Three Generations episode 30
THREE GENERATIONS
WRITTEN BY: OGECHI ALABI
CHAPTER 30
Onyedika tried to talk to Uloma the next day but she refused to talk with him. He didn’t understand her anger. He wanted her to stay for a few more days before leaving. He missed her and wanted to spend more time with her but she left the next day.
He approached Nwakaego to understand why Uloma was behaving the way she was.
“What happened?” Nwakaego asked because she was also confused.
“Uloma is acting strange. She’s angry and she is not telling me why”
“How did it happen? Tell me. You can tell me anything”
“We were together last night, next thing, she stood up and left the room. I left to clean up and by the time I went back to her room, she had locked the door and refused to open it again. I begged her not to go and she left. She talks to you, what did she say I did?”
“She didn’t tell me anything. Maybe because something happened between both of you last night, she’s shy and ashamed. I told her not to have s€× with you again until you are ready to take her back. She won’t tell me she fell for your cajoling. So, what will happen to Charity or the Cotonou girl in Lagos?”
“Mama Nwanneka, we haven’t settled. Don’t start a problem. I only asked her if she has been with another man and she took offence. I think she has been with other men, and if she has been, I don’t want her back”
“See who is talking. You are changing women like wrapper in Lagos while keeping a concubine in Enugu. Do you think Uloma is not aware of what you are doing? What moral rights do you have to ask her if she has kept her body, the body you said repeatedly you do not want to have anything to do with? Both of you do not know what you want. I won’t tell her not to go to bed with you because she is still legally your wife but she has to secure her heart. You are not ready to reconcile with her; you are still looking for faults. No one can be Uloma no matter how much you try. Go back to her and make peace biko”
“She refused to talk to me. I can’t beg her; she was the one who offended me. It was old feelings that came into play last night and it won’t happen again”
“Really? Why were you following her up and down this morning? There is no problem nna. She has refused to talk to you, go back to the status quo. Charity is in Enugu, you have others in Lagos, go back to them. Leave Uloma alone”
She knew he was trying hærd to hide his feelings towards Uloma from her but she had to touch a nerve to push him to do the right thing.
Onyedika’s heart was hærdened towards Uloma. He believed she had laid with another man that was why she refused to talk to him. The Uloma of before would challenge him if she was being accused falsely but her reaction showed she was avoiding him because she was guilty.
Isabella’s father jumped at the proposition presented to him. He was very happy Isabella’s life would be spared. He gave the compensations accordingly and even did more as instructed by the spiritualist.
The spiritualist had told him what to do to get Isabella out of prison and transport her abroad not to return until the ten years were over. He had to pay someone a huge amount of money to take her place in prison after she is sentenced and then she will leave Nigeria by road, claim the nationality of another African country and then leave for abroad. The man had helped many people and knew the way.
Isabella was happy she didn’t need to suffer any consequence. She signed the undertaken never to harass Obi and his family. She was ready to sign anything and keeping to it in order not to suffer what she went through in the hands of soldiers. She wasn’t raped or violated but it was better she was than the torture. Obi and his family were a thing of the past.
It was a quick trial and sentencing. Isabella spent one month in prison and then she was exchanged for another person and then smuggled out of the country. The family lost interest in Isabella after she was sentenced. Nobody went to check on her. As far as they were concerned, she was a forgotten case.
Uloma came to visit Nwakaego in Port-Harcourt like she did every month to see her son. Nwakaego didn’t bring up the discussion she had with Onyedika. If Uloma wanted to talk about, she would bring it up. She didn’t. She visited for two days and then told Nwakaego she would be away for four months on a course abroad. She said she would be promoted when she comes back from the course.
“Have you told Onyedika?” Nwakaego asked.
“That’s why I am telling you. Please tell him for me. I won’t be able to see him before I leave. I will try calling you”
“I saw both of you together the last time we were in the village. It didn’t look like you were quarrelling. What could have happened?”
“Nothing. Please help me tell him.”
Nwakaego didn’t probe further.
During the Christmas holiday, everyone came home. Obi officially handed over Anozie’s house he inherited to Nwakaego for their home. It was a teary moment for her and her daughter. They were both very happy. The house was thoroughly cleaned. Nwakaego insisted on renovating the house while they were at home. The work began and was finished before the new year. She furnished the apartment and hung a large picture of her late husband Anozie in the sitting room. Anyone who walked into the house would see his picture first. It was hanging in its rightful position.
Onyedika expected Uloma to visit but she didn’t. He stylishly asked Nwanneka about her but Nwanneka didn’t have any information and if she did, she would rather it came from her mother. Eventually, he asked Nwakaego. She had a good laugh and asked,
“Why are you looking for her? You came back with your concubine and still looking for your wife. Why are you looking for her? So you will show off your concubine again? She has become wiser. Leave her alone”
Onyedika knew he would get nowhere with Nwakaego. His father didn’t have enough information too. He planned on going to her village to ask her people. He was worried and so distracted that it affected his relationsh¡p with Charity. He was so distant.
Charity was worried about Onyedika’s countenance. He was always deep in thoughts and said little or nothing to her. They also shared little or no intimacy. Since he came back from the village, he hadn’t seen her. He promised to pick her for the Christmas holiday and since then he hadn’t touched her. She had asked him if he didn’t miss her but he explained he had so much on his mind from work. She felt there was more.
She had heard from mama’s house help, after tipping her heavily, that Uloma and Onyedika had reconciled because they spent a night together. She couldn’t believe her ears. She thought Onyedika had sworn he would never get back together with Uloma, how come they spent a night together? She was devastated.
It was after the new year and still, Onyedika hadn’t touched her. She confronted him about what she heard. Onyedika laughed at her accusation. He told her if he wanted to sleep with his wife, he would and no one could stop him because she was legally his wife. Therefore, he owed her no explanation.
“But, if you don’t want me again, why bring me here?” Charity asked in tears.
“I brought you here because I wanted you here. Don’t mention my wife again. We are together here and that is all that matters”
Charity knew something was amiss. She tried sed-cing him with the ways she knew how but his body didn’t move. If she tried car-ssing him on the bed, he would leave the room for her. He told her his mind was occupied and she tried to deduce what it was occupied with. When she couldn’t take it anymore, she packed her things and left on the 4th of January.
Onyedika didn’t observe she had left until late in the evening. His distraction was mainly because he went to Uloma’s village and he was informed she had travelled out of the country. He couldn’t get over what he was told; he was very troubled. And Charity added to his stress. Now he had to travel to Enugu to pacify her. He owed her that much. He wondered why Uloma was such an issue for him.
Initially, his intention was to lay with her and they continue the way they had been. But the activity that night made him insecure. Her confidence scared him. She gave as much as she received. Where did she learn that from? He knew in his heart he wanted to be with her but he didn’t want to appear desperate. Uloma’s absence made him do stupid things like going to look for her. He should have asked Nwakaego instead of embarrassing himself.
He asked Nwakaego if Uloma told her she was travelling.
“She did. She said she was travelling for a course. What happened?”
“You should have told me. I’m sure she asked you to tell me”
“She did but I forgot”
“Where did she travel to?”
“I don’t know but it is abroad and she is away for four months or so”
“Ok. Thank you”
Since he knew why she travelled, he was settled in his spirit. He travelled to Enugu to pacify Charity. Charity refused to talk to him. He went to her house to wait for her. Eventually, they made up. Charity asked him when they would make their relationsh¡p legal.
“I don’t know. My parents don’t want me to get divorced from Uloma”
“So, what happens to me? Will I continue to be your mistress? I am not getting any younger. You made me leave off my other suitor to be with just you and now you are telling me your parents don’t want you to marry me. What should I do?”
“Did I say I don’t want to marry you? I want them to realise it is over between Uloma and me before I bring it up again”
“But you had s€× with her”
“I didn’t” Onyedika denied.
‘Are you sure?” she asked.
“People saw us together discussing, does that mean we had s€×? We didn’t. I am here with you. It’s you I want”
Charity was happy to hear this and jumped into bed with Onyedika. Onyedika wondered how gullible she could be. She didn’t give him attitude like Uloma but gave in immediately. All through the experience, his thoughts were with Uloma. He missed her. He wanted another moment with her whatever it may take.
Tbc