Thorn between episode 75

TITLE: TORN BETWEEN

WRITTEN BY OGECHI ALABI

URENNA’S NARRATION 12

The two-month break was ridden with drama. Nma Ejima came back to cause serious trouble. She wanted the boys who were on the verge of entering the university. They had lived with my parents and had loved them. Unfortunately, her father passed and my father played a major role in his burial and stood as a son because of how good the man was to him. Nma Ejima came for the burial too and she saw her sons there. My dad allowed her to stay with the boys during and a week after the burial but she refused to return them after the visit. She screamed and created a scene claiming they were kidnapped by my father.

My mum asked my dad to ignore her and allow her to keep the boys until she couldn’t care for them again. She stayed with the boys for two weeks and started a proceeding against my father for Emelda. She didn’t know where she was and the boys refused to tell her because they felt Emelda was better off where she was. Thelma was still unstable or she relapsed at the death of her father. When the case went to court, she was given visitation rights to see her daughter in America. She refused and claimed she was removed from the jurisdiction. Documents were tendered where she gave up her parental right and how she absconded from persecution from the Police and the court. She was still wanted. She was free to see her daughter but it must be supervised within a Police station.

Emelda was no longer the problem. She wanted child support for the boys. My father refused to pay. He said as long as she has them she should support them. She was upset. The boys snuck from the house to their Big Mommy’s office. She saw them there three times a week and she took care of them. Not even my father knew about their frequent visits. My mother advised them to allow the drama to play out and not fight their mother. “She is your mother,” I heard her say to them. “Love her regardless of her shortcomings. Your home will always be there and you can return to it at any time.”

“But she is not interested in us but in knowing about Dad and you. When we refuse to tell her anything she accuses us of being brainwashed, and she calls us evil. She wants to know where Daddy is working now and how well he is doing. We are to resume next week, but she has not bought anything for us or made any arrangements. We have asked her, but she has no plans.”

“I will buy everything you need, not to worry. Just stay with her and do not let her suspect you. Talk to your uncles about school resuming and beg them to take you back to school after I have bought everything you need.”

“What about the school fees? Daddy said he would not pay as long as we are with her.”

“He will pay; if he doesn’t I will. Talk to your mother’s eldest brother; he will be more reasonable.”

It worked out as my mother had said. They talked to their mother’s eldest brother and he insisted the children should continue where they were going to school. He asked her to prepare them for school, but she refused saying my father must provide the money. Mum bought everything for them. She talked to their uncle and I was amazed at what she said to him. She said, “When two elephants fight it is the ground that suffers. Let’s work together for them to finish secondary school at least, and then whatever their parents want they can abide by until they clock eighteen. I will send a car and driver to pick them up. I will meet them in school and pay their fees. They will be fine until their parents resolve.”

“Thank you o! Your husband vowed never to pay the fees. I have tried to raise the money, but it is for two and not one, it is not easy. My sister is unstable and I have told her. I have two wives, my second wife got pregnant and I decided to marry her. My wife was against it for so long, but she gave in when she gave birth. My first wife didn’t have a child. When my son was born, she gave the boy to my wife at six months. She was surprised. He is my wife’s son and sleeps with her. My first wife married her mate after my son clocked one year. The second wife had a daughter she gave to my first wife. Later my second wife had a boy and daughter to herself. They live apart but in peace. Every festive period, they stay with us in my first wife’s house. My sister knows all this but still, she has refused to learn. She told my second wife she was a fool for giving up her children to the first wife. Look at it now, it is you who is interested in the well-being of her sons. Send the vehicle, I will be there to ensure they resume school.”

I went with the vehicle to pick them up. I saw Nma Ejima and I was baffled. She was no longer her sharp self. She had not aged much but she was not as appealing as before. Since Emelda’s birth, she let herself go and this was the result. There was no way my dad would be interested in her ever again.

The boys went back to school without drama.

Paschal and I communicated often. He told me about his day and I shared some of my experiences with him. I didn’t tell him about my family’s dynamics yet. He enjoyed talking to me and was never in a hurry to end the calls. His calls made my day and told him; he never missed calling me.

I was home one afternoon when I was called by my father downstairs. I saw Stanley, Kennedy and an elderly man with them. I greeted everyone.

“This gentleman here said he has been in a relationship with you for almost a year and now he is ready to take the relationship to another level. He is here with his uncle and brother to ask for your hand in marriage.”

I already knew what he came for and I was annoyed. I was not prepared to answer questions or be nice. It was evident in my facial expression. I welcomed them and left for the kitchen. I met my mother there.

“Urenna you are too secretive. How could you have had a man for almost a year and kept quiet about it?”

“What did you want me to tell you? I wanted to know him before marrying him.”

“You should have mentioned it, and I would have prayed with you.”

“I know. But God showed me the light before then. Don’t make them feel comfortable, I am not interested, I have someone else.” My mother was stunned. She dropped what she was holding and asked me to explain to her. “Stanley is a liar, cheat, has no regard for women and is highly disrespectful. He believes money will buy him everything.”

“No o! Such a man can’t marry my child. I believe you. He is such a handsome fellow, but if he has bad character we don’t want him. You talked about someone else.”

“Mummy!”

“Do I lie? It is what you said. Tell me about him.”

“He is a doctor where I worked. He is very compassionate. He loves his career and he likes me. We talked just before I came back.”

“Why did you rush back? You should have stayed and checked if it would work out. Tell me about him?”

“There is nothing to tell. He was my mentor at work and we developed feelings for each other. His parents are not rich, he is the first and has four siblings. He is brilliant, hardworking and focused. He encouraged me to be myself and not let people pull me down. I enjoy his company.”

My mother’s mouth was left open as I spoke. She had never heard me talk about a guy like this. She was in shock.

My father came into the kitchen. “It is obvious you don’t want this guy. What should I tell them?” My father asked.

My mother responded on my behalf, “He is irresponsible and he broke her heart. Tell him she has moved on from him and is engaged to someone else.”

“What am I hearing?”

“Dad, please I am not interested and I know he will keep harassing me unless I do something drastic. I have moved on from him, let him know. Also, tell him you won’t tolerate any form of harassment from him.”

My father left and then we heard an argument in the sitting and rushed out there. My father had called the plain-clothed security men at the gate to escort Stanley and his family out. I heard him saying, “If she told you she is no longer interested you should have let her be. She moves around with these men (the security men), if they see you anywhere around her they will pick you up and bring you to the creeks. Nobody will see you again. Nonsense!”

Stanley had refused to take no for an answer, so my father swung to action. He made sure they were escorted off his property.

Stanley sent a message: “You embarrassed me because I love you. Your father disgraced me. I will never forgive you for this embarrassment. Thank your parents for me.”

I replied to him: I told you not to come, but you are stubborn and don’t listen. I have moved on and there is nothing that can bring us back together again.

Stanley: I heard you have been frolicking with Collins. Is it my cousin you want? Is money the issue? Are your folks broke now that they need a rich son-in-law to lift them out of poverty? Collins has been warned in the language he understands.

Me: Are you the rich son-in-law? You don’t have what it takes to have me. Collins is a friend and can never be more. I am willing to avoid both of you if you would leave me alone. Be with Peace and/or Monique. These are the two I know. If I dig deeper I will unravel more atrocities, but I am no longer interested. I will block you on this number too. Leave me alone.

I told Paschal all about it when we had a chance to talk. He couldn’t believe how desperate Stanley was. We talked for hours on the phone. He told me his plans for his future and I was in it. I was surprised when he asked if his baby sister could live with us. He said she was eleven, and he wanted a better life for her because she is beautiful and brilliant. He wanted her close to guide her. He kept some things away from me until he was sure I could understand. It was interesting as always and it was difficult to end the call.

My mother wanted to know everything about my new man. I was reluctant to tell her, but she pressured me. I was worried my mother wouldn’t support me because of his financial background, but it seemed to be the least of her inquiries.

“How old is he?” she asked me, but I didn’t know. We never talked about it. “Where is he from?” I realised I did not ask these necessary questions which was wrong. “What faith is he?” I was blank. We had talked about the future but nothing personal. My mother shook her head and said, “What is going on? This is unlike you. Please ask him direct questions. From the simple things, you can know more about a person. I can see you like this guy that you have overlooked vital information about him. I hope he is worth this trust you have placed in him. I would love to meet him before you go for your Youth service. In the meantime, ask him the important questions.”

That night I called Paschal which was not the norm. He picked up the call and asked me if all was well, and I told him I was fine. We had spoken in the morning when he was not on duty. I asked if he was free to talk, he wasn’t but had to pick up my call. “Midnight will be better, hopefully.”

He called me at midnight. “This must be important for you to call. What is it?”

“I told my mother about you and she asked some basic questions I couldn’t answer.”

“Yes, I also discovered that too. We didn’t start from the basis before planning a family. What does she want to know?” he said jokingly.

“Your full name, where you are from, how old you are, the university you attended and what you graduated with, I have a list of questions here so let’s take it one after the other.”

“Interesting. I like your mother and I would love to meet with her. Paschal Chukwuemeka Duru is from Ideato South in Imo state. He attended the prestigious University of Ibadan where he graduated with flying colours. He speaks Igbo, Yoruba and English well because he was born and bred in Lagos. He grew up in Ajegunle before his family was blessed and they moved to Aguda. What else do you want to know?”

“Impressive! What religion do you practice?”

“I was born into a staunch Christian background, but I questioned some doctrines of the church. My parents eventually left there for a popular one. I still question some beliefs, and I think poverty contributes to the way people see religion. Many are miracle seekers and become prey to the supposed men of God.”

I was shocked and asked, “You don’t believe in God?”

“I do. I have seen him do wonders for Christians and non-Christians. I believe in a personal relationship with God and understanding our purpose on earth. God put me on earth for a purpose which is to use medicine to heal people for him. To help families losing a loved one to watch their loved one die in dignity. To continue to research and improve myself so I can be a treasure to the world. That’s how I see God. When things happen, I see it as the will of God.”

I was silent. Talking to Paschal was like receiving a lecture. I was a Catholic but not a practising one. Since I came to Lagos, I wasn’t frequent in Church because of my work hours. It was not his excuse, he spoke about a personal relationship with God and I was curious about how he was able to achieve it. So I asked him.

“I studied my bible myself. I read each verse, chapter and book from Genesis to Revelations. It was intriguing. Some aspects were a figment of men’s imaginations but they were there to teach us life lessons. I observed how the Prophets and even Jesus communicated with God. I began to speak with him. I table things before him as though I was talking to a friend or colleague. I ask for advice on personal issues, and I get it. I don’t make any major decision without hearing from God.”

Read – Shadows of the unknown episode 37 – 38

“How do you hear from God?”

“He reveals to me through dreams, through communications with others, and he gives me physical solutions to a problem. I always know when he orchestrates things. I forgot to add that meditation is powerful. I teach it to some of my patients and it is very effective.”

I was silent as I listened to him speak. I counted myself lucky to have him in my life, and it prompted me to ask him if he asked God about me.

“If I tell you the story you won’t believe it. I would save it for when we get married.”

“I will believe anything you tell me, you have never lied to me.” I was eager to hear what he had to say.

“I dated a girl for four years while in college. She was amazing and I was devoted to her. My eyes are big, I like beautiful women who know how to take care of themselves, and she was one. We were an item, and towards the end of our studies, we co-habited. She met my family, but I did not meet hers. She told me they lived in Enugu and we were in Ibadan. We studied together and wherever I was, she was right beside me. I drilled her for examinations and ensured she attended the tutorial classes. When we graduated, she worked her housemanship to Enugu while I was planning for us to work together at LUTH. She didn’t tell me. I was accepted at LUTH thanks to my dad, but she was put on pending. She made me believe LUTH was her only option. I declined their offer if she wouldn’t be taken. I was stupid. They gave her the offer, and she was happy. She did not accept it but made me believe she had. She travelled home, and she never came back to Ibadan or Lagos. I called her several times, but she stopped picking up my calls. Finally, her friend opened up to me. She got married and her man wanted her to work in Enugu and live with his family. Her husband lived abroad. It took me a long while to recover from the betrayal. She was so insincere and hurt me. She used me to get good grades and then dumped me. She was the first woman I was ever with. I was played because I was naive and believed I was in love. I never suspected her because I respect people’s privacy and she took advantage of it.”

“She hurt you badly. I can’t imagine what you went through.”

“I threw myself into work and it helped me stay alive. She called me out of the blue and asked me to forgive her. She wanted to reconcile with me. She didn’t know I had found out she got married and even had children. I asked her if had divorced her husband and now she needs a new husband or if she wanted me to assist her with a job. She was silent. She asked to meet with me the following week to explain everything to me. I went to God in prayer and I told him to show me the best woman for me so I could withstand my ex’s advances. She knew my weakness, and I did not want her to succeed. I bumped into you the following day, and we talked briefly. I knew at that moment God was speaking to me. When I heard you had a boyfriend, I was not perturbed because I had received my revelation and I knew it would come to pass. I bided my time and closely monitored you. I was jealous when I saw both of you together, but what could I do? I knew you were principled and he would mess up. Such guys don’t understand what commitment involves. I must confess I was shocked when I heard his reason for cheating. A beautiful angel like you has been untouched. Are guys blind?” he laughed and continued. “That was how I knew you were the one. Concerning the kiss, it is not me, honestly. I have self-control. It is our connection. The day I made out with Faith was the time I spent the whole day with you when you were posted to my department. She came unto me and I couldn’t resist her. Just like I can’t resist you. I saw you in her at that moment. It sounds like a fabricated story, but then why would I lie? I will never lie to you.”

I had responses to my mother’s questions, and I was also overwhelmed with the revelations I had heard. I went through it in my head so many times. Pachal was amazing and made me want him more. His take on religion was almost mine except that the Catholic church encouraged meditation. Loving people was more Christian than any other thing because even the Bible said the first and greatest commandment was to love the Lord our God and the second commandment was to love our neighbour as ourselves. Paschal practised them effortlessly and I learnt from him. The treatment he received from his ex, I could not wish on anyone. I told Stanley it was over and I did not lead him on only to dash his dreams. I realised my fellow women had to learn integrity. From my stepmother, Thelma to Paschal’s ex. I was also concerned. What if he hadn’t gotten over her? That was a matter for another day.

Tbc