Three generations episode 45

TITLE: THREE GENERATIONS

WRITTEN BY: OGECHI ALABI

CHAPTER 45

Chike saw the bags on the floor of her bedroom and immediately guessed who did it. “Danny bought all these?”

“Yes, he did.” She then asked him, “where does he get the money he spends like this?”

“They run a racket in the office. He makes so much money but spends very recklessly. I’ve been to his house twice since he first moved in there. I can’t believe it is still the same”

“Advise him as a friend. He is living a very useless life. The money will not flow like this forever. There should be something tangible he can do with it that will generate income”

“I will tell him. Although to me, it is a waste of time”

Chike sat on the bed while they talked. They discussed about work, their friends, colleagues, and many other things. Chike was enchanted with Nwanneka. She was so relaxed and carefree while he was tensed. He wanted to hold her in his arms and k-ss her. He wanted to do many things to her but he knew this was not the right place. He has to convince her to go home with him. He had missed her.

After a while, they both went back downstairs. Chike suggested they go over to his place so they could talk some more and be freer. Nwanneka was ok with it. She went upstairs to change when the family returned. Uncle Onyedika engaged Chike in conversation before Nwanneka came down and they both left.

The security men at Chike’s estate gate stopped the car to greet Nwanneka. She was like a celebrity that came back. The boys were excited to have her back. They served her like she was a queen. Chike was stunned at the reception Nwanneka received. He knew he had made the right decision. The boys rushed out that afternoon to get dry fish and stockfish to cook local rice. They begged her to supervise them while they cooked. They all crammed themselves in the kitchen with her telling her stories she had missed when she was away.

Chike left them to get drinks for her himself. He saw her in a different light. Iya Seun who sold drinks also asked after her saying it had been long she saw her. What was going on? Was the universe trying to tell him something? The accolades were too much.

After they had all eaten, he dragged Nwanneka into his bedroom so he could have her to himself for a while. The room had been cleaned up. She inspected the toilet and bath and was impressed.

“I told my boys you finished Danny and called two people to clean his house for him. I told them you might be coming today and I wouldn’t want you to complain about the house. They didn’t allow me to finish, they shared the chores, collected money for the items they needed and this is the outcome”

“Impressive. I can lay on this bed”

“Don’t lay on it yet” Chike said as he drew her close to him and wrapped his arms around her wa-ist, “I haven’t k-ssed you yet”

“The rule still applies”

“But we can do what we used to do. I can manage that in anticipation for three months”

“Three months is not realistic. My service year will soon be over and I have to struggle for them to retain me. I might have to move back to Port-Harcourt…”

“We are seeing my parents over the weekend.” Nwanneka looked at Chike with a shocked look on her face. He smiled at her and said. “I can’t wait to make you mine” He took her in his arms and they k-ssed very passionately. Nwanneka was happy, genuinely happy and Chike could see it.

He then added, “There won’t be any talk there about having a child; I will handle it. Take permission from work, we will travel on Friday and ret-rn on Sunday so you can resume work. I will commission my father to see your people. I want this done in three months both traditional and church wedding.”

“Three months? Are you serious?” a surprised Nwanneka asked.

“I’m very serious. I can’t lose you again. I’m glad Danny did not get the opportunity to touch your body. It is mine and mine alone” he replied as he k-ssed her again.

They travelled to Asaba where his parents lived. They were below average income earners who lived in a bungalow of four rooms. One room was made up for them. Nwanneka asked to sleep with the girls but Chike asked her to stay in the room and he would sleep in the parlour.

Immediately she met papa Chike, she knew where Chike got his calm demeanour from. The man was gentle and appeared kind. His mother was the complete opposite; she was domineering and very controlling although Chike resisted her as much as he could. Nwanneka liked her. Chike got his good looks from her; she is a handsome woman.

Chike told her he had three other siblings, two sisters and a brother. His two sisters were older than him while his brother was three years younger. His brother had graduated and was still searching for a job. His eldest sister was married to a man who later sent her away and married another woman. She had a child for him. The second sister had been married for six years without a child. She was a regular visitor to the family house.

Initially, his siblings didn’t seem to like Nwanneka especially the way Chike treated her special. But when she talked about herself and mentioned her mother’s business, they were impressed. Her mother had a market named after her in Asaba, a wh0le market just because of her philanthropic work.

Chike told them she was currently serving with NIMASA and he prayed they would retain her because it was a big opportunity for her.

‘Why does she want to work?” his mother asked, “her mother is a very rich woman and she is the only child. All she needs to do is connect with her mother and be getting paid. That woman, Madam Nwakaego is super-rich. Why should the daughter have to answer to ogas when she can pay their salaries?”

“She went to university, she studied Marine Engineering. You want her to give all that up to depend on her mother? She wasn’t even brought up as a rich woman’s daughter. She can cook, clean and do laundry like every other girl her age. She is well brought up and very wise. I personally want her to work and have a promising career in NIMASA, it will give me the greatest pleasure.”

“Are you sure it will not be expensive to marry her? All these big big names you have called; won’t it affect her bride price?” his mother asked.

“I’m going to see her mother tomorrow. I didn’t tell her but we will leave very early in the morning and come back either the same day or we travel back from there”

“I like the girl. She is humble and well brought up. I observed she didn’t want to share a room with you. It goes to show she isn’t a wayward girl. But have you checked if both of you are compatible?” his father added

“We are. We are alike only that she is wiser. She is very smart and I need such a person in my life.” His father nodded in agreement. He believed this was the best time to tell them about Nwadiuto and get it over and done with. “I need to bring something to your attention, Nneka had a child when she was in secondary school. The child is with her mother. It was one encounter that produced the girl. I have assured her it is not a problem for me and also my family won’t object to me marrying the person I love. I would appreciate it if none of you brings it up, I just wanted you to know. She informed me at the initial stage of our relationsh¡p and now I am telling you. She is not ashamed of her child but I don’t want anyone making an issue out of it”

“I knew there was a comma somewhere. So she is actually wayward. Just tell us to marry her for the money because she is tampered goods” his mother replied.

Chike expected this from his mother and was ready with a reply. “Mama, I got girls pregnant four times and I made them abort the pregnancies. If they had been alive, I would have had four children by now. Those girls are married now as untampered goods meanwhile they have removed the evidence. She chose not to take life and you are shaming her for it? Is it not because sister aborted her second pregnancy her husband sent her packing? Look at Ijeoma, no child for six years. If she had a child out of wedlock, won’t she be celebrating now? Nneka told me without me asking it. I have accepted her and her child and that is what I want”

His father tapped him on the back and said “My son, you have spoken well. If you love her, she is well behaved and well brought up, a mistake which she could have gotten rid of shouldn’t hold you back. She refused to sin twice; fornication and murder. I am with you on this marriage. I am glad you are marrying into a good family. God has heard my prayers. May your union be blessed. Tell her mother we are ready to see her people”

His father’s words concluded the meeting. Not everyone was happy with the information but the excitement was who he was marrying. He didn’t know how well to do her mother was; she never displayed it. He actually believed she was living with her uncle because her mother couldn’t afford to take care of her. This was different.

Tbc