Back at Nneri, Ezekwe woke up the following morning with a headache. He had lost sleep the previous night thinking over his discussion with Euna. He wondered how she could make such an ourageous request.
Though he had known all along that Euna had no real affection for him or for his wife and children, he found it difficult to understand the depth of her feeling that could move her to make such a demand. How could he allow her to have her way when he knew that it could lead to regrets later? His dead brother's spirit would haunt him if he agreed to such a folly. He knew she wanted a total separation from him and his family; he also knew that that would have been the best option to all, If for nothing else, the troubles and embarrassments he had tolerated from her would cease. But then an elder does not stay at home and allow the goat give birth in tether. He must continue to love and care for his late brother's widow and children, no matter what it costs him. He would not allow Euna to leave the compound where it would be easy for him to care properly for his brother's daughters to a place uninhabited by people. He knew he may be misunderstood in the process but he decided that it was better to bear bruises fighting a just cause. After thinking things over, he went outside and found Oyibo sweeping the compound. He stood watching her, unobserved. Intuitively, Oyibo straightened up and noticing Ezekwe for the first time greeted him.

"Papa, good morning!"

"Good morning, my daughter. How are you today? I hope you slept well?"

"Yes, papa.

"How about your mother?"

Frowning, she moved closer to Ezekwe.
"She left early this morning, but she didn't say
where she was going to. Though I noticed she was upset, I asked her what the problem was but she refused to tell me."

"Is that so?"

"Yes, papa" she said, lowering her voice. "I noticed she became upset after speaking with you. Is something wrong?" she asked, looking at him, searchingly. Ezekwe sighed.

"Come, my daughter, let's go into the obu."

Oyibo dropped her broom and followed him.
They entered the reception together and sat down on his reserved position. Then he motioned Oyibo to a seat beside his. He cleared his throat.

"My child, I don't want you to think that my purpose of talking to you about this is because I can no longer take control of things but it is just to see if you could help me talk to your mother before you leave for Ibadan. I gathered you would leave tomorrow." Oyibo nodded

"Fine, God will be with you. But before you leave, you should talk to your mother about the way she is handling this issue of your husband erecting a building for her. There is no point in making it a lengthy case but before I proceed, has your mother discussed with you on her choice of place for building the house?" he asked.

"Not really but before my grandmother left, we agreed together that you would know the best place and grandma said you promised her that everything was under control" she said.

"But supposing you are asked as the bride through whom this good deed is coming into this family, to suggest a place, would you want a place close by or a place far removed from this compound?" he asked.

Surprised, Oyibo stared at him.
"Papa, you have always said that we are one family and I totally agree with you. Why then do you think I would go for a place far removed from here? I love everyone around here and I like being here," she replied.

"Don't get upset, my child. I know you love us all but the problem is with your mother. She wants the building to be erected at Uhu Ama...."

"What!" Oyibo exclaimed, jumping out of her seat. "What are we going to Uhu Ama to do when there are empty plots of land near and within the compound?" She sat down and thought for a while.

"Papa, I think I rather prefer that the house is not built than to allow it to bring separation to members of this family. I will talk Moses out of it, please. I don't want it to be said that it was through me that we came to be separated as one family," she resolved firmly.

"No, that is not the best solution. I think the best thing would be that you talk to your mother and convince her about the outrageous nature of her choice. If you can do that, then there is nothing else to prevent the building of the house," he counselled.

"Supposing she refuses to see reason and insists on her choice, what then do I do?" she asked.

"Talk to her first, because I don't think it is a wise idea to dissuade Moses from building a house for her. If that is done, it will bring more division and hatred than unity. All I want is to make sure you and your mother and sisters are properly protected and catered for. I have no other thing in mind than this, your happiness. As for your mother, as the saying goes, no matter how hard you brush decayed teeth, it must remain rotten. But I am not discouraged by that. I will continually treat her and you girls like my own wife and children. Nothing short of this will give me happiness."

"Thanks for being so understanding. I promise to talk to her," she said. "You know there are times when I really wonder what life would have been like without a man with your kind of heart being in charge here. You are so loving, caring, patient and tolerant," she said.

"That is what love is all about my child. The love I have for my late brother, Chikezie is an undying love. It lives on in whatever belongs to him."

When Euna got home that afternoon, she had already decided to accept what Ezekwe had said, albeit reluctantly. This made Oyibo's task of talking to her simple as she just nodded her head in agreement when Oyibo pleaded with her to listen to Ezekwe.
Eventually, the land adjacent to the mud house Euna and her children were now occupying was cleared. Their in-law, Moses, wasted no time in carrying out his promise. All the building materials required for the house were all transported from Ibadan to Nneri on one day by the contractor. Within a few months, a five room bungalow stood facing Ezekwe's modest four room house, constructed and furnished with modern household items. What separated the two buildings was a large open space. The old mud house occupied by Euna and her children was knocked down and the space cleared to make more room for guests. Moses equally had the whole compound fenced in with a large gate for entrance beside the obu.

All well meaning individuals in the kindred congratulated and rejoiced with Euna. She was regarded as the luckiest woman among her peers. Oyibo became a point of reference and comparison for other maidens. Oyibo became a household model and one could easily hear people tell their young daughters to see how a useful and sensible girl brings glory to her family. Euna and Oyibo, her daughter, made news for several months after.

Pertaining to bride price and other traditional marriage rites, Moses was very generous and elaborate in all. All the items came in double measure than the number specified. After the traditional marriage rites at Nneri, the couple had a church wedding at Ibadan. Everyone interested in attending the wedding had free transport provided to and fro Nneri. Several months after the wedding, it was still the topic on everybody's lips.

Thanks for reading! Check my blog often for subsequent chapters.

LINKS:

• INTRODUCTION
• CHAPTER 1
• CHAPTER 2
• CHAPTER 3
• CHAPTER 4
• CHAPTER 5
• CHAPTER 6
• CHAPTER 7
• CHAPTER 8
• CHAPTER 9
• CHAPTER 10
• CHAPTER 11
• CHAPTER 12
• CHAPTER 13