THE TEST
I carried my pieces of luggage with tears flowing from her eyes uncontrollably. I was flummoxed by the whole event that occurred.
I had no Mother – my mother died many years ago.
I got home after being beaten by the sweltering sun.
My father asked me why I visited them on this scorching afternoon with my pieces of baggage as it was unusual.
I couldn't speak. I was struck dumbed. I was tongue-tied and couldn't stand the pace.
"Papa let's sit down first "Okonkwo, my younger brother said as he held me to the chair.
"My daughter tell me what happened, why are you here with your luggage? Since you got married you haven't visited with this kind of luggage" my father said with his eyes on the stalks.
Then I narrated everything to them. My father was down in the dumps while Okonkwo got a face like a wet weekend.
“You're very stupid, it was your fault” Take your belongings and leave this house this minute" my father roared like a lion.
I couldn't stop crying. My heart indeed sunks. Okonkwo was frozen, he cuddled and told me to stop crying and that everything will be fine.
Okonkwo tried to beg Papa to welcome me to the house but Papa wouldn't just listen - his head was burning hot like fire.
I made my way out of the house under the hot sun and with the last Kobo I had, I went to Onitsha to stay with my Aunty - Nnenna.
Nnenna, my Aunty was a businesswoman. She had a cosmetic shop in Onitsha. She is married and she had four children.
She welcomed me with smiles all over her face when I entered her house that day, in the evening.
She gave me a queer look when she saw the pieces of luggage I was carrying.
"What happened?" She asked, "Why did you come with this kind of bag?"
My face turned grim instantly. It was so gloomy that Nnenna suspected that my father had bitten the dust.
Then, I sat on the couch. She read my lips as I was telling her all that transpired.
She stopped in dead tracks. Her mouth was completely open in astonishment.
She said that Eric was a bonehead. That he is a bootlicking servant.
"Have you spoken to Papa about this" Nnenna asked?
“Yes, I have done that” I replied “I even went to the village but Papa did not welcome me”
“Wow!” she exclaimed, "Let me come".
Nnenna went inside. My eyes were all over the sitting room because it was so beautiful. The upholstery furniture there was classic.
Instantly, Nnenna came out wearing a pair of jeans. She invited her muscled gate man who pushed me out.
"You want to snatch my husband away from me"
She was screaming as he threw my pieces of luggage at me.
I sighed in grief.
I hoped to see a caravan transversing so that I can put an end to this rejection.
To be continued...
