Chapter 3: Fated Love

M

orning came with the sound of a gong and the shrewd voice of what seemed to be an elderly man, announcing the dance of the queen, beckoning on all the youth to assemble at the palace by evening to participate in the dance of the queen. "Egwu mgbakorita Asandu" (The communal dance of Asandu).

All youths of Obodochi were to assemble at the Queen's court at dusk to commenced the dance that was to reveal the one whom the queen would marry. What confused me was the fact that both male and females were mandated to attend, would the queen also be picking a wife?.

I had just sat up when I noticed Ure admiring herself by the mirror, she was dressed on full epic regalia, dark colored fabrics tied in several knots by her breasts, and a broader one over her hips. She looked stunning but that wasn't the reason my mouth was agape for that long, in front of her stood a 9ft 60 inches reflector, I can't call it a mirror, cause it didn't look like one, it was so vast and so tall, breath taking and majestic, it looked like the suspension of crystals. In all my years of attending art exhibitions I had never seen anything like it before. The slight thought of art exhibitions reminded me of how far away from home we were. Home, it never really felt like one, now here I am in this strange land and I feel like I'm home, home! That's how it feels here.

Ure had just noticed me awake when she smiled from the mass of crystal beauty, "Awele!

Look what the epic man gave to me, isn't it just glorious? " beaming, she turned hastily so I would see clearly, "stunning! .....Absolutely stunning "

I haven't always been one to be generous with compliments or flattery, but Ure made it so easy, she had always been the only one who had the capacity to draw this part of me out to the open, every inch of my body tingled at the sudden thought of Obiamarachi the epic man like Ure would say, now he may also draw a few of these nice words from me.

"Get up and out of those clothes, get changed into these and come out with me he is waiting!" Ure shouted unable to contain her excitement.

Snapping out of my haze I asked if she took a bath, I might be in an awfully comfortable time lapse but I sure as hell wasn't staying sticky.

Smiling she tugged at my arm and dragged me through the door, we walked for a bit, not using the front door we had passed through the night before, I noticed things I didn't see before, but that didn't Amaze me as much as the size of this compound, it looked more like a Villa the more we walked.

We stopped in front of a small pond and I thought I'd die from holding my breath!

The sight before me would win an intercontinental art competition if captured, the small mass of crystal clear water was surrounded by the weirdest and prettiest flower beds I had ever seen! I couldn't believe it, the movies had it so wrong! So wrong!

I don't know if it was the stickiness around my thighs or just plain fatigue, but I almost didn't realize how quickly I had peeled my clothes off, they weren't tight so....

I Stepped into the pond and it felt like I was in heaven, "this really is the land of the gods" I said to myself.

I had just finished tying the loose fabrics to my body, I tried to make them as loose fitting as possible, my indefinite addiction to lose clothes definitely followed me through the portal walking through entrance and feeling uneasy about how revealing my outfit was, I lifted my head to meet his gaze and everything in his eyes settled me and aroused me at the same time, his eyes shone with an immediate excitement at the discovery that I also had woman parts, I wonder why I had originally concluded that he didn't notice, Ure was trying her best to communicate with him in the little Igbo she could, He looked amused.

Ure must have noticed he wasn't paying attention anymore, cause I felt more than two eyes on me now, Amazed she literally flew to me screaming. "Awwwwn Awele! You look glorious, I didn't think you could ever look this feminine. ...and I've always thought you beautiful!" Ure said excitedly.

She walked round me then kissed my cheeks and squirmed "amazing!" ..."now we look like two regular epic girls"

I had almost forgotten what his voice sounded like when he said, "Nne, ee maka nno."

("Dear, you're very beautiful")

My sister had said it, but it sounded more assuring when he did, hot and cold awareness traveled through my body, I wondered if anyone else noticed my reaction to him, if anyone else saw how excited this strangely familiar stranger made me feel, how a man I had met yesterday in an irregular situation seemed like someone I had known all my life, like someone I had loved all! My life. Is this what love at first sight felt like?

No!

This isn't a love at first sight thing, this feeling happens by the seconds....every second around this man was bliss, sweet, scary, moist bliss!

Obiamarachi had gone to gather food ingredients before dusk, as was his habit when he met a fabric merchant who had feminine fabrics for sale, he had purchased some for his guests. He had just gotten home when the younger one awoke, he was not ready to disclose his ability to understand and speak their language yet so he communicated with signs and demonstrations.

He had just showed the pond to her when he realized that she too had a beautiful smile, very radiant but it didn't seem to have the same effect as that of the other sister, Awele he still had to get used to the ring of the name, it seemed everything about her aroused him in washer didn't think was possible. He had left the fabrics with her and left to cook, the only way he could keep his sanity in check at the moment.

He had spent his Twenty-sixth year in Obodochi warding off advances from beautiful women all around, who was to say that the one who'd stop his breathing and almost tore his torso linen would be the one whose hair was shorter than that of a widow who was done mourning, or that they'll have locks similar to his, the fact that her choice of clothing was big enough to clothe half the women in Obodochi. The thought of her in all those masses of clothing made him smile, and smiling he didn't see Enyichi walk in. He had gone to AmaEze to purchase new traps for their bush meat hunts, ever since Enyichi had come visiting, he had stayed with Obiamarachi in hopes that one day he'd give up and return with him. Walking in he looked quite built, tall not as tall as Obiamarachi, but tell enough to be considered mind blowing, his hair was a short afro and wasn't as curly when compared to Obiamarachi's locks.

They had just exchanged pleasantries when Uremma walked in, visibly taken aback by her beauty and eloquence, Enyichi tried to make her acquaintance but realizing she didn't understand a thing he said looked at Obiamarachi with amazed relief and queried

"Biko gwam na o ihe m na eche na Obu!"

(please tell me that this is what I'm thinking it is)

"Ndi anyi ji maka ha biri? ....olilianya Obodochi? "

(the ones for whose sake we live?.... The hope of Obodochi?)

"O bu ha? "

(Is it them?)

"Ha abiago? "

("have they come") Enyichi queried.

Unable to hide his excitement when Obiamarachi signaled in the affirmative, he jumped and departed intending to get some wine.

Enyichi had picked up a few hobby's during his stay, most of which were considered vices, he drank when excited and when sad.... When disappointed and when fulfilled, and whenever the drinks were not enough he'd burn some intoxicating plants.

He was popular amongst the ladies, quite a charmer he was, considered beautiful by more than half of Obodochi, he was quite generous with his smile and all round beauty, giving a piece to each as he went.

He had just left when Awele exited the house to join Uremma and Obiamarachi, Ure had been trying her best to find out what had just happened, who the fine young man was and what he was raving about, but by the time Awake stepped out looking absolutely breathtaking, or maybe it was just in his head he thought. Does he really have to wait any longer to fulfill destiny? ...can't he just take this woman in his arms and take her with him to the heavens their merging promised, something told him that by the way she looked at him she wouldn't mind this arrangement at all, nor would she question it.

He felt sorry that she was probably feeling a truckload of inexplicable emotions that she couldn't grasp and he could do little or nothing to ease her confusion.

They were all seated and eating from a bowl of fresh corn pudding he had made, filled with minced bush meats and smoked fish, it was evident on both their faces that never in their lives had they tasted anything as phenomenal as this, who's to be blamed for their amazement anyways, half the people who taste Obiamarachi's meals cry as they do, forget that he was a deity, his cooking skills were godly!

Enyichi returned just as the plates were being cleared, he hadn't met Awele before, so in the absence of Obiamarachi he introduced himself as Obiamarachi's younger brother and Awele reciprocated, with Awele interpreting, the three of them were having a conversation trying to familiarize when Obiamarachi returned with cups of water for them to drink, he stood afar for a bit and observed their conversation and how swiftly Awele handled their new acquaintance his face curved with a smile and he walked over to them and handing them the cups said "Afum na unu na Nwannem Nwoke Amatago, obarozi uru ikowa onye obu. Amam na okojugo unu isi." He said.

("I see you've met my brother, there's no need re- introducing him. I know he has filled your heads with his nonsense") He said.

Smiling Awele replied, "odimma na anyi Matara ya, iwe ewekwala gii, mana Kedu Mgbe Anyi GA aga hu ndi ga enyere anyi aka Chota uzo anyi si aloghachi ebe Anyi si bia?"

(it's been nice meeting him, not to annoy you, but when are we going to go meet the people who'll help us find our way home?)

Enyichi looking at Obiamarachi stunned asked... " obu na ha Amarokwam? "

(Didn't they know?)

Obiamarachi visibly uncomfortable with how the conversation was edging on said

Looking at Awele "Nne, ee ga Enweobere ndidi, Ndi Nduobodochi abughi ndi ana aga ahu etua, eziga go m Ozi si na anyi choroifu ha. Anyi GA echere ka ha kpo Anyi ka Anyi nweike GA fu ha. Onwere ka lolo Asandu si wee nu maka nzuko anyi na ha, Ezigbo Nsogbu GA adi na obodochi"

(Dear, you'll have to be patient, the council of obodochi can't just be consulted like that, I have sent word declaring our intentions of meeting them, we would have to wait to be summoned before we can go see them. If the queen Asandu hears about this meeting there will be grave danger in Obodochi.)

Confused but unable to argue with the man who had been helping them since they walked into this unknown place, she shrugged and asked "Nsogbu Adiro, kedukwanu ihe anyi ga na eme tupu ha akpo anyi oku?"

("No problem, but what will we be doing until we are called upon?") Awele asked further.

Relieved that they had reached an accord, he smiled and said "Anyi ga ebidogodi na ikuziri nwanne gi Asusu igbo, maka ihea o na asu GA etinye ya na Nsogbu na ala"

( "We'll start by teaching your sister to speak out language, because if she speaks like this she'll get into trouble in this land") He replied.

"cherekwa, Kedu onye bu eze unu?"

("wait, who's your king?") Awele asked

Keduzikwanu ihe unu ji aturu lolo unu egwu etua?" Awele asked.

(And why are you so afraid of your queen?)

"Nne Nkea bu akuku ifo mbochi ozo"

(dear, that's folk tale for another day)

"maka ugbua, tupu Anyi Enwe nzuko Anyi na ndi Ndu, onye juo ebe isi maobu onye unu bu, Anyi ga asi ha na unu si AmaEze bia, na o bu gi ka Nnam, manyere na m GA alu site na nwata"

(for now, before our meeting with the council, if anyone asks where you're from or who you are, we'll tell them that you're from AmaEze, and it is you to whom my father had betrothed me from childhood)

Unwilling to contend the arrangement, she nodded her approval.

When he said we'll tell everyone we were from AmaEze, I could well understand that, perfectly. But then he said we were betrothed, I don't think he or anyone else noticed the effects those words had on me, my thoughts lingered from Fantasy to fantasy. I imagined having to look in love with him, that wasn't at all a problem. I could well fill those shoes at any point anywhere, did he find me attractive too? Is he really willing to have everyone believe we were getting married?

What happens if we don't find our way out of here, will we have to get married then?

Would he want to?

I was certain I'd jump on the first nuptial arrangement with this man!

It had barely been two days I've known him, but every stare he sends my way, the slightest brush of his skin against mine sends waves and waves of awareness down my spine.

It feels like I don't even need to see him to know he has arrived, yet all I wanted was to see him...

"Awele! Shall we go and look around? I don't know how long we'll be here, but I want to take pictures before my camera dies.... I want to see everything!

Oh! Ask the Epic man if we can see the palace?

If a regular man's house looked like this, I wonder what the palace looks like, it must be epic glory! "

My sister's optimism gave me hope and strength, apart from the reassurance Obiamarachi's presence brought me, this young woman's smiles also kept my faith alive, we'll be fine....we'll be just fine!

As if he understood what she was saying he glanced at us and said

"Enwere egwu onwa na Obi lolo Asandu na abalia, aganuberom mbu maka onye obula anubeghi nwanyi maobu enweghi onye o ga alu gara ebea nwerike ibu dii maobu nwunye lolo Asandu, Aghotarom ihe O ji alu ma Nwoke ma nwanyi.

Mana ebe obula unu noo ebea, Anyi ga aga, maoburu na unu kwemunkwa na unu ama hapu ee no mu na Nwannem na akuku"

("there's a moonlit dance to take place at the queens abode this evening, I have never attended because whoever goes there unmarried or not betrothed may be chosen as her husband or wife, I still don't understand why she needs to marry both genders.") Obiamarachi said.

But because you're both here, well go, if you promise to stay by mine and my brother's side)

Ure agreed to the arrangement and so did I, I would also love to see what the palace looked like, and no way in hell was I leaving this fine man's side... Never, well, at least not while I'm still here.

Unwilling to leave us by ourselves, we all went to the forest together to check his traps, on our way, we met several people who questioned our origin and some others who just stared, the path was narrow but wide, wide enough for a water tanker and a Lexus jeep to pass through together, we went through thick bushes before we saw another building, this area could be considered an epic estate for people who liked to live alone.

The houses we saw were sometimes bigger than the one we slept in, but not once did I come across one whose architecture wasn't stunning, the only similarity between all of them was that they were made of stones and sticks and mud and roofed with dry palm fronds and of course some sticks. They were all distinct in their own special way, each captivating on its own, sometimes more captivating than the former.

Seeing these houses made me wonder what the palace would look like, we arrived the forest, and I felt a sense of calm. The breeze there was different, it felt like the heavens were open and deities alighting. Obiamarachi must have noticed my reaction because he walked up to me smiling. I was focused on Enyichi showing Ure how to open the trap without getting hurt, when he tapped my back and his fingers lingered for a bit, I was sure the goose bumps I had were very visible at this point, they had to be because his smile broadened then he said "ee ma ihe ana akpo anu anyi jidere?"

("Do you know what that meat is called?")

"Anu nchi" I answered quite unsure.

("Grass cutter") I answered quite unsure.

He released a slight laughter and corrected me.

"Mgbada" he said with an air of superiority.

"Deer" he said with an air of superiority.

I laughed too, they meant the same thing in English, I didn't think he knew that...

He looked me in the eye and reaching in his side sack, made of animal skin and stringed with loosely woven yarns probably of jute fiber but colorful nonetheless, looking at the meat Enyichi had separated from the trap, I didn't need telling that the bag was made from a successful hunt, gave me an anklet made of strange looking choral beads and asked that I wear them to the dance later, I noticed he was wearing a similar one and asked if it will show our betrothal, he affirmed and I let him put it on.

By the time we left the forest it was almost dusk, we got to his compound and got ready for the dance, he had given a basket full of colorful fabrics to Ure and I, it took me a while to sort through to find the darkest colors, facing the crystal reflector tied it to my body as artistically as I possibly could.

He hadn't held back on his compliments today, but as we were about to leave, a raggedy old man dressed in a long colorful robe held together by the waist with a white and red belt walked in, his body was covered in tattoos judging by the way he leaned on his walking stick and the wrinkles on his face and body, he must be in his late 90s or so.

Sighting him from afar, Obiamarachi and Enyichi ran towards him in unison taking his bag and getting him a stool, he sat down and stared at us for a bit, his stare was old and intent, like he was trying to distinguish between us, Obiamarachi signaled for us to come closer then he introduced him as his grandfather, the priest of Ogwugwu! Kneeling down as I had seen in the movies I greeted him and Ure followed suit, looking intensely at my neckpiece he addressed me as Awele..... then he pointed his wobbly finger at Uremma and said "Nkea ga abu Uremma, ee yiri nne gi nno"

("This must be Uremma, you look exactly like your mother")

"okwesiri ekwesi, ebe o bu gii na aza aha ya"

("it's paramount, since you also have her name,") he added.

I was confused and amazed at the same time, this man knew our mother, he knew our names just by looking at our neck pieces.

Considering that this was the only thing our mother had explained came from our roots and defined our royal background, it made me wonder, is this where we are from,

Did walking through the portal not take us away from out home... Did it just rather bring us home?

Why does this place and the people in it feel so familiar and comfortable?

Why does it seem like all the answers I needed lay with this raggedy old man, whom I define as raggedy not because he looked like a pauper, if anything he looked regal enough to be mistaken for a king in one of those epic movies I've seen, something about his eyes tells me that in his youth, women didn't kneel before him only because he was a priest.

Would he answer all my questions?

Would he tell me what I haven't been told?

Would he?