Evil Meal of Evil

Scene 2. Sunyin lies in her homestead, legs out-stretched

31 An Evil Meal of Evil Scene 2 Sunyin lies in her homestead, legs out-stretched. (She reflects on what could have precipitated the death of her husband. The first sympathizer to share in her grief is Nahwubly. She has requested Njenumeh the seer to come and tell her the truth concerning the death of her husband.) Sunyin (Sorrowfully) Here I am, a lonely girl experiencing widowhood. Here I am, looking pale as if I am a refugee abandoned in a foreign land. Here I am, with no child even to share in my sorrows or keep me company. This is the marriage which my parents wanted me to experience. Yes, this is the marriage. Having a husband only for a few unfruitful years? I see the world turning upside down. Everything is useless in my eyes. Here I am seated in a limbo as if God is dead to have chosen my destiny in such an agonized way. O! O! Where is my husband? Life has no more meaning for me. I am useless, lifeless and worthless. Sympathizers come and go, shedding tears that cannot restore my husband back to me. My mates who got married the same year like me now boast three to four children if not more. Where are mine? Has God also destroyed my womb? Yes, death has pronounced its verdict, allowing all the old men and women in the village only to send its whimsical hands to snatch away my youthful and beloved husband who had several plans in life. O! O! Death, why have you punished me like this (weeps). When will I meet my husband again? Why can you not take me along to meet Dohbani, my beloved husband? But you wish to pour all the burden of suffering upon my head on this earth. My cocoyams at ‘Naku’, I have to work alone; my beans and corn in the farm, I have to cultivate alone and to consume all the produce alone!! O! O! Death you have betrayed me. (weeps) On the road as I go by people point fingers at me, some even murmur, ‘‘I pity that young lady’’ while they move happily with their children and husbands. Here I am, sitting in a limbo like a neglected child that cannot find a helper. My husband, please return to me. I mean now! Now! Now! (Weeping) (Enter Nahwubly) 32 Kehbuma Langmia Nahwubly (Consoling her) My daughter, stop weeping. All will be well. Please, I beg you, stop weeping. Since your husband died, I have been very busy. I have consulted all the witchdoctors for answers to no avail. Please stop weeping. If you keep on weeping what am I going to do? Why do I have the ill-luck to bury my children instead of them burying me. Please let us not keep weeping. Let us pray for God’s mercy, my daughter. (weeps cynically) Now tell me. Sunyin Tell you what? Nahwubly Is it true that someone told you that the only way to win my son’s love was to charm him by putting something in his food? Sunyin (shocked) Nahwubly Please don’t think I am the one asking. It is all out there. Sunyin Outside where? Who told you this shocking story? Nahwubly Well, I am only echoing what is out there. Sunyin Nahwubly, you think in your right mind that I, your daughter-inlaw can do this? Nahwubly Don’t ask me. I don’t know. I thought you may have some clues. Sunyin What clues? I want to know the people who have been talking to you about this. Nahwubly I don’t think it will be good for you to know. Sunyin Why not? I will like to know. Even if it is my best friend, I will still like to know. Except you have something to hide yourself, I see no reason why you will want to keep it secret. 33 An Evil Meal of Evil Nahwubly (Getting up to leave) As I said it will not be good for you to know. Just think about it and see what you can do about it. (Exit) Sunyin This is now my fate. I will have to explain to everyone where Dohbani has gone to. As a young widow no one will believe me. I can’t tell who is a friend or an enemy ever since my husband died. Everybody...