EPISODE 1
He sat down motionless on a long
bench across the verandah. He
peeped this way and that way and
yet he did not see anything. He was sweating
profusely although it was the harmattan season.
His confusion began when he learnt that the girl
who he so much loved was leaving for America
the following day.
He had been in love with Alice for the
past five years and Alice just got the opportunity
recently The villagers knew about their
relationship. The parents of the couple even call
themselves IN-LAWS. It was certain that their
children were going to marry in no distant time.
But this recent development has placed a knife in
the rope that held them together. Okorie was a
young handsome man of twenty five years. He
had only his primary school education at his
early age. He grew up to become a professional
driver. He was not rich but popular among his
people. Alice his girl friend lost her parents in a
fatal motor accident. She was brought to the
village under the tutelage of her grandmother
who fried Aka” in the village. She always
assisted the mother in her “Akara” business
That was how she met Okorie who normally
bought “Akara” and always left his change
behind for Alice.
Alice was a beautiful, young girl and
chocolate in colour, she had her primary school
education in the city. She could not further her
education because of the death of her parents
Okorie stood up. He looked towards the
entrance of the door but there was nobody
coming. He breathed deeply, sat down on the
bench again. He could not imagine how his life
would be without Alice He was worried
because he thought that when Alice travelled
abroad she would never be his own.
A cock was chasing after a hen and the
hen ran towards Okorie. He did not notice that it
was a cock with a hen. He jumped up quickly
and wanted to run. He looked at the cock and
hen, he heaved a sigh and said, “I don’t blame
you”. He wanted to laugh when the cock was
dancing with one of its feathers spread towards
the hen. He picked a stone from the ground and
hit the cock hard. They ran away with a loud
shout. He sat down again and immediately
Alice came in. “Good afternoon Okorie. He did
not reply but was looking at her. ‘Why did you
not answer my greeting? He heaved a sigh of
relief and said “Alice why have you decided to
leave me at this stage of our relationship?” ..|
have explained to you how it all happened: Even
if I travel abroad I will still be your wife and the
mother of all your babies”. Don’t you think it is
a mere illusion? Okorie asked” No. I will
always be there for you. Do you know that a girl
is like a hawk? My case will never be like that
Are you sure that, your late father’s friend is
sincere and that he will not maltreat you or even
marry you while in America? Far be it from us
It cannot happen like that. I am no longer a kid
l know what is good for me. O darling cheer up
and be glad The journey will bring progress to
me and to you. The money I will make over
there will be used for our marriage and I will
take you along when I will go back
Are you going to be frying Akara” in
America or what will you do to make a living?
Well. until I get there. The circumstance will
provide the kind of job that I will do. But why
cant you tell the man that you are not interested
to go? My late parents left six of us and I am the
first and the only girl I want to better their
conditions and even your own. Did you tell the
man that you have a serious relationship with
me? Yes. of course. I told him everything about
you. I can’t still understand because the world is
full of deceit. Your younger brothers and the
other members of the family have accepted the
proposal. I did not accept it but I cannot tie you
with anything. I wish you a safe journey. Cloud
of tears rushed down from Okorie’s cheeks and
Alice started to weep. She used her
handkerchief to clean Okorie’s tears as she was
ready and he stood up to accompany her. He
stopped at the entrance of the compound while
he looked towards the road that Alice took.
