TALE OF A CHANGELING

CHAPTER 6

Shhh, don't say that my child Omali interrupted her. You are not cursed!! You are not evil!!! She said in a stronger voice. Just take a look at yourself, Ugo, you are a very beautiful girl, the most beautiful girl in this land of ours, a girl as beautiful as you are can never be cursed, you were the source of your parents happiness, during their moment of trial you were their backbone, you brought happiness into their lives.

And still snatched away that happy life from them. Ugo said as she look away in tears.

Omali looked at her and felt very sorry for the young girl sitting in front of her, she too couldn't hold back the streams of tears flowing down her cheeks.

Ugo my child do you know that you remind me of myself when I lost my only son in the hands of the villagers?

Ugo turned and looked surprisingly at her grandmother. Mama which other son of yours are you talking about? She asked her grandmother still looking at her for answers. Omali cried uncontrollably she couldn't hold back her tears, her eyes were so red as if she has an eye infection, the pains in this old woman's heart was indescribable, the bricks of pains agony and sufferings were suffocating her heart, she coughed continuously struggling to breathe, Ugo ran into the hut and rushed out with a cup of water.

Mama has some water She said passionately with a concerned look. Omali took the cup from her with Ugo's hands still supporting the cup from falling because her grandmother's hands were shaking continuously.

Omali heaved a sigh of relief after she had gulped down the water, she turned and looked at her granddaughter who was still looking at her to make sure she's alright. Are you feeling better now Mama? Ugo asked.

Yes my child I'm okay now, thank you so much for your concern. Omali replied.

After her reply everywhere turned into a graveyard, it's only the chirping of the birds the beating of their hearts, and the sound of the gentle breeze that is moving around the corners of their compound that could be heard. The two were lost for a moment in their thoughts, Ugo was worried, she couldn't raise the question she asked her grandmother earlier, what if something more serious than this happens to her again because of the question she asked? She decided not to ask her anything again though she was still curious to find out what her grandmother was talking about.

Omali after thinking for a while looked at her granddaughter and could see the curiosity in her eyes, she felt bad for her, she held Ugo's hand and said softly Don't worry my child I will tell you everything that you want to know, she looked closely again into her eyes and could see that the curiosity had changed to excitement, she smiled and began.

Many years ago, I lost my father who was a great native doctor and was left all alone in this world. I was very close to my father, he loved me so much that he hardly leaves my side, we were always seen together, to the extent that he started teaching me a lot about herbs and how to save people's lives, I was so glad to learn from him.

One day my father came back home with a strange woman whom he said is his new wife, I felt so bad hearing that especially for my mother who couldn't give my father a male child, but still I understood why my father did that, he needs an heir, a male child who will take over his place as the chief priest whenever he's gone, my mother and I accepted the new woman as part of us, we thought that she will be accommodating but it turned out that she was a green snake in green grass.

That woman did a lot of bad things to us, first I lost my beloved mother and later on was my father, he died when I was only ten

Omali paused for a while as she broke down in tears. Mama, please wipe your tears Ugo consoled her and wiped her grandmother's tears.

Omali gathered her courage and continued.

While my father was on his sick bed, I cried continuously to him, I told him;

Father why are you planning to leave me? You said that you will never abandon me, you said that you will always be there to protect me, then why are you planning to leave me?

Please father do not leave, don't abandon me in this cruel world, I can't survive alone, father don't go.

Omali raised her eyes in tears and said to Ugo.

My father didn't listen to me, he left me all alone, he abandoned me, my lovely father died!!! He died!!!!!! Omali exclaimed bitterly, Ugo's heart was in so much pain she couldn't control herself anymore she cried uncontrollably as well.