“Hello everyone. If you are listening to my voice right now, it means I am no longer among you. I am making this audio to inform Emeka that he is strictly obliged to marry Ogei and make her his only wife. He already has a child with Ogei and according to our traditions, he no longer has the right to marry any other woman but her. He must take her with him to the base and take care of her. Until this is done, he must not, under any circumstances, attend my funeral.”
Ogesi was shocked by what she had just heard. She had not expected such a declaration. Emeka’s new girlfriend no longer knew where to stand. Emeka’s mother spoke up.
“But that is impossible. What does all this mean?”
“You all heard Baba’s message. I did not say it—he did. And anyone who disobeys his request will face the consequences alone. Tomorrow we will organize Emeka’s marriage so that we can continue with Baba’s funeral. I am done.”
Emeka lowered his head sadly. He was trapped.
The next day, as planned, the traditional wedding took place in front of all the villagers. Neither Emeka nor Ogechi wanted this marriage, and it could be seen clearly on their faces. After the wedding, Linda was already thinking about how to pour all her anger onto Ogechi.
Chidike reminded Emeka that he would have to take Ogechi with him to the base and care for her. As for Ogechi, she did not want to go with Emeka, but she had nowhere else to go, especially now that Baba was dead. She had no choice but to follow him.
She decided to spend a few days in the church praying before leaving. Every evening she prayed and asked God to remove Emeka’s girlfriend from her life.
One night, while she was still praying, Ife ran to the church to see her.
“What’s happening, Ife? You scared me. Why did you leave the house tonight?”
“Come, I have something to show you,” she replied, pulling her by the hand out of the church.
She dragged her in front of Baba’s hut, where she saw Emeka’s girlfriend sitting on the ground crying with her bags.
“What happened to her?” Ogei asked.
“She says she saw Baba’s ghost in the room. Mama told her to pack her things and leave until she finds a solution.”
Linda left the village that same night in tears.
The next day, Ogei went into the kitchen to find something to eat, but she noticed that all the pots were empty. She went to the market and bought rice with the money the church members had given her. While she was cooking in the kitchen, Emeka’s mother came in looking angry.
“What are you doing here?”
“Good morning, Mama. I haven’t eaten since yesterday. I’m cooking rice.”
“My rice?”
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