Outcast - Episode 23

 

In the morning, I stood up from my bed, came out to the sitting room entrance, and saw Mummy telling Mama Ebuka to take care of the house and children, that her husband hasn't come back since yesterday. Immediately, she opened the sitting room door and left. I entered the sitting room and greeted Mama Ebuka, she turned back and started laughing.

"Why are you laughing?, Ma", I asked.

"Your days in this house are numbered", Mama Ebuka said. I looked at her confused . I wanted to speak, but words failed me.

"If you like, keep behaving like you are dumb and not hearing what I'm saying. It's your own business", Mama Ebuka said. Unlike other days Mama Ebuka bullied me, she didn't treat me bad that day, neither did she treat me any special. She kept singing, "my enemies will disappear in a twinkle of an eye, as she did some of her chores.

*******************************************
That afternoon, I sat with Amaka and Amara in the dining chair, as we ate yam with egg sauce Mama Ebuka prepared. Mama Ebuka sat on a sofa, in the sitting room while facing the television, and laughing to the comedy show being aired. Not long after, we heard noises outside

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

. I had finished eating, and wanted to join Mama in the sitting room, before we heard the noise. Mama Ebuka ran outside, and I opened the curtain, peeped through the louvers and saw Mummy crying. They were almost at the entrance door. I closed the curtain and sat down. Mama Ebuka, Adamu, Mummy and a young man entered. They were consoling Mummy.

"What happened?", Mama Ebuka and Adamu, both asked at once.

"My husband is dead. He was involved in a ghastly accident", she said. Amaka and Amara surrounded Mummy staring at her. My heart leapt. Tears rolled down my cheeks. I cried.

"No o!", Mama Ebuka cried.

"Kai! Oga can't die", Adamu mourned. I quickly ran to the side of the wall, sat on the floor, my legs folded while my back rested on the wall, I cried while recollecting memories. Once happy family was shattered. Chief Igbokwe died a painful death. His body was burnt into ashes. He was identified by his car, and the gift seller where he bought the gifts, and the accident happened immediately he ignited his car, and was about the enter the main road, a truck who failed brake and was in its highest speed collided with his own.

That day, saw lot of people come to our house to console Mummy. I went to sleep after the restless day of crying. After some minutes of not being able to sleep, I became dehydrated and decided to get water from the freezer.

"That boy is an ogbanje", I heard Mama Ebuka say to Mummy as they were sitting on the sofa.. Mama Ebuka normally don't stay overnight with us, but did because Mummy wasn't strong enough.

I stopped immediately, I heard that, positioned myself to the wall, in order hear whatever Mummy had to say.

"Does that exist?", Mummy asked.

"Yes, in our village. His mother's children all died after few years they were born, but he has refused to die.

Read " Resuscitated Hope " by the same author ( Obinna Tony )

. He even took away the life of his father, who was full of energy", Mama Ebuka said. I wanted to cry but tears weren't coming.

"Mama Ebuka that always preached to my mother and always assured her that I wasn't an ogbanje but live in Christ is saying all these?. This life is indeed filled with, preach what you like when you are comfortable with it. Who would have thought?", I said in my mind with tearful heart.

"I don't want to believe this, but I think I will return him to his parent", Mummy said. I wanted to know the state of his look, but it was dark.

"Hmm, you are playing with your life. I hope you don't encounter something bad on your way to the village. That boy is an Ogbanje and the mother is an OSU", Mama Ebuka said again.

"What should I do?", Mummy asked.

"Give him to me. I'll hand him over to a bus that runs Awka to Ukpor", Mama Ebuka said. I quickly ran into my room without drinking water and cried my life out. I had mixed feelings, but sad and and happy face. At least, I'll see Mama and Nwakaego again.