Poor Village Girl Was Forced To Marry A Poor Man, Unaware He Is A Crown Prince

• Juka’s eyes were focused, determined, and honest as he spoke. “Mama Ujuna, I have come to seek Ujunwa’s hand in marriage. I may not be rich, but I am hardworking, and I will take care of her.” For a few seconds, there was complete silence in the compound. Even the breeze seemed to pause, waiting for what would happen next.
• “Then, like thunder cracking the sky, Mama Ujuna exploded into laughter.” “Chim!” She clapped her hands loudly. Did I hear well? Did my ears deceive me? A common fisherman wants to marry my daughter. Wonders shall never end in this village. Her daughter Ujininoa stood behind her. Look at you, Chuka. Mama Ujunwa continued, her eyes traveling from Chuka’s worn out slippers to his torn shirt.
• What do you have? A broken canoe and an empty pocket? My daughter will marry a prince, not a porpa smelling of fish. Unwa clicked her tongue. You have no shame, Chuka. Don’t you know who I am? I cannot stoop so low to marry a wretched man like you. The words hit Chuka like stones. But he stood still, his shoulders squared. He had heard whispers about Ujinwa’s arrogance, but he had hoped that beneath her beauty there would be humility.
• He was wrong. Chuka took a deep breath and bowed his head slightly. I understand, Mama. I will take my leave. But Mama Ujunwa wasn’t finished. She turned around sharply and called out, “Kioma, Koma, come here.” From the corner of the compound, a slim girl with a tired face and sad eyes walked forward, her broom still in her hand.
• Her dress was faded, her feet dusty, and her hands rough from years of labor. She was beautiful, more beautiful than Ujunwa. But her beauty was hidden beneath suffering and silence. Chioma stopped a few feet away, avoiding eye contact, her heart pounding. She knew nothing good ever came from her stepmother, calling her like this.
• Mama Ujuna sneered and pointed at her. Since you are looking for a wife, Chukka, and you think you can enter my house empty-handed and take my daughter here? She waved her hand dismissively. Take Chioma. She is available. She is nobody’s child. You can marry her. After all, one wretched person deserves another. GMO was shocked.
• She felt her knees wobble as shame crawled up her skin. Chuka lifted his eyes and looked at Chimo properly for the first time, and what he saw made his chest tighten. Her beauty was different. It was hidden, gentle, like a flower struggling to grow in the middle of thorns. But beyond her physical beauty, there was sadness in her eyes.
• He shifted his gaze back to Mama Ujunwa. “Is she your daughter?” “She’s my late husband’s child,” Mama Ujinwa said coldly. “Her mother died giving birth to her, and her father followed her shortly after. I’ve been the one carrying her useless load since she was a baby. She has nothing, Mama Ujinoa added wickedly.
• No family, no money, no beauty compared to my Ujininoa. If you must marry from this house, carry her and go. Chuka remained silent for a long moment, his eyes fixed on Chioma. She didn’t dare to look up. Tears welled up in her eyes, threatening to fall. Suddenly, Chuka spoke quietly but firmly. I will marry her.
• Joma’s head snapped up in shock. She stared at Chuka like he had just spoken a foreign language. Mama Ujuna burst out laughing again. Ah, Chai, it’s true what they say. Poor people like to gather together. Fisherman and housegirl. Perfect match. Ujuna hissed and walked away without sparing Chuka another glance.
• Chuka stepped closer to Chioma, lowering his voice. I will come back in three market days to see your people. Mama Ujuna, prepare her. Before anyone could say another word, Chuka walked away. Chioma stood still, unable to move. Her ears were ringing, her heart racing. She had never imagined her life would turn out like this.
• All her life, she had dreamed of freedom, of escaping Mama’s cruelty. But now freedom looked like a prison wrapped in marriage to a man she didn’t know. That night, Kioma sat outside under the mango tree, crying silently. What she didn’t know was that fate had already begun to weave a story far bigger than her tears. A story that would shake the entire village of Anoma.
• Chuka had moved to Anom village 6 months earlier. He claimed to have returned to his maternal home for greener pasture. He settled quickly and began fishing, but he wasn’t so lucky, and so he caught very little fish, which made him poor. The agreed date arrived too quickly, and Chuka arrived at the compound dressed in a simple clo. He came with two elders.
• They carried a small keg of palm wine, some tubers of yam, and a token of money for the traditional knocking on the door. Mama Ujuna welcomed them with fake smiles. She had invited her husband’s younger brother before they came. They all sat down and performed the formalities and Mama Ujun were all the while making sarcastic comments.