Nnanna never visited Ego empty-handed.
Some evenings he arrived carrying a fat bush rabbit or a brace of guinea fowl from the day's hunt. On other occasions, he came with little treasures—a string of colorful beads he had bartered for, ripe wild fruits, or bunches of the tiny flowers she loved so much.
Ego never knew what surprise awaited her.
That uncertainty became one of the things she treasured most. Every meeting began with the same eager curiosity shining in her eyes.
"What have you brought for me today, Obim?" she would ask with a smile that melted his heart.
Their love was not the exaggerated romance sung about by wandering minstrels. They did not dance endlessly beneath the moonlight or burst into song whenever they met.
Instead, they found happiness in simpler things.
Long conversations.
Comfortable silence.
Holding hands.
Laughing over foolish jokes that no one else would understand.
For them, that was enough.
Like all lovers, they gave each other names known only to their hearts.
Nnanna called her Ego Bekee—The White Man's Money
She called him Obim—my heart.
Days slipped quietly into weeks. Weeks became months.
With every passing day, their affection deepened until neither could imagine life without the other.
They soon confessed that the feelings each had secretly guarded were shared.
Ego loved him just as fiercely as he loved her.
One evening, she smiled shyly and admitted something that made Nnanna laugh.
"The first day we spoke," she confessed, "I could not stop thinking about you either."
"So," Nnanna teased, "the mighty Dimgba conquered more than a wrestling ring."
"You conquered my heart," she replied softly.
*
It was on one such peaceful night beneath the great iroko tree that Nnanna finally gathered the courage to speak the words that had lived inside him for months.
Ego rested comfortably with her head upon his lap while they watched countless stars shimmer across the heavens.
The cool breeze carried the scent of earth and distant flowers.
For a long while, neither spoke.
Then Nnanna broke the silence.
"Ego..."
She hummed gently.
"I want you to become my wife."
His voice trembled despite all the courage he had shown inside the wrestling arena.
"I want you to be the mother of my children."
For a heartbeat, the world became perfectly still.
Ego slowly lifted her head from his lap and stared into his eyes.
"Obim..."
A playful smile spread across her face.
"I don't think I heard you properly."
She knew exactly what he had said.
Like every woman deeply in love, she simply wanted to hear it once more.
Nnanna smiled.
This time his voice carried far greater confidence.
"I said..."
"Ego Bekee..."
"Will you make me the happiest man in Umudibia by becoming my wife and the mother of my children?"
Tears of joy gathered in her eyes.
"There is nothing in this world I desire more."
The answer came without hesitation.
They embraced tightly beneath the ancient iroko tree.
When they finally pulled apart, excitement replaced their earlier calm.
For hours they spoke about the future as though it already belonged to them.
They imagined the hut they would build.
The farms they would cultivate.
The names they would give their children.
The lessons they would teach them about honor, hard work, and respect for the customs of their ancestors.
Nnanna gently held both of Ego's hands.
"As long as the blue sky stretches above us..."
"As long as the gods continue to watch over this land..."
"I promise to stand beside you."
"I will love you."
"I will protect you."
"And I will spend every day of my life trying to make you happy."
Ego smiled through happy tears.
"I don't ask for riches, Obim."
"I only want a home filled with laughter..."
"...and many children."
She laughed softly.
"Especially girls."
Nnanna laughed with her.
"If the gods bless us with ten daughters, then ten daughters it shall be."
*
The following morning, Nnanna gathered enough courage to speak with his parents.
"I have found the woman I wish to marry."
His mother's face lit up immediately.
For years she had prayed to witness the day her son would choose a wife—a woman who would someday fill their compound with grandchildren.
His father smiled proudly.
"And who is this fortunate young woman?"
"Ego."
"The daughter of Mazi Ojika."
Mazi Okoro nodded thoughtfully.
He knew the young woman well.
She was beautiful.
Respectful.
Hard-working.
A woman any family would gladly welcome.
Only one mystery remained.
"With so many young men seeking her hand..."
"What made her choose you?"
Nnanna simply smiled.
"Perhaps," he answered, "only the gods know."
*
On the day of their traditional marriage, Ego looked more radiant than anyone had ever seen her.
She wore newly woven wrappers of brilliant colors that flowed gracefully around her figure. Strings of coral and glass beads adorned her neck and waist, while delicate bracelets circled her wrists and ankles. Her beautifully braided hair was decorated with colorful threads and tiny beads that shimmered whenever she moved.
Elegant Uli designs traced graceful patterns across her face, chest, and legs, making her appear almost otherworldly.
She walked slowly into the gathering with quiet dignity before taking her place beside her father.
By custom, Mazi Ojika handed her a calabash filled with palm wine.
"My daughter," he announced loudly before the assembled guests, "go and find the man you have chosen to be your husband."
Holding the cup carefully with both hands, Ego began searching through the crowd.
Hundreds of faces watched her.
Some smiled knowingly.
Others held their breath.
Several long minutes passed before she finally found him.
Nnanna sat among his friends near the rear of the gathering.
The moment their eyes met, his smile answered hers.
Ego walked toward him and knelt respectfully.
She took a ceremonial sip from the calabash before presenting it to him.
Nnanna accepted it with both hands and drank what remained.
The crowd erupted into applause.
The two rose together and walked to the beautifully woven cane chairs prepared for the bride and groom.
The cheers, singing, and laughter echoed throughout Umudibia.
The celebration slowly faded.
The voices became distant.
The music disappeared.
Ego suddenly became aware of warm breaths brushing gently across her face.
She frowned slightly.
Someone was watching her.
Slowly...
She opened her eyes.
Nnanna lay beside her on their sleeping mat, propping his head upon one hand while gazing at her with quiet admiration.
A smile curved across his lips.
"Good morning, my husband," she said, smiling back.
"Good morning, Nwanyi Oma."
"My beautiful woman."
He gently traced lazy circles across the back of her hand.
"So..."
"What were you dreaming about?"
"Our wedding."
She smiled dreamily.
"I was just handing you the palm wine."
Nnanna chuckled.
"The same palm wine you almost finished before giving me the cup?"
Ego gasped dramatically.
"That is a terrible accusation!"
"I was simply making sure nothing dangerous was inside before giving it to the man I love."
"So..."
He leaned closer.
"Why is this handsome hunter still lying here instead of going to the forest?"
She laughed.
"And why is this handsome hunter staring at me as though he has never seen a woman before?"
"Because," he answered without hesitation, "he is wondering how a man like him became fortunate enough to marry the most beautiful woman in Umudibia."
His fingers resumed drawing invisible patterns across her skin.
"Someone is especially sweet this morning," Ego teased, gently pushing his hand away.
"I only wished to remind my wife how breathtaking she is."
She narrowed her eyes playfully.
"I know exactly where all these sweet words are leading."
"You do?"
He grinned mischievously.
"Then perhaps we should continue the journey."
She burst into laughter and jumped off the sleeping mat before he could catch her.
"Not this morning!"
"We traveled there all through last night."
"I'm still exhausted from the journey."
Laughing, Nnanna sprang after her.
She darted around the hut while he chased her in circles, both laughing so loudly that even the birds outside seemed startled.
"Come back!" he pleaded.
"I promise to bring home the biggest antelope in the forest."
Ego stopped just long enough to glance over her shoulder.
"The biggest antelope?"
"The biggest."
She pretended to consider the offer.
Then she smiled knowingly.
"Well..."
"That is a very tempting bargain."
And with that, she allowed him to catch her.