Three Generations episode 24

THREE GENERATIONS

WRITTEN BY: OGECHI ALABI

CHAPTER 24

Chinyere and Uloma attended the women’s end of year meeting with Nwakaego. The women saw them working together to entertain them that they were curious about the rumours of new wives. They didn’t dare bring it up but they gossiped about it for a long time. Nwakaego told them to always attend the meeting and keep appearance until everything is sorted.

Isabella asked Obi to get rid of Chinyere but Obi knew he couldn’t do that because his parents were happy with her now. She reported at their house after her walks every morning to help out. Isabella had tried to get close but Obi’s parents weren’t friendly towards her. Her happiness was that Obi was still with her. She was tempted to ask him to divorce Chinyere but it would mean she was going against what she agreed to which will be as a result of being jealous.

Obi’s parents were civil with her before Chinyere showed up. With Chinyere always around them, she couldn’t stay with them as she had done before. This was affecting her plan. She had asked papa for his medication for her to refill, he told her Nwakaego had refilled it for three months. How can someone whose husband died years ago have so much influence on the family? She was generous to a fault. Isabella wanted to be too. She had to buy them over. She decided to surprise them with a car. Nwakaego hadn’t done that for them yet.

New Year morning, Uloma brought Chigozie back as promised. She came with another car and a young good looking guy. She brought Chigozie into the family house to drop him off. Obi saw her and rushed to call Onyedika before she leaves. As they came back together, they saw the man standing by the car waiting for Uloma. Onyedika was angry. How could she come here with her lover? Did she come to show him she had also moved on? He looked at the guy very well, he looked very comfortable and he was patient.

Uloma greeted Onyedika and thanked him for allowing Chigozie to stay with her until that day.

“He would have stayed on with you. You can take him back” Onyedika offered to her.

Uloma looked at Nwakaego who shook her head slightly. Uloma replied, “Thank you for the offer. Unfortunately, I had made other plans which cannot be changed now. I could come back in two days to pick him just before I go back”

“If you can’t take him now, you don’t need to take him anymore”

Uloma looked at Nwakaego again and she nodded slightly.

“Ok, I wish I could take him now but I have plans already which I can’t change on the s₱0t. I will come here to visit him before I leave for Lagos. Thank you”

Onyedika left with her to see her off. Nwakaego smiled when he did that carrying Chigozie with him. He was going to mark his territory and she knew. Men always think they are smart. Since she was showing signs of moving on, Onyedika’s interest had been ignited.

Onyedika met the man waiting for his wife by the car.

‘Sorry I took too long. We can leave now” Uloma said to him.

“It’s not a problem.”

“Meet Chigozie’s father, Onyedika. Onyedika meet Tom. He is a friend”

The men shook hands. Tom’s hands were soft like he had never done a day’s job before. His cologne was so strong. He didn’t look, sound or behave like someone living here in Nigeria. He wanted to ask questions but he stopped himself in order not to show any form of interest. He was upset Uloma called him Chigozie’s father and not her husband. She was very stubborn before which he knew but being carefree wasn’t in her nature. Where was she learning this from?

After the New year celebration ritual where they all gathered together to eat at the obi, Isabella left the village for three days. She came back with a Mercedes Benz V-boot for Obi’s parents. She took the keys to them and said, “Papa, mama, I got you a New year gift. Please come outside to see it”

They came outside to see the gift. Chinyere called Nwakaego and Nwanneka. Ogo went to call her father and Onyedika. Everyone gathered outside to see the gift. Someone then drove the car into the compound. Ogo and Chioma squealed in delight. Every other person was dazed. Nwakaego couldn’t believe Isabella did this. It was obvious she was trying hærd to buy their love. She couldn’t understand that for some people it is the little things that matter. She would have won this with papa and mama of the past but now, they know what is important and can’t be bribed.

Chinyere felt threatened with the gift. Isabella had taken this competition many notches higher. How would she compete with this? She had noticed Isabella’s hostility towards her and now this? The girl was very smart. She had to continue to be relevant.

“My daughter, what is this for? This is too expensive a gift for us. My son is yet to marry you; you cannot be sharing expensive gifts. It would look like you are trying to buy us over and we cannot be bought. Obi should have advised you against this unless he regards us as people without principle.”

“Papa, I was not aware of this. She must have done this to surprise you. I would have advised her against it.” Obi quickly replied.

Onyedika added, “Nwakaego also bought a car for papa but he rejected it saying it will attract undue attention to him and his family. He wants to live long keeping a low profile”

“That is correct, my daughter.”

“I bought the car because I noticed you didn’t have one and they have to call someone to move you around. I felt with this you can move as you will. It was not to buy you over. I regard you and mama as my parents now. I like the family and will love to be a part of it. I just wanted to contribute my quota and make my husband proud”

“I appreciate the gesture and intention but I will not accept it because you are not yet my daughter-in-law. I will still reject it after you become one for the reason Onyedika gave. Our people say what you hold precious you do not expose. I don’t expose my family to the world because there are wicked people who smile with you but await your downfall. I have lost one child; I pray not to bury another. Thank you my daughter but we cannot possibly accept it”

Obi took over, “I will explain everything to her. They will take the car back”

They all left for the house leaving behind Isabella and Obi. Isabella was very upset and she didn’t hide her feelings. She spoke angrily that she began to stutter. Obi begged her to calm down and then he said,

“If you had told me and I would have discouraged you. They won’t accept anything from you unless something small. Nwakaego has taken care of them for many years and they are very comfortable with her but they refused to accept a car from her. She gave the car to a man in the village to use as an airport taxi at Enugu airport. The days papa needs the car, he takes him where he wants to go. It is a better arrangement. I would have preferred you arranged the money and give both of them the day we are leaving. Before they can check what is in,side the parcel, we have left. Let them take the car back. We will join them in,side the house as though you are no more angry”

“Is this all you have to say?”

“My dear, they will not accept. Let’s go in and try our luck again”

in,side the house, Nwanneka had the floor. “I don’t know why you rejected such a beautiful offer papa. You would have accepted it. I liked the car, you would have gifted me for school since my mother has refused me having a car in school”

“You want to be in the s₱0tlight okwaya?”

“Mma, I am always in the s₱0tlight. If someone doesn’t know what to do with money, we can help her spend it. I wish she will dash me the car”

“It is yours” Isabella announced. “You can have it. There is so much money where that came from”

“She is not having it” Nwakaego replied her. “She can afford to have as many cars as she wishes but I forbid it. Thank you but no thanks”

“Mma, I’m taking the car. It is a gift to me. Can I do whatever I like with it?”

“It’s yours to do as you please” Isabella replied.

“Auntie Isabella, God bless you. I appreciate the gift”

“Nwanneka, you will not accept that gift,” Nwakaego said sternly.

“Mma, it is mine to do as I wish. Everyone heard her. Papa and mama, give us your blessings” Nwanneka replied winking at her grandparents. They got the message and prayed for Nwanneka and Isabella. This pleased Isabella so much that her face lit up with smiles while Nwakaego was obviously angry.

Ogo and Chioma were equally upset with Isabella. They didn’t have cars too but Isabella was quick to give a car to Nwanneka. Why do that? Why not give one of them who had been loyal to her? They had been getting information around the house for Isabella. She hadn’t shown them much gratitude apart from small tips. They needed more. She could afford some luxuries for them. She could afford to buy them cars but bought for two old people.

Chinyere was excited when her parents-in-law rejected the car. She released a sigh of relief when the car issue was laid to rest. She knew Isabella didn’t intend to give the car to Nwanneka but when she heard what she said, she decided to. Nwanneka accepting even when her mother rejected was surprising to her. Nwanneka had grown and was now very bold. She was someone one had to be careful with or she will put you in your place. Her past and having a child at a young age didn’t seem to bother her much. Nwakaego was raising a strong child and she was proud of her.

Obi didn’t want Isabella to release the car to Nwanneka but then she had made a promise and she had to keep to it. Isabella was happy now and that was all that mattered at this moment. He knew Nwanneka can never go against her mother so, she had a trick up her sleeves. But what was she up to?

Nwakaego scolded Nwanneka for accepting the car. She didn’t hide her disappointment and annoyance.

“Mma, when you went to see mama Ogo and mama Chigozie to plan the coup you carried out, you asked me to wait and watch. Why don’t you follow your own advice and wait? You should know I will never be caught dead in that car. I have a plan which will cause serious problems but for the enemy”

“You have to be careful with that woman, she is evil. She is so desperate to be a part of the family that she will buy anyone over or eliminate anyone in her way. You shouldn’t play such games with her. You have to make yourself scarce in her eyes”

“She knows she will be the first suspect if anything happens to me. She knows better than to try anything funny. Not to worry, my plan won’t cause that much trouble”

That night, Isabella was upset with Obi over something so minute that she sent Obi out of the room when he was trying to cajole her into some s€×ual activities. She was too angry to indulge in such. She poured her anger and frustration on Obi. She locked the door after she sent him away. His two daughters were asleep in the sitting room; where was he to spend the night? He went to Chinyere’s room to sleep. She was surprised to see him. He laid with her and made the same advances at her. She resisted initially which she always did but after a bit of persuasion, she gave in. He spent the night with her and they were both satisfied.

The next morning, Obi was up very early. He quickly dressed up, left Chinyere and went to knock for Isabella to open up. He didn’t want her to know he had intercourse with his wife; she will be angry. He really enjoyed being with Chinyere, it had been a long time they were intimate. He would have to frequent the house to see her. He had missed her.

Tbc