AWERO

AWERO
Once upon a time in the serene land of Ilu-Orita. A small settlement having it s bearing between the South-East zone of Nigeria. A village known far and wide for it liveliness at moonlit night. But this night is going to be different. The moon which was once giving a gently smile to the land was now seen snails speedily eaten up by the cloud. Shining stars where seen fading to God knows where.
. The birds where seen returning to their nest some in groups some alone. The cold breeze blowing the tree leaves in a zig zag manner forecasted an imminent rainstorm. Women who where still cooking super for their family loaded more wood into the cooking fire. Before long, the village of Orita was forced  ghost town. Every soul, was soon sleeping unconscious about their surrounding except her.
She couldn’t hold back the tears wetting her distressed face as she sat on her spring bed a gift giving to her by her father when she clocked twelve. Her parent didn’t worry much about the tears when she was reminded of her fast approaching wedding ceremony. Perhaps, they thought they were tears of joy which is usually shed by ladies if reminded about their imminent nuptials but  they are wrong. To her they were tears of pain, shame and frustration. Learning her back to the wall she pondered on how to explain to her parent the nucleus cause of her tears
As the only child born into a humble and respectful family. Awero was tutored to imbibe the fine quality of her parents. The love her parents had for her grew stronger day after day when she put some of them to use. The people of Ilu-Orita were not left out. Aweros charismatic, beauty endeared them to her. Everyone was fond of her.
Bring down her head as she supports it with her hands. She evoke the youthful dreams she had with her friends. Dream was to get married with an handsome man in their village or from her neighbors, bear children and live happily ever after. That was their dream in fact, that was every woman’s dream. What a pity, Aweros dream which was now coming to realization was now taken with disdain and dashed to the ground every pieces hopeless to bring together by a boy who was unable to say boo to a goose.
Sitting in her room, she knew her present predicament has no solution in a village like Orita who held high its traditions and customs. Kaleidoscopically she reassess the night it all happened. The night the pride and hope of a rewarding life was taken away from her. The night she cause the day, she saw the light of this world. It was a night the moon shined in it grandeur. As usual, man and woman, young and old gathered at the village square to have fun. The men gathered around keys of freshly tapped palm wine, as they conversing about their victories in wars over their enemies, while on the other side, women sit in different groups to argue and tittle-tattle about their fellow women. It was a night when the boys learn new fighting technique why the girls master new or old dancing steps not shying away the ever snooping eyes of some boys who have a desire for feeding there every eyes on the half concealed body of the dancing girls as they boogied offhandedly to the rhythm of the song.
As the night draws nigh every one started leaving the square tired and to rest for the morrows troubles having had a swell time in the square with their peers. Every soul that went to the square went home with a smile on their face. Except Awero  whose joy and smile was burgled by Ajani.
Ajani was an easy going boy, no one could believe he could hurt a fly. Ajani was not a boy of many words, his shyness made him a taciturn. He was seen and known as a respectful boy that was why Awero allowed him to see her home when leaving the square. So that night it wasn’t unusual when they were seen trudging on the part that leads to Aweros house. As they moved, they discussed about their day, and fun they had at the square.
Ajani couldn’t  hold back his lustful desires in place any more as he watched Aweros young and plumb breast jacking up and down as they moved through the part. This wasn’t his first time of seeing Aweros breast jacking the way it was but he strongly thinks it the right time to deal with her who in her naivety teased him with her body.
Oh!, Awero was a young girl. A girl who had not learnt how to use her instinct. Perhaps it wasn’t active enough to warn her of an intimidating danger when she noticed Ajanis menacing  posture. She was without stinting and naively enlightening her plans for the morrow, to Ajani who was busy weaving his basket.
The momentum at which it all took place baffled her till her death. She found it difficult to believe that in an haze, her evidence of pride as a virgin is gone. Silently she prayed hoping it was a dream. Tears of frustration ran down her now rough check when she saw Ajani fastening is rope belt delightedly and whao written all over his sweat filled face. She couldn’t help but held him in disgust when he left without saying a word, meaning she is going to face the music alone when it become conspicuous that she is no more a virgin.
It is usually an unspeakable shame for a girl and her family if the night before her proper marriage a blood stained handkerchief is not produce by her would-be hubby for the anxious spectator to see that he met his wife as a virgin. But woe betide her if a stainless cloth is not offered. She will be stoned to death out rightly for bringing shame to the village. Her parents are not left out of these, they will be banned from the village for bringing not monitoring their child. In a couple of month, that will be the faith of Awero and her parent.
Sitting silently on her bed, she knew her case is hopeless because no one will believe her story if she have the chance or live to tell it. Ajani who could have given her a ray of hope gave up the ghost three days after rapping her. There is no point waiting to die at the mercy of the angry villagers. She decided to end it all herself silently and save her parents the impending shame. Wiping the tears from her eyes with the herm of her rapper, she heads for the poison she had on the sly stolen from her father’s room the previous night which he use in reducing the irritating rats. As if the concoction will disappear the next second as it laid in her palm, she hurriedly gulped the substance. Taking a look at her room for the last time as she rest her back on her bed. Life is fair to some, why is it unfair to her?, will life also be unfair where she is going when she dies?, will she have the chance of seeing Ajani to show him the debacle his selfish desires had tune her life to be?. These and many more where the thought that was running through her mind when sleep took  hold of her while death silenced her soul .
Awero slept that night with tears on her eyes. So that was how the beautiful pride of  Ilu-Orita lost there jewel. Her parents almost wept there lives out. Although it all happened twenty years ago, the memories of her still lingered in the heart of those that beheld her beauty and charisma when she was alive. Up till now, no one really could tell the reasons behind Awero’s death.

THE END.
BY AMBROSE ANTHONY NEE(TONITO)