Thorn between episode 20 – 21

TITLE: TORN BETWEEN

WRITTEN BY OGECHI ALABI

FAMILY LIFE 15……

Two years later, without planning for a baby, Njideka had a set of twin boys. She was worried when she found out she was pregnant. It got worse when she knew they were two. She prayed and asked everyone to pray for her. When she had the twin boys, Eucharia went there to stay for a month. Njideka was the happiest human being. Their baptism was a funfair in Port-Harcourt. Njideka gave them their first names; Onyedikachi (Who is like God?) and Onyekachi (Who is bigger than God?). Peter called his first son Eugene and the second Ephraim. Eugene was Adim’s Baptismal and English name. Because he was the first son, they called him his Igbo name as his first name. Peter wanted his son named after his elder brother who he admired.

Njideka could not be happier. Her husband loved his girls as much as he loved his boys. She had a big family now and was content and also grateful to God for granting her prayer request. She prayed for Eucharia too. She begged Eucharia to try again so she could have a son.

Adim refused to listen. The children were older and he had grown in his career. He left the company he was with and got a job with a multinational. He was well paid and had to relocate from Lagos to Port Harcourt to work. He had to rent a flat for his family in Lagos so that Njideka could continue to work. He came home every fortnight to see his family for the weekend. They lived this way for several years. Adim came home faithfully every two weeks.

Eucharia had a urinary tract infection, and to treat it effectively, they had to remove the Copper T contraceptive she had used. The treatment was to last for seven days, and they were to re-insert a new IUD to prevent pregnancy. She was to be given an appointment after her treatment. Unfortunately, Adim came home unexpectedly. He had a course in Lagos and had to come. He lodged in a five-star hotel and wanted Eucharia to stay there with him for the duration of the course. Eucharia did not mind and completely forgot she had removed the IUD. She met with her husband during the week-long training. They had the room to themselves and made excellent use of it.

Not long after, she was pregnant. She did not know how to tell Adim about it. She was scared and considered an abortion. Her co-wives discouraged her from aborting, especially Njideka. “If you cannot tell him, I will help you tell him. There will be no abortion at all. “This might just be the son we have been waiting for. He should frown all he wants.”

Eventually, Eucharia told Adim. He was furious. He accused her of planning the pregnancy to have a son. It was the cause of their first major misunderstanding. Adim did not return to Lagos for almost six months. Eucharia was worried. He refused to speak with her but talked to the girls on the phone. She could not understand why her husband was so upset. She cried for nights and wished she was not pregnant. She had reported him to Mama and Papa. Although Papa was ill, at least he could talk to him. He still would not budge. He told them he wanted three girls and that was all he wanted.

It took the intervention of Mazi Ukaegbu, Eucharia’s uncle, to pacify him and make him see reason. “Eucharia is not a girl that will deceive you; she is loyal to a fault. I believe her when she said it happened unexpectedly. Try and believe her too. She has been appealing for six months now, it is time to forgive.”

“But I do not want a son that will have more love than his sisters. If she has a daughter, I will be happy.”

“Eucharia wants a son, but then God will give both of you a child you will both be proud of.”

Adim came back to Lagos. He settled the issue with Eucharia. They went for a sonogram in a hospital his company had under retainership. Eucharia was unaware of how successful her husband’s company was. The hospital she visited was as though she was abroad. They treated her with so much respect. They had the ultrasound at the hospital after a visit to the obstetrician. The doctor informed them they were having a female child. Adim was happy but Eucharia was heartbroken. Another daughter? Why did she have to get pregnant if she was not having another sex? She wanted to cry, but she held herself.

That night after everyone had retired, she sat alone in the dark and cried her heart out. She feared she would be mocked for this. After giving it considerable thought she decided to announce it now so she could bear the shame before the baby finally came. Adim knew she was sad and heartbroken. He allowed her to sit and mourn for some time. He had secretly hoped it was a boy so she would stop worrying but at last; the baby was a girl. He was thrilled to have another daughter. He loved how his girls loved him. With Dumebi going to secondary school soon and the mother still having babies, it was funny. His daughters were smart and beautiful. He would not trade them for the world.

When the baby was born, Adim was with Eucharia. He took his official leave to be there with her. He was allowed into the delivery room which was his first time. He refused to watch the baby come out of the birth canal instead, he stood by his wife and held her hands in encouragement. The girl came out. They had never seen a baby so light-skinned. She was lighter than her mother. She was also tall and had dimples. The most conspicuous feature on her face was her chiselled nose. I forgot to mention her hair; she had full hair on her head compared to the other babies. She was different and unique.

Eucharia did not look up to see the baby. When they announced the sex as a girl, tears dropped from her eyes. She was sad. Adim was not. He had his camera and took pictures of her. He bragged that her sisters could not wait to meet her. He followed the nurses to the nursery with the baby. When Eucharia was wheeled to the private ward, the baby was brought to her. Adim observed she had been crying because her eyes were red and puffy. He shook his head and said, “Have you looked at your adorable daughter? This girl is different. She is gorgeous and white. We gave birth to oyibo. She has bright red lips.”

His description of the girl struck Eucharia’s interest. She knew what he was doing but for him to be taking pictures while praising her made her look at her baby. She was so shocked. She had never had a baby as white as this. She was not an albino, she was very light-skinned, and she looked like a half-caste. Eucharia checked her ears and they were also light. There was no way she would be dark. She smiled for the first time. Adim said her name would be Urenna. Eucharia was baffled when she heard the name. It was special because it meant she was her father’s pride. Eucharia consoled herself and moved on.

When the family came home for the Christmas holiday, everyone was attached to Urenna. She stood out with her beautiful complexion and black hair. She was the centre of attraction and enjoyed it. She was also the last child of the family. Everyone doted on her her. Her uncles spoiled her with beautiful things. Her grandmother would not let her leg touch the ground. She did not come for omugwo when Eucharia had Urenna because they were coming home for Christmas.

Nobody asked Eucharia why she had another daughter. No one talked about having a male child. There was no side talk or mockery. She realised she was worried for nothing. She had her in-laws to thank. She was not a troublesome person such that she was insulted in the women’s meeting, neither was she proud and boastful to be mocked. Everyone liked her and she knew it was best to humble yourself amid women, otherwise you would hate yourself when they tabled your matter.

Flora tried to bring it up when she came visiting but all her brothers shut her up. She could not believe how they came to her defence. She was in awe at the hold Eucharia had on them that they could attack their own. She took advantage of the situation to make a point.

“I am only saying that Eucharia did not make Adim a full man by having a son for him. The reason both of you are supporting her is because you have sons, if you did not there is no way you would not have had a son. You all love Eucharia but tell her the truth. Adim is claiming he does not want a son but it is youthful exuberance. When he is older, he will realise that having four beautiful daughters will not make up for having one ugly son. I hope when it happens you will all support Eucharia. He is deceiving her now.”

Flora’s words struck a nerve with Eucharia. She knew Flora disliked her but she felt she was speaking the truth. What if Adim disappointed her? What if he later desired a son and she was too old to have one? It got her worried and she could not deny it.

That night Eucharia asked Adim to swear that he would not disappoint her. Adim was surprised at her seriousness. He asked her, “Have I ever given you cause to disbelief me? Why will I disappoint you?”

“Then let us take an oath that you will not have a son from any other woman.”

“I will not,” Adim replied. “I will not do what is against my faith to prove myself to you. I have given you my word and it should be good enough.”

“It is not. I want assurance that I am not being deceived by you. I am hurt and I have to admit it, Nda Flora is right. Let me try again to have a s…”

“You will do no such thing. I knew you deliberately got pregnant for Urenna. If you try it again, the marriage will end. I am sending your children to good schools, I am investing in them. I have taken out Education insurance on each of them. What more do you want? I have never deceived you, why would I start now or in the future? Leave Flora to her manipulative devices and move on. I have said it for the last time and I will not have this discussion with you ever again.”

Read – His weakness episode 35 – 36

TITLE: TORN BETWEEN

WRITTEN BY OGECHI ALABI

GROWTH 1…

As the years went by, the family met with great fortune. Each of the men in the family was doing well.

Adim had risen in his chosen career. He was uncomfortable living apart from his family and insisted they moved to Port-Harcourt to be with him. They moved into a five-bedroom duplex. It was an official residence. The rooms were large. Two girls shared a room. One room belonged to Helen, a final-year University of Nigeria Nsukka student. There was a guest room and also a servants’ quarters. They had maids paid by the company to work for them.

The change was sudden, but it showed progress. Eucharia went in search of a new job in Port-Harcourt. She tried the Government hospitals. She received so many sexual advances instead of help. She could not betray Adim because she was looking for a job. She also did not want him to know; she could guess his reaction. Her business kept her afloat with liquidity. Adim gave her contacts to some company hospitals and she suffered a similar fate. A female Medical Director who interviewed her said her complexion was too attractive and distracting, and for that reason she was not employed. Finally, Adim gave her money to open a shoe shop and boutique for men in Port-Harcourt why she looked for a job. The business boomed. He found out later that other men had eyes on his wife and refused her to get a job anymore.

Helen had served her sister for twelve years. Paul approached Eucharia to talk about a proposal for Helen. He had a young friend who just started was also a physist. His father is Igbo and had the characteristics of the kind of man any woman would wish for. The young man begged Prisca to help him get a wife. She emphasised that his mother was German. Prisca suggested Helen but stepped back for the men to discuss. Paul had discussed this with Adim who permitted him to speak with Eucharia.

It came as a surprise to Eucharia. She said, “I do not know if she is ready for marriage now. Times have changed. Suitors have been coming since she entered the university but Adim refused her getting married until she graduated from the university. She has finished now but it is her choice. I would also like to meet the young man and interview him.”

“That is not a problem. He will fly into Nigeria for the New Year. He has not met Helen and I am sure once he meets her, he would want to pay her bride price.”

“Without his family? His family has to be here.”

“His parents are in Nigeria. He is the last child of his mother, he has an elder sister. His father married a Nigerian woman to have more children for him here. He relocated to Nigeria with his German wife and they live in his home in Oguta. He has businesses in Germany he gets paid every month. They live well.”

“It sounds like a dysfunctional family. The man had a daughter and a son, why did he need more children with another woman?”

“Times have changed and people are having fewer children. Then the more children you had the better. Also, he had the two from Lady Margret, his first wife, late. They did not start having children in time. After having two children and he wanted more, she permitted him to marry a second wife who had five children for them. They all live together.”

“Anyway, we will meet the parents but first let us get to know the young man. He might not like Helen and Helen might not like him.”

“Trust me, she will like him. He is a kindhearted young man. He is selfless and generous.”

“These are good attributes but with young people nowadays they talk about chemistry, whatever that means. There must be a connection or something that will spark his/her interest. The world as we know it is changing.”

“It is and I understand what you are saying. He will be back just before the New Year and will stay for six weeks. Let us see if it works out.”

Eucharia spoke with Prisca about it in the presence of Njideka. Njideka was happy for Helen. She praised her and said she had been loyal to Eucharia and her family and deserved to have this good fortune. She claimed not to be surprised that Helen was having suitors because she took after her sister except for her complexion.

Eucharia’s interest was to know more about the guy. She wanted to be sure he was a good match for Helen.

“I did not want this to become a family matter but you know how Paul is. Hilary asked me to help him find a wife because the ladies he dated took him for granted. He wanted to marry someone like me. I would not recommend my sister to him because she is involved with someone else. My cousins will be like the girls who took advantage of his kind heart, they like money. I thought of someone humble and would be willing to build with him. Hilary is an academician, he is a young professor and very intelligent. He is a Physicist just like Paul. I remembered Helen and mentioned it to Paul but I wanted to talk to you first. He stopped me. He said I should wait until she graduates before bringing such a proposal. He is the one carrying it on his head. Hilary is sceptical about a girl from Nigeria, he wanted someone living in Germany or abroad. I refused to show him a picture of Helen, I wanted him to meet her and salivate. The day he comes, hmmm. I have different dresses Helen will wear for their dates. He does not know anything.”

“Hmmm. Will he take care of her and help her fulfil her potential?”

“Hilary will do more than that. He will adore her and worship the ground she walks on. Helen was not raised in poverty. When he comes to this home, he will realise that. She attended good schools and can speak very well. She would have to learn how to speak German but he is relocating to America so English will be fine.”

“You sound confident about this guy.”

“Someone that will date a girl, make her breakfast in bed, drive her to work and still bring lunch to her. Still, the babe did not want him. She said he was too needy. I want someone to take care of him for a change and when he reciprocates, she will love him even more. And he is a one-lady man, he never dated two girls at the same time.”

“Ok. Let us see how it goes.”

They moved to the village on the 23rd of December from Port-Harcourt. The boys had brought down their father’s house and built four massive flats in its place. Their parents stayed in one flat downstairs while each brother had a flat. The young children ended up sleeping in their grandparents’ flat. They pulled out mattresses and slept in the sitting room most nights. The house helps also sleep with the children. The maids helped Grandma to take care of them.

Eucharia sent Helen to stay with their mother for the New Year. She wanted to meet Hilary first and assess him before Helen met him so she would not get carried away by his look, status or charisma. She was worried for her. Marrying a foreigner was not appealing to Eucharia. She would have loved Helen to marry someone whose roots and family they could trace. If Paul and Prisca believed he would be a good match for Helen, she had an obligation to consider it.

Hilary came to the family house in the company of two of his Nigerian cousins, a male and a female. On the day he chose to visit, Floral also visited her family with Chief and her children. Chief was with Adim, Peter and Paul while Flora left him there to be with Njideka. Eucharia and Prisca were busy preparing lunch for the guests. Njideka and Flora were on the verandah of Njideka’s flat gossiping when the car stopped and this handsome mulatto stepped out with his Nigeria cousins. The guy was tall but not as tall as the men in their family and he was slim. He appeared shy and quiet. The cousin asked someone for Paul’s house and they were directed to the block of flats.

“Who are they?” Flora asked Njideka.

“I do not know but let me find out.” She went to meet them and asked who they wanted to see. They mentioned Paul so she asked them to wait so she could call him. She went into Adim’s flat to call Paul.

Paul came downstairs and shook hands with the guests. Hilary was more relaxed when he met Paul. Paul led them to Adim’s flat.

Flora asked, “Why is he taking him to Adim’s flat?”

“I think I know who he is, he came for Helen, Uk’s sister. Paul wants him to marry Helen.”

“What? My family members are not smart. That bush girl? Why would they want her when I could have arranged a perfect person for him?”

“Bush girl? When was the last time you saw Helen? She is a graduate now, she studied Economics. She is very brilliant, she was one of the best in her set. See, the girl served Uk well and this is a good reward. See the fine man who wants to marry her.”

Flora shook her head and said, “Njideka! You are not smart. The more Eucharia progresses the bigger she becomes and she will overtake you in wealth….”

“Overtaking is allowed. Her shop in Port-Harcourt is three shops combined. Her boutique is bigger than mine. I shop for my husband there and she shops from my boutique too. Uk does not have a problem at all. She is still simple and not boastful. Her husband is building two blocks of four flats at once. She told me and I asked if I could supply some building materials and immediately, she directed me to her husband. Do you know how many supply jobs I got through him after? I wanted Uk to join me in the supply business because she is a good marketer but her husband is scared they will snatch his wife in Port-Harcourt. She is a born marketer. She got some jobs and gave them to me as her front. We have been doing business together and sharing the profit. She is adding value to my life and I cannot play with that.”

“So that is why she is your god now. Why didn’t Prisca recommend her sister or someone in her family if this man was good? Why give it to Eucharia’s family? This man looks like someone breeze can blow. Anyway, Eucharia is not smart too. If I try to advise her, Adim will want to fight me. Let me leave it.”

She did not leave it. She went to Adim’s flat to see what Hilary came for. Hilary had been introduced before Flora and Njideka came in. They were also introduced to the delegate with Hilary. The leader of the delegate made their intentions known. Hilary introduced himself properly. He told them more about his academic background and his career. He mentioned he was Nigerian but had a German mother. He did not mention anything about his family’s fortunes.

Chief was asked to speak for the family when he was told their intentions. He told the delegate Hilary had made a good choice. He had known Helen from when she was young until she grew to be a young adult and he could vouch for her character and superb upbringing. He advised them to do their findings about the girl and they would also do theirs. If the family is satisfied, he will meet with Helen and take it from there.

Eucharia was impressed with him. He was just like Prisca had described. She knew he would be perfect for Helen who was everyone’s defender. Unlike Eucharia, Helen did not take nonsense from anyone. She hardly speaks but when she does, she spits fire. She hates bullies and fights for people’s rights. She was the Student Union Vice President of her University. She was an activist. She was not noisy and loud so people underestimated her capability until they put her to the test.