FLAMING HEART

THREE - A JOURNEY TO THE UNKNOWN

"It's about the city right? You're curious about it."

"Yes Nkechi, I am. I'm having mixed feelings about the city."

"Then don't go. I don't understand why you want to leave the village; to leave us."

"Nkechi, I'm not leaving any of you. I'm going to seek greener pasture instead; to find means to change our family status. Don't you want to go to secondary school?"

"Of course I do." Nkechi muttered.

"That's why I'm going to the city. So you can go to school. So Ike can go to school."

"I don't want to go to school." A loud voice cut in.

Obioma looked up and saw Ikenna and her mother coming to them with large loads on their heads. She stood up to help carry the loads.

"Mama, welcome." Obioma greeted; totally ignoring Ikenna. Ikenna would never agree with her no matter what she said so why bother?

"Oh, my child." Florence replied. "Nkem, how are you?"

"I'm fine, mama." Nkechi replied.

Florence sat on the floor of the kitchen while Obioma offered her some water to drink. After taking a huge drink, she gave some to Ikenna.

"How was market today?" Obioma asked.

"We thank God o. The sales were encouraging today unlike last time."

"That's because the plants did well this year than last year." Ikenna added and his mother nodded. Turning to Obioma, she asked,

"Oby, have you packed all your things? You know you're leaving early tomorrow."

"If you waste time an inch then Uloma would gladly leave you." Ikenna added as he went to the kitchen to scoop some rice into his plate.

"I'll pack later, mama."

"Make sure you don't forget anything, the city is very far from here. So the earlier the better." Florence advised as she walked into the house. Obioma stared at her mother retreating figure; reminiscing on her mother's past appearance.

Florence had been a very fair and beautiful lady and many men had come to ask for her hands in marriage but then, she fell in love with her father - something Obioma tagged her greatest mistake.

Ever since her father died, she had grown lean and dark. Stress was visible on her face as wrinkles of various sorts occupied everywhere on her face. Her smooth fingers had become rough due to tireless working on the farm. Obioma wondered how farming would have been without Ikenna there to help always; his experience made business easier.

"I'll miss you, Oby." Nkechi pouted as fat drop of tears fell from her eyes.

"Nkem, I'm not dying. I'll definitely come back. Besides when Chioma and Ifeoma come now, you'll forget that I'm gone."

Nkechi shook her heads vehemently at this. "They are my friends and you are my sister. They can never take your place in my life."

Obioma felt pleased and loved with this. The love of her family had always kept her going. She reached out and hugged Nkechi tightly.

That night, Obioma packed her few belongings and the bracelet her mother gave her. She laid on the bed gazing at the thatch ceiling. The thought of not doing the right thing lingered in her mind till she drifted to sleep.

She was woken up by Ikenna the next morning. She ran to the bathroom which was located at the back of the house and took her bath quickly. She shivered as the cold water splashed on her body. The day had fully broken by the time she was done dressing up.

She stood with her luggage as she received her mother's prayers and blessings. Nkechi was curled at a corner, sobbing softly.

"My daughter, you're heading for the city now, please don't forget all that I have been telling you. Always remember the family you came from and who you are. Do you hear me?"

"Yes, mama." She replied as she waited patiently for the repetition of rules in a quiz form.

"Don't allow evil city boys destroy you. Don't bring disgrace to yourself and this family. Don't accept favours such as free car rides, monetary gifts and clothes from strangers."

"Yes, mama."

"Shun whatever action that will make you feel ashamed. Whatever you do, be strong and honest."

"Yes, mama."

"You may go now. May God be with you my daughter. We'll be praying for you." Florence concluded with tears in her eyes.

She then hugged Obioma and patted her softly at the back. Obioma buried her face in her shoulder; sniffing her smell for the last time. Though, she was twenty years of age, she felt like a three month old baby who was being pulled violently from its mother's breast.

"Obioma, you're wasting time." Ikenna yelled. This made Obioma pull away from her mother. She turned to stare at Nkechi who was still coiled up like a millipede.

"Won't you say goodbye to me, Nkem?

Nkechi didn't reply instead she sobbed harder. Obioma stooped low beside her and drew her into a fierce embrace.

"I'll miss you, Oby. Do you have to go?" She whimpered.

"I told you I'm going to seek greener pasture. Yes! I have to go!" Obioma replied with tears rolling profusely from her eyes.

"Oya, Oby, it's okay. You don't want Uloma to leave you." Florence cut in.

Obioma stood up and shook her head. "Bye, mama!" She bade.

"Go well, my daughter!" Florence replied.

Ikenna offered to help her with her luggage so they walked together in silence to Chief Otumba's house. The unleveled road whose soil had been washed away in an erosion was filled with dirt and fallen dried leaves. As they walked, Ikenna kicked fallen oranges and mangoes on the ground. They got to Chief Otumba's gigantic gate and they stood, staring at it.

"I heard that there are many tall buildings in the city. Taller than an Iroko tree." Ikenna said suddenly.

Obioma nodded in approval; she sought to see all the wonders of the city.

"Well, I guess I'll get going now." Ikenna announced as he dropped the luggage on the ground.

"You've tried." Obioma applauded. "Take care of mama and Nkechi. You know you're now the man of the house. Make sure mama doesn't stress herself too much. Also ensure Nkechi goes to school every day and on time. You know -"

"It's okay, Oby! I already know all these. Don't worry. Just focus on your aim of leaving the village. We'll do just fine."

Obioma nodded as tears dropped out of her eyes. What she hated most was leaving her family. Ikenna reached out and wiped her tears and she looked up at him. She knew he was fighting desperately not to cry.

She watch him smile as he wrapped her in a big hug and then he scampered away. Obioma stood; watching his retreating figure until she couldn't see his turned back anymore. She felt an urge to turn her back and run back home but then, she couldn't. She wiped her tears instead and knocked on the gate. She took a big sigh as she watched the gate creaked and the tired face of a maid appeared.

"Obioma! You've come. I heard you're traveling with Uloma to the city." The maid said.

"You heard well." Obioma replied as she walked into the large compound.

"You're so lucky. How were you able to convince her? You know she's a hard nut to crack just like her father. There was a time I wanted to visit my family. I went to this man and I told him that. . ."

Obioma turned her gaze to her side in search of Uloma; nodding as she did so in feign concentration. Had Uloma left already? She wondered.

". . .I didn't know what to do. I had to go to Ugo - you know we're close. I told him everything and he. . ."

Obioma began to panic. Uloma's car was not in the driveway too. Had her only opportunity to leave this village slipped through the space between her fingers? Or had Uloma deceived her.

"Obioma!" The maid called out; jerking Obioma out of her reverie.

"Mmm?"

"What are you thinking about?" She inquired.

"Nothing! I was listening to you."

"Indeed!" The maid rolled her eyes.

"So this is where you are?" A loud voice interrupted and they both turned to stare.

Obioma stiffened as relief rushed down her spine. She hadn't left after all. She turned slowly to the direction Uloma stood; looking like a model in her casual dress and braided hair; totally overshadowing everyone. Her fingers swirled her keys as she glared.

"So you're here discussing while I was waiting for you."

Obioma's mouth hung open as she shot the maid a glare.

"She didn't say anything about you waiting for me."

"I didn't know." The maid glared back at her.

"I don't have time for all these nonsense. Take all your luggage to the car over there." Uloma instructed; pointing to the direction of a black car parked in the garage.

Obioma nodded; dragging her luggage to the car whilst wondering what happened to the white car Uloma paraded in. The boot of the car was opened so she kept her luggage there, turning sharply to catch a glimpse of Chief Otumba who had already walked out of the house with his protruding belly leading the way for him. He rested his elbow on the burglary in the verandah as he smiled at his daughter.

"Daddy, take care of yourself, okay?" Uloma gave him a big smile.

"Okay, my daughter. You too."

"I will." Uloma replied as she bade him good bye; walking to the car and opening it with the keys.

"Fasten your seatbelt." She told Obioma.

Obioma looked at her; puzzled. When did chairs start having belt? She wondered.

She looked away; pretending like she hadn't heard.

"I asked you to fasten your seatbelt. Do you officers to delay us on the way?" Uloma blurted.

"I don't know how to fasten my seatbelt." Obioma muttered.

Uloma looked at her with a mixture of amusement and disgust.

"God help me with all these villagers." She said; leaning forward to fasten the belts.

Obioma looked at her with a frown. What right had Uloma had to call her a village when she was just like her? She had grown up in the village too even though she travelled to the city often. The fact that they grew up in the same surrounding was all that mattered. She had no right to call her a villager.

Obioma looked through the window instead to avoid lashing out on Uloma. If she was going to live with her, she had to learn how to tolerate and overlook some things.

Fresh breeze blew her face as she stared at the house and trees that swept by speedily as the car sped. She stretched her hands out to feel the air. It was her first time sitting in a car and she hoped to sit in more cars now that she would be living in the city. As they moved farther away from the village, a huge lump formed in her throat.

★ ★ ★

So Obioma feels she will finally have a good life in this unknown town she's going to. What do you guys think?