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THE OLYMPIC


 It was about this time many years ago that they raided our village. We called it our little hide out. My go-to whenever I was tired of my home



I had gone to the village to spend time with my grandma as it was holiday. Everyone in my nuclear family found it difficult to understand why I preferred the rusty  aura of the village to the sophisticated lifestyle of the city.


I left them to wonder but what mattered to me was my happiness. I loved how strange things piqued my interest. For instance; my love for Ogene music. If I had my both airpods on, know that I was lost in thoughts of my heritage.


Fantasizing the strength of my Forefathers in the display of aesthetics, their love for beauty, making use of the very little they had at their disposal to still look ravishing. The red beads seated graciously on the lower waists of the young ladies, dangling in unison as they dance to the sonorious harmony of the oja and ogene played by the young men.




I missed my fantasies so I got on the first bus to the village a day after I rounded off my exams. I left without the permission of my parents. They had insisted I remained in the city because the village wasn't safe, but I still cannot tell that beast in my head that told me dad was only talking about hunting and masquerades, which I happened to love.


That evening, I got to my paternal home. Everywhere looked deserted. I called and called before my grandma ran out of her old hut towards me and gagged me with her left hand, cutting my excitement half way.


She dragged me into the hut and hugged me so tightly before asking if anyone had seen me walk in. Well I wasn't sure so I said no.


I could sense the panic in granny's voice; panic mixed with anger that I could feel wasn't directed at me


" Does your dad know you are here?"


"No, he doesn't" I answered


Then she smiled and rubbed my face. It was then I noticed how dry her skin was, how much her skin had  folded in wrinkles. She was quickly aging


"Adaeze, I must tell you this" she sighs " We are not safe. You and I are the only ones in this village now. Our community are at war with the neighboring town. They wanted to oppress us and we resisted. Today, they have killed our own and chased the rest living all away..."


No sooner had granny finished than we heard a loud hoarse voice from the entrance of the house, I freaked out.



"Adam..." Granny said with tears in her eyes " apparently someone saw you " she sighs



"You'll be safe. Now here's what is going to happen. I'll follow the back door  and run round the house. They'll see me and capture me. I hope you do not see what they would do to me or my remains. But you will be safe. You'll leave at 2am and live for me"


She sighs again


"Here's my Bible" she handed to me " I came for it because I left my wedding ring inside. Scribbled on the back page is what has kept me after your grandpa passed away. Today it'll be your dose for healing "


She steps backwards towards the door, turns to the front, tilts her head over her right shoulder, lifting her fingers up as she counts 


1! 2! 3!


Granny sprang out in a race. I rushed to the window, hiding behind the curtains in hope that granny would outrun them, but the arrows seemed to run too fast. They were obviously shot by highly skilled archers.



Today... I'll be running the Olympics in few minutes and I would say she passed on the baton to me. I hadn't realised I was a good athlete until 2am that night. At every place I stopped to catch my breath, I would open to  the back page of her Bible and read. I read the little story of a certain song writer I perceived she was told in church. How he lost his family scarcely escaping from the grip of death when he wrote the song. A song that has been a salve to my eyes and a balm to my ankles for the past ten years.


It has been the encouraging voice I needed when that same beast comes to speak guilt to my mind. It was not my fault! I loved grandma! I wanted to see her but life happens and it happened to us!!!!



🎼🎼

When peace like a river attendeth my way

Ehen sorrow like sea billows row

Whatever my lot.

Thou hast taught me to say...

It is well it is well with my soul💧💧💧


Psalms 34:19   Many are the afflictions of the righteous: but the LORD delivereth him out of them all.



#Nuella'sDIARY

#THE HEALER'S DAUGHTER

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