Thorn between episode 10 – 11
TITLE: TORN BETWEEN
WRITTEN BY OGECHI ALABI
FAMILY LIFE 5…….
Adim’s twin brothers, Paul and Peter, agreed to get married together on the same day. It was achieved with the Church wedding. The brides were from different villages and not the same families and so the dowry payments were done a week apart. Eucharia was heavily pregnant, she could not attend the weddings. Adim took his annual leave and stayed in the village for two weeks to ensure the ceremonies were successful.
Paul, a Physicist who studied and lived in Germany, married Prisca, an undergraduate student also studying Nursing, from his village. Paul wanted his wife to join him there after she graduated.
Peter, a Geophysist, was marrying Njideka. Flora was the matchmaker. Njideka worked with her father in the family business and was from a very wealthy family. Peter lived in Port-Harcourt, while Njideka lived in Lagos.
Adim held a family meeting with his siblings, parents and uncles about the Church wedding and reception. Since the two brothers decided to wed on the same day, it made it cheaper for them to host guests. The women in the family were to organise the food while the men provided drinks and other responsibilities. Chores were shared and everyone knew what they were to do. The young men were assigned the responsibility of running errands and whatever else they could do.
On the day of the wedding, Njideka came to the church wedding in an extravagant ball gown. Most of the family members were surprised she dressed so elegantly. Luckily, Paul had bought the gown Prisca wore from a second store in Germany. It was simple and suited her slim body structure. She looked beautiful.
Against the family’s wishes, Njideka’s family and friends separated their tables from the rest. There was a display of affluence in the decoration of the section, the foods and drinks served. Adim was not happy about the apparent divide. He had supported the wedding but the open display of wealth by a section of the hall was annoying. He could do nothing about it. He felt worse when Flora was frolicking with Njideka’s family and friends and ignoring the rest of the families present.
Chief was disgusted by Njideka and Flora’s behaviour. He refused to sit with Flora. Instead, he sat with Prisca’s family. Prisca who loved and cared for their parents whenever she was home was treated like a nobody by Flora. It was not right to segregate their families like that. He mingled amongst the people and refused to acknowledge Njideka and her family. It offended Flora.
Flora had wanted Njideka to marry Adim, but he rejected her for Eucharia before they even met. She moved her to Paul. She was unaware that Paul was with Prisca. He showed no interest at all. He declared love with a village girl, and it irked Flora. Peter wasn’t into her too. He was a bookworm and very quiet. But Flora pushed for it. She emotionally blackmailed Peter promising him a better life. Njideka was also sweet. She liked what she saw and fell for him fast. She did not mind travelling to see Peter in Port-Harcourt. She did the chasing there they were. Flora pushed for the marriage when Paul decided to get married to Prisca. Peter insisted if he was to get married, he wanted the wedding on the same day as his twin brother. Njideka was not happy about it, but she had no choice. She came up with this idea with Flora.
Paul and Peter were disappointed with Flora and Njideka. Peter had warned Njideka not to do anything extravagant because they are simple people. The picture of the wedding gown she showed him was not what she wore. He also insisted that the food and drinks should come from only his family, with no special meal for a select few people. Her family could have their special moment at their compound after the wedding. She did this to embarrass his twin brother and their families. Or was it to mock Prisca’s family? Peter could not wait to leave the venue of the reception back home. Njideka insisted they leave for the hotel she had gotten. He refused, he told her he was staying in his family house for his first night. That was what they all did. Flora was upset. She begged Njideka to follow Peter home so they could consummate the marriage that night. If she didn’t, Peter could annul the marriage.
After the reception, before Njideka’s family could present her with their gifts, Chief, Adim, Peter, Paul, Prisca, and their parents left the venue. Njideka was livid, she wanted to make a statement but she was not given a chance to shine. She was the richest daughter-in-law in the family and she wanted to rub it in their faces. She could not believe they did not care or even worship her for her wealth. It was so disappointing. Flora that encouraged her to show off so she could stamp her authority was left there like an orphaned child. Even her husband left her and went with her family.
Njideka came back to Peter’s family home later that evening. The sleeping arrangements had been discussed. Peter and Njideka retired to the bedroom he shared with Paul while Paul and Prisca took Adim’s room. Adim slept in his uncle’s house. No one said anything about the occurrences of the day. It was not a night to ruin for everyone. But drama still ensued.
Peter refused to be intimate with Njideka that night. He was reticent and people falsely believed they could ride him, but it was not so. He told Njideka he would not consummate the marriage until she apologised to his brothers, his parents, Prisca and her parents. He had seen the signs that she would go contrary to what the family was doing from Flora. He had warned her to stick to the plans made by the family, but she did otherwise. It meant she was disobedient and uncontrollable.
Njideka was surprised at his stance. He hardly complained, but this was deep. He was adamant. He knew she wanted this marriage consummated. Flora made her believe she would have him eating out of her palm after marriage. It was not the case. From the Church wedding to the reception, she knew she thought wrong about Peter. He was not someone she could control and he proved it by threatening her that night. She did what he asked, she had no choice. He threatened to annul the marriage the next morning.
She knocked on doors and even had to call Adim from his uncle’s house. When they were all there, she knelt and apologised to his family. She accepted what she did was wrong and begged for their forgiveness. She was scolded by the family and then forgiven. It did not end there. Peter won’t let her into the room until she apologised to Prisca’s parents. She had to change and walk to Prisca’s family house that night. She was ready to do it because she feared Peter will carry out his threat.
“Wait for me,” Njideka heard behind her. It was Prisca. “I know a shorter route to my house and it is safe. Let’s go.”
When they arrived, Njideka apologised to them for her behaviour earlier in the day and asked for their forgiveness. Prisca’s parents were not angry at all. They told her she didn’t offend them and also prayed for both of them. The two wives walked back home cheerfully.
Peter consummated the marriage with Njideka. He knew she agreed to apologise because of his threats. He had other plans up his sleeves. The coming days were going to be interesting for both of them. He asked her to prepare for a trip to Lagos with her. She asked him why they were going to Lagos instead of Port Harcourt. He did not respond. That was where he intended to drop the bomb.
Flora’s negative influence on Peter’s wife had to end, and he knew the perfect way to do it. Eucharia was a better mentor for Njideka than Flora. Njideka was slightly older than Eucharia, but she could learn so much from her. Eucharia was loved, and there was a reason for it. She had proved her virtuousness severally. Njideka and Prisca had to learn from her. The two brothers agreed that their wives would live with Eucharia for a few months to learn how to be good wives.
Prisca was glad to be with her husband that night. Paul was the outspoken one. Prisca had loved him from the moment she saw him. She also pursued him without him knowing. She deliberately came around to help his mother when he was around. His mother observed what she was doing and keyed into it. She wanted a good wife for her son. She praised Prisca whenever Paul was around. She said she wished one of her sons would marry her. Paul heard his mother and began to pay extra attention to her. He asked about her in the village, and all the reports he received were positive. It sparked his interest.
When he came back on another visit, he brought some special gifts for her. That was how the relationship started. She displayed characters that made him love her more. She begged him to help preserve her virtue until marriage which he agreed to. That night, he was to win the reward for being patient. It was worth the wait and he was happy. Prisca smiled at him as he pulled her into his arms and said, “You were worth the wait, I have no regrets.”
Read – The new girl episode 17 – 18
TITLE: TORN BETWEEN
WRITTEN BY OGECHI ALABI
FAMILY LIFE 6…….
The two brothers and their wives went back to Lagos with Adim. Peter insisted on staying in Adim’s house. Njideka refused. She said she would rather return to her home with Peter. When Peter did not respond, she suggested Flora’s house. He looked at her and shook his head. He told her, “You do not know ome n’ala (our tradition). How can I stay in an in-law’s house when my elder brother lives in Lagos? If you want to stay with Flora feel free, but count it as your second act of disobedience. It will be your second strike. The third one, I will request my bride price and marry another woman.”
“But this house is too small for all of us to stay in. Flora’s house is bigger, and we will have privacy. Why do we have to stay here for our honeymoon? Or we can stay in a hotel until we decide what to do.”
“I cannot afford a hotel. Even if I could, I will not spend money on that when my brother lives here. It is either you stay or you go.”
Njideka felt the house was too small for everyone. She counted the number of people and there were eight of them in the house. She felt uncomfortable and told Peter she was leaving for Flora’s house. She begged him to go with her, but he refused. She left. She considered going home but could not because her parents were not back from the village. She also knew neighbours would wonder what she was doing back in her parents’ house after marriage. She moved to Flora’s house. The men felt she looked down on Eucharia and Prisca (Prisca was shocked at her transformation) to leave the way she did. Peter did not utter a word.
Adim made plans for his brothers to be lodged in the guest house on his estate so they could have privacy. He knew how he was with Eucharia when they first got married and didn’t want his brothers to feel awkward in his home. Peter refused to stay in the Guesthouse. Paul and Prisca accepted the offer. They had s short time before Paul returned to Germany. He knew they needed privacy to enjoy themselves undisturbed. Adim told them they were welcome to his home to have meals. Helen was handy with cooking and taking care of Dumebi and Mmesoma.
Five days after they returned from the village, Chief brought Njideka back to Adim’s house. He was distraught and spoke in the presence of everyone. “Peter, keep Njideka as far away from Flora as you can. All she was teaching her was how to take charge of the family and relegate Eucharia’s position as the wife of the Opara (first son). I caught her teaching Njideka how to use money and buy her way into importance and dominance. I was disappointed in my wife, to say the least. She makes me wonder what I saw in her when I married her. She knows I do not play with my family, so she can not scheme against them. But, she is doing it to her own family. I have asked her if Eucharia stole her boyfriend; I can fathom why she hates her this much. I am saying this openly; your sister wants to destroy the beautiful harmony you boys have. Njideka is her weapon of destruction. Either you separate two of them, or you send your wife back to her parents for training.”
“Peter’s face was expressionless when he said, “She is no longer my wife. Immediately I return to the East, I will request a refund of her dowry. I am a man; no woman will disrespect me and remain in my home. It is not possible. Regardless of how rich she believes she is, I will not marry a woman who is disobedient and disloyal. Let Nda Flora take her back. She is not a member of this family.”
Chief turned to Njideka and said, “What did I tell you? The quiet ones are the most dangerous. Peter is someone that has always been set in his ways. He refused to travel abroad to further his education to be with his parents. He is not a noisemaker and he is humble to a fault. None of his siblings knows where he works or what he does. He likes to keep it that way. Here stands a good man you have lost because of negative influence. Flora is the wrong person to align with.” He turned to Peter and added, “Until you return her dowry, she is your responsibility. I have to leave her here before I will be forced to throw Flora out of my house.”
Njideka was humbled. She had tried to go home, but her parents told her she could not stay in their home when she was legally married and without her husband’s consent. They sent her back to her husband. And now Chief had thrown her out of his house. She was at the mercy of Peter. The impression Flora gave her about him was not pining out. She found out he was not controllable. He was stubborn and ‘wicked’. Peter left her in the sitting room and entered the room. Adim asked her to join him there but she refused. She was scared because she had never seen that dark look in his eyes. She knew he meant what he said. She was scared he would beat her up.
Adim and Paul entered the room to talk to Peter. They tried to advise him to be patient with Njideka. He stopped them. He did not want to talk to anyone at that moment. They asked him where she would stay now she was here. Peter didn’t respond. Paul led Adim by the hand out of the room. “He is angry; let him be. Maybe she should stay in the other room in the meantime. So sorry to inconvenience your family.”
“Paul! How can you say that? It is not an inconvenience. I will tell Eucharia about it. I know she will understand.”
“But why does Nda Flora hate Eucharia this much? I keep wondering what she did. I want Prisca to stay here with you until she resumes school. I want her to learn from Eucharia. I suggested it to her and she was excited about it.”
“That is not a problem. I am afraid Njideka might cause a problem here. You know she behaves as though she does not defecate. She is snobbish. I do not want her looking down on Eucharia while she is here.”
“Can anyone look down at Eucharia? They will look up to her. Believe me, your wife is more than capable of handling Njideka.”
While all this was playing out in the sitting room, Eucharia was busy in the kitchen with Prisca and Helen. They had no idea what was happening in the sitting room. Prisca came to the dining to set the table for lunch when she saw Njideka sitting alone in the sitting room. She looked woebegone. Prisca was worried. She went back into the kitchen to inform Eucharia.
Eucharia came out immediately with Prisca. She went to meet Njideka and asked her what the problem was. At this point, Njideka knew if she was nasty to Eucharia, there would be war. She said she was fine.
“Is Peter angry you left on that day? You did not act well, but I can understand coming to a place you are not used to for the first time. But you would have stayed with your husband. A wife sticks close to her husband regardless of where he lives or circumstances. That is why we make the vow, for better or worse. I will speak with Peter. But you should apologise to his brothers, especially my husband; he holds him in high esteem. If you disrespect him, your husband will never forgive you. Leave the rest to me. We just finished cooking. Prisca serve the food and call the men to eat. Please give Prisca a hand. I want to speak with your husband while you set the table.”
Paul looked at Adim as they saw a humbled Njideka stand up and leave with Prisca. Eucharia had calmly scolded her, advised her and was heading to Peter to resolve the issue. He nudged Adim and said, “What did I tell you about Eucharia? Watch; Peter will listen to her. She knows how to get him to accept Njideka back. My fear is that one more strike and he will divorce her. She does not know he did not marry her for love. He told me. He wants the love to grow. With this her character, it is a lost cause.”
Eucharia walked past them, told them the food was being served and knocked on Peter’s door. She went inside and saw him sitting on a chair and reading a book. He was surprised she was the one. He knew why she was there. He had fallen into this trap she set. He could never tell her no. He watched her drag herself to the bed with her large stomach and sat down. He almost laughed, but a smile superseded it.
“Nna, your wife offended you and you are angry. You have every right to be angry. Scold her, punish her but do not make her feel more alienated from your family than she already is. She is remorseful, I can tell you for sure. At least she has accepted she offended you. Allow her to apologise and have access to this room. You can lie here and face the wall while she lies on the other side. We do not need to know if you have settled or not, both of you should come out talking to each other. Punish her, but do not chase her away. E hen, there is something else. Go with nwunye gi, Nda Paul and Prisca to see Chief and Nda Flora to thank them for their contribution and participation during the wedding. Tell your brothers, I forgot to mention it. You have to go with drinks, I will send Helen to buy them for the visit.”
“You think about everything. You did not come here to beg me but to instruct me to accept Njideka. Do I have a choice if the request is coming from you? This is her second strike, the third one and she is out.”
“That is not how to keep a woman. If you count all our wrongdoings, how many marriages will be left? Take charge as a man. See, she came back. She was sitting in the parlour. It is dawning on her gradually and it will set in soon. What my husband used to make me submit was giving me gifts. Every day he comes home he must bring something for me. How can such a person offend me? Di m can never offend me. He is a good husband and father. Copy him. Your wife is more strong-headed, but you can use love to conquer her. You can add your strikes to scare her but draw her close with love. You saw something that made you marry her.”
“You can never offend Adim. Eucharia, you are a saint. Adim appreciates what he has and I understand. Njideka does not see me as a man she can respect and obey. I want her to go, so I can find someone who will be what I want.”
“Punish her but do not dump her. Will she misbehave again, she will o! I know her kind of person; she is easily influenced. But do not dump her because of it. O, nna! Biko. Food is ready. Come and join us. You are a wonderful man and she will soon find out what a great guy you are and succumb to your authority.”
“Uk” he called her the way her mother called her. “You are a good woman. I will do what you said. Tell Njideka to come into the room. Her punishment starts now.”