THE PRICE OF JEALOUSY
PART 1
The village of Umuokwe was a land where a man’s wealth was not measured by his farms or cattle but by the number of sons he had to continue his lineage. Nnadi, a wealthy and well-respected farmer, had only one child—a 14-year-old daughter, Oluebube, from his first wife, Adaugo. Though she was the joy of his heart, the elders often reminded him that a man without a son was like a river with no source.
For years, Nnadi and Adaugo prayed to the gods for another child, but the gods remained silent. Desperate for an heir, Nnadi took a second wife, Nnenna—young, beautiful, and full of promises. “I will give you many sons,” she would whisper in his ears at night, feeding his dreams with hope.
But when she stepped into the household, a silent war began.
At first, Nnenna masked her jealousy well, but it did not take long for her to realize that Nnadi’s love for Oluebube was unwavering. He showered her with gifts, called her “my sunshine,” and spoke of her with pride to anyone who would listen.
Nnenna’s heart darkened with envy. Why should the daughter of another woman hold the heart of my husband?
One evening, as Nnadi lay on his mat, Nnenna sat beside him, stroking his arm.
Nnenna: “My husband, have you thought about what will happen in the future?”
Nnadi yawned. “What do you mean?”
Nnenna: “Oluebube is growing into a woman. Soon, she will marry, and everything you have will be taken to another man’s household.”
Nnadi frowned. “She is my daughter. My own blood.”
Nnenna (scoffing): “Blood? Hmmm… Do you think she will choose you over her husband? Do you think Adaugo will let her?”
Nnadi remained silent, but the words settled deep in his heart.
As days turned into weeks, Nnenna continued to feed Nnadi’s mind with venom.
One morning, she woke up before dawn and went into the forest. There, she plucked the deadly nri-ohia fruit, which, when crushed, became a tasteless but lethal poison.
That afternoon, she prepared Oluebube’s favorite soup and sprinkled the poison inside. She smiled as she served the food.
Nnenna: “Oluebube, my daughter, eat. You work so hard; you must be strong.”
Oluebube smiled. “Thank you, Mama.”
She took the first spoonful, then the second. Just as she lifted the third, a dog ran into the hut, knocking over the bowl. The soup spilled onto the floor, and the dog licked at it hungrily. Within minutes, it convulsed and died.
Nnenna’s heart pounded.
Oluebube (gasping): “Mama! The dog is dead!”
Nnenna forced a shocked expression. “The gods forbid! It must have eaten something bad outside.”
Oluebube nodded, believing her. She never suspected a thing.
But Nnenna knew she had failed.
Determined to rid herself of Oluebube, Nnenna tried again.
She mixed poison in the girl’s drinking water, but just before Oluebube could drink, a neighbor called her outside. She forgot about the water, and by the time she returned, the sun had warmed it, changing the taste. She poured it away.
On another occasion, Nnenna laced a piece of meat with poison, but Oluebube, feeling generous, gave it to a wandering cat. The animal died instantly.
Nnenna grew frustrated. Why is this girl so difficult to kill?
Each failed attempt only deepened her hatred.
One night, Nnenna tried a different approach. She lay in Nnadi’s arms and whispered:
Nnenna: “My husband, I have something to tell you.”
Nnadi rubbed his eyes. “What is it?”
She hesitated, then said, “I am pregnant.”
Nnadi sat up in excitement. “Are you sure?”
She nodded, tears pooling in her eyes. “I know it is a son. But… I am afraid.”
His face darkened. “Afraid? Of what?”
She lowered her voice. “Adaugo and Oluebube. They hate me, my love. I see the way Adaugo looks at me. I see the way Oluebube walks around this house like she is the queen. If she remains here, my son will never be safe.”
Nnadi’s chest tightened.
Nnenna (pleading): “I cannot bring my child into a home where another woman’s daughter is favored over him. If Oluebube stays, I will leave… and I will take my son with me.”
Nnadi’s mind spun. Could this be true? Could Oluebube become a threat to his unborn son?
That night, he lay awake, staring at the ceiling. He remembered all the times Oluebube had hugged him, all the times she had made him laugh. But then, he imagined losing his only chance at a son.
By morning, his heart was hardened.
He had made his decision.
He would take Oluebube to the farm… and she would never return.
TO BE CONTINUED…
