Outcast - Episode 28

 

Nwakaego Narration

After I was initiated by Oma'mmiri as the priestess of the river, two months after, Mama Nnukwu died. Life was just all about me. I had stopped school and didn't have anybody to love me. Most of the villagers had converted to Christianity. On Sunday's, most of the villager's would have gone to church and everywhere will look deserted. Nobody came to me for spiritual help .  I thought I had the power and wondered why villagers don't come to seek help from me. It's not like I'd seen Mama Nnukwu  rendering spiritual powers to people all the while she was alive. It was just me and the river goddess. I went there, to get relief when I was weakened. I would lay by the river and sleep all day, at times. People thought I was possessed. I cooked and did everything myself. My life was a bore. Even Adaeze's grandmother never cared about me. Adaeze would see me and hiss. I always wondered if this is how life was, simply sad. 

Three years after, everything was looking like a scam to me. I decided to go to the river goddess, Oma'mmiri to ask her why I didn't have the absolute power to murder my enemies. When I got there and started reciting my usual incantations to make her come out, she delayed before coming out from the river. When she finally came out, I screamed in tears.

"Oma'mmiri, you deceived me

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. You promised to give power but here I am, with nothing".

"Being my messenger and goddess is the highest power you can ever get", Oma'mmiri shouted back. I started crying loudly while pointing at her.

"But you didn't tell me this?. I have lost all I had. Nobody associates with me", I shouted. She ignored me and sunk back inside the water. I fell on the floor and continued crying. The water demarcated and came back; it continued for about four times. And there was a heavy wind, then a splash in the river which gave out bubbles. The water, where the mermaid normally came out from, continued oscillating repeatedly. I stood, and started running back to the village, on my way, I saw lot birds on the trees as they gazed me, squawking. I got to the entrance of my house, and wanted to run in, but was scared. I started running to the church. At the entrance I saw a catechist.

"Hello, what happened? Who is pursuing you?", he asked.

"I need help, Sir. I want to see Rev. Sr Rebecca" I said.

"Why?", he asked.

"It's urgent, I need help", I cried.

"Well, Sr. Rebecca had been transferred", he said and I was devastated. I fell on the floor, sitting down with my hands at my back.

"Can you take me to any priest around?", I cried as I looked up at him. He gave me a weird look before he accepted. As he was dragging me to the priest office, I saw two priests. They didn't look familiar. Maybe they brought them newly. One was chubby and the other was lanky. They weren't white but one of us, I said. The catechist, facing the chubby one

"This girl said she needs help", he said.

"Yes, I need help. I want to be delivered", I cried.

Read " The Thorny Path " by the same author ( Obinna Tony )

. A Reverend sister was summoned who kept me in an inn for the mean time, before the priest came to pray for me and I narrated my story.

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Obiefuna's Narration

My life in the city, staying with Ifenyinwa and her parents was all I wished for. They treated me like one of their children. I told them that I want to surprise Mama when I become a bigger person, when they wanted to take me to the village to see her. I wanted to surprise Mama and Nwakaego, and give them a better life when I become successful; I always told them that in defence. I didn't want Mama to be demoralized when she gets to hear my ordeal with Mama Ebuka. At least, I would want her to hear it while I shower her with luxuries after I become successful, I always say boastfully. 

I started my S.S1 at sixteen and completed at Eighteen. I got scholarship to study abroad. Ifenyinwa's father was supportive to me, as he helped me to sort out everything and I traveled out of the country. I was nineteen as at then.

"I will miss you", Ifenyinwa said.

"You too", I said. We hugged each other and baded goodbye. Ifenyinwa was already at the University and was about to enter her penultimate year at then.