By Alex Omolu
Juliet was celebrating her thirtieth birthday which her fiance single handedly sponsored to appreciate the apple of his life. Juliet is so excited having so many people around to celebrate her. There was so much to drink and eat, dance and shake off the stress and sorrow of the moment. She was so excited that almost all her course mates in the university graced the occasion; it was indeed a remarkable and joyous moment. But in life one thing certain situations evolve different emotions to different people depending on their mindset. Some could be happy while some could be sad with different issues. In the other way round, all days and all fingers are not equal. Ifeoma had remembered her life in the course of this celebration and burst into tears. She sobbed bitterly in a lonely place for a while shaking her legs, you know that the person shaking his or her legs is talking more than who is talking loud. But unknown to her some of her friends had spotted her in her quiet place. In a caring manner, they all rushed to know why the sudden cry and worry. Ifeoma is a very beautiful girl; in fact beautiful girls are more beautiful when they have twisted face trying to cry or laugh. She is very fair in complexion with dark hairs all over her hands and legs including her chest a little above her breast. She is about 5.9 metres tall with a very seducing shape, her heap is wonderful and her well pointed breast bounces up and down with her majestic walk. Her white sharp eyes matched with the well embellished eye brows, she is very hairy. She has a pointed nose that was well carved like a mermaid. She is indeed an epitome of beauty. Her loving and cheerful smile sometimes reveals her well but divinely arranged set of teeth that is constantly sparkling. What is Cinderella! Although the combination of all this qualities mean little or nothing to Ifeoma especially with the predicaments she is having in life.
What is the matter? Victoria her closest friends asked curiously in a compassionate manner. Others stood there trying to console her; with so much curiosity and pressure from her friends she could not hide her feelings any more. She narrated her story, how she as the eldest child of her parents does not have a job and a husband to live her desired life. How people only want to take advantage of her beauty to sleep with her and run into thin air: how sad and dehumanizing situation, she had vowed that instead of giving her body to those callous people she will rather give to the worms.
Ah! Ifeoma! You are very resolute and brave. I like you courage, but is that why you are crying? Victoria exclaimed. At least, your own situation is better. How? Ifeoma inquired. You are more beautiful and intelligent that I am. But Ifeoma frowned and asserted that follow she is in troubled water. As the tension reduced, one of the girls excused Ifeoma to the corner. Stop crying Esu said. Esu is not Ifeoma’s friend neither were they course mates in the university. She is just a friend to Juliet but she is deeply rooted in the Lord. Someone will wipe away your tears she said. He will favour you; He will put a smile on your face. Do not worry for it will be over in no distant time, only if you believe. But who could that be? When? How? Esu smiled and said. He is the Lord of Host; God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob; God Almighty. He will answer you. Hmmm! She took a deep breath and looked straight to Esu’s face as a sign of submission. Esu requested to take her to a man of God the following day, and Ifeoma accepted. While they were praying the following day the pastor had a vision for her during the prayer, he told Ifeoma to see the mother, that her mother should refresh her memory on the life of Ifeoma when she was between the ages of 5 to 15 years. He said that Ifeoma has been living in bondage since then, on revealing this, Ifeoma was agape and a cold spine ran through her body and generated goose pimples that she almost urinated if she was not careful.
Ifeoma took a deep breath and summoned courage and went to the mother. Mama she called and the mother answered. Yes! My daughter, Ifeoma broke into tears and fell on the ground and wept uncontrollably. This action intensified her mother curiosity to know what was going on. No wonder they say that the okra can never be taller than the owner. As big as Ifeoma was, her loving mother drew her up and cuddled her to her bosom. I have been living in bondage mother. How do you mean? That is what a pastor told me after praying for me today. He said that I should ask you to refresh your memory when I was between 5 to 15 years.
Like a divine intervention, what she has never remembered came to her memory lane. As she recalled, yes Ifeoma I am sorry I have not remembered this all these while. Now that you have remembered tell me before you forget again said Ifeoma.
When you were eight years old, she began. I was in the kitchen with you, so I gave you food to give to your daddy who was in the house. We had only one lantern then, so you took it with you. As you got there your father was lying on the floor in front of his shrine. You dropped the food and held the lantern to return to the kitchen, but when you called Papa! Papa!! he did not answer, you thought that he was in a deep sleep and decided to wake him up, he was complaining before sleeping that he was very hungry. Unfortunately, the lamp fell from your hand and the kerosene cover was not there, it fell on him and his shirt cut fire. Mama! Mama!! you exclaimed with a loud voice, when I rushed in, you where shaking him seriously but could not put off the fire. Then, his eyes were open but he hadn’t regained his full senses. I put off the fire which had burnt part of his body. Neighbours came and rejoiced with us that he did not die at last. Immediately we applied some herbs that could reduce the pain and heal him. When your father had regained his senses he sent for boiled egg and biscuit for you. We were startled that instead of scolding you for cursing the fire incident he was now buying something for you. Not just biscuit but with egg, then egg was regarded as luxury and was not meant for kids like you. Papa Ifeoma, why are you buying egg for Ifeoma do you want to spoil this child? I asked, No I don’t want to spoil her but she deserves it. Why? I asked again. Ifeoma has the fire of God in her, he replied. How do you mean? She saved my life. And the father began his story. He told them how he was worshipping in his shrine and they said that he should offer Ifeoma to them for more spiritual power. When he refused, they said that they will take him instead and make her life miserable. “No you cannot do that! I said to them, it was in that argument that they struck me”.
As they were dragging him into a pit Ifeoma blocked their way (spiritually) with dazzling light and said return my father or I kill you with the fire of the Most High God. They refused, but Ifeoma, drew closer with anger carrying the light on her head which tormented the demons. The urchins ran away into a calabash and Ifeoma beckoned on some people to help her carry me. As they stood me up, I opened my eyes in real life and saw her face. I knew she was the one who saved me, so I decided to buy her a little gift. The following day Ifeoma’s father threw away everything in his shrine except the calabash where the urchins ran into because he was afraid that if he breaks it they might kill him. So he decided to leave it. Unknown to him, the urchins could live for 100 or more years. Five (5) years latter Ifeoma’s further passed on to eternity as a result of illness. Ifeoma has seven siblings’ four boys and three girls and she is the eldest child. After the death of their father, life became more difficult and the protection and the love they got from their father were no longer there. Ifeoma was very intelligent at school but paying school fees and buying text book was a hard nut to crack. She wiped her face with confidence, problem shared is half solved they say. As the mother has told her the story she was a bit relieved. She went back to Esu and they went to the church to see the pastor. Ifeoma narrated the story the way her mother had told her. The pastor prayed and demanded to get the calabash to break it before Ifeoma could resume her normal life. Oh my God! What did I do to suffer this punishment and embarrassment? The devil is a liar she exclaimed. Where can we find that calabash now? We sold our land when things became extremely difficult to settle our immediate problem. And the buyer has built a new house there we did not pack something like that when we were leaving. Go and enquire from them, you could be lucky, to see it. Ifeoma, told the mother about the pastor when she got home, Immediately her mother remembered that calabash. They went to the place and met the man who bought the land the man was surprised to see them. As tradition demands, he presented cola-nut to them. He demanded to know why the sudden visit. In a gentle manner the mother asked for the calabash but the man said he knows nothing about the calabash. Fortunately for them one of the man’s children who were a little boy then said he saw the calabash when it was thrown into the pit toilet. This was another difficult task to content with if it turns out to be true. Where? Ifeoma asked inquisitively. Ifeoma was ready to dig the pit toilet herself since she needs a change in her life. But they had to contact people to dig it. They saw the calabash, though it was difficult because the pit was filled with faeces all through only the stench caused Ifeoma to throw up. The calabash was the small and strong type, which is why it could not break on its own. They brought it out and washed it and took it to the man of God. The man of God prayed and broke the calabash immediately; Ifeoma fell down like a woman in a trance. After a while she stood up and Esu took her home. She became prayerful since then, her dreams became brighter and positive hence they say the spirit controls the physical.
One day Ifeoma went to the farm to uproot cassava as they had no garri in the house and also to pay up the money they borrowed to pay the boys that dug the latrine. As she came out to the main road she sighted a vehicle, at first she was very afraid because it is not easy to see a vehicle on that lonely road. The owner of the vehicle saw that someone was coming from afar too. He was also apprehensive, but when he saw that she was a girl his fears faded away especially as she was carrying cassava, he knew that it will be difficult for such person to attack him. Chief Egobuike was traveling for an important meeting when his car developed fault. He opened the bonnet and discovered it was over heat. He needed to add water to the radiator but unfortunately there was no water. He stood in that lonely place for over thirty minutes looking for water and also allowed the engine to cool for sometime. He was bored and became worried because of his numerous schedules. Incidentally Ifeoma just came like a God sent. At first, chief Egobuike was captivated by her astonishing beauty. What could this beautiful girl be doing in the village at this time of her life? Well the issue at stake now is how to fix his car and get out of that lonely place. How are you young girl he asked? Not bad sir. Please, my car is faulty and I need water, where do you think I can get little quantity? What quantity? She aked? Just little like one or two litres. Ifeoma brought out her four liters can which she filled with water to drink in the farm. She was not thirsty because she was faster today and besides she only uprooted without pealing the bark of the cassava, so she didn’t drink the water. She untied it from her bicycle. Will this be alright? Sure! Chief replied. In fact I am very grateful; he told her how many minutes he has been standing there. Ifeoma was surprised. Chief took it and filled his radiator. What is your name young girl? Ifeoma she replied. I am chief Egobuike. You are an epitome of beauty; an Angelic symbol and a pride to womanhood. Today you are God sent to me. What do you do for a living he asked? Farming she replied. What academic qualification do you have? I graduated as an accountant. An accountant and you are in the farm road? Oh my God beauty and knowledge have been thrown into the farm for lack of care and privilege. Are you married or into any serious relationship? No sir, none of the above she replied. Look my daughter, the reason why I am asking you all these questions are that I am a noble chief, my dignity is held in high esteem. I mean I don’t do anything against my tradition and the ethics of my religion. I am an old man, he asserted.
Right now, my eldest son is in search of a well cultured girl to marry. Today, I have found one for him. I must pick this beauty and knowledge out of the cassava farm road. Chief assured. Where do you live? Anieze village she replied. He took her full address and told her that he shall send his son to her. But if my son comes back that he does not like you. I will change your entire life, I shall be a God sent to you just as you are to me today he assured again. Goodbye, chief said and smiled to her. Farewell chief she replied. Chief zoomed off in his car.
As soon as Ifeoma got home she narrated her encounter to her mum and the rest of her siblings with so much joy. They were all excited and appreciated her courage and sheer luck. Two weeks later, Ifeoma was cooking when one of her sisters came and said sister! Sister!!, Yes. Ifeoma replied, someone is here to see you. So it was when they saw the man who came to look for her, they all suspected him to be the son of chief Egobuike. In Ifeoma’s little span of life she has never received a male visitor from outside her community not to talk of coming with Range Rover car that is not common to see in the village.
Ifeoma came out from the kitchen; she was putting on an ox-blood skinny gown with her dark long hair neatly packed to the back with ribbon having some colourful flowers. She wore a pair of bat room slippers. Her nails were neatly cut; with her light but sweet voice she greeted good afternoon sir. Good afternoon the visitor answered. You are Ifeoma right? He asked. Yes. She replied. Well, I am Mr. Sheldon Egobuike. I am here to see you as directed by Mr. father. I hope you know him? Yes she replied. Sheldon x-rayed Ifeoma from hair to toe and saw what his father told him about Ifeoma in her. To him what his father told him was an understatement compared to her unmatchable beauty; a treasure in an undiscovered island. Without much ado, Sheldon said to her I have come to see you because I want to marry and will not waste time to ask if you would like to marry me. If it is the will of God, Ifeoma replied. Well, I hope it will be His will. Ifeoma offered and ushered him to a seat which delighted him so much by her homely attitude. They talked as if they knew themselves a long time ago.
Where is your mother he asked? She went to the market Ifeoma replied. She sent for the mother because she had gone to sell her farm produce in a nearby market. The mother was already on her way back as she had a quick sale on that day. Sheldon took time to chat with them in order to know little about the family.
Sheldon found it difficult to leave because Ifeoma and her mother are so humorous and homely. He had never enjoyed village life or maintained closeness with villagers. It was difficult to pass the night in a strange place especially at the first time. He had to go, because to get to the city will take about four hours drive.
Ifeoma, it is hard to leave you but I have to go now. They were already talking as if they knew each other for the past two year. He stood up and Ifeoma walked him to the car. He opened the pigeon hole and brought out a bundle of Naira note and handed it over to Ifeoma. Please this isfor you. I shall come very soon, to see you again. Ifeoma was so overwhelmed with joy and thanked him repeatedly. She counted the money, but she was dumb founded. Fifty thousand naira cash (N50, 000.00). Money she has not made since her life time. Ifeoma showed her mother and the mother was speechless too, but was so excited. The mother had gone to sell vegetable and little corn in the market but all she sold was two hundred and fifty naira. From that two hundred and fifty naira she will pay one hundred and twenty naira they used to buy oil and fish on credit the previous day. The seller didn’t even want to sell for her on credit. It was after several apologies and promises that after the sale she will pay. But today, the wonder of God has touched their family. All the children gathered together rejoiced and praised God for five minutes. After then, Ifeoma planned with the money. First, they are going to have delicious meal. For the first time they are going to eat complete rice, with stew, meat and groundnut oil,and it is going to be sufficient for all, before now their pattern of eating rice was red oil and onion, it was only in few occasions that they added fish, quickly, the twin girl set out to buy the ingredients. While Ifeoma rushed to share her joy with Esu who has eventually became her friend due to her concern in her life. They went straight to the man of God and told him. The man of God made a sign of cross and laid hand on her fore head murmured few words and they went back to Ifeoma’s house on her invitation to enjoy the rice.
They paid all their debts, and had so much left. Two weeks later Sheldon came back to visit Ifeoma and since then he has been visiting regularly. One day Sheldon came to take Ifeoma to the city to know his family and have acquaintance with them especially the mother. Ifeoma had never visited city before even though she is a university graduate. Her school was not too far from her village. She had to manage to graduate because there was no money.
Sheldon took her to Lagos. She has never been there before. When they got there she was marveled with what she saw. Sheldon leaves in an edifice all alone. The parents leave in a different location in that same Victoria Island. Ifeoma was not used to some of the facilities she saw in the house, but she was quick to catch up with the assistance of Sheldon. Sheldon’s parents love Ifeoma so much to be candid Ifeoma is a woman of substance; a marriage material; a lovable soul; gentle in heart and face. Sheldon did not waste any time to propose to her which she gladly accepted. After weeks of enjoyment and relaxation she decided to go back to the village to inform her mother and the family members about her proposed marriage.
The entire village was agog on hearing the news of her marriage plans because she is well known and cherished in her community, the most fascinating issue is the fact that the person in question is from a very humble and wealthy family. Where did Ifeoma find this man? A young girl asked rhetorically. Indeed she is lucky. The D day came and the marriage was the highest in that community. Everybody ate and drank to their satisfaction and even went home with one or two gifts. Ifeoma and her husband traveled to USA for their honey moon. Throughout the period of the honey moon Ifeoma was constantly thanking God, and she was full of joy and amazement. Life is a mystery they say; fate has nothing but to fulfill; He is truly a God of miracle.
Ifeoma and the husband came back from their honeymoon. Nine months later she gave birth to a set of twins. Ifeoma was constantly sending money to the younger ones with the assistance of her husband who is a loving and generous man. Her mother was invited to help in the nursing of the new born babies.
Life is wonderful and refreshing when things are going on well. Ifeoma showed so much appreciation to her new friend Esu before she also got married and she lives in Abuja with her husband. Their communication is still very smooth and lovely as life has been fair to them.
