Ikot Ekpene, A reknowned Raffia City, an historic town in south-southern state of Akwa Ibom, swift in political and cultural capacity.

Etima: Àtà eyen ãnnang, full of  strength, alert; astute; brainiac-calm; and canny but  turn-out to be impetuous, rash, and reckless.

Is this what love is all about?
“Why would my son turn to be this way even with my condition, he is less concerned and all he does is going after a lady he will never be married to”. Eka Etima pondered bitterly.

Idaramfon;  grew up with Etima in the ãnnang community and they were best of friends but all of a sudden, Etima has become a being no one can easily understand because he acted most times as someone who is depressed emotionally.

“Guy! what’s really going on, why is your mfoniso giving you attitude, has she forgotten those days you use to sing sweet melody to her in our public stream, why is she now acting as if you’re a total stranger”. Is it because of money? Idaramfon kept-on asking. 

While Idaramfon was still in shock, concerning his best friend’s situation. Etima sang his favorite love song that he do sing with Mfonsio his love.

Fucking on shawty, she baddie
Casual convo then at it
I mean I’m better than better, maybe I’m lying
I’m sad than most of y’all with the money and the freedom, nigga
What is money really worth if it ain’t love?
I ma find a perfect balance, it’s gonna’ take time
I heard shawty still in love through the grape vine
Heard shawty still in love through the grape vine
Heard shawty in love through the grape vine.

As he kept on singing, he remembered how he started life with Mfoniso in a typical village of Ikot ekpene, how they both grew up and the wonderful moment they’ve been having back then. It was becoming so painful to bear, Etima was once a decent and a nice guy that Mfoniso saw and admired, loved and cherish.

Etima; the only son of Mrs. Idorenyin in Ikot obong erong, Ikot ekpene. His late father Mr. Udoh, couldn’t had more than a child which was him Etima, since age wasn’t by his side.

He grew up to be a man of his own, fully admired by some decent and beautiful ladies in Ikot obong erong, he became famous and a well known being to the community and his residence.

As nature would have it, Etima ran into Mfoniso who happened to be one of the beautiful maiden in Ikot obong erong. They both had understanding and accepted to go along with each other, it’s happened to be love and a real one for that matter. Some of Etima females counterpart were jealous and wanted him badly to themselves too. But he chose to stay real to Mfoniso his love wagon.

YEARS LATER!
Mfoniso; had grown and be of age for marriage. Etima being a man, was still struggling to stand and to become a man of his own. He didn’t own a house nor car of his own yet, he was still living with his poor mother in the village, as the only son of his mother. His responsibilities were becoming too much for him to handle.

Mfoniso; One morning went to inform Etima of her motives and why she seriously need to travel to city. Etima; knew it was going to be hard to stay all alone in the village, so he pleaded that she stays back because he still believes they can both make it in the village. But Mfoniso insisted and demanded that he should allow her to travel because it will be of their own good.
Mfoniso after alot of argument, travelled to the  city and left Etima in the village, few months of her stay in the city, she met with Okon, a handsome dude who was at the same time looking for a life partner. They had a dinner date together, where they had enough fun and lots of chit chat. “It was a nice outing there”. Mfoniso attested to it.

Mfoniso; finally fell for Okon , and got married to him after few months after their courtship. She had totally forgetton about her youthful lover and the man that sacrifice his time and energy for her.

Etima, waited for years and didn’t see Mfoniso returning to the village as she promised him, Etima started getting worried and couldn’t control his thoughts, feelings and emotion, with these surrounding him, he started acting like one who lost his sense of reasoning and his best friend Idaramfon started noticing that his friend mostly talk to himself alone and would even put on unnecessary wears, things he hasn’t seen him done before.

Etima, continued waiting but was acting so weird that his poor mother couldn’t detect or understand what was wrong with her only son, but she knew he was in-love with Mfoniso and that could prompt his actions but she kept wondering why?

Months Later
Etima, travelled to the city and went directly to where Mfoniso and her husband were living, from the address he got from one of his city friends.

As the sun rises:
Mfoniso on phone call with Janet her friend.
Janet, “could you believe that Etima followed me to the city, this boy is gradually becoming something else, do you know as I’m speaking with you now, he is outside my gate singing that his stupid village song he’s been singing  for me back then”.

Janet In her response, what do you intend doing now, why not call police on him before your husband comes back and meet him sitting there, you know, that might likely warrant questioning and who knows what might be his next plan of action.

Mfoniso,; No nah, I’m not going to arrest him, if I do that it will be wickedness and you know that.

She ended the call and kept moving round her bedroom. “Oh, this guy,  what exactly is his problem and why is he following me around, I need to do something before my husband returns”.

It was Launch time when Okon her husband returned back home and met her at a very   confusing state and decided to asked.
“Honey, what is it”? You’re not yourself and it’s written all over you, Is there any problem?

Mfoniso; Startled at  Etima’s actions she pretended as if she never new him before, just to make her husband believe her at the moment. “Darling, there is this guy that has been sitting outside our gate since yesterday and he is acting so abnormal, i’ve tried sending him away but all my efforts proved abortive.

What do you think we do ? She asked.
Oh, that shouldn’t be an issue nah, maybe it is all this beggers, you know this is Lagos…Okon responded.

Mfoniso; knew within her that, she will not be able to sleep at night when ever Etima started singing, so she wasn’t comfortable with her husband decision of allowing Etima to be hanging around their surrounding.

Back there in the village, Etima’s mother is helpless and has no one to even call for help when she needed help, she had to suffer all alone  because her only son left  in search of his love.

Mfoniso and her husband were having a good time together the next morning in the their bedroom
Etima; started singing that early morning, it was all out and loud, the sweet melody hitting Mfoniso badly. She screamed Etima’s name twice while been with her husband Okon. She couldn’t handle it because this was always her favorite song back then in the village. She felt disturbed and discharge her husband quickly.

Mfoniso still Shouting: Tell him to stop singing, tell him, please tell him.

Who are you talking with?
Who is singing? Okon, sounded with surprise.

Written by David Nsien