The only thing Amaka had in her head was getting married to Fred but the worst news she has ever heard is that she won’t be getting married to Fred. After visiting Fred’s family, cooking for them and spending the whole of two days with his family, Fred’s mum, Mrs Agala have now decided that Amaka can’t get married to her son.
Babe what are you saying? I’m sure it’s not your mum who said this. Have you forgotten that I spent days at your house, helped your mum in the kitchen and we all had a nice time?, this is to show how surprised and devastated Amaka felt when her supposed fiancé, Fred broke the sad news to her.
It’s so surprising that she even cooked a meal for the whole family and they all told her how much they liked her meal but what could the problem be?
She hasn’t given me any specific reason. I pleaded with her to at least tell me anything but she remains adamant so I don’t know what to say, Fred loves Amaka as well but how come his mother doesn’t want them together. Surely, there is more to it.
After numerous trials of Fred trying to convince his mum about his marriage proposal to Amaka, Amaka traveled all the way from Lagos to Imo state, Free’s village to visit Fred’s family for the second time and maybe get to know why she won’t be allowed to marry the man of her dreams.
She was surprised by how she was welcomed. It felt like a carnival planned for just her.
Isn’t this the same woman whom Fred told me that she doesn’t want me to get married to him? How come she’s being nice?, Amaka asks herself but instead of saying such out, she played along with Fred’s family and acted like Fred didn’t her anything concerning the marriage.
On her first visit, she was served a full bowl of Pounded Yam and White Soup but this time, she was served a bowl of Fufu and Egusi soup.
That got Amaka more confused. The more she gets confused, the more she swallows her Fufu while waiting for Fred’s mother to tell her the reason why she can’t get married to her son.
I can’t come all the way from Lagos to Imo state and not finalize if I’ll be getting married to Fred or not, she said to herself.
Night came so fast and Amaka was given the biggest room in the house to sleep in. She was even treated better than the first time when she came. Still, she expected Fred’s mum to tell her why she won’t be able to get married to Fred.
Amaka’s mind was at peace already that every family member loves and wants her to get married to Fred since she was welcomed better than the first time.
As early as 6:00 am in the morning, Amaka hears a knock on her door. It was Fred’s mum. I think it’s time to know why she may not marry Fred.
Amaka, my girl. How was your night? Did Fred tell you anything about our tradition or what I told him to tell you? Fred’s mum asked while yawning which made it clear that she was still very much asleep before coming into the room where Amaka was.
Yes ma’am. I was shocked when he relayed the message to me that you said we both can’t get married to each other after how far we’ve come, Amaka’s eyes started becoming teary. She never wants to remember that scene where Fred told her that they can’t get married to each other.
You’re right. In this family, it is a taboo for a man to marry a woman who doesn’t know how to make Oha soup, that’s the craziest thing she has heard in a while. What’s the relationship between soup and marriage?
Soup? she asked again and Fred’s mother nodded her head.
In the history of our village, there was a Queen who never knew how to make Oha soup which is the most cherished soup in our village. While her husband was dying, Oha soup was the last thing he requested for but she could not make it for him. Since then, every woman who wants to get married to a man from this village must know how to make Oha soup but when I asked, you said you don’t know how to make it and that’s why you can’t get married to him, Fred’s mother said to Amaka.
At that time, Amaka could do anything just to make sure that she and Fred gets married to each other. She spent two extra days in the village learning how to make the almighty Oha soup and finally, she got it right.
That was the only ticket to getting married to Fred which she successfully had and they finally got married to each other.