Chapter 7: Downfall and Humbling

Ifedike and Ngozi wedding set for end of June. Dem rush am, no get choice—if dem wait, her belle go show.

Elders no even do full traditional rite. They just manage. For village, once belle big, na speed wedding.

Last life, my wedding with am na big thing; this time, his wedding with Ngozi just dry.

No music, no dance, no goat kill. Even palmwine no sweet reach. People dey whisper, dey side-eye.

New WAEC champion suppose dey in demand, but everybody know say he offend Chief, nobody wan risk am for young man wey future no sure.

Some elders say, "Who wan give daughter to person wey disrespect Chief?" Na so dem blacklist am.

Even the WAEC champion suppose get federal appointment, but somehow, second and third place don get appointment, Ifedike still no get any letter from Abuja.

Dem say Minister don collect list. Ifedike name no enter. Some say na Chief hand block am.

Their wedding na for small compound wey Ifedike family rent. Place tight, but Ifedike spend, hire outside cook, five thousand naira per table, set ten tables, even borrow neighbour space.

The tent wey dem rent too small. Rain come fall, everywhere scatter.

Last last, no single official show; na only two tables neighbours fill.

Empty seats full ground. Ngozi just dey cry, Ifedike face like stone.

Rain beat tent scatter, even jollof rice cold, guests dey pack meat for nylon dey go.

People dey talk say na curse. For our side, if wedding dry like this, e no dey ever sweet.

He think say my papa block am, so when I go jewelry shop, he wait for me—after ten years as husband and wife, he sabi my waka well.

I see am by the counter. Him hand dey pocket, eye dey follow me like cat.

"You think say na only your papa make me big last life?" he talk, vexed. "Councilor value me because we get same political sense, and I get talent to help am run things."

He voice sharp, pride full am. He dey try impress me, but my mind dey elsewhere.

He look me, hiss. "Ignorant woman, you think say this one fit stop me? If na talk dey bring power, parrot for be governor."

He turn back, waka out like say road belong to am. I just shake head, smile small. For Naija, pride na food for some men. Only time go humble am.