Thorn between episode 45

TITLE: TORN BETWEEN

WRITTEN BY OGECHI ALABI

TROUBLE 14

Eucharia remained calm and focused on her business. She did not fight with Adim about anything. Adim, in return, respected her. He told her when he would be out and when he would come back. The fact he was going to spend time with Thelma hurt her, but she wore a brave face. She had kept everything away from her family. Her parents knew about it, and her mother blamed her for not listening to her years ago when she advised her to keep trying for a son. The ‘negative talk’ for too much for her that she kept her distance from her family. She needed to focus and not have a nervous breakdown.

Njideka came to visit her at her office. She did not know Eucharia owned the business and was amazed when she walked in there and saw her.

“Madam CEO! Nne, you have done well for yourself. Does Adim know about this business?”

Eucharia laughed and replied, “He doesn’t. He still believes that I am selling shoes, which is why I have kept a low profile. I don’t want him or his other woman to find out. The business is registered in the name of my uncle and my daughters. I would claim it belongs to my uncle, although he will see right through me.”

“It was a wise thing to do before Thelma will reap where she did not sow. You are a kind person, but for how long will you avoid the village? The villagers miss your presence and want to know if you are okay.”

“NJ, I am waiting for Adim to build a befitting house for me there. I bought a land to build on but he stopped me saying he would build for me and I am not to compete with him or disgrace him by building a small house. He has started work on the land, but he intends to remain in the main building while his family move into whatever he is building. I wish him well because I have told him I will not share a house with the other lady. I think he understands.”

“Flora took Peter and me to see the new house Adim just built. I thought it was the company that built it for him so how did he make it a twin duplex?”

“I think you are asking the wrong person. Ask Adim because I do not know. He has furnished the house and according to him, we should move in soon. I told him I was taking the Master’s bedroom while he should stay with Thelma and visit us.”

“UK, don’t you think you are taking this too far? His main complaint is that you do not want to give him what he desires. He is still your husband. Forgive him and go back to loving him the way you used to. Your separation from the family is making everyone sober. The family misses you, and they wish you could come back wholeheartedly to them. Peter and Paul are not interested in Thelma and her children. They haven’t even met them. Flora has carried your case on her head like ichafu (head tie). What more do you want for them to prove their loyalty to you? Come back home with your head held high. Adim is trying to make sure you are well taken care of, he regrets his actions, but it has been done. Bikonu, give him a second chance.”

“Adim and I do not have issues, we understand each other. Likewise, I have no issues with Thelma, after all, I asked Adim to marry her so he doesn’t lose his sons. I can assure you that things can never go back to the way they were. Adim knows this and you all should. I know you want me back to take charge of the family so you can enjoy your holidays, but you do not need me. Thelma is there, show her how it is done and you can enjoy yourself.”

“Mama said she can never eat or drink anything from her. How would she run the home when she is not wanted, the onus still falls on me. I am tired, but you are going through worse so I can’t complain. But you are gaining weight again. Why? I am not comfortable with this weight gain. You want to look like a mama while Thelma is looking all hot and sexy.”

“Who am I looking hot and sexy for? Adim is with her and I have no problem with it. I will not step outside my marriage no matter how tempting it is. All I can do is throw myself into my work and enjoy good food. I don’t care about anything anymore. Once Adim is happy, I am good.”

“Do you think Adim is happy? He sees through your braveness and knows you can never be happy with him. He is feeling the heat that is why he is trying to compensate you. Do not give him a reason for what he did by adding unnecessary weight. You championed a weight group and you can do it again. Take your mind off this nonsense by being busy. What happened to your degree? Go back to school.”

Eucharia had not thought about school for a long time now. She had reliable workers and her uncle could help her watch the business while she went back to school. He was impressed with the outcome so far and had applied for a licence for Aba whenever it starts. He would not mind using her business as a test study. Njideka made so much sense. Eucharia did not like the weight she had gained, but depression forced her to gain weight.

Adim took her and the children to the new house. It was a lovely house, she had to confess. The wait was worth it. Adim took them through the house and the girls jumped up in excitement when they saw the rooms. Each of them had a room to themselves while they shared rooms in the other house. Adim made Eucharia’s flat bigger than Thelma’s because she had more children, and he wanted his girls to be happy. They went up to the Master’s bedroom and Eucharia could see it was superb. It was exquisitely designed for her. She smiled as she walked through. It was spacious and beautifully furnished. The bathroom gave her so much joy. There was an adjoining room. She walked in there and it was also well set up.

“That’s my room. When I stay here, I will have to share the bathroom and toilet with you. I hope you like your room. I can never get over how much I hurt you. I hope someday you will forgive me and allow us to be close again.”

“Adim, I am going back to finish my degree and I intend to work with the degree.”

Adim was surprised and asked, “Why? Why do you want to go back to school? You wanted to start a business and I gave you money, why then do you want to go back to school?”

“You won’t understand and I am not in the mood to explain myself to you or anyone. You made me stop, not that I intended to. I allowed you to marry Thelma, not because I wanted to but to please you. It is time to please myself. If you do not like it, we can go our separate ways.”

Adim sat on the bed in his new bedroom and looked at Eucharia. “So you will taunt me with this for the rest of my life, right?”

“Taunt you? Those sons of yours are a constant reminder of your betrayal for the rest of my life. Can you compare both scenarios?”

“Ok, Eucharia, do as you please. I preferred it when you called me Di m. I can see it is wishful thinking to believe we will ever get back to that.”

“And what does Thelma call you? Does she have a special name for you? Enjoy that. Thanks for the beautiful home. I would prefer you spend your nights with your new wife than here, she needs your attention more than I do.”

“Eucharia! Stop this. Is it because of the school, you can go. I want to see you every day as I have always done. Do not make this harder on me and also on yourself. We can move in together and I will share my time with Thelma and the children. I will respect your wishes. I gave you the best bedroom in the house and you have refused to appreciate me for doing that.” Eucharia smiled like she hadn’t done in a long time and said thank you. “The phone had a better reaction than this. Wow!” Eucharia walked away smiling and shaking her head.

Urenna asked her father, “Where is Nda Flora’s room?”

“Your auntie has to return to her home, she has stayed long enough. She has a house in Lagos. She will remain in the old house until she graduates and leaves for America to be with her family and then to Lagos, her husband’s house.”

“Why should Auntie Flora leave us? She has no family in Lagos, we are all here. I do not want her to go back to Lagos. Please build a house for her here so she will be close to us.”

Read – The new girl episode 31 – 32

“Urenna, stop it! I want her to start her life over. She cannot if she is living and meddling in our affairs. She has to tidy up all her husband had before she even settles down. She will go back to Lagos.”

“Alone? She will be sad.”

Eucharia replied, “I will go with her. I will help her for some time to settle in nicely. If she cannot live in Lagos alone, she can come back here to be with family. Don’t worry, your Auntie will be fine.”

Adim did not like the promise Eucharia made and she never made light promises. Why would she stay in Lagos with Flora, what concerns her? He watched her console Urenna and hug her. It was what he desired from her. What surprised him was that Eucharia never asked to see the other building to compare. She did not even glance at it at all.

When they got home, Urenna told Auntie Flora about the new house and how lovely it was. She then told her about Eucharia travelling with her to Lagos to support her. Flora was surprised that Eucharia mentioned it. Since the marriage and Adim shuttling two homes Eucharia had been by herself. They had not spoken in a long while even though Flora was also busy with her examination and project. She was glad Eucharia still supported her even though she did not say much to her.

Adim took Thelma and the boys to see the new house. Everyone was excited and it was beautiful. Thelma had the Mistress’ bedroom while Adim kept the Master’s bedroom for himself since he would live more with Thelma than with Eucharia. Thelma did not mind having such a beautiful bedroom. It was also beautifully furnished and so was the boys’ room. There was a second room for when the boys were older. So four rooms upstairs. There was a room for guests downstairs and quarters for domestic help.

After looking around and while Adim was upstairs with the boys, Thelma came downstairs and went to the back of the house. There was a gate connecting the two houses but it was locked. She looked into the other compound and saw it was almost twice hers. The quarters had two rooms instead of one. She peeped further in and wanted to know what their rooms were like. She came into the house and asked Adim if she could look at the other house.

“Why?” He asked. “What concerns with Eucharia’s home? This is the problem I have with you. Eucharia did not even acknowledge you were moving next door or ask to know what I did for you but you want to know about her, what is it for?”

“Her house is bigger than ours and I wondered why.”

“How many children does she have and how many do you have? I have to compensate each of the girls; they are all grown and deserve a room to themselves.”

“Don’t you wish them well? Don’t you want them to get married? Why should they have rooms in that house when they are meant to go to their husband’s home?”

“Whether they get married or not, they have a room in their home. That’s it. It is Eucharia’s home to do with whatever she likes just as this is yours.”

“Are you going to compensate Eucharia or the rest of your life? You should have made an additional bedroom upstairs for our next child.”

“Thelma, I have told you and I repeat, no more children. If you dare get pregnant and have a child you will lose me. I will move out of here and only see my sons. I have done as you requested by marrying you but if you go contrary to my wish, you will not like me.”

The exchange with Thelma was getting exhausting. Whenever their conversation revolved around Eucharia, he got tired and he hated having to defend her always. He wondered if Thelma wasn’t smart enough to know when not to cause trouble. When she wasn’t being an irritant, he enjoyed his time with her. She made the bedroom so much more interesting than before that he wondered where she was learning her skills. It bothered him that she might have been with other men when she went away that he drew away from her.

“We are ready to move in or do we have to wait until your madam is ready to move in?” Thelma asked.

“You can move in, she will move in when she is ready.”

He quickly made a mental note to cover the interconnecting gate so she would not see inside Eucharia’s compound again. He had started building for the two of them in the village. He planned on constructing two bungalows while he maintained the flat upstairs in the main house and moved from house to house to spend the night. Eucharia would not argue about it but he knew Thelma would want to compete with Eucharia.

The two families moved into the new houses. Thelma moved in first and Eucharia moved in the following weekend. They were happy and excited about their homes. Flora came to help them settle in and spent some nights. Adim did not approve of it because he felt she would not leave but Eucharia insisted, it made Flora teary.

After a month, Adim brought the boys to the house to officially meet their sisters. They were cute and there was a close resemblance between the boys and the girls. The boys were six years old. They also quickly took to their sisters. Dumebi, Mmesoma and Chinemerem treated them nicely and even gave them food and drinks. Urenna was in love with her brothers. She drew them close and even took them to her room. She was so happy to have younger ones and they were fine. With Jayden returning to America, she has found replacements for him.

Eucharia was not at home when the boys visited but she got to hear all about it when she came back. Urenna followed her everywhere she went to host her about them. After much talk and no negative response from Eucharia, she asked, “Can I visit them?”

“What did you just say?” Her mother asked her.

“I asked if I could go visit them.”

“The day you go to their house without my permission, that day you cease to be my daughter, did you hear me? The boys can come here to see you but you can’t go there even if your father asks you to, did you hear me? Thelma, their mother, has never had good intentions towards us and I will not allow her to use me for nonsense. Hope you understand me clearly.”

“Yes, ma.”

Urenna could not understand why she couldn’t visit her brothers but she understood the consequences of defying her mother’s instruction. Her mother wasn’t mean but her punishment for disobedience can be very severe. She has to ask Auntie Flora what she should do.

Adim came to the house that night. He came to eat dinner which was what he did most nights. Eucharia served him the food and waited for him to begin eating before asking him why he brought the boys to the house in her absence.

“I wanted their sisters to know them and they would know they have older sisters. That was why I brought them. I did not tell your children not to tell you about it, it was an open secret.”

“That is fine but I do not want my children in their house and Thelma should not visit here whether I am at home or in my absence. That is what I want and I hope you will abide by it. I won’t stop your children from interacting but not in Thelma’s house or with her.”

“Eucharia, we are a family and should act as such. I know you do not want to be associated with Thelma but please do not drag the children into it. If they wish to be friendly with her, let them. They seem to love their brother and I would like to encourage them to meet with them more often. Maybe I will take them out.”

“I do not care what you do with your children but Thelma should stay away from my house and my children. That is what I want. I never agreed to an integration of the family. If it is because I agreed to live beside her that you believe you can merge the family, you have failed. You have two families from two different women. If you regard her as a wife then I am no longer your wife.”

Adim stopped eating and washed his hand. He turned to Eucharia and said, “Anyone who sees you outside would never believe you can be this malicious. You permitted me to marry her and I did. The boys are home now and want to relate with their sisters. Why wouldn’t you allow it?”

“Stop twisting my words. I said they can relate but I do not want my children near Thelma.”

“Thelma allowed her sons to come to your house knowing you hate her but you would not allow your daughters to visit their brothers at her place.”

“You snuck the boys in when I was away. I am through with this argument. I have declared and that is what will happen.”

“No, Eucharia! You are not the man of this family. I have given you enough time to get over what happened but you insist on making life miserable for me. I won’t allow it anymore. My children will do as I say.”

“Because you have gone back to her bed I no longer have a say. Beautiful! Since I am a nobody in this house and my words do not matter then I will treat you as such. You can do as you please but you have no control over me. When you are tired, legally divorce me, and I won’t make the first move. You are a traitor, a betrayer and a deceitful person. I am not moved by your ‘acts of kindness’. I have forgiven you but from today, I keep my distance from you. You are selfish and make empty promises. Adim, you are no longer a priority. Let Thelma take care of you from now onwards.”

Eucharia walked away from him to her room. She was angry and it was obvious. She cried that night and swore to herself she would never cry over Adim and Thelma anymore. She was not going to be nice to them either. She would warn her children not to go there, the only problem would be Urenna.

Adim could see how furious Eucharia was but the conditions had to come to an end. It was time to forge ahead as a family. He had done so much to please Eucharia but she did not seem to appreciate it. Why would she insist that siblings should not interact becomes she hates the boys’ mother? It was wrong of her and he was not going to tolerate it. He had to put his feet down. Urenna wanted to see her brothers more often but she was scared of Eucharia.

The following night he came to Eucharia’s house as usual. He sat down and waited for Eucharia to serve his food but there was no food forthcoming. He asked for Eucharia and she was up in her room. He went to her room and knocked severally before she came out to answer him.

“What is going on?” he asked her, “I have been downstairs waiting for my food. What is happening?”

“Why should I cook for you? I have no say in this house and you are in charge so please tell the children what you want and they will attend to you. Even better go to Thelma to cook a delicious meal for you.”

“Eucharia you are trying my patience. You are seriously trying my patience.”

“Adim do your worst. I will not sit still and you will put pepper in my eyes. It will not happen. Eucharia is calm doesn’t mean she is a fool. Do whatever you want to do but don’t involve me.”

Adim left the house for Thelma’s. She brought out soup from the freezer to warm for him. He grudgingly ate the food and retired for the night. Thelma asked him many times what happened that he came home early but he refused to say. She reached out to him at night but he flung her hand away unconsciously because he was in deep thoughts.

“What is wrong? Why did you fling my hand like that?” Thelma asked.

“Sorry dear, but I am not in the mood.”

“What spoilt your mood? When we spoke earlier you were in high spirits, what happened?”

‘Nothing serious.”

“I suspect you fell out with Eucharia. She is the only one that makes you think like this. What happened this time?”

“She has stopped cooking for me. She did not make any food for me tonight and has told me she will no longer be cooking for me.”

“That is not a problem, I will cook for you. It is her loss at the end of the day.”

Adim looked at Thelma and shook her head, “You will cook for me, how? You will warm food from the freezer to feed me. Eucharia makes fresh soup for me every day. She feeds me with fresh vegetables and swallow that are healthy for me. She moderates the use of oil in my meals and ensures I have a balanced diet. You cannot do what Eucharia does.”

“She is a housewife now, she can do all that. I am a banker, I cannot.”

“Housewife? You get home before Eucharia and still, she makes fresh food for me with fresh fish, snails and isam (periwinkles). She has to keep cooking for me.”

“If you want her to, cut her allowance and she will come running back to do your bidding.”

“Who? Eucharia? You don’t know her. She will never ask me for the money or make a fuss. I cannot cut allowance that feeds my daughters, I just can’t.”

“What will you do now?”

“That was what I was thinking before you interrupted my thoughts. I will think of something.”

It only got worse. The girls refused to have anything to do with Thelma and would only see the boys in their home. Adim threatened with everything he could think of but they would not budge. Unfortunately for him, the girls saw how unhappy their mother was because of the confrontation and she made sense when she insisted they stayed away from Thelma. She told them that Thelma targetted having a son for their father to rope him into marrying her as that was what was lacking in his life. She did not trust her and did not want her to use her children to get to her. They agreed and remained resolute.

Adim stopped dropping allowance at home. At the accounting firm he opened where Dumebi worked he told her if she did not obey him she should stop coming to work. She stopped. She was unhappy about it but Eucharia assured her she would get a better job. She asked her to finish her ICAN examinations before she gets another job and she promised to pay her a stipend until then. Dumebi was happy again.

When Adim saw that his absence and his money did not have any effect on the children he was devastated. He could see he was losing this battle. He needed someone to step in and help him in this situation. None of his siblings was willing to help him and he felt alone. He went to see the only person who could talk some sense into Eucharia as he had lost his grip on her.

Mazi Ukaegbu listened to Adim without interruption. When he was through, Mazi asked him a simple question, “What do you want me to do for you?”

“I want you to caution Eucharia. She denied me her body and now she is denying me food in my home.”

“Your second wife, can’t she cook? Sometimes you should call these women bluff by ignoring them.”

“I have ignored long enough. Eucharia is a lord unto herself now. She won’t listen to me and she doesn’t care about me. I just wanted the family to be united, the boys know their sisters and vice versa, what was wrong with that?”

“Nothing is wrong with that. Let me call Eucharia and ask her to come here immediately then we can discuss this issue together. I have fresh palmy and ugba my sister sent to me. Let me ask my girl to prepare it for us while we wait for her.

Eucharia arrived. She was not surprised to see Adim’s vehicle in his compound. She entered the house and greeted both of them. She sat down apart from Adim and waited for the conversation. Mazi asked Adim to repeat what he told him. Adim repeated it. Mazi asked Eucharia what happened.

“Nda, I went to the shop on Saturday only to return home and Urenna told me her father brought his sons to the house. He brought them when I was not home. I asked him why he brought them when I was not home but he said he wanted them to know each other. That was fine by me. All I asked is that my children do not go to his wife’s house and she never comes to my house. I do not want my children to interact with her. He flared up and told him I cannot dictate to him. He said he had taken control and I had no choice but to do his bidding. I did not sign up for polygamy and I will not be a part of a polygamous family so I have separated myself from any wifely duties. His wife should take over.”

“You did not tell her before bringing the children to the house? You waited until she had left the home to bring them? If you were so bold, why did you bring them in her absence? Your conscience knew she was still hurting but you wanted to prove a point. Anyway, Eucharia, he is your husband, forgive him and let this issue go.”

Before Eucharia could reply, Adim added, “She has turned the children against me, their brothers and their stepmother. Why would she do that? My daughters do not obey me anymore. I would have sworn Eucharia was a peacemaker but she has proven not be have been pretending all along.”

Eucharia was upset but she held her peace. She was raging inside of her but she did not want to argue with Adim in the presence of her uncle. She was calm until the uncle asked her why the children stopped obeying him.

“Adim stopped giving us a monthly allowance and sacked Dumebi from the Accounting firm. Why would they listen to him when he is proving everything I said about him? Did he ever stop Thelma’s allowance even when she ran away with the boys? But he stopped my allowance when I was in Nnewi for three months and he has done it again now. I thought I was important to him but this proves who is more important. The girls can see he prefers his sons to them. I do not need to instigate anyone against you, you did it all by yourself.”

“You sacked your daughter from work? This is more serious than I thought. Why would you stop taking care of your family?”

“Eucharia is behaving like the man, she should respect me and treat me right. I have done so much for her and she is so unappreciative.”

“Adim, there was only one thing I needed from you and that was for you to zip your pants but you didn’t. You have done nothing but a guilt trip and tried to buy me over. I do not need material things, I need loyalty. I cannot be with a man who is not loyal to me. Please feel free to leave us alone, I will work hard to take care of my family.”

Mazi refused, “Adim should be responsible for his daughters. It is unfair to treat the boys better than the girls. Eucharia is still bitter, I would advise you to give her time to heal.”

Adim was upset and did not know what else to do. Thelma was against him asking Dumebi not to show up but he did it anyway. He had to make amends and it was best to start from that.

When he got back to Port Harcourt, he called Dumebi. He asked her to resume work immediately but she declined.

“Daddy, I got a job with another Accounting firm. It is a multinational and I cannot afford to leave them now.”

“You got a job? How did you do that?” Adim asked.

“Mummy sent my resume to a friend who submitted it and I was interviewed and offered the job.”

“Your mother, right?”

“Yes, she was the one.”

‘Ok.”

Instead of talking to him, she got Dumebi another job. This is her proving to him she did not need him. It hurt him terribly that there would come a time when Eucharia would believe she could live without him. She was already proving that point.