Rejected But Not Disqualified - Episode 4

 

Ugoye is a mother to the core that she values masculinity than feminism. She knew how to get out information from any man, be you the husband, the child or her paternal brothers. This was one of the gifts she was endowed with. Before the arrival of Nwude to her hut, she has prepared his favorite food of pounded yam with vegetable soup and a jug of palmwine waiting for his arrival. Her hospitality to men knew no bounds owing to the experience she obtained from her paternal home . Ugoye was born in the mist of men. She was their last and only daughter.

When  nwude saw the bench and table in front of his mother’s hut. He knew she has done the usual needful known of his mother. He cleared her throat and called on his mother ‘’Nne” means (Mother)!! Are you around? Because she was fetching water at the backyard it was her househelp that came out and told Nwude that she will join him soon after. The boy ran inside and told Ugoye  that Nwude has arrived.

Seconds later, Ugoye emerged in front of the hut and hailed Nwude ‘’ Nwa ka nna ya” meaning ( Child greater than the Father)then asked him after the day’s activities, family before offering him a seat. Nwude, answered that all was well but declined taking the seat offered rather he asked after her health and hope all is well too

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. Ugoye smiled and replied that the gods are good. She jokingly queried why he thinks that health issues must necessitate invitation always? Both of them laughed it off, then  Nwude took his seat.

Ugoye called on his househelp to bring water for washing hands, which the boy did almost immediately then she excused herself, went inside the house to get the already prepared food and laid it on the table. Nwude thanked her, quietly opened the plates and began eating silently. Those days it is a taboo to chat in between meals. When Nwude was through, Ugoye called the househelp to come and clear the table. Nwude thanked her again then set his palmwine on the table.

Ugoye broke the silence by telling Nwude how he is her second husband and since his father Ama-akolam is old and not seeing clearing again, it’s only him that takes care of the compound. She told him that whatever that bothers her bothers him too and vice versa. She remarked that she has been a son, husband and father to everyone. She reminded him that it was his kind heart that Obidi emulated which compelled him taking the custody of Nwora his late brother’s son along with him to jos.  Nwude smiled; Ugoye reminded him also that she is her mother that knew him from birth, knew when he is worried but that the looks she has been observing recently around him that he Nwude dont look too happy. 

Nwude kept calm and heaved inside himself; he has been caught in between his deeds. Ugoye  pleaded with him while holding his shoulder to allow her bear that burden with him and promised him in her usual nature to deal with person or issues that brought such unhappiness to his attitude and family. She praised the family of Ama-okpala as a happy, endowed  and peaceful family. After some seconds of silence which seems like ages to Ugoye, Nwude called on his mother in a low tone and asked her if she is a man? That whatever that is bothering him concerns men not women. Ugoye affirmed his masculine ego, then at that moment remembered what the diviner told her “ Tell your son that ‘he who sold a dog and buy monkey still has a sitting animal in his house”.  This juggled her back to determination and She hailed him “ Nwa ka nna ya” again told him that the family belongs to the man. She proudly remarked an Adage which said that ‘’ What an adult stood down and saw that if a child stands up he cannot see it”

This Adage touched Nwude and he remembered how his mother cared for him and his wife when he was betrothed a wife at young age, how he has been so endeared to her, how he has eaten her well prepared food and cannot walk out on her nor dismiss her matter with a wave of hand. He knew her mother and her doggedness, that she cannot allow him to rest  without getting to the root of her invitation. He also revers her mother’s morale for divination and hopes he can heave a sigh of relief if he shared his burden with her. Naturally, women are gifted burden shock absorbers…

Nwude asked her mother where her househelp is?  It was then Ugoye knew that the “cat will soon be let out of the bag; in her apprehension, she immediately shouted the househelp’s  name  but no answer. She called again, same silence, she excused herself and entered inside, only to see the little boy sleeping on the sofa, she carried the boy, laid him gently on his mat and came outside again to join his son. She told Nwude that the boy had gone to sleep and her taking sometime inside was to lay him well on his mat. Nwude thanked her then asked his mother if they, His parents knew anything about his destiny after he was born. This surprised Ugoye because never was it known that a woman should be involved in destiny seeking for their children rather it is the role of the man to do so. Ugoye boldly said that she trusted their father Ama-akolam to have done so before now.

Nwude then lamented that he has been under the support of the dad thus it did not occur to him to seek his own enquires about himself. Ugoye was listening quietly, seconds thereafter Nwude sighed and told his mother that he needs his understanding because he had made investigations personally about himself and was able to understand that his late brother Ngene in his carefree lifestyle is more gifted and blessed with prosperity generationally than him. Though he is favored but in Marchant and farming but his thinking is how his children will be fruitful and favored not to feel the generational blessings of his of his late brother or at least be at par.

Ugoye kept silent and as a pagan woman wondered why will the gods not balance favors? She had forgotten what she passed through during Ngene’s pregnancy.

Meanwhile, Uchendu the wife of Ngene is struggling to eat with his remaining two sons and none of them is happy with their father for not caring them along in his work of divination (igba afa)