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The Dark Forest of Ndiogoro land was known across many
villages.
Both young and old had never tried to over emphasize it's crucial
endowment. But many, all most all had no idea of it's content
except the belief that the forest
is a resident of their ancestors and
brings goodluck to the land. God revealed the secret content of the
forest to late Mr Williams due to his kindness and faith in
Christianity but was killed in his quest to know what the content
was all about. But was that why he was killed? Who killed him?
Adaku averted her eyes from Faith in amazement. She drew
closer to Monica and stood before her. She looked into her eyes
making sure she was in her right senses.
Already, Udoka was beginning to think that Monica would reveal
their identity as citizens of Ndiogoro instead of Eziukwu because it
was not only their father's land but also where they were born.
"Monica, stop this nonsense!" shouted Udoka. She wanted to drag
her away from the road but Adaku, being so dramatic prevented
her.
"Both of you are always confusing me. What do you mean by
you are no stranger of Ndiogoro land?" she asked looking at
Monica.
However, Monica had gone out from the face of the physical to
the spiritual as she stood on the road with her eyes closed: she
found herself running into the dark forest. The more she ran, the
darker the forest became..
When Adaku waited for a reply without getting it, she shook
Monica's body vigorously before she came back to physical.
"Are you dreaming?"
"Leave her alone!" Udoka retorted and finally dragged her sister
out from the road.
"You girls should take it easy!" Faith interfered. "Are you both from
Ndiogoro land?"
"No, we are not" replied Udoka.
"Then why did your sister say that she's no stranger of the land?"
Adaku persisted.
"It was a slip of tongue" Monica spoke up. "Please, lets keep
going" she led the way followed by her sister, Faith and Adaku.
**
Ndiogoro land was really blessed by God. Christianity was
practised but yet the traditions of the land were never forgotten.
One could see old buildings renovated with modern facilities.
Some were storey buildings while some were fantastic
bungalows, yet, it was regarded as a village. At the centre of the
village were different traditional musicians in action:
masquerad of all sort danced and
pursued people around with canes and machets especially the
young girls. The king and queen, chiefs and elders on red cap
could be seen on executive chairs. They nodded their hands
rhythmically to the beat of the music. Among them was chief
Dike, a brother to late Mr Williams and uncle to the twins.
The four girls admired the beauty of the land when they
approached closer. Though only the twins seemed more
enthusiastic about it. They watched each building and wished their
father was still alive. Reaching to the festival ground, a masquerad
with two horns pursued them.
"Jesus!" Monica first took on her heels before others followed her.
On the run, she fell down then screamed in a loud voice as the
masquerad hurried to her. It seemed like a dream but it was real!
However, other girls had scattered around. Before the masquerad
got to Monica, a young man blocked him with money as a way to
prevent him from hurting her. He danced traditionally and threw
the money in the air. With joy, the masquerad jumped up and
danced along with him.
:
The young man met Monica in the mix of her sister and friends.
He looked educated, intelligent and neat to the extent Adaku began
to admire him. Seeing him, Udoka also remembered David. But
the guy became confused when he
saw identical faces.
"Are both of you twins?"
The question made Faith roll her
eyeballs and exhaled deeply. She
regarded it as stupid one. "How can somebody see twins, yet ask
if they are twins?" she soliloquized. Adaku understood her
behaviour, therefore she smiled.
"Yes, we are" Monica replied the guy. "Thanks for saving me from
that.."
"Is okay" the young man interrupted. "You should be careful next
time"
"Okay"
"I'm Enest"
"I'm Monica. This is my sister Udoka and my friends; Adaku and
Faith" Monica introduced.
"Hi" Adaku waved at Enest with a smile but Faith brought down
her hand.
Enest smiled. "Hi" he replied. "I must take my leave now" he
gently walked out.
"Okay bye" Monica stared at him.
:
The main ceremony began: the women sang and danced
traditionally. Of course Adaku and Faith shook their butts to their
satisfaction. The twins also danced
but were more interested in the beauty of the land they had
always wanted to see.
It was beginning to get dark, Udoka tapped her sister and friends.
"It's time to go home"
"Lets stay a little more" Adaku objected. "Young girls have not
even danced for the prince to.."
"Adaku!" Udoka interrupted her. "I said let's go home!"
The girls went back dancing. So Udoka held her sister and walked
away. Just then, a car followed them..
:
TBC
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