obi is falling in love with clara. however, he finds out that clara is an "osu", or outcast in igbo society. because of her status, he cannot marry her. his father reluctantly refuses to let him marry her because he is a christian and wants to leave the "heathen" ways of precolonial igbo society. his mother begs him to not marry clara until after she dies. when obi tells clara this, she calls off the engagement and reveals that she is pregnant. obi arranges for her to get an abortion. he gets more into debt because he needs to repay the upu, fund his siblings' educations, and pay for the abortion.