Thorn between episode 2
TITLE: TORN BETWEEN
WRITTEN BY OGECHI ALABI
HOW IT ALL STARTED 2 …..
Adim visited her once a month until she wrote and finished her examinations. Her uncle supported the relationship because of the respect Adim gave him and his niece. Every time he had to see his niece, he told her uncle first before coming.
Eucharia’s family gave Mazi Ukaebu the right to decide if Adim was good enough for their daughter. He supported the marriage proposal and told his sister and her husband to accept Adim because he had shown he was honourable. Once everyone agreed to accept him as their son-in-law, Ukaegbu asked Adim to come with his people for marriage rites.
After the introduction, Adim took Eucharia to meet his parents and siblings. It was the Christmas holiday when everyone was around. Eucharia spent two nights with his family. She slept with his mother in her bedroom. Adim was very happy that he could spend more time with her. When they were completely alone, Eucharia was uncomfortable. He observed it and asked her to relax that he was willing to wait until the wedding night. He wanted her to feel free with him.
His brothers loved Eucharia. He had a set of twin brothers after him. Eucharia’s cooking gave them joy too. His mother loved how she took charge as she came into the home. She praised her at every opportunity she could. The only person she had not met was Adim’s elder sister, Flora. When Eucharia met Flora, she knew she was in for a hard time. Flora was pompous. She condescendingly spoke to Eucharia. It was apparent her husband was rich, but it did not warrant the attitude she displayed.
Adim’s parents, especially his mother, insisted on paying Eucharia’s bride price immediately after the Christmas holiday. She had finished Form 5 and secondary school and was free to marry. Mazi Ukaegbu wanted a promise from Adim that she would further her education. She was intelligent. He did not want that to go to waste which was often the case with early marriages. Adim promised to ensure she furthered her education.
Adim married Eucharia traditionally in the village in her late father’s sitting room. He paid her bride price in a small ceremony. Then they had their Christian wedding at the Catholic church in his village on the same day. It was a peculiar arrangement which worked out very well. There was celebration everywhere. Mazi Ukaegbu blessed his niece and her husband before they left the reception for her new home. He extolled her by saying, “Eucharia made me proud. When I saw Adim, I was scared Eucharia would run off with him as some young girls have done when they get carried away by love ad promises. His good look was not a criterion for choosing, but rather my judgement of him. She never made any move without my permission. Her mother did a good job raising a responsible girl. She honoured me as her father, and today I honour her as my daughter. Eucharia, this is the key to a car I bought for you and your husband as a wedding gift. This is my gift to you for not bringing our families shame. I know he is just starting life, but I see prospects in him. The family will be ‘escorting’ you home as is expected of us. When you move into your home, let me know so I can send the items to Lagos. ” The first car they had was a gift from Eucharia’s uncle. Ukaegbu was a wonderful man who his niece loved until his passing.
On the wedding night, Adim brought Eucharia into his bedroom. He confessed to her he had not been with a virgin before; it was his first time. He wanted her to relax and let him know if he was hurting. She knew what to expect. The night before, her married cousins had gathered in a room and talked about their first time. Some suggested ways to make it easier. But all of them accepted that with time it became pleasurable. That was all Eucharia needed to hear. She could endure the pain as long as it didn’t remain. Adim was gentle with her. The pain was not as she expected. Adim’s joy was complete that night. He told Eucharia he loved her and would always love her.
They moved to Lagos after a few days. They had to stay in Flora’s house where Adim was staying before the wedding. Flora refused to allow Adim to rent a place because he was assigned an official accommodation that was still under construction. In the meantime, she claimed he should live in her home with Eucharia so she would train her on how to take care of him. Eucharia was not happy staying in Flora’s house. Flora was mean to her at every given opportunity. She had to take it and keep quiet about it. She was not afraid of her; she did nothing because she didn’t want any rift in the family. Physically, she was taller and bigger than Flora. Eucharia was tall and slightly chubby with a trim waistline and impressive statistics. Apart from being tall and shapely, she was light-skinned with ‘open’ teeth and dimples. All these combined made her stand out. Flora was intimidated by her presence.
Read – Can’t help falling in love episode 11 – 12
Flora called Eucharia fat. She claimed she ate too much that was why she was big. She made her life a living hell. Eucharia endured because of her love for Adim. Adim was very good to her. Every evening he returned, he always brought something home for her. She never reported the ill-treatment meted on her by Flora. She was turned into a maid and nanny overnight though employees were carrying out those functions. She cleaned, cooked and washed for the household. Still, Flora was never satisfied. She talked to her condescendingly, called her lazy, suggested she was ugly and complained about the quantity of food she ate. At a point, Eucharia felt less about herself.
When Adim was around, she never did all those things to her. She talked to her nicely. She thanked her for cooking and taking care of the children. It surprised Eucharia. The derogatory words and stress of working for an entire household took its toll on her. She was tired and wanted to leave there. She told Adim she wanted to visit his parents in the village and stay with his mother until he got an accommodation. Adim asked if there was any problem, but she said she missed home and wanted to visit. Adim informed Flora. Flora was worried she asked him if Eucharia had complained about anything. She knew if Adim found out what she did to Eucharia when he was not around he would leave. Adim supported her financially. When she was sure she had not been exposed she agreed. “Let her go. That is the only life she understands. Our village that has no light is where she is craving. Some people are used to poverty.”
Eucharia went to stay with her in-laws. She was happy there. She gladly took care of Adim’s parents. They were spoilt while she was there. She stayed with them for a month before Adim came to take her back. She refused to go back unless Adim had gotten his accommodation. Adim asked her why. She refused to say. He explained to her that he was waiting for his accommodation from official quarters which was near completion. There was no need to rent another place until then. She insisted on staying with his parents until it was ready.
“But I miss you, Eucharia. I did not marry you for my parents but for myself. Why would you leave your husband to hide out in the village? What can I do to convince you? Would you like to spend time with your uncle? I know you will like that. You can stay with him for a week. He will send you back to me. Is that ok?” She agreed.
They went to her uncle’s house. Adim told him he wanted her to stay for some days and return to Lagos. She was reluctant to go back, and her uncle observed it. Mazi Ukaegbu assured Adim that she would return to him. Adim spent the night with Eucharia that night. He appealed to her to return. He promised to give her anything she wanted so she stay with him until the accommodation was ready. She reluctantly agreed. She refused to tell him what the matter. He assumed she was homesick.
Mazi Ukaegbu asked Eucharia to prepare to return to Lagos on Friday. He observed that her countenance had turned gloomy. He asked her what the matter was, and to his surprise, she broke down in tears. Her uncle had never seen her cry; she was a strong girl. He sat close to her and held her to his body. Then he asked, “What is the matter that has upset you this much? Tell me. Is Adim beating you?” She shook her head. “Then why are you unhappy and refusing to go back to Lagos? Don’t be afraid to share with me.”
Eucharia told her uncle all she had been facing in Lagos with Adim’s sister. Her uncle listened to her complain and cry as she told the tale of the degradation, humiliation and insults she suffered at the hands of her sister-in-law. When she was through, her uncle said to her, “You are weak. Women like Flora trample on the weak and not the strong. Immediately you noticed your good deeds had turned to insults, you should have stopped. Is it not Flora I saw during the wedding? Someone that breeze can blow away. Look at you; she should be scared of you. She is an Ada just like you are an Ada. When you get back you will do only two things, cook only meals your husband would eat and wash his clothes. You will clean the room you stay in and choose additional chores in the house. You can play with the children but call the nanny to handle them. Tell Adim I said you should go to school instead of sitting at home. Do not fight with her or exchange words; walk away into the room. No matter how she runs raving mad, she would look at your stature before she attempts anything.”
Her uncle’s words encouraged her. She was not weak; very far from it. She was respectful of customs and traditions. She had been advised not to come between siblings no matter what. She didn’t tell Adim anything, it was left for him to find out. She went back prepared not to be disrespected again. Flora had to learn to treat her right.
She arrived in the late evening. She secured her luggage and went in search of a taxi. As she stepped outside the park, she saw Adim. He was so excited to see her. He hired boys to help carry her bags into the vehicle. Adim was happy she was back. To celebrate her return, he took her to a joint where they both had ugba and isi ewu. They enjoyed the food and the time together. Adim drank beer while Eucharia nursed a bottle of malt. Adim whispered sweet words in her ears which made her blush. She had missed him too. It was very late when they returned home.
Flora was expecting Eucharia to have arrived hours earlier. Adim told her that morning that she was coming back. Adim was also not back from work. She was worried and sat downstairs waiting for Adim. When Adim drove in, she went outside. She was surprised to see them come back together this late. Eucharia greeted her and then carried some bags into the bedroom. She brought out the foodstuff from the village and dropped them in the kitchen. Adim called her into the room, and they didn’t come out again.