the farm. She couldn’t let go of the feelings she had as Dike nursed her injury. The softness of his palm, its gentleness on her skin, above all his care. She was lost in thought and her sister could do nothing other than bring her back.
“Dikachi! ---- “ shouted Oluomachi as Dikachi sprang out of her thought;
“Yes--- yes—what is it? I’ve been calling you for ages, what were you thinking about and why have you chosen to treat that bruise you sustained on the farm as if it was a tattoo you cherish. Come to think of it, you didn’t actually tell me how the wood cut you,” asked Oluomachi. Dikachi tired of her nagging got up and said;
“Well I’ve told you that a log pierced me when I was fetching wood. I don’t know what else you’re talking about.”
Dikachi went at once into her hut and continued thinking about Dike.
Dike on his part lay on his bed thinking of Dikachi, wondering who she was and why he couldn’t stop thinking about her. He remembered those lovely eyes as they opened slowly in his arms. He tried to capture her face, her bravery as she struggled with the leopard, the softness of her skin as he nursed her injury. Each time he had touched her he could hear her heart beat louder and so did his, he just couldn’t wait to cast his eyes on her again, he longed deeply to see her again.
The next morning, the king and the queen invited Dike into the palace to have a word with him. Okorocha, the Igwe had sent his only son at the age of fourteen to another village to learn how to fight and now he has returned after so many years, a grown young man, full of energy and charm.
“My son, how did you find the people of Umudike?” asked the king.
“Papa it wasn’t easy but I had to get used to them in order to enjoy them,” replied Dike.
“My people are always good to strangers but tough at invaders,” added Nwanyieze the queen.
“I thank God that my son has got their skills,” said the king as they all smiled”. The king cleared his throat and broke a piece of kolanut which was lying in a plate placed on the table in front of him. He broke it into four parts and passed it to his wife and son who picked a piece each.A jar of palm wine stood with two wooden cups on the table too.
“Dike, it is said that when a hen begins to drive its chick away from it, it means that the chick is old enough to fend for itself. You are now a full grown man and as our customs and traditions demand. You are now old enough to hold the Ozor title, and this can only be done on your wedding day, so I want to know if you are ready for these,” said the king as he bit the kolanut between his fingers and crunched it between his teeth.
“Well papa, when a puppy begins to eye its mother, it means it has become a man. I have heard what you said and I’m ready for it. That is why I have returned back to my father’s land,” replied Dike.
“In that case, let’s talk about a wife. I am planning on hosting a maiden dance where all the maidens in this village will participate in. The winner of this dance will emerge as the princess and you will be the one to decide that.”
“Hmm--- that’s a very good idea, so when is the dance coming up?” asked Dike.
“The Council of Elders and I fixed it for four market days,” replied Okorocha.
“In that case, I have to start preparing,” said Dike.
“Make sure you pick a nice one oh,” teased Nwanyieze as they all laughed over it as they discussed other matters about the village, while the king later sent out the town crier to pass the news to the villagers for immediate preparations.
Later in the day, Dike stood by his window pondering over the discussion he had with his parents. He then thought of Dikachi and wished he had talked to his parents about her. He found it hard to believe that he couldn’t spend one minute without remembering her dazzling eyes, her courage and beauty.
“She is the kind of woman I want and I hope she will partake in the dance, but can I wait till then to see her----no I can’t, I need to see her,” he thought as someone tapped him from behind causing him to turn quickly only to behold his friend Okwudili. They hugged each other happily as he offered him a seat and called in his servant standing outside his hut and ordered him to bring drink for them but Okwudili rejected the drink. It was then he noticed his friend’s mood.
“Nna what is the problem,” asked Dike recalling that he didn’t see Okwudili at the little party that was organized for him the day before and he didn’t eat the leopard with the others.
“It is Ndidi,” replied Okwudili as he narrated everything to Dike.
“You should have explained to her,” said Dike.
“I tried but she wouldn’t listen to me,” replied Okwudili rubbing his right palm on his head as Dike tried to console him.
“Don’t worry, I’ll talk to her but I need you to do something for me,” Dike added
“What?” asked Okwudili.
“I need you to pass a message across to that girl we met at the farm yesterday.”
“Why don’t you send the guards or maids or you simply want to cause more trouble,” replied Okwudili.
“No—it’s just that I need to see that girl before the dancing competition,” said Dike as he explained everything to his friend and pleaded with him.
After much persuasions from Dike, Okwudili accepted to go.
“Hmm, I can’t believe you have fallen in love already with her.” he said.
In the evening, Okwudili decided to pay Dikachi a visit, Dikachi and her sister were preparing supper while their parents were discussing in front of their hut. Okwudili hid at the back of the hut waiting for an opportunity to signal Dikachi. Their mud fire stand soon ran out of firewood, Dikachi decided to get some more as she made her way to the back of the kitchen where she started picking up some wood from the piled wood when suddenly a small stone landed at her back. she turned immediately and found Okwudili who had thrown the stone signaling her to come closer. Dikachi became surprised and wondered why he would pay her a visit. She however decided to sneak out of the sight of her parents who were so engrossed in their discussion.
While Okwudili was waiting for her to get close to him, Ndidi who was just returning from the market saw him. She couldn’t believe her eyes but decided to hide at the back of a tree close by from where she had to watch since she couldn’t hear because of the distance between them.
“What is it and what are you doing here!?” Dikachi asked worried.
“I came to ask you for a favour,” Okwudili replied.
“What favour?” she asked worried.
“Well you see------ I need you to be at iyiugwuta tomorrow by sunset”
“Why is that, please tell it and leave immediately before my father sees you here,” she said anxiously.
“Well other maidens will be joining you in assisting me in collecting palm fronds,” Okwudili revealed.
Just then, Dikachi heard Oluomachi screaming;
“Bring the wood now, the fire is going out!”
“I will try to be there but I have to go now,” she said as she ran back to add the firewood while Okwudili turned to leave and finally sighted Ndidi standing in front of him with tears streaming down her eyes. She finally turned and ran away while he ran after shouting;
“Obi’m o, please wait let me explain!” but she refused to listen and kept running.
Okwudili got tired of running and stopped to catch a breath before finally making his way home.
“What took you so long?” Oluomachi asked as Dikachi came into the kitchen.
“I was gathering the wood,” Dkachi lied.
Just then, the voice of the town crier was heard.
Gong---gong—gong—gong---gong.
“Ehe great maidens of Ikusika village, I bring you great news. As you all know, our prince is back and now he wants to pick a wife. The only way of standing the chance is by partaking in the forthcoming dancing competition being organized by the king. If you don’t know how to dance, better learn oh before four market days when this competition will take place. Opportunity comes but ones,”
Gong-----gong----gong---gong---gong.
“That will be nice, the prince will have to choose by himself. That means I have to start rehearsing my dance steps,” Oluomachi thought aloud happily as she noticed Dikachi was not listening instead she was lost in thoughts.
“What is it?” Oluomachi asked bringing her out of her thought.
“Hmm--- It’s nothing actually. It’s just that I want to visit Ugoma tomorrow to collect the jigida she made for me,” Dikachi replied.
“Is that why you’re acting that way or are you angry because you know girls who are betrothed will not be allowed to participate according to our tradition?” Oluomachi queried as Dikachi who had finished inserting the wood into the fire stood up and said;
”What is it? Why are you always getting on my nerves? You better stop it because I don’t like it!” Dikachi let out angrily as she walked out on her sister heading to her hut.
“I’m sorry--- I didn’t mean to hurt you,” Oluomachi shouted after her.
Dikachi lay on her mat unable to sleep as many thoughts occupied her mind ranging from the discussion she had with Okwudili to the news made by the town crier. Why should she be sad? Afterall she had no business with the prince rather Dike was giving her a sleepless night and she would have wished he was not the prince as she doesn’t want herself to be counted among those who have an ardent desire for the prince. She kept on rolling from one end of her mat to the other until she finally fell asleep.
The prince on his part was filled with anxiety as he couldn’t wait to see her. He kept on rehearsing the sweet words he would say to her.
The next morning, Oluomachi assisted Nneoma in taking some wares to the market for sale while Dikachi went about doing the house chores. She assisted her father in gathering the yams he was supposed to sell and soon he left with the yams.
As the evening drew near, she left for the stream. On getting there, she found out that the place was lonely. She became worried and wondered why the others were not there already.
The wind began to blow vigorously. She walked slowly towards the edge of the hill which opened to a river flowing beneath it. She allowed herself to be immersed in the wind as she listened to the sound of the waves and running waters by opening her arms to it while closing her eyes and taking a deep breath wishing it could heal her worries.
Suddenly, she got a tap from behind and quickly turned back frightened. She couldn’t believe her eyes. There, in front of her, stood Dike smiling at her. They stared at each other for a while with Dikachi’s heart knocking against her chest. She soon broke the silence.
“What-----what are ---I mean why you are here?” Dikachi asked tremulously.
“I just came here to relax,” Dike responded.
“I actually came here to assist your friend Okwudili in collecting palm fronds,” she said.
“Don’t worry about that. Let’s just sit and talk,” Dike said as he led her through a bushy path. As they walked back into the farm, many thoughts filled Dikachi’s mind. Why would the prince come to a lonely place alone without his guards and what would he want both of them to discuss?
He led her to where he had been sitting on a mat with calabash filled with different fruits such as bananas, guavas, cashews and mangoes beside him. They both sat down. While he stared at her deeply. He could hardly take his eyes away from her. He handed her a guava from the calabash. Dikachi collected it and began to crunch it nervously, trying as much as possible to avoid his gaze.
“Tell me, what your name is,” he asked.
“Dikachi,” she replied trying to avoid his gaze.
“Hmm what a lovely name for a brave girl like you,” Dike remarked.
“Thank you my prince,” replied Dikachi. Trying to confirm her thoughts, she asked;
“ My prince where-- are your-- guards?”
“Well, I usually come here alone to think,” came the reply from Dike.
Dikachi turned round to see if Okwudili had arrived.
“Don’t worry about him we both planned this meeting,” Dike informed her.
Dikachi was shocked to hear that she managed to ask;
“Why, I—hope—there is no—no no problem?”
At this, Dike took her face in his right hand and said;
“Look at me---try it--- I know you can do it. Look straight into my eyes and hear what I have to say.”
Dikachi slowly raised her eyes to his and finally rested it on his. She could see so many things in his eyes. She could feel true love radiating from it. This made her shiver as they talked.
“Well ---em --how’re you preparing for the dancing competition?” Dike probed.
“Well, I don’t think I will be party to-- that but my younger sister will be joining the girls in—practicing,” she replied nervously as Dike released her jaw .
“Why is that?” Dike asked worried.
“I have my personal----- reasons---- which I can’t—I can’t tell you,” Dikachi said mildly standing up not wanting to continue on that topic.
Dike stood up and began to pour out his heart to her with a song.
I have traveled round in quest of everything
That will make me a perfect king
Won battles in foreign lands
And then I returned home to complete my quest
The sun led me to a treasure with eyes like the moon
Adaugo Nwanyioma, just like the morning rose
One with fine eyes as fearless as an eagle
As brave as the lion, as flawless as a dove
She taught me what it means to love
Now I want to spend the rest of my life with her as my queen.
As he sang, Dikachi listened carefully though jealous of this girl whose praises he sang.
“Now the girl is right here beside me and that girl is you,” he said as Dikachi’s heart missed a beat.
She became stunned and trembled in fear as Dike approached her and took her by the wrist. That made her heart beat faster as the words came out from his mouth as he asked,
“Will you marry me?”
She opened her mouth in an attempt to say a word but nothing came out of it rather hot tears began to run down her cheek. She freed her hand from his grip and took some steps forward. Dike became surprised and asked,
”Why are you crying? Other girls would readily jump at this,”
Dikachi dedided to reply him with a song. She began to sing as she sobbed:
Oh—somebody tell me if this is real
Somebody tell me if this is me
I have never felt this way before
Here I have the answer ringing in my head
But how do I let it out when I don’t know what it’ll bring
I thought love was meant for special people
Not until he came to my rescue and captured my heart
Now I know I am special as God has given me something special
To be the wife of a man I love and so even if it is hard to accept
Just then, Dike cuts in.
“Then believe it and it will come to pass, I promise you that I will do all I can to make it come true,” he assured her.
Dikachi who was now crying turned round to him and said;
“I wilI be!
I want to be the mother of your children. I want to be always by your side,” she let out as she began to walk towards him while Dike stood up and did the same and they both embraced each other with tears streaming down Dikachi’s eyes.
“Yes, I will be your wife,” she repeated.
Just then the cock crew. This made Dikachi to stand aback as she saw that the sun was setting and the day was getting dark.
“What is it?” asked Dike.
“I have to go now, my father could be back and I don’t want him to meet my absence,” Dikachi replied trembling.
“Alright then let me walk you home and explain things to him,” Dike offered trying to hold her.
But she dashed out of his sight and ran away while he called after her. She kept on running as fast as her legs could carry her home.