Akidi had to bear the pains of having to lose his two children under two years at infancy, he had also buried his parents the same year and now his wife, he couldn't bear the pain again. Sleep was far from him and food was story for another day.
Nwayinma, his wife was all he had, she can't die now. He paced around as he prayed to his "chi" to protect and keep his wife for him.
The midwife came out, took a bowl of water and made it back to the room, it was almost dark. Akidi sat down as several thoughts raced through his mind. He was the only child of his parents and couldn't stand not having his own children, who has he offended, he continued thinking...
At the footstep of the midwife, Akidi startled, jumped up with expectations of good news but the mid wife's face wasn't encouraging.
But she broke the news, "Nwayinma is dead but your son lives". Akidi let out a loud scream which woke the entire kindred, his worst nightmare had come, his heart felt like it was been ripped out with a sharp object, darkness filled every corner of the compound and the dark clouds thickened.
Akidi continued screaming "Ozoemena", he had had enough and continued to question his chi but took solace when he finally beheld the face of his son, the survivor.
**********************
He was named Ozoemena, considering the circumstances surrounding his birth. The year Ozoemena turned five, Akidi fell ill with a strange disease, it was exactly the kind of illness that killed his father and Akidi wouldn't sit back and watch himself die like a helpless chicken. He had decided to consult the oracle of Aro, one of the most powerful deities around, he told his son to get ready as they would set out for their journey the next day at dawn!
#to be continued#
Ifunanya Ononiwu (c) 2016
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