Sisterhood episode 100

TITLE: SISTERHOOD

AUTHOR: OGECHI ALABI

CHAPTER 100

When they came back to Abuja. Uncle Tobi begged Nkem to move in with him but she declined. He didn’t want her out of his sight but didn’t know how to tell her. How would he tell her he was insecure after this trip? All the men wanted to meet her and have her number. She tactfully referred them back to him. What happens when he is not there? He didn’t know her to be this assertive. He loved it. She appeared brilliant and powerful. It was a huge turn-on for him. He always wanted to be with her. He spent the night in her apartment. He knew he couldn’t do this every day but he needed to be close to her.

Nkem didn’t mind him staying over. They had sex for six straight days and then Nkem’s monthly cycle began. He stayed with her for two days while she was on and had to travel out of Abuja. When he was away, he talked with her every day. It was so sweet and she enjoyed it so much. Nkem couldn’t believe she would enjoy the relationship as much as she did. Because they had a prior situationship graduating to a relationship was easy.

But, they had to be careful. Talking on the phone, chatting, and video calls were ok but spending time together was comfortable until your friend shows up unexpectedly while Uncle Tobi was in the apartment.

Zainab came to visit Nkem. She hadn’t seen her in a while. She was in the vicinity and it was a weekend, she guessed Nkem would be home. Unfortunately, Uncle Tobi was around. He had spent the night and they spent the rest of the day together. When Nkem realised it was Zainab at the door from the peephole, she panicked. She quickly told Uncle Tobi there was a problem. Uncle Tobi was not bothered. “I was getting set to go out. Is the food ready?”

“Yes, it is.”

“Go and serve it, I will open the door for her. Don’t worry, just act normal.”

He came out while Nkem went into the kitchen. He ensured he didn’t forget anything and then opened the door for Zainab. Zainab was surprised to see Uncle Tobi in Nkem’s apartment. She greeted him and he invited her in. She looked around to be sure she was in Nkem’s apartment before she sat down.

Nkem came out not long after with a tray of food. She served Uncle Tobi the food and then hugged Zainab. Uncle Tobi ate, thanked Nkem for the meal and left. Zainab was about to say something when Nkem’s phone rang. She answered it and excused herself. She went out of her apartment. Uncle Tobi was by the stairs. He grabbed her to himself and kissed her passionately. Nkem was weak after he released her. This was too much for her.

“What is Uncle Tobi doing in your apartment, Nkem?” Zainab asked with a suspicious look on her face.

“He stops by to eat sometimes.”

“Why? Is that your arrangement now?”

“He has been doing it since my service days.”

“Really? He was too comfortable here.”

“He got me this place after Demian’s death. I couldn’t live in the other apartment.”

“Ok. What did he call you for just now?”

“He was telling me something about work.” Nkem didn’t sound convincing.

“I hope you know what you are doing. We know Uncle Tobi likes women. Don’t be caught in his coffers. He will disappoint you. I need your help. Usman’s father wants me to be the one to share his estate at his death to the women.”

“I don’t understand. Why you?”

“Well, there is something he gave me and made me promise not to tell any of his family members including my husband, and his son. I have that thing with me here and I want you to keep it for me. Keep it safe for me.”

“I can do that. But why you? Why did he choose you?”

“He wants to give his male children properties and all his companies will be under them. They are to take care of their mothers from the proceeds of the businesses. I think it is a good idea. What he gave to me is to be sold and shared amongst all his daughters and daughters-in-law. They are not to disclose to their husbands the existence of the money. He wants the women to be self-sufficient so they can leave if they want to and not worry about survival.”

“Does your religion permit it? Can a wife hide this away from her husband? What if he finds out?”

“I am thinking of how to do it. He also wants to help me with my NGO. He wants me to help young brides who want to leave their marriages. He wants me to help them leave amicably. I don’t know how that will work because some men would rather kill those women than let them go.”

“It happens regardless of religion but I thought the teachings of your holy book are against this act?”

“You get the hypocrisy. Even Alhaji won’t allow any of his wives to leave like that. It was Fatima’s death that gave him the wake-up call.”

“What happened?”

“Fatima, his granddaughter, was assaulted by her husband on several occasions. Her father refused to intervene in the matter. She was pregnant when the man assaulted her again and this time she died. He ran away. My father-in-law found him. Fatima was his first female grandchild and he loved her dearly. We haven’t seen the husband ever since. If Fatima had the means, she would have run away and started life somewhere else while getting a divorce. He regretted not fighting for her. The story is dear to my heart.”

“It is sad. I will keep the box for you. You can come for it at any time.”

“That reminds me, what of that guy you were talking about? The one that makes you uneasy when you are close to him. What happened to him?”

Nkem smiled and shook her head, “He is history.”

As Zainab pulled out of Nkem’s driveway, she knew Uncle Tobi was that guy. She wondered what Nkem was thinking. How could she be involved with Uncle Tobi? She was sure it was him because she saw them together. She peeped at them through the peephole and saw them kiss. She liked Uncle Tobi but she felt this was every shade of wrong. Uncle Tobi was married.

Zainab didn’t mention what she saw to Funke because she knew it would cause a serious quarrel between them. She wanted to confront Nkem but decided to talk to Esther first before she confronted Nkem so she goes about it the right way. She called Esther on video and downloaded the information to her. Esther was surprised. “But truth be told, there has always been chemistry between the two of them. She doesn’t have a husband, let her enjoy it while it lasts.”

“Esther! Enjoy what? The man is still married. Nobody will blame the man but they will claim Nkem snatched him. They will ruin her reputation. They will say men are polygamous and Nkem should have known better. A fling would have been enough and then moved on.”

“What if it is that fling that got her hooked now? Nkem is very sensible. If she is with him, it means she likes him enough to stake her reputation on him. Maybe there is something we don’t know. Don’t tell Funke because she is protective of her family. Their relationship will never be the same.”

“I won’t tell her but try and find out how serious this is and where it is headed.”

Esther asked, “From what you saw, is Uncle Tobi into her too?”

“He is. He called her outside the apartment to kiss her. Not a peck, full-fledged kiss. I was surprised. Nkem, who is very shy, was kissing a man by her staircase. That’s why I am worried. I hope she doesn’t get hurt.”

“Let us allow her. When she is ready to see reason, she will do the right thing. For now, someone is servicing her engine really well and she is feeding him for a job well done.” They both laughed at the suggestion. There was nothing they could do about the situation except hope Nkem was being smart about her relationship.

Uncle Tobi travelled to Uyo for a meeting. He was away for the entire week. He invited Nkem to join him and spend the weekend there. She flew to Uyo. Uncle Tobi came to pick her up himself.

When she walked out of the arrival, he observed she was conversing with a man. Uncle Tobi was upset. He waited for her to get her phone and call him after she exchanged complimentary cards with the man and he left. Uncle Tobi answered her call and told her where he was.

Read – Our New Driver

“Who was that guy?” was the first question he asked as they drop out of the airport.

“Dotun? He worked in the ministry I served with. We ran into each other at my office the other day but we couldn’t talk. He is doing very well now. He has a slot for an Economist in…”

“He wants to get you a job?”

“My contract ends soon and I need to move on to greater things.”

“So you don’t believe in me anymore?” Uncle Tobi asked.

“I was going to tell you about the opportunity. Of course, I would like your opinion about it before I make any move.”

“Opinion? What’s happening, Nkem?”

“I don’t get you. Did I say anything wrong?”

“I don’t want to pretend about it, I don’t like the guy and I don’t want you around him.”

“Why? What did he do wrong?”

“I didn’t like the way he was looking at you, he is lusting after you.”

“You can’t be serious.”

“I am serious. I don’t want him around you. I don’t want discussions with him. Just keep him at bay.”

“Are you jealous? You are not comfortable when guys my age interact with me. Not just guys my age, even older guys. I am trying to understand why. We are involved and I respect that. You never see me watching you or asking who the ladies that want to please you are and why they do it. I am not a loose person. I want to have friendships, especially beneficial ones. It doesn’t mean I want to have sex with them.”

“But they want to have sex with you. You are naive. I know what is best for you. I want to protect you.”

“You don’t want to protect me. What if you are not here, how will you protect me? You have to teach me to protect myself. I won’t stop interacting with the opposite sex and I won’t stop you from doing the same.”

“What if I stop? What if I give up talking to women completely? Will you stop allowing these guys to talk to you? I don’t like it.”

“I won’t. I am sorry. I’m not a child, I know what is good for me. I will tread with caution.”

The argument continued until they got to the hotel. Uncle Tobi was restraining himself when Nkem was being adamant. She didn’t understand him and it hurt him badly. Since the relationship began, she looked different. She added some weight (he loved that) and she was more confident. Every man admires an assertive woman. She had this irresistible sex appeal that came with her newfound assertiveness. It was powerful. It consumed him and he knew other men wanted what he was experiencing with her.

She was more confident in the bedroom. She was no longer shy and was quite adventurous. She recently made him feel wanted with the way she spoke to him. The messages she sent had hidden suggestions. She was so seductive that he couldn’t wait to be with her. He always wanted her with him. There was no way he would allow her to be with someone else. It wasn’t possible. He had stopped womanising and didn’t find it attractive anymore. He knew he was getting obsessed with Nkem but he couldn’t help himself. He had never felt like this before. She made him feel so special and desired.

As they entered the room, he had to end the argument for them to have a beautiful weekend. He was meeting with someone later that evening and she would be all alone. He wanted to make her happy and content. He would do anything for her.

“I’m sorry. Would you blame a man for being jealous? You are so beautiful and alluring, I want to be with you always. I want you to be mine, mine alone. I can’t even stand other guys looking at you. That’s how crazy in love I am. I am not leaving you for anyone, we are stuck together. I will give up everything for you.”

“Then do it. Give it all up for me. You are travelling to Canada soon, what happens when you are there? I also have my fears. You still have a wife who wants you. What am I? I have been asking myself this question for a while now.”

“Do you want me to divorce her?”

“No, you are the one to want the divorce, not me. I don’t intend to spoil your marriage. If you want to keep the marriage then allow me to interact with other men…”

“No! It is not the same scenario. There is a lot at stake. It’s my son’s graduation and I have to be there. We can go together if you want. You are making me uncomfortable with this trip. What has come over you? You know how I feel about you. Tell me what you want, and I will do it.”

“It is not what I want. Put yourself in my shoes and do what is right.”

“I had an agreement with her and I don’t go back on agreements. I promise you, nothing will happen. I want to spend some time with my children.”

“I don’t doubt you. She is my problem because she still wants the marriage. I don’t want to force you to end it but I have reservations. If you can have a cordial relationship with your soon-to-be ex-wife, why can’t I be friends with the opposite sex? You should understand.”

“Nkem please settle in. We are here to be together. I have a meeting now; we will continue our discussion later.” He kissed her and then he left.

Nkem was bored. She left her work and decided to sightsee. She took a walk on the golf course. She needed to clear her head and walking did wonders for her. As she walked, she caught up with her friends on phone. They talked and laughed. They talked about their family challenges.

Zainab confronted Usman about marrying a second wife. He didn’t want another woman but he was worried about having only two children. He said one more of either sex would be perfect. Zainab was worried about her age. She confessed that Usman was disappointed she even imagined he was interested in anyone. He believed their relationship was solid enough for her to know what he could do and not do.

Nkem suggested surrogacy. It had become acceptable over the years and she could afford it. Esther promised to support her financially if she needed help. Zainab was interested. She promised to discuss the issue with Usman. Zainab was overjoyed and added, “Many couples who couldn’t have children either got divorced or the man was forced to marry another wife. It could have been avoided with this surrogacy. I will do it first and then advocate for it. Thanks, Nkem, you are godsent. Allah blessed you with more wisdom.”

Uncle Tobi came back to the room after his meeting but Nkem was not there. He panicked until he saw her luggage and clothes in the wardrobe. He wondered where she must have got. He came downstairs looking for her. He wanted to know where she went and what she was doing. He checked the restaurants, the bars and the shops. He went by the pool but she wasn’t there. Where could she have gone? He asked the bellboy if he had seen her showing him her picture. He directed him to the golf course.

Nkem ran into a group of people playing gold. There were six of them, three men and three ladies. Nkem ended her call with her friends and interacted with them. She learnt how to swing and she was quite good in a short time. They were all impressed. The guys were more involved in teaching her.

Uncle Tobi found her there. She was swinging. He watched the group and how they interacted with her. He did a video so he could show her what he was talking about. The guys looked at her lustfully. They talked to each other in a language Uncle Tobi understood. One of them boldly asked for her phone number and also her room number.

Uncle Tobi called Nkem on her phone. She answered the call. “I am back, I can see you on the golf course. Should I leave you there to continue having fun or I should wait for you?”

“Where are you? I can’t see you.” Uncle Tobi raised his hand and he was close to them without her observing. She excused herself from her friends and joined Uncle Tobi.

As they made love that night Uncle Tobi asked her to swear she would not be with another man. Uncle Tobi was so surprised when she blatantly refused that he stopped thrusting and looked at her. He lost every desire to continue. What was wrong with Nkem? Why was she proving difficult on this trip? He realised he was losing his grip on her. He had to ask her, “What’s going on?”

“You stopped.”

“I asked for something, you could have humoured me. Or have you been with someone else? Nkem tell me the truth, I swear, I won’t be angry.”

“I haven’t and you don’t have to swear.”

“Is this because of Canada? I will cancel the trip. I just want you to be happy with me.”

“Don’t cancel the trip, it is your son’s special day and he specifically requested for you to be there. Maybe I should go and visit Dominic while you are there.”

Uncle Tobi was quiet. Once she was out of his radar, he wouldn’t know where she was at any particular time. She would encounter several men. He was being silly and he knew. There was no way he would say no to her. He lay quietly beside her. He was deep in thought.

Tbc