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IFEGI-OKU (WEEK 23) - "At Last-The Rules of Us" Part 4 of 5 |
WEEK 23: AT LAST – THE RULES OF US, Part 4 of 5
Shaking his head, Obi lets her go
"Amaka, you lie, your will is not mine.
Too confident besides, a sin in a girl.
But I didn't come here to speak of that."
Obi walks over to a shrub of herbs
Tears a handful, then sits on the ground
He grinds the herbs on a nearby stone
Adds spit to the mixture from time to time
Ifegi-oku watches her father closely
He appears completely a different man
When the mixture is ready for application
He smears it gently around her neck
"A father shall not lay his hand to hurt
A child he made of his very own loins,
Though willful and sinful she may be!
So it is written in the Rules Of Us.
"Should he do this, he owes recompense
And must, therefore, do as she bids.
Be swift, Amaka, and think carefully.
A moment hence, I'll care for no rules."
Done with the mixture, Obi stands up
Looks down on her who watches him still
He shudders to look into her small beady eyes
Did she have to favor his dead mom so
Ifegi-oku quickly looks away
Reminding herself not to stare at him so
There's only one thing she needs to know
How would it be if she asks it again
"I shall like to know only one thing …"
Anticipating it, Obi howls
A sound of pain, bitterness and scorn
The child is immediately sorry again
"Will you never learn to let things go?
I tell you, child, you're plagued with sins.
Like my mother who died the day you came.
May The Gods above shatter her soul.
"But alas, I am bound by the Rules Of Us.
Curse The Gods and their wicked wisdom!"
Obi wishes dearly to be done with it
He sighs heavily then begins to speak
(to be continued)
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