Outcast - Episode 20

 

Hey guys, I'm so sorry, Examination has taken a toll on me. It's not my fault for the slow updates; too much reading and I'm always tired when I am free and want to type. I'll really try to continue updating everyday. Thanks everyone for bearing with me.

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Nwakaego's narration!

Three years later

It's been years Obiefuna left with Chief Igbokwe. Mama and I, have never heard about him afterwards . I was eight, but smarter than an average eight year old child. The only habit I left long ago was butting into people's talk and being rude. I bridled my tongue, but still lashed out when necessary. I always get worried about Obiefuna and voice it to Mama, but she is always with a huge smile and hopeful.

"I know Chief Igbokwe. He is s nice man. He will take care of Obiefuna and he will return to visit us after six years in secondary school", Mama would say proudly. I stopped worrying to her, but I still missed my brother. Nobody to make me safe from bullies.

Some months after Obiefuna left, Adaeze who newly entered secondary school, became my friend but it didn't last because I was still in primary school, and she outgrew me but we still talked. She apologised on how she treated Obiefuna

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

. I wondered why she didn't apologise when Obiefuna was around. I was in primary four and had two friends, Nkechi and Njideka. We did virtually everything and stood for each other..

After the closing day in school, we walked down to our houses. I normally get to my house first, and sometimes, they stopped by, to drink water and I give them part of my food. This day, they didn't stop by and waved goodbye to me, I reciprocated. I entered the compound and saw Mama Nnukwu sitting on the wooden chair with a resting back. She looked moody. 

"Good afternoon, Mama Nnukwu", I greeted. She ignored me. I greeted again. No answer. I hissed and left her immediately. I felt a hand at me back, I looked back and it was Mama Nnukwu.

"Don't be angry, my daughter", she said.

"I am not, but you were ignoring me while I was greeting you", I said with frowns on my face.

"It's about lot of problems and worries. I am sorry", she said.

"Okay", I replied. I was waiting for her to leave me alone so I'll enter house, but she begged I should follow her where she was sitting, so we would discuss something. I grumbled and finally agreed.

"Wheww!", she breathed.

She sat on her chair, but didn't rest her back and I sat on a small wooden chair by the side.

"Okay, Mama Nnukwu?", I said.

"There is a reason you were born", she said. I looked at her with keen attention.

"You were born to be the priestess of the river when you are ten", she said again. I had smiles registered on my face, but Mama Nnukwu wasn't smiling.

"Do you like it?", she asked, as she noticed my smile.

"Yes, I'll be powerful", I said. In some folklores and school stories, I heard that priestess's, wield so much spiritual power, and this is the time to use the power to deal with my adversaries, I thought.

Mama Nnukwu stood up, facing me backward. "But your mother doesn't like it. She is too religious", she said.

I hissed, "that their church is boring sef. She can't stop me. I wish I can stop following her to church", I said.

"Good, I like you.

Read " A Tale of Five Bandits " by the same author ( Obinna Tony )

. Don't tell her anything", Mama Nnukwu said and she hugged me.

After that, I left her hut and saw Mama coming out  from the house with basket by her left armpit, and cultlass on her hand.

"Good afternoon, Mama", I said.

"Good afternoon, but you stayed longer in school today. Why?" She asked.

"Nothing, Mama", I said with my head bent.

"No problems, your food is covered in the plate and placed on the table, eat, and join me in our farm at Mama Ebuka's backyard, they cut kernel for us", she said.

"Okay", I said and entered the house. I entered my room, took off my school uniform and changed to my house wear. I went to the table opened the plate, and it was porridge yam.

"My best food", I said. Mama cooked it with dry fish, as I could see pieces of the fish. I had already eaten the food after inhaling the aroma. I sat down and started eating. I noticed our curtain, moving to and fro, but no sign of wind or rain about to pour down. I ignored and continued eating. On the wall opposite the sofa I was sitting on, I saw a female shadow, but nobody was in the sitting room with me. I wanted to scream, but I felt a stronger and bigger hand covered my mouth.