The news of Ekene's uncle's tragic passing reverberated throughout Amosu village, touching the hearts of all who had known the kind-hearted man. An air of sadness settled upon the community as they came together to mourn the loss of one of their own
"Oh, James, gone so soon," one mourner lamented, her voice heavy with sorrow
Another offered a somber reflection on the fleeting nature of life. "Death is no respecter of man. The good, the bad, the pretty, the ugly, the rich, the poor – everyone will one day face death"
"It hurts that such a good man had to die so untimely," a third villager added, her eyes brimming with tears
As words of the tragedy reached Ekene's extended family, they journeyed from near and far to pay their respects and join in the preparations for the burial of their brother, cousin, and uncle. Among the mourners were Ekene's estranged parents, who had remarried and arrived with their new spouses and children. Their sudden reappearance ignited a fire of resentment within Ekene, who had been left to fend for himself as a child even as their lives had prospered
Despite the tension and unspoken pain that simmered beneath the surface, the preparation for the funeral progressed smoothly, the village uniting in their shared loss. The necessary arrangements were made, and the dates for the burial were set, each detail carefully planned to honour the memory of the man who had touched so many lives
Throughout the whirlwind of activities, Ekene did his best to avoid his parents, the wound of abandonment still raw and festering. For their part, his parents found themselves unable to confront the son they had left behind, the weight of their choices heavy upon their shoulders
The burial ceremony was a solemn affair, the villagers gathering to mourn the loss of a cherished brother, friend, neighbor, cousin, and uncle. Amidst the sea of faces, Ekene found comfort in the presence of his dearest friends – Samuel, Cynthia, Chidinma, and Grace – who had traveled great distances to offer their support and share in his grief
As the somber proceedings came to a close and the dust began to settle, Ekene's family and friends began to prepare to depart, leaving him alone with his thoughts and the lingering pain of loss. Standing before his uncle's grave, Ekene allowed himself a moment of quiet reflection, his heart heavy with the weight of farewell and a feeling of gratitude
It was then that a voice spoke from behind him, cutting through the silence. "He was a good man."
Ekene stiffened, his mother's words hanging in the air between them. For a moment, he remained silent, the tension palpable as years of hurt and resentment bubbled to the surface
Attempting to bridge the chasm that had grown between them, Ekene's mother tried once more. "Hey, Ekene. How are you feeling? You've grown so much since the last time I saw you,"
Unable to contain his anger any longer, Ekene lashed out, his voice laced with bitterness. "What do you want, Angela?"
Taken aback by her son's cold demeanor, Ekene's mother bristled at the disrespect. "Hey, have you lost your manners? Is that any way to talk to your mother, addressing her by her first name?"
Ekene's gaze remained fixed on the freshly turned earth before him, his words measured and heavy with emotion. "Hah! It's too bad, but the only parent figure I have is the man resting in this grave"
Ekene's mother took a deep breath before continuing. "Ekene, why don't you come and stay with me and my family in Australia? You don't have to stay here." Her voice was soft, laced with a hope that felt like a plea. "What do you say?"
Ekene, his eyes still fixed on his uncle's grave, refused to yield. "Angela, this is my home. So, I'm not going anywhere!"
Ekene's mother's voice grew desperate, her regret and longing colouring each word. "I know you're angry with me. I know your father and I abandoned you when you were just a little boy. But please give me a chance to make amends"
"How exactly do you plan on making amends?" Ekene snapped, his anger rising to the surface once more. "By taking me to Australia? What about Uncle James? You never cared that your family was in a dangerous environment. Just leave already. I don't want to see your ugly face"
With a heavy heart and tears streaming down her face, Ekene's mother had no choice but to turn away, the chasm between them as wide and deep as ever. As she walked away, her steps faltered under the weight of her regrets, her mind consumed by the child she had left behind
Unbeknownst to Ekene, Princess Adaeze watched from the shadows, her own heart breaking as she witnessed the exchange. Dressed in dark attire, she remained unseen, her gaze never leaving Ekene as tears coursed down her cheeks. As she slipped into a waiting car, she gave the order to take her home, her voice barely a whisper
Within the confines of the car, a peculiar passenger stirred.
"You know, he's a remarkable young man," the python that Ekene had encountered in the palace said
Princess Adaeze nodded, "Yes, Mum. And now, I'm scared that he might never forgive me. I messed up big time"
The Serpent, a source of wisdom and comfort, offered a gentle reassurance, "Don't be too hard on yourself, my daughter. If he's yours, he'll come back for you"
Princess Adaeze closed her eyes, the image of Ekene's face burned into her mind. "I hope so," she whispered, a desperate prayer on her lips