Chapter 5: The Heart Of Igbo land

Akunna's excitement and urgency were met with a disappointing response from her parents. She had rushed to share her vision with them, hoping they would understand the gravity of the situation and offer guidance. Instead, they listened with a mixture of skepticism and concern, their faces etched with a "not again" expression.

"Akunna, our child, you've always had a vivid imagination," her mother, Nneoma, said with a gentle but dismissive tone. "Don't worry about the river's secrets. Focus on your daily life, help with the chores, and forget about these visions."

Her father, Ikechi, added, "You're just a child, Akunna. You don't need to burden yourself with the weight of the village's problems. Let the elders handle it."

Akunna felt a surge of frustration and disappointment. She had expected her parents to understand, to see the urgency in her vision, but instead, they were treating it like a mere fantasy. She tried to explain, to make them see the truth, but they wouldn't listen.

"But, Mother, Father, this is different! The Imo River showed me the future, and I saw our village in danger. I saw people dying, our homes burning... Please, you have to believe me!"

Nneoma and Ikechi exchanged a glance, their faces softening with a mix of pity and concern. "Akunna, our child, we believe you think you saw something, but it's just your imagination running wild. Don't worry, we'll take care of everything. Just focus on your studies and help with the chores."

Akunna felt a lump form in her throat as she realized her parents wouldn't take her vision seriously. She knew they loved her, but their skepticism hurt. She felt alone, like she was the only one who understood the gravity of the situation.

With a heavy heart, Akunna nodded, pretending to accept their words. But inside, she knew she couldn't ignore the Imo River's secrets. She would find a way to convince her parents, to make them see the truth, or she would find another way to save her village. The river's whispers still echoed in her mind, guiding her towards a future she was determined to shape

Akunna's determination led her to the wisest elder of the village, Ozurumba. She had hoped to find a sympathetic ear, someone who would understand the urgency of her vision. But as she shared her story, she was met with a stern expression and a dismissive tone.

"Akunna, my child, I know you believe what you're saying, but you must stop talking about the Imo River," Ozurumba said, his voice firm but gentle. "You don't understand the ways of the river, and your words will only bring tension to our village."

Akunna felt a surge of frustration and disappointment. She had expected the elder to listen, to offer guidance, but instead, he was silencing her.

"But, Ozurumba, I saw our village in danger! I saw people dying, our homes burning... You have to believe me!"

Ozurumba's expression turned sorrowful, but his voice remained firm. "Akunna, I know you think you saw something, but the Imo River is a mysterious force. We can't risk stirring up fear and superstition among the villagers. They will see you as a traitor, a foolish child who knows nothing about the river's secrets."

Akunna felt a sting from the elder's words. She knew she wasn't a traitor, but a messenger, a warning. But Ozurumba's dismissal left her feeling small and insignificant.

With a heavy heart, Akunna left the elder's hut, feeling like she was walking away from her last hope. The Imo River's secrets still whispered in her mind, but now, she felt like she was alone in her quest to save her village. The weight of her vision felt crushing, and she wondered if she would ever find a way to convince her people of the danger that lay ahead.

Akunna lay in her bed, her eyes closed, her mind racing with thoughts of the Imo River. She had hoped to be transported back to the river's banks, to meet with the mysterious woman and learn more about the danger that threatened her village. But as the night wore on, she remained in her hut, her body stubbornly rooted in the physical world.

She tried to will herself to the river, to conjure up the same magic that had taken her there before. But her efforts were in vain. She was trapped in her own mattress, unable to escape the confines of her reality.

As the hours ticked by, Akunna grew more and more frustrated. She had been so sure that the river would call to her again, that she would be given another chance to seek its guidance. But now, she was starting to doubt herself. Had she imagined the whole thing? Was she truly meant to play a role in saving her village, or was it all just a product of her own vivid imagination?

As the first light of dawn crept into her hut, Akunna sat up, her eyes bleary from lack of sleep. She rubbed her face, trying to shake off the feeling of disappointment that had settled over her like a shroud. She knew she couldn't give up, not now. She had to keep searching for a way to save her village, even if it meant going against the wisdom of the elders.

With a newfound determination, Akunna rose from her bed, ready to face whatever challenges lay ahead. She would find a way to save her village, no matter what it took. The Imo River may have been silent, but Akunna's heart was still listening, still waiting for the guidance she knew would come.

As Akunna continued to share her vision and warning with the villagers, they began to murmur among themselves. At first, it was just a few whispers, but soon the entire village was buzzing with gossip and speculation.

"Akunna has been possessed by an evil spirit," some said.

"She's been bewitched by the Imo River," others whispered.

The villagers would point and stare as Akunna walked by, their faces filled with a mix of fear and disgust. They couldn't understand why she kept talking about the river and its secrets, why she was so obsessed with something they saw as mere superstition.

"She's always been a strange child," one of the elders said. "But now she's gone too far. She needs to be taught a lesson."

The villagers began to shun Akunna, refusing to let her help with chores or join in on community activities. They saw her as an outcast, someone who had been corrupted by the river's influence.

Akunna tried to ignore the whispers and stares, but it was hard. She felt like she was being slowly ostracized from her own community, all because she refused to keep quiet about her vision.

One day, as she was walking through the village, a group of children taunted her, calling her "River Witch" and "Possessed One." Akunna tried to ignore them, but the words stung. She felt a lump form in her throat as she realized that even the children were against her.

The villagers' rejection was a heavy burden to bear. Akunna felt like she was carrying the weight of her vision alone, with no one to turn to for support or guidance. She began to wonder if she had indeed been possessed by some evil spirit, if that was why she was seeing and hearing things that no one else did.

But deep down, Akunna knew that wasn't true. She knew that her vision was real, that the Imo River was trying to tell her something important. And she was determined to listen, no matter what the cost.