Curséd
Episode 2️⃣
Ndu, I’ve started reasoning about what you once told me years ago. Odinaka told Ndudi.
What are you talking about, what did I tell you? Ndudi asked.
You once said something is behind what has been happening to me. I’ve beginning to concur with you. Look at me, a complete man that is still in his prime is been fed by his wife for years. Keke other people do get on high-purchase and balance the money under one year or after is what I couldn’t afford to do for the past eight years. Now nobody agrees I ride his keke. Ordinary Keke fifteen-year-old children are purchasing every day. Hah! A whole me, Onye ego di na aka (A person with enough money on his hand. Odinaka’s nickname)? God forbîd! Odinaka said snapping his finger.
That’s bad my brother. Ndudi said while he continues eating his groundnut.
What do you mean that’s bad? I told you what is bothering me and all you could say is that’s bad. Odinaka angrily said to Ndudi.
What do you rather have me say? Remember I made a promise to you that I will never have this conversation with you again because the last time I discussed this with you you were so angry about it. Ndudi said.
C’mon boy! That was then. Ndu, I need help. As it stands now I’m willing to go anywhere to seek for what is happening to me. Odinaka said.
I’m happy that this is coming from you. You kept quiet for years and things are seriously damaging In your life. I’m with you brother. Anywhere you are going I will surely be there for you. Ndu said.
But, where did you think all this might be coming from? Odinaka asked.
Odi, for me alone, I’m suspecting the compound you live in. Whatever is happening to you comes from there. Check the whole men in your compound, they were once millions but now it is their wives that feed them. They can’t afford their children’s school fees or anything. Help is not coming from anywhere not even from the ones they’ve helped. And what baffles me is that they all look unbothered and happy in this situation. No, no, no! This is coming from that compound. Ndu sounded so sure.
Ndu, my mind went somewhere now oh! You know Echezona? Zona electronics na? That man is the only man doing well now in our compound. Does it mean he’s behind this? I’ve beginning to suspect he took our stars and he’s now shining alone. Hei! What do you think Ndu?
Well, that I’m not sure of but you still made a strong point here. Let’s not conclude yet before we accuse the wrong person. You need to seek the answers first. Ndu said.
Where na? Where do I see answers? If you know anywhere tell me and I will go, please. Odinaka said.
Okay, Ndu said and moved closer to him. I think you need a strong native doctor for Igba Afa (for findings) he/she will tell you where what is happening is from then after that they can proffer solutions. Ndu suggested.
What of strong churches, can’t they do it? Odinaka asked.
Exactly, they can if only you meet the right people. You know fakes are everywhere nowadays. Ndu responded.
I’m coming. I will see you tomorrow. Odinaka said and hurriedly stood up to go.
Ah ah! Where are you rushing to? Ndu asked.
There’s no time. Instead of starting tomorrow let me begin today. Odinaka said and left Ndudi’s shop.
Take it easy oh! This one you are doing as if you just woke up today. Ndu said.
Odinaka got home and met his compound men playing draft and were looking so happy as Ndudi said. Odinaka has never seen anything wrong with them playing draft all day but this time around it was as if something cleared from his eyes. He looked at them and shook his head and headed to his apartment. He kept thinking until his wife came back from the market and he discussed with her the conversation he had with Ndu and his intentions. His wife was so happy about the step he was about to take.
Onye ego di na aka, you just made me remember the good old days we used to sit like this in expensive bars ordering wines. Chai! When men were men. Chai! But no problem. Ozo said to Odinaka his co-tenant and friend who took him out for a bottle of beer and discussions.
Good old days indeed my brother. How time flies. See us today na…
No, don’t go there you want to go to Odinaka. Don’t spoil this happy moment with regret and remembrance. Ozo interrupted Odinaka.
Is better if we talk about it. Look at us. Men that can’t blééd for their family to survive. Tell me, if not for our wives who have been catering for us and our children what would have become of us? My friend has been crying and insisting that something is wrong somewhere. He keeps saying what is happening is not ordinary and I’m beginning to agree with him that what is happening is from this very compound. The main reason I brought it out today is not because I have money to buy beers and meats we are eating I called you out to know if you or any other person from our compound is thinking the same. Odinaka asked Ozo.
Hmmm, none has ever thought of this including me. I believe life just happened to us or maybe like what people do say life is turn by turn. Maybe our turn has passed then God decided to bless others with what we had. Ozo said.
Who is this man? Ozo, what are you saying? That our time did what? Has God taken Dangote’s fortunes to other people and left him broke and poor? Don’t tell me these two bottles you took have started entering your head. Life happened to you and who? Odinaka asked.
My brother, life happened to you and me. We have tried as the men we are. We were eventually awake when others were asleep hustling for our today. It’s only God that knows why we ended like this. But I know the downfall of a man is not the end of his world. Ozo said looking pained.
Unbelievable! But Ozo, do you know any powerful man of God anywhere? Odinaka asked.
Eeeh, I know of one Pastor Nkechi Eneh of the Carpenter’s Church. Pastor Kesh but their church is located at Port Harcourt. Ozo responded.
I’m talking about any powerful pastor within the state. Port Harcourt is very far na. Odinaka said.
You said anywhere that’s why I suggested the one I’ve heard of. There are plenty of them at the hilltop. I heard they perform wonders there. Why are you asking, are planning to attend? Ozo said.
Forget if I’m attending or not. Did you say hilltop? On top of this mountain here? Odinaka asked.
Yes na, do we have two hilltops he? Ozo said in a loud voice.
Ozo please, don’t take another bottle so you can return home to your family looking normal. Odinaka said.
Poor man. Just tell me you don’t have the money to buy me another drink. Ozo said feeling drunk.
I agree but don’t take another bottle. Odinaka said.
Days later Odinaka went to the mountain to see a man of God. He asked people he met around the most powerful man of God around. They directly him to a Prophetess. He got there. When it was his time the see the woman of God he entered and greeted her.
Good morning woman of God. My name is…
Onye ego di na aka, speak no further for God knows you are here and why you are here. he’s telling me things about you but before we continue take this water and go and splash it at the entrance and tell the squad you came with to not enter here with you that you want to be left alone with God. The woman of God interrupted Odinaka and called his name without Odinaka telling her his name.
Odinaka took the water and kept it at the entrance door and started murmuring home.
Fake everywhere! God has exposed her today. She guessed wrongly. That’s how they will be guessing and claiming they see tomorrow and be eating poor people’s money. Probably she saw me when I was coming with other people that went in another direction. She concluded they are with me so that I will think she was seeing a vision. Hahaha! Ndi uka! (Church people) they will not eat my money anyways. Odinaka murmurs as he heads home.
To be continued…
Written by Amaka Ember.
