The Storm Is Over

2007, 2008, 2013 by Clement U. Ewulum. All rights reserved.

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Published by AuthorHouse 06/21/2013

ISBN: 978-1-4817-9443-5 (sc)

ISBN: 978-1-4817-9442-8 (hc)

ISBN: 978-1-4817-9444-2 (e)

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CONTENTS

DEDICATION

AUTHORS PREFACE

CHAPTER ONE

CHAPTER TWO

CHAPTER THREE

CHAPTER FOUR

CHAPTER FIVE

CHAPTER SIX

CHAPTER SEVEN

CHAPTER EIGHT

CHAPTER NINE

DEDICATION

T H IS PIECE IS DEDICATED to God Almighty. Also to my family and to all lovers of discipline, who value knowledge as being apropos to power.

AUTHORS PREFACE

T H E STORM IS OVER is a simple novel written in simple English Language. It is written for the reading pleasure of all level of readers in the society; its aim being to portray some ills at different levels of our lives which could be overcome by self-will and determination. Destiny often times play out in the course of events in the lives of individuals but that should not give room for complacency. Destiny is only a preordained future which could be hindered or delayed by our actions.

This piece of art is a story about Lotanna who strives among ills which almost ruined his life but for his determination and self-will coupled with his determination to overcome. Sandra who played a major role next to Lotanna is seen as a destined instrument in disguise to put his life straight.

Scandalous acts and activities such as infidelity and cultism among others portrayed in this piece are canker worms which have eaten deep into the fabrics of our very existence. They manifest in our societies and institutions respectively today but could be expelled by self discipline and determination on the part of individuals.

Although this piece of art looks real, it is purely fictitious with no reference to anybody living or dead.

My sincere acknowledgment goes to the following persons who selflessly contributed in one way or the other towards the success of this piece; Rev. Sr. Frednora Ikpeama, Rev. Fr. Hilary Dachelem, Barr. (Mrs.) C. O. Ewulum, May God reward them abundantly Amen.

CHAPTER ONE

O N CE UPON A TIME, it all started in a little town popularly known as Agunta, located at the boarder of Ntuma. There lived a teenage girl named Ngozi. She got married to a man by name Amadi. Their marriage took place after much resistance from Amadi’s family, especially his mother Ukwuoma. Amadi was a tall handsome hardworking and intelligent young man who took very good care of his pretty wife. They both lived happily ever after although they had no child to show for it. They both kept to their faith not minding the pressures on them especially from Ukwuoma, who was of the opinion that her son Amadi should get another wife who would bear her grand children.

Ngozi on some occasions cried herself home to her mother who would console her and give her hope and words of encouragement. On one of such occasions of her visit home, she was advised by a friend of hers to visit a very powerful medicine man Oturuogbajie who can solve her problems. She trusted so much in her God and as such did not concede to the advice; rather she went closer to her creator and remained hopeful. Before she went back to her husband, her mother called her and told her that she had a revelation about her, that she saw her breast-feeding a baby. She went back to her husband hopefully praying for a child.

Eight months had gone by since her last visit to her mother. She had forgotten everything about the revelation of which her mother spoke to her about. Her relationship with her husband Amadi was characterized by an epitome of love and understanding not minding their state of childlessness. This gave rise to suspicions that she used charms on Amadi to blindfold him to happenings around him. They were each others sweet pie.

It was now four years into their sweet spring marriage of childlessness. Ngozi woke up one morning feeling very feverish, throwing up at intervals, with lack of appetite. They didn’t smell a rat and so took some malaria capsules. The condition was persistent so they had to see a doctor who confirmed her two months pregnant. At hearing the result of the test, Amadi who wasn’t really paying attention to what the doctor was saying sprang spontaneously and gave a loud shout of joy which sounded like the trumpets loud clangor to the amazement of the doctor and nurses around. He knelt down beside Ngozi and renewed his love vow to her saying:

"Fair and beauty thou art;

for though charms strike the sight;

fire blinding my soul;

for by merit thou has won my Soul;

feeding the fading flowers.

Never leave my side my love;

nor let me live a day without your breath;

nearer by thy side my heart finds solace;

needing you day and night to survive;

nothing can separate me from my loves’ sight.

As my scripture teaches me;

ask and you shall receive;

asked my soul did while longing to have yours;

according to the path my heart follows;

and you my love will not deny my helpless heart.

Some express the longings of their heart;

seeking self satisfaction;

some live in self abnegation denying love to their hearts;

searching for love my heart found you;

since then peaceful sleep has been my bedfellow.

Lost in the wilderness of loneliness you found me;

leading my helpless heart towards still waters;

low and behold am saved by the long hands of your love;

lacking nothing in the deep cocoon of loves’ nest;

let love live and last long."

She immediately took hold of his hands and they both stood up. Putting her hands round his neck she spoke tenderly saying.

Did I say I wouldn’t give you a child? All I wish for you is peace, joy and happiness. You are my love, you are my hero.

At this scene, the doctor and the nurses around stood in amazement almost in tears. It all looked like a drama as only one who knew their predicament all these years would understand the situation at hand.

As they left the office, those around who heard the loud cry of joy of Amadi wondered what the news was to have erupted such a loud clangor.

As they arrived home, those who saw them approaching knew from their expressions that there was something on board. Amadi’s joy knew no bounds as he couldn’t wait to spread the good news to anyone he came across saying:

Am going to be a father.

The news spread like fire during the dry season. When the news got home to Amadi’s people, they were happy for them. Ukwuoma who had a natural hatred for Ngozi on hearing the good news said:

So she has finally decided to give my son a child. Ok O! Hope she gives birth to Jesus.

She wished her son had married another girl she had earlier recommended. As Amadi’s love for Ngozi grew by the day, her hatred for Ngozi increased as she spoilt her husband’s mind towards Amadi who almost denied him his birth right according to custom and tradition.

Seven months later, Ngozi was delivered of a cute bouncing baby boy. He was a replica of his father. He was named Lotanna which literally means remember the father. Amadi’s joy knew no bounds at the birth of his first child after four years. All who heard about the successful delivery were happy and thanked their creator who made it possible for them. The hospital where the delivery took place was flooded by friends, family members, relatives and well-wishers. Ngozi’s mother came and left to prepare for what the Igbo’s’ call Omugwo. The Omugwo is an age old practice or call it tradition among the Igbo tribe in Nigeria. When a woman is pregnant and her due date approaches, her mother comes in to stay with her for the birth and at least 2 months post partum. Her mother (the grandma) bathes the baby, does all the cooking and also bathes the new mother helping her massage the necessary areas with hot water.

A special delicacy the new mother eats at this time is ji mmili oku uda (i.e. yam pepper soup with two special spices called uda and uziza). In Anambra area, it is called ofe nsala (nsala soup), a very light thickener (e.g. a piece of mashed yam) is used and is usually eaten with pounded yam. The soup is filled with dried fish (mangala), stock fish (okporoko) and sometimes beef. It is usually very hot, and the hot pepper and uda with uziza the mothers say is expected to help the woman’s body heal from the stress of childbirth.

The new mother is not expected to lift a finger during omugwo nor go outside. She just eats and nurses her baby while others take care of the chores; and she cannot have sex with her hubby during this period. In most Northern part of the country, new mothers usually go and stay with their mothers for 40 days post partum. How wonderful, our forefathers knew about postnatal even before medical science came to their doorsteps. Most women put on weight during their omugwo. Some new mothers who do not have the luxury of their mother being with them at omugwo struggle by themselves or have an aunt or close relative come for the omugwo. Caring husbands prepare the ji mmili oku with uda, uziza and okporoko for their wives and bring it to the hospital each time they visit, with plenty of left over at home. Traditionally, after the mother leaves, the mother-in-law then comes to stay for her own omugwo visit. When the visit is over, the grandma or whoever did the omugwo goes home with new wrappers, blouses and a lot of goodies because it is assumed that the new baby has ruined all her wrappers with urine and faeces.

During this period, child care and handling education is passed from mother to daughter. You can call it traditional or general hospital-like knowledge such as: how to bathe the baby, when to feed the baby, when to know the baby has had enough food, how to