The trick

There are a few ways to identify a ghost in this village. Either by using rain water which has a long process or by using ash from an iroko tree, this method is mostly used by a professional or by using the rare method snake leave and the simplest method is using a native egg. In this village, almost every growing child was taught the egg trick as it was the easiest way to identify a ghost.

How am i suppose to do it, Ayonadu asked with a loud voice as Agnes walked away.

You're far from being a member of thus village Ayonadu, she shook her head in disappointment.

Since you're a full member you should do it, he said with a chuckle.

Agnes smiled and continue to climb the stairs.

How do you feel, my dear, Abigail asked Nengi as they sat in the kitchen.

I'm fine mama

You should eat and drink enough water, so your baby will grow perfectly, Abigail suggested.

Ah mama, my baby?

Yes

But I'm not pregnant

Abigail chuckled softly. You hips have gotten bigger, your breast are not the same size i last saw them. Amd your lower abdomen has expanded. I know when i see a pregnant woman. Haven't you been getting the morning sickness lately?

Nengi gasped. Yes mama I've been getting sick almost every morning since the last new moon.

You will be fine my child.

Aunty you really are very observant, Nengi said with a small smile.

Abigail just smiled. I'm glad you will soon be a mother.

I'm glad too. I will share the good news soon after the ceremony with my husband.

Mm-hmm, Abigail nodded. Go on drink the milk before it gets cold. You know we have a wedding to attend, Abigail smiled.

How do you feel Aunty?

Abigail exhaled deeply and smiled. You're the first person in a long time to ask me this question.

I'm glad..

After a fleeting seconds, Abigail responded. I'm happy yet I'm sad, she exhaled. We don't always get what we want, do we?

No, Nengi shook her head.

That's why we should try our best to make use of the ones we have and hold it dearly.

Nengi smiled. I will stay as long as i can, she said and hugged her.

Abigail eyes now clog with tears that threaten to fall. She quickly sniffled.

Hurry up child. We have a wedding to attend.

Agnes murmured on her way to Ronald's room. How can Ayonadu become so dull. I mean after all the teachings, she scoffed. And Ronald-- she sighed and knocked. After a few seconds, there was no response. She opened the door and sighed when she saw him laying on bed shirtless.

What is going on, she said as she walked in, covering her eyes. She had a look of disbelief. How could he be sleeping with a wedding ongoing, she scoffed.

Ronald!

Hm, he answered sluggishly

Get up thia instant. You're lucky uncle Alfred wasn't the one here, i don't know if you would still be in one piece.

But you're the one here, he smiled infectiously.

Don't seduce me and put on your shirt, she chuckled slightly, handing him his shirt.

Have you ever imagined how you will look in my bed?

Huh? You're insane!

Ronald chuckled.

How could you think that? she frowned slightly.

I was just asking. He button his shirt and smiled at her.

What?

I need a hand with the tie, he gestured.

Agnes sighed and went to help.

Here he offered her a small cushion for her to step on.

How am i suppose to do this? Ayonadu sighed. How could she send me here alone. He walked to the poultry house and shook his head in amusement.

Not only does the Cliffords take care of people they also care for their livestocks as much.

So i have to wait for mother hen to lay.. he sighed again in frustration. Just after a fleeting moment, the mother hen layed.. and he smiled.

Now what do we have here, he said and picked two eggs and left the poultry house.

I'm surprised you grew so tall, she chuckled slightly.

What do you mean, my whole family is tall, he responded with a smile gazing at her.

Agnes eyes were fixed on his lips as he spoke. She exhaled and looked back at his deep set eyes that were beautiful to be lost in.

She cleared her throat. I know. I know.

You on the other hand, he gave her a teasing look.

Stop that! She laughed. I'm a woman I'm allowed to be short, slightly, she added.

Oh i see.. it now falls on you to marry a tall gentle man like myself, he said teasingly and she laughed.

Every gentleman that have asked my hand is tall and handsome. So i find myself lucky to choose from one of them.

How can you possibly choose another gentle man that is not me, he said in a whisper.

Agnes nerve spiked just that single action. She exhaled deeply. She opened her mouth to say something but no word came out. She gulped and continued with the tie.

What's wrong, he asked.

Huh? She exhaled again. Nothing.

Do you not like me even a little?

She laughed nervously. What are you saying, i- i like you Ronald but as a friend, she blurted.

Ronald chuckled slightly, something that sent a stirring feeling to her.

Then why do your hand shake so much fixing my tie? He holding her small tender hands against his chest.

Agnes was a young maiden but she was not naive. She was one of thise privileged women who were educated.

She looked at him, lost in his eyes, it made him wonder what she was thinking.

If you like me, you should go to my father and ask for my hand instead of trying to seduce me like that, she said. Here I'm done, she added.

Ronald chuckled. What took you so long, he teased.

Concentration wasn't guaranteed, she responded and Ronald laughed.

I'm quite handsome

Don't flatter yourself!

I'm not, he pinched her cheek softly

Just then Ayonadu came calling.

Agnes! Agnes! How thank the gods you're still here with this-- he glanced at Ronald in a seemly unconcerned manner and Ronald chuckled. I got it but it took me so long.

What's going on? Why are you with a egg-- eggs, Ronald pointed.

They are for our in-laws

They want eggs now? Ronald asked picking his black coat on the chair.

No we want to give them eggs, Agnes replied.

Huh? Eggs for bride price? Two eggs? He scoffed. Our in-laws are wealthy, they can't possibly need two eggs.

Of course they do, Agnes responded.

No-- wait those are native eggs?

Yes.

Ayonadu! Ronald called in a knowing manner. Tell me what's going on?

Ayonadu sighed deeply. It's a long story.

And you don't want to know about it, Agnes added.