Tales By The Brothel

Episode 14

Ijeoma’s funeral ceremony eventually came and went and I participated actively in its organization and planning.

The day her corpse came home to the village, I had a hard time controlling my emotion.

I broke down in tears when I came around to see her body lying in state.

My sweet baby and true love was gone and gone forever.

Mrs Theresa Obianodo nearly cried her heart out. Her first and only daughter who was few months away from becoming a lawyer was lying stone dead before her very eyes with her thwarted dream unfulfilled. Her other children were all boys and still in secondary school.

She was been consoled by her sister and male children.

General Obianodo stood staring into open space with no show of emotion. The untimely death of his daughter must have pained him so much but the military in him did not let him show it.

When the time came for Ijeoma’s body to be lowered into mother earth, I felt like killing myself and joining her in the grave but I controlled myself because my outburst could be misunderstood by people around.

Mrs Theresa Obianodo attempted to jump into the grave alongside her daughter but was held back by strong military personel around.

She kept casting hateful glances at me but I ignored her and focused all my attention on the casket being lowered into the grave.

Immediately after Ijeoma’s interment, the funeral ceremony began proper. The dancing, the eating, the drinking and the condolence all followed at once.

Around 5 o’clock in the evening, the ceremony gradually came to an end and I headed back to my hotel where I lodged for the night.

The next day I went back to my base in Delta state.

Two weeks later, I was back to General Obianodo’s office with my credentials for my enrolment into the military.

General Obianodo meticulously went through the credentials and certified them authentic.

Then he informed me to start getting ready for NDA and military school. He also informed me that with my qualifications, my start-off rank was most likely two star or above.

My face beamed with smile as I thanked him immensely with all my heart.

“Thank you very very much sir,” I greeted. “I’m very grateful sir. Thank you sir.” I continued greeting.

“Its ok,” General Obianodo replied. “Your dad was a very brave soldier and I believe you will do better.”

“Thank you very much sir,” I greeted once again. “I will do better sir,” I promised.

“Its ok,” General Obianodo replied. “Come back in two weeks time for your interview.”

“Ok sir,” I replied. “I’m very grateful.” I added.

With that I stood up and left General Obianodo’s office…