Repercussion

Episode 4

“Brother Levi, you are the cause of your family’s problems. You committed a grievous sin in your youth and was cursed”, the leader of the prayer warriors team said looking Ugochi’s father in the eyes. Ugochi’s parents were utterly confused as they looked at the prayer minister inquisitively. While they looked on, Mr Levi searched his mind, seeking for that grievous sin he had committed that had brought so much pains to his family. His search yielded no results as he couldn’t remember his sins. His wife turned her gaze from the prayer minister and focused it on her husband, probably waiting to hear him voice out his sins. But nothing was heard from him, rather he looked more confused.

“A woman placed a curse on your daughters through you in your youth days. A woman whose daughter you got pregnant and abandoned”, the prayer minister said, cutting through their individual thoughts. On hearing that, Ugochi’s father screamed “Kosarachi”, to the amazement of his wife who was still looking at him in confusion. He then went further and narrated all that happened when he was living with his uncle and how he thought the curse was not for him since Kosara didn’t mention his name. In conclusion he said “those were in that past before I found light. How come they persisted even when I have found salvation?”

The prayer warriors leader further educated him, indicating that some spiritual entanglements, especially justified curses, require special prayers particularly directed at them before they can be severed and undone. He also revealed that the solution presented to him in the revelation was locating either of the two women (Kosara and her aunt) and asking them for forgiveness and reversal of the curse.

Learning of this revelation, Ugochi’s parents got a new assignment which was locating Kosara or her aunt and obtaining forgiveness from them. They had to do that urgently to prevent their last daughter from meeting the same fate as others. They started by going to Mr Levi’s uncle’s house where Kosara and her aunt lived to inquire about their way about. No one knew anything about them. They also went to the company where Kosara’s aunt worked to know if the details of her nativity could be found but to their disappointment, the company has since closed. They became frustrated and lived in fear for their daughter. After searching for so long without results, they gave up the search and resorted to intense prayers.

………

Brother Akin finally got through to Ugochi on phone after he had tried reaching her for a long time without success. His joy knew no bounds when he heard that the baby was not terminated. He thanked God and promised to come and see her as soon as he could. He also told his mother about the development and made arrangements for them (him and his mother) to visit Ugochi’s family. He had all along sworn to atone for his mistakes by making sure Ugochi becomes his wife and the only woman he’d have sexual relations with all his life. This decision he related to Ugochi and asked her to discuss it with her family.

“No daughter of mine would be married off without a university degree. It is bad enough already that my daughters are suffering for the sins of my youth. That I may not be able to control but making sure you have a university degree is within my reach and I must make it happen”, Ugochi’s father shouted in agony when he heard of Akin’s plans of marrying Ugochi. He went over to where Ugochi was breastfeeding her baby, placed his hand on her shoulder and said “Ugo nwa m, I want the best for you. If I could choose, I will choose to suffer for my sins alone so that you and your siblings would have the best life. But I can’t. The best thing I can do for you now is making sure you are equipped for the life ahead. Having a baby shouldn’t mean the end of your educational aspirations. You will go back to school and make you dream of becoming a medical doctor like your mother come true. Besides, from your description of Akin, he is too old for you”. As he spoke, tears of regrets escaped from his eyes while Ugochi cried. His wife who couldn’t watch any further as the father bared out his heart to the daughter, ran out of the room with her hands covering her face.

When Akin heard about Ugochi’s father’s refusal, he didn’t feel bad. He understood his reasons. Yet he insisted on visiting Ugochi and their child. Ugochi’s family agreed to that and a day was agreed on. Early morning on that Sunday, Akin and his mother who was his only family set out. Before mid day, they had located Ugochi’s parents’ house using the address given to them. When they arrived, Ugochi’s father had not returned from church but they were warmly welcomed by Ugochi and her mother. Soon afterwards, Ugochi’s father got home.

As he entered the sitting room, he saw Akin carrying Ugochi’s baby. He (Akin) looked familiar but Ugochi’s father couldn’t place his face accurately. He (ugochi’s father) shifted gaze to Akin’s mother who sat on the same couch with Ugochi. On beholding her (Akin’s mother), Mr Levi staggered backward and screamed “Kosarachi”. Akin’s mother saw him and whispered “Levi”, with her mouth agape.

Akin was the result of Mr Levi’s youthful mistake and the father of his own sister’s child. These children had become entangled by the ripple effects of their parents’ mistakes. Something they never bargained for nor took part in.

I believe we have seen one of the reasons why we should be mindful of what we do as humans; both young and old. For the things we do wrongly may in one way or the other affect our future generations.