Fate and Desires

The shopping mall was crowded with anxious shoppers. Christmas was around the corner and Warri city was bustling. Pushing through the crowd, Onome walked fast to keep up with her mother. They had to shop today as they had to leave for their hometown the next day to spend the holidays with relatives. As they entered a boutique, she heaved a sigh of relief as she could get some fresh air. "Choose what you want Onome, we don't have all day" her mother beckoned on her. Choosing some gowns she went ahead to test them. Looking at the mirror, she admired herself.

At sixteen she had grown into a beautiful young woman endowed with desirable features. Her mum had promised her that she could start dressing like an adult once she was sixteen and she had kept to her promise. Done shopping, they left for home. The Umukoro's lived in a beautiful home in the outskirts of Warri towards the town of Ughelli. Mr Dan Umukoro worked as a senior accountant in an oil servicing company and was handsomely paid. Onome, as an only child was given the best and shown all the love a child her age would have ever wanted. But she wished she had siblings to play with. Being alone most of the time, she became introverted, keeping to herself most of the time. The journey to their village the next day was uneventful. They hailed from Oleh, just about 70km from Warri. She always loved visiting the village as it offered her the rare opportunity to mingle with her age mates and cousins. She was particularly fond of her uncle, Pa Onajite. He was the one who taught her all she knew about Isoko culture as her parents rarely told her about such things. Oh how she loved Oleh! The native meals were very appealing too with owho soup and starch her favourite dish. These meals were usually prepared by her aunt, Dora. Aunt Dora was the youngest of the Umukoro's and was single. She was tall, fair, beautiful and in her early forties. Onome had always wondered why she wasn't married. Aunt Dora lived in Benin City and always seemed to be very bothered about her looks. Onome didn't really feel a connection with her but liked her all the same as her aunt. Unlike Warri, Oleh had a calm feel, with the villagers living a simple happy life. She remembered the first time she came to Oleh. She was about seven years. She so enjoyed herself that she never wanted to go back. Her uncle Pa Onajite always told her stories of their origins and how their people primarily migrated from the Benin Kingdom centuries ago. When he took her to the Kings palace, she was impressed with the royal grandeur, the regal composure of the King and his chiefs and the loyalty of his subjects.

After a week in the village, they prepared to go back to Warri as Onome had to return to school. She was in her final year of secondary school and had to prepare for university entrance examinations. "I have a gift for you" Pa Onajite said handing her a hand bead. "Thank you so much Uncle, I will make sure to put it on all the time" she replied giving him a hug. Pa Onajite was her father's only and elder brother. As he turned to enter his house he bumped into Aunt Dora falling to the ground "watch your steps my dear sister, am an old man you know". Aunt Dora apologised and helped him up. Soon they were on their way and Onome felt lonely once again. She listened to music over her ear piece and fell asleep as her father drove off towards Warri.