Three Generations episode 25
THREE GENERATIONS
WRITTEN BY: OGECHI ALABI
CHAPTER 25
Uloma came to visit Chigozie a few days later. She said she was going back to work. She came with some clothes for him and Nwadiuto. The two children were very close. She stayed with Nwakaego that day and refused to have any serious conversation with Onyedika. Onyedika observed this and it upset him. He wanted to take Chigozie away but Nwakaego warned him not to use their son as bait.
“What do you want to discuss with her anyway, you already have someone with you, why bother about her”
“She brought her lover here to disrespect me. I just wanted to tell her not to do that again”
“But, you have your lover in the house with you sharing your bed and you feel it is not disrespectful to her. What is wrong with you Onyedika? If you want your wife back, send Charity away and start the process of reconciliation”
“I know all these are your plans but I will not fall for them. If she likes she should come with a different man each time, I will not ask her or be bothered. She should continue to hide in your room. She has been replaced’ and he walked away.
Nwakaego entered the room and met a sober Uloma. She had heard all Onyedika said. Nwakaego asked her what the matter was and she replied, “He doesn’t want me anymore”
“We women have been known to use our emotions more than our head. If he wasn’t interested would he be looking for how to talk to you and ask you about the man? He has interest. Men don’t like anyone trespassing on their women. Once he feels you have moved on, he feels jittery. Have you seen Charity since you have been coming?” Uloma shook her head. “That’s because he doesn’t want her to know what he is up to. If you rush into giving him what he wants easily, he will not take your reconciliation seriously. But if you give it enough time, he will crave what he had with you and want to discover the new you. It goes beyond s€×; it is a commitment. If you can follow my advice you will see the desired result”
“What happens if he comes to see me and request for s€×?”
“Tell him your body is all his if he comes to take you home. You won’t share your matrimonial bed with any other person”
“I wish I was as strong as you think I am”
“You are stronger. Even if you have to give in to a moment of weakness, let it be strategic and on your terms. When the time is right, I will let you know.”
Obi enjoyed his night with Chinyere so much that he desired a rematch. Isabella was the only problem. He talked to his friend and when Chinyere leaves for walks, Obi would use that opportunity to get fresh palm wine for papa. He would pick Chinyere up and they would spend some time in Obi’s friend’s house. Chinyere confided in Nwakaego about their rendezvous. Nwakaego couldn’t believe her ears. So, Isabella didn’t even know what was going on under her own nose.
Nwakaego observed Chinyere and Obi stealing glances at each other when the family was all together. Even Onyedika noticed but decided to mind his business. He had brought it up with Nwakaego who denied observing anything.
Isabella was leaving the village after the holiday. She had stayed six extra days after the new year celebration and had to return to her business. Obi insisted on staying back to sort out some family issues as the first son. Chinyere left a day before Isabella left. Isabella gave her intended in-laws a wrapped gift and left. Papa and mama thanked her for the gift without opening it. Papa sent someone to drop it in the room. Isabella was happy they didn’t open it but at the same time, she was sad they didn’t. She told Obi to ensure they opened the gift before he comes back to Benin. She left with Ogo and Chioma.
Charity also left the village as she had to resume work. Onyedika stayed back to spend more time with Chigozie as he was on leave. Nwakaego remained with Nwanneka and Nwadiuto; Nwanneka’s university hadn’t opened yet. They were few and lived like one big happy family without any drama. What they didn’t know was that Chinyere had come back to the village to stay with Obi in the house for three more days after Isabella left. It was the last day she announced her presence by making a meal of ugba with plenty of stockfish, dried prawns and crayfish for the family. She confessed to Nwakaego she had been there for three days but she told every other person she came that day.
Nwakaego and Onyedika discussed what Obi was up to. Nwakaego didn’t want Chinyere to get hurt in the process and she foresaw it happening. If Isabella finds out, there will be trouble.
“Obi has two wives and has a right to have s€× with his legal wife. Isabella is still not yet a wife. If Isabella finds out, she can only make noise and fight Obi. After all, he is the one that has a responsibility to be faithful to her. Chinyere has no such responsibility”
“You feel she might not try to hurt Chinyere?”
“Why would she? And by the way, how will she find out? Who will tell her? It is only Obi that can tell her. No one here likes her. She keeps trying to buy people over but not everyone is for sale. She tried to give me a gift but I rejected it telling her I should be the one giving her a gift, not the other way round.”
“See how Chinyere is glowing. It is good to be happy”
“It is good to be taken care of by a man. You need a man so you will stop meddling in our business. When last have you been with any man since my brother Anozie died? You need servicing and there are capable men that can do that. That’s when you will understand what is making Chinyere glow”
“Biko I don’t want to remarry; I want to remain a widow for the rest of my life”
“Who asked you to remarry? I said you should get correct servicing from a capable man who will handle you well. If you receive that once a month, it is more than enough”
“Onyedika, you said this to me? I can’t believe it. I am your late brother’s wife who has remained faithful to his memory. How can I allow another man to lay with me like a cheap pr-stitute?”
“Mama Nwanneka, widows are humans too. Papa has begged you to remarry, you refused. Since you don’t want a husband, get a man friend that will make you happy. You deserve to be happy. I have such a friend. He is a widower too. I feel both of you will make a good couple. He doesn’t want to remarry too.”
“I’m not interested”
“Meet him first. You cannot remain like this for the rest of your life. Papa and mama are preparing to meet the Lord. Nwanneka will leave and so will Nwadiuto. You will be alone. They would not allow you meddle in their affairs like we are allowing you. You will be all alone. But if you have someone, both of you would be each other’s companion. You mustn’t get married but have a close companion. Nobody will fault you, not even my brother Anozie”
Nwakaego shoved all he said aside. She wasn’t interested. She believed all will be ok. She would always have her family.
Isabella’s gift was brought out to be opened after several reminders from Obi. Papa asked Nwanneka to open the gist as she was the youngest amongst them. She opened it and everyone was shocked. There was a lot of money, wristwatches, perfumes and a letter. Nwnneka wanted to read the letter but papa told her not to bother. He asked her to pack everything back in the gift box and return to his room. He then announced.
“If I die, the box and its content belong to Chinyere. She is the one that will inherit it. Have I made myself clear?”
“But papa, why Chinyere?” Obi asked.
“It is a settlement for all the pain you caused her. You are doing pium pium pium with her now that Isabella has left. She is giving you her body with the hope her marriage will be restored. She is fighting for it and I am grateful for that. By the way, she will win. Isabella won’t be married into this family. I won’t stop it but God has shown me she won’t come in here”
“I second that papa. I collected the car for mama Ogo. I have given uncle Aloy the doc-ments to register the vehicle in her name. She deserves a dividend for the hurt uncle Obi caused her. She still came back to be with him. She is a brave woman. The car is hers. Isabella gave me to do with as I wish and this is what I desire” Nwanneka added.
“Was this your plan? This is like hitting Isabella below the belt. She will not forgive you for this” Nwakaego responded.
“Why do you say so? She will when I explain it well to her. I will not fight her; I will tell her I have helped her settle mama Ogo so she can’t stand in her way again. We are going to be friends” Nwanneka replied to her mother.
“My family is plotting a coup against my relationsh¡p with Isabella. It is very unfair. I love her and want to marry her……” Obi tried to explain but was cut short by his mother.
“You want to marry her but you have Chinyere in your bed too. It is either you are a greedy man or you don’t know what you want. When a man discovers a new thing, his mind is concentrated on it, he won’t go looking for the old. Onyedika did not sneak Uloma into the house while his concubine was away…”
“Stop there mama, who is a concubine?” Onyedika asked.
“The girl with you is a what? How can a young girl from a decent family agree to spend the Christmas holiday with a married man giving him all the privileges that belong to a husband and yet the man never told his family he wants to marry you? No decent girl will do that.” Mama answered Onyedika.
“Mama, I met this girl at home and I intend to marry her” Omyedika insisted.
“Do you think I don’t see the way you looked at Uloma the last few times she came? You still have an interest there and you know Uloma will never share you with anybody. By the way, whenever Uloma was around, why didn’t Charity come out? You didn’t want her to see you with Uloma. My child, I know everything going on around here but I choose to keep quiet because my God will never fail me. Why hasn’t Charity gotten pregnant? Have you asked yourself that question? Don’t propose to her until she is evidently pregnant. What I have seen and heard my mouth can’t say”
“What are you talking about? We don’t want to have a baby yet. She is fertile but I am bidding my time. I want to find out if she is the one. I don’t want the same mistake I made with Uloma; I want to get to know her first” Onyedika replied his mother.
“Having s€× with her does it help you know her better? Leave that child alone, forgive your wife and reconcile with her”
“I give up. Mama, mama Nwanneka has recruited you to fight me over this Uloma’s issue. I will not fall into your trap. Let me be going” he stood up to leave.
“Onyedika, Uloma is a good person. Just as she loves passionately that is how she hates. She has learnt from her mistakes now she realizes she didn’t need to be enemies with anyone. My three daughters-in-law are united and this is what I have always prayed for. Bringing in any other person will affect the peace of the home. Obi, I hope you know Isabella is trying to compete with Nwakaego by throwing around money. But we can all see through her. Why would you want to bring someone who is so competitive into your peaceful home? I am tired of repeating myself. I have spoken to you privately and now I am doing it publicly. I have washed my hands off your matter” mama made a sign of washing her hands.
Nwanneka who was sitting next to her held her and said, “Mama, please leave these men; their wives are capable of handling them. By Christmas, we will all be gathered here again with the true wives of uncle Obi and uncle Onyedika. If auntie Isabella and auntie Charity win, we will accept them. I am rooting for mama Ogo and auntie Uloma, I believe they will win”
“Why is Nwanneka always with us when we are having adult discussions? That you have a child and you have height doesn’t give you a right to converse with us” uncle Onyedika asked pretending to be annoyed.
“Uncle, our people say when a child knows how to wash his hands very well, he eats with elders. I am my father and mother’s daughter.” She replied to him.
Papa smiled saying, “You are indeed your parents’ daughter. You make me proud. Deciding to give Chinyere that car shows how smart you are. You can always sit with us. You are wise and bold my child, don’t let anyone take that from you”
They all left the village happy. Obi went to spend two days with Chinyere before leaving for Benin. Those two days, Chinyere made sure Obi dropped enough money to attend to some issues in the house. She used what he came for as bait and he fell for it. Chinyere knew that once he gets to Benin, she would not have this opportunity again. She knew what she was doing and to what end.
Nwakaego left the village with her daughter, granddaughter and Chigozie. Onyedika hugged his son goodbye. He knew he might not see him for the next three months. Each time he tried to give Nawakego money for his upkeep, she declined it and asked him to save the money for his secondary and university education. He loved and appreciated her for her kindness. She was a gem in the family.
When Nwanneka presented the car to mama Ogo, she shed tears. Mama Ogo went on her knees in the presence of her family and asked Nwakaego and Nwanneka for forgiveness again. She had never experienced this kind of love and appreciated it so much. Her family members were full of praise for Nwanneka. They told her she was following in her mother’s footsteps. They prayed for them. Eventually, they left for home.
“Nwanneka did you observe anything in Chinyere’s family house?” Nwakaego asked.
“What mma?”
“Nobody talked about your having a child outside wedlock. No one cares anymore; you are now the child who gifted her wicked uncle’s wife a car. You are now a well brought up child. That is the way of the world. Love covers a multitude of sins; we have just experienced it.”
Tbc