Chapter 11: The Birthday

W

hen I came to, surrounded in grasses of different fibers and sizes, the sudden realization that if I was alive Uremma must have died weakened my bones. We had to flee to the forest to deliver, as Asandu had become more vehement in her threats and promises of terror.

My mum sat by a heap of dry grasses holding one child wrapped in loosely woven jute, the waves were in harmony and the birds chirping peace into the nerves of the weary. On that day, I was wary in the flesh and in the soul. The soft melodies had done nothing to calm me.

Uremma's body lay stiff at an edge, I sat I'll to find two strong looking men digging her final place of abode. My sister deserves more is all I could think of, she shouldn't be buried like a dog. But buried she was, but not before Pa Dike had blessed her journey into the beyond.

Pa Dike had tied neck pieces just like the ones Ure and I wore to their necks, each bearing their names, names chosen by their fate carved in ancient Igbo marks.

To the one who was born alone was given "Ugochi" (The pride of the gods)

To the second, second of the twin was given "Amarachi" (The grace of the gods)

To the third, the first of the twin was given "Ebubechi " (The glory of the gods)

He said each name as he tied the neckpiece to them, and with each name calling came thunder and lightning, as blinding as it was deafening.

And because it was written and had been prophesied. Goodbyes were rendered foreheads kissed, baby hands grabbed in heart slashing moments of deep weeping. And before the twilight arrived, the same route as my Obiamarachi I took also.

Dressed as I was when I first came, the baggiest of exotic jeans and hair as short and as curly as the first day my journey began.

Up the hill and across the lake, through the forest and up to the caves. Heavy were my legs but heavier was my heart, wobbly my soul and dry was my tears. But walk I did, through the first, then the second all the way to the seventh, the waves and the glow alike, currents blaring and roaring at once, with a child in one hand, the second of the two I took. And a sack of gold coins in the other, I walked through the portal thinking of the day I had walked through the other side of it, hand in hand with my sister, but on that day. No more was she alive!

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It's been 22 years since I walked through the portal with Amarachi, I had continued to teach history at the museum of art and culture. Yes we had arrived at the same reserve from which we had disappeared. Everyone still wonders where my sister went, or how I now have a child, but these explanations I couldn't give, Amarachi graduated two years ago from the University of Nigeria Nsukka, Department of Mass communication. The gold coins I took with me generated enough income for us to be comfortable enough. I had started an art gallery and painted my soul away. Now a very successful painter and popular for my cold and emotionless demeanor, I had become a member of the elite society, life was easy. A little too easy.

Today she resumes work as a TV presenter, it had always been her dream, seeing her all dressed up looking all womanly and responsible made my heart swell a heap!

I thought about Ebubechi and Ugochi, and in spurs of pain and agony, my heap dispersed, I wondered how they were fairing, Ebubechi is probably identical to Amarachi.

Every now and then they are moments when her powers are evident and I wonder just how much longer before the rest of the prophesy comes to pass. On several days she tells me of dreams that I know are visions of things to come. On some days I find her practicing telekinesis, I wanted to explain to her, to tell her everything and let her know, but the burden of the stories I have carried for so long will also be hers to bear, so hush I did and oblivious she was. Our lives were peaceful, or at least it was so, until that faithful morning!

Dressed in the same loosely woven fibers I had long ago known as comfortable and adorned with cowries, a complete replica of my sister I found by my doorstep, drained from What seemed like the journey of a century,

Sprawled across the floor like a dead lion shot dead in the dead of the night, Ugochi.

My head spin with questions that couldn't be answered, emotions that could not be expressed!

Thoughts I couldn't speak of.

Fear gripped my stomach?

If they are here, it means the time is near...

How would they react to my leaving?

People had gotten so used to seeing me cold and emotionless, if anyone saw my face right now my hard core cover would be blown, but I gave not a care.

I wanted to gather her in my arms and kiss her foreheads swollen, I had so much to ask her!

So much to tell her.

So much!

She was unconscious and alone, my heart ached.

According to the prophesy, she was to come with Ebubechi, where is Ebubechi?

Where is my Ebubechi?

*** To be continued. ***