Thorn between episode 22 – 23
TITLE: TORN BETWEEN
WRITTEN BY OGECHI ALABI
GROWTH 2…
Eucharia sent for Helen. She told her about the proposal they had. Helen did not seem interested. She talked about her service year and then working with CBN. She said marriage was not on her mind for now.
“Helen, you are focusing on the wrong things. You need a husband who will help you achieve such big dreams otherwise you will not make any move without being food to men. Men take advantage of unwed and ambitious women. They hate to compete with them, especially in our country. But in the Western world, it is different. Women have more rights there than over here. If you have a husband you can partner with to build a home and fulfil your passion there would be no stopping both of you.”
“But they said he is lanky. I do not like lanky men.”
“You have not fed him and cared for him. He has been on his own which is why he is lanky. I would have been worried if he was well fed, it means someone is cooking for him. It would be a strange woman because his mother is in Nigeria. Prisca said he does not have a woman in his life right now, and he is also sceptical about the arrangement. But he would like to meet with you.”
“What does Nda Adim say about it?”
“Ask him yourself.”
She went to ask her sister’s husband his thoughts about the proposal. He advised her to meet him and decide. He would abide by whatever she decided. Helen refused to talk to anyone else until she met with the man they were all talking about. Her people expected her to be excited, but she was not. She had already made plans and this could disrupt them.
Hilary came back a few days later to meet with Helen. His family had done their findings before he went for the first visit. This time, he wanted an informal meeting with her. His people spoke highly of her and it made him fascinated and eager to meet the girl who had captured his people’s hearts.
Eucharia sent someone to call Helen from her parents’ home. As they were leaving, Prisca stopped them outside and gave them a dress to give Helen to wear. She asked her to wear a beautiful pair of sandals she got her when she came back from Germany.
When Helen came, she was curious to find out why she had to dress up to impress a man she did not know if she would like. She came into Adim’s sitting room to meet this handsome but slim half-caste. She heard he was lanky but he was not as thin as she had imagined. She looked longer than a glance and then entered the kitchen to meet her sister.
Hilary knew she was the one the instant she entered the room. They were not yet introduced but he just knew and he smiled. Their eyes met briefly before she left. He liked her. He waited for her to be introduced to him but instead, he was served refreshment.
“Thank you. But I would rather finish my business here before I eat or drink anything,” Hilary said to Adim and Paul. Peter joined them not long after.
“Eucharia, come and introduce Helen to her suitor. I do not know how he knew she was the one,” Adim called out.
Eucharia introduced Helen to Hilary. Helen’s head was bowed all through the introduction. She said many things but Hilary did not hear a word. He was fixated on Helen. She was above average height and he liked that. He was glad she did not have Eucharia’s intimidating height and complexion. She was not too light, her complexion was light chocolate. Maybe lighter than that but he was not interested in guessing. He wanted to be alone with her so they could talk.
Hilary asked, “May I ask a favour?” Adim nodded. “Can we have a place where we could sit down and talk alone?”
Adim looked at his brothers. It was as though their sibling was the one getting married. He then looked at the wives who stood with Eucharia. Njideka took the lead. She came forward and asked Hilary to follow her to their flat. She went back for Helen. On their way out she said to Helen, “This is a chance of a lifetime. Don’t listen to anyone. If you like him, go for it. If you don’t, let him go. But I see good prospects in him. You are a brilliant girl and he will help you succeed. Our men do not like very brilliant women only a few value them. See your auntie, because of her beauty she has to do business. By now she would have been at the top of her career. Only a few men can support a beautiful wife. This one will.”
Hilary and Helen had an awkward conversation initially. He wanted to know about her and he tried to tell her about himself. They spoke for a few minutes and there were awkward moments of silence. Hilary was shy but he sensed Helen was trying to be modest. He asked her,
“I am not much of a talker, I am normally quiet and reserved. I know it is shocking to Paul and his wife that I came here today. But I saw you are bold and must be an extrovert. They say opposites attract. I am attracted to you. You are amazing. I wonder why Prisca did not tell me how beautiful you were. I could look at you all day and night. So, before we go any further, I want to know what you think.”
Helen said the first thing that popped into her head, “Why couldn’t you get a girl yourself? Why did you have to arrange for a wife?”
Hilary laughed a bit and then replied, “Very good question. I had a relationship that lasted two years. She enjoyed only some aspects of the relationship but did not like others. To me, it is a complete package. She was not willing to spend quality time with me. She preferred to party and hang out at my expense. When I refused to finance her, she took offence and acted inappropriately. I ended it. She thought I was joking. I changed the locks in my house and didn’t let in her.”
“It must have been a crazy time.”
“Yes, it was. How about you? Any relationship and has it ended?”
“Relationship? It is like a taboo here. It is marriage straight up.”
“Without getting to know the person?”
“That’s the job of the families. They investigate the man or woman and their families. They check for important things before they decide.”
“Interesting. What do they check for?”
“Sudden death, sicknesses, madness, if you are osu, if the family members enjoy a long life, criminal behaviour, waywardness, drunkenness and many other things.”
“Wow! How would they find out? What if my family refuses to disclose?”
“The community will disclose not your family. Those sent on such errands know how to get to the truth. Everybody knows everything about everyone. You cannot hide your sins.”
“Your family must have investigated me before they allowed me to see you.”
“I am sure they did. The lady that spoke is my eldest sister. Her husband is the man who received you. They are like my parents because they trained me. I am who I am today because of them.”
“They are not your parents? The way they gathered with Paul and his brother I would have sworn you were their daughter.”
Helen chuckled, she heard this all the time. “They are my parents but not my biological parents. I have been with them since I was eleven or so. They are the family I know. I am a graduate today because of them and I remain grateful.”
“That is amazing. I’m glad I passed the test. What’s the next step?”
“If I like you,” she replied with a blank look on her face.
“You do. What do I have to do next?”
Helen was surprised. “What makes you so sure I like you?”
“You would have left after the awful few minutes we were alone if you didn’t. And you know I am fascinated by you. You are amazing. I would love you to meet my family. I have two moms and many siblings who do not look like me. I have an older sister from my mother, it’s just the two of us. My dad married a second and had five more children. They all live together.”
“You live here with them?”
“I live in Germany but I come back once in a while. My mom will love you, she is amazing. My stepmom will shower you with affection. My dad will not want you to leave, but he is a traditional man and he would want to respect culture.”
Helen was interested in meeting everyone he spoke about as long as he met her family members, especially her mother. They agreed.
They went to join the family in Adim’s flat. They saw the way Hilary was smiling and knew it was progressive. He respectfully asked if he could meet Helen’s parents and also for Helen to meet his parents.
Adam replied, “First things first, Helen are you giving your consent to go ahead?”
“Nda, I cannot choose a marriage partner myself. You will decide what I will do.”
Hilary could not believe his ears. He thought she had agreed, what changed? Why did she hand the decision to her uncle?
“Ok my dear, you can go inside.” Helen left the sitting room. “I have to inform her parents about you before we can take any step. Whatever they say, we will get back to you.”
“Can I visit her while we wait?”Hilary asked.
“Young man, there is no hurry in these matters. Once her parents give their consent I can tell you to invite your family members.”
Hilary spoke to Paul downstairs. He asked Paul to help arrange a way for him to meet with Helen. He explained to Hilary that Helen would never defy Adim or her sister. He asked him to be patient, he will try to speed up the process.
Paul kept to his words. He went that evening with Adim and Peter to see Helen’s parents. Adim informed them about the suitor. Mama Uk was very happy. She danced in jubilation that her son-in-law’s brother brought a suitor for her daughter.
Helen’s father asked Adim if he had investigated the young man’s family and was satisfied with his findings. Adim called the names of those that were sent to investigate so they could get first-hand information.
Helen’s father replied, “It is ok, you are also Helen’s father. Whatever you decide, we will go along with it. Let them know she has four parents and the four must be honoured.”
“Nda, Helen has two wise parents who knew what was best for her and let her live with her elder sister. We are not her parents but her siblings. She played her role for Paul and Prisca to consider her for this opportunity. We should give her credit for not staining our good names. He wants to meet you and also wants Helen to meet with his family.”
The marriage took place in a month. Hilary postponed his return to Germany to ensure he married Helen properly. He postponed his relocation to America because he wanted to travel with his wife. He took her to get her international passport and begin the process of migration.
His family adored her. She moved to Oguta after marriage. She met with his entire family. His father was a firm and well-respected man. He reminded Helen of the old school principal. His mother was a different breed; she was bubbly and very nice. She could be reserved sometimes, especially if she is not comfortable in your presence. The second wife was warm and kind. She took care of Helen and would not allow her to do any house chores. She had maids and she ran the household.
Before Hilary left for Germany, Helen was pregnant. He told his parents and asked them to take care of her.
“Are you sure it is yours?” His father asked. He felt it was too early.
“I am sure. I am the first man she has been with. The baby is mine.”
“You know girls lie about these things to deceive men. She claims to be ….”
“Dad, the baby is mine. Please do not harass her after I have left. I do not want her to call me begging to go back to Port-Harcourt to stay with her sister.”
“She will want to go there and she can go. If you trust her, there is nothing to fear. She is smart as she has sealed her fate with this pregnancy. While she is faithful to you here, be faithful to her in Germany. Maria would come back like the leech she is, cut her loose. Your wife is yours and she won’t share her body with another, don’t share yours.”
Hilary went back to Germany with mixed feelings. He wished he had come back with Helen. He felt so alone. He talked to her every day. He missed her so much. He started the process of adding her for the relocation to the US. He was advised to apply for a US visa directly from Nigeria for her using his documents and proof of marriage.
It took two months but finally, Helen was granted both visas. Hilary came back to travel with her. There were tears everywhere when she was leaving. She was blessed by the people around her with prayers.
Adim gave her US dollars to hold in case she had to flee. Helen laughed in her tears. He heard Germans can be racists and he wanted to ensure Helen had something to fall back on. Paul and Prisca were there too.
A few weeks after she had joined Hilary in Germany, she was alone at home one afternoon when the phone rang. She had studied German while she was processing her papers. She could not speak it fluently but she could understand it to an extent.
Helen: Hello.
Caller: Who is this?
Helen: You called the number. Who do want to speak with?
Caller: Put Hilary on the phone right away.
Helen: Hilary is not here. You can leave a message.
Caller: Leave a message with you. As what?
Helen: His wife
Caller replied angrily: Hilary is not married.
Helen: Says who? I have the rings on my finger and a marriage certificate to prove it. If you do not have anything else to do, get off the phone.
Caller: I was with Hilary just last week and he never told me he was married. I was in his house.
Helen: You must be delusional because I have been here three weeks and Hilary did not come home with anyone. My feet hurt from standing for too long and my heavy tummy is causing me a backache. Call back later to talk to him.
Caller: You are a bitch. Negro bitch
Helen: Yes, I am and you want my man. He is not available for your silly games anymore. Oh wait, he just got back.
She gave the phone to Hilary. Hilary spoke to the lady angrily and ended the call.
“Who is she?” Helen asked.
“My ex. She came to my office last week and I told her I was married and expecting a child but she would not listen. I left her outside. She called here knowing you would be at home. Please ignore her, do not open the door to strangers unless you confirm with me. Now I am happy she has become obsessed.”
“She won’t try this ever again. Leave her to me.”
Hilary got himself his personal Bruce Lee. Helen stood up for him all the time. He wondered where she had been all his life because she was so amazing. She treated him like a child sometimes and he loved it. In three weeks she lived with him he had to hit the gym. She fed him well. He gained weight and muscle mass. Before a year, he looked amazing.
They both relocated to the US before the birth of their child. Helen gave birth to a son they called Hayden. He was an American citizen because he was born in America. They settled in nicely. Helen’s mother came for Omugwo with Eucharia at Helen’s insistence. Eucharia stayed for a month and went back to Nigeria. Mama Uk stayed for five months. Helen wrote some examinations before her mother left.
Helen waited until her son was two years old before she brought him to Nigeria and left him with Eucharia and Adim. She had started her PhD and needed time to focus on her studies. She followed in her husband’s footsteps. She was also head hunted by J P Morgan and Hilary insisted she took the offer. Helen said they were too busy with their careers to raise a child. Eucharia cried. This was the son she ever wanted. Now she had an opportunity to raise one.
Helen had a second child two years later, another boy. He remained in America with his parents while Hayden came on holiday to the US to visit his parents with one of Eucharia’s older daughters. Hayden permanently remained with Eucharia.
Read – Pregnant for the enemy episode 101
TITLE: TORN BETWEEN
WRITTEN BY OGECHI ALABI
GROWTH 3…
Chief, Flora’s husband, fell very ill and was admitted to the hospital where he spent several weeks. When the situation got beyond her control, Flora involved his family to help her. They flooded her house from the east and bossed her around. She was unhappy about it.
When Chief had recovered and came back home, he watched first-hand the attitude his brothers gave his wife and refused to stand for it. He summoned his siblings and asked them to leave his house and visit him from other relatives’ homes. His reason was that his wife was overwhelmed with having a sick hospital and taking care of and could not add their demands to her list. They got the message and left. Immediately after they vacated his home he sent for Adim.
Adim flew in from Port-Harcourt to see him. Chief asked his wife to excuse them and he had a conversation with Adim.
“I fear my time is near. My siblings are not good people at all. I watched how they treated my wife when I returned from the hospital. I investigated their conduct by asking those working in the house and found out they did worse to her when I was admitted. If I die without preparing, Flora will suffer. I spoke with my lawyer and he advised me on what to do. He said I should register a company transfer all the title documents of my properties and sell my business to that company. I have chosen you, my cousin, Enyi who I trust with my life and my first son to be the directors of that company. I will move all the money from my business to that company. I will claim to have sold my business to my company managed by my cousin, but you know why. Flora should not know about this neither would my son until five years after I have gone. I want my siblings to give up before she has access to wealth again. They would not know where it came from.”
Adim gave the lawyer all the documents needed and appended his signature. It was a brilliant idea if you have vultures as brothers. Adim was aware of how much help Chief had rendered to his siblings. Chief’s two sisters and a brother had made headway with the assistance they received. They lived abroad and were independent. The other three boys wanted to live off Chief but Chief refused and stopped indulging them at some point. Those were the ones he was worried about.
In less than two months, Chief announced the sale of his business and two of his cars. He claimed to have sold two houses. He wrote his will and shared what everyone would have. He kept the money for his funeral with his cousin. He cleaned his house.
He called his wife into his room one morning. He asked her to sit down he wanted to advise her. She wondered what it was all about.
“My brothers who you were respecting and doing things for, did you see how they treated you when I was sick and they thought I would die? They would do worse when I am gone. They will fight you. It is those people you talked down on and fought who would have stood for you, but you have alienated those who would be there for you. You know our custom when a man dies. Pack up everything valuable and those valuable to you in this house and your effect. I will ask my lawyer to pick them up and send them to your brother. You will need them. Leave the rest so they do not feel the house was stripped. The remaining car, let them have it. You can make noise about not releasing it but do not stop them from taking it. They cannot have this house because my lawyer will make certain of it. The house in the village is my son’s. I am travelling home soon. I will be buried inside that house in the village and lay a curse on who enters there to steal or take over the house.”
“Buried? What are you talking about?”
“I remember when Adim advised you to learn my business and manage one of my shops but you refused. I would advise you to learn Eucharia’s business so you will be successful too. She is doing very well without making any noise. She is not showing off her wealth and attributes her success to her husband. She held back so her husband would shine. She has opened a shop in Lagos and Enugu, are you aware? She does not make brag. She is leveraging on her uncle; I want you to leverage on her. This sickness has consumed all my money. The hospitals I went to abroad have told me the truth. There is no need to spend what you and the children will use to survive. I have paid their school fees until they finish, and I gave them an allowance too. The bank has the instructions. They will not suffer. You do not like the cold but you will have to visit them. I do not want them to feel my absence. I won’t talk too much; do all I asked you to do this week, I will be travelling next week.”
Flora was surprised. She had started crying before he finished talking. This was the only man who could withstand her excesses and still loved her regardless. When he finished talking she lay beside him, held him and cried the more. He did not expect such emotions from her and he was moved. He knew he did the right thing in protecting her.
He held her too and said, “Nwaunye m, this life is a journey. Mine is coming to an end but you still have a long way to go. You have to stop quarrelling with your brothers’ wives because all of them are good women. Yes, including Njideka. See how they live in peace and harmony. If Eucharia was you in that family, would it have been so? Peter and Njideka were the richest before Adim took over. It might be Paul next, he was telling me about opportunities in America and I told him to take it. Your brothers are smart and married good wives. See how well cared for your parents are. You are going to be a both father and mother to your children. Always think of what I would do in a situation before taking action, it is important.”
Flora did what her husband instructed. The maids in the house asked her why she was packing up and she told them they were for sale for her husband’s treatment. The lawyer met with Chief and took the items away with him. Flora acted smart for the first time because her husband told her what to do.
They had a crisis and Chief had to be rushed back to the hospital. After the hospital visit, the doctors told him his time was very close. They wanted him to care for him in the hospital until he gave up but he refused. He travelled to the village with a doctor and a nurse. His bedroom was set up as a hospital room. He spent most of his time in bed but he gave instructions from there. His grave was dug in his sitting room while he was still alive. He told his family he wanted to be buried the same day he was confirmed dead. He bought the coffin he would be buried in and made a new outfit. He had lost so much weight so he wanted something befitting.
His brothers could not understand what was happening. They claimed he had run mad. They wanted to stop the preparations he was making by involving the elders. The elders came to see him and discovered he was lucid enough to know what he wanted. They told his brothers a dying man was trying to put his house in order and there was nothing they could do about it.
Surprisingly, Chief lasted for almost two months. He lived in the village amongst his people. His friends came to visit him in the village. He enjoyed delicious soups made with fresh vegetables from the farm devoid of chemical fertiliser. He was happy and active. His brothers stopped coming to visit. They knew it was a matter of time before he would be dead and they would be contacted. Chief had made preparations with the parish priest to officiate his funeral. He made everything easy for his wife.
The night before he died, he talked to his wife again. He told her what to do every step of the way and those she could trust. After the last conversation with her, she cried. The next day, he refused to eat or drink anything. He lay in bed and was quiet. After an hour, he became unconscious. The wife wanted them to rush him to the hospital but the doctor refused. He said Chief was ready to go and meet his maker. Flora fell on the floor in tears, rolling and throwing herself around. Her tears could not bring him back. When she saw nothing coming out of her sorrow, she stood from the floor and lay beside him. She noticed he was struggling to breathe. She turned to the doctor with her eyes pleading for mercy, but he shook his head. She rested her head on her husband’s chest mildly and said, “Ga nke oma dim oma (Go well my good husband).” Chief took his last laboured breath while looking at her and holding her hand. She knew he was gone when his hand dropped. The doctor checked for a pulse and asked her to raise her head so he could check for a heartbeat. He certified Chief and announced the time of the death. Flora wanted to scream, but the doctor stopped her.
“Send someone to call the Parish Priest. The nurse will bathe him and prepare him for the burial. Once the Priest gets here, I will inform the elders. I will let them know you were too grief-stricken to make any arrangements and I made them according to Chief’s instruction. Would you want to stay here with them while they bathe and prepare him?”
She nodded in response. Flora cried as she watched the nurse undress her husband’s lifeless body. She stayed there crying while they washed his body. She did not know what was happening until the Priest came to the house and the doctor brought him to the bedroom. He prayed over the body.
The elders gathered in the compound when they saw the Priest and a truck carrying the casket. The doctor apologised and said he was following Chief’s orders which was to be buried immediately. The elders said they had to wait until at least one of his brothers was present. They sent someone to the town to inform his brothers and an elder sent someone else to inform Flora’s family what had happened. Bad news travels fast. Adim was informed about Chief’s death, he called Peter and Eucharia to join him so they could travel for the burial. He knew it would happen that day.
People from Port-Harcourt arrived at the village before Chief’s three brothers who lived in town. They stayed back and held a meeting and insisted that Chief would be kept in the mortuary until they were ready to give him a befitting burial. The Priest informed the family he had orders from the Bishop to bury Chief that day. It was Chief’s instruction and they must obey. He did not want any fanfare at his funeral. When his children are old enough, they will celebrate his life in their way. Many arguments involved the king of the town. Chief had also discussed his plans for his burial with the king. The king insisted they must follow a dying man’s wishes.
Chief was buried at 7 p.m. that night. While the arguments were going on, people came to pay their last respects to him in his bedroom where he was laid in state. Many of the villagers who were regular visitors to him insisted on his burial too. Without the king, they were ready to override the brothers and bury him. After the burial, the women in the compound took Flora away, removed her headtie and scrapped her hair. A widow was assigned to cook for her, she could not eat with other people in the house. Any gifts especially food brought for condolence were kept aside. Only widows could give her food she could accept and eat. Because Chief was a staunch Catholic, Flora wore white clothes and she was to be dressed in white for one year while mourning her husband.
Before he left Port-Harcourt, Adim called Chief’s children abroad and informed them of their father’s passing away. The children expected it but even then, they were also heartbroken. They asked about their mother, and Adim assured them he would move her to his house in Port-Harcourt after the days she would stay in the village. He promised they would speak with her soon.
The following morning, Chief’s brothers called for a meeting. His cousins had also returned for the burial so they were present and joined in the meeting. They summoned Flora to the meeting and asked her questions about how Chief died. She did not understand why she was asked such a question. She said she was there when he died but the doctor could explain better what was wrong with Chief because Chief refused to disclose his illness to her.
“So you are saying he did not trust you enough to inform you of his ailment?” Chief immediately younger brother asked.
“Well, it was not only me he did not trust because he also did not tell you about his ailment and that is why you are asking me.”
“Shut up, woman! Who told you he did not inform us? We know such illness is usually an affliction when a woman is unfaithful to her husband. We suspect that is what happened.”
Flora’s mouth was left ajar as she stared in dismay at this grown man accusing her of adultery just because he wanted to lay claim to Chief’s property. She did not know when tears dropped from her eyes. She unconsciously wiped them and closed her mouth. She sat down and kept quiet.
“We want the keys to his house in Lagos, we have to go through his documents. He claimed to have sold his business but his boys are still working. How come? We insisted on not burying him in this house but he insisted. Well, this house belongs to his sons. We will manage the business and the properties.”
“I do not have anything. When we left Lagos, he collected the key to the house from us and held onto it. Ask the doctor and the Priest he was seeing privately. I do not have any keys or property. We have only one car and it is in Lagos, he sold the rest. I do not know about the business, you have to ask his boys. You are his brothers, he should have trusted you enough to tell you everything. He did not trust me.”
“For a woman who successfully killed her husband, you are rude. I feel only pity for you because you do not know what awaits. The Umu Ada are waiting to deal with you.”
Flora became scared. The Umu Ada could do and undo. She did not have money to pacify them. They would surround her and accuse her of adultery that led to her husband’s death and subject her to demeaning trials to prove her innocence. She had seen it happen and she did not wish it for herself.