:
Monica waited patiently for the answer to her question. That
wasn't the first time she sees Udoka in such mood but this one
was more serious.
"I know is because of David coz i have never seen you like this
before. That's why is not good to love. 'Love' they say is wicked
and can put someone in a sad mood" Monica said.
Udoka looked at her and smiled at her words. "How i wish u will
fall in love one day" she averted her eyes from her.
"But is true. Do u miss him?"
"Who?"
"David"
"Yes, we never saw each other to say goodbye, and i feel as if we
are separated forever. What if i don't get to see him again?" asked
Udoka.
Monica kept quiet thinking of an
iconoclasm of her sister's last statement in order to encourage
her. But before she spoke up, they heard a female voice in front of
their compound.
"Adaku!" both exclaimed and rushed out.
:
In front of the compound was Adaku standing before Mrs
Williams who sat at the corridor. On her body was a wrapper tied
across her chest.
"Nne, you are welcome"
"Thank you ma" Adaku smiled unabashedly. She wore a milky
gown and had 'Isiowu' hairstyle of young igbo girls.
"Who did you say u are looking for?" Mrs Williams asked.
"Monica and Udoka"
"Hmm... my children have started making friends already" Mrs
Williams smiled. "It seems like you girls planned to go
somewhere"
"Yes, ma" Adaku replied. She kept flinging her hands in a way it
made gentle claps.
"Where do you girls planned to go today?"
"Is not today, ma"
"Really? When?"
"In the next three market days"
"Where could that be?"
"The stream.." Udoka rushed out.
"The farm.." Monica added standing besides her sister.
The expression of confusion triggered in the faces of their mother
and Adaku.
"Stream?" the mother asked looking at her children.
"No, farm" Udoka replied.
"Farm?"
"Yes, you can call it a bush" Monica retorted.
"To do what there?"
The twins went dumb. They glanced at each other to formulate
another lies but they
couldn't. Due to Adaku understood they were covering their plan
to Ndiogoro, she spoke up, "We planned to go to the bush in
search of mushrooms and okazi leaves. Though that's not why
I'm here. I came to ask them if they would go to the stream with
me"
"Oh.." Mrs Williams adjusted on her seat. "I'm happy about your
plans"
"Yes, we shall follow u to the stream" Udoka rushed inside. She
brought out two buckets and they headed to the stream.
:
On their way to the stream, Adaku, being so dramatic kept her
bucket and touched the two girls thereby making them to stop
too.
"Come oh, i don't understand. What was the drama all about?"
"What drama?" Udoka retorted.
"The one that happened in your compound with your mother"
"So, you were trying to tell our mother about our plan to
Ndiogoro" Monica interfered.
"Why not?" Adaku spread her hands.
The twins looked at each other.
"Please, keep our plans to Ndiogoro as a secret especially from
our mother" said Udoka. "She won't let us go if she knows"
"But why?"
"Coz we're still new here"
"Hmm... Okay then" Adaku picked up her bucket. She dropped it
again as they wanted to leave and looked at the twins. "Between
both of you, who is Udoka?" she asked with hands on her waist.
Then the twins smiled.
"I'm Udoka" Monica replied.
"Don't mind her, I'm Udoka" Udoka continued walking followed
by her sister.
"You girls are confusing me the more!" Adaku followed them
briskly..
**
THE NEXT THREE MARKET DAYS
Faith, Adaku, Monica and Udoka began the journey to Ndiogoro
land on foot. The road was narrow with grasses at a very close
range
in a way they flung on the legs of the girls. They were in their best
attire. Any little time, Adaku would stop and practiced dance steps
she will exhibit at the festival. She would shake her butt vigorously
and tell stories on how she will win the heart of all the men at the
festival. Other girls laughed. Sometimes, Faith would join her in
the dance while the twins watched them hilariously.
However, they had crossed few rivers and got to a particular one.
It had a bridge were Adaku and Faith began to dance again.
"Wait oh" Udoka looked into the river from the bridge. "How
many rivers have we crossed?"
"Just few" Faith stopped dancing.
"Do we still have another one to cross?" asked Monica.
"No, this is the last" Adaku also stopped dancing. "Please, let's
hurry up" they began to walk.
The girls approached closer to Ndiogoro land. They could hear the
sound of drums and flutes from a distant. As they hurried, Monica
saw a narrow road. She stopped and stared at it thereby making
the other girls to stop too.
"Monica, what's it?" Udoka asked.
"Monica, Ongini?" Faith added.
"This road leads to where?" Monica asked still staring at the road.
"It leads to the dark forest of Ndiogoro. Strangers don't enter
there" Adaku warned.
"I'm no stranger" Monica replied then the girls looked at each
other..
:
TBC
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