Thorn between episode 62 – 63
TITLE: TORN BETWEEN
WRITTEN BY OGECHI ALABI
LIFE GOES ON 13
Thelma created a scene also at the police station. She accused Flora and then Adim of kidnapping her daughter and withholding her from her mother. Some female lawyers overheard her accusation and felt she was being intimidated and decided to help her. She had a good audience who listened to her tell her story. She claimed Adim promised her marriage if she gave birth to sons for him and afterwards refused to marry him because of his wife. She accused Adim of maltreatment and said he disgraced her in the village to impress his wife. She added that Eucharia had charmed everyone in the family. The accusations were overwhelming. She said she was forced to sign a contract to give up her children but conveniently left out the vital part in exchange for money. She claimed not to have a copy of the contract she was forced to sign. She loved the attention she was getting and she thrived on it.
Meanwhile, Adim was getting negative attention over this case. The lawyers had circulated their client’s claims against Adim in newspapers, radio and the upcoming online media. Adim’s reputation took a nosedive and it affected his job. He was given time off to clear the mess. Who would he tell she was lying and they would believe him? It was because she was a female and was claiming to be the victim that her story made headline news. No one had asked for his side of the story yet and his lawyer advised him not to grant any interviews or respond.
Adim’s lawyer reached out to Thelma’s lawyers and requested a meeting with them and their client. Two lawyers arrived with her including her brothers. She had appeared in the news and was somewhat of a star. Her siblings wanted to share the spotlight with her forgetting who she was. They met Thelma’s father, Adim and Adim’s family in the office.
Before Thelma’s lawyers could speak, Adim’s lawyer asked them to wait and watch a video. What Thelma didn’t know was that the lawyer placed a video camera in his office and recorded all their phone conversations. He videoed the first time Thelma came to the lawyer’s office and made demands. Her lawyers heard her clear demand for money so she could give up her children. He then played the last time they met at the office, she was the one who called and he had a voice recording of her reminding him Emelda was a year old. The lawyers could not believe their eyes and ears. The rest of the videos showed her picking up the cheque and leaving with her father to cash it. Then the ‘meeting’ she had with Adim played. The lawyers were confused, she had sold them lies. She tried to pretend she was unaware when she did those things, but no one was falling for her deception anymore. Her father asked her lawyers not to trust her; she was hellbent on ruining Adim’s marriage to Eucharia. Luckily Adim took Njideka’s advice seriously and divorced her at the Magistrate court, his lawyer also tendered the judgement. Her lawyers were left disappointed and embarrassed.
Thelma insisted on going home with Emelda. She cried and begged for her child to be returned to her. Flora insisted she must return the money Adim paid before she could have the child back. She did not want to return the money and still wanted Emelda. The lawyers told her the only way to void the contract was for her to return the money. Everyone was confused at her insistence on not returning the money and still holding on to Emelda. Her lawyers realised she was a difficult client and told her she could not have the child until she returned the money. She claimed Adim had not been providing for the child and she wanted to use the payout as back pay for the support he was supposed to provide. Adim showed her lawyers evidence of a monthly payment for one year to Thelma. Everywhere she turned, Adim and his lawyer had evidence. She had lost again. This time she threatened Adim and his family. She said if they took the child from her, she would kill herself.
‘Do it quickly,” Njideka urged her. “Once you do it, there will be peace in the family. The twins can freely call Eucharia mother and Emelda will also belong to her. The boys will remember you for your embarrassing moments and Emelda will forget everything about you.”
One of Thelma’s lawyers replied to her, “That is rather insensitive. Why do they want her children and they don’t want her?”
“This is why, she blows hot and cold. She accuses people falsely to gain favour. She does not care about the amount of harm her actions cause. Adim doesn’t want the marriage anymore, why is she forcing it? She pushed him back to his wife and is now complaining, who does that? She lives off drama, but it comes to an end now. After today, we will no longer tolerate any interference from you. When your children get older, they will seek you out, but they will see their grandfather as often as he would like. I have enhanced security in my home and its environment, you are no longer welcome in the estate and at my house. Emelda is with her people and that is final.” Flora concluded.
Thelma knew there was no coming back from here. The women who supported her no longer believed in her. She felt defeated and was angry at their attitude change towards her after seeing all the evidence. There, she accused them of receiving bribes from Adim and his lawyer. The lawyers felt she was being emotional until she went further by writing a petition against them with the same accusation. Her lawyers were forced to release the video pieces of evidence Adim’s lawyer had except for the one she was with Adim. When the videos and audio were leaked, she backed down with her slander. She was completely disgraced and Adim vindicated.
Her father called her and said, “You have so much money, why not use it and relocate so you can start life over? It is better than the disgrace you have brought upon us. Why would you accuse those female lawyers of collecting bribes? Before they sue you, leave the country. Your children will look for you when they are older. Do something quickly before it becomes too late and you go to prison.”
Thelma listened this time. She packed up her belongings to her father’s house and then relocated abroad where she planned to start a new life. She hadn’t forgotten Adim and she intended to return after she had made something out of her life.
Emelda remained with Flora for two years. The last time Flora visited her children in America, she went with Emelda as usual. Flora’s single daughter (who had insisted on not getting married), took her from her mother and Emelda began to live with her. Adim had no problem with Emelda living with his niece. It took some time for him to meet her and he limited interactions. Now she was over there she enjoyed all the love and care she deserved from her cousin.
Eucharia kept her word and stayed out of Adim and Thelma’s drama. When the scandal broke out again, she knew Thelma was out to ruin them. When she accused her lawyers and they exposed her, Eucharia knew she would run away; she was all bark, no bite. When she left the country, Adim took Eucharia out to celebrate. He renewed his promise to her and asked her to permit them to begin life on a clean slate. She agreed, but she was more vigilant and she asked questions. She told Adim to bear with her because prevention was better than cure. If it happened again, she would know it was deliberate and this time, she would end the marriage.
When her grandchildren arrived, she stayed with her daughters for six weeks and invited either Flora or Adim’s mother to complete the omugwo period. She knew her absence could create a vacuum which Adim might be tempted to fill. She did not want to create room for that, and it worked. It took a while, but Adim was able to win Eucharia’s trust. He worked hard and was patient until it happened.
Shadow Sedvction episode 4 – 5
TITLE: TORN BETWEEN
WRITTEN BY OGECHI ALABI
URENNA’S NARRATION
URENNA
I watched my mother and father’s relationship move from great to horrible and then to good and finally great again. It wasn’t easy watching them grow apart and then come back together. My sisters had a better understanding of their relationship and the love they shared, but I was clueless. I watched my married sister guide their marriages jealously. I tried to understand why, I saw what happened with my mother and how she initially rejected my twin brothers before she accepted them and treated them as her sons. They continued to live with us since their mother relocated and spent time with their grandfather on their mother’s side. The man was good to them and was full of praise each time he saw them. He prayed for my mother especially for accepting them and treating them as her sons.
My brothers loved my mother and took her as theirs. They were pampered more than I was. People wondered how a stepmother could be this loving to her stepchildren. From the tales I had heard and some I had witnessed, it was generally accepted that stepmothers were evil. But my mother was an exception. Onyedika and Onyekachi never wanted to see my mother upset with them. They were quick to apologise. She never used her dislike for their mother against them. Even when my father commented at one time that Onyekachi had his mother’s character, my mother rebuked it and said he had his character and would never take after another person. Big Mummy was there for everything. They came even before my father and he did not like it at all.
I watched my mother love people unconditionally. My paternal grandmother lived with us and was tendered to by my mother. Auntie Flora wanted her to move in with her, but Mama insisted on staying with Eucharia. She told me, in confidence, that she chose to stay with my mother because Auntie Flora could get angry and say things to her she would hold to her chest. But no matter how you try to offend my mother, she would never use hateful words on you. She was right, my mother never insulted anyone in anger. No matter how hard she tried, she never had an open confrontation with Thelma.
I had an issue with her methods though. As I grew older, I realised she had settled. My father hurt her deeply, and she was quick to forgive and accept him back when she felt she was winning the competition. We never talked about how she felt when the issue arose, we were not involved in the quarrels and settlements. Everyone knew my mother loved my father and my father loved her in return, but as I got mature, I did not see his feelings for her as love but rather as affection.
My eldest sister, Dumebi, had two children with her husband. He adored her just like my father adored my mother. He was good to her and a great provider. But, he enjoyed looking at beautiful women. He couldn’t resist staring at them when they walked past, and the side mirror of his car was used for a convenient view. I also observed that Dumebi was aware of her husband’s antics and from what I could see, she did nothing about it but get angry without addressing the issue. She had lost her self-confidence because she felt her husband might be cheating. She accused him and he always called her paranoid. I knew what she needed to do to put an end to his madness, but Dumebi was difficult to talk to. She was so prime and proper and the whole Ada (first daughter) title made her feel she knew more than everyone else.
One night, we were invited by a family friend to a birthday party. I watched the way Dumebi dressed, she was very conservative which was not a bad thing. But her husband was someone who liked sexy dressing and couldn’t stop looking at such ladies. Given an opportunity, he would talk to them. That was what happened at this party that caused their fight to be almost physical. Dumebi caught him talking to a lady. He was so engrossed that he did not notice her presence. When she stormed out, his friends had to let him know his wife caught him. He went after Dumebi and she almost slapped, luckily I got there in time to stop her. Tunde left her there and went back to the party while I hailed a taxi to take us home. She was fuming and shortly after, she began to cry. I allowed her to cry until she was satisfied.
When we got home, I led her to my bedroom. I had a chat with her and I said, “This man saw something in you that made him marry you, what was that thing? You said he pursued you and was jealous when other men came close, what happened to you? I feel you are too vested in saving the marriage and you have lost yourself in the process of being a prime and proper wife. If your husband stared at other women during courtship, would you have married him? His eyes were only on you. So, what has changed? You have changed. You hide behind clothes that make you look older than your age. You learnt nothing from our mother’s experience to never tolerate bad behaviour. Immediately you noticed it, you should have made him stop the disrespect. Call it what it is. But now, he will twist it that you are jealous. I would not tell you what to do but go and look at yourself in the mirror and remember that Dumebi everyone wanted and resurrect her. That is the solution to your problem. Stop worrying about the children and spend more time with your husband.”
Dumebi was someone who used her initiative. She was also smart and assertive. Tunde’s attitude had gradually eaten away some of her assertiveness, but she was ready to be different. She still worked with the international firm she was with before she got married, and she still had her colleagues who asked her out before she got married. They still made passes but it was subtle and most times a joke.
I left Dumebi and came back to Port Harcourt after my holiday. I resumed three weeks later and then came home because of the ASUU strike. I was at home one day when Tunde came to the house. Our parents never knew we eavesdropped on their conversations with guests and Tunde was no exception.
He was visibly upset. “I do not know what has gotten into Dumi (that was what he called her). She is making my life a living hell. Please call her to order. She is making me feel uncomfortable with her recent behaviour. She told me she has given me a licence to be with anyone I want to be with as long she can do the same. What wife says that to her husband? She dresses as though she is trying to attract men to her. Initially, I thought she trying to make me jealous, but I later found out she was serious. She wouldn’t let me touch her. I am her husband and I cannot touch her. If I do, she gets angry and goes to the children’s room, she would not come back to the room after that. I have asked her if she wants me to bring in another woman since she lags in her marital duties, and she said she did not mind. Why wouldn’t she mind?”
My father was so surprised that he kept quiet while my mother was worried the marriage was falling apart. I realised Dumebi was smarter than I thought. She knew how to get him to breaking point and she achieved it in less than a month.
My father sent for Dumebi. She came to Port Harcourt to see him. I had already told her about her husband’s visit and his concerns on the phone. She laughed so hard that it was infectious. I asked her what happened, but she refused to share it with me. She said I would find out soon enough.
Dumebi came to see our parents as they had requested. When she entered the sitting room, I didn’t know she was the one. She looked different and had transformed. She had on a 24” weavon, her face was beautifully made up, she smelt so nice and when she stood up to greet me, I understood why Tunde had lost his mind. She wore a figure-hugging sleeveless denim dress. It was knee-length, and it showed off her beautiful legs. To worsen the situation, she shaved her legs and they glowed. Dumebi is tall, all of us are. She wore boots with denim. I knew there was no way Tunde would see her looking hot and sexy and not want her to stop her. He wanted her to himself.
When my parents shared Tunde’s concerns, she told them not to lose sleep over the issue. She told her mother she was working out at a gym every day so she could attract a new husband should her marriage end. They were both baffled. My mother preached and all Dumebi did was laugh. She told them Tunde had asked her to choose between the marriage and her job and she chose her job. So, soon the marriage would end.
“Why are you so confident?” my mother asked.
“I already have suitors. Once Tunde leaves, there is a ready.”
My father could see the conversation was heading nowhere and so he ended it. But, it didn’t end there. He woke Dumebi up as early as 3 am and talked to her. He asked her to confide in him because he is a man and he can advise her accordingly. He promised her whatever they discussed would not leave the room unless she tells someone else.
She dropped the act she had perfected and told her father everything that transpired and her fears.
“When he looks at those girls, does he still come back home to you? Do you suspect he has a lover or mistress? Has he ever made you feel less or downgraded you in the presence of his friends and the ladies he likes? When he talks to them, do they exchange phone numbers? I doubt if Tunde would do any of these things. When men talk to beautiful women, it makes them feel as if they are still in the game. You have taught him a lesson enough. Please reconcile with him and both of you should live in peace. He did not accuse you of adultery and you have not accused him too. Do not allow this to escalate and cost you this beautiful marriage. Talk to him about his wrongdoing and make peace. You have been torturing this man. How can he see you looking like this and would not want to be with you? You should allow him to touch you, it is his right to do so.”
Dumebi went back to Lagos without heeding their advice. She made Tunde suffer for another month. Her phone would not stop buzzing when she came home from work (it was planned). Tunde insisted and picked her up from work every day. He did not trust the driver to tell him the truth because they showed loyalty to Dumebi. He tried to impose sanctions on her and insisted she didn’t go out, which caused problems between them. They were having altercations, and this time, it was Dumebi walking away. It felt great to be on the other end.
One night, Dumebi came back late. She had regained her independence from Tunde picking her up from work. The company won a contract and Dumebi was the team lead. As she entered the house, she met Tunde in the sitting room. He asked where she was coming from and she replied work. He flared up.
“There cannot be two men in this house. See what time a married woman is coming home. You might have to leave this job…”
“Tunde,” Dumebi called out to him, “ I am not having this conversation with you. I am tired and I want to sleep. Good night.” She walked away into the bedroom. She took off her clothes and had her bath. She wore her nightgown and then went to the kitchen to find something to eat.
Tunde met her in the kitchen holding her pant. “This pant is smelling like semen. Who were you with this night?”
Dumebi ignored him until she could see he was dead serious. She told him he was being paranoid. “If you continue with this, I will leave and never come back here again.”
“Your lovers have gotten you a new accommodation, maybe even bought you a house. They have promised you heaven and earth. Is that how they got you?”
Dumebi walked away. She went to pack an overnight bag because she was scared Tunde might do something terrible in anger. She had to leave so the issue didn’t escalate. Luckily for her, their children were with Tunde’s parents. Dumebi changed her outfit and as she opened the door to leave, Tunde was there still holding the pant.
“Where are you going?” he asked her.
“I want to leave before things become heated and one of us will attack the other. Allow me to leave, I have called my parents.
”Dumi, you want to leave me?” He fell on his knees and said, “What have I done for you to hurt me like this? What is my offence that you would punish me so severely? Is it wrong to love someone? You have to kill me before I let you go.”
He was sober and was desperate to work things out. When he found out the reason behind her behaviour, he felt ashamed. He did not realise a harmless glance or look at a beautiful woman could have cost him his marriage. He apologised and was sincere. They talked it over that night. Tunde swore on his mother’s life he had not touched another woman since he married Dumebi. Dumebi assured him she did not and would not lay with another man. But she also assured him she would remarry should their marriage become irreparable. Tunde did not believe it would happen to him, but her assertiveness made him wonder if truly she wouldn’t do it.
That was how their issues were resolved. Dumebi did not change her looks. Tunde wanted her in bed with her makeup, weavon unpacked, flower earrings and a sexy night dress. The children spent most weekends with their grandparents while the couple kept themselves busy. And, most importantly, Tunde never looked at another lady again. He understood how she felt and tried to make it up to her.
AUTHORS NOTE:
Happy New Month and Happy end of the year.
I will try to make up for the delay over the weekend.
Please bear with me.