It's July. That time of the year when the heavy storm blows before the rain. And as usual, the storms have started raging again. The meteorological department has predicted that the storms will be heavier than we have seen in past years.
Mazi Okonkwo and his wives who lived in the middle of the village have had a fair share of poverty. The house where they live is an inheritance from Okonkwo's great grandfather.
As a professional palm wine rapper, his income is so low that it could barely take care of his exigencies, let alone that of his wives and four children.
Adaugo, Mazi Okonkwo's first wife with her two children lives in the first hut, on the right-hand side of the compound when you enter from the raffia tree hand-made gate.
Their first son Izuchukwu has a thing for school. Against all odds, he would ensure to be in school. His first inspiration was when he met with a young black doctor who had been sponsored by the missionary society to give free treatment to all Ekeocha dwellers. From that day, he was determined to give schooling all it takes.
Behind Mazi Okonkwo's house, the main building is the hut of his second wife who had three children in quick succession. Chikelu loved her three children so dearly like an average mother but she would never allow them to learn the white man's culture. So, none of the three children attended the four walls of a school.
She made sure they enrolled in one craft or the other. Her first child, Nneka was into bead making while Nonso and Obi were into wood business and bead making respectively.
Chikelu's children, having completed their apprenticeship, started their own businesses and were making ends meet. But Izuchukwu was waiting to get the results from the ministry of education in the big city that would see if he qualifies to study medicine and surgery in the University college, Ibadan.
Before the results were released, Chikelu had started making some annoying gestures against the senior wife, saying that her son can never be productive.
On the eve of the closing date for the admission season at the university, Izuchukwu's letter came. The letter was delayed by the mail distributor for about a month before delivering it.
It was a season of both joy and sorrow for Adaugo. Joy because her chi has finally vindicated her and sorrow because it is all.ost late to begin to arrange for how Izuchukwu would resume school.
When Mazi Okonkwo returned from his palm wine tapping adventures that evening, Adaugo had prepared a sumptuous meal for him, with grass-cutter meat and black mudfish.
What are we celebrating?
Mazi asked his wife, Adaugo.
My husband, why not face the food first before I break the news to you.
Okonkwo washed his hands and sat across the bench to devour the delicacy. As he ate, he was sweating profusely from the back of his head and through his chest. It has been a long time since he had such a great meal from any of bus wife.
After the meal, Adaugo broke the news that was both worrisome and great to Okonkwo.
Nna any, Izuchukwu have been offered admission to study doctor in the university.
The poor tapper cleared his throat in readiness to respond to the news.
That's my son. He took after me. Only that my parents were not buoyant enough to send me to school.
He was so proud that one of his children will be going to the university at last. The only problem was that there was no money to pay for the fees, accommodation, books, and feeding.
Mazi Okonkwo had to go to his friend that night to lend some money to add to what he had with him to ensure that Izuchukwu does not forfeit this admission.
Meanwhile, Adaugo, who had saved up some money, gathered it and gave it to her son before Mazi returned.
She gave the money to Izuchukwu who was packing his clothes and other belongings into his portmanteau in preparation to join the only lorry that would be moving out of Ekeocha.
When Mazi Okonkwo arrives at Ikem his friend's hut and tabled his predicament, his friend asked him to give collateral that would replace the funds if he fails to make refunds as promised.
Without thinking, Mazi gave his land that was at the boundary between Ekeocha and the bordering communities. The two friends shared a bite of kola nut to seal the agreement.
Hastily, Okonkwo rushed back home, trekking back through the dark lonely path. He was surprised to see Adaugo and Izuchukwu still awake.
She stood and asked if he was successful. Mazi replied by bringing out the pouch where the money was kept and handing it to Izuchukwu.
Adaugi danced round and round, singing at the top of his voice. Her joy was that her only son would be going to the university, the first person to achieve that feat in the whole of the region.
The next morning, Izu woke up earlier than ever and washed in the bathing room made with bamboo. This is probably the last time he would be taking his bath in this kind of bathing room. As he poured a bailer of water on his head, the thoughts of how his father, Mazi Okonkwo had exchanged the only family land for his school fees. Again, the double thought of joy and pain flashed through his mind as he rushed out of the bath.
Adaugo had prepared sliced cassava with potash sauce with cow skin and fresh chilli for his breakfast. She would not allow her son to move out that early without food.
Like the flash of light, Izuchukwu was prepared with his metal box or portmanteau on his head as his mother and father followed him in fast steps towards the market square where he would board the lorry to the city then to Ibadan.
The lorry was half full by the time they arrived at the square.
Adaugo started shedding tears of joy as she put her hands on Izu's head and said a word of prayer.
Remember the son of who you are.
She said as and they bade farewell to Izu, then the lorry zoomed off.
Everywhere was busy with registration and collection of mattresses and whatnot. The popular Wande hall is Izu's hostel. He was shocked that the cost of university fees was not as much as they thought. He had enough left over after paying for his tuition, accommodation and acceptance.
Izu was unstable knowing that there was nothing at home. He made up his mind to return home during the weekend when he was on lecture-free periods.
Two weeks later, Izu was back home. When Mazi Okonkwo saw him, his heart pounced to his mouth, thinking his son had come back for more money.
Hi Papa. You are looking healthy.
Izuchukwu said to his father then walked inside. After dropping his haversack, he came out to sit next to his father.
Papa, I will be joining the lorry back to school tomorrow morning.
Okonkwo looked at his son with some kind of dreadful eyes and said:
I don't have money to give you. The one I borrowed, I haven't even thought of paying back.
Izuchukwu smiled at his father, as his mother with a bunch of unripe plantain returning from the farm. He ran quickly to help her with the load.
Papa, There is no need to be worried.
Adaugo sat, looking at her husband. Then Izuchukwu said to them,
Mama, Papa, I didn't come to collect money. I came to return what we borrowed from Mazi Ikem. When I got to school and paid all the necessaries and even got all my books, I had more than what you borrowed from Mazi Ikem.
I could not sleep because my mind was back home. Remembering that our only land is the collateral for my fees.
He took the money and gave it to his father who was looking with his mouth open ajar.
After the first year, Izuchukwu won a scholarship that saw him through school and was a pride for the entire Ekeocha after his housemanship.