Thorn between episode 47

TITLE: TORN BETWEEN

WRITTEN BY OGECHI ALABI

TROUBLE 16

Eucharia heard his last statement and decided to do her worst. First, she asked the children to pack up some of their things and she wanted to move out of the house. Flora stopped her.

“This is your house, Adim built this house for you and it is your right. You can deal with him in any way you choose but do not leave this house. You will give room for others to consider moving in here. What if both of you settle this matter, will you move back in shamefully? Stay here but do what you want to do. And before you do it, go and see my parents. You owe them that much. They are not the enemy and you mustn’t follow what they say. Just report Adim to them and tell them what you want to do.”

Eucharia sat down, she was angry in her spirit. Who did Adim think he was to talk to her and about her in that manner? She could not see herself ever forgiving Adim for this betrayal. She had eaten deep into her soul. She sought revenge but because she is a believer, she could not do it on her own. The way she felt, she could not present herself to God, she did not want to hear any preaching on forgiveness.

But she had to admit that Flora made sense. She packed an overnight bag, asked her children to stay back and went to the village. On the way, she stopped to shop for them as she had always done. She bought foodstuff and provisions that would last a long time. The other wives did not go out of their way to ensure they had more than enough food, they sent only money and Mama had to handle buying the food.

When she arrived in the village, she came down and watched the driver offload the foodstuff. Mama came out to see who came to visit them and screamed when she saw Eucharia. She ran as fast as her legs could carry her and hugged Eucharia. She cried as she saw her saying, “I can’t believe my eyes. Papa will be so happy, he has been asking after you. Nwa m, you came to see us. Chukwu gozie gi (God bless you).”

Eucharia felt terrible for visiting her anger and disappointment on these innocent people who have always shown her love. She had tears in her eyes as she wiped Mama’s tears away and they went into the house together. Mama called her maid to join the driver to bring in the items Eucharia bought for them.

Papa’s hands were outstretched by the time Eucharia entered the sitting room. She ran to hug him as she saw tears in his eyes. His speech was slower than before and it hurt her. He held her as tightly as he could and then he asked her to sit beside him.

“Nwa m, welcome. I prayed for this day to come before I go and meet my maker and God has answered my prayers. Uk m, you came to see me. Since you stopped coming the care has not been the same. Njideka brought nurses but did not monitor them. I had to send them away. Prisca brought this last set, we are managing them. When no one is there to make sure they are doing the right thing they behave anyhow. I am glad you came to see me. If I die, I will die a happy man.”

“You are not dying, Papa. I have to apologise for my behaviour. I was devastated by Adim’s betrayal and I took it out on those that I loved and who loved me too. I needed to stay away so, I feared the mockery that would follow. It seems like a long time I have been away. I feel sad now I am here, I should have come to check on you. I was told how much you supported me and refused to acknowledge Thelma as Adim’s wife. I couldn’t believe you stood up for me.”

Mama replied, “Why shouldn’t we? We know the truth and we will stick by it. Adim had no business with adultery, no reason for it at all. We had accepted the girls as his heirs before he brought this drama. People looked up to him and his resolve. It is not you that was shamed, it was Adim. He has lost every credibility around him.”

“That’s what you think. His peer group held a meeting in our house and asked him to bring his sons home. They supported what he did.”

“Someone pushed them to do it. He is now facing the same music. His son-in-law has sent the daughter home without the children. He said he cannot marry a woman who cannot bear him a male child. He accused Flora of instigating the son-in-law against him because he supported Adim’s actions. Flora is yet to hear it and answer him. Papa told him the villagers had seen his action concerning Adim’s case and told his son-in-law what he was doing to destroy another man’s home. Since it is good for Adim, it should be good for the son-in-law.”

“But why did he return the wife? He should have married who he wants to marry and have a son.”

“The wife refused and she was supported by her father. The man is doing well on his own and gladly returned to sender. If he could encourage Adim to marry Thelma then he should not encourage his daughter to stand in the way of her husband’s happiness. That was what Papa told him when he came to complain. The girl was here a few days ago to see her uncle. He advised her to beg her husband for forgiveness and reconcile with him. She cried that day before she left. We have not seen or heard her voice since. She no longer argues or quarrels with her mother who also told her the truth.”

“Hmmm. I wish I had come here for advice. Anyway, I am here now. I wanted to pack out of the new house Adim built for us. He lives in one part with Thelma while I live in the other part with the children. One day I went to work, and he brought the boys to my house without telling me. When I tried to talk to him about it, he took offence. He stopped providing for us financially and now he doesn’t want to pay his children’s fees. I am not interested in the issues between the two of us but for him to visit them on my girls, I will not take it. I want to move out and know I am no longer his wife.”

Mama was quick to reply, “You are not moving out, it is your house. Adim is acting out because he does not have control over you anymore. We know what is happening. He needs you to accept Thelma for us to accept her but he is behaving like a man who is possessed. A na-agwa nti ma nti anughi, e gburu isi nti esoro ya (If the ear refuses to heed warnings, when the head is cut off the ear will surely go with it). He has invited trouble into his home, and he does not know how to manage it. This is very unnecessary. I told him to keep that girl and her children away from you and your children but his uncle and those that give bad advice told him otherwise. You cannot move out, it is your house. He should move with the girl.”

“He is already living with the girl, I do not mind. I told him to live with her. All I want is for him to take responsibility for the girls. I do not need anything from him, I can take care of myself. I do not mind if we stop talking entirely but he has the freedom to relate with his daughters and be a father to them.”

Papa said slowly, “That is the truth. If you refuse to forgive him for the betrayal, it is understandable and between you and God. He cannot avoid his responsibilities or use money as a weapon to subdue you, a responsible man doesn’t do that. I will send for him over the weekend and ensure we resolve this issue. I do not want us to talk about Adim and his problems, tell me about yourself and my grandchildren. I heard that Dumebi is working with a big company now. Tell her to come and see her grandparents o!”

They talked for hours about everything and everyone. Eucharia attended to Papa herself. She made their food and served them. She sent the maid to the market for some ingredients and made soup stock without the thickener, vegetables and oil and stored them in different bowls in the freezer so they could add them when needed and it would be like new soup. She cleaned up Mama and Papa’s rooms. She wanted to spend a night but spent two nights instead. She did not want to leave because of the warm treatment they gave her.

Apart from them, some villagers were aware she was around. They came to see her in the house and she attended to them nicely. They prayed for her and gave her words of encouragement. The trip to the village wasn’t bad after all. She was happy she took this bold step and she promised herself she would visit her in-laws at least once a month for three days. When the children were on holiday, they would spend a week with them. The house felt lonely and it shouldn’t be so.

Adim received the message that his father wanted to see him urgently. He prepared to leave that morning but Thelma wanted to go with him and take the boys too. Adim did not think it was a good idea but Thelma felt the more they saw them together as a family, the more accepting they would be of them. It made sense. It never occurred to Adim that Eucharia was the reason he was sent for.

He knew she was away for two nights but no one could tell where she went. When she returned, she continued her jogging and exercise. He tried to ignore her and do what he believed would make her crawl back to him. She did not call or threaten him but she did not move out or make any move except to disappear for a couple of days. When the time comes he will deal with that.

Also His weakness episode 53 – 54

They left for the village on Saturday morning. Adim intended to stay there until Sunday evening. They got there in three hours. He also stopped on the way and bought some foodstuff for his parents.

When he arrived, Mama came outside but when she saw Thelma, she shook her head and went back into the house. Thelma did not see her but Adim did. He realised this was a bad idea after all. He took Thelma and the boys to his apartment. They dropped their bags. The maid was shown the room they would reside in and asked to clean it up. He wanted to come down on his own but Thelma refused. She came down with the boys to meet her in-laws.

Adim greeted his parents and so did Thelma and the boys. Mama responded and welcomed them but her words did not match her facial reaction. Papa was entirely different he looked at Adim and asked, “You are here with Thelma and your sons, where are my granddaughters? Why didn’t you bring them? Are these boys now more special than the girls? When was the last time you brought them to see me? I want to see my grandchildren from you together not per mother, have you heard me? Thelma, take these boys upstairs and come back, they are too young to hear what I am to say.”

Adim helped a confused Thelma take the boys upstairs. She asked Adim what happened but Adim told her to remain calm since he was unaware himself. Thelma was upset but could do nothing. He was Adim’s father.

When they got back, Papa addressed Thelma, “Did you come here to build or to divide?”

Thelma was more confused and looked at Adim. When she could not get any help from him she replied, “Build, sir.”

“If you came here to build are you aware your husband has been neglecting his responsibilities to his first family, the one recognised by the church? He left my grandchildren to starve because he had a misunderstanding with their mother and now he is about to send them out of school by refusing to pay school fees. What responsible man does that?”

Thelma was surprised. She was aware they had issues but all these accusations were alien to her. She went on her knees and said, “Papa, I am not aware. But are you sure she is telling the truth? When I left with the boys, my husband made sure we were provided for. He paid money into my account every month so we do not lack. This might just be a false accusation, what would make him do that?”

Mama was surprised, “O, he did all that when you ran away with his sons but he decided to starve his first wife and her children. Adim, well done. It is not a case of if she is lying, Adim can confirm if it is a lie or the truth.”

“The question should be, what did she do to warrant such action? She provoked me and even threatened me. Why would she do that? She turned the children against me and they only do what she says. I was not respected in my own house.”

“Did you respect Uk? You took your sons to her house in her absence and expected her to be happy with you? She can never be happy with you after the betrayal. Did he ever tell you what he did to Eucharia that she is still bearing a grudge? He stopped her from having children. She was young and vibrant but her husband stopped her from having more children promising her he was through with childbearing and loved his daughters. He brought you with twin boys. How do you want her to feel now she has passed her prime to having children? She has every right to be angry for as long as she desires. If you want your sons to meet with your daughters, carry both mothers along. That is the respectful thing to do.”

“Your mother is right. Why would you leave the responsibility of your children solely on their mother? Is that how you were raised?”

Adim did not want to say anything that would incriminate him and make Thelma angry with him. She was already upset from the way she looked at him. Two angry wives would not be funny.

As though it was not bad enough, Flora strolled in with Njideka. Adim could not believe his ill luck. What were they doing here? He felt it was a planned thing but Njideka said she had promised to visit on that weekend and mentioned it to Flora who then agreed to tag along.

Thelma greeted both of them. Njideka answered with a smile while Flora answered with a wave of her hand. She came there deliberately but didn’t expect Adim to be so stupid as to bring Thelma.

Njidekas asked, “What is going on? Did Nda Adim come with his wife to spend the weekend with Papa and Mama, that was very thoughtful of you. Where are the twins?”

Thelma replied, “They are upstairs.”

“Upstairs where? Grandchildren stay in Mama’s flat with the nanny. And where will she sleep? In the same room Eucharia has her things. No now, you did not think this thing through. Uk will be furious. Madam go and bring your sons downstairs with the nanny, there is a room here for them. You can sleep here or share my flat with me, you can forfeit sleeping with Adim in that room for a night or two. I will not support this one.”

Thelma was dejected at this point. What was all this? She left there to bring the boys downstairs. As they came down, she overheard Adim saying. “She is putting her body on display for me to see. Does she want to marry another man? She has to stop jogging and exercise if she wants peace to reign. If she wants me to feed her and train her children, she must be answerable to me and do what I say. Imagine telling me she has closed shop and will only open it for another man when I die. So I cannot have her and she is my wife. The law says if she denies me my conjugal rights for two years, I can divorce her.”

“It is what she wants. She wants you to divorce her. She is ready to return your bride price to you. You are bragging about what you cannot do. It is almost two years since she allowed you to touch her, if you do not divorce her, I will finish you. Eucharia is principled and as long as she has said you cannot sleep with her and sleep with Thelma, she will not do it.”

“Mind your business. That is the problem I have with you. Why don’t you stay away from my issues? It is between Eucharia and I. We don’t need your help in resolving it.”

“If you do not need help, what are you doing here?” Flora asked. “Have you wondered how your parents knew so much? You thought it was from me, you will be shocked.”

Adim looked from her to his parents. His mother then told him that Eucharia came to complain to them and threatened to leave the family. “She was serious about it that it made your father cry. She took care of us for the days she stayed. Can’t you see the parlour has a new arrangement? My Uk did it for us.”

Adim was quiet. Thelma was tired of eavesdropping and came back into the sitting room. She sat down and expected them to stop but they didn’t. Adim refused to say anything so they just generally advised him to be responsible or divorce Eucharia so she could go.

Flora added, “After all, you have Thelma and she has learnt how to take good care of you. Eucharia wouldn’t be missed. I can call her now to tell her your decision so it can be over and done with. It is either that or you come cap in hand to beg her to forgive your bad behaviour and accept you back. All the money you have not paid for their upkeep, you must pay everything to the last kobo and you must pay the children’s school fees. If you refuse, I will encourage her to leave you and you know how convincing I can be. She has lost interest anyway so it won’t be difficult. Papa am I speaking your mind?”

“Ada m, you have said it as it is. There is no need to beat about the bush. You can’t eat your cake and have it. It is either you take up your responsibility or divorce her so she can be free to find happiness again just as you have done. She remains my daughter, I have told her.”

Adim was not having it, “I would prefer if nobody meddles in my family’s affair.”

“Which of your families are you talking about?” his mother asked, “because you have two families and you are obviously favouring one over the other which is wrong. Free Uk so she can move on. You seem happy with Thelma and her sons, why hold on to what you can’t have? Uk will not give you what you want, we both know how stubborn she can be. And you can no longer manipulate her, what she has for you is no longer love. Leave her to jog, it doesn’t concern you. If you do not refund the money to her, your father wants to sell some of his lands to give her money for the fees.”

Flora jumped, “Mba nu! Papa do not bother, Adim will refund the money and pay his daughters’ school fees because he does not want to lose Eucharia. I give him one week to do that otherwise I will allow her to move out of that house to where you will not find her. She was talking about relocating to Lagos or the United States, is that what you want? One week and if you do not refund the money, call me a bastard if she doesn’t move out.”

Thelma was speechless. She regretted coming with Adim to the village. How can everyone be supporting Eucharia like this? She had to confess, Adim was very wrong here and gave her an edge. Now he had to cough out a huge amount of money to settle her. It was the only way to resolve the issue. Why Adim could not just divorce her and face them still baffled her. What was special about Eucharia that Adim wanted to kill himself over her? His family knew him better and she could see clearly, Adim loves her and would never let her go, She wondered why. She had not asked sensitive questions about their relationship but she would have to ask tonight.

The maid served food. From the look of it, Adim could guess who cooked it. He washed his hands and ate with so much relish. When Flora tasted the food, she smiled and said, “Eucharia made this soup. I can never miss her signature okpehe.”

Papa responded, “She did. She made several pots of soup with azu (fish), okporoko (stockfish), okporo(dried prawns), big eju (big snails) and she brought bushmeat. She cooked the soups and put them in bowls. All my wife has to do is add ede, mmanu and vegetables; and the soup is ready. She has made our lives so easy and I still get to eat fresh food.”

Mama added, “You did not mention that your brother came to eat her soup two days ago when he perceived the aroma. I told him she prepared the food, and he said he had never disputed that she was a good cook. I wished he choked on the food.”

They laughed at the joke and went back to eating except Adim who was more engrossed in eating the food and asked for more and Thelma who did not find the whole scenario funny.

Tbc