Chapter 1: River Disgrace

I fell into the river together with my junior sister—my papa second wife own pikin, Ifeoma.

E be like say the ancestors just dey watch us that day, because as we waka go river side with the others, I no know say wahala dey hide for corner. My heart still dey shake anytime I remember how that water cold pass anything.

My fiancé—Tunde—rush go save Ifeoma, just waka pass me like say I no dey. I drag myself out, water drip everywhere, heart dey break as all eye land on me. I just dey look like wet chicken for front of everybody.

Just like that, my reputation for chastity was gone. Na so dem use eye finish me—woman wey dey guard her body since, now story don change. Who go believe say Okafor pikin go see this kind shame?

Na so disgrace take catch person. Wetin person dey guard since childhood—just vanish like say na wind blow am. Chai, village people no dey forget wetin eye see.

That was when it hit me—even childhood sweethearts no be guarantee for loyalty.

Na so I learn the hard way. Sometimes, e dey pain pass slap when person wey you trust just use you do yeye.

“Amaka, can’t you calm down that stubborn temper and learn from your sister’s gentle ways? That’s how a proper wife is supposed to behave.”

Dem say make I bend like water leaf, make I dey gentle like who no fit raise voice. But I no be like that—na my mama bone dey my body, no be flour.

So, on the wedding day, I swapped bridal wrappers with my younger sister, giving him what he wanted.

E get some decisions wey person go make, the matter go dey bite for chest like pepper, but na the only way peace fit enter house.

But why did he show up at my door the next day, eyes red like say he wan tear person?

Even the cock for backyard notice am—e crow that morning reach three times, like say e wan warn person say trouble dey come.