Thorn between episode 46

TITLE: TORN BETWEEN

WRITTEN BY OGECHI ALABI

TROUBLE 15

Adim came to see Flora before she left for Lagos. She was surprised to see him with her husband’s cousin. They disclosed to her Chief’s plan and revealed to her how much yield the investment Chief had made on her behalf had produced over the years. Flora nearly collapsed when she found out. She fell on the floor and cried as she called the name of her late husband and hailed him while the tears flowed.

‘So what is your plan now?” Chief’s cousin asked.

“I wanted to relocate to Lagos and live in our house, but I would rather buy a house in Port Harcourt and be close to my family. They need me before they ruin their lives. Adim went to marry another woman who had sons for him after deceiving his wife not to have more children. His wife is fighting him now while the other woman and her children are at peace. If Eucharia leaves, Adim is finished. She has stopped giving you food and see how lean you are. Can’t Thelma cook?”

Adim wondered how she knew all these things. Eucharia wasn’t one to talk about the family anyhow, especially about both of them. He suspected Urenna might have divulged more than she should. He promised himself to have a word with her and warn her about talking too much about happenings at home.

Flora heard about what happened between Eucharia and Adim and was excited for Eucharia. Eucharia had put Adim where she could manipulate him because he could not do without her. All the pampering and care Eucharia gave him had ended. She knew how much Adim would crave that attention. He had only two choices: beg for her to forgive him or manage whatever Thelma could do for him. Eucharia treated Adim like a god, neither Peter nor Paul enjoyed such care from their wives. She was exceptional. She imagined Adim’s head running crazy if he ever suspects her with another man. She knew the men would come, but she did not want Eucharia to be like those women who were promiscuous while married. Another thing was that Eucharia was religious and would not leave the marriage unless Adim divorced her.

Flora and Eucharia travelled to Lagos together. On the flight, Flora tried to get Eucharia to talk about the issues, but she didn’t say anything. It was typical of her to be secretive. Flora let her be.

When they got to the house, Flora became emotional when she saw Chief’s picture and cried her heart out. She missed him so much that she wished he was there with her. Eucharia allowed her grief while she called the cousin to contact the people who would help clear out the house and move the remaining valuables to the village. Flora grieved while Eucharia set out to work. The movers arrived and helped pack up. The valuable and useable items in the house were loaded into a big truck for the trip to the village. Outdated and unnecessary items were stored in the compound.

After several hours of organising everything, the truck left for the village. Chief’s effects were packaged into boxes and bags for the village. Eucharia told Flora to allow her in-laws to have their pick and whatever was left should be given to the villagers. Likewise her old clothes, shoes and bags. She told her it was the right thing to do. The items that were left in the compound, Eucharia gave to the security man and the women and men who sold along the street. They were overjoyed to own such items. Flora watched as they sympathised with her and also thanked her wholeheartedly for giving them such expensive items.

The house was cleared, cleaned and locked up. Chief’s cousin arrived before they left. He said he wanted to renovate and rent out the house so Flora could have a house in Port-Harcourt and pay the rent there from this rent; there was no need to buy a house there. Eucharia refused. She said Flora has family in Port Harcourt who can afford to get her a house. She was the Ada and they had not done anything tangible for her since her husband’s demise. He told the cousin not to worry about the accommodation but to prepare to buy some furniture to add the ones she sent to the village for her use in Port Harcourt.

They spent the night in Chief’s cousin’s house. His wife showed Flora so much respect and treated her nicely. She shared a room with Eucharia, but still, Eucharia served her. She mixed water from the heater for her to bathe. She helped fold her clothes when she went into the bathroom. She made her feel so comfortable. Flora wondered what was wrong with Adim. Why was he so stupid to hurt Eucharia the way he did? She was a gem, a well-bred gem. She appreciated Eucharia’s parents for raising her right and also her for imbibing what she was taught.

She brought up the issue of Adim again, but Eucharia did not want to talk about it.

“We have to talk, nne. I must be honest with you, you have done what he least expected, but it is time to move on. You have let yourself go and at the rate you are going, you will soon lose your self-esteem. He is winning.”

“He chose his sons over his daughters.”

“He didn’t. Let us be honest, you tied his hands. No man wants to appear as a weakling and you are making him appear that way. You are making him feel you can do without him and he is losing his grip on his first family. I loved the fact you got Dumebi a job, but you should have carried him along.”

“He stopped giving us monthly allowance but he gave his other family. So what are you saying? A responsible man will never stop fending for his family no matter what. I moved into that house for him, and this is how he repays me. I am moving out of the house so I do not owe him anything..”

“Then Thelma has won. That is what she wants for you to leave with your girls while she has Adim alone to herself. Don’t you get it? You are giving her the upper hand here and it is wrong. I did not say jump into bed with Adim, that is not what I said. But take back your position as the legitimate wife who was married in the Catholic Church. You have created a hole in the family. Even Papa has been crying because you abandoned him. You have a good case but don’t alienate others. Strengthen your support system and focus on building the family. Where will you go from here? We, the family, support you. Make peace with Adim, he has a responsibility to the girls and should fulfil them. See, go home and report him to Papa and watch what would happen. Trust me on this, I will always support you.”

Eucharia thought about it most of the night and even on the flight back to Port Harcourt. She was making money, but she was not happy. She had started her weight loss regime before her last quarrel with Adim and she gave up. She needed to think and plan herself. She was emotional and she was tired of being taken as someone anyone could dump something on. Why would Adim think he could make such a move of bringing the boys over without talking to her first? He underestimated her because she had taken everything in good strides, but she would not accept it anymore. She would give him a dose of his medicine.

Back in Port Harcourt, Eucharia brought Flora to her home and gave her the guest room downstairs. She invited Peter and Njideka to the house to discuss what they could do for Flora now she had decided to remain in Port Harcourt. Peter called Adim concerning the meeting, but Adim was unaware of it. He was upset when he came to the house in the evening.

“Eucharia, you are pushing my buttons. I have told you to stop all this nonsense you are doing. How can you call a meeting without informing me?”

“The same way you can bring your sons into my home without informing me. We do not owe each other any explanation for our actions, I didn’t expect them to call you but to let you know the resolve. After all, you do not want to house her.”

“What do you mean by that? Why wouldn’t I want to house my sister?”

“You wanted her back in Lagos, a widow living alone in Lagos. Anyway, let us join the others and have a serious discussion.” And she walked back to the sitting room.

Eucharia sat on the two-seater and Adim joined her there. She sat for a few minutes and excused herself out of the room. Flora knew what she was up to when she left. She came back with her girl who brought refreshment. She took the single seat in the parlour away from Adim. Flora looked at Njideka, she looked back at her, and they both smiled. Adim did not find it funny at all.

Eucharia started, “We need to get a house for Nda Flora to live even if we have to rent to buy because she wants to remain in Port Harcourt close to her family. I would not have minded her staying with me, but Adim wants her to be independent and have her privacy. I feel she should reside in a comfortable house so when her children visit they will enjoy themselves. They have not come home because they do not want to inconvenience us in our home, but they need to. So that is why I called this meeting.”

Paul and Prisca were on Skype for the meeting. They all agreed with Eucharia that Flora needed a home. Peter said he has land close to Adim’s estate he was developing for commercial purposes. It was large and he could carve out a portion of half a plot to build a storey building for Flora. It doesn’t have to be extra large. Paul was willing to support the construction of the building. He thanked Peter for giving them the land at no cost.

Read – Dethroned episode 5 – 6

Adim was surprised as everyone listened to Eucharia and began to make pledges. He offered to provide an architectural design and he will pay the contractor that would do the work. It sounded fair except for the materials for the building. Flora asked them not to worry, she would get the materials for the building from her husband’s estate; at least most of the expense had been covered. Paul declared how much he would give for the construction and Flora would get the rest from the estate.

The meeting was a huge success. Before Paul and Prisca signed out Paul said to Eucharia, “We have missed you, when are you visiting America?”

“I was thinking maybe Christmas.”

“We intend to come home for Christmas, don’t come then. Please continue to take charge the way you did this. Don’t look at Adim and punish us for his sins. Let him bear it alone and be close to us again. Who would believe you are making us responsible for our sister we know disliked you before. Now both of you are as close as thieves. She says amazing things about you and how you have helped her survive the loss of her husband. Thank you so much. Only God that knows our hearts knows how grateful we are.”

Adim was even more aggrieved by their comments. He walked away from the meeting to Thelma’s house he had made his home for almost two months. Once Eucharia was not an issue, Thelma was easy to live with. He did not enjoy her meals as much as he enjoyed Eucharia’, but she was making an effort to please him and he appreciated that. What she lacked in the kitchen she more than compensated for in the bedroom. He was a satisfied man who also wanted a peaceful home with his first wife and his children. He believed he truly loved Eucharia and wanted her back to her normal self.

Eucharia thought about what Nda Flora said for a long time. She began her weight loss journey, but it was more difficult to lose weight this time. She had to do something drastic for five days before she could drop 5kg. That was when the journey became easy. She started jogging around her estate. One evening Adim saw her jogging from behind. He was mesmerised by the backside of the woman jogging until he realised it was Eucharia. Why would she put her backside on display for men to stare at and lose control? He asked his driver to slow down so he would see if other men would also be mesmerised. He saw vehicles slowing down to catch a glimpse her of wobbly behind. He could not take it anymore and he drove past her. He couldn’t sleep or have a conversation with Thelma about what was bothering him. He couldn’t touch her even though he desired to make love. The only person he wanted at that moment was Eucharia and he could not have her.

Adim waited for her several weeks later as she jogged. She had formed a group of joggers in just a few weeks and he was not happy about it because there were men in the group. He waited for them to finish before he walked up to her and asked to speak with her.

“What is all this? See the way you are dressed, exposing your buttocks for all to see. Have you joined these women to sell your body to the highest bidder?”

Eucharia was irritated by his comment. She wore exercise shorts and a t-shirt so how was she exposing her body? She decided to ignore him and ask him what he called her for.

“People are talking about you and what you are doing. You are giving me a bad name with all these things you are doing. What are you jogging for? Do you want to be noticed? Do you want to be praised or told you are beautiful? These men know what they want from you and if you are not careful, they will get it. Unless you are interested in what they are offering.”

“Is that what you called me for? You have seen where I am appreciated and you have come to cause problems for me just like the last time. Since you are stylishly saying I am putting my wares out for men to see and buy, is that how Thelma sold herself to you? Because if that is the case, you do not have levels. What man would want a woman who displays herself for men to want her if not an akwuna (prostitute)? I am not one, you were the first and the only man before I closed shop. It is not available to anyone until your demise, then I will marry another husband and open shop again.”

Adim was speechless moping at her and her audacity. She showed him little or no respect. And when he did not say anything after a few minutes, she excused herself. What was wrong with Eucharia? Why was she bent on making him feel terrible? Ignoring her was no more working. Her uncle did not help talk to her because she had gotten worse. What was he to do now?

That night he came to the house he hadn’t visited for a long time. Flora was surprised to see him there and asked if everything was okay when she saw his face.

“Call me Eucharia,” he bellowed at the maid who had just come out of the kitchen.

“O dikwa mma (is all well)?” Flora asked Adim who ignored her completely.

Eucharia took her time to come down and Adim wanted to climb up to meet her but Flora stopped him. “You are angry and this anger can make you do something you will regret. Jiri ya wa yo (take it easy).”

Eucharia came downstairs wearing shorts and a shirt top. She asked what she could do for Adim.

“I will slap you if you ask me that question again. You walked out on me while we were talking. Because men are showing interest in you you have decided to disrespect your husband and walk out on him.”

“Adim, so if they count husbands you will fall out? When was the last time you gave us money for food in this house? When did you see your children last? You are here because I chose to exercise and you don’t want me to be seen by other men. Adim, they will see me. I am ready to advertise myself so they can see me and maybe help me take care of your responsibilities.”

“Are you hearing her?” he asked Flora. “These are the vile things she said to me earlier.”

“Did you mention to your sister that you claimed I was advertising my body?”

“She called Thelma wu akwuna.”

“I asked you if that was how she advertised her body for you to see and you bought it. Only a man without morals will go for a lady who advertises herself. And any lady that advertises herself is a whore. Are you here because of Thelma or for yourself? I have things I am doing.”

Flora understood what was going on. Adim wanted to talk to Eucharia and spend time with her, but she was proving difficult. She had also observed Eucharia jogging and it was a beautiful sight to behold. She wasn’t vulgarly dressed, but her body was something to admire. There was no way Adim would allow that but knowing the new Eucharia, she would continue. She had grown so stubborn and resilient that Adim could no longer tell her what to do. “Why don’t the two of you go upstairs to the room and discuss this privately? I do not need to know what is happening, Eucharia doesn’t confide in me. Adim, you don’t tell me anything too. So go and resolve your issues together.”

Eucharia refused, “He is not coming into my room, no way. We can use your room, but I will not go upstairs with him.”

“You see what I have been saying. She is making life a living hell for me. I do not need to enter any room with you. Since you are the man, take care of your home. I want to see how long it will last.”

“Does Thelma take care of her home? Can she afford to take charge for a month? What is her position in that dying back? You have a responsibility to your children and you cannot dodge from it. Their fees are due. I will send them over to you; do the needful.”

“Which fees? Okwa i wu nwoke (shey you are a man)? Pay the fees.”

“Adim, you are their father and they are no lesser than your sons, do the needful otherwise you will hate me.”

“Their mother doesn’t disrespect me, she obeys instructions and gives me what I want. You are the complete opposite so the children will suffer for your refusal to perform your duties. It is as simple as that.”

“Which duties? Cooking and serving you, sorting out your clothes and organising your laundry, are those the duties your sons’ mother cannot perform? You do not need me when you have her. Let her attend to you, she is the new bride.”

“You are my wife, but you want to act like an unmarried woman. I will not fight you anymore, do as you like. I have washed my hands off you and all that concerns you. You turned my children against me, why should I pay their fees?”

“You will regret this. I will move out of your house so I know I am on my own. I will prove to you that I am a cat with nine lives, you can never break me. We shall see,” she snapped her finger at Adim and walked upstairs.

Adim was shocked at her brutal response and snapping her fingers at him. She was determined to keep up this charade. How would she cope with supporting the girls? What did she even mean by she was moving out? He will never allow that. He was tired. He never thought Eucharia would give him this much headache.

Flora too was perplexed by Eucharia’s response and actions. She seemed determined to end the marriage, but knowing her, she wouldn’t. If only Adim had ignored her exercise group and minded his business, it would not have deteriorated to this extent. She turned to Adim, “Why wouldn’t you pay your daughters’ fees? What is wrong with you? Why would you punish them? You are pushing Eucharia too far.”

‘She is driving me nuts. Did you see what she did? She just threatened me. Am I the first man to have two wives? Am I the first to betray the woman he loves? I have asked for forgiveness, and given her the lion’s share of everything, what else does she want? Does she want my soul? All I wanted was that closeness again but she is not willing to forgive and let us move on. It has been over a year and we are still on this matter. If she doesn’t want the marriage, she should tell me so I can free her.”

“You cannot control her grieving period, give her all the time in this world to get over the pain of your betrayal. She is learning to live independently of you, it is not a good thing. Once she can adjust her life she will no longer need you, is that what you want?”

“Let her do whatever she wants to do. Let her sleep with all those men she is frolicking with, I don’t care anymore. I have tried for her, she should do her worse.”