Everything Lost!!

There was a man called Dike who lived in the land of Umuahia, a town in the southern part of Nigeria. He was a well built man with a tall physique, noble character and welcoming to all. Dike had lost his mother some years back therefore left with his Father. Dike worked as a banker in one of the reputable banks. He was a very active man while growing up, dated and slept with a number of women who left him heartbroken. He got a chance to marry and his wife’s name was Anniele who hailed from an entirely different town. She was a very beautiful woman and was endowed with a good shape. She was tall, charming, well mannered and never disrespectful to anybody she came across. They always lived in peace. Although there was sweetness and love in their marriage, one thing has kept bothering them; that was the inability to conceive a child. The inhabitants of the community kept harboring a lot of thing in their minds. They thought “what could be the real reason behind this problem?, is it caused by the infertility of the woman or by the impotency of the man?”. They knew little and thoughts kept running through. Dike’s father on his own side was not happy with the situation at all. They had fought this for fifteen good years and it seemed no change was ever going to occur. People from Dike’s family began to call Anniele an ‘Ogbanje’ (a term in Igbo culture referring to a woman belonging or married spiritually to the marine spirits who most of the time physically don’t bear children but have dozens in the spirit realm). It was derogatory. she didn’t like it neither did her husband. Three months later passed and the eldest of Dike’s uncles called a family meeting. Issues raised concerned the inability of Dike and his wife to have a child. He stood up, cleared his throat and speaking on behalf of others went on thus “it is indeed my pleasure and happiness that we all honored this gathering designed to put things on the right track for the collective welfare of the family”. He paused staring directly at Dike’s father, Olerum he continued “my good brother Olerum, what we as a united family have not understood is the inability for our wife (pointing at Anniele) to produce a child who would carry on your lineage whether boy or girl”. He continued “or are they waiting for when we all finally get to meet our ancestors before something happens, please I beg you to talk sense into your son before it’s too late”. He hesitated with thought and noticing Anniele’s downcast mood continued “since the history of our father’s lineage right from the time of our ancestors, there had never been any case barrenness not to talk of being childless for fifteen good years”. He paused and continued “all our great grand mothers were said to be very fruitful even though some of them were not from this land, so we don’t know why yours will be a totally different story”. For the last time he cleared his throat, beckoning on Dike’s father, he said “I think at this juncture I have said a lot and I would like the fact that we hear from our brother Olerum. Pa Olerum, holding firm his walking staff to the ground stood up, he yawned, cleared his throat and began “thank you very much my own blood brother, I so much appreciate your contributions, commitment and show of care to I and my family even before I lost my beautiful wife”. He paused, throwing a bit of kolanut into his mouth and chewing, he continued looking at Dike’s direction “since I lost my wife your mother, nothing like love moves me again. All I am trying to say is that no love is greater than having a child which is even the joy of that love and union and so at this point, we don’t think there is any other room to accommodate your wife again. If she could not give us a child, just a child we have not asked for a son yet, be it male or female for fifteen sweet prime years, when else will she do?”Allowing his words to digest, he continued “so we want to hear from you my son but bear it in mind that my whole suggestion is in getting yourself a new wife who would bear kids, if you love Anniele so much you can keep her instead of chasing her back to her father’s house. Nothing bad. Thank you my people” He concluded and took his seat. Mr Dike stood, defending his love he said “My elders, my beloved Dad, good day”. He paused to receive their responses and continued “Love is not materialistic, love is unconditional, you don’t give anything to be loved, I will say it is priceless. I love my wife so much dad, as you loved yours. We have vowed to remain together come heat come cold, through the fire and thick clouds. Never to trade her for anything. Never! I am not taking another wife and we believe that at God’s own time, fate will locate us, God will hearken to us and give us a speedy answer”. “No no which time, speedy what?” retorted the rest of the members. “I mean God’s designated time and speedy answer” replied Dike. Disagreements rose and not long after, the meeting came to an end. Dike remained his stand not to get another wife nor throw his beloved Anniele away. Days passed and more hatred was grown for Anniele in her husband’s household. “Are you going to leave me?” asked Anniele. “No my love I won’t, I love you and I believe a miracle someday” replied Dike. “Promise you’re never going to leave me”. “I promise you sweetheart”. Escaping many people’s expectations,their love waxed stronger. To be continued in Episode two.