SOMAYINA, the little smart orphan [Chapter 1: A long walk to Udokamma village]

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Welcome to my blog! I am back with another interesting story which I will be dropping in Chapters till we get to the end of the story. I wish you will have the patience to follow along with me as this story will be dropped in a weekly basis and in chapters.

A LONG WALK TO UDOKAMMA VILLAGE

It was a bright Sunday afternoon in April 1989. Ginika, a tall, energetic girl, climbed up the rigorous track road, leading a little boy by the hand as she climbed. The little boy's face was in such a glow that it sparkled through his dark chocolate skin, his teeth glittering like snow. The little boy, who was scarcely seven years old, marched forward like a little soldier. Little step after little step, he climbed, full of unknown expectations. His tiny feet were tied in his slightly under-sized pair of brown sandals. Considering the hot sun, he was overdressed in two layers of native jumpers and a matching pair of trousers.

They had been climbing for about an hour when they reached a hamlet halfway up the hills. This part of Udokamma is called Elkoro, It is Ginika's home, so she was greeted from every nook and cranny. People called her from homes, windows, shops, and doors, and very often from the road. Answering them as she went by, she didn't stop until she reached the end of the hamlet. There, a few small zinc as well as thatch roofed huts lay scattered. Through an open door of the furthest of these huts, a voice called out to her. "Ginika, please wait one moment! I want to speak with you."

As soon as Ginika stood still to wait, the little orphan let go of her hand and promptly sat down on the ground.

"Somayina, are you tired?" Ginika asked.

"No, but I am hot and very hungry," the little boy replied. He only had a few pieces of sliced okpa and water for breakfast. He was obviously hot as a few drops of warm sweat drizzled down his little forehead.

"We shall be up in half an hour if you climb with all your might," Ginika said, trying to encourage her little companion.

A pleasant-looking woman stepped out of the house and hurriedly joined them. The child had risen and wandered behind the two women, who immediately began to gossip.

"Where are you taking this little child, Ginika?" asked the gossiping lady named Monica. "Isn't he my husband's grandson, the one Uzoma, your sister left behind?"

"Yes," Ginika answered. "I am taking him up to his grandmother where I want him to remain."

"You can't really mean to take him there, Ginika. I am sure the old woman will just show you the door without even listening to what you have to say."

"Monica," Ginika called angrily, "maybe I should leave him with you and your blind husband. After all, he is your step grandson."

"No, Ginika, you can not do that," Monica replied quickly. "You know my husband's condition. Besides, I want nothing to do with the boy's weird grandmother. In any case, he will be better off there."

"Eheel, now you agree with me?"

"Yes, Ginika. After all, he is her grandson. It is high time she did something for him. Even the heavens know, you have done your own part. "

"Now you are talking. I have looked after the child all this while, and now I have to look after myself," Ginika murmured. "I have been offered a good job, and this child shall not stop me from accepting it!"
"Serious?" Monica asked curiously.

"Six months ago," continued Ginika, "some oil contractors from Port Harcourt lodged in the guest house where I work. In appreciation for how well I took care of them, they now want me to work for them, for three times my current salary."

"That's a good one!" exclaimed Monica. "But... I am glad I am not the child." she added with a shudder.

"That is not my fault," Ginika howled stubbornly, "she won't do her own grandson any harm."

Sure?" Monica retorted. "

"Well, if she does, she is responsible, not I."

"I wish I knew what weighs on the old woman's conscience. Why are her eyes so fierce? Why does she live up there all alone? No one ever sees her, and we hear many strange things about her. Didn't your sister tell you anything, Ginika?"

"Of course she did, but I shall hold my tongue. She would make me pay for it if I didn't."

Monica seized Ginika's left arm, looked around, and lowered her voice, "I wish you would tell me the truth," she said, "I know you know it all. Tell me, what has the old woman done that has made everybody turn against her? Since I married in this village, she has not been friendly to me at all. Did she always hate her fellow creatures?"

"I can not tell you whether she always did. She is sixty-five years old, and I am only twenty-six. You can't expect me to give you an account of her early youth. Why not get the information from your husband? Being her ex-husband, he has all the information you want"

"Unfortunately, my husband does not even let me say a word about her. He still has great regards for her. I believe he still loves her."

"Okay Monica, if you'll promise to keep the story to yourself and not set the whole village talking, I can tell you a good deal."

"How can you talk like that, Ginika?" Monica hissed, "people do not gossip much in Udokamma. Besides, I can always keep things to myself if I have to. You won't regret having told me anything, I assure you!"

"All right...the old woman and my mother grew up together in Obodoeze village so my mother knew much about her past... BUT keep your word!" said Ginika, warningly.

Monica nodded confidently. "Why is the poor woman named Egonna? That means father's wealth? Did she or her father once have money?" Monica curiously asked.

"I should say so. Being the only child of the village chief, she was born a princess and heiress to a large estate. Her family owned a lot of properties and farms in Obodoeze. Growing up, she began to play the beautiful princess. As a result, she soon lost everything to fashion, jewelleries, gambling, and drink. She was wayward until she sold everything off and was eventually defrauded by con men. Her parents died with grief, and she disappeared, most likely in shame. After many years, she returned to Obodoeze with your husband and a half-grown boy, their son, Obinna."

"That's Somaiya's father? Monica interrupted.

"Yes. He became a carpenter and turned out to be a quiet, steady fellow, but many strange rumours went round about the woman and your husband. I think that was why they left Obodoeze and relocated to Udokamma."

"What happened to Obinna, Somayina's father?" asked Monica eagerly.

"Just wait. How can I tell you everything at once?" exclaimed Ginika. "Obinna was an apprentice in Kafan- chan. When he was made a master, he came home to the village and married my sister Uzoma. They had always been fond of each other. They lived very happily as husband and wife. But their joy was very short. Two years later, when Obinna was helping to build a house, a beam fell on him."

"And he died?"

"Of course, he died," continued Ginika. "After that traumatic experience, Uzoma was thrown into a violent fever with grief and fright and never recovered from it. Only a few months after Obinna's death, we buried Uzoma. Poor unlucky ones! May God bless their souls," Ginika stammered emotionally as she shook her head and continued her story.

"People said that heaven had punished Egonna for her misdeeds. After the death of her son, no one spoke to her, and she never spoke to any living soul. Suddenly, she abandoned Clement, her husband, and moved up to the end of the village to live there in isolation from man and in conflict with God. My mother and I took Somayina, Uzoma's little one-year-old, to live with us. When I went to Owerri, I took him with me; but like I said, I have done my own bit for him. I can beat my chest and say that loudly."And now you want to hand him over to that same terrible old woman? I still wonder how you can do that, Ginika, " said Monica reproachfully.

"Like I said, I do not know where else to take him, and as you can see, he is too young to come with me to Port Harcourt. By the way, Monica, where are you going? We are halfway across your house already."

"Oh, thanks for reminding me!" exclaimed Monica as she turned back.

Monica was known by the whole Udokamma as a very feeble-minded individual. She was born with a little bit of brain disability, but she was not mad in any way. Clement took her in after Egonna abandoned him, after the death of Obinna and other misfortunes befell him.

Not long after that, Clement suddenly became blind. He was under a curse! Egonna thought. The news of his sudden blindness seemed to prove her right.

"Well, Ginika, I wish you luck on your meeting with Egonna. I hope you meet her in a human mood."

"I hope so. Thank you, my sister," Ginika replied as she walked along. "Goodbye."

"Greet Egonna for me, please." Monica added.

"She will definitely hear," replied Ginika, holding Somayina by the hand. "Greet Clement, too."

"Oh, I will!" Monica exclaimed.

The two ladies finally bid each other farewell and parted ways.

End of chapter one see you next week in chapter two.

I am @udyliciouz