Rejected But Not Disqualified - Episode 9

 

It was at that point that his normalcy returned. Nwude blamed himself for forgetting his aged father’s meal.

Azuka! Nwude called on his father’s house-boy. No reply. He went outside but no sign of his presence.

Azuka!! He shouted again, this time the faint voice of the boy was overheard from the backyard with sound of his footsteps, trek-running.

Go inside and serve Ogbuefi his meal.” Well done nna anyi; sorry I was in the goat pen.

It is alright, be fast with that because it is getting late, Nwude added. Azuka rushed to the kitchen washed his hands hastily, trek-walk into the obi . He fetched water with a wash hand basin, fetched another drinking water with a mug from a clay pot situated at the extreme of the Obi, brought out a stool and placed it  in front of Ogbuefi before serving him.

Ogbuefi! He hailed ; I am done..

Ama- akolam washed his hands, thanked the house help; I thank the gods of our father’s for their provision he prayed: ‘Come and join me Nwa ka nna ya(the child greater than the father)’ “keep on father”  “ I will be back soon, let me collect something from my house: Ama-akolam  began to eat slowly as his age deems him fit.

Please if ogbuefi is through with his meal, endeavor to clear the tables and fetch me thereafter. Nwude told Azuka the househelp.

Thank you Nna anyi he answered

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. As Nwude made his way to the gate, Azuka went inside the Obi to confirm the tidiness of the Obi. Lo and behold was an unfinished palmwine of Nwude in the OKUKU cup.

He ran after him and caught up with him: politely he said, “ Nna anyi, you still have left over of palmwine in your calabash cup! (It is disrespectful to palmwine and elder to pour off unfinished drink and its only a drunkard that can do such). But Nwude was not drunk

Sighing in surprise Nwude said: Oh! I am sorry he said and headed back to the obi with the houseboy throttling respectfully behind… (Azuka was a bit worried that something must be bothering Nna anyi Nwude because if the drink was left open in a public gathering, it might be risky for nwude to go back to it for fear of poisonous enchantment)

Inside the obi, without greeting nor distracting his father. He shyly drank off the palm wine.

Are you back so soon? Ama-akolam queried in between meal… Not yet, but I forgot to return the calabash cup into the rack; Nwude responded quietly

Ok.. You would have asked the house boy to do so; he replied and went on with his meal

As Nwude was leaving this time he was deliberating in his mind in confusion “if what he want to inquire about is necessary” . He remembered that he is the first son with family that nobody could direct him on an approach or how to handle issues. But because this was a discussion that affects his childhood he has no option and could not help it.

Ama-akolam on his part while eating was wondering why the strange attitude of his son and pondered if their discussion has to do with asset dragging or land encroachment but could not arrive at a conclusion

Azuka! He called… Ogbuefi he answered; as the househelp rushed in. The boy cleared the plate and restored the Obi to its normal state. He took the plates to wash. He smiled when he opened it. The expectations still happened. Inside it were remains of foo-foo, soup and pieces of meat. He sat down, washed his hands and devoured the remains. After, he washed the plates, placed it back carefully in the tray.

Ogbuefi! Please I am heading to Nna anyi Nwude’s house to return the plates. Be fast with that and call Nwude for me, I know he will be eager to talk with me.

Ndewoo nna anyi (Azuka) the houseboy greeted Nwude, ‘Ogbuefi is through with his meal he said; carrying the empty plates on his hands.

Thank you my son., Nwude responded. As the boy was about to go inside, Nwude rose from his seat immediately and headed back to his father’s house.

Ogbuefi!! He greeted once again;  Nwa ka nna ya(child greater than the father). His father responded. I am grateful for the meal, may the gods replenish you. Don’t mention Ogbuefi, it is my responsibility to take care of you now that you are old; while saying that, he went back to the rack and collected back his calabash cup, sat down poured another wine.

Ogbuefi!! I hope you remembered that there is something I told you earlier I need to learn from you? “yes my son” Ama-akolam responded

I am very grateful that the gods favoured me to be part of this great family; The gods are wise.

Ogbuefi! You are my father and knew me well when I was young; now I am a responsible man with children;

Ogbuefi I remembered how you encouraged me to go into jewelries business, before I established my own. He paused. ‘’I am listening”… Ama-akolam chipped in.

As it stands, I  have been making effort to clear the road of success for myself and family both physical and spiritual so that the entire lineage will be successful and famous in all they do.

Ama-akolam sipped his wine again and still maintained silence.

“A proverb said that if you run faster than your gods, you may end up running fruitlessly” so on this proverb I based and want to begin my charity from you, so that nobody can intimidate me ,or any of our family member in business, education and handwork. Ogbuefi!... I want us to put heads together so that the old wealth, fame will be permanent in our family; Nwude concluded.

There was a bit silence thereafter.

It is the prayer of every father to build his family dynasty so that his future will not beg for bread from others. Why would my son I fed, trained and prayed for be thinking of what should be my worries, Ama- akolam thought in his heart.

Ama-akolam smiled and adjusted in his chair; you are welcomed Nwa ka nna ya, and  Sipped his wine.