“Are you referring to me?” Okem asked, looking around and eventually turning to face her again.
“Yes, you,” she continued yelling. “Who else could I have been speaking about? You’re an ingrate and a nonentity.”
She went on a tirade, cursing and swearing, speaking so fast I couldn’t make sense of most of the things that came out of her mouth. Okem, his arms akimbo, stood frowning before his wicked aunt. She continued to berate him, only stopping when she started gasping for breath.
“Look in the mirror and tell me if you don’t see a murderer in it,” Okem responded. “You stole my childhood, deprived my parents of their offspring while you and Ozumba positioned Albert to take over the kingdom that wasn’t his in the first place. To top it all, you murdered Ona’s grandfather. I wouldn’t be surprised if you caused the demise of my father, too.”
The moment she heard mention of the late King, she got up from the ground and faced Okem, her chains rattling as she moved. The blank look that appeared in her eyes reminded me of pure evil. It was the same look I saw in Ifedi’s eyes after we confronted her.
Okem must have seen something in it too because he screamed: “Did you kill my father, too?”
The woman hissed.
“I’m serving a life sentence already. I’ll be dead before the twenty-five years run out. Isn’t that enough for you?”
“Not quite. If I can prove that you murdered my father, I’ll add hard labor.”
* * *
Before Ekema left to serve her sentence, she confessed Ifedi’s role in my grandfather’s poisoning. She and Ozumba had promised to take Ifedi to America if she could assist Albert in seizing the throne. In return for her confession, she pleaded for Albert to be spared, claiming he was oblivious of the plot and the activities of the cabal. There wasn’t much to spare, though. Albert was fighting for his life. According to his doctor’s reports, he drifted in and out of consciousness on a regular basis. Once, I visited him, and in a conscious moment, he attempted to relay a message to me. I could tell that whatever he was trying to say to me was important, but I couldn’t make one word out of the buzzing sound coming from his throat. His eyes looked distressed, and he contorted his face as he frantically tried to get across to me. I kept saying, “huh?” and coming closer to get him to calm down and try again. Before I got the chance to ask for a pen and paper for him to write his thoughts down, his doctor whisked me away, claiming I had caused him to relapse and forcing me to promise never to visit him at the hospital again. The latest doctor’s report revealed that if he ever made it out alive, he could end up relying on a feeding tube since a vital portion of his oral cavity had been destroyed by the bullet. I felt sorry for him despite the torture he had put me through. He was basically my worst enemy, but I still wished I could save his life.
* * *
The kingmakers approved the annulment of my engagement to Albert. They agreed that a marriage between us was not ordained by the gods. Albert had been unable to pick up the staff before the King died in what they now claimed to be mysterious circumstances. The investigation that was initiated to determine if Ekema and Ozumba had a hand in the King’s death progressed smoothly until Albert’s testimony was needed to fill in the gaps. A warrant was issued for Ozumba’s arrest, and a reward was offered for anyone that could provide valid evidence of his and Ifedi’s whereabouts.
* * *
Okem and the kingmakers concluded the staff possession ceremony while hundreds of witnesses waited in the palace grounds. The kingmakers, dressed in their ceremonial attire—red wrappers and long red caps with feathers of differing lengths stuck on the side—marked their faces with chalk in artistic patterns. Whispers filled the air as Okem, in full kingly regalia, entered the sanctuary where the staff was preserved. The witnesses conversed with one another and waited with bated breath for him to emerge with the staff. I had no doubt he would succeed as he’d accomplished that task in Luenah, but no one else in the crowd knew, which explained the anxious looks on their faces as they waited for him to perform. The masses were fed up with the suffering caused by the gap left by the old King and were all eager for Okem to succeed.
Okem took the staff with ease, and emerged from the sanctuary, amidst cheers from all his supporters. He raised the staff for all to see. The kingmakers lined up one after the other to examine it and chanted blessings and adoration for the new King. They formed a tight circle around him and communed with one another, while everyone waited patiently. Ten minutes later, they broke the circle and faced the crowd.
“The road is clear,” the Chief Kingmaker announced, to which the other kingmakers, all five of them, chanted, “It is indeed clear.”
The gunslingers, strategically positioned outside, fired congratulatory gunshots to announce to the entire kingdom that a new king had been found. The shots continued at fifteen-minute intervals while the coronation ceremony was going on.
The Chief Kingmaker led Okem to the throne and crowned him King of Ide. Each of the kingmakers handed him gifts with varying symbolic meanings in carefully handcrafted boxes. He thanked each of them and placed the gifts on the table beside him.
The last of the kingmakers handed him a book also, and proclaimed: “Take heed to the fourth verse of the twenty-first chapter of the last section.”
The book of life was considered the most valuable of the gifts he could receive at his coronation. It was said to contain the truth. Anyone who read it and acted according to its precepts would surely become wise. Okem took the book, kissed it, and tucked it under his arm.
He delivered a heartfelt speech and promised that during his rule, he would bring abundance and harmony to the kingdom. He also promised to right all wrongs. The crowd cheered loudly after his speech, and the whole town celebrated for a whole week afterwards.
* * *
Okem reunited with his mother in an emotional ceremony that resulted in a pool of tears on the palace grounds. The Queen, having been deprived of her child since birth, couldn’t fathom the amount of wickedness she’d been meted. From then on, Okem doted on her as he tried to make up for a lifetime of separation. She became extremely fond of me, cherishing my role in her son’s life. Over dinner at the palace one beautiful evening, she gifted me a vast amount of land and buildings.
“Take it, Ona, my dear,” she insisted after I rejected her offer twice. “I owe everything to you, but I’m only offering you a small portion. Whether you accept or not, I’ll be placing everything in trust for you to access whenever you’re ready.”
“No, your highness, the happenings were not my doing. I can’t honestly bring myself to receive a reward for something I didn’t do.”
“What nonsense,” the Queen countered. “You restored my son and my entire legacy to me. Consider this my show of gratitude. Besides, you can create bad fortune by rejecting anything that comes freely to you, especially if it can be of benefit to you or others. Doing so,” she insisted, “is telling your spirit to withhold further good from coming to you. Is that what you want?”
The Queen made absolute sense, so I didn’t need further convincing. This was a lesson I already received during one of my trips to Luenah. Her endowment—estimated to be a quarter of all she owned—turned me into one of the richest women in Ide and Ntebe combined.
* * *
We got married soon after in pomp and style. Our love had endured many difficulties, but we settled into married life with ease. Okem ruled with diligence and wisdom. He was a natural, having practiced for this role since he was born. He gave the late King a befitting burial, one he felt the late Ideme would be proud of wherever he was. With help from a carefully selected cabinet, he was able to turn the economy around and reverse all the damage Ozumba and Ekema had caused when they controlled the affairs of the kingdom. He placed deserving people in positions of power and revived industries. Bribery and corruption seized.
The months of coaching I received to become Albert’s Queen came in handy as I assumed my new role
with ease. I followed Okem’s lead, but I was able to guide him in the right direction when I thought he was making the wrong decision. His regime resulted in an end to the boundary clashes between Ide and Ntebe. He involved the federal government in negotiations to resolve the border disputes and destroy the slums. Properly planned housing projects sprang up in their place. The culprits who orchestrated and benefited from the clashes were tried and punished. A number of them were prestigious members of society. These persons had participated in the original peace talks and purposely created recommendations to benefit their bottom line rather than the wellbeing of the populace. Also implicated were the corrupt judges that handled the past court cases. They were tried and sentenced as well for having received bribes to rule in favor of the cabal.
Chapter Twenty-three
I ENTERED LUENAH one more time. In the middle of the afternoon, when the sun was still high in the sky, I was resting on my bed when I slowly drifted away. I walked triumphantly through the path and landed right at the door of the shrine. As I kicked off my shoes, for the first time since my adventures in Luenah began, I noticed a lovely pair of gold slippers glistening on the floor. They felt like a second skin when I tried them on. Heading in the direction of the throne room, my grandfather appeared and led me before the supreme ruler.
“It’s time to return the box,” the ruler said.
“Which box,” I asked, a little confused.
“The one you received in Luenah the day you turned eighteen. Don’t tell me you’ve forgotten about it already.”
“Ohh!” I exclaimed.
I had completely forgotten about the box, but right before he asked for it, I had felt something weighing me down, so much so that my right shoulder drooped. Don’t tell me I have been carrying this around all this time. I reached for my pocket, and there it was, still intact but much heavier than I expected. It was light and empty when I placed it there. Lifting it with both hands, I noticed Papa’s amused grin as I panted and heaved from the load.
“Open it,” he said.
“Open it?” I muttered under my breath, scared of what I might find inside. It looked like the same box my grandfather handed to me several moons ago, but this one gave me a bad feeling. I shuddered as I alternated my gaze between the intricate designs on the box, the supreme ruler, and my grandfather.
“Go ahead,” he repeated. “Open it.”
I started to lift the cover slowly and glimpsed my grandfather looking at me from the corner of his eye. He seemed to be saying, “What is happening, Ona? You’ve been through this lesson many times.”
Mustering all the courage I could find, I opened the box fully and nearly fell over from what came oozing out of it. The hardship I’d endured in the past few years, the disappointments, the pain, the heartbreak, and the turmoil, all flashed before my eyes in streams of light. Each issue with its distinctive color and texture, reminding me of everything I felt, saw, or touched. It took me through the whole realm of all I’d been through. I squirmed at first and then stood stoically as a puzzled look spread across my face.
“Enough,” my grandfather said and took the box from me.
He closed it and placed it in his pocket, and turned to me, a contented look on his face.
“What just happened?” I asked, astounded by all I’d seen.
He hesitated for a second before saying. “When you received the box, I bet you thought you were getting a prize.”
“Yes. I thought so.”
“If you recall, I also told you an exchange was required, right?”
I nodded twice, eager for him to continue.
“Well, remember when you missed the first exchange, I said you would have to give something else in return.”
I shrugged.
“I had no clue what you needed me to give, and I still have no clue now.”
“I couldn’t tell you either what it is you had to give in exchange. It comes as the sum of the actions, the experiences, and the events that occurred in your quest for love and happiness, everything you’ve experienced. Everything you just saw in that box.”
“I see. Why–”
“Shh,” he said, placing his index finger on his mouth. “The price was yours to pay. That was the cost of your dreams. The cost of finding and occupying your purpose.”
I sighed as I recalled all the pain and disappointment I’d been through.
“But why did I have to bear so much?”
“Everything that happened, the good, the bad, and the ugly, brought you to the point you’re at now, and whether you like it or not, brought you closer to your purpose.”
“Did it have to involve so much trauma?”
“No, but would you have rather not lived?”
I shook my head furiously.
“Not at all.”
He shrugged in triumph as the rest of the court, my fellow Eris, who had been staring at me in admiration the whole time I stood there, clapped in unison.
“Everyone is proud of you, Ona. What do you say?”
“Thank you! Thank you!” I said, bowing to the crowd twice with both hands joined together in front of me.”
They clapped some more.
“When you were suffering,” my grandfather continued after the clapping had died down, “you were in the belly of the whale. That was the time you had to reflect, make supplication, mature, and garner the knowledge needed to understand not only what your purpose was but also how you can occupy it, so you can eventually fulfill it. From now on, you have the responsibility to do everything in your power to stay on course.”
“I will, Papa. I will”
I let the things Grandfather said sink in until my thoughts drifted back to Albert, Ozumba, and Ifedi.
“What makes humans act so evil?”
“Simple. They stray so far away from God and leave a gaping hole within their soul that creates a burning need to be filled. This space then gets packed with greed, jealousy, and discontentment, and they’re left with no choice but to do wicked deeds. They keep pursuing their dreams, like you and me but end up trampling over others in the process and creating ruin and destruction wherever they go.”
I grimaced and shook my head. “What a wicked scary world.”
“You have absolutely no reason to be scared,” he said, nodding his head.
“Why do you say that?”
He stopped and smiled at me as he used to when I was a little girl.
“Because God is within you! You will not be moved! He will save you from roaming the earth without a purpose!” my grandfather concluded and vanished into thin air.
I returned to earth, the least confused I’d ever been after a trip to Luenah. The rays of the sun poured into the room in full blast shrouding my vision. As I stepped down from the bed to draw the blinds, I saw glistening on my feet the gold slippers I wore at the entrance to the shrine. Confused, I shut my eyes to confirm I had returned to earth. Everything around me—starting from the piercing rays of light, to the mango trees outside, and the birds on the windowsill—confirmed my exact location. As I pondered what to make of the shoes, my ears perked at the sound of a sweet booming voice, saying, “You’re now ready to occupy your purpose.”
THE END
Acknowledgments
First, I would like to thank the Almighty God, the source of my inspiration and without whom everything would be nothing.
Writing a novel is a very lonely exercise, so when I emerge from my cocoon, I feel blessed to be surrounded by people I admire.
Massive love and appreciation for my favorite trio, Ofor, Dumkele, and Nnamdi. Nnamdi, for being my first reader and a frank one at that. Dumkele, for completing detailed and comprehensive edits. Ofor, for creating my digital productions and handling behind the scenes marketing.
To my beta readers Ogbo, Kene, Azubuike, Urunna, and Ogo, I greatly appreciate you giving me the gift of your time to read my drafts. Your advice and feedback really helped me take the story to new levels. To Urunna, thank you for
bringing my idea of the box to life.
To my publicists, virtual assistants, and graphic designers, thank you for your help and guidance through this daunting process. I can’t imagine how I would have coped without your help.
A big thanks to my family and friends. You have been there from the beginning, supporting and encouraging me.
Finally, a huge thank-you to my readers. You make me feel that the massive effort involved in writing and publishing a book is worth its while.
About The Author
Oby Aligwekwe is the author of Nfudu and Hazel House. The Place Beyond Her Dreams is her Young Adult debut. A talented writer, Oby is also an inspirational speaker and a chartered accountant. She lives in Oakville, Ontario with her family and supports her community through her charity Éclat Beginnings.
Twitter: @obyaligwekwe
Facebook: obyaligwekweauthor
Instagram: obyaligwekwe
www.obyaligwekwe.com
Also by
OBY ALIGWEKWE
Praise for Nfudu
“A Delicious Read” – KC M, London, UK
“A Heart Tugging Story” – Juliet, Canada
“Very educative, with lots of history interwoven with romance, and filled with suspense and crazy twists that took my breath away.” – Chikaego, U.S
Also by
OBY ALIGWEKWE
Praise for Hazel House
“Nail-biting suspense with twists and turns, not knowing whodunnit until the very end.” – Lena, Canada
“A must read for lovers of murder mysteries and romance, with enough suspense, intrigues, twists and turns to keep you on the edge to the very last page.” – Ifey, US
The Place Beyond Her Dreams Page 18