Chapter 6: No Be Side Chick

"All my bride price dey with my uncle and aunty." Dem carry my mama and papa property, no return am.

For our side, if pikin mama die, dem dey carry everything for house. Na so I suffer since.

"I no want make people laugh you say you marry poor girl."

My pride still dey. Even if I poor, I no want shame meet Obinna name. My heart dey reason am, e pain me.

Maybe as him see my eye, him own eye soft, nod small.

He look me deep, then nod. Na hope I see for him face.

As he waka go, I smile, my mind rest. I know say anything Obinna promise, he go do am.

That small assurance dey sweet pass yam porridge. I dey thank God for my heart.

After half month, three keke come back full. My joy no get part two. I even carry one piece of fine lace give aunty as sign.

Three keke marwa full ground, all my property inside. Neighbour dey peep, some dey gossip, but I no send. I buy one fine lace, give aunty. Na my little thank you, even though I no get much.

But Chief shout from inside:

The Chief voice loud. Even goat wey dey backyard jump. The whole house quiet.

"You no get sense! Emir wan make Obinna marry princess. How your niece Ngozi go dey equal with princess?"

Him voice thunder, echo for corridor. Everybody quiet, even birds stop sing.

Aunty dey regret. "How now? Na only side chick fit do for Ngozi? Her body don spoil, na only side chick she fit be."

Her face fall, her hand dey tremble. She dey look me with pity, but e no change anything.

I give lace to maid, waka comot.

I no talk, just pass the lace gently. My leg dey weak, but my spirit dey strong.

To be side chick no go work. Better I no marry at all. Na my mama voice I dey hear: Ngozi, no let anybody use you anyhow.