Sweat poured down Esomchi's bent back as he worked on his farm with the hoe in his hands, the coiling of the muscles in his hands a testimony  of how hard he was working even though he made it seem effortless. The heat from the sun beat him mercilessly, the raffia woven hat on his head doing very little to shield him from the rays of the sun.

Tired he dropped his hoe and rose to his full height, he stretched to get out kinks and make it easier for his limbs to move, planting his hand above the cloth tied around his waist he looked around the farm and nodded,  he still has a long wag to go but he was satisfied with how far he had come.

He wiped his forehead with the back of his right hand, shielding his eyes with the same habd he looked at the sky, the sun was at its highest point. He knew he had little daylight left before the sun set.

"Esomchi!" He turned his head in the direction he heard his name being called from. He saw a girl approaching from the west side of the farm.

"I knew i would find you here." Ogadi said as she got closer to the where he stood, she held a basket in her hand, the top covered with a piece of cloth.

"Nno, you have been working very hard." She said batting her lashes at him. Esomchi looked at the petite girl before him, Ogadi had been on his case for sometime now, initially he thought it was just friendship but he came to realise she wanted more from him, more he was not ready to give.

"Ogadi," he called her name as be moved closer to where she stood placing emphasis on every syllable of her name. "I did not know you were coming."

She placed the basket in her hands at the base of the udara tree she was standing under before gesturing for him to hurry up.
"I know you have been busy all day so i decided to bring you some food and fruits, a form of refreshment so your strength can be renewed."

"You should not have, my mother would have sent someone with some food for me but thank you. I am honoured that you thought to do this for me." Esomchi finished as she uncovered the basket and began bringing things out.

"It is okay, i prepared all this just for you, we have egusi soup and pounded yam with anu nchi." He sat at the root of the tree and accepted the food.

"This looks delicious, i can't wait to try it." He began eating, the food tasted great and before long the whole food had disappeared. They sat under the tree for a while and talked about anything that came to mind. Esomchi rose, "I am very grateful Ogadi but i have to get back to work."

"Work, that is everything you talk about all the time." Ogadi whined holding onto his hands. " You never talk about us, or am i not pretty?"

Esomchi looked to the sky for some seconds before squatting in front of her and taking her hands in his, "Ogadi, you are very beautiful and any man in the village would be lucky to have you as a wife. We have talked about this, i am not ready to get married. I want to make a name for myself first."

"Obi m, you do not have to, i have told you time and time again, my father is wealthy he would finance the ceremony. He can set you up all i have to do is ask." She wrapped her arms around his neck. "I cannot wait to be married to you, to bear your last name, to be the mother of your children." She finished placing his hand on her stomach.

Esomchi was taken aback,  this girl was really serious he thought. He looked into her eyes, searching for any indication she was joking but she was as serious as death. "You are not joking are you?" he asked praying to the gods that she would laugh and say she was pranking him but she shook her head no.

He blinked rapidly for a while before clearing his throat, "Ogadi, i want to make a name for myself by myself, i do not want to rely on anyone. I want to take care of my woman and children without having to worry about finance. Even if i wanted help, i would go to my father, what sort of man would i be if i lived off of your father?  How would i walk in the village knowing i was seen as less than a snake?"

"I do not understand." Ogadi rose to her feet in anger. "Speak clearly Esomchi, are you saying you cannot marry me or that you are worried about what the people of the village would think of you?"

Esomchi rose to his feet, he towered over her like the trees over their heads. "Ogadi, yes i am worried about what the villagers will think of me. I want to be a man people admire and respect and i cannot be that man if i listen to you." he said calmly

Ogadi laughed hard for a while then began pacing, her right hand on her hip."You are breaking up with me," she stated, tears running down her cheeks. "Why? I am pretty and wealthy!"

"You are not wealthy Ogadi, your father is. Yes you are pretty but is that all you have to offer?" he asked quietly

"I should have known, it is that witch who has put you up to this." She was shouting now, "it is Ada, isn't it? She put you up to this, i have always known she was up to no good but you never listen. That girl is bad news–"

"That is enough, you will not speak of my friend in such manner." He interrupted her. "If anything will go on between us you have to respect her, she is family. Ogadi, thank you for the food but if you will stay here and insult my friend i ask that you take your leave."

Ogadi was shell shocked, never in her life had she been interrupted neither had anyone raised their voice at her, she couldn't speak. Anger boiled her blood, "How dare you? Do you know who i am? Do you know who father is? I will make sure you are dealt with." She screamed.

"I know who you are," he retorted coming up to her, "i know who your father  is and i know he raised you better than this."

Ogadi picked her basket and stormed out muttering as she went her way.

Glossary

Nnoo: well done, its a term used to encourage someone at work.
Anu nchi: Grass cutter,  its meat is a delicacy used in cooking.