Three Generations episode 12

Three Generations

CHAPTER 12

Nwakaego went to Nwanneka’s school to inform them she would not be coming back as she was very ill. She decided she would take Nwanneka abroad so she will quietly have the baby and continue her studies. She could afford it and was willing to do it. They travelled to Lagos to get their international passports so she could process her visa.

Nwanneka had been very distressed since her pregnancy discovery. She had been ashamed and kept to herself most of the time. Her mother wasn’t happy with her and she showed it. She didn’t explain anything to her about this trip to Lagos. She was worried.

They lodged in a hotel in Ikeja. Nwakaego took Nwanneka for them to get their international passports. As they filled the forms, Nwakakego heard a very familiar voice which made her look in the direction it was coming from. She was surprised to see one of her customers, Festus. He was also pleasantly surprised to see Nwakaego and Nwanneka. He was present at the burial of Chukwuka, Nwakaego’s father, a few months back with his wife Tina. Nwakaego became friends with him and his family when he was stationed in Port-Harcourt. It was business that linked them together. Her goods were seized and he helped her secure their release when his wife appealed to him. It was also based on the friendsh¡p she was able to fix Onyedika in a job with Customs.

They exchanged pleasantries and then he insisted she must join him to have lunch. She agreed but requested that Nwanneka returns to the hotel. Nwanneka was happy to return to the hotel alone as the cold attitude from her mother had been unnerving.

During the lunch, Nwakaego was looking gloomy. She had no joy left in her since the discovery. She had blamed herself so much. She felt like a failure and it had begun to tell on her.

“You don’t look well Nwakaego, what is the matter?” Festus asked her.

“Sir, you won’t understand. I am in a dilemma right now. I pray my decision is the right one”

“Tell me about it, whatever it is, we can work out a solution together” Nwakaego knew she had to confide in someone about this issue. She preferred to discuss with someone who wasn’t related to her than with someone who was. And also, he was much older and had experience. So she told him.

“Sir, my daughter, Nwanneka, is pregnant”

“What? Isnt it the child we just dropped off? Who is responsible? Has the boy been arrested?”

“It gets worse, she is pregnant by her cousin”

“No! How could she have allowed that? How old is he?”

“He is in his twenties, I am not sure how old he is but he is in the university, final year”

“Is he aware? She is an underaged child therefore we can call this rape. Let us deal with him so no other man will try something like this ever again”

“Nobody knows about the pregnancy. I wanted to send her abroad to have the baby and then continue with her studies”

“Who will stay with her there?”

“I will. Whatelse will I do?”

“Onyedika is here in Lagos. She can stay with him until she has the baby so you can continue your business. It is tough abroad. How would work and take care of your daughter and grandchild while your daughter goes to school as an illegal immigrant? You have a good business here in Nigeria, you can’t drop everything for uncertainty. I can talk to Onyedika”

“Onyedika is not the problem but his wife, Uloma. She hates Nwanneka and I don’t want anyone to know about this especially about the incest otherwise she would need to do cleansing which has repercussions”

“I don’t believe in that cleansing crap. I understand Onyedika’s wife might pose a problem. I have another suggestion, your daughter can stay with us then. My wife will be glad to have her as our nest is empty. Don’t worry; we will take very good care of her. Onyedika was in the office this morning, have you seen him?”

“No sir, he is not aware we are in town”

“Then we will go back to the office for you to see him. When you are ready, you can bring her to my house. We will be more than happy to care for her. She made a mistake and she will learn from it. It is the boy that should have known better. He took advantage of her innocence for his pleasures. He should be dealt with.”

“I will deal with him in due course. For now, I am more interested in my daughter”

When they got to his office, Festus sent for Onyedika who was very excited to see Nwakaego. He enquired about his niece and other members of the family. When he was told Nwanneka was around and was in a hotel, he was upset. He took Nwakaego back to the hotel after work and had them check out from the hotel to go home with him. He called Uloma on her office landline to inform her of their august visitors.

Uloma was nice to them. She treated them well. She was so friendly that it appeared suspicious. Food was never an issue. She made breakfast for them before leaving for work and arranged lunch. She came home in time for dinner. Nwakaego ensured that everyday they went out she bought something for the house. She observed Uloma was pregnant even though she wasn’t showing much. She said a silent prayer for her as it had been more than two years they were married.

When they left for work, Nwakaego went to visit Tina, Festus’ wife at home. Tina accepted to accommodate Nwanneka until she has the baby and even after. They also agreed her education wouldn’t suffer. They found a good secondary school for her close to their house for her to continue her education until she starts showing. She had two more years of secondary education before she enters the university. They didn’t want her to miss out.

When all was concluded, Nwakaego told Onyedika they were going back to the village. He wanted to see them off to the park but she refused telling him to go to work while they left with a taxi. She thanked Uloma for her hospitality and prayed for her stating that her heart desire will be granted unto her.

They left Onyedika’s house to Festus’ house. Nwakaego stayed with Nwanneka for another week before she went back home. She wanted to be sure she adapted to the new environment fully and would not experience any challenges. Festus and Tina were very good to her. She expressed her appreciation for their kindness.

The night before she left, Nwakaego had a conversation with Nwanneka. “If I say you have not disappointed me, then I am lying. You have decided to turn me to a laughing stock. What will people say if they ever find out you are pregnant by your cousin? Now, let me tell you. If anyone ask you who is responsible for your pregnancy, tell them it was a random boy you met during the holidays. You can give a name but nothing more. Never you tell anyone who the father of this child is. Swear to me that you will never tell anyone including Chidi that this child is his. This is a bible, swear on it to me”

“Mama, I swear, the secret will go with me to the grave”

“It is better that way. You have to live above your mistakes. Go to school and excel. Work hærd and be respectful to your benefactors”

“Mama, what happens to the child when I have it?”

“She will be mine; she will be my child while you carry on with your life”

“Mama, I am very sorry. I know I have disappointed you but I promise to make everything right. You will be proud of me”

“I pray so. My desire for you has always been for you to be successful, get married and give me grandchildren. You have changed the order but I pray you will fulfil all my desires”

Nwakaego returned home. She told anyone that asked Nwanneka was in a boarding school in Port-Harcourt which doesn’t allow midterm and visiting day. “Nwanneka had refused to come back to the village” she said to them to explain her absence during holidays.

Five months later, Nwakaego was asleep at night when the door to her room opened suddenly. She woke up when she felt the chill and went to shut the door. As she went back to bed, she remembered she had locked the door before retiring for the night. What could have opened the door? She realized it was a message. She became unease. She stayed awake all night praying. She didn’t know who came to her but since the person didn’t show his or her face, she believed there was still hope.

The next morning, as early as 5 am, she went to check on her parents-in-law and they were fine. Then her mind went to her daughter. She had chills immediately. She left her in-laws and rushed to her village. She packed a few things and left for Port-Harcourt. For the first time, she took a flight to Lagos from Port-Harcourt. She refused to eat anything on the journey until she reached Festus house. They were not at home. The maid informed her they took Nwanneka to the hospital the night before. She realized her premonition was about her daughter. She got the name of the hospital and rushed there. She met Festus, Tina and Onyedika in front of the ICU. Nwanneka was in,side there fighting for her life while her baby was fighting for hers.

Festus took Nwakaego aside to talk to her. “I am sorry I had to call Onyedika. Nwanneka collapsed last night. Luckily she was with Tina. She was rushed to the hospital. The hospital insisted a family member must sign off before they can have the surgery. I had to drive to Onyedika’s house. I explained to him what had happened and he came with me immediately to sign off on the consent form. It was then they agreed to perform the surgery on her. She has a baby girl; she is in the incubator as she was born”

Nwakaego looked through the glass of the ICU to see her daughter. She was devastated. What could have gone wrong? Tina took her by the hand to see the baby who was in the incubator. The baby looked so small and fragile. Luckily, she cried at birth which meant her lungs were developed. She watched them struggle to feed her using a syringe. She wept even more.

Onyedika didn’t say anything to Nwakaego, he allowed her sorrow without adding toher grief. Nwakaego cried and prayed. She refused to leave the hospital or eat anything. Onyedika and Festus had taken the day off. Tina went back home to make food for them and freshen up. She came back with a meal for everyone. Nwakaego rejected the food. Her daughter and granddaughter were struggling for their lives. How could she eat? She blamed herself for what happened to them. She should have been around her child.

Tbc