Soul of a partner

Chapter 3

The harmattan winds swept through the Okeke compound in Awka, carrying the dry scent of Anambra's season like _ifufe_ whispering through trees familiar in Nigeria’s cultural landscapes. Ada, a woman who hadn't gone to school and couldn't read or write, moved quietly, helping Nneoma prepare breakfast – _akara_ fried in palm oil filled the air with familiar smells in the compound fitting morning _ụzọ ndụ_ (lifeways) Awka knew.

Dozie's message came from London; Chijioke fetched his phone telling Ada, "Ada, Dozie is calling." Ada stood beside Chijioke listening to Dozie's voice through the phone like water flowing in Awka's _ọgba mmiri_ (streams) – words Chijioke helped convey to her about Dozie's life in London doing business deals Dozie spoke of sometimes needing _ịrụsi ọrụ ike_ (hard work).

"Dozie says he's doing well in London… his business is going well," Chijioke told Ada, interpreting for her tone carrying _ọdịdị_ (manner). Dozie’s letters sometimes bore messages. Nneoma would explain bits needing _nlekọta_ (care). Ada listened _ntị_ (ears) attentive like _ọkụ_ (fire) Nigerian women tended to cook needing attention.

Sometimes Ifeoma, her friend from Awka's _ụmụ nwaanyị_ (daughters) circle knew, helped with contacting Dozie using Ifeoma's _ekwentị_ (phone) – Ada didn't operate phones, she didn't know how fitting illiterate _ụmụ nwaanyị_ (women) Nigeria’s villages sometimes knew _ụzọ_ (ways). Ifeoma would say, "Ada, Dozie wants to talk to you," and Ada would answer through Ifeoma or Chijioke like a path needing help walked carefully in Anambra's cultural _omenala_ (traditions).

Chijioke's eyes seemed to hold Ada's look fitting _ọdịdị_ (appearance). Awka people knew needing _ịkwu nkwu_ (respect) – _ọ dị ogologo_ (longish) Ada felt uncomfortable like the strong harmattan wind _ikuku siri ike_ chasing people indoors sometimes in Awka bearing _ọdịiche_ (differences) people sensed. "Ada, Dozie's been in London a long time… maybe you don't want someone here?" Chijioke said in a low _olu dị ala_ (voice) Ada didn't like sensing probing like _agwọ_ (snake) in _n’ahịhịa_ (grass) moving unseen needing _ịzọ ụkwụ_ (careful step).

Ada replied quickly, fitting _ụzọ ọ na-aza_ (way she answers), "Chijioke, you're my brother-in-law. _Nkwanye ùgwù_ (Respect) is important." Chijioke's face _gbanwere_ (changed) Ada saw a fleeting _ọkụ_ (spark) in his eyes like _mmiri miri emi_ (deep waters) Nigeria’s _ọgba_ (streams) bore depths before he turned and walked _ụzọ ọzọ_ (another way) leaving Ada _n’eche echiche_ (thinking) Awka's shadows seemed _dị ogologo_ (longer).

Ada went _ụlọ nri_ (kitchen) helping Nneoma cook _ji e siri_ (boiled yam) _nri ehihie_ (midday meal) Chijioke ate _ụzọ agụụ_ (hungrily) like Awka's young men showing _ịgba oso_ (running) vigor needing _nri_ (food) fitting cultural _ọrụ_ (roles) Nigerian _ụmụ nwaanyị_ (women) filled cooking _ụzọ_ (ways). Nneoma asked Ada if Dozie's _ozi_ (message) was good; Ada said _ọ dị_ (it's fine) in a quiet _ụzọ jụụ_ (way) Nigerian _ụmụ nwaanyị_ (daughters) showed _nkwanye ùgwù_ (respect) _ndị okenye_ (elders).

Night fell Okeke compound _kpakpando_ (stars) twinkling Ada did her _ekpere_ (prayer) usual _ụzọ ọ na-emebu_ (way) “……God bless Dozie and me…” seeking _nchebe_ (protection) marital _nkwa_ (promises) Dozie gave _ụbọchị alụmdi_ (wedding day) Awka’s _omenala_ (culture) blessed fitting _ịhụnanya_ (love) Nigeria’s _ọdịnala_ (heritage) knew _ịkwụ nkwụ_ (steadfastness).

Ada’s thoughts dwelled Dozie-abroad like _osisi siri ike_ (strong tree). Nigeria landscapes knew standing enduring _ịdị uchu_ (vigilance); meanwhile compound shadows played needing Ada’s _anya_ (attentiveness) balancing _ịhụnanya_ (love), _nkwanye ùgwù_ (respect) Nigeria’s _alụmdi na nwunye_ (marriage) core held amid Chijioke’s _ọdịdị_ (behavior) bearing _ọzọ_ (other) tones Ada didn’t entirely trust _ụzọ ọ ga-esi_ (how it would go).

Ada went to _ụka_ (church) St. Patrick’s Awka Sunday _ụbọchị_ (day) _ụmụ mmadụ_ (people) sang Igbo hymns “…_Ekele dị ya, Chineke kasị elu_…” (Praise to Him, Most High God…) Ada joined _olu dị nro_ (soft voice) praying _Chineke_ (God) guard marital _nkwa_ (vows) Dozie gave _ịhụnanya_ (love)-borne Nigeria’s _ọdịnala_ (heritage) knew _ịkwụ nkwụ_ (steadfastness) fitting cultural _ụzọ_ (paths).