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EXILE - Chapter Fifty-eight
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2024-10-29 19:42:56Ibekwe cupped his hands as the liquid flowed through his throat. He leaned on the wall and angled his right knee, to give his body adequate support. The night air had grown warmer, much to the comfort of his own soul and a wind had risen and the rains had slowly darted away. After he emptied the water inside the gourd into his stomach, he dropped it down and placed it near the kitchen counter. He lit a fire and grabbed some firewoods to keep the surging flames of the fire, glowing. He heard the sound of a metal gong and there was a moment of silence as the town crier stopped in front of Okoli's compound. The town crier gave his message and a cranky sound followed.
Ibekwe yawned as he stretched his hands as if he was trying to catch something unknown to him. He dropped his hands down. The night was cool and not as dull as the previous nights where he had to stack pieces of firewoods to keep his body warm. This night was better. Despite the rain, the moon had still decided to p
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Shading Black EXILE - Chapter Fifty-nine
Ibekwe quickly bolted the door as he entered the room he shared with Ifeme. The room was poorly litted, almost dark. He cupped his hand and yawned, stretching his elbows sideways. The moon was slowly shrinking as it prepared to announce the coming of a new day. Midnight. He crouched as he took his sleeping wrapper and spread it on top of the bamboo bed. Satisfied with his effort, he carried the fading palm oil lamp and dropped it near the door. He knelt down as he pressed his lips tightly. He prayed for a short period of time to no god in particular. He prayed that whoever was looking at him should guide him. After he was done praying, he slipped into the bamboo bed.Ibekwe twisted his head from one point to another as he stared at the ceiling blankly. He kept on changing his sleeping position until he accepted that no position was suitable for him unless he stopped thinking. After wrestling with sleep for some time without
Shading Black EXILE - Chapter Sixty
Ibekwe got up quickly as if stung by a bee. He stretched his eyes to where the palm oil lamp rested, quietly. Slowly, he moved towards the palm oil lamp to check what could have possibly made the lamp to give up its light. After several failed trials of reviving the lamp from its gloomy mood, he dropped it and returned to the bamboo bed. He laid down straight, closed his eyes and prayed for the lamp to come back to life. He kept on praying until he felt a touch on his lap. It was a gentle touch.The palm that rested on his lap were soft. They were like feeble palms that had not smelt the pain and suffering accompanied with manual work. The palm circled around the ball of his foot and stopped, then moved up to his knee and continued. Ibekwe smiled when the palm stopped at his thigh.At first, he thought it was Ifeme's palm but he knew it couldn't be him, lying on the bed and touching him. He opened his eyes widely and saw the face of a woman or more like a girl. S
Shading Black EXILE - Chapter Sixty-one
This was the second time that Ibekwe was visiting Osisiakalaka's shrine and he was familiar with the road to Osisiakalaka's temporary dwelling place and his shrine. The long trees with vivid branches spreading across different directions indicated that he was close to the shrine. He lowered his pace and squinted to see if the long line of people that came to visit Osisiakalaka everyday for his help was still there. He didn't hear the voice of a single soul.The place was free from any human form except for a statue resembling an awkward human with an inscription on his feet which he could not see clearly because of the gap between where he was standing and where the statue stood. He moved closer to the statue and roamed his eyes to check if any unwanted visitor was watching him from a silent corner. Aware that he was not being watched, he faced the lifeless human. The elbow of the statue was almost touching its knee as if it was taking a bow of silence in front of the high go
Shading Black EXILE - Chapter Sixty-two
Ibekwe sat on the bamboo bed and swung his feet to the floor. His drowsy eyes persuaded him to fall back and rest on the bed, and sleep but he snubbed it."Lie down on the bed," Osisiakalaka husky voice filled the room. "You need to sleep."Ibekwe laid down on the bed. The room was quiet and from the charms and amulets that were hung on the wall, he knew he was inside Osisiakalaka's temporary dwelling place. He watched as Osisiakalaka paced from one end of the room to another before he spoke again; his face was red and his lips were pressed tightly."What were you doing here?" Osisiakalaka asked.Ibekwe kept quiet."Why didn't you go home when you saw the words written on the statue?" Osisiakalaka asked again, sounding differently."I wanted to see you because I was still having strange dreams, thoughts and sometimes I feel my mother's presence. I also talk with my conscience. I am not normal."Osisiakalaka stroke his beard. "You woul
Shading Black EXILE - Chapter Sixty-three
"Wake up Ibekwe," a voice said.Ibekwe got up slowly and retreated back to the bed when he saw the figure of a woman. He shouted Adaugo's name. Three times he hollered but no one beside him responded."Ibekwe! Are you alright?" The voice asked.Ibekwe strained his eyes till he grasped the full image of the woman in front of him. His mother, Akwaudo."Good morning mother," he replied slowly."You had a terrible sleep last night. You almost got your father angry," Akwaudo said, drifting away from the bed."But I slept pretty fine. My visit to Osisiakalaka made we feel better.","If screaming the name of Adaugo in the middle of the night is the result you got from yesterday's visit to the shrine then you need help. Several times you yelled her name. I already warned you and your brother to be careful around that girl. I will have to see her parents even if it is the only way I can keep you safe.""Don't do that mother. It is not n
Shading Black EXILE - Chapter Sixty-four
The grasscutter looked at the fallen leaves, dispersed in diverse regions around the ground. Its moist body vibrated slowly as it bent its head to sense any form of danger. Seeing none, it hastily crawled away and kept on moving until the scent of an edible fruit swept past its nose. The grasscutter stopped and observed a small wooden structure above the fruit that was acting as a threat to its mission. Speedily, he grabbed the fruit and jumped out of the trap. After gnawing the fruit selfishly, the grasscutter shut its eyes and rested. Minutes later, it was asleep with its rodent claws on its belly.It took a short period of time for the grasscutter to realise the mistake it had made. It opened its eyes and was shocked to see a predator standing close with fingers searching for its body. The grasscutter tried to run fast but it couldn't. It was stuck. It moaned as it tried to free itself from the tight grip of the rope. Its predator stared with brave eyes and made an evil cl
Shading Black EXILE - Chapter Sixty-five
Children clapped as they circled a glowing fire. They sang an Igbo song and when it ended, they laughed, jumped and stamped their feet on the ground. The parents of the children were clustered in one part of the village square, chatting in low voices.A child spotted Ibekwe and ran to him."How are you?" Ibekwe asked the child."I am fine," the child responded with flickering eyes.Ibekwe carried the child on his shoulders and was spinning the young boy in a playful manner when a short woman approached him. From the giggling coming from the child, Ibekwe knew the woman was the child's mother."The gods will bless you my child. I have been looking for my son everywhere," the short woman said."He is a good boy who likes to play," Ibekwe replied.Ibekwe handed the child to the short woman and she dragged the young boy into her arms. Suddenly, Ibekwe felt an urge to ask the woman why children were playing close to the fire but he r
Shading Black EXILE - Chapter Sixty-six
High in the sky, a thunder struck and the rains began to pour suddenly and violently, as though someone was persuading the rain from a powerful shrine. Ezeugo laid on the bamboo bed, listening to the sound of the rain droplets hitting the ground peevishly. His eyes moved to an old table, where a palm oil lamp rested. A cold breeze blew and the light vanished. Everywhere was dim.He lifted himself to a sitting position and moved his head in a way of reasoning. He stared at the plain darkness that engulfed the room and saw nothing. His wife, Ojiugo was beside him, breathing slowly and silently with each heart throb preparing the way for the other. Her hands were well rested in her chest, covering her large breasts that were yet to encounter the mouth of a child.Ezeugo had never talked about his childlessness and no one was there to bother him about it. The only people that could have irritated him with constant questions pertaining to the fertility of his wife wer
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Shading Black About the Author
Chibuzor Victor Obih was born in the southern part of Nigeria. Delta State to be precise. His writing includes essays, poetry and short stories. He likes to play soccer, read, study and above all, write. He is currently a fourth year student of a renowned public university in Nigeria. The University of Port-Harcourt is where he is pursuing a bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering. Shading Black is his first book and his first attempt to explore the beautiful world of a novelist. To stay connected with him and his works, you can follow him on Instagram using the account name: Chibuzor Victor Obih or follow him on Facebook using the account name: Author Chibuzor Victor Obih.
Shading Black Epilogue
The room was silent. The door swung open and James came inside, holding a book. Ibekwe stared at James and sighed. They looked at each other for a while before James sat down."I got some interesting information you might want to hear," James said."Tell me," Ibekwe said. He had been feeling guilty since the death of Ifeme."The same boy who killed Osisiakalaka confessed some of the diviner's sins to me. He gave some fascinating explanations about your history that still baffles me," James said, moving his fingers. "Is the name Isiewu familiar to you?" He asked."Not really. I have only heard my grandfather mention him once and that was when he told me to story of Umuolu's war."James reasoned with compressed lips. "Isiewu played a major role in destroying your family. According to Efulefu, the diviner slept with Agunwa, the daughter of a chief priest named Egwusinala. Does these names sounds familiar to you?""I think it does," Ibekwe said.
Shading Black NEW LIFE - Chapter One hundred and three
When James Streamer and his father arrived at Osisiakalaka's shrine with some of the people of Umuise who had converted to Christianity he was shocked to find a large crowd of men and women sitting tiredly in front of the shrine. He asked a young woman to explain what was going on in the shrine and she obeyed without hesitation."A great man has fallen in Umuise," she said with tears in her eyes."Who is the man that has attracted everyone in this village to Osisiakalaka's shrine?" James asked."The man is not here. He is far away from this village.""What do you mean by that?""His body is lying in the shrine but his spirit has departed," the woman replied slowly."What is the name of the man that has caused so much tears to flow in your eyes?"The young woman turned and pointed at the door of the shrine."Osisiakalaka," she said. "Maybe you will be able to tell us why your god has sent his messenger to kill the greatest
Shading Black NEW LIFE - Chapter One hundred and two
"What is happening to the family of Okoli? The news of death has become a common thing in Umuise." Chima said as the elders gathered in the village square.There were many men and women sprawled on the ground. None of them brought stools along with them. It was a day of mourning."What will the ancestors of Okoli say when they hear that his family lineage was wiped out within a week?" Chima asked but no one replied.The women sprayed ashes on their heads as if they were mourning the death of a chief priest. The children covered their bodies with sand as they wept and called Ifeme's name.After Chima sat down, the next elder who spoke was Ekwensi. He did not salute the crowd."Great people of Umuise, our gods have been offended. They have been desecrated and now they seek justice for the blood of Okoli. People of Umuise, we have sinned against our gods by sending a man that did not deserve death an
Shading Black NEW LIFE - Chapter One hundred and one
Ibekwe was thinking about Richard Streamer and what James had told him about his father as he approached Okoli's compound. He brushed the thoughts aside as he remembered that him and Ifeme were yet to bury Okoli. Now, that Ezeugo, Okwudili and Okoli were gone, it was the duty for the next of kin to inherit all their properties while ensuring they had normal burials. Ezeugo's body was almost rotten by now in his compound. Okwudili's body was wrapped with cloth and still left unburied. Okoli on the other hand was in the village square with his head uprooted from his neck. He was beheaded after being found guilty by Osisiakalaka.Ibekwe wondered how Ifeme would deal with the whole family situation as he passed a cherry tree. He had already decided to help him in the best way he could and James and his sister had also offered to help him too.He stopped when he reached Okoli's compound and took a deep breath.As he entered Okoli's hut, he looked through the du
Shading Black NEW LIFE - Chapter One hundred
Osisiakalaka came to Umuise as soon as he was able to leave Umudike. By his side were Efulefu and the young lad that was sent to deliver him the message of the elders. As he reached the village square, he drew two straight lines on the ground with a chalk and stepped on it. He gave the chalk to Efulefu who broke it and threw it in the direction of Okoli."May the gods be praised," Osisiakalaka yelled. "Let those who stand with evil fall. Let the men who invite the bringer of evil into their midst perish."As soon as Osisiakalaka was done, Okoli picked the chalk from the ground and started chewing slowly. In Umuise, it was a law for an accused person to chew the white chalk before spitting on the ground. It was a way of acknowledging the presence of the gods.Osisiakalaka ordered Efulefu to bring some sand after Okoli was done with chewing and spitting the white chalk. He took the sand from Efulefu and pou
Shading Black NEW LIFE - Chapter Ninety-nine
When the first palm wine entered Okoli's throat, it dawned on him that his death was near and there was nothing anyone could do about it including himself.Outside the window of his small hut, a full moon had risen, dazzling and vivid, blotting out all other celestial bodies. Okoli gazed at his two sons that he had condemned, lost in his thoughts of all that had happened in the village square.He knew that he didn't deserve the love and comfort that his sons were showing him and he felt bad for not appreciating their efforts even when they tried their best to be the perfect children that a parent could have.As Ibekwe and Ifeme left him for the white man's hut, Okoli thought of what was going to happen to him when Osisiakalaka finally decides his fate. Would he be killed? Would he be thrown into the forest? Would he be banished?Outside the window of his hut, a pair of stars were dancing, lifting their voices and slowly making it to fade away. Some moment
Shading Black NEW LIFE - Chapter Ninety-eight
Okwudili's body was brought to the village square a day after he was murdered in his compound by a masked man. By his side, was the lifeless body of Akwaudo. She was found dead in Okoli's compound the same night that Okwudili's life came to an end.Life means considerably more than just waking up in the morning and going through the motions of living in Umuise and for the first time in nearly a century, two people who were related to each other were brutally assassinated in the same night. A year after the death of a man whose passage into his ancestral abode was yet to be considered fair and devoid from foul play.It did not take up to a week after the shock of the two deaths had been accepted and managed before words started running from one end of the village to another, each bearing a tale with Okoli as the subject. It was difficult for any irrational man in their time to deny his involvements in the death of his wife and brother."Let us reason like one ent
Shading Black NEW LIFE - Chapter Ninety-seven
The sad day was friday for a man who feared he had lost his children even though he hadn't. Rain fell slowly and the town was calm as the water poured over the roofs. It was a lively evening and everywhere was dazzling as fathers who had returned from work came together to celebrate the last day of labour for the week by having special dinners in quality restaurants with their children but that was not the case of the man who had not been able to sleep well since the day he heard his son was gone— taken away from him and sailing without his permission to Africa.Richard Streamer sat at the Billy Landy bar, remembering the night he had told Kathleen he was going to Africa. It was almost two weeks now and he was still in England sharing a bottle of beer with some couple of friends, and each of them bragging about their personal achievements as they ordered more drinks.He took a rumpled letter from his pocket. He had planned to send the letter to his
