It had been weeks since the I bu nwoke ceremony, Ada stood in front of her hut preparing to go to the market as usual, she was just placing the last fruit in a basket when she heard whistling, she stood with her hand on her hips and looked towards the entrance of the compound, her home was far away from the village so she rarely had visitors. The figure approaching walked into the compound, instantly Ada's mood darkened.

"Chiemerie ndewo, I wasn't expecting guests this early in the morning."

The man before her laughed, his shoulders shaking as he folded his arms over his well defined chest, the piece of cloth around his waist rising with the change in his posture. To many he could be considered handsome, to Ada he was plain annoying

"Ada, Ada always so feisty–" Chiemerie said smiling. " –I have come to see your beautiful face and pray to the gods, it brings me favour as I go about my activities for the day."

"Chiemerie, you flatter me however I think you have lost your way, if it is favour you seek you should be in Ala's shrine." Ada replied sweetly.

"Ada, let us not play games you know why I am here, have you considered my proposal?"

Ada bent to pick up the cloth she was going to use to balance her basket on her head and began rolling it into a coil. "Chiemerie, it is rather early in the morning and I have a lot to do but I will get back to you."

"That was what you said before the ceremony Ada ,it has been weeks now. My father is wealthy, I have my own place I would do right by you, all you have to say is yes, yes and you would have the village at your feet."

"Again Chiemerie I will think about it, besides I have not told my mother about your proposal." She bent to pick up her basket of fruits and balance it on her head.

"When i have made up my mind you will have my answer." She began walking towards the exit when Chiemerie grabbed her arm, roughly jerking her towards him.

"It is because of that stupid boy is it not? I can offer you more than he ever will. Money, power, fame? My family is known far and wide." Spittle flew from his mouth as he raised his voice.

"Let go of me, you are hurting me." Ada cried trying to free herself of his grip. He let her go after a while.

"I do not want what you have to offer, Esomchi has nothing to do with it, it is very early I do not want to start my day angry, take care of yourself." Ada walked out leaving a very furious Chiemerie rooted to the spot .
 
"Enyi, why does you face look like egusi soup that has gone sour?" A beautiful young girl asked as she met with Ada on the road to the market. “It is too early to be wearing such an expression."

Ada turned to look at the girl, she was beautiful with almond eyes cute button nose and heart shape face, her hair was styled in such a way that it called attention to her face, she had a piece of cloth tired around her chest and another around her hips ending at her knees, the traditional attire for unmarried females in the village, she was taller than Ada but her expression was friendly.

"Ekeoma my friend, they want to ruin my day mana chi m ekwena."

Ekeoma adjusted her basket of coconuts on her head as she laughed. "I knew it, please who are they? Let me know if I will risk my mother's wrath to go beat them up on your behalf."

"Who else can it be if not Chiemerie, this early in the morning o! Nwanne m.”  Ada  recounted her tale to Ekeoma as they continued on their way to the market.

"Ada you are a beautiful girl, he is bound to be interested, I know you don't want to hear this but he is not bad many girls in this village would kill to be in your shoes." Ekeoma said as they arrived at the market, picked their spot and began unloading their wares.

"Let him have his pick of them then, I am honestly not ready for marriage nne m besides even if I was he wouldn't make the top five on the list."

"Ha! that is a very select list o! Chiemerie is handsome and wealthy, oh! here comes Ogadi." Ekeoma pulled her attention to a group of girls approaching them. Ada buried her face in her palms wondering if the day could get worse, she began praying to the goddess to give her the strength to go through the day.

"Ekeoma, Ada, i would say good morning but just looking at the both of you has ruined my morning.” The head of the group of girls spoke looking at the other girls who laughed at her statement.

Ada looked at the four girls before her and anger boiled her blood, Ogadi and her squad had been a thorn in her side for as long as she could remember. Ogadi's father was an Ichie-a member of the royal cabinet, but for the life of her,Ada could not figure out how such a  humble man could give birth to the little demon before her. Ogadi was a fair beautiful girl and thought herself to be the most beautiful in the land, she was rude and arrogant and carried herself as a princess.

"Ogadi, say whatever it is you have to say and leave, unlike you some of us have to earn a living." Ada replied.

"Ha! Is that supposed to be an insult? I am not poor, my father and brothers will grant me whatever my heart desires at the snap of my finger." She retorted looking at Ada with disdain.

"We can see that." Ekeoma chipped in. "Please take your leave we are loosing customers the longer you stand here."

"I do not remember her speaking to you." The tallest girl in Ogadi's squad spoke. “Do not involve yourself in matters that do not concern you."

"Olamma you should take your own advice before i beat you up,  you all should do us a favour and leave already." Ekeoma was getting angry, Ada held unto her friend’s wrist in a bid to calm her down.

"No one will beat anyone up this morning." Ada began, staring down the girls before her. “I am poor that is why i am here Ogadi, i want to make a better living however i feel i should remind you of this maybe, just maybe you would finally get it, you are not rich, your father is."

Ogadi eyebrows shot up to her hairline, the girls around her gasped in horror as the watched her complexion gradually change colour. She looked at Ada like she wanted to pull out all her hair, she had a short fuse and her temper was legendary

"You are beneath me." she spat then turned around in a huff and walked away.

Ada let out a deep breath before taking a seat on her stool while Ekeoma paced, biting her thumb nail. “You should have let me beat up one of them."

Ada  smiled "Violence is not always the answer, i know you can beat her up, you have proven that time and again."

Glossary

Ndewo- it is a form of greeting.
Enyi-  friend.
Egusi soup-a traditional delicacy prepared from ground melon seeds.
Nnwanne m-  my sister.
Mana chi m ekwena - my god refused.
Nne m-   a term of endearment.