Web of Confusion Batch 3

WEB OF CONFUSION”
Episode 4
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Ndulue arrived from the Ichie’s meeting to get set for Okoro’s son naming ceremony.
He hurriedly took his bath and dressed up awaiting his meal before he leaves. No matter the occasion he was going to, Ndulue never left his home without eating and his wives were aware of this and didn’t take him going for am occasion as an excuse of not making his meal.
He went out of the Hut and called “Adaugo!! Omasili!!”
Omasili jumped up
“Nnanyi”
“Where’s my food ehh? Must I always shout before I get my food?”
“Nnanyi am sorry but it’s not my turn to cook your good”Omasili said
“Then who’s turn is it?”
“Adaugo”
“And where is she?”
Omasili murmured “I don’t know Nnanyi, she left without saying anything”
Ndulue shook his head and sighed
“Nsogbu adiro (No problems)…Now go and get me something to eat fast! Am running late”
Omasili grumbled inaudibly and left.
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“anwuolam o!!! Chim oo!!!”Adaugo rushed out of Ndulue’s Hut in tears with soup all over her face as she struggled to see.
Even sick Ekemma ran out to know what the problem is.
“what is it?”Ekemma asked but before Adaugo could manage an answer, hot wh¡p landed on them both and Ekemma had to run back.
It was Ndulue.
Adaugo cried and scrambled to her feet trying hærd to run into her Hut but the pepper in her eyes wouldn’t let her.
Ndulue held her down and continued wh¡pping her all over.
Ekemma couldn’t even dare intervene or plead because she knew the tables would turn to her if she tries it. She only pitied Adaugo and wondered what she must have done to deserve their Husband’s rot.
Meanwhile, Omasili was in front of her Hut laughing secretly.
Adaugo’s saving grace was “Okeke”, Ndulue’s friend who came visiting.
“Ndulue it’s okay! Ozugo biko(please it’s okay)..”He managed to drag Ndulue from Adaugo who was on the ground crying.
“Hopeless and foolish woman! All u know how to do is to move around the village and gossip.. Prepare my meal is all I ask for but it’s now a burden to you. You’ll walk around the village and come back anytime you like and then serve me food whenever you like.. This is just a tip of the iceberg.. Try this next time and see..”
Turning to face the other wives, he said “Any of u should try this again and see..bunch of useless fools”
He finally followed Okeke to his Obi.
Adaugo sat in front of her Hut sobbing silently with her children who joined her in crying also.
Ekemma seeing that Ndulue was out of ear shots went over to Adaugo.
“Ada what really happened?”
Adaugo explained to her how she went to Ndulue’s Hut to serve his food and he baptized her with it saying she left the house without informing anyone.
“But where went you?”Ekemma asked
“To okoro’s compound..am among the women to prepare ngwongwo”
“You should have at least told either I or Omasili so we’d explain to Nnanyi”
Adaugo said she did tell Omasili before leaving.
Ekemma faced Omasili who sat in front of her Hut still laughing.
“Omasili but you told Nnanyi that u know nothing about Adaugo’s whereabouts”
“biko Mama Nnukwu I am nobody’s maid. Does she expect me to protect her when she made me face Nnanyi’s wrath days ago? Mbanu.. It’s 1-1″She laughed wickedly and this infuriated Adaugo who charged towards her and a fight ensued.
Ndulue and Okeke rushed to the scene as the noise attracted them.
“Oya both of you go into your huts, carry your things and go back to your Father’s house osiso!!”Ndulue shouted and the women separated.
“Are u both deaf? into your huts and out of my compound immediately!! Tell your mothers to teach u manners before you return!”
The women went into their huts in tears.
“enough of these nonsense”Ndulue hissed.
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THE STREAM
Prince Afamefuna went to the stream in company of his 2 guards.. He had started his quest for the search of a wife because he had no one in mind and wasn’t bethrothed to any one.
As he got there, the maidens greeted him as each struggled for him to be noticed..
“Morning handsome Prince of UMUOZARA”Olaedo said courtseying before the Prince.
She was truly a beauty to behold and the prince immediately liked her.
“what is your name?”he asked
“Olaedo”She said charmingly
“WHO are your parents??”He asked further
Her eyes fell as tears filled them
“My Prince am an orphan”She said as the tears dropped
Afam pitied her “am sorry about that..”
“No problems.. It’s been a long time now”She said smiling
Afam was captivated.. “Can we talk for a while outside here?”
“Yes..yes..sure”She said
The other maidens were envious that Olaedo had gotten the prince’s attention but none dare speak a word.
Just as Afam and Olaedo were about to leave the stream, Ulumma and Ebere came to the stream with their water pots..
“Greetings my prince..”They chorused
Afam looked up and his eyes caught Ebere, Ulumma’s older sister.
He stared at her lost in her beauty with all her beautiful physical endowment..
He momentarily forgot that he was about to leave with Olaedo.
Olaedo noticed this and became angry..
She looked at Ulumma who’s eyes was already on her.
Ulumma smiled wickedly at Olaedo while she stared back in extreme anger..
Episode 5
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“My Prince, don’t you think we should get going?”Olaedo said. And only then did the Prince realize he has been staring at Ebere for long.
“Uhmm…..what’s your name again?”He asked Olaedo who was by now really furious. How could the Prince forget her name so soon? However, she kept her cool.
“It’s Olaedo”She said
“Okay, Olaedo can u go back to whatever you were doing?? We’ll talk some other time”He said discharging her with a wave of hand.
Words couldn’t describe how Olaedo felt at that moment. She stared daggers at Ulumma who was still smiling devilishly.. She knew Ulumma was behind the Prince losing his attention to Ebere.
She looked at Ulumma from head to toe before walking away from the Stream in severe anger.
Afam focused his attention on Ebere.
“Am sorry for the delay… Please can we talk for a while?”
Ebere who was oblivious of everything that was happening nodded and handed her water pot to her sister who urged her to go with smiles.
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Olaedo paced to and fro her compound in deep thoughts.. One could see that she was fuming in deep anger…
“How could Nwaala do this to me? How dare her?? Has she forgotten who I am? Ajonwa, daughter of the forest.. The only evil on earth..How can she keep disrupting all my plans?? How?!” She scre-med in anger..
“Oh Nwaala! I will deal with you.. I will spend deal with you.. I will pinch you were it hurts the most.. I can see you now have the mind of mortals..Nwaala, I will deal with you!!”She laughed wickedly.. Turned left and right, stamped her left foot thrice on the ground and disappeared.
She reappeared in,side Asa’s room who was sleeping peacefully with her baby beside her..
Olaedo tiptoed and carried the baby, smiled and disappeared.
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Ulumma was fetching water while waiting for her sister to be done talking with the Prince.. She suddenly started feeling uneasy. Her heart was beating so fast she had to hold her chest for support.
“What could be the problem?”She asked herself.
She slowly filled her water pot and that of her sister.. By then, Ebere arrived having finished talking to the Prince.
“Ebere pls we have to rush home fast.. I’m not feeling very fine”
Ebere looked at her “But you were okay when we arrived here”
“Plz let’s just go home”Ulumma started walking away.. Her heartbeat was too fast now and she prayed silently as she almost ran home..
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“Mother, I think I’ve found someone I want to marry”Afam told his mother as soon as he arrived the Palace and went straight to her chamber..
This news brightened Lolo Akunna’s mood.
“Who’s she?? Who are her parents? Is she from this village?”She was inquisitive
Afam laughed “Calm down Nne, one question at a time.. OK, her name is Ebere, daughter of Okoro and Asa and yes she is from this villlage”
“Oh! Okoro the one who just had a new child”
“Yes, she made mention of that”
Akunna smiled “I don’t know much about them though but I think they’re a reputable family although I’ll still conduct more investigations on them”
“Nne, she’s so beautiful”Afam said
“MY son, you shouldn’t always go after beauty.. The heart of a woman matters more. You should chase the heart and not the face because beauty fades but character is like a solid rock, it never breaks..A good woman would stand by you but a bad one will lead you to ruins..and you too, marry a woman whom you know has only good intentions for you, not only to take on your name and bear you kids.. You must marry a woman you can confide in and take her advice to heart.. Because only a good woman can sustain your marriage”
Afam listened attentively to the words of his mother
“Thank you so much for this piece of advice Nne. I won’t take it for granted”
Tears welled up Akunna’s eyes..
“If only your Father had listened to me..”
“Nne, you kept repeating this statement since Father’s death.. What exactly is the problem?”
Akunna shook her head from left to right.
“The time hasn’t come yet.. When the time comes, the truth will reveal itself.. But I see the clouds have gathered, a mighty storm is about to hit Umuozara… Get ur umbrella ready! Afamefuna nwam, get your umbrella ready..”
Afam looked at his mother in confusion..
“Truth? Clouds? Storm?? Umbrella?? Mother am confused.. What is all these? What umbrellas are u talking about?”
Akunna looked at him and smiled hærd..
“Your wife..”
Tbc