84 PREGNANT FOR A GHOST 1. (1/2)

Odo Junior was the only son of Mr and Mrs Odo Nwaiwu, he hailed from Anambra state, they had been living in Benin for over fifteen years before the civil war, where they had come to sources for greener pasture, his parents were known gun smiths, Mr Odo had learnt this amazing skill from his own father who had served the his British colonial masters during the colonial era.

Odo Nwaiwu junior grew up in Benin and finally joined his fathers business he was an Igbo boy who later fell in love with with a maiden Izogie, both of them secretly loved each other however, they were scared to let their parents know about their feelings for each other because they each had on their own tried to sample the opinion of their family regarding the possibility of them marrying.

Father what do you think of a Benin girl? Odo Nwaiwu had asked his father on one occasion.

The father had turned to him, and asked what kind of studied question is this one?.... in the most igbotic tone you can imagine, how can I think of a Benin girl? for what now?

Father I mean what is your impression of them? what happens if I marry one of them?

Bia** Junior, since you are ready to marry go back to our village and find a strong Igbo girl to marry biko, those girls are stronger than you o, and their eyes are very big and them too like oyibo things.

So father what if I want to marry one of them? Odo still asked his father.

For what nah? he replied please talk of something else, if you are ready to marry then I will write a letter to my brother, your uncle Odo-olisa to arrange a beautiful maiden for you to marry, in fact tomorrow you will help me write the letter.

This kind of conversation also transpired in the home of Izogie the third daughter and fifth child of Chief and Mrs Nosakhare.

Daddy! Izogie called to her father.

Izogie what is it? her father inquired.

What do you think of me marrying someone from another tribe?

what do you mean, marrying someone from another tribe? her father reiterated.

Father ah! okay say an Igbo man comes to ask for my hand in marriage will you accept it, she asked.

what kind of question is this? this hot afternoon oghene? Izogie, remove your mind from any Igbo man, I have made arrangement with the Esosa's you will be marrying their son the one working in the white mans house as their driver. Mr Nosakhare finished stood up and left his daughter.

Izogie shouted after him father I won't marry that man o, I already have someone I want to marry. Mr Nosakhare didn't even show any sign of hearing what his daughter screaming.