Sisterhood

Sisterhood episode 74

TITLE: SISTERHOOD

AUTHOR: OGECHI ALABI

CHAPTER 74
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Zainab’s father came with the report of his investigation of Usman. The revelation was shocking. Usman was estranged from his family because he did not support the method of operations used in their business. They didn’t follow the instruction of the Koran and the treatment of staff members. As a lawyer, they wanted him to come up with agreements that will cheat others and he refused. They called him a weakling, it made him leave the family business. Her father added, “You cannot claim to be a Muslim leader and you do everything possible to cheat those that do business with you and work for you. It is wrong.”

The family was against whom he wanted to marry. She had a degenerative disease but he still married her. He was aware she didn’t have long to live but he didn’t care. He wanted her to have the best life until then. The disease got worse when she got pregnant. The doctor advised against the pregnancy but she wanted to give Usman a gift she could remember her by. The pregnancy made her condition worse and at a point she was bedridden. He handled the medical bill himself refusing to receive favours from both families. When she had the baby, she saw her and died shortly after. Usman was devastated. He never went to see the baby after her death. His late wife’s parents were called to help with the baby. He buried his wife the same day and went home. His mother-in-law came to the house to take most of the baby’s things. “Her death affected him because he believed she would have had more years with him if she had not had the baby. He is someone that loves fiercely. There is a downside, he is rigid. He does what he wants to do. No one can change his mind once it is made up. He is strict and his ideologies are skewed towards modern ways which don’t augur well with people around him. Least I forget, his brother from his father’s concubine joined a kidnap ring. He ran back to the family house when soldiers were after him from Adamawa state. You wouldn’t believe Usman told the soldiers that his father and siblings were hiding the boy in the compound. That if they burn down the buildings they will bring him out. His father had a heart attack and was rushed to the hospital. The soldiers didn’t leave and decided to burn down the buildings in the compound, all pleading fell on deaf ears. They contacted powerful people to help them but they had to step back. A convoy of military personnel was attacked and some killed including leaders of platoons, there was no way anyone could help as the boy was fingered in the attack. There was no way the young man could go scot-free. Eventually, they brought him out and he was handed over to the soldiers. They haven’t heard from him ever since. The family never forgave Usman and they were planning revenge. Because of his sacrifice, someone anonymously got him shortlisted for a scholarship for a Master’s in Dubai. He is that kind of man. He is rigid in his beliefs, there are no shortcuts. Are you sure you can cope?”

“He is a true believer and this has been my desire. I can cope. If he genuinely loves me, then I will like to be with him. He has not made disgusting demands such as Bashir made when we were courting. When I went to see him in Kano..”

“You went to see him in Kano?”

“I did. I had to be sure of what I was getting into. He told me he was estranged from his family but we hadn’t gotten to the stage of why. He lodged me in a hotel and took me to see his mother and daughter. He was a gentleman all through the trip. My only fear is if I can’t give him a child, he might marry another or even more wives. I am trying not to be worried about that but with Bashir’s experience, I fear he might ill-treat me because I couldn’t bear children. It is easy to say you wouldn’t but you might.”

Read – The hammingtons episode 59 – 60

“You will have children, Zainab. Don’t let that worry you. If you are sure of this man, I will give my consent. I think he is an extremist but you seem to understand him. You are choosing your husband now, there will be no divorce.”

“What if he turns out to be a monster? Baba, I will divorce him. I cannot stay in a loveless marriage as I did with Bashir. I feel connected to Usman but I will watch him even after marriage.”

“I will give him my consent to come with some of his family to see us. He says he wants the introduction done before you fly back.”

“What do you think about him, Baba? This is the first time I am falling in love, I don’t want to make a mistake. You have said it many times, age is catching up with me. I wonder why he chose me when many young girls will do his bidding and have children for him. I fear he might not be genuine.”

“He told me how he met you and what attracted him to you. You had several opportunities to be promiscuous as some ladies over there or even to marry a man as his second wife. You had suitors but you were not interested and were focused on your academics. He didn’t come to you with the relationship suggestion but friendship. That’s what he said. He believes you can learn from each other and you share the same ideologies. I think he is intentional with you. Allow him to make his intentions known and take it from there. Also, pray about it.”

Usman came with his two uncles and one of his brothers from another mother for the introduction. It was a simple affair. Zainab was introduced to the guests. Her father was right, Usman was intentional with her. They spoke after the introduction and he told her they will be married in the next three months. He said he had a lot to tell her but they will do that in Dubai. She couldn’t wait.

CHAPTER 75

FUNKE
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Ebuka’s father had allowed him to grow through the ranks. Ebuka had to consolidate his business with his father’s business as instructed by his father. He didn’t want Ebuka to be distracted while running his side hustle to provide for his family.

The business had grown over the years. Ebuka contributed immensely to the growth but apart from promotions and vacations, there were no other major incentives. He hated to complain so he continued to work hard hoping one day he will be rewarded appropriately.

Funke was bringing in more money than Ebuka in terms of salary. She ran the accounting firm for her parents and used all the contacts at her disposal to move the firm to greater heights. Her parents were proud of her achievement. Ebuka was very proud of her and helped her grow the firm. Both of them were hard workers.

Whenever Ebuka complained about his job, Funke always advised him to be patient and learn the ropes from his father who started from nothing. Ebuka hated hearing those words but Funke won’t stop saying them. She told him to be patient as he will take over the company from his father at the right time. She discouraged him from leaving the company to get a better-paying job outside. Funke didn’t mind contributing to the welfare of the family. The children’s school fees were expensive as they had decided the schools they would attend. Ebuka paid the fees yearly from his upfront payments and with some support from his wife. What he enjoyed from the company was a free vacation for his family and a generous vacation allowance.

They hardly quarrelled but in recent times, they had falling outs. Ebuka was getting angry and impatient. He was letting the work situation get to him. He felt Funke did not understand how he felt less than a man when she had to chip in more to the running of the home. He had outbursts and argued with her about the silliest things. It was more annoying when she made him sound childish by ignoring him. He felt like a weakling.

He began to attend a recreational club after work instead of coming home. He strolled in from 9 pm. He didn’t give Funke a good reason why. She was deeply hurt by this transformation. She tried to understand why he felt the way he did but he had shut down at this point. He found solace with his friends and listened to them talk about businesses. Some loved to drink while others liked the ladies. He avoided both. He was there to boost his masculinity not to end his marriage. He knew Funke, she will never forgive him.

His friends talked to him about a tech start-up they wanted to do but will require his expertise in IT because he had undergone several courses in it. They talked about registering a company together and getting investors. It was a FinTech company, the first of its kind in Nigeria. He was interested.

As a rule, Ebuka and Funke never start anything without talking to the other party. He wanted to do this on his own but his conscious wouldn’t let him. A night before the signing, he woke Funke up. He told her about it. She listened to him attentively. It sounded like a good idea but she was not ready to give her consent until his father had done due diligence.

“I don’t want him involved in this. Can’t I make money myself? Funke this is what is driving us apart. You are more financially capable than I am and I feel less than a man.”

“But Ebuka, you have more networth than I do, do you hear me complaining about it? What is mine is yours and what is yours is mine. You cannot be insecure because I earn more while you are building your career. The business will be yours in the future. I will be worthless where you stand. Please, stop all this and focus.”

“Even if I inherit the business, it will always be my dad’s business even when he is gone. Do you get me? I want something of my own. Something I built.”

“So, what is the plan for your father’s business when you leave? It should be handed over to outsiders? If that is what you want, then take it public and then step aside. I don’t know why you are doing this or what is making you feel this way but I will say this, involve your father in this business. He knows who to use for due diligence. If you don’t want him to know you are involved, I can tell him I am the one. But, we must involve him.”

Ebuka thought about it all through the night. He sent a mail to his partners informing them to remove his name as a director and instead add his wife as a director to mitigate the conflict of interest where he worked. Then he requested extra time for proper due diligence. He received a response in the morning from the partners. They agreed to the change of director to Funke but were worried about the due diligence.

Ebuka had a conference call with them. He told them his wife wouldn’t sign any document unless due diligence has been done by a private party. This will help position them better. There was back and forth before the partners finally agreed to the independent due diligence by Funke.

Funke was given all the necessary documents. She went through them and made some observations. She thoroughly studied them and the explanations of her observations before she went to see her father-in-law. When she saw him, she talked to him about the new business venture partnership. She said she was interested but she wanted to be sure it was a viable business and she wanted a workable and detailed business plan from his experts. Ebuka’s father was very impressed. He asked her to send the documents electronically and he will get back to her.

Tbc

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