Outcast - Episode 26

Nwakaego's Narration

Just a month before I clocked ten years, I was in primary six. One day, Mama Nnukwu took me to our famous river. I saw the water goddess come out from the river. It was a beauty to behold. Unlike Obiefuna, I was dark in complexion. Obiefuna took his light skinned colour from Mama, and I was dark like Papa. Oma'mmiri was beautiful with a long flowing hair. She spoke calmly with so much elegance, I envied.

"Nwakaego, the next priestess of the river. You'll have all the powers you want, when you accept all the terms and conditions", she said.

"I will your highness", I said.

"Do you know what you represent? A lady of virtue and intelligence", the river goddess said to me, and smiled. The smile was a huge one. I was overwhelmed by the praises. Immediately, there was a terrific wind. 

"You have to kill your mother since she doesn't approve what you want to do!", she yelled. I shook, and almost fell on my feet.

"My daughter, you have to do it", Mama Nnukwu said. I was scared, but I wanted the power badly.

"Can you go ahead?", I said to Oma'mmiri. She bent her hand to the water

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. She raised it again. Her eyes were looking so beautiful. She had a catlike eye.

"We would have done that if we had the power to kill her", Omammiri said. She continued, "you'll have to do it yourself". She disappeared immediately.

While on our way, there was an usual silence between Mama Nnukwu and me. We looked at each other eyes, and Mama Nnukwu let out the question.

"Do you want to kill your mother?", she asked. Her question seemed like she cared, but I didn't think she did. She wanted to fulfill the righteousness of asking the question.

"Yes, I want to kill her. She is not adding anything to my life. I can't wait to have the power, and be respected by everyone in this village", I said. I continued, "but how will I kill her?".

"Don't worry, I'll take you to a dibia, native doctor, and he will mix white substance for you", Mama Nnukwu said.

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Two weeks to my birthday, Mama Nnukwu took me to a native doctor. When we got to the native doctor's place, we sat on the floor. Though, we lived in the village, the native doctor lived in a bush. He stayed under a house, made with four bamboo tree stands, and fronds as the shelter. There was a small hut, by the side. It didn't have an entrance, and I thought, maybe that's where he lived. We entered the stands covered with red apparels. Mama Nnukwu requested we turned our back before we entered, when I asked, she said that's how it's done. She hailed the old man that had something like leaf in his mouth, as he had mixtures of red and green apparels as his cloths. He drew marks all over his face and body with chalk. The walls weren't left out with cryptic drawings.

Mama Nnukwu told him what we came for and he gave us a white substance tied in a nylon. He told me to put just a cupful on Mama's food. We thanked her and left. The next day, I did as he requested after Mama had dished her food and mine, and told me to take it to the sitting room. After Mama had eaten, she started foaming in her mouth. It looked like lather from soap. I ran to call Mama Nnukwu. 

"She has gone to her chi, my daughter", Mama Nnukwu said soberly.

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

.  Mama's kindred were informed and they came to bury their daughter. Our parish Reverend father, sisters and catechists were in attendance. After the burial, Mama's family members wanted to take me away, I rejected. They said Mama Nnukwu can't take care of me. I told them she can, but they still insisted she can't. Mama Nnukwu had to call Papa's kindred who settled the matter and said I should follow who I want. I made the decision to stay with Mama Nnukwu. Rev Sr. Rebecca was disappointed in me. I saw it on her facial demeanour but didn't care.

"Make sure you take church activities serious", she said. I nodded, but she could feel I didn't care about her advice from how I walked away from her.