OJUJU: THE VILLAGE OF FORBIDDEN LOVE - EPISODE 5
Amisha's eyes locked onto Aguka's, searching for any sign of deception.
"Why do you want to help me?" she asked
"Just like you, I am also tired of all the di@bolical activities going on in this village. I have seen the s@crifices countless times. How innocent lives are taken in the name of Ojuju. I want out of this village and I think we can help each other." He said
Amisha hesitated trying to weigh her options. She had few choices and even fewer allies and so felt there was no harm in trusting Aguka
"Okay I will trust you but I hope I don't regret it," she said finally.
" Of course you won't. Infact you would be glad you did" Aguka said
" Alright. So when do we leave?" She asked
"Tonight, under the cover of darkness. Meet me at the old windmill again. We'll make our escape from there." He said
As Aguka turned to leave, Amisha caught his arm.
"Wait, how do I know I can trust you? What if Asakwe finds out?" She asked
"I understand your doubts but I swear on my life, I am not working with Asakwe. I want freedom, just like you." He said
With that Aguka disappeared into the night leaving Amisha with more questions than answers. But she had made up her mind to trust him at least for now.
When Amisha got home, she thought about telling her father that they were escaping that night. However, she knew her father would never agree to it, given his devotion to Ojuju and Asakwe. Instead, she came up with a different plan.
"Papa let's go see Asakwe," Amisha said to her father Adazi.
" Why?" He asked
"I want to tell her that I have agreed to be the next Ojuju priestess." She said
Adazi's face suddenly lit up with happiness and Joy
"Really?" He asked
"Yes Papa" She replied
"That's my daughter. You are our family's honor. Let's go at once." He said
" No not now. I saw her earlier and she asked me to come over at night fall" Amisha said
" Really?" He asked
" Yes Papa" She replied
" Alright no problem" he said
When it was night time, Amisha didn't park any clothing or personal effects. This is so that her father would not suspect her of trying to run away
" We can always get close whenever we get out of the village" She said to herself
" Papa" She called out
" Yes my daughter " Adazi responded from inside his room
" Let's go. Let's not keep her waiting " She said
Adazi emerge from his room looking all set
" I am ready my daughter. Let's go" He replied
As they walked to the Ojuju shrine, Adazi noticed they were taking a different route.
"Amisha, why are we going this way? We usually take the main path to Ojuju shrine." He asked
Amisha hesitated and then lied
"Asakwe asked me to meet her at a different location today. She wants to discuss some secret preparations with us" Amisha said
"Very well then, let's hurry so as not to keep the great Asakwe waiting." He said
Amisha's heart pounded with anxiety.
"Am I leading my father into freedom or into a trap" She asked herself as she headed toward their planned escape route, where Aguka would be waiting.
As Amisha and her father made their way to the windmill, her heart was pounding in her chest.
Aguka was already there with his eyes scanning the surroundings.
"I thought you were no longer coming" Aguka said
*Why won't I?" She asked
"Who is he?" Adazi asked his daughter
"Papa he is the messenger sent by Asakwe to direct us to the place" Amisha said and immediately signalled Aguka to play along
"Oh okay" Adazi said
"Let's go," Aguka whispered leading them to a hidden path they never knew existed.
As they walked, the darkness seemed to swallow them. Amisha stumbled but Aguka caught her hand and helped her from falling
" We are almost there," he whispered to Amisha
Suddenly the wind began to blow massively and Asakwe's voice echoed through the night.
"Hahaha Amisha! You'll never escape Ojuju!" Asakwe's voice said
" Amisha's heart sank. Had Aguka betrayed her?"
" Was he working for Asakwe" She asked herself
Aguka took Amisha's hand as well as that of Adazi with their footsteps pounding the earth as they run through the darkness with Asakwe's cackling laughter growing louder and closer to them
Aguka led Amisha and Adazi into a narrow way between two rocks. There they held their breath with hearts racing.
"Shh, quiet," Aguka whispered
As they caught their breath, Amisha realized Aguka's hand still held hers and she didn't pull away.
After a few moments, Aguka peeked out and then nodded.
"The coast is clear. Let's move."
"What is happening?" Adazi asked
"Don't worry Papa. I will explain everything to you later" Amisha said
They continued on the secret path, dodging trees and leaping over roots. The village's sounds faded, replaced by the night's whistles of crickets, rustling leaves, and distant howling.
Finally, they saw a glimmer of light – the edge of the forest.
"Freedom is ahead of us" Aguka said
As they emerged into the moonlit clearing Amisha's father Adazi became frantic.
"Amisha! What's happening?"
"We are escaping the village sir. We are escaping Asakwe's powers—" Aguka said but was cut short by Adazi
"What?" Adazi shouted
"Papa relax" Amisha said
"So you lied to me" Adazi asked
"Sir it is for your own good" Aguka said
"Shut up your mouth. I was talking to my daughter. You know you this boy, you shouldn't have interfered in our lives. Now my family would have pay the price for sacrilege." Adazi shouted
"Papa trust us. We can make it." Amisha said
"Ojuju's wrath is not to be underestimated my daughter." Adazi said
As they talked, the forest behind them erupted in chaos as Asakwe's voice suddenly boomed again
"You can't escape this village!" Asakwe said
Adazi's fear suddenly turned to desperation.
"Since you have already made me commit this sacrilege, We have to keep moving. We can't let Asakwe catch us." Adazi said
Aguka nodded and said
"This way, sir. I know a safe place nearby."
They sprinted across the clearing with the darkness swallowing them once more. Asakwe's cries continued to echo through the forest
As they ran, Amisha stumbled while trying to catch her breath. Aguka caught her elbow and they looked at each other eye ball to eye ball
"Something feels familiar in his eyes" Amisha said to herself
She felt his eyes were eyes she had looked into before. Aguka smiled and helped her up
" We are Almost there," he whispered.
Suddenly, a figure emerged from the shadows – a woman with a kind face
"Aguka, I see you have brought your friends," she said
" Yes" Aguka replied
"Welcome, Amisha and Adazi. I'm Nnikpi. You're safe now." She said leaving Amisha and her father wondering how this strange woman knew their names
Nnikpi led them to a small cottage on the outskirts of the forest. Inside the cottage was a warm fire stand and the scent of herbs filled the air.
"Rest here," Nnikpi said
"Thank you but are we safe here" Amisha asked
"Yes You are safe from Asakwe's reach. For now." She said
Amisha collapsed onto a nearby stool with exhaustion written all over her face
What happens next?
Aguka came into the cottage where Nneoma, Amisha and Adazi her father was.
He looked at Amisha and went straight to where Nneoma was standing. Suddenly Nneoma entered into his body and they became one. His face transformed and he turned to Asakwe
"So, you are Asakwe?" Amisha said with a trembling voice
Asakwe's laughter echoed through the forest sending chills down Amisha's spine.
"You can never run away from me or Ojuju Amisha. You are bound by bl**d and tradition." Asakwe said
" Please don't harm my father. He is innocent of this please" Amisha begged
" Amisha You will make a fine priestess and your father will ensure your compliance." Asakwe said
Adazi out of fear nodded in agreement.
"Yes, Amisha will make a fine priestess. Please let Ojuju guide her" Adazi pleaded
Suddenly, .Asakwe's eyes turned red in anger with her hands weaving intricate patterns in the air. Amisha sensed her father's fear as his body was trembling beside hers.
"No, please!" Amisha fell to her knees with hands clasped together
"Have mercy Asakwe! Don't harm my father. He's innocent. I will do anything, just spare him." Amisha pleaded
Asakwe's gaze lingered on Amisha with her expression unreadable. After what felt like an eternity she spoke
"Very well, Amisha. I will spare your father's life... this time. But you will pay the price for your defiance. Go back to the village, and never, ever think about escaping again. You are bound to Ojuju, and you will fulfill your duty as priestess. I will let you know what you have to do to keep your father alive" Asakwe said
Amisha felt a little relief but she knew she had merely delayed the inevitable. Asakwe's mercy was going to come sure with a steep price
When they arrived home, Adazi's demeanor shifted from fear to anger.
"Amisha, what's gotten into you?. You consistently put us in danger with your foolish ideas of escape. Don't you know that Asakwe's mercy is not to be tested?." Adazi vent out in anger
Amisha stood silent. She knew how her father can be when he is angry. She had seen him angry before, but this time, it was different.
"If you ever attempt to escape again, I will disown you for life. You're my daughter, and I won't tolerate disobedience. You will fulfill your duty as priestess, and that's final. Do you understand me?" He asked
Amisha nodded slowly, feeling a lump form in her throat. She knew her father's words weren't empty threats. He would do exactly as he said if she disobeyed again.
"I'm doing this for your own good, Amisha. You need to understand the importance of your role in our village. Being a priestess is not just a duty; it's an honor. And you will respect that." Adazi said with a more softer voice
Amisha felt tears pricking at the corners of her eyes. She wanted to scream, to tell her father that she didn't want to be a priestess, that she wanted to live her own life. But she knew that would only make things worse.
"Yes Papa, I understand." She said
Adazi nodded with an expression that shows he had accepted her reply.
"Good. Now let's go inside." He said
As they walked into the house, Amisha felt like she was walking into a prison. She was trapped, bound by her father's expectations and Ojuju's powers and she wondered if she would ever find a way out.