By Stanley Edokpolo
UMUOFIA-AGU III, DECEMBER 2006
It rained so heavily the morning that Azima and her father planned to go toLagosthat they had to postpone the journey. The unfair weather however, offered Azima an opportunity to spend time with her newly found family. She enjoyed the food and most especially the VIP treatment she got. All the servants that attended to her addressed her as Princess.
She has been the Princess of a rich and organized village all her life but never knew. She suffered with Mama in her childhood. They were evicted from their first house. There was insufficient fund to train her in secondary school. Even in the university, she had to work in order to survive. If not for Tessy’s family and Jane, it would have been much more difficult.
When she informed Tessy and Jane that she was going to the village, they opted to come with her but she refused. It was a personal journey, she had told then. Jane would have come in spite of Azima’s philosophy, that she knew. There was nothing personal that Jane couldn’t be part of, but for her studies. While she and Tessy were holidaying, Jane was preparing for the fourth year of her law degree.
Azima and her father learnt so much about themselves that day. Her father who had studied Accountancy in theUniversityofIbadanwas very proud of her. That his daughter was going to be a graduate soon made him proud. However, the thought of it made him sick in the stomach, because only Adanne was completely responsible for their child’s success. How could he pay her for all these years? Could they start all over again? Anyway, that’s what he would request tomorrow, come rain or high waters.
When they were through talking, he took his daughter by the hand and went to his father in the palace court. The king looked twenty-six years younger. The elders came to court by noon due to the feast and the blessed rain that the princess had brought to Umuofia-agu.
The people of Umuofia-agu considered it a good sign when a visitor comes and it rains. This rain had been long expected. Azima listened to the king, her grandfather, as he told the story of the rains in Umuofia-agu, but for a moment, she could only hear herself. I love this family. How could I have lived in this world for so long without knowing such a place? I wish Mama were here right now. And Funmi and Michael. Tears trickle down her cheeks.
“Are you alright, Azima?” It was odd calling his own name. His father saw his uneasiness and smiled. In reply, she hugged her father who was taken aback. He is not used to having affection from a child. “I’m so happy and overwhelmed,” was all she could breathe out. The Prince was overwhelmed. The king continued to tell stories. He told the story of Maria.
“But she died when your father was only a boy of eight.”
“Oh, that’s why you called me Maria? Papa, you thought I was a ghost?”
“You are a ghost my daughter. You just appeared from nowhere.” They all chuckled. It was exciting laughing with her father and grandfather.
“When the rain stops you will go to see your mother’s people. They will be waiting earnestly for you, especially Margaret your grandmother. She is a good woman.” The king said.
“Will Papa come with me?”
Azuka smiled. “My daughter, I can barely let you out of my sight but I presume it’s a personal journey you have to make.” They smiled knowingly at each other. “But the royal servants will escort you. And expect guests on the way.”
“Yes your highness.” Azima imitated the servant that just attended to them.
Azuka shook his head. “What a character!”
“What of your wives and my siblings?”
The Prince paused. “Sorry my princess, there are no wives and siblings.” He sounded embarrassed at Azima’s shocked expression. He had better tell her the story. He did. She wept for him and Adanne her mother. She thought about how worried sick Mama must be by now, but there’s nothing she could do. There was no network service here. It’s been very poor. She has not been able to reach anyone outside the village. She will have to wait until tomorrow.
She went into the room prepared for her. The king furnished her room with a wardrobe filled with different attires. As she stood admiring them, three women came in and bowed before her. The youngest of them, barely older than her, spoke for the others.
“My princess, we have come to dress you up for your visit.”
“Dress me? Thanks, I can dress myself.”
“His highness your father will be furious with me. By the way, you can’t dress yourself with this.” She presented the wrapper and the royal beaded blouse to Azima. As she looked at the garment, it was nothing she had dreamed of putting on. They looked so expensive and extravagant. She held the garment. Are those diamonds real? She wondered to herself.
“They are real my princess.” The youngest said, reading her thought.
“And please be careful not to put it on. His highness your father… oh, no. please don’t.” She pleaded as Azima attempted to put on the blouse but failed woefully. She struggled to remove it from her neck and almost strangled herself. They giggled but quickly fell silent and bowed.
“My princess please let me help you.”
