The atmosphere felt hot and choking but it didn’t seem so because it had just finished raining cats and dogs. The smell of a burning bush was staunch in the air and the chickens clucked around the area searching for food. Birds perched on the trees hoping to find insects to eat.
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Okpara village was known for its huge harvests and festivals and the people looked forward to the Yam festival that was bound to happen in a few days. Villagers looked forward to the dance of lovers which involved a man and a woman coming out to dance at the village square; whoever won would be awarded a farmland.
It was the beginning of the harvesting season and farmers hurriedly rushed back home to their families hoping to spend time with their lovers or wives. Emeka was lucky enough to have his lover by his side even if they were hiding from passers-by under the mango tree. He felt giddy and excited to spend time with the love of his life even if it was for an hour.
Uche stared lovingly at her man and wondered how she was able to capture his heart without having to stress, unlike other girls who roamed the streets yearning for his attention. Emeka didn’t heed their advances as he had only Uche on his mind right from childhood. He loved her greatly and she felt the same too.
“Why are you looking at me like that? Is there any leaf on my head?” Emeka queried, dusting his head. She laughed at his antics and held onto his hand. Their hands fit in perfectly which caused a small smile to grace his face.
“There’s nothing wrong, my love. Can’t I look at the love of my life anymore?” She mumbled, feigning annoyance. He chuckled at her attitude and placed a peck on her cheek. Uche blushed and battered her eyelashes at him.
Their love was forbidden by both parents because Emeka was ten years older than Uche but as they say, love has no boundaries.
“What lie did you tell your mother that she allowed you to leave the house?” He questioned, drawing her further into his arms. He avoided resting on the tree because of the soldier ants patrolling back and forth on the stems and branches.
They were seated on the ground with a wrapper laid flat to protect them from the wet ground. The moon peeked at them like one sharing in on a secret and covered them. People passed and whispered among themselves; they knew the couple and wondered how they were able to meet each other when their family was strongly against their union.
“I told her I was going to see Uloma. She knows I lied to my mother to see you so I’m sure she’s going to cover up for us.” Uche ate the oranges and licked the juice running down her arms.
Emeka looked on worried and skeptical. He had never trusted her best friend; Uloma. There was something about her that made him have second thoughts about their friendship, he couldn’t just explain it.
“Sweetheart, why do you look worried? Is everything okay or is it because I mentioned Uloma?” Uche demanded, looking unhappy.
“Just forget about it, my love.”
“Let’s elope together and escape from everything.” She turned her face towards him, awaiting his response.
Uloma stood behind the bushes looking at them with haughty eyes and a sinister smile, anticipating all her efforts to go according to plan. To her, she loved Emeka first so she should have been the one in his arms at the moment not Uche. Unbeknownst to them, she harbored immense hatred towards Uche and had sworn to destroy their relationship even if it cost her friendship with Uche.
Uche’s mother took long strides as she marched forward to the unknowing couple. A resounding slap landed on Emeka’s face which caused Uche to shriek loudly.
“Mama, how could you? Why did you do that?” She held onto his face as he nursed his pain.
Her mother looked at them with utter disgust and hissed loudly. “What do you mean by that? Are you in your right senses? I thought I and your father had warned you to stay away from this riffraff. Why do you want to bring disgrace to our family? Now, let’s go back and prepare for your engagement party.” She retorted and pointed down the road.
Emeka looked at her in disbelief; hurt and betrayed. “Emeka, it isn’t what you think? This is what I was trying to explain to you, I’m sorry. This is my reason for coming here to meet you.” She begged profusely.
He covered his face in shame; the woman he had given everything to was getting married to another man without informing him. He didn’t know what to believe anymore at the moment. All he wanted was to wake up from this nightmare called reality.
“It’s exactly what it seems like. So, you didn’t tell him that you have a young suitor asking for your hand in marriage?”
“Mama, stop making it worse!”
“Shut up now and let’s go or else I’ll inform your father about this reckless act of yours this night.” Mama dragged her along the road, wailing.
Uche’s eyes swept past the bushes; under the moonlight, staring at her was Uloma with a satisfied look and folded arms.