Ada woke up to realize that the dreadful day had started already. The memory of that morning flashed before her, and like the gods would watch humans live their life's. She relieved the mermory of herself as she tried to escape the life sentence which awaited her.
Getting up from her bed, she examined her legs to see the scratches she had gotten from her failed escape. She walked outside and winced in the scorching heat and sun which normally smile at her seemed to have lost it joy.
Ada mother stood in front of her father's house smiling proudly at Ada as the women of Afudo position different plates of kolanuts for the elders that sat daily in the court of the king. The women spoke on the price of the lastest wrapper and clothes and gossip about other villagers. Once in a while they would stop and stare at Ada making comments on how lucky she was.
Ada's father had gone to the palace for a meeting with the king on his new role as King's representative in (IBOCHI) A neighbouring village just conquered by the crown prince [Ikenna] and the warrior of Afudo. Now her family would live a long distance from her. This made no difference to Ada because their daily proximity never filled the emotional distance, she had always felt like the odd one out.
She remembered how the girls had a look at her after she had been chosen. How Sara would snatch water pot, break it and laugh at her wondering loud how the gods had chosen Ada instead of other beautiful normal maidens of Afudo. Now the same girl chattered up and down her family compound smiling and giggling like a cock that had just crowed for the first time in the morning.
Ada wish they could take the calabash [cup] she was forced to drink from. She would give it freely to the last drop and go her way. Her father thought it was an honour and the best thing for the family to be associated with the royal family through marriage. Her father did not have a male child to carry on his name, but Ada's marriage to the prince would bring blessings worth more than ten son's to the family.
"Funny how destiny offered a drink that gives bitterness to one and sweetness to another" Ada thought.
They smile at her, cousins hovering around the pot covered with leaves for the royal family. She looked at them and knew within her that she had no connection with these people.
Adamma oh..eh....Adamma Nne akuzo(Ada's mother) as she started to walk towards Ada. She touched Ada's skin, shoulders, her hair, cheeks and busts, looking enquiring at Ada like she was trying to read the young woman's mind.
"She hummed softly as she fussed over the reluctant bride. We have to make the the wrapper tight today. And your her hair will be braided into eight parts then she stare into Ada's eyes, are you not lucky? Today you would take the place all the maidens of Afudo will give a leg for.
Adamma oh....eh....Adamma the other women came in to join as they sang together.