Chapter Eight

Ereyei's home was one; it was indivisible. The women were friends. The two women were friends, it was a wonderful story. The Ereama people thought that Ebiotu would cause problem. Surprisingly Ebiotu, was so accommodating, so loving and so caring. This beautiful attitude of Ebiotu made Ereyei happy and forget the bitter days, the days in which he was caught up in the web of two indispensable alternatives. At last he had settled with polygamy. and it was paying off.

Whenever he saw Ebiotu and Luisa sitting or eating together, his heart was filled with joy. Then he would remember when hisgrandfather, Adaka married three wives who were peacefully living together. He remembered how the three wives were keeping one kitchen until he met his sudden death. He remembered how Pa Adaka, sometime bought one type of cloth for all of them and caused them to use it at the same time. Pa Adaka's home was one social unit in which children and wives were living together as one.Ereyei's home was full of life. There was no want in food, drinks, and clothes. The two women were adequately cared for. Ebiotu had got some money. She was also a worker-a health worker, an environmental officer. She was highly contented with her job, pay and marriage now. She was now robust full of energy and drive. She bought clothes for Luisa; she loved Luisa for her simplicity, obedience and softness of her heart. Luisa called her 'mummy' and Ebiotu was happy. But what increased her happiness was that she fell that a child would soon come to the home through Luisa.

But two years had gone. Luisa's womb was still as fresh as-she came to the home. The joy in the home was gradually waning. What was the problem? Ebiotu asked Ereyei to know what might have gone wrong even with Luisa. Ereyei could not provide any plausible reason for the delay of child bearing in respect of Luisa. One quiet night, Luisa woke her husband up "my love, have you done the appeasement? You know my father told you to appease Bemou-oru so that the god would not be angry that you have taken me for a wife" Luisa reminded Ereyei elaborately. Ereyei dismissed the matter with a wave of the hand. He did not believe in the power of the so called god, although he was not strongly in the white man's religion. Ebiotu too reminded him of the danger of neglecting covenants with gods. She told him that since he was not a strong believer in the white man's faith, he could go the traditional way to solve the matter. Ebiotu counselled again that if he could give out his life to the white man's religion, then the agreement could be broken by God's power. "Don't worry my love" Ereyei boasted. While the entire home was in a state of trouble, something good was happening to Ebiotu. Ebiotu had not seen her menstrual discharges for three months and she felt symptoms of pregnancy. She could not tell her husband because she was not very sure. But now that another round of pains and sorrow was visiting the home, she had to tell him. When actually she told him, Ebiotu could not believe the story. So he spent good time in studying her atmosphere, her body language and everything. He saw that something was inside the womb. Ebiotu was happy, yet he kept it secret.

Meanwhile Luisa was not happy. Sadness had enveloped her. And on a very hot sultry day, as she was sitting alone in the porch of the building, a very big python crawled graciously to the porch and stood still. Then she knew, the hour had come. She had to act fast. She went for hot drink, sugar and alligator pepper and come back. Having chewed the alligator pepper and sugar, with some spoken words she spewed the content out on the python. The python then went back. She told Ereyei and Ebiotu that danger was imminent, and that Ereyei should be fast in taking most appropriate action. Ereyei smiled and did nothing.

Ebiotu's pregnancy was now coming out well. The rumor like wild harmattan fire had spread to the entire Ereama village. It was a surprise, but such was life. In the school teachers and students were now greeting Ereyei with great obedience. Some even congratulated him openly. High praises to God Almighty were given by people especially those in the very church Ereyei attended.