Two days to the festival, all the preparations were made.
Even the maiden of the village changed their beads to fancy ones that will be attractive in their wrappers, wrapped around their wāists.
They all gathered to decide what to do to attract suitors, each bringing a suggestion.
"We should not miss such a chance because it happens once in a while.
My mother was able to meet my father during this festival, giving birth to a beautiful damsel like me," one of the maidens said, praising herself as the others sighed at her.
They all dispersed to their houses, thinking about what they could do to get a suitor for marriage.
Obinna, on the other hand, since he was a timid child and hāted associating with the other children his age, refused training with them ahead of the festival.
He only left the house in disguise of training and then headed to the nearby bush to sit and admire the animals he could find.
They were his only friends. The only part of his father he admired was the fact that Ojofo was a hunter and would come back with many bush meats.
Although Obinna would cry when he saw the dėad animals and starve himself instead of eating the animal, he would eventually eat it when he was hungry.
This made Ojofor hātė him even more, scolding him at every slightest opportunity.
"If I were the king, I would make sure there is peace in the village, including the neighbouring village.
Nobody will need to fīght.
Instead of organizing a wrestling festival, I will invite the other kings to dine with me in my kingdom," he would think aloud when he is far from his father.
He knew such utterance would warrant an immense bėāting.
Obinna’s heart raced whenever he thought about the festival as he did not join in the training ahead of the festival.
He was also scarėd that one of the children might tell his father that he does not train with them.
"I can fīght if I want to, there’s no need to train after all I’m doing this to prove that I am a man, a man can do anything," he confidently declared.
As he cautiously approached his father, he tried to ease his nerves, "Don’t be afraid Obinna, he does not know anything," he reassured himself.
"Nna good day," he greeted, attempting to swiftly enter the hut without waiting for his father's response.
"Where are you rushing to?" Ojofor inquired, causing Obinna to turn back, hands on his back, heart racing.
"Obinna, you see why I always tell you to bėhave like a man?
Imagine the way you are shaking, I could perceive it from your voice," Ojofor scolded.
Obinna, already trembling with fear, was relieved Ojofor hadn't noticed his wėt pānts.
"I hope you trained well, you know the festival is just next tomorrow and you will need to prove that you are my blood, the child of a liōn is a liōn," Ojofor boasted.
Obinna nodded, trying to remain composed and avoid his father's touch.
"Papa, I need to go inside and change up. Today was stressful," he lied as his father smiled and did not say anything else.
As he tried to avoid further questions from his father, Ojofor's excitement about the upcoming festival filled the air.
"I know you will make me proud, my son.
Your mother prepared something for you, your favorite melon soup," Ojofor mentioned, making Obinna nod in agreement before he hurried into the hut.
When he got inside, Obinna hurriedly washed his wet short to avoid anyone noticing, determined to keep up the facade of training with his mates.
After quickly going inside to change, Obinna found himself trying to stay out of his father's sight, not wanting to face more questions that might reveal his secret.
The next morning, as he was sweeping the hut, he spotted Ejike, the youth leader, who had come to report his absence from training to Ojofor.
Panicking, Obinna rushed to plead with Ejike not to expose him, but Ejike seemed determined to teach him a lesson.
Obinna was filled with fear of being exposed.
Hoping to find a way out of the situation and shutting Ejike’s mouth He rushed inside the house and took a knifė to threatėn Ejike, who was not moved by it.
"Get out of my way, you little boy. I need to see your father," Ejike screamed.
"If you move a step further, I will kīłł you," Obinna said, shaking.
"Says a boy that keeps running away from training. You don’t even know how to handle a knifė.
Your father has to know his son is a cowārd." Ejike said āngrily as he was losing his tėmper.
"Don’t call me that. I am not a cowārd.
I am a true son of my father," Obinna said bravely, even when he was not brave.
"Prove it by stābbing me with the knifė," Ejike dared him, giving Obinna a little courage as he raised the knifė.
The argument became intense, and Ojofor heard the noise and came out of the hut.
Obinna could no longer control himself.
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