The Strongest Deity Episode 8

 Ima House

Ima went home that day and couldn't sleep. She was restless and angry at herself and the new Deity for disgracing her in front of her friends. She thought that the new Deity who had introduced Himself to her, would have shew Himself to her friends as well. Now she looks like a liar and a fool in front of her friends. 

She had talked to her friends with full boldness and confidence about the new Deity and how mighty He said He is. 

Ima let out a mocking laugh when she remembered that they only have 12 hours by morning the next day to come up with a legit plan, else they would surely be sacrificed to Udeku (what a useless, selfish and blood thirsty beast), she thought.

She was not hungry. She had lost her appetite and couldn't eat that night. When she came back home, she greeted her parents and went straight to bed. She didn't want to argue with them. She's too tired for any of that now.

Her mum tried to talk to her but she ignored her. She was indeed bitter about the whole thing. When Mmachi saw that her daughter had “gone to bed”, she left her room and joined her husband Anthony who was resting in the living room.

She couldn't help but cry silently as she was lost in thought. She decided to accept her date and embrace her daughter's fate with a clear heart. She would have done anything to salvage the situation but there's nothing she can do. 

Maybe the parents of those virgins they had sacrificed to Udeku years ago felt like this hell and their children probably cried to death as they saw their death before dying.

She wondered silently. 

If they had accepted their fate and died, we all should also accept this too. She was lost in her reverie until sleep came and knocked her out to the dream land.

Grace House 

Grace's character is becoming unbearable these days and I don't like it a bit. Her attitude is getting scarier by the day. I'm afraid we might lose her before the actual sacrifice. Ann complained to her husband after the argument with her earlier.

Ann went and sat beside her husband Ajayi who had been calm the whole time. Won't you say something? Ann nagged annoyingly. 

What exactly do you want me to do? Ajayi snapped at his wife. He's pissed about the whole thing. He had thought of a thousand ways to save his daughter but he couldn't think of anything. By tomorrow morning, it would be sacrificing his only child to the greedy Udeku and he can't do anything about it. He would watch his own child die and would do nothing about it, absolutely nothing.

He was so frustrated that he felt so useless and less of a man. This is that time he regretted ever being a member of the circle of five. He's going to be childless soon. The anger, regret and hurt in his heart was so much that he couldn't speak much but just observe. He wished that something might just happen and his only child would be saved.

Udeku has been merciful before now, so they thought. He always requests sacrifices from other families. Why will he specifically ask for the children of the inner circle of five? Ajayi could not comprehend why he's acting this way.

Ajayi was contemplating asking for Udeme's help but had kicked against it because it might cause more than it is right now. He exhaled deeply. He didn't want to lose his daughter. He would like to discuss it again with the other members in the morning. He is desperate and would do anything that will save his only child.

My husband, Ann called Ajayi bringing him out of his reverie. What do you suggest we do so as to have our daughter back to us? She asked worriedly. I don't want to lose my daughter, my only precious child to that deity. 

Please save my daughter,my only child. Ann pleaded with her husband as she broke down in tears. She was wondering how she could live without a child after all she went through before having her only child Grace.

She stayed for 15 years in marriage before she was able to give birth to her Grace. She received so many insults from friends and loved ones. Some had called a 'man' living with a fellow man.

She would never forget the experience she passed through years back because of her childlessness. Her co wife who was the wife of her husband's elder brother had called her barren and a man one day she was sweeping their compound. The incident that led to this was a bitter one.

The Strongest Deity 8 

Ann woke up one morning, she went outside to sweep her compound. As she was sweeping Obete her co wife decided to cause trouble as usual. She walked past where she was sweeping and began to mock her. Calling her names. She told Ann that she was a man living with a fellow man. She told her that her type could never give birth or have the opportunity to carry one. She went ahead to curse, saying that she was a pathetic barren woman and that was the reason no one wants to associate with her. And that was the main reason for her bitterness and lack of respect. And it was as a result of her wickedness that made her sweep her feet knowing fully well that she was passing by. Ann was stunned by Obete's behavior because she knew that the broom never touched her feet. She only wanted to taunt her.

Ann decided to report the issue to her husband but her husband Ajayi pleaded with her to overlook Obete and her troubles.

Ann obeyed her husband but she could not forget the words of Obete. She cried her eyes out as she remembered those words. She cried bitterly for several nights. She desperately wanted a child or children to call her own. 

She began to think of possible ways to solve her problem. Even Udeku could not help her when she needed him the most. Udeku told her through his priest that she would never give birth to any child. And that she was not meant to have any child or children in this lifetime. She had cried bitterly and finally lost hope of having any child. 

The heavens decided to remember her on the 15th year of her barrenness. She had woken up one morning and felt weakness, dizziness and nausea. The nausea felt so strong that she vomited many times.

Her husband Ajayi had wondered what was wrong with his wife. He has never seen her that ill before and he feared the worst. He decided to take her to the herbalist to know what was wrong with her. He was really worried.

Anthony, you don't have to be afraid. Your wife does not have any terminal disease, she's 5 weeks gone. The old herbalist announced with a smile. 

I…I don't understand. Can you stop speaking in parables? Anthony asked impatiently. 

Anthony, your wife is pregnant. It's still a miracle. The herbalist mumbled. He didn't know how this happened. He was sure that Udeku had pronounced her barren. It was no longer news in the kingdom. Her second name was barren. He couldn't understand how someone that mighty Udeku has declared barren was able to convince. It was still strange to him.

Are you saying that my wife is pregnant? Anthony asked absentmindedly. He was overwhelmed by the new discovery. He couldn't believe it. He was speechless. He suddenly let out a scream startling his wife and the herbalist.

He suddenly rushed to his zoned out wife and engulfed her in a bone cracking hug. He didn't know how long the hug lasted, not until she patted him on the back, telling him to loosen his grip on her. He lazily released her and stared at her with different emotions running through his mind. I love you. My beloved. He voiced out with so much love. 

Thanks for making me a man again. He said in tears. I had long waited for this day. I had already lost all hopes. He muttered. 

The news of Ann's pregnancy spread like wild fire when her belle began to protrude. She couldn't hide it anymore. Some said that she was finally cursed. Some said she was pregnant with a demon. Some sincere people prayed to Udeku that it should be a child indeed.