Three Generations episode 22

THREE GENERATIONS

WRITTEN BY: OGECHI ALABI

CHAPTER 22

Nwakaego knew she was dealing with a smart devil in the form of Isabella. She didn’t fall for her tricks but she knew when to fight and when to retreat and restrategise. She decided to play it very cool for the rest of the holiday and not have altercations with Isabella ever again until it was time to expose her.

“Mama, stop getting involved with the affairs of uncle Obi and Onyedika. Look at what auntie Uloma did today. Her eyes have opened. Why did she call you? You should have seen uncle Onyedika eyes, he would have beaten her. You were truly her saving grace. Imagine going to his apartment without talking to you first. Such disrespect and you will be supporting her. This expired akwuna uncle Obi brought has started her own drama with you. Better leave them alone. Face your businesses and stop helping people who don’t want to help themselves”

“Nwanneka, you want me to sit down and fold my hands while things spoil here? I can’t do that? Do you want to lose your grandparents? Do you want to lose your uncles? I know what I am seeing. Chinyere and Uloma are not good people in terms of some of their character but they are members of this family. They have been good until hatred and bitterness blinded them especially Chinyere. When I first came into this family, she welcomed me and treated very well. Even though she was married into the family before me, she gave me the respect and right of the wife of the first son. Everything changed when Anozie, your father, died. She became hostile towards me. I don’t know why but she instigated Uloma against me. I should have tried to find out why she changed towards me and I will. I will pay her a visit tomorrow and we will hopefully bury the hatchet and become friends again”

“Why do you need to do that? She should be the one asking you for forgiveness” Nwanneka asked really upset.

“Nwa m, always make friends not enemies. What will you gain making war with everyone? See, when your father died, because of his good deeds, I received favour. His peers contributed money for me. I used that money to start my business. They came back with more but by then I was established. I sent them to help other people in need. That was when I resolved to help widows. Nobody asked me for a relationsh¡p to help me, that was because they still had respect for Anozie and knew how much I loved him. I wasn’t taken advantage of because I made something for myself and did not become a constant beggar. Not all women are like me. I am here to help them. Building a lasting marriage takes sacrifice and hærd work. It falls on the woman to make it work because it is believed it is the woman’s responsibility to keep a marriage. It means a woman will put up with the excesses of the husband and his family whether she likes it or not. Uloma needs to learn this. She needs to set aside her pride and humbly ask her husband for forgiveness. Pride goes before a fall”

“What of mama Ogo?” Nwanneka asked. “She has been good to uncle Obi. How does she regain her lost home”?

“It is very simple; she should come back home. Since Obi has agreed to marry two wives then they have to occupy the home in the village. He should share himself between the two women. Chinyere has rights too. I wonder why she is keeping quiet. I suspect her brother has settled her enough to ignore Obi but the stigma of being separated from her husband is still hovering over her. Coming back here will quench all that and she can still have a relationsh¡p with Obi”

“Uncle Obi and Onyedika will not be happy if they find out you are the one behind their wives attempting to come back. Leave the women to do the right thing for once. You cannot save everybody o!”

“I know but I will try to save them for the sake of the family”

“That’s true, mama, when will you remarry? Papa has been dead long enough for you to remarry. If you have a husband now, you will not be meddling in other people’s business”

“Shut up your mouth! No other man will see my uncladness talkless of climbing me apart from Anozie. It will never happen. I am happy the way I am biko. What do I need a man for?”

“We need to get you a man that will trouble you until you agree to marry him. You are keeping yourself for a man that died many years ago. You are still living and he is dead. So because he is no more you cannot be with another man? You are depriving yourself of conjugal happiness while getting involved in what doesn’t concern you”

“Wasn’t it the same act that got you into trouble you are suggesting I get married for? I hope you have not started having s€× again. If you bring back more children outside wedlock, I will not forgive you. What is the rush? Haven’t you seen that I have never misbehaved around you and your daughter? Can’t you follow in my footsteps? What is in s€× that you can’t wait until you get married to enjoy it and enjoy it only with the man you are spending the rest of your life with?”

“I didn’t say I am having s€×; don’t misquote me. I said stop using my father as an excuse not to move on with your life. You are still very young. Mama, you have a right to be happy again and be loved. I know my father loved you and treated you well but the relationsh¡p ended when he died. You can find love again. What you want to do for Uloma and mama Ogo is what you deserve which is a second chance”

Nwakaego hissed and went to bed leaving Nwanneka who reacted to her hissing by laughing knowing she had touched a nerve. Nwakaego realized her daughter had grown and was mature. The way she spoke so boldly reminded her of herself when she was younger and unmarried. Even though she believed she was talking nonsense, the way she presented her argument was quite impressive. “Anozie, I wish you were here to hear your daughter. She is the only grandchild bold enough to speak in the presence of elders without being chastised. You would have been very proud of her” she thought to herself.

The next morning, Nwakaego woke up bright and early. She got ready and told her parents-in-law she as going to her place to see some people. She left there and went to Chinyere’s family home. It was quite early and it was a big surprise seeing her. Chinyere’s elder brother was in the compound when she arrived. He received her well. She asked to see Chinyere. She was taken to her room. Chinyere was surprised to see her. She was the last person she expected to see.

“Good morning. I know you were not expecting me but I came to see you anyway. How are you? And your other children? I saw Ogo and Chioma in the village”

“Good morning. We are as Obi left us.”

“It is because of Obi I am here. I thought you would be in the village with Obi but I only saw Isabella and your two children”

“Those two are betrayers. Because of money, they sold their soul to the devil.”

“Why didn’t you come home?”

“Isabella is there with Obi; how can I also be there watching the nonsense she and Obi are doing?”

“You have to watch it and partake in the nonsense. You have to take your rightful position as the first wife of the family. You have a right to be in that house. Unless Obi has said he wants to divorce you”

“He said he is not divorcing me but he wants her as a second wife. I don’t trust that girl and I told Obi but he doesn’t listen. She has money and that’s all Obi can see”

“He is blinded by what she has. That doesn’t concern you. Do you want to be regarded as a divorced woman? Better come back before our end of year meeting and take your rightful position”

“Are you sure this wouldn’t pose a big problem?”

“Mama Ogo, another woman is with your man and you are relaxed here taking it. Go and take your rightful position. Stay with them there. You can leave after the holidays back to your house but go there. And when you are coming, make sure you bring gifts for the family. Don’t fight with Isabella and Obi, be very civil with them. You will see what will happen”

“Nwakaego, you came here to advise me on my problem. You made my problem your own. When I was told you were not in support of Isabella, I knew her days were numbered. But for you to also remember me, how do I appreciate you? Nne, may God bless you. Please find it in your heart to forgive me. I have been thinking about the women’s end of year meeting. If I had missed it, everyone will believe Obi threw me out. I will do as you say as long as you have my back”

“Your case is a small one. It will be resolved soon. Focus on building your business and taking good care of your family. Obi can live with her but he must also be responsible”

“I agree. Thank you so much”

As Nwakaego drove out of the compound, Chinyere’s brother said to her, “That woman is phenomenal. I had once told you to emulate her character but you chose war instead. Now she has come to see you even after all you did to her. How many women can do what she did?”

“She wants to unite me with Obi. She asked me to come back to the village. Once she is the one asking me to come back, I will come back because I know she has thought of everything and knows the outcome. She is very smart; those men don’t know who she is. I’m sure they don’t know she was here today”

“They don’t need to know” her brother replied sternly.

From Chinyere’s, Nwakaego went to see Uloma. Uloma was awake. She was with her mother in the kitchen. The last time Nwakaego was there, her mother had gone for omugwo. This time around she was in.

Mama Uloma was stubborner than her daughter. This had caused her to be popular around her village and known as a troublemaker. The only person that could control her was her husband. She loved her husband’s attention which she enjoyed freely but when she disobeys him, he starves her of his attention and she would do anything to get it back.

She had told Uloma she didn’t know where to draw the line that was why she was in this predicament. She didn’t like Nwakaego and her daughter because of the picture Uloma presented but her husband had told her Uloma was mistaken and she was supporting evil. When she found out Onyedika had asked Uloma to leave and also found out all Nwakaego did for Uloma and Chigozie, she was grateful. She was still angry with Onyedika but she had no issues with Nwakaego anymore. No matter how hærd her daughter tried to recruit her into the hate, she rejected it just as her husband did.

When Nwakaego arrived, Uloma’s father was very pleased to see her. He sent someone to call Uloma and her mother. They arrived and exchanged greetings. Then Nwakaego asked for her to speak with Uloma in private.

“My daughter, I think it is best you do it in our presence. There is nothing new under the sun. You know our daughter doesn’t listen. Whatever you say we will help drum it into her ears. We are in this together” Uloma’s mother suggested.

“That’s ok. Uloma, Onyedika is serious about taking another wife. Why you waited this long to make amends with him, I don’t know. I want to know if you are willing to repair your marriage and make the best of it?”

“She is willing” her mother replied for her.

“Are you Uloma? She has a mouth. Let her reply” her father replied.

Uloma was silent for some time and then tears dropped from her eyes. This was the first time Nwakaego could see remorse from Uloma. This was a new Uloma hopefully.

“Uloma, open your mouth and answer” her father urged her.

“I am willing” she finally replied as the waterfall from her eyes increased.

“Stop crying. There is a solution but we will bid our time. It won’t happen immediately. First of all, you will come to pick up Chigozie. Come there looking very nice. I want him to notice you”

“What if he doesn’t want to see me?”

“If he doesn’t see you, others will see you and tell him. He will want to see you the next time you come. When you come the next time to drop Chigozie, come in the company of your male cousin. Make sure he is young and very good looking.”

“Ah, Onyedika won’t like that at all. He might even create a scene”

“He won’t but it will cause him some sleepless nights. He has questions he can’t ask you and would want answers. When we want to execute the main plan, he would be willing to see you.”

“Brilliant. I understand your plan. Get him jealous which he wouldn’t show but will be eating him up. Once he sees her again, he would want to ask her questions”

“Exactly mama”

“How does this bring him back?”

“As I said, it is in phases. It will take more than a year to get things back to normal but it will happen if you follow my plan”

“She will follow your plan. Don’t worry about it, we will talk to her. Uloma, she has a good plan” her father responded.

They saw Nwakaego off and she left for Anozie’s compound. Mission accomplished. It was to wait for the outcome. She was very excited.

As she entered her room after her outing, Nwanneka came to meet her with a mischievous smile on her face. Nwakaego wasn’t ready for her games so she took off her clothes and changed into something she could comfortably wear at home.

“Do you know what happened this morning?”

“What happened Nwanneka, biko, I want to rest”

“Was I the one that sent you on an Israelite’s journey? Do you think I don’t know where you went?”

“It’s like you don’t have anything to share with me. Let me rest”

“Ok, mama. I went to give uncle Onyedika the ukwa he requested for last night. As I entered the compound, I saw auntie Isabella calling out to someone but the person had taken flight. She stood with her hands on her wa-ist confused. I greeted her and walked past. She went back into their apartment. When I got to uncle Onyedika’s apartment, I knocked severally before auntie Charity answered the door. She asked me if Isabella was with me and I said no. She opened the door, peeped outside and released a sigh of relief. When I entered the apartment, she told me she was coming to the house when Isabella saw her and called her. She did not want uncle Onyedika to ever catch her talking to Isabella so she ran back to her apartment. I laughed. She will make a good wife; she will obey all uncle Onyedika’s instruction”

“She is wise. Isabella would have put her in trouble. Why can’t she stay on her own? Anyway, I am tired and want to sleep for a while”

“You don’t want to tell me how your outing went?”

“Progress. We are making progress” Nwakaego replied as she closed her eyes.

Tbc