Thorn between episode 50
TITLE: TORN BETWEEN
WRITTEN BY OGECHI ALABI
LIFE GOES ON 2
The burial took place and the turnout for a Friday was very impressive. Eucharia’s family brought a cow, bags of rice, different exotic and local drinks and cash on the eve of the burial. Njideka and Prisca’s families did the same. Flora’s in-laws brought theirs too. The compound had more than twenty cows because associations they belonged to brought cow gifts too. It was interesting to watch Papa being honoured.
Thelma was upset that Adim did not tell her that her people had to bring a cow before the burial. He was surprised at her outburst. He asked her, “Doesn’t your father know tradition? Where you come from, do they not pay a condolence visit to in-laws with a befitting gift? Why are you acting like you do not know tradition? You are from Ikwerre and you do not know this? Ok, did you ever ask me what your people need to do? Did your father? So why are you attacking me?”
“Didn’t Eucharia ask you and you told her but refused to tell me.”
“Eucharia never asked me; she and her people understand tradition. Didn’t you see the way they brought their gifts in? It shows people who want to honour the dead. It is not too late, let your people present your gifts tomorrow and it should be more than what others brought for it to make sense why it is late.”
“I cannot afford that, I am already taking care of bringing three buses from the village with their food and drinks. How do I buy a cow and drinks to compete? Give me money to support them.”
“Thelma, you have established two of your brothers who built a new house for your parents. If they cannot support you now and pay their respect to me for my father’s death then do not bother. I will not give you money to prove any point. If you like you can shout from now until tomorrow, I will not answer you.”
Thelma did not know what to do. Njideka asked her to join them when they were making plans, but she refused. If she had, then she would have known about what the families had to bring. Now she was in a dilemma and there was no one to help her. She had been avoiding Eucharia and she was also doing the same and she couldn’t help her. She stayed outside crying uncontrollably; she was an emotional wreck.
Njideka felt sorry for her as she walked near her. She had heard the argument between the both of them and waited until Adim left before she came to talk to her. Thelma was surprised to see her and tried to hide her shame.
“I heard everything, unfortunately, you are not smart. Why would you fight with your mates? We are all wives here and we support each other. We thought you had it sorted out that was why we did not say anything to you. Prisca and I had to arrange what our families would bring, especially Prisca who is from a not-so-rich home. I sent a list to my father, but he did what he wanted to. Eucharia’s family stole the show to prove they are not in enmity with the family over what Adim did to her. If Eucharia has forgiven Adim, who are they not to? Call your family and tell them to bring goats instead of a cow, to bring tubers of yam, garri, rice, dried fish, crayfish and most of the things you have in your place. The animals should come in twos; two he-goats, two she-goats, two cockerels and two hens, two big fish and so on. You are a Rivers girl and you should display your culture. It is cheaper than competing with people who will not remember any of these things by next month. Think and be smart.”
“Thank you. I am grateful for your help. This will go a long way. I am just an emotional wreck and my hormones are working overtime. It never occurred to me that I could sort this thing out by thinking outside the box. You are so smart.”
Read – Bad Girl Love episode 11 – 12
“I should not take the credit but this was what we discussed when you refused to join us. We understand it was short notice but then when you refused to use Eucharia’s tailor and asked for your material instead, we believed you had everything under control. Don’t make Prisca your enemy, you have to apologise for what you did the night Papa died. That was very disrespectful, she is older than you. If Eucharia asks me to set the table, I will. Even Prisca and I will do it rather than cook in that kitchen.”
“I will apologise. I felt she was looking down on me by sending me on an errand. We do not know each other that well, so why would she ask me to set the table?”
“Because you had not contributed except by showing up. It wasn’t good enough so she asked you to help set the table. Why would you dishonour her in the presence of the family? You did not act smart at all. Just like arguing with Nda Adim and mentioning Eucharia, why must you always drag her into your conversation? You do not listen and this is the last time I will help you unless you behave. What did Eucharia ever do to you?”
“I am not comfortable with her niceness and the way people just love her. I feel she had done something to make it happen. I suspect she is using something to control everyone and that is why she has their backing.”
“Is that so?” Njideka asked.
“Think about it, your husband trusts her more than he trusts you. I watched them eat the food she prepared, all this is not normal. Why would a husband choose another woman’s food over his wife’s food? Where I am from some girls do a ritual to attract favour from people they meet. They come home every quarter to wash their faces in a special body of water and anything they say to anyone they would do it. I have watched it happen. I suspect that is what Eucharia is using.”
“Thelma, you are funny. There was such a ritual in your village and all you could land was a second-hand husband who you had to threaten to marry you even after two sons. Why didn’t you use it to land a rich and single young man instead of destroying a once very happy home? If Eucharia is doing all she does for everyone effortlessly and added this ritual, it is overkill. You come from a place where they do rituals and you are accusing someone from a strong Catholic family. Your mouth will put you in trouble one day.” She left her there and went away. Njideka convinced herself not to mention this frivolous accusation to Eucharia. She knew Thelma was frustrated, but she had to be careful with her utterances.
The day after the burial, Eucharia brought out some more sheets of paper where she wrote what Papa had instructed her. She gave them to Adim in the presence of everyone. They read the sheets of paper that were for everyone together with Mama present. Papa had a message for each of his children. When they read their letter from their father, each of them cried. The men could not hold back the tears. Flora was the worst. She fell on the floor and cried uncontrollably; this was the first time she grieved since she watched her father die. Eucharia was aware of her father’s final words to her. It ended with, “I am proud of you and forever grateful to God for giving me an Ada like you”. She did not expect it, her father watched her transformation and was happy with her growth.
Adim’s message was not written by Eucharia or his uncle. It was in a sealed envelope with his name on it and kept by his mother. The main instruction he gave Adim was never to let the family fall apart, especially due to his actions. “If you lose the pillar, the building will collapse. Be wise!” He also told him to take responsibility for his mother as the oldest son. He wanted her to be happy for the rest of her life, and she must not remain in the village. The other things were not as important.
Eucharia, Njideka and Prisca did not get letters but messages that were read out in tears. Papa loved all of them. Unfortunately, he did not leave a word for Thelma. She felt out of place there. She was tired of the mistreatment even in death the man despised her. He did not mention her or her sons; why wouldn’t he acknowledge Adim’s boys? Thelma was fed up and she made it clear to Adim as they retired for the night.
“But he did not write the note, someone wrote it for him and he might have written about those that kept in close contact. Apart from the festive period, when have you ever visited on your own?”Adim asked.
“Your parents do not like me, especially your mother. Come to think of it, it was Eucharia that wrote most of the notes. Are you sure she did not deliberately leave my name and my sons’ out? Or he did not mention us in order not to get her angry.”
“In his letter to me, he did not mention you or the boys either.”
“But he mentioned Eucharia. What did he say about her?”
“He talked about my mother, that was his main focus.”
“Why did you hide the letter in the flat when I was here? You did not want me to read it. What did he say about my boys and I?”
“You are delusional. Must you make trouble all the time? Tomorrow is Thanksgiving, let us sleep so we can wake up early to leave for church.”
“What your family is doing is unfair. That is all I am going to say about it.”