This is a story written by my Cousin, Miss Umego Chidimma and its titled Efurefu. Enjoy while you read.

I often wondered why Nne despised me so much whereas she treated Nene, my younger sister as her only child.  Nnaa, our father was not helping matters as he was always submissive to Nne.  According to Anichebe, Nnaa's younger brother, Nnaa was a woman trapped in a man's body while the reverse applied to Nne.

 Efurefu!!! Nne called,    
 Nnee!! I answered,
As I got up from the bamboo bed to answer Nne I caught Nene giving me a mockery laugh. I did not blame her for Nne would never send her on any errand, her only "duty" were to eat, sleep and gossip.
'Have you forgotten so soon that the Igwe's son,Nene's suitor would be coming with the In-laws today, go and get everything set, egusi soup and pounded yam would be prepared for them' she said.  I dared not question Nne unless I wanted to receive her resounding slap which I did not want that morning.

     Taking my udu to the stream, I had so  many thoughts going through my mind, that which was paramount was Nne's attitude towards me, perhaps the rumours that I was not her real child was true, I had once heard Nwafor, the village blacksmith say that my real mother, Nnaa's first wife had died after giving birth to me. I had confronted Nnaa after I heard this but he dismissed it as lies spread by the enemies. Deep down I knew there was some truth to what Nwafor said, for a mother would never detest her child as Nne did towards me. Nne always reminded me of how miserable I looked as compared to the other girls. I found myself questioning my chi on why I was not blessed with facial beauty like Nene, though I knew that I had a nice body shape.  Nene was getting married before me, though I was elder sister. To compound it all she was getting married to the Igwe's son.  I heard that he recently returned from obodo oyibo.
     
     As I got to the stream, I saw the usual crowd of people doing their laundry and fetching water.  As I put my udu now filled with water on my head, that was when I saw him. He walked so gracefully, I had never seen a look alike of the gods for he was but a demigod to me. As though they all saw him at once, they began prostrating and chanting, 'my prince' 'my prince'.  I quickly shoved my way past him, I did this not because I wanted to disrespect anybody but because I was not in the right frame of mind.  I had not  walked more than fifteen steps when I heard footsteps approaching.  Pretending to be bold I turned to face whoever they were. As much as I thought, it was him with his guards. Mustering courage I said, 'Now what is my punishment for not prostrating before a fellow man who is but the king's son?  He looked surprised at my question for he began to laugh. I must confess that he had the perfect set of teeth.  We interacted for a while before we parted ways, though I was nervy all through the conversation.
     On my way home, I reminded myself that he was my younger sister's suitor and as such I should not be overjoyed.  At home, I happily did all the chores. I prayed for evening to come so as to see his godily face again.

     As evening approached, our In-laws arrived. They had come for the first phase of the traditional marriage rite which is iku aka.  Carrying the anara and oji to them, he asked me if I was Nnaa's daughter and I nodded in the affirmative.  I hurriedly left the obi for I was afraid of Nne's wrath if she had seen me talking to the Igwe's son.
     When the time for the introduction of the bride came, Nene was gorgeously dressed and adorned with beads and the finest of  jigida. At that moment  I wished to be her. As Nene entered the obi, I saw the igwe's son whisper to Igwe, Igwe's mood changed as he had to confirm what he had been told. The Igwe in turn whispered to Lolo and his umunna, after which the Igwe's son spoke to our umunna. I was asked to come forward, the look on Nne's face was not enouraging at all. As I drew closer I noticed that Nene's eyes were streaming with tears. What have I done this time? I thought to myself.

     He had come to seek my hand in marriage, so I was told. At first I thought it was one of those my wishful dreams for I pinched myself hard enough as to confirm it was real.
     Nene became frustrated after the incident. She turned down all the men that came to seek her hand in marriage. When it dawned on her that age was no longer on her side because beauty fades with age. She settled as Maazi Okoro's third wife, a man who was Nnaa's agemate....