Epilogue- A borrowed dream


Oke watched as the men counted the heads of cowries that evening. They were sitting in the midst of Nkata's large compound. He could hear someone giggling from beside the hut. He felt that was Nkoli.
The men counting were Nkata and his brothers. They all wore beautiful smiles on their faces. Oke had come to perform marriage rites with two of his uncles. They had brought a lot of the fresh palm wine for the occasion.
Nkoli had been called and asked if she was willing to marry Oke. She giggled a 'yes', permitting the men to proceed with the rites. She was then asked to excuse them while they discussed.
As they counted, Madu, one of Nkoli's uncles stopped and looked at Oke with astonishment.
"... but" he opened his mouth to speak but Nkata used his elbow to stop him.
" We are satisfied with this" Nkata said." When would you come for your new wife?" he asked.
" In two market days" Oke declared. They all agreed.
Madu had been surprised by how much Oke had offered for the bride price. Everyone had heard rumors that Oke had come into a lot of money. They were told that he had purchased so many lands at umuobia and had countless servants farming for him there but he showed no sign of affluence in Ofonri.
After Oke and Nkoli's banishment had been reversed, Oke had become more secretive. He always seemed busy but...