PROLOGUE.
With her waterpot skillfully balanced on her head, ojiugo walked slowly down the lonely path from the stream to her compound.
Thoughts of her dying husband brought her to tears. She allowed the tears to hide her fears and feelings. The birds sang sweet melodies to her aching ears as they flew from one tree to another.
Nneka who was stripped to her back seemed to be responding positively to the swift soothing movement of the wind as she bounced on ojiugo's back causing drops of water to fall from the waterpot. Ojiugo closed her eyes and the wind kissed away her tears. She had known sorrow from the day the gods made their declarations.
Ekene who was just returning from the farm saw her friend and hurried to meet her.
'ugo, how are you today?' Ekene read the pains that formed the structure of her friend's face
'Ekene......how was farm work today?' ojiugo fought her tears and avoided her friend's question.
'Everything went fine. It's just that Itombe's goats won't allow my vegetables survive. How is your husband getting on wit Okwara's medication?'
'He's gradually going down. Okwara has done his best to appease the gods and restore Uchenna's health, but the gods seem to have passed their judgement.' her tears flowed
With the help of her free hand, ojiugo held the loose end of her wrapper and blew her nose. Ekene helped her with the pot of water on her head and handed her the basket full of vegetables she gathered at the farm.
'These ugu leaves are looking healthy.' ojiugo smiled weakly as she admired the vegetables in the basket.
'my dear, i got them near the oji river'
'they look very green. I miss farm work'
'taking care of your husband is the priority.'
slowly, they got to Ojiugo's compound. Okwara, the native doctor was just coming out of uchenna's hut when they arrived.
'Nna anyi Okwara, gud evening' they greeted
'its a good thing you are here. Use a warm towel and clean him up. Make sure he eats well and takes enough rest. I shall return in the evening' he ordered,ignoring their greeting.
'Nna anyi Okwara,gud evening' Ekene greeted again. This time she took a closer look at him
'ehe....Ekene. How is your family?' he finally responded with smiles.
His red,smooth-looking lips parted, giving way to a set of well arranged white gap teeth. The fat dimples on his cheeks revealed the warming beauty of his face. His average height suited his plump body perfectly. His chocolate colour gave him the glowing look of a teenager. He was everything a lady wanted in a man. It was only those who knew the story of the priest could guess his age.
Ekene took in all these qualities in few seconds. He was just too handsome for the gods,she concluded. Story has it that girls pretended to serve the gods just to get his attention which they never found. She was too occupied in her thoughts, she didnt notice Okwara leaving.
'E....K....E.....N.....E!' She shook as ojiugo called her back to reality....................