it was another painful day fori three months had gone by since his wife nna passed away and every evening since he would sit by the Riverside quietly weeping because he needed to escape his mother's constant nagging GUI you must be strong you have a baby to care for your wife left you with a newborn his mother would say n passed on while giving birth to their daughter OA as the sky darkened whichi knew it was time to head home so he stood up and began the walk back taking the village path as he turned a
corner he bumped into someone carrying a load on her head watch where you're going she snapped as her luggage tumbled to the ground her voice froze B in place he knew that voice CH he whispered barely able to get the words out of his mouth but even at that low volume chin knew it was him she could recognize his voice at whatever pitch anywhere and at any given time it was the voice of the man she had once loved bii the man who had broken her heart to marry nna back then they were inp known
throughout the village as love birds chin had supported all his wild dreams and when he finally achieved success he left her for someone else to escape the shame and Whispers of the villagers chin moved away from the village but now she was back actually she was forced to return because of war in her new Village chin Bui repeated this time loud how are you bii she asked trying to sound composed even though her heart rised she thought she had buried her feelings for him but seeing him now brought them rushing back I'm sorry chin Bui
started but she quickly interrupted him it's okay I hold no grudge you and nna are a perfect couple but's face fell and then he told chinu about nna's death when chinu heard the news she did not know how to feel however she was not sad let me help you carry your things home which she offered chin hesitated but then agreed wanting to spend more time with him slowly they walked to her Hearts catching up on the years they had missed when they arrived chin lit a lantern and Bui began to help her tidy up the
small space brought back so many memories for both of them memories of their youth spent together in that very room unable to Bear it any longer CH spoke B you knew I was an orphan you knew how much I loved you that's why it was easy for you to hurt me because I had no one to stand up for me and and I was too in love with you to fight back tears filled her eyes and Bui moved to hug her he had never meant to hurt her but something about nna had captivated him in
a way he could not explain they held each other for what felt like an eternity soon the flood of emotions became overwhelming and one thing led to another that night Bui and Chin made love and in the day that followed their Affair continued though GUI was mourning chin made him feel alive again reminding him of his Youth and wild Spirits then one day chinu gave him news I'm pregnant Bui Bui froze his mind racing with their frequent nights together it wasn't surprising let's get married he said after a PA I know you will be a
wonderful wife and a great mother to OA we will be a family of four and who knows what else God has in store for us chin was overjoyed after all these years she was finally going to marry the love of her life they quickly made plans for their wedding and soon after bii and Chin were joined as husband and wife 24 years had passed since chin and bui's marriage and much had changed bii was now lit and OA along with her younger sister nidi had blossomed into beautiful women yes chin had a baby girl for
Bui and as Bui thought she was a devoted wife to him and a loving mother to both daughters but something happened that tested the love she believed she had for OA one day nidi came home with exciting news a Sut whom she had met at a ceremony hosted by the king had expressed interest in her mama he said he will come with his family in two weeks to meet you indeed he said her face glowing with happiness chinu was overjoyed at the hope of indid getting married o overhearing the conversation also rejoiced for her sister
unbothered by the fact that indid might marry before her the long awaited day arrived and as promised the sutor AA arrived with his family as the mid served refreshment OA joined in to help ensure everything went smoothly but when she entered the room carrying a tray of food aa's attention immediately shifted he couldn't take his eyes off her captivated by her beauty beautiful mening what is your name AA asked his voice full of admiration before OA could respond chin quickly intervened she's my daughter OA OA go help your sister prepare to meet her in-laws she
instructed hoping to divert aa's attention back to indid OA did as she was told but the damage had already been done AA could not stop thinking about her he pulled his father aside and said Papa I am not interested in indid I want OA his father frowned shaking his head this is embarrassing how do I break this news to her mother but AA arrogant and confident replied Papa they are wealthy but we are wealthier she'll be happy to offer us either daughter reluctantly his father agreed when they returned to the Gathering just as nidi was
about to be presented to her future in-laws aa's father interrupted we are not here today for IND it is OA we wish to take as a wife chin way froze in shock OA and nid listening from the Next Room were equally stunned but OA would not stand by and let her family be insulted she stormed into the room and firmly addressed the sutor family I am not interested in marrying your son he came here for my sister and now he has changed his mind please leave my family will not entertain this marriage any longer the
situs family seeing oa's seriousness and chinu silence had no choice but to leave once they were gone chinu hugged her daughters but inside she was angry memories of her own betrayal resurfaced how Bui had left her for n aa's words kept ringing in her head beautiful Ma what is your name many nights she lay awake unable to find rest chin paced around her room fists clenched as her hatred for OA deepened with each passing Day At Last she made a vow her daughter would never suffer the same fate she had no matter the cost not
while she was alive an evil smile crept AC cross her face nna had escaped her revenge but OA would not be so lucky she would make sure of it now all she needed was the perfect plan 3 months had passed since the incident and while everyone else had moved on chin could not day and night she walked tirelessly crafting her evil plan whenever doubt crept into her heart she would whisper to herself this is for Indi she deserves a better life IND Didi however remained indifferent staying close to her sister but chin convinced herself that
indeedy was too young to understand one evening after OA finished her tillering lessons she began her usual walk home there was a lonely path she often took and as she approached it she heard her name called from the bushes startled she turned around to see her mother stepping out Mama what are you doing there she asked surprised my child I was on my way to the land at aama a buyer is coming tomorrow and I wanted to do a final inspection chin replied at this time Mama you'll come home very late and there's no clear
path to is we have to go through the bushes o said concerned chin way reassured her don't worry I'll be fine you should go home and rest you must be tired from your lessons today but chin knew OA too well and as expected o offered to go with her unwilling to let her mother make the journey alone together they set off for the distant land at aama finally they reached the land but to O's surprise there were three men inspecting the land who are you people and what are you doing here chin asked approaching them
quickly OA followed her mother scared they were going to hurt her but as they reached the men circled her and grabbed her while chin quietly stepped aside good grab her chin said OA soon realized what was happening and began to beg her mother mama what did I do please tell them to let me go but chin replied you think you are so special right I won't let you ruin everything the way your mother ruined my life Terror filled oa's heart as the men dragged her towards a hidden entrance behind thick bushes beneath the undergrowth lay
a heavy wooden door barely noticeable against the Earth one of the men pulled it open revealing a dark damp stairway leading down into the ground please Mama don't do this OA pleaded her voice shaking as she tried to fight off the men but chin remained unmoved she watched her daughter being lowered into the underground prison a place she had prepared for this very moment a place no one in the village knew existed once OA was locked inside chin and the men sealed their pack with a Blood Oath she had paid them enough money to ensure
their silence but she needed more Assurance you keep watch over her her for 10 years if she survives leave her in a distant Village she will never dare return chin said her voice cold the men nodded in agreement and after sealing the deal they each went their separate ways every day OA sat alone in her dark cell waiting for her mother's forgiveness panic and disbelief consumed her she pounded the walls screamed for help but all that answered was the hollow echo of her own voice in the cold damp Darkness as the days turned to months
her hope of being rescued slowly faded the men who brought her food and water came in silence their faces emotionless At first she begged them to let her go but eventually she stopped speaking to them all together The Damp air weakened her body and she grew thinner with each passing day but she clung to life some nights she cried herself to sleep mourning the life and future that had been stolen from her other times she burned with anger anger at chin at the men and at the world that seemed to have forgotten her back in
the village chin organized search parties pretending to look for OA each time they returned with no news she would fall to the ground wailing in false pain did cried bitterly even searching for OA herself but found no trace of her sister after a year she finally accepted that OA was gone though she kept her memory alive in her heart when indid married 3 years after her sister's disappearance she wept because OA was not there when she had her children in the fifth and seventh years of oa's absence she mourned deeply but still chin remained unmoved
it had been 10 years since Ooma disappeared and many things had changed in isama the village now had foreign guests white people from England who had come in search of the crude oil that the land was rich with Kingo who was used to trading with neighboring Villages was surprised by the arrival of these white men we want to build factories that will provide jobs for the Youth of isama these factories will make your village the top trading center in all of Nigeria said Nathan the leader of the team upon hearing this kacho was thrilled GRE
pry as he was all he could think about were the benefits he would gain from the deal give me some time to think about it he replied though he had already decided to agree within a week he summoned the foreigners and gave his approval I will support your plan for the benefit of my people King AA said to show my support I will grant you access to many lands for your search for crude oil the guests were pleased with the king's response they informed him they would be back shortly to Begin work as discussed in
their absence the greedy King began seizing lands from the villagers targeting those he believed had untapped oil reserves among these lands was one owned by chin where OA was secretly imprisoned when chin learned of the King's decision she panicked and quickly began making plans to move OA but the King was faster he had already sent guards to secure the lands because he knew the villagers would Rebel helpless chin ran to the Palace to plead with the King my husband is dead I've lost my first daughter and now the king wants to take my properties she
cried but the king ignored her his love for wealth outweighed his compassion for his people chin began living in constant fear hoping that by the time OA was found she would have already perished from hunger and thirst but her time was up it was time to pay for her sins 7 days after the guards took over a new set of guards arrived at the site during a break one of them wanded to a corner of the land to urinate as he did the sound of his urine hitting the ground seemed louder than usual confused he
looked around and saw what appeared to be just overgrown bushes intrigued he used a stick to clear the bushes and uncovered an old withered wooden door covered in Vines and dir as if someone had tried to hide it his curiosity grew he knocked on the door and to his surprise faint movement could be heard from below hello he called out knocking louder this time from beneath the door a weak voice responded please help me came the faint whisper o usually would not speak but from the way the door to her prison was handled she knew
it was not her captors St rattled the guard immediately alerted the others together they broke the door open one of them lit a lantern and went down the damp staircase followed by the others the air was musty and thick with a smell of Decay but small vents hidden in the walls provided enough ventilation to make the space breathable as the light from the lantern illuminated the room they saw her OA huddled in a corner her body frail and weak from years of isolation and starvation one of the guards screamed in shock there's a woman down
here he shouted OA slowly looked up her face was bony her clothes ragged but in her eyes there was a spark of hope after a long time of suffering she had finally been found OA was swiftly brought before the king who was in the middle of a meeting with the visitors who had returned as promised the guards were ushered in and the King shook his head in shock at the sight of ooma's condition Nathan the lead engineer was filled with empathy as he saw her fragile States but he quietly observed choosing not to get involved
the men laid her gently on the floor and recounted everything that had happened happened after a long silence the king asked who is this woman does anyone know her a palac mid who had been listening closely stepped forward I may be wrong my king but she resembles late B's daughter she was declared missing over 8 years ago the king immediately ordered the guards to fetch her mother chin to tell her the good news when they arrived at chim's house she opened the door took one look at them and collapsed in tears please don't do this
I didn't mean to hurt her I'll pay you all handsomely if you help me leave this Village chin begged the chief guard quickly realized what had happened he had always wondered who could have kept OA hidden knowing it was B's land he grabbed Chin's arm and shouted you Wicked Woman so you're the one responsible for this cruelty the other guards now understanding the truth began to shame her and dragged her to the Palace inside o sat quietly in the corner seeping water and eating when she saw chin enter tears roll down her face her mother
was visibly older and OA silently wondered how many years had passed passed chin rushed towards her pleading for forgiveness but the guards held her back they explained everything to the king who immediately ordered Chin's arrest and sentenced her to execution then the queen spoke up asking that they keep OA in their care until she is strong enough to be by herself at home my king I am a doctor and I believe OA would benefit from my care said Elsie one of the foreign guests kacho agreed without hesitation and OA was promptly taken to one of
the rooms in the palace for treatment months passed and OA went through periods of treatment some days were good While others were painful but she pushed through them all and didy her sister who now lived in another village with her family had about all that had happened and rushed over to see her however OA was not ready for a visit I really want to be alone she told Elsie but Indi was determined she loved her sister deeply and after some persistence OA finally agreed to meet with her they talked and in the end she said
please give me time uni I'm still trying to process everything thing that's happened IND did finally understood and with a nod returned to her home relieved that she had at least seen her sister one day when OA was strong enough to walk she left the palace though she still limped she moved slowly through the village taking in its changes she wanted to speak to the villagers but did not know how to start so she began muring to herself something she had gotten used to during her time in captivity is she talking to herself one villager
whispered what do you expect after all that time in isolation she has probably gone mad another replied sadly hearing this OA felt a deep sadness she wanted to correct them to tell them they were wrong but when she approached they fled in fear heart broken she returned to the palace and asked for an audience with the queen who had grown fond of her I'm ready to go home my queen o said thank you for all your kindness the queen tried to convince her to stay longer but OA felt out of place even in the palace
she believed everyone was judging her eventually the queen agreed and sent her home with enough money to support herself until she could start earning again I'll send food to you every two weeks the queen promised as she beid OA farewell oama moved back into her father bui's old house and isolated herself which only filed the rumors in the village some called her the mad woman who lived alone in the abandoned compound children avoided passing by her house at night fearing she might come out and harm them despite everything the queen kept her promise and Elsie
frequently checked on Ooma bringing her medications but one day Elsie could not make the trip so she asked Nathan to deliver the medication on his way to the walk site you can't miss the house it's right before the turn to the the road that leads to the major work sites Elsie explained when Nathan arrived at O's house there was no one outside but just as he was about to leave he heard someone giggling at the back of the house hello he shouted but there was no response rather the person kept giggling and as he got
closer The Voice shouted sing louder he assumed it was OA and walked to meet her when he saw her she was busy singing and making hand movements like she was orchestrating a choir Nathan thought about interrupting her but it was the first time he had seen her so joyful he remembered visiting the king in his private Chambers to discuss the factory when he heard loud screams never mind the noise it's the woman that was saved from captivity the herbalist is massaging her legs so she can work better the king said to him aside from the
day she arrived at the palace Nathan had also seen her sitting sadly on one of his frequent visits to the Palace he had wanted to approach her but he did not think she would be receptive to him he stood aside watching her as she conducted her invisible choir just when he thought that was the end she broke into a dance moving her body to the tune from her mouth Nathan decided he would leave and return later because he did not want to invade much of her privacy but as he stepped back his feet knocked down
a structure immediately alerting Ooma and suddenly she screamed in Fright please don't be scared Nathan said reassuringly Elsie asked me to deliver your medications but OA still flustered backed away her mind racing she was sure he thought she was mad like the others tears welled up in her eyes as she struggled to explain it's just a way to pass the time please do not listen to what they say I'm not I'm not mad she said quietly avoiding his gaze Nathan took a step forward his expression soft and understanding OA I do not think you are
mad he said reassuringly we all find ways to cope with what we have been through his words seemed to ease her discomfort and for the first time OA felt like someone truly understood he handed her the medications he was asked to deliver and turn is back to leave but just as he began to walk away he thought to stay and talk to her a bit she could do with some company he said to himself he turned back and took a short look at OA thinking of what he could say to make her feel more comfortable
back in England you know when I was a boy my sister and I used to Har Tunes she's a lovely singer so I was always dragged into her displays we would pretend we were conducting orchestras in our garden music can be a kind of medicine for the soul don't you think he asked her OA looked at him a bit surprised by his words she had not expected someone like Nathan to share something so personal she relaxed a little the tension in her body easing as he spoke I guess what I'm trying to say is you
don't need to explain yourself to anyone what you're doing it's not Madness it's a way to feel alive to find Joy again after everything you've been through you deserve that OA blinked her heart warmed by his words she had not expected such kindness from him for a brief moment she allowed herself to smile something she had not done in a long time Nathan sensing that she was beginning to open up added maybe one day I will join you but I warn you I'm not the best dancer he laughed lightly hoping to lighten the mood OA
chuckled softly Nathan noticing her shifts said if you ever want to talk about music or anything else I'll be around he nodded warmly before turning to to leave but OA had more questions what exactly are you and your team doing in our village she asked and he turned looking at her excitedly and began to share the lovely plans he had for the village which would benefit the villagers and his team thank you for asking me he said most of the villagers do not want to talk to us the first time we came they were friendly
but now they seem very distant the walkers on the sides quietly walk they hardly associate with us oama looked at him surprised and said well have you considered that it might be because you're taking their lands people talk and I heard stories while I was leaving in the palace their lands he responded puzzled the king gave us this land for the projects o was awkwardly silent and immediately Nathan understood why you mean the king forcefully took the land from the people Nathan asked concern creeping into his voice o nodded slowly many of the lands he
gave away have been in families for Generations it's not just land it's who we are she explained you can't just take that and expect expect people to be okay with it Nathan taken back by O's comments about the land paed for a moments in England land deals were usually straightforward if the authorities gave permission that was all that mattered but here in isama things were different the land was sacred and it carried the villagers history identity and livelihoods I had no idea Nathan said quietly I thought we were helping he looked down at the ground
feeling a Pang of guilt for the role he had unly played in the villagers suffering seeing the sadness in his eyes OA decided to ease his burden well you probably need to get back to work thanks again for bringing the medications she said waving them in the air Nathan turned to leave but just before he was out of sight OA called wait I don't even know your name what's your name he ped and smiled it's Nathan Miss OA my name is Nathan o chuckled as he walked away amused by the way he said her name
OA she repeated laughing at his accent at night as Nathan was falling asleep he thought about how to find a solution that would calm the villagers whose land had been taken without making the king angry but his mind kept returning to OA and how much she needed a friend I'll ask Elsie if I can deliver her medications from now on he said to himself before finally drifting off the next morning Nathan went to see Elsie with his offer she agreed with a smile noticing how eager Nathan was and realizing he was trying to form a
friendship with OA days turned into weeks and Nathan diligently visited OA every morning for his delivery and he would purposely go early so they could have time to chat before he headed to work each time he came by o felt her world growing a little brighter she had been so used to the silence the loneliness and the feeling of being forgotten but Nathan was different he never treated her like she was broken or mad he simply showed up asked her how she was and truly listened Nathan did not push her to talk about her past
nor did he offer false Comfort he was just there steady reliable and kind sometimes when he came very early they would cook and share a meal together maybe I could come back later this evening and we could take a walk together he suggested during one of his frequent visits but oa's countenance changed I do not think we should besides I have a limp it will take ages for us to get to our destination it's okay I have the time he countered but she immediately shut back I am not interested I do not want anyone to
make fun of me Nathan understood and changed the topic the following week in the morning while OA waited for Nathan she heard an explosion the explosion shook the air and she jumped her heart pounding in fear she rushed to the window and saw villagers running towards the lands where the workers had been the noise the smoke something was wrong her thoughts immediately turned to Nathan wondering if he was okay without hesitation OA grabbed her scarf and hurried outside her limp slowed her down but she was determined to know if he was okay as she walked
through the village she heard people murmuring about the explosion their voice is a mix of fear and curiosity some stared at her Whispering is it not that mad woman but she did not care all she could think about was Nathan by the time she reached the work site she saw the crowd gathered near the edge of the fields her eyes scanned the area and then she spotted him standing near the smoke talking to one of the engineers relief flooded her body without thinking she limed toward him ignoring The Whispers of the villagers when she reached
him she threw her arms around him hugging him tightly Nathan she said her voice trembling I thought something happened to you Nathan surprised by the sudden Embrace gently wrapped his arms around her I'm fine OA he whispered it was just a controlled explosion the villagers watching from a distance began to murmur more loudly surprised by O's boldness and Nathan's gentle response but OA did not care for the first time she felt safe knowing Nathan was unharmed hours passed and the villagers slowly began to leave Nathan settled OA under a tent and eventually he joined her
thank you for coming to check on me it really means a lot Nathan said gratefully are you sure you're okay o asked her voice full of concern what exactly happened Nathan smiled and glanced around as if making sure no one was listening all right I have a confession and I trust you keep it just between us Nathan began and O nodded in a agreement he explained that the explosion was a planned demonstration with the engineers we will tell the king that this lands are unsuitable for drilling because the explosion triggered a chemical reaction with the
oil making it too dangerous to proceed oa's eyes widened in surprise but why would you do that isn't this project important to you Nathan smiled and explained that he and his team had managed to befriend the workers through many conversations the workers revealed which lands belonged to the royal family so the foreigners decided to focus their drilling efforts on those areas instead the land belongs to the villagers I couldn't in good conscience take it from them the king may be greedy but he's also superstitious if he thinks the land will bring disaster he will abandon
it and ownership would eventually return to the villagers OA felt a wave of gratitude wash over her thank you Nathan she whispered her voice filled with emotion they sat in silence and finally OA spoke up I don't want to hide anymore Nathan I was locked away for years and now I've built another prison for myself by worrying about what people think she said Nathan was excited to hear her say those words I'm going to start doing the things I love again I loved making dresses before everything happened I loved taking walks and I loved going
to festivals I want to do all of that again the villagers can think whatever they want they are wrong and it doesn't matter Nathan smiled with admiration well we can do it together I'm always here for you he said they looked at each other they obviously cared for themselves as lovers would to O's surprise he took her hand and said I know this might seem sudden but I care for you I care deeply and I want to be part of your life I want to walk beside you not just today or tomorrow but for as
long as he will let me OA blushed her mind racing with reasons why she should not get involved but she quickly stopped herself she deserved a love this kind and gentle smiling she said yes knowing that Nathan had already shown her time and again that he was her safe space after that o and Nathan were always together Crossing off activities on each other's bucket lists at first the villagers mocked them but as they saw OA doing well and noticed the king beginning to give up the lands just as nethan had predicted they slowly became more
accepting of the couple either way OA did not care she was focused on living life to the fullest and their opinions no longer matter the two were deeply in love but there was one last thing OA knew she had to do reconnect with her sister Andi OA traveled with Nathan to visit her sister Andi who welcomed her with open arms they embraced tears flowing as they caught up on all they had missed indid then brought out her children for OA to meet this is my eldest daughter I named her her OA after my beloved sister
she said and OA hugged her knees tightly along with her other children OA then introduced Nathan to Indi and shared the exciting news that they were planning to get married in a month IND didy was overjoyed for her sister proud that she had found happiness and overcome their late mother's cruelty O's reunion with him did was the final piece of healing she needed and as they embraced before she and Nathan set off for isama OA knew that she had truly reclaimed her life surrounded by love both from her sister and from Nathan she was ready
to move forward stronger braver and more determined to leave fully thank you for listening to this story today I would like to quick say that true Freedom comes when we let go of the chains both physical and emotional that bind us some people are trapped by things like stigma fear or even situations they have created for themselves but remember what John 8:36 says so if the son set to free you will be free indeed this freedom is not just about what happened on the outside it's about inner change where real transformation begins and that's how
we can eventually regain our Essence to those who have faced imprisonment illness or any challenge that has stolen your time I pray that God grants you the strength to rise again and show the world your beautiful smile thanks again for listening if you enjoyed this story please like subscribe and share it with your loved ones until next time take care and goodbye
