THE CURSED LANTERN Final Episode 20 By Okafor Erasmus Ugochukwu

THE CURSED LANTERN Final Episode 20 By Okafor Erasmus Ugochukwu

The news of Amandi’s elevation to the position of the king went viral. There was jubilation everywhere in many kingdoms.

Princess Ugegbe was so happy to hear that. Even though she was so delighted, she was worried because, in the Oduma kingdom, a king can’t be made without a wife. She believed it was the same for Umudike due to proximity. She couldn’t understand how Amandi could have been happy without her; even when she followed him through his quest and stress. Throughout the night, she couldn’t sleep a wink because she was sunk in deep thought. She was trying to figure out who Amandi could have been married to even to have forgotten to invite her for the ceremony.

At dawn, Ugegbe woke up before everyone; even the palace workers didn’t wake before her. She was weak because of a lack of adequate sleep. It was only the guards on night duty that were strategically positioned in the compound. She’d been praying for dawn to come so that she’d just get up from the bed.

She roamed in her room and continued to peep from her window from time to time to know if anyone was awake but the day wasn’t very bright yet. After the long wait, she opened the door and went into the compound.

It was a bit cold that morning, so she used a cloth to cover herself very well. She didn’t even know where to go or what to do. She simply wallowed in self-pity. She took a dwarf seat and sat in front of her hut hurting silently inside of her.

In a couple of minutes, the palace maidservants started coming out of their huts to do their chores. They were all surprised to see the princess sitting and waggling her legs absently.

Ugegbe didn’t even have the time to reply to the numerous greetings from the palace workers. Her heart was broken while she sang a sorrowful song. As she sang indistinctly, she still tried not to let anyone see her tears.

As this sorrowful moment lasted, Osinachukwu came and saw the princess sad. She was greatly disturbed, so she took a seat and sat beside her.

The princess simply looked at her twice and continued the way she was. Ugegbe wanted to talk but she lacked the zeal and strength. She didn’t even know what to talk about, so she remained calm to avoid screaming with tears or sobbing.

“Greetings, my princess,” Osinachukwu muttered as she observed the mood of the princess, “Are you unwell? What’s happening to you? You know you can always share, right?”

The princess didn’t talk. She was just mute and humming a sorrowful song. This time, the tears couldn’t be stopped, so they took possession of her cheek. To avoid feeling embarrassed before everyone, Ugegbe quickly went into her hut and locked the door.

Osinachukwu already knew why the princess was disturbed. She didn’t want to rush into a discussion with her but had to take her time

think of what to say to make her feel better. She remained at her door but avoided creating a scene with constant knocks at the door. She didn’t want to make anyone notice what was going on, so she just sat by the threshold of the door and continued to sing for Ugegbe.

Osinachukwu was a woman with many talents including having a wonderful voice. She began to sing the ‘So Chukwuma’ (only God knows) song.

The princess covered her ears not to listen to that song but she still heard the melodious voice filtering into her ears and making her heart melt. She was both in sorrow and acceptance of the will of the gods. When she realized that she couldn’t just fight it, she heaved a sigh and got up from her bed. She slowly unlocked the door and went back to her bed and lay on her belly. She didn’t want to hear from anyone but she had to open the door to enjoy the sweet voice of her maidservant.

The maid didn’t just come in. She knew that the guards were watching her on the sly, so she had to outsmart them so that they wouldn’t know that the princess was in sorrow. She knew that the guards would alert the king and she didn’t want that. The best way to handle the moment without the presence of the king was to pretend that nothing was going wrong.

She ensured that no one was coming or watching before she slowly opened the door and the entered. Seeing the princess drew pity from her, so she gently went closer to her bed and sat there. She tried to talk the princess out of her sorrow but she didn’t know where to start. She was avoiding crying with her, so she needed the momentum to be able to talk without shedding tears.

Ugegbe waited for Osinachukwu to continue with the sweet song but didn’t hear from her again. She didn’t want to look up but continued to remain calm and wait. After a while of not hearing the song, she muttered: “Continue. I love the song,”

Osinachukwu smiled knowing that her magic voice was already helping her achieve her aim even when she never said anything. She cleared her throat and continued singing. As she sang, she stroked the princess’s long hair. She continued singing until the princess felt better, got up, and sat on her bed.

“I guess you feel better now,” Osinachukwu said and held her hands. “There must be an explanation for whatever happened at Umudike,”

“Which other explanation do I need when the man I love has married another?” The princess said dispiritedly. “I believe that Amandi can’t just make me sad without a reason. Do you think I offended him?”

Osinachukwu didn’t know what to reply. She simply held her closely and continued to tap gently on the princess’s back to make her find solace in her grief.

In no time, they heard a knock at the door. It was surprising to them, so the princess wiped her tears and pretended to be okay.

“Check the door,” Ugegbe said to her.

“I think it’s your mother,” Osinachukwu whispered and got up to open the door. She was nervous because of the unannounced visit of the queen. It was rare.

“Please wait,” the princess uttered in a low tone and got up hurriedly to pretend that she was busy. “Nne!” she shouted to be heard by her mother, “I’m wearing my cloth,”

Osinachukwu opened the door when the princess was ready; even though the queen didn’t have to wait long.

When the queen entered, she looked around and smiled. “What a beautiful home you have here. It’s been a while I entered your hut,” she complimented, “I must have missed a lot,”

“Welcome, my queen,” Osinachukwu greeted with a curtsy and sneaked out immediately.

The queen was even happy that she was left alone with her daughter. She knew that the princess was hiding something. Looking attentively at her, she smiled and sat beside her daughter on the bed.

Ugegbe was uneasy because her mother never visited her hut for many market days. It was surprising to her that the queen was there. She knew that for her mother to visit, there was a reason, and it wouldn’t be unconnected with marriage issues.

The princess already felt that she’d lost Amandi, so she knew that her mother must have heard that too. She was assured that the queen must have come to help her choose a husband just as she’d been doing in the past. At that point, she braced herself for whatever was coming to her. She waited for it and got prepared for the annoying answers to give to her mother.

The queen didn’t talk but continued to observe her daughter closer even to the point of making her disquieted.

“Mother, what’s the reason you visited?” Ugegbe asked preemptively, “Why the looks? It’s getting me uncomfortable,”

The queen chuckled and shook her head. “I came to see how my daughter is?” she replied, “Don’t I have the right to visit you again?” she asked looking directly into her daughter’s eyes while her lips were coated with smiles.

“Mother, you and I already know the reason why you came,” The princess said looking at her mother frowningly, “Or am I wrong?”

The queen simply smiled and tried to hold the daughter by the hand but Ugegbe shifted away.

“Oh, has it reached the point of not allowing a mother to touch her child again?”

The princess felt she was being too strict, so she held her mother by the shoulder and forced a smile. “No, it’s not, nne. But I don’t like the issue of bringing up marriage talks whenever you’re around me. If you must know, that has been the reason why we haven’t sat under the moonlight eating ears of corns or enjoying the folktales together. Whenever that happens, you must always end up spoiling my happy mood with marriage issues,” She pouted.

The queen smiled and shook her head again. She shrugged and got up to leave. “I came for a small talk with my daughter but she ended up chasing me away,”

The princess felt so bad when her mother said that. She knew that her mother was doing what she was meant to do as a mother. She stood up immediately and embraced her.

“Nne, I’m sorry if I am being overly defensive and overbearing,” Ugegbe apologized, “If I were to be a mother, I may even do more,”

The queen smiled and came back to the bed and sat. Heaving a sigh of relief, she said: “If I offended you with numerous marriage talks, I am sorry. But that wasn’t even the reason why I came,”

The princess was so surprised to hear that. She didn’t believe that her mother could be serious with what she said. She hadn’t for once talked with her mother without an argument ensuing due to her mother’s incessant disturbance with marriage topics. She was keen to hear from her since she was assured that she didn’t come for her usual nuptial topics.

“I am surprised, mother,” Ugegbe said guessingly looking at the queen, “What could have been the reason for your visit?” The princess didn’t believe her mother, so she waited to hear from her first.

The queen stood, went to the door, and locked it up. She checked through the window, ensured there was no one eavesdropping. She came back and sat beside her daughter.

The look on Ugegbe’s face was that of total confusion. She was so surprised but couldn’t guess what could have been the reason why her mother locked everywhere just to talk to her. She was so enthusiastic to hear her out. She didn’t want to ask questions but kept calm to hear her mother talk.

“You may be surprised that I locked the door,” The queen said and lit the mpanaka (lantern) by her side. “At least we can be seeing each other’s face while I say what I want to say,”

The princess was still shocked. She simply had to listen. She didn’t even wish to talk, but for her mother to know that she was ready to listen, she said: “Nne, why not start talking because this rigmarole is already killing me inside. What’s the matter?”

The face of the queen suddenly changed to a sad one. She almost cried but was in control of her emotions.

The princess was worried but she didn’t have to distract her mother from talking. She simply kept mute and watched her closely.

“I was a virgin when I married your father,” The queen began while the princess listened, “I never cheated on him. But as a king, he can marry any number of wives he wants. I was so sad when I discovered that he impregnated Mmadiche, the priestess just to know if she could have a male child for him,”

The princess found it hard to believe what her mother said. She’d always respected her father for not marrying a second wife even when he had no heir yet. She was shocked and weary at that point. She tried imagining her father with another woman but couldn’t. “Did you mean to say that my father ever had a liking for another woman aside from you?”

“Well, I didn’t blame him and I still don’t,” The queen replied, “For a man to remain that long without having another wife shows he respects me. I wasn’t even the one that found out the truth. He told me himself. I was so angry at first, but I later asked myself why I should be angry when he could marry as many wives as he wanted just like the king of Umudike did because of an offspring. Your father said that he wanted to have a son from another woman and then bring him to the palace. He didn’t intend to marry another woman; all he wanted was to test his virility as a man.

He never intended to marry the mother but would make the child the heir to the throne. I didn’t support him on that based on moral grounds though I was unwillingly in support because I didn’t want to share him with another woman. The most painful part was that the child died. And the baby was a male child. The woman and the child were lost. I wished the child remained, or even both. For this reason, when the daughter of the soil of Umudike was made the new priestess, I became so jealous thinking that my husband may have an interest in her. This was the reason why I was always harsh on the innocent young priestess.

For this, Mmirimaraugo vowed not to come into Oduma kingdom anymore. I heard she settled at Azummiri where she’s doing so well. I wish to have her back but there is no way I can do that. All I want is to apologize to her. Even if she wants to be the one to produce a male child for my husband, I wouldn’t mind. All I want is for those midnight sobs and sleeplessness of the king to end.

My husband is suffering and he’s dying inside every minute. My daughter, I came to you just to discuss it. I feel bad for not being able to be pregnant since I gave birth to you. Assuming I got pregnant but ended up having another female child, it would have been better. But it seems as if the doors to my womb have been blocked,”

“Please, do not say that. It’s a bad wish,” the princess said and held her mother’s lips, “Take back those words because there is power in spoken words. Even though you have passed childbearing age, I still believe that nothing is impossible for the gods. I have hope. You should too,”

The queen was so surprised by the maturity embedded in her daughter’s exhortative words. She was proud to have such a wise daughter. She used to think that her daughter was still jejune without knowing that she’d become the woman she wanted her to be.

“I will not lose hope, my daughter. I’ll always try to be positive just as you advised. Thank you,”

Ugegbe was happy for making her mother hopeful and happy once more. She even wished she is married to the person she loved but unfortunately she’d lost hope. She was happy for her mother but sad for losing Amandi.

“But mother, I am so bothered right now,” The princess confessed her disturbed state of the mind. “I am dying inside of me and I don’t even know how to wake up from this nightmare that has already taken place,”

“Is it about our hero, Amandi?” The queen asked.

The princess was shocked on hearing that, so she looked at her mother in the face and hummed. “You knew?” she asked looking perplexed.

“That was the second reason why I came to see you,” The queen said and smiled.

The princess couldn’t understand why her mother was smiling even when she was meant to be sad. She felt that her mother came to convince her to marry the prince of Ojukwu kingdom, so she frowned.

“Nne, even though I’ve lost the man of my dream, I have no business with …”

“You’ve not lost Amandi,” The queen said assuredly making the princess be amazed on hearing that.

“But I heard he’s been crowned the king of Umudike after the resignation of king Ozuruonye. Didn’t I hear right?”

The queen held Ugegbe and said: “I have hired the best hands to get you prepared. Your father and I decided to keep it a secret from you. According to our tradition, the groom-to-be and his kinsmen must come very early at dawn. This is to show their seriousness in marrying the girl. So, if you open the door of this hut right now, you’ll see the fashion experts waiting.

I kept a beautiful cloth hidden as I waited for the day you’d be handed over to the care of the worthy man. Amandi and his people will soon arrive. The villagers are already aware because the town crier has announced that everyone should gather at the palace. Even though the heir must be married before being made a king in the Oduma kingdom, it’s not the same in Umudike. But the new king must get a bride within a stipulated time. If not, he’ll lose the throne. Having said that, I wish you good luck, my daughter,”

The princess hadn’t been shocked as she was that very moment. She found it so hard to believe that her mother was saying the truth. To be thoroughly sure, she opened the window of her hut and saw that the fashion experts were already waiting to dress her up.

Her surprise was even intensified when she saw that many villagers were gathering at the palace dressed in beautiful clothes. She quickly slammed the window and held her mother as tears rolled down her cheek. “But Amandi was made king already. How can this be possible?”

The queen held her close and whispered: “Didn’t you hear me the first time? Were you listening at all, Ugegbe?”

“Nne, don’t be angry but I want to make sure that what I heard is trye. Repeat it, please,”

The queen smiled at her daughter’s inquisitiveness and quest for assurance and conviction. “The tradition of Umudike is that when the king is newly made, four market-days shouldn’t pass without him having a wife installed as the queen. This is just the second market-day from the day of his impromptu coronation. As your mother is a queen, you’ll soon become one. Apukwam (I’m leaving),”

The queen opened the door and started leaving. With a snap of her fingers, the hut of the princess was filled with maids that gathered to help her with bathing and preparation for the marriage ceremony.

***

Amandi, dressed in his royal robe in the company of his twin brother, and his entourage arrived at Oduma safely. Their arrival was in a grand style; with the harbinger eulogizing the king and Umudike as a whole. The flutist praised the king, while the dancers, both men, and women neatly dressed in their cultural outfits displayed the beautiful and entertaining dance.

The entire Oduma people were excited with the presence of the noble king and his kinsmen.

The palace was already decorated with ornaments, elephant tusks, and sculptured images of the past heroes of the Oduma kingdom. The sculptured image of Amandi was what blew the mind of the people of Umudike. They couldn’t understand how it happened, even Amandi didn’t understand it.

The Umudike people couldn’t believe how fast the sculptor was to have produced a giant image within a short time. They were so happy to see that the image of Amandi was well positioned in the palace because of his.

With excitement, Chizorom pulled Amandi closer and said: “Your image and I are the same. So you’re not the only one standing there in the form of a statue, I am too,”

They both laughed.

“I even wonder why they celebrate me this much,” Amandi said with a smile, “It’s you and I. After all, you were the one that defeated me in the fight,”

“The gods have made it so,” Chizorom pointed out, “Do not question their decisions. Remember that you were the one that suffered from birth and not me. You have been humiliated and tortured. I just fought with you to fulfill the prophecy, but the real fight started from your birth into the wicked home. Well, those are all preparations by the supernatural to get you ready for the crown. I am happy for you, and I am happy for us, my king,”

Amandi was happy with what his twin brother said. He simply smiled as they took their position as dignitaries.

Many kings from many villages graced the occasion. The celebration was so enormous that people kept wondering if such a huge event had ever taken place in any kingdom in many years.

The princess was kept in a special hut known as Arughiaru meaning purity. That hut was specially meant for the royalty when being married to a man. It’s believed that the woman that waits for the arrival of her groom should remain in the hut. The hurt is for the pure in heart and body.

The princess remained there feeling so happy and anxious. Her special maids attended to her and ensured that she was happy. She couldn’t wait to set her eyes on Amandi in the attire of a king. She couldn’t even believe that Amandi was a king. She was so eager to see the hut open so that she’d go and meet the man that she fell in love with right there at Azummiri River..

When Amandi and the people of Umudike settled for the ceremony to begin, the people of Oduma started their celebration. They were happy that such a great man came to marry one of their own; especially the princess of the great kingdom.

The dance continued until the dignitaries all gathered. The palace was filled to the brim while everyone appeared in their best attire.

Mmirimaraugo, Ijele, and Ikem entered as very important personnel. The people applauded them immediately they set their eyes on them.

Ikem was fully dressed as a priest; all white and gallant. He had that aura of honor and priesthood all over him. He had his special oji that was so unique that no one could say how he got it. The Oji he had with him was decorated with ornaments like something that belongs to royalty. Even her mother had no clue about how he got that. Ikem was so proud of his position. He felt so happy being chosen by the gods, so he had to always not disappoint the supernatural that appointed him as the priest of Ngene.

Ozioma wasn’t fully dressed like someone coming for a ceremony. She was meant to be happy but she wasn’t. She was dejected because, since the day she returned from Umundanda, she never heard from Chizorom. She felt that being in that life of a man never favored her.

She wouldn’t have attended the marriage ceremony, but because Amandi and the princess were the people she respected a lot, she had to come. Even though she was present, she hid in the crowd to avoid being seen by those she didn’t wish to see her; especially Chizorom.

The traditional part of the marriage ceremony was between Amandi’s kinsmen and that of the princess. It was done inside a special hut while Amandi and a few others waited outside.

As the traditional rights lasted, the princess remained in her hut feeling shy in anticipation of the time when she’d be called out to meet her husband.

Chizorom was unhappy because he expected to see Ozioma but couldn’t find her among the people. He looked around severally making him so distracted from the ceremony, but because Ozioma always ducks whenever his eyes move in her direction, he couldn’t see her.

After the traditional rites in the hut, it was announced by the kingmaker that the ceremonial part of the marriage could go on. There was jubilation among the people because they were assured that there was no obstruction to the marriage that was already going on.

Amandi couldn’t wait to set his eyes on the princess. He looked around at intervals to know when she’d be coming to meet everybody waiting for her.

“I can’t find Ozioma,” Chizorom whispered to Amandi, “I am very uncomfortable right now. I may be going to her house to check on her,”

Amandi knew it wasn’t right for his twin brother to leave the ceremony while it was still ongoing. He knew exactly how Chizorom felt but still didn’t feel it was okay for him to leave in the middle of the ceremony. “Very soon, everything would be over. I will even escort you because we have a mission, and it must be accomplished,”

Chizorom was dressed as royalty. His special royal apparel was made from the skinned lion just as that of Amandi. He looked like a king too except for the crown on Amandi’s head and the staff of office that made him look a bit different. He was restive but always heeds the advice of his brother, so he had to remain calm and pretend as if he was okay.

Ozioma from her position noticed that Chizorom wasn’t restive and looking searchingly anymore. She felt that he may not be missing her, so she got dispirited. She wanted to go home but her curiosity to witness the union between the two important people in her life kept her waiting.

When it was time for the princess to be presented, Ugegbe was so happy to come out triumphantly from Arughiaru hut. She walked majestically before everyone.

There were cheers from the people when they saw how beautiful she looked.

The queen and the king were seated graciously just as many His Royal Highnesses present. It was a morning of happiness for all.

The chief priest, Oturukpokpo took the special wine tapped by Amandi himself which was brought ahead to the palace. He prayed to the gods for their blessings and then handed it over to King Onwuatuelo.

Ugegbe stood beside her father in wait as she was flanked by her maids and guards. She was veiled so that her hubby wouldn’t see her face; that’s traditional.

The king was so joyous as he collected the cup of palm wine. He raised his eyes to the sky and said: “Today, something great is happening in my life and that of my family. My daughter, who is the best woman, is getting married to the best man. Fortunately, the best man happens to be the strong lion and the great king. From a newborn twin who escaped being slain, he became a slave.

From a slave, he became a palm wine tapper. From a palm wine tapper, he became a fugitive. From a fugitive, he became a fighter. And from a fighter, he became not just the savior of many kingdoms but a great king. I salute you, king Amandi,”

The people began to clap for the speech of the king while they celebrated Amandi with cheers and any musical instrument available.

Amandi was so proud of himself. He couldn’t imagine how life has turned out to be for him. He began to reminisce on the entire things he passed through in life before becoming a king. He almost shed tears of joy before everyone but a king wasn’t meant to do that. He continued to smile and nod in appreciation to the cheers and compliments from everyone present.

“Having said this,” The king continued, “kneel. My daughter, kneel,” He said to Ugegbe making her kneel before him. He handed over the cup of palm wine to her, “There are many cute people around here. There are many handsome men. So if you know the person who your husband is, go to him and present the cup to him. If you give it to the wrong person, that person becomes your husband. Remember he has a twin and they are identical. If you like, mistake one for the other,”

The people started laughing when they heard this. They clapped for the king and cheered him.

The princess was full of smiles as she listened to her beloved father. She couldn’t wait to hand over the drink to Amandi. She’d long waited to have him as her husband even when he had nothing; with no prospect of becoming a king. She was prepared to marry him as a commoner but ended up marrying him as a king.

“You can now show us your man.” Oturukpokpo encouraged the princess, “But don’t forget the words of caution from your father,” he added jestingly.

Ugegbe first looked at her beautiful mother and smiled.

The queen nodded showing her approval for her daughter to go ahead.

The princess continued to search for Amandi. Even though she already knew where he was, she had to spice up the moment by pretending to be searching for him. After a while of the search, she then took the drink to him; knelt before him, and presented the cup.

The people began to clap and hail the newly wedded couple. The drums began to beat while songs and celebrations started.

Amandi gulped the palm wine and then pulled his wife up. They embraced each other leading to more cheers from the audience.

Chizorom couldn’t be patient anymore, so he stood, went to Amandi, and said: “I am going in search of my wife. You just got yours, brother. I need mine too,”

The statement from Chizorom was so loud that everybody heard him. The people’s attention was directed to Chizorom who couldn’t just wait anymore.

“Go for her, please,” The princess encouraged and smiled looking at Amandi to seek his approval.

King Amandi’s nod of approval made queen Ugegbe happy that her husband was in support of her exhortative words to Chizorom.

Before everyone, Chizorom started leaving to meet Ozioma at her house.

From her hiding place, Ozioma knew that her attention was needed. She was full of tears when she heard and saw Chizorom making effort to locate her. Being that she wasn’t dressed like someone going for an occasion, she was uncomfortable and shy to show herself.

As Chizorom was disappearing from the crowd, Ozioma rushed to him and held him. “I am here, my love but I am not dressed for this occasion,” she said with tears.

Chizorom was so happy that he saw Ozioma. His joy knew no bounds, so he carried her up and smiled looking directly into her eyes. “Today wouldn’t have been complete if you weren’t here. Here and now, I’ll let everyone know that I now understand what love means. My life is incomplete without you,” He put her down but continued to embrace her with joy.

Ozioma was so shy that she didn’t know what to say or do. She felt that she wasn’t well dressed so she tried to run away with shame but Chizorom didn’t allow that.

“It’s not about physical appearance,” Chizorom said aloud to everyone’s hearing, “What matters is the heart that is pure and beautiful. Will you marry me, Ozioma?” Chizorom said to her holding her closer, “I have never loved before but you’ve made me realize what love means. Do not decline because if you do, I’ll die,”

The onlookers were amazed by the words coming from Chizorom. They were all astonished and proud of both of them. There was a great silence as they waited to hear from Ozioma.

The princess felt like forcing or convincing Ozioma to say a ‘Yes’. She couldn’t just do it because it was wrong but she kept wishing that Ozioma accepts.

As everybody waited, Ozioma knelt before Chizorom and tried to talk but couldn’t. She wanted to say ‘yes’ but tears of joy got her mouth shut. She simply nodded in affirmation making everybody start cheering her for her unspoken response.

Chizorom was so happy, so he took her straight to King Onwuatuelo and said: “She has no one. She has no parents. She is just a poor woman struggling to survive. Be her father and present the cup of palm wine to her. I can’t wait to drink from her cup and make her my woman,”

Mmirimaraugo was teary as she watched. She couldn’t hold her tears even when she was fully dressed as the priestess she was. She just reminisced on her past life when she and her sister suffered to make it in life. Life wasn’t easy for them but they pulled through. She was both happy and nostalgic at once. She was glad that her sister didn’t just end up with another good man but the best one.

King Onwuatuelo collected another cup of wine from the chief priest who already got it filled up. He presented the cup to Ozioma and smiled. “As the father, you don’t have, I hereby encourage you to hand over the cup of palm wine to your husband.

The journey is now short because you’re here with him already, so there is no need to search around for him. Except you have another person in mind. If you do, you can now search for the person. Remember that King Amandi can marry as many wives as he wants,”

The people started laughing because they never knew that King Onwuatuelo was that humorous until that day.

Ozioma nodded and collected the cup; with her face coated with smiles. She knelt before Chizorom and said: “I vowed never to have anything to do with any man in my life anymore but you changed everything for good. I have wallowed in pity and anguish but you brought light into my life. Even when I lost the smile, you made me find a reason to.

In life, people show you love when you’re born and when you die; in between, you have to manage. But today, I am not a newborn and I am not dead. But in between, I don’t need to manage because the best man in this whole world just found a poor widow and decided to wipe away tears from her face. I will love you forever. Nothing will ever stop me from going to Umudike with you as your wife,” She presented the drink to Chizorom amid the noise and applause.

Chizorom emptied the cup without delay. She handed the cup back to the chief priest and pulled his wife up.

Pointing towards the left, where some items were covered, he said: “Every item needed to complete the marriage rite is found there, so we came prepared. The marriage items aren’t just complete but they are more. Any remnant isn’t to be returned. To Umudike I shall go with my wife,”

The people of Umudike began to clap for their son while others joined. The celebration began immediately.

The people enjoyed the sumptuous meal presented to them. It was a heavy celebration with assorted native foods and drinks. Many leftovers weren’t unexpected.

Arunne, Obidinazu, and chief Akukaria were present because they got an amnesty from King Amandi who forgave them and allowed them to live freely among the people of Umudike. He didn’t need to start his kingship by banishing them. He urged them to turn to a new leaf and be better people in life.

As the celebration was ongoing, it was surprising to everyone that the queen of Oduma kingdom slumped. There was confusion everywhere when this happened so the people gathered to know what was happening.

Ikem smiled and got up. He went straight to where the queen lay and said: “She is sick but that’s a good one,”

Looking at king Onwuatuelo, he added: “An heir to the throne of Oduma kingdom is already breathing inside of your queen. Let the palace physicians take her inside her hut and attend to her. Meanwhile, I will return with the people of Umudike to start my work which has already started spiritually. Some items need to be presented for the sacrifice to the gods if the moment of bliss in the ten villages would last. Let the celebration continue,”

King Onwuatuelo couldn’t help but start dancing the surugede (dance of the spirits) before everyone. Other kings present joined him in the dance.

The chief priests present all gathered to pray for the queen of Oduma kingdom. Ikem anchored the prayer as the great priest respected by everyone.

King Amandi and Chizorom with their wives joined the dance.

The entire people present joined the dance too as the celebration continued.

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THE END

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