PROLOGUE

Ahh, this heat will not kill me. Njideka fanned herself with her hands. She was not drenched with sweat, but she could feel the hotness in every part of her body. A cup of cold water will do. She picked up the clay cup. 

The bamboo bed whined from her weight when she stood up. She was grateful for the coldness of the ground when her bare feet kissed them. I should spray the mate on the floor. She thought, looking at the hard floor that was made of mud. She headed outside, towards the kitchen to get the water. 

The sun has not shown its head yet, but its rays rested on the edge of the palm trees, giving light to the warm glorious morning.

“Nwanyi mara mma, ututu oma, (Good morning beautiful woman),” Mama Nnenna greeted 

“Ututu oma oo” Njideka replied and smiled back at the dark woman, who weighed her with those brown aging eyes. Judging and Observing.

She chuckled but broke her gaze from the woman. Mama Nnena was her mother-in-law and was in her late sixties. She was the shoulder Njideka leans on when the tides of life seem so difficult and challenging. Despite her age, she would confront her son whenever he tried to hit Njideka and would serve as a mediator anytime understanding was a conflict.

Njideka opened the water pot and fetched the quantity she needed. She was not the water type, but that was before she took in. Now she could consume two buckets of water if given the opportunity.

The water walked down her throat, it’s coldness bringing life to every part of her body. If every day would just be like these last seven months. She doubts if she and her husband would be having issues. Ever since she took in, he had been very kind to her, buying her the best bush meat in the kingdom and telling her jokes that would make her laugh until her cheeks hurt. He was back to himself. He now treated her like he always has, making her remember those times they met under the mango tree and had kissed for the first time.

Her small lips parted with a smile. That was a long time ago, say fifteen or sixteen years back. Yet, thinking about it now, she just couldn’t help the butterfly creeping on her big belly. Their love had enkindled like fire ever since this baby came on board.

She rubbed her tummy and made to keep the cup back on the cover pot, only to discover that she couldn’t. A sharp lightening pain went from her waist to her spine, disseminating to every bone in her body.

“Ahh” She tried to scream but the words would not form. Her legs have become heavy; it was as if the weight of the whole universe were concentrated on her waist.

The shock wave came again, this time more excruciating than the first.

“Ahh. Mama…MAMA” she yelled out, holding the hinge of the door post to keep her weight from crushing the clay pot. Her visions became blurred when she turned her heavy head to the door. She blinked and the tears dropped.

No help was coming. None she could see though.

“MAMA,” She shouted. The pelt she wore held her body from the sweat that had soaked them and was dripping down in heavy drops.

“Njideka” She heard her mother-in-law called after what seemed to be eternity. “O gini (what is it)?”

“Mama I don’t know,” Njideka cried, “My waist Mama, I can’t move.”

“Ewoo,” Mama Nnenna screamed and held her. “Oya, put your legs here,” The woman directed.

The pain calmed again, but it seemed as if mama Nnenna’s presence made it less painful.

“Ndi be Nnadi, o gini (the household of Nnadi, what is it)?” Someone asked. 

Njideka could no longer feel the presence of the neighbors who came rushing in. The pain kept shredding her bones and right now she could feel her thigh about to tear open. Many hands were on her body; she couldn’t tell how many. But they kept telling her to calm down and then to push.

When did she lie down? She tried to observe where she was but her vision was covered with a smoky cloud. It was difficult to see through the tears.

“Push,” Someone yelled.

Njideka obeyed. She would do anything to ease the pain. She tried to push and that was when a fresh pain traveled again, this time more intense. She couldn’t find any words in the entire world to describe it. What was coming out from her body was no longer sweat, it was a river.

“Again, again. Njideka, push again.”

Njideka panted, her lungs were burning for air. She pushed again, with all her strength. It felt as if her legs were about to be torn in two. What was happening to her and what is that thing that blocked her legs? Could it be that?

A baby?

No it can’t be, how can it be? Under seven months? The gods forbids.

Njideka felt relieved when the pains in her legs finally subsided. The place was burning, but she was happy that it was not too intense.

The women in the room had suddenly gone quiet. Have they abandoned her? She tried to lift her head, but groused when a rough hand grabbed her hands and yanked her out of bed.

She cursed as her head hit the door frame. Pain followed the blank vision, with the ringing in her ears. The hands pushed her, but stopped when she fell to the dusty floor.

“Witch,” She heard someone say. She lifted her head to the owner of the voice but the little star that covered her eyes made it impossible for her to make out his face.

“Please take it easy,” Njideka heard Mama Nnenna said. 

“One more word from you, mama, one more word,”

Her vision had cleared now, and she saw him. It was her husband, tall, dark and handsome. Why was he furious?

“Obim (my heart),” Njideka sobbed, the lump on her head was thumping now, and she could feel every ache in her body. “Who had angered you, my love?”

“Who is your love?” Nnadi roared “You are a witch Njideka, I always knew you are a strange one”

“Why did…” Njideka cried. Why is he acting like this, why is everybody wearing a gloomy face?

The answer hit her when a basket was dropped in front of her. There were two beautiful babies, smiling with their eyes closed as they tried to behold the new world that they were born into. A world that did not appreciate them.

She just couldn’t resist. All the pains in her body were forgotten as she stretched forth her hands and touch them. The skins were soft, like the fur of a day old chick. One of the babies giggles when she touched his forehead.

“Taa” Nnadi, shouted “Tell me what human being will give birth to two children at once. Ibu Nkita (are you a dog)?”

“My lord—

“Who is your lord?” Nnadi bellowed.

Njideka wept. Why in the world will the gods let this type of abomination befall her. Why have they chosen to put shame and disgrace on her face?

“What is it?” A deep voice asked as they came to stand before the Nnadi.

“Igwe, Aru emela (an abomination has happened)” Nnadi said. Ewu atalam igwu n'isi"

Njideka met the brown eyes of the village monarch as he stared down at her. The lines on his face twitched as he bit down the hate and disgust that blended with those of the elders with him.

“Did she touch the babies?”

“Yes, my Lord” Nnadi nodded. 

The contempt in the eyes of Nnadi made Njideka shudder. It was as if the man wanted her gone.

“You know the tradition of the people. We must get rid of the babies and banish her from the kingdom. We must clean the land and beg the gods not to destroy us all.” The King said.

“No, please Igwe,” Njideka cried as two hands grabbed her, “Banish me together with my babies, don't get rid of them, please, I beg you.”

Njideka struggled and was able to break free. She rushed and picked the basket her babies were in, but the men held her and tried to break her grip from the basket.

“Let her be,” Nnadi shouted. Njideka smiled when his sword hissed with the light of the morning. At last he is coming to my rescue. A part of her leaped for joy.

Nnadi broke through the two men and raised his sword. Njideka’s heart skipped when she realized what he was about to do. He had not come to rescue her. He never had.

The butt of Nnadi’s sword descended upon her face with a force she had never seen.

Njideka closed her eyes and waited for the impact.

Perhaps, I have been destined to end this way, but what will be the end of my two children? Njideka thought as darkness enveloped her.