04/06/2026
Cūrsëd me
Episode one
Amaka had been married to Amaobi for 20 years.Yet not once had the cry of a baby been heard in their compound.In a community where a woman's worth was often measured by the children she bore, twenty years felt like a lifetime of silent judgment. But despite the whispers, despite the mo.ckery, despite the countless nights Amaka cried herself to sleep, one thing remained unchanged Amaobi's love for her.Their marriage was the kind people secretly admired.
Every morning they woke together. In the evening they shared stories under the moonlight. They had grown old in each other's arms, and with every passing year their bond seemed to deepen.Amaobi was a palm wine tapper.
Each day before sunrise, he climbed towering palm trees while most people were still asleep. It was a difficult work, but he never complained.
After an exhausting day, he returned home carrying his tapping tools.
"Nwunye m, I'm back!" he called out cheerfully.
Everywhere was calm.
He frowned.
Normally, before he even reached the doorway, Amaka would rush outside with a smile, wrap her arms around him, and place a gentle kiss on his cheek.
But today was different,he has searched the compound, kitchen,backyard and the sitting hut everywhere was empty.
Without wasting another second, he headed toward the forest.passing the narrow footpath and the stream.
Until he arrived beneath the old udara tree where he had first met her twenty years ago.
There she was.
Sitting alone.
Her voice trembled as she sang softly.
"Nke m o di iche Chimoo..."
Tears streamed down her cheeks.
Amaobi's heart tightened.Seeing Amaka cry always felt like someone was squeezing his chest.
He cleared his throat gently before sitting beside her.
"Achalugo di ya," he said softly."What is it again?"
Amaka wiped her face quickly, trying to hide her tears.
But it was too late.
He had already seen them.
"Di m oma," she whispered."I am sorry."
Amaobi looked confused.
"Sorry for what?"Nwunye m
Her lips trembled.
"For not giving you a child."
The words broke out of her like a dam collapsing.
"For twenty years you have stood beside me. . Yet I have given you nothing."
She shook her head.
"Everywhere I go, people talk. Women younger than me are already grandmothers. Every naming ceremony feels like a reminder. Every baby I carry reminds me of what I don't have."
Fresh tears rolled down her face.
"I don't know why the gods have chosen to pun.ish us."
Amaobi reached for her hand immediately.
"Obi m."
She looked at him.
"I have told you this before."His voice was calm and Firm.
"The day I married you, I married all of you. Not just your womb."
Amaka stared at him.
"As long as I have you, I am not lacking."
"But people—"
"I don't care what people say."
"Their words are getting to me," she whispered.
Amaobi sighed.
"I know."
For a moment neither of them spoke.
The evening breeze rustled the leaves above them.
Then Amaobi finally said,
"Tomorrow, I will take you somewhere."
Amaka turned.
"Where?"
"My sister Adaku told me about a great dibia in Umudika."
Hope immediately flashed across her face.
"The one they call Odika?"
Amaobi nodded.
"Yes."
Amaka clasped her hands together.
"The gods be praised."
For the first time that evening, she smiled.
And seeing that smile return was means a lot to Amaobi.
The next morning, before the c**k crowed, they set off for Umudika.
After hours of walking, they finally arrived at the famous shrine of Odika.
The place was surrounded by ancient trees.The air itself felt heavy.people said Odika had spent six decades serving the spirits.
Some even claimed he had fought unseen forces and won.
As they approached the entrance, they removed their slippers respectfully.
"Great Odika," Amaobi greeted.
The old man chuckled.
"Who are these visitors that are not afraid of seeing spirits?"
The tension eased slightly.
"Oke Dibia," Amaobi replied respectfully.
"It is a matter of urgency that has brought us here."
The old man motioned toward two worn wooden chairs.
"Sit."
They obeyed.
"What troubles you?" he asked.
"Ichoka is the final answer giver."
Amaobi cleared his throat.
For a moment, he glanced at Amaka.
The excitement in her eyes almost broke him.
She had carried this burden for so long.
"Eyes of the gods," Amaobi began.
"My wife and I have been married for twenty years. No child. Not even once. We have come to know why."
The old man stood.
His back turned toward them as he began chanting and incantations.
Minutes felt like hours.
Then suddenly he stopped.
Silence.
When he finally spoke, his voice had changed.
"Amaobi."
The couple straightened.
"The problem comes from your lineage."
Amaobi's heartbeat quickened.
"Long ago, your forefathers buried an innocent woman unjustly."
Amaka gasped.
"The woman's spirit has never found peace."
The old man's eyes narrowed.
"That spirit tied your wife's womb."
Amaobi swallowed hard.
"Wise one... is there a solution?"
"There is."
Relief flooded both their faces instantly.
"You will bring four alligator peppers, nzu, and one live native cow on the next Eke market day."
"We shall do it," Amaobi replied immediately.
Amaka leaned forward.
"Wise one... after the sacrifice, can I finally become a mother?"
The old man smiled.
"Yes."
She walked beside her husband with a smile she had almost forgotten how to wear.
The words of the great Odika kept replaying in her mind.
"Yes. You will become a mother."
Just hearing those words had healed wounds she had carried for twenty years.
As they approached the market square, Amaobi suddenly stopped.
"Nwunye m."
"Yes, di m?"
"I almost forgot. Chief Okafor ordered ten kegs of palm wine for his title ceremony tomorrow. Let me quickly deliver them before evening."
Amaka nodded.
"Go. I will continue home."
Amaobi smiled.
"We shall celebrate soon."
"Iseee," she replied softly.
He squeezed her hand before heading in another direction.
Amaka continued her journey alone.
The moment she entered the market square, the familiar stares began.
At first she ignored them.
Then she heard the whispers.
"See her."
"Twenty years in marriage."
"Not even one child."
The women selling vegetables lowered their voices but not enough.
"Maybe her womb has dried up."
Another woman laughed.
"Haven't you heard? Her husband still refuses to marry another wife."
"What kind of charm is she using?"
The women burst into laughter.
Amaka's steps slowed.
Her smile disappeared every word landed like a stone on her chest.
She kept walking,Pretending not to hear nor care either.
But the tears gathering in her eyes betrayed her.
Behind her, more laughter followed.
By the time she reached home, her eyes were swollen from holding back tears.
Days passed.
For the first time in years, Amaka counted each day with excitement.
Finally, Eke market day arrived.
Before sunrise, she and Amaobi gathered the four alligator peppers, the nzu, and the live native cow.
Together they returned to Odika's shrine.
The old dibia performed the sacrifice exactly as instructed.
Then he handed Amaobi a white substance wrapped carefully in a piece of cloth and gave Amaka a small bottle of oil.
"Amaobi."
"Yes, wise one."
"Apply this before mating with your wife."
He then turned to Amaka.
"And you shall use this oil."
The old man smiled.
"The gods have heard your cries."
Amaka's eyes immediately filled with tears.
This time, tears of hope.
Then the old man added,
"The child that shall come will be a son."
The couple exchanged excited glances.
"And his name must be Anointed."
"We shall obey," they answered together.
As they left the shrine, Amaka could barely contain her joy.
For the first time in twenty years, she could almost see her future.
A little boy running around their compound.
Tiny hands calling her mother.
She smiled all the way home.
But the smile vanished the moment she entered the compound.
Her heart skipped.
Several of her wrappers were lying on the ground, her cooking pots were outside.
and clothes were scattered in the dust.
She was Confused, as she dropped the bottle she was carrying.
"What is happening here?"
Then she heard a familiar voice.
"A good question."
Amaka froze.
It was her mother-in-law.
The old woman emerged from the house carrying another bag.
Behind her stood a young woman she was so beautiful still in her prime .
Amaka stared.
Her stomach twisted.
"Mama..."
The old woman threw the bag onto the ground.
"This house has suffered enough."
"Mama, what are you doing?"
"What I should have been done twenty years ago."
Amaka's voice trembled.
"I don't understand."
"You understand perfectly."
The old woman pointed toward the young woman.
"This is Chisom."
The young woman lowered her eyes respectfully.
"She will become Amaobi's wife."
The world seemed to stop.
"What?"
"You heard me."
"Mama..."
The old woman cut her off.
"No."
For the first time, her voice thundered across the compound.
"As a barren woman My son deserves children."
Amaka looked around helplessly.
The old woman pointed toward the road.
"Take your things and leave."
"Mama, please..."
"Leave!"