Share
EXILE - Chapter Fifty-one
Okoli was not torn apart when his brothers left his compound, left him alone. As far as he knew, they had tried their best to rebuild their bond and he had tried too. Admitting that they had all failed was the best way he could have a quiet evening without thinking too much about what he had done in the afternoon— sending his brother away from his compound. All that Okoli was bothered about was making sure that the quiet malice he was having with Nnadi was brought to an end.
From what he could tell, Nnadi's sad face was slowly transforming everyday into a cheerful one. Even if he didn't know what had really caused the change, he knew that it was as a result of a new place he had discovered.
Okoli knew that Nnadi had stopped going to the stream because he had checked there several times and at different parts of the day— morning, afternoon and evening. He wasn't there. He also knew that he wasn't going to the grave of the two children because Chinel
Related chapters
Shading Black EXILE - Chapter Fifty-two
Ibekwe did not follow Ifeme to the stream after the incident that occurred on the day that he made Okoli to believe that he was changing. The day that he left the stream without looking back to see if was following him. Since his arrival, Okoli had decided that it was best that they ate their meals on a long table, together, as family. Okoli felt that it was a good way of showing that they loved and cared for each other and he was very pleased with the thought of eating with all of them on the same table, watching them chew the pieces of yam or clench their teeth after a failed attempt to break a bone. The whole sharing a table idea felt different to Ibekwe, maybe strange, but it was a quiet, mouth moving ritual that he wasn't going to trade for anything in his new world.He cleared the dining table the following morning after forgetting to clean it the previous night. He removed the gourd that Okoli had used first, then the stew-smeared bowls, and finally he washed the bowls
Shading Black EXILE - Chapter Fifty-three
It was late in the afternoon when the sun of Umuoku escaped from the gates of heaven and began to burn. Okonta felt uneasy as he waited patiently for his visitor to arrive. The last time his visitor had come, he had vociferously assured him that his work would be done in Umuise without any complications, and yet for some incoherent reasons, he chose not to believe what he had said. He could feel the anxiety that was swelling up in the face of the man when he told him that he could no longer continue with the act. An act that he felt was not worth the risk they were taking. All Okonta could do was soothe his visitor lively spirit with a gourd of palm-wine. He comforted him on the back and told him that the man they were fighting for, would be proud of them. His soul would rest in peace, knowing fully well that all the people who made life miserable for them had been properly dealt with. Every cause prompted by a just revenge was a righteous call from home.Okonta had longed fo
Shading Black EXILE - Chapter Fifty-four
Ibekwe stood beneath the lofty shades of palm trees that gathered around a diffused area of land about a quarter of a mile away from Okoli's compound.Ibekwe what did you see in the black pot in Umuoku? Can you not remember what had made you run home that day? The voiceless words echoed in the silence of Ibekwe's mind.There was no logical way to prove that he had seen a black pot, Ibekwe knew. Even if he saw the blurry images in shades and had told Ifeme about it on the first day that they sat alone in his room, he knew he couldn't approve he was right. If he answered yes, that he was sure, it would lead to more loop holes that he was not ready to delve into. If he answered no, that he wasn't sure, the road was rather easier. No more thinking.As he stood alone, waiting for Ifeme to reappear, Ibekwe suspected that something about him wasn't right. If there was any moment when the little man and legal adviser of his soul was to take a stand and consult his
Shading Black EXILE - Chapter Fifty-five
A village market is a village square, where traders set up spaces with boundaries while waiting for buyers to take a walk and browse their merchandise. It is also a geographical area where a group of people that share the common gift of gossiping come to showcase their talents. There is a popular saying in Umuise that a man who doesn't know the insect that stung him will never know the part of his body that caught the insect's attention.Somewhere in the outskirts of Umuise, a mad man was seen digging a hole, close to the stem of a tree. It is not frequently, we see mad men trying to pull out objects from the ground but what was particularly interesting about the object that this mad man was trying to unearth was the sad truth that it was a charm. A powerful charm that could render the crops in a man's farm useless within some days.Osisiakalaka was quickly called to action. He took the charm from a peasant farmer who had found the mad man playing with it when he
Shading Black EXILE - Chapter Fifty-six
Ibekwe was surprised to see the long line of people which pointed towards the shrine of Osisiakalaka. The sun had just risen and from the look of things, it wasn't happy with the way people flocked where the diviner communed with the gods. In order to show its disapproval, the sun had decided to shine brightly on people, sending them hot rays that made some of them hide under trees or run home to seek shelter but a few of them were stubborn to leave and one of those set of stubborn people was Ibekwe.Ibekwe took another good look at the line and hissed. How long would it take before he had the opportunity to see Osisiakalaka? He thought. He wondered how he was going to see Osisiakalaka without having to wait for a long time. After two sharp looks, he noticed that the hut close to the shrine that served as Osisiakalaka's temporary residence was almost filled with people who sat down at the verandah and spoke in hushed tones with a lad that had been assigned to serve as Osisiak
Shading Black EXILE - Chapter Fifty-seven
Adaugo rushed forward and hugged Ifeme as they approached her compound. Her wrapper, made of red and yellow stripes proudly hung on her waist, shielding the region between her waist and her knee. She covered her developing breast with a different piece of cloth with a material utterly distinct from the wrapper she had worn. The orange tree which stood at the side of her mother's hut dispersed some of its leaves with caution as it dwindled to the sound of the incoming rain. A smile appeared on her face as she saw Ibekwe standing behind. Solitary. Watching the birds chirp while flying past the orange tree."Ibekwe are you not going to hug me?" She asked."I think I am fine without that. Besides, you have Ifeme by your side," Ibekwe replied."So you are still going to avoid me like you did before?"Ifeme interrupted. "Leave him alone. Let my brother do what he wants. You cannot force him."Ibekwe folded his hands, watching the little show that was pla
Shading Black EXILE - Chapter Fifty-eight
Ibekwe cupped his hands as the liquid flowed through his throat. He leaned on the wall and angled his right knee, to give his body adequate support. The night air had grown warmer, much to the comfort of his own soul and a wind had risen and the rains had slowly darted away. After he emptied the water inside the gourd into his stomach, he dropped it down and placed it near the kitchen counter. He lit a fire and grabbed some firewoods to keep the surging flames of the fire, glowing. He heard the sound of a metal gong and there was a moment of silence as the town crier stopped in front of Okoli's compound. The town crier gave his message and a cranky sound followed.Ibekwe yawned as he stretched his hands as if he was trying to catch something unknown to him. He dropped his hands down. The night was cool and not as dull as the previous nights where he had to stack pieces of firewoods to keep his body warm. This night was better. Despite the rain, the moon had still decided to p
Shading Black EXILE - Chapter Fifty-nine
Ibekwe quickly bolted the door as he entered the room he shared with Ifeme. The room was poorly litted, almost dark. He cupped his hand and yawned, stretching his elbows sideways. The moon was slowly shrinking as it prepared to announce the coming of a new day. Midnight. He crouched as he took his sleeping wrapper and spread it on top of the bamboo bed. Satisfied with his effort, he carried the fading palm oil lamp and dropped it near the door. He knelt down as he pressed his lips tightly. He prayed for a short period of time to no god in particular. He prayed that whoever was looking at him should guide him. After he was done praying, he slipped into the bamboo bed.Ibekwe twisted his head from one point to another as he stared at the ceiling blankly. He kept on changing his sleeping position until he accepted that no position was suitable for him unless he stopped thinking. After wrestling with sleep for some time without
Latest chapter
- Shading Black About the Author
- Shading Black Epilogue
- Shading Black NEW LIFE - Chapter One hundred and three
- Shading Black NEW LIFE - Chapter One hundred and two
- Shading Black NEW LIFE - Chapter One hundred and one
- Shading Black NEW LIFE - Chapter One hundred
- Shading Black NEW LIFE - Chapter Ninety-nine
- Shading Black NEW LIFE - Chapter Ninety-eight
- Shading Black NEW LIFE - Chapter Ninety-seven
