Sisterhood episode 103

TITLE: SISTERHOOD

AUTHOR: OGECHI ALABI

CHAPTER 103

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Zainab wanted to visit but Nkem discouraged her. She didn’t want her to know she had moved in with Uncle Tobi. She went to visit her instead. While she was there, Uncle Tobi called twice just to check on her. Zainab couldn’t believe the transformation the relationship had done to Nkem. She tried to talk to her about it but Nkem told her, “Please, I beg of you, let me enjoy this while it lasts. I’m scared it might not last for long but while it does, I want to savour every moment of it. I’m a sinner. I am with a man committed to another woman. I know. But I can’t stop loving him. I have tried but I can’t stay away from him. Try and understand. I’m too old to lie to myself. I know what I am feeling. I pinch myself most times to be sure I am still alive and doing this. Please, just take me as I am.”

Zainab had to agree with Esther that this relationship, the forbidden relationship, had changed their dear Esther. She was in love and had damned the consequences.

Two months after Nkem’s trip to the US and Uncle Tobi’s trip to Canada. Uncle Tobi took Nkem out for dinner. She didn’t understand why because he was the homely guy. He enjoyed being at home with Nkem. He had cut down on his travelling except she agrees to travel with him. She wondered what it was about.

He hired the poolside of a hotel and it was set up for a romantic dinner. Nkem loved the scenery. She smiled as he led her to the table and pulled out the chair for her. She was excited. She loved this aspect of him.

They had a beautiful dinner. She tried something new for a change. He made fun of her and insisted she had some alcoholic wine. She took a sip. Then they talked. She wondered why they had to talk here, they could talk in the private in the bedroom. He didn’t need to come here. But she liked the fact that he wanted to give her beautiful experiences.

“Nkem, I have a gift for you. Remember I told you I never go back on my word. I did. I never want to hear you cry again and I don’t want to be the cause of your tears. Open it.” Uncle Tobi gave her an envelope to look inside. Nkem couldn’t believe her eyes. Uncle Tobi had divorced his wife officially. How did it happen so fast?

She looked up at Uncle Tobi but he was now beside her on one knee. She couldn’t believe it. He had a ring in his hand. Nkem didn’t wait for him to ask before she said yes with tears flowing from her eyes. She couldn’t believe he did all this for her. The guilt had been lifted. She was no longer scared the relationship would end. For him to do this, he truly wanted them to be together.

She cried on the way home and was still in tears when they got into the bedroom. Uncle Tobi didn’t try to stop her. He knew they were tears of joy. She was so happy. As they lay on the bed, she said to Uncle Tobi, “Let’s leave here. Let’s go to another country and start a life there. I want a place no one knows us and won’t judge us. I want a place I can love you freely and not hide so some people don’t see us together.”

“We don’t need to run. We owe no one any explanation. We are the parties involved and what we want is what we are going to do. If they accept our love, that’s awesome but if they don’t, there is nothing we can do about it. We will go ahead and enjoy our lives.”

“There are some people I am worried about, Funke, my mum and my brothers. I don’t know how they will take it.”

“Your brothers are aware. I told them and they assured me they would support us if the feeling from you is mutual. You know Chidindu is my man. He even suggested we do nothing in the village. We have to tell your mother and Funke. I have my family and my in-laws to contend with. My family won’t be much of a problem because they know I do not need their gratification. They might hate you though because you will not cower to their wishes. The only person I owe an explanation to is Funke and I would love to tell her myself.”

“We have to tell her together. If you tell her first, she will be upset. Ok, we will. When do you want us to go? I want to see Funke first before I call for a family meeting and make the announcement.”

“As soon as possible.”

Nkem was excited but she had no one to share the good news with apart from Uloma, Chidindu and Obioma. She called them and told them. Uloma was speechless. She couldn’t believe how far Uncle Tobi went to be with Nkem. He divorced his wife just so he could marry her. She wasn’t excited about the news. She wondered what he saw in Nkem. Why would he go far and beyond for her? This was the same way Demian compromised so he could be with her. Iyke didn’t see anything wrong with Nkem’s romantic relationship with a married man. He repeated to her they were separated before the relationship began. The relationship didn’t start now. It was clear to Uloma that it had been on for long waiting for the right time to make it official.

Chidindu and Obioma were happy for Nkem. They were only interested in her happiness and if Uncle Tobi made her happy, who were they to complain? They believed Nkem was mature enough to make the right decisions as she had done many times in the past. If she wanted to be with him, she was free to.

Her mother wasn’t happy about it. She cried when Uloma told her even after Nkem begged her not to tell her yet. She believed Uncle Tobi had eyes on Nkem a long time ago and acted under the guise of helping her to take advantage of her. She forgot so soon that her daughter was married at home (she was a virgin). She was friends with Uncle Tobi’s wife until she relocated and cut ties. How could her daughter put a wedge in their marriage? She was unhappy and refused to see reason.

Nkem tried to explain to her mother but she wouldn’t listen. She finally decided her mother was free to cut her out of her life. She was also willing to stay away from the village in order not to bring shame to her. She loved her mother but she didn’t like the projection she made. She made her love sound dirty and undeserving. She loved her mother but she didn’t appreciate the disregard she gave her relationship.

“I love you, mama. I have tried to live the way you taught me. I have never swayed. This once, I fell in love with someone I least expected to fall in love with. He loves me too. I want this. I want him. I will continue to take care of you but I would rather stay away in order not to offend you.”

“A dog does not eat the bone hung on its neck. That’s what Tobi did. He should have gone for someone else. Why you? He helped this family because of you, not knowing he had ulterior motives. You can’t tell me differently. He owes me an explanation. Why is he hiding behind you.”

“We have offended you and we apologise. I love him, mama. It sounds weird coming from me but it is true. If you want me dead take him away from me. I won’t be able to function. He has been there for me, why can’t I reciprocate his love?”

“The cane they used to chase the first wife is still there waiting to chase the second wife.”

“This is different. I believe we are different. Pray for us, mama.”

Nkem came back to Abuja with a clear conscience. She knew her mother would be tough and she expected the reaction. Why Uloma rushed to tell her still surprised Nkem. She knew now and that was all that mattered.

Nkem travelled with Uncle Tobi to Lagos. Uncle Tobi went to meet his family for a meeting while Nkem went to Funke’s home. She was to inform her of the engagement and Uncle Tobi would join them later. He wanted to be there when Nkem informed her but Nkem refused. She had to make Funke understand.

Funke was excited to see Nkem. Nkem sat with her and they caught up. Ebuka went out with the children to run errands. It was the opportunity for Nkem to talk to Funke about the situation. She became scared and didn’t know how to start. Funke could sense her agitation and asked her what the problem was.

“I have offended you. I want to ask your forgiveness. Please.”

Funke was quiet for some seconds and then she said, “I hope it is not what I am thinking. What is it?” It was Nkem’s turn to be quiet. She didn’t know how to tell Funke what happened. She was visibly shaking. “Are you pregnant? Is that what this is about?”

“Pregnant?” Nkem asked, looking confused. “I am not. Why would you think that?”

“So what is the problem?”

“It is about Uncle Tobi.”

“What about him?”

“I don’t know how to explain this.”

“You slept with him? Is that the problem?” Funke asked.

“Yes, and we are in a relationship.”

“What? Relationship? What are you talking about? Nkem! You? I can’t believe this. So you were deceiving me all along. I feel like a fool. I knew it, my spirit never lies. There was something. But Nkem you are funny. So you have resorted to being Uncle Tobi’s side chick. A beautiful girl he can flaunt while his wife is away. I would never have believed you will stoop so low. You are intelligent and beautiful. When you stepped in, I was admiring how you were glowing. What makes you think you can find peace with a married man that has grown-up kids? Nkem is no more morally upright. Nkem that always has the best advice and proffer solutions is now morally bankrupt, a husband snatcher and a homewrecker.”

“Funke, I offended you and I want to apologise. When I told you there was nothing between Uncle Tobi and me, there was nothing. The first time we were together was when Odion took me out on a second date in Abuja. I mentioned it in our group. That was the first time I was with Uncle Tobi and it just happened. It was not planned. Since then we have been together. I tried to cut back but I couldn’t. I am not a homewrecker, they were separated before anything happened between us. I was still worried. The divorce has been finalised. He is free and I don’t have to feel guilty anymore. I was more worried about you believing me.”

“Why would Uncle Tobi divorce his wife? I know they were separated but to divorce her? Did you give him that as a condition?”

“He knew I couldn’t be with him if he was still married. My conscience didn’t allow it.”

“You made him divorce his wife because he wants you to be warming his bed. Nkem, you were never streetwise. Uncle Tobi has played you. The last time he was in Lagos, he was with a girl in his hotel room so I couldn’t come up. He will use you and dump you. He was with his wife because she could tolerate his escapades, you can’t. When he starts, what will you do? I don’t know what to say to you. You have disappointed me. This relationship has been on for so long, you can’t tell me otherwise. I remember the tears you shed when he was attacked. I suspected and I asked many times but you denied it. Something was going on. I hope you are happy with yourself.”

Nkem was silent. She expected Funke to be hurt but the insults were skin-deep. She had tears in her eyes. Funke felt offended and she was entitled to her feelings. She wished she could end the whole thing by letting Uncle Tobi be. This was too much for her. She stood up and left. She took a taxi to Funke’s parents’ home. She stayed outside and called Uncle Tobi.

Uncle Tobi was fighting his own battles. He announced to his family that he and his wife were divorced and he intended to remarry. There was an outburst. They reminded him that they didn’t approve of her and he said she was the one. They raised several issues but they never asked what happened and who wanted the divorce. He smiled as his siblings raised hell.

Eventually, one of them asked who he planned on marrying now. He told them the divorce was amicable. They had been separated for years and he hadn’t been a good husband. He wanted to spare her the hurt his presence brings. That was the agreement he had with his wife, he will take all the blame and spare her reputation.

Read – Hope and Revenge episode 16

“And you want to frustrate another woman? What is different with this one?” his eldest sister asked.

“If I had met this girl before I met my wife, I won’t have married my wife.”

“Is she the reason you divorced your wife? Were you cheating with her? Was the affair what destroyed your marriage?”

“She is the reason I finally divorced my wife. I wasn’t cheating with her while I was married. She got married too. She is a widow now. She is available and I am free that is why I feel it is time to be together.”

“What’s the guarantee this will work this time?”

“I love her and she loves me too. I don’t doubt her feelings. Iya Funke, you know her very well. She is the one I want to marry.”

“Who is she? I don’t think I know her.

“She is Funke’s friend, Nkem. She is the one?”

Iya Funke took some time to digest what she just heard. She couldn’t comprehend how Nkem and Uncle Tobi could be together. She asked her brother, “Isn’t she the one that took care of you in the hospital? Omo kekere ni now (she is a small girl). I know her mother. Why would you want to marry a girl who is Funke’s age? I thought you were helping her and her family, you were also chopping while helping them? Did you take advantage of her? That is despicable.”

“Anti mi, we have not been together for up to six months. I didn’t take advantage of her. She got married and the guy died. By the time we began, it was over between my wife and I. Completely over and she knew it. I am not a saint and you all know it. But this girl is different. She has every quality I ever dreamed of in a woman. She is the one.”

“Omo de ni. Why would you want to be with her if it is not long throat? I know the girl. She is a very beautiful girl. You have big eyes where she is. Tobi leave that girl alone. I suspected during that time she wanted to stay with you in the hospital. I was suspicious of the way your eyes were following her everywhere. How can someone that just faced death be looking at a woman like that? And she wanted to stay with him. I don’t support it.”

“Is it because she is beautiful that I don’t deserve her or it is because she is much younger or you are amazed that such a lady will love me? I wanted to tell you what is happening not to seek your permission. I asked her to marry me and she accepted. She agreed to marry this old man. I want you to know I am marrying Nkem and that’s final.”

There was chaos and arguments. His brother supported Tobi and asked him to marry anyone he wants. The sisters were more confrontational. They wanted to meet with her first. Uncle Tobi wasn’t going to allow that to happen. His family were very controlling and he knew what they would do to Nkem who doesn’t speak their language and is much younger. He had to protect her.

As the arguments were going back and forth, Uncle Tobi felt his phone vibrate. He saw a call from Nkem. He ended the call but she called again. It rang four times followed by a message asking him to come outside. He knew it was important. He left his family and went outside to know what was going on. He met a demoralised Nkem. Her face was red and it showed she had been crying. She went into his arms when she saw him and cried on his chest. His brother came out to check on him and saw them. He went back inside the house and asked his sisters to look outside the window. They were watching them.

Uncle Tobi was upset seeing Nkem cry. He asked her what happened but she was too dejected to say anything. He led her to the vehicle they came in. He put her in the vehicle and the driver drove away.

His siblings who were peeping through the window were mesmerised. His brother said to them, “We never saw him be so gentle and loving with Ireti. Tobi has always been selfish but he has been very generous to this girl and her family. I know the story. He must have liked her then but controlled himself. Now she is free, he is not taking any chances. Let him be.”

Nkem finally told Uncle Tobi what happened at Funke’s. He was upset and asked the driver to take them to Funke’s house. Nkem refused to come down so he came down himself and went to see Funke. Her husband, Ebuka, was home.

“What did you say to Nkem?” Uncle Tobi asked Funke. Funke ranted and complained about them lying to her and how they had been involved all along. “What is different with Nkem you always held in high esteem? Because she chose to be with me, that is the difference. Because of that, she is no longer worthy. She wanted to preserve the beautiful friendship she had with you. She is hurt that you are unhappy with her. Both of us know I have always been in love with her. You know that much. I did things for her that I could never do for anyone. If I had gone for her then, she would have declined and I would have been perceived to be taking advantage of her. She didn’t see this coming but I did. I wanted her and she finally saw that she had the same feelings. Why she couldn’t commit was her conscience. My wife and you were her main problem. I divorced my wife. I gave her whatever she wanted so she could free me to be with Nkem the way I wanted to be with her. We never deceived you, the relationship is less than a year. I just wanted to advise you not to lose a good friendship over me. Has there been anything entrusted with Nkem you heard from anyone? Think about it.”

Uncle Tobi left with Nkem. They went to the airport and travelled home from there,

Ebuka said to Funke, “He is right though. She has been your confidant for so long. She is smart and relating with her makes you wiser and more rational while handling issues. She fell in love, but she didn’t kill anyone. Your uncle deserves to be loved. Remember when he was attacked, his wife refused to come back and take care of her husband? You had to stay there with him in the hospital. I was wondering what kind of woman chooses her papers over her husband’s life. You complained bitterly too. Their marriage has been over since. Allow him to enjoy the rest of his life with the girl he loves.”

Funke looked at her husband angrily. He wouldn’t understand the betrayal. Nkem should have told her first. She explained this to her husband and he asked her, “Would you have given your blessings for them to date? Funke, you wouldn’t have. Nkem doesn’t need protecting, Nkem needs to be loved.”

On the first anniversary of their relationship, Uncle Tobi took Nkem to the Bahamas for a getaway. While there, he informed her they were getting married. She was surprised. She didn’t think he still wanted to marry her when almost everyone was against their relationship.

“I compensated my ex-wife with a huge amount of money for her to divorce me. She asked me how much my love for you was worth and I told her it was priceless. She wanted money I had been saving for almost twenty years in an account. I gave her access to the account. It is hers and her children’s. I have to start saving again and it will take me years to gather that sum again. I’m not as rich as I used to be. If we work hard together we can do better. I want to give you the world.”

“I am content with what we have. I can get a job and support the family.”

“That’s why I love you. We can survive without working and still fly first class twenty times a year for the next fifteen years conveniently. But I want us to acquire wealth for our children.”

“Children?”

“Yes, I want us to have children the way Funke and her husband had their twins. You don’t have to carry the pregnancy, I don’t want you to lose your figure. I am serious. We will start once we get back. I am no longer young and I want when they are of age they can be well taken care of.”

“Did you give your wife and children some of your properties? Don’t they deserve to have some?”

“I sold the mansion we lived in and gave my ex-wife the proceeds to start life in Canada. I couldn’t live in that massive house alone and the house was hers just like the one we live in now is yours. Most of my properties are in the name of the company you are a director in. They are yours. The others I sold off to build the estates. Proceeds from the estate will go to your company account from now henceforth. I need to make money for my children with you. You are settled.”

As she was getting ready for her wedding, she sent a message to her friends informing them she was about to wed Uncle Tobi. She added a message to Funke asking her forgiveness.

It was a simple and sweet ceremony. She was legally Uncle Tobi’s wife. Even though it was tough getting here, she was there. She was happy. She didn’t have family and friends with her but she was fine. She felt safe with Uncle Tobi.

They went to the US together and Nkem introduced her new husband to Dominic and her late husband’s family. They received him warmly. They asked important questions about Dominic. Uncle Tobi assured them they wouldn’t disrupt his life. They would visit him often and have him at least one holiday a year. The grandparents were very happy.

Nkem went to visit Demian’s grave. She told him how her life has been and asked him to be her guardian angel. She also asked him to protect their son as she had granted his wish of wanting his parents to be happy. They were delighted to be with him.

She met with Iyke and Uloma. They announced they had gotten married. Uloma asked if it wasn’t bigamy. She said Uncle Tobi’s wife could accuse him. Iyke informed his wife in their presence that Uncle Tobi had divorced his wife and was now legally married to Nkem. Uloma was surprised. She wondered why Nkem enjoyed the attention of people that would go far and beyond for her. It bothered her that she didn’t enjoy such grace. Iyke has been fantastic but she didn’t think he loved her enough to do what Demian did for Nkem.

The next stop was to see Chidindu. When he saw both of them together, he knew it was good news. He prayed for them as a father would over his children and decreed their marriage will experience only positive things. He prayed for long life, sound health and enormous wealth. He was happy for them.

They came back to Nigeria and travelled to the east to Nkem’s mother. Obioma was around (it was planned). He received them. Nkem’s mother cried when she was informed about the divorce. She said, “You are a catholic, you know we don’t allow divorce. How can you marry a divorcee? Nkem, what has happened to you? You threw your faith away for worldly things.”

“Mama, how did I do that? Was I created just to please Demian? Where is the man now? If I didn’t have a job, what would have happened to me? If I didn’t listen to Uncle Tobi and sent Dom to be with his grandparents, how would I have survived? I am ambitious and I won’t stop being that. I love this man and I want to be with him. He spoils me but we both know I don’t need his money. I will be with him whether he has or not. I have a second chance at love and although it looks strange, I have never been happier. Take all the time you need to forgive me. While you are at it, I need a surrogate. We want to have a child together.”

“A child? Why don’t you want to carry the pregnancy yourself? That shows you are a mother. You left your son for your in-laws to train and now you want to have another child with your lover. Tobi, you know I love you but what you have done is wrong. If I had known my daughter was your target, I would never have accepted your help.”

“Please Mama, don’t talk to my husband like that. He has done nothing wrong. I chose to be with him, he didn’t force me. I know you might not understand as you decided not to marry again after Papa died but I want to be with someone that can love me the way I deserve to be. And he does. If you decide to help me, I will appreciate it.” Nkem replied to her mother.

Uncle Tobi smiled and said to Nkem’s mum, “Maybe you should talk to your friend. She chose money over her marriage. I understand it is obvious I am in love with Nkem but she didn’t put up a fight to save our marriage. She cleaned me out. I can’t reveal to you how much she took from me. I am building my finance from the scratch. That’s the sacrifice I made so I can be with a happy Nkem. Her conscience didn’t allow her to be with me while still married to another woman. My conscience didn’t allow me to divorce Ireti and not marry Nkem so she would feel secure. Forgive us. We have erred. God has forgiven us, it is left with you. Nkem, let us go.”

Nkem moved in with Uncle Tobi and rented out her apartment. Uncle Tobi had a change of mind and submitted her name to represent Nigeria in an Economic and Financial Empowerment Group of a select number of countries. He believed she would bring her wealth of experience and years of academic upgrade to good use. It was baffling when she was interviewed and she scaled through without influence. Uncle Tobi was so proud of her. He wanted her to be fulfilled at all times, he wasn’t going to do to her what he was against. When Nkem was appointed, Uncle Tobi was so happy. He wanted to take her away for celebration and shopping but she declined. She told him she wanted to stay back home and start with what she already had, she wasn’t competing with anyone. And, they had to save money.

Tbc