Three generations episode 33

THREE GENERATIONS

WRITTEN BY: OGECHI ALABI

CHAPTER 33

He didn’t have a choice but to have the dreaded discussion with Nwakaego. He went to her room and asked to have a meeting with her. Everyone excused them

“Is the child truly mine?” he asked Nwakaego.

“Didn’t she swear she was yours? Why do you want to learn the hærd way? The girl in question is a good girl. She made mistakes, repented from them and begged for your forgiveness. You disrespected her by bringing another woman into her house. I saw Charity today; does she know what you are up to? You are deceiving two women; no, more than two women. I refused to say anything but I have to talk now. I have always thought you were wiser and more principled than Obi. When you brought Charity, I wasn’t happy about it but I felt it would juggle Uloma to do the right thing. But, Onyedika, you have dragged this for too long, you have shown me a side of you that is irritating. I haven’t said anything before except to advise you but now I must give you some hærd facts. If you lose Uloma, you have lost your life. Uloma genuinely loves you. She is very stubborn and strongwilled but you see, when it comes to you, she can’t resist. See, this Charity you are carrying up and down isn’t wise. Do you want a woman who sees fire sparks in the house and will remain in,side just because her husband asked her to stay in,side? She doesn’t know what to do than obey your instructions. She doesn’t have initiative and isn’t wise. Everyone has seen the handwriting on the wall except her. I will advise you to send her away now. Once she leaves, I will go with you and Obi to appeal to your in-laws for us to see the baby. That’s the first step. Then you name her; she doesn’t have a name yet. After that, you will pay visits to your wife and daughter until she goes back. This is my advice to you. If you don’t accept it, it won’t change the love I have for you”

Onyedika sat down with his head in his palms. He knew Nwakaego was right. He messed up. Why didn’t she talk to him like this earlier? Why wait until now? He wondered how he would send Charity away without suspicion. She had been monitoring him closely. She also made him make affirmations of his love and commitment to her. He didn’t want to hurt her. He initially used her as a pawn. She was the perfect candidate because of her bosom and good looks. He knew Uloma would be intimidated. Deflowering her was a big mistake. She didn’t tell him she was a V-rgin when they started. It was in the processing of consummating the relationsh¡p he discovered and she urged him to do it. He knew that was why she was tied to him. He knew it had to end and he had to find a way to do it amicably.

He thanked Nwakaego and left for his apartment. He went to bed that afternoon pondering on how to get himself out of this entanglement. He had to get Charity out of the village without suspicion from her. He would resolve the other issue with her later. He thought up and plan. He stood up, dressed up and left the apartment.

Charity could see Onyedika was worried about something. He told her he wanted to be left alone and she gave him space. She went to mama’s backyard to find out what happened. Mama’s maid was her informant. While they were talking, Nwanneka overheard their conversation. Before the maid could say anything, Nwanneka stepped out for them to see her.

“So this is what you do? You bribe Nneoma to give you information. If you are confident in what you are doing, would you need to be bribing anyone for information? Nneoma, get into the house. As for you, use your tongue to count your teeth. Mama Chigozie has a daughter for her husband. Use your tongue to count your teeth. I am going to tell mama what I saw now” she walked away before Charity could say a word.

Charity became scared. If Nwanneka says anything, it would upset Onyedika who was already in his element since he came back from picking Chigozie. She knew he would flare-up. She didn’t want to be exposed. She decided to report Nwanneka to Onyedika before Nwanneka reports to mama. She went back to the apartment but Onyedika was no longer there. Where did he go? She wondered. She waited for him to come back.

When Onyedika came back, before Charity could complain about Nwanneka, he told her to forget about everyone and concentrate on more important things. She was annoyed. When it came to Nwanneka, he always took sides with her. This was common knowledge. He wasn’t angry. He seemed more relaxed.

It looked like Nwanneka didn’t make good her threat because no one confronted Charity. Nwanneka didn’t think Charity was worth making the family upset that day. She told her mother though.

Two days after Christmas, someone came to the house in the village to see Onyedika. He said he was from the Nigerian Customs and he was asked to inform Onyedika to report to Abuja immediately for an official assignment.

“But I am on leave”

“You are to report with immediate effect”

Onyedika asked Charity to pack up for him. Then he asked her to pack for herself and Chigozie. Chigozie was to remain in the village while he goes to Abuja. Charity was to go to her family to spend the rest of the holidays.

They both left for Enugu and then he left for Abuja. Only that he didn’t leave for Abuja but he drove back to the closest town to his village and lodged in a hotel. It was a well thought out plan. If Charity comes to the village, she would not meet him there.

He spent the rest of the day and night preparing himself for the journey he was about to embark on. There was no going back. Nwakaego was very correct. He had acted very irresponsibly and in the process had hurt people deeply. He knew Uloma was hurt. He also knew Charity will be badly hurt. He couldn’t keep her as a mistress when he reconciles with Uloma; there was no way that would happen.

Onyedika knew he still loved his wife Uloma. Yes, he acted out of anger but she used her bad behaviour to compound the wh0le situation. They both need to forgive each other and then heal. He knew it would be difficult convincing Uloma because she was stubborn but he needed the new year to start on a new note.

The following morning, he went to see Uloma. He met his father-in-law in the sitting room. They exchanged pleasantries. He then talked to him. “Papa Uloma, I have come back to see you today because I have realized how stupid I have been. I haven’t behaved like a responsible man and I feel ashamed of my conduct so far. Each time I come here, you treat me like an in-law you love but I haven’t reciprocated that love. When I had challenges with my wife, I should have sought your advice and that of my father who understands the ways of women. I didn’t do that. Now my family is in disarray and I feel ashamed. I have been a major contributor to the problem. I have come to ask for your forgiveness”

“Onyedika, you are like a son to me. You have treated me with love and respect from the first day you asked for my daughter’s hand in marriage. You are not the only one who made mistakes, Uloma did too. Both of you are strongwilled. I understand how you feel and I am grateful to God you have come to the realization that you made a mistake. I hold no grudge against you. What do you want?”

“I want to see my wife and daughter”

Papa Uloma was taken aback. He asked, “Have you accepted she is your child? The reason why I ask this is because Uloma said you denied her”

“Everyone in my family says she is my daughter. Uloma says she is my daughter. I have accepted her. Let me see for myself”

Papa Uloma stood up and went in,side to get Uloma. He had to convince her to come out and receive her husband with the baby. When Uloma agreed, she took a bath and dressed up. Her mother helped dress the baby well to see her father for the first time. Mama Uloma left her in the room with the baby, came out to greet Onyedika and then left for the kitchen. She was very happy.

Uloma came out wearing a pair of shorts and a top. She brought her daughter dressed in a pink cotton dress and hairband. She handed her over to Onyedika without saying a word. Immediately Onyedika beheld his daughter, tears flowed from his eyes, she was indeed his. He held her closely and tightly. Papa Uloma and Uloma watched in amazement.

Onyedika spoke to his daughter who just stared at him, “I am sorry my princess, my ada, please forgive me. Your parents are two hot-headed people but because of you, we will set aside our differences and give you the best life possible. If your mother accepts, we can start all over. You, your brother, your mum and I”

Uloma burst into tears and ran back into her room leaving Onyedika and her daughter behind. Onyedika wanted to go after her but didn’t want to be forward. He held his baby in his hands and looked towards the door expecting Uloma to come back but she didn’t. Papa Uloma called his wife to take the baby from Onyedika. He said to him, “Go after her, she is waiting for you”

Onyedika nodded his head towards him and whispered, “Thank you” and went in search of Uloma.

He saw Uloma in her room laying on the bed. He came into the room and sat beside her. She turned only to see her husband.

“How do I apologise to you? How do I say I was wrong? How do I declare I was a fool, a big one at that? What do you want me to do to make it right and I swear to you, I will do it?”

Uloma didn’t say anything. She still sobbed quietly. He removed her hands from her face and looked at her, “I love you. Yes, I have behaved badly and I need your forgiveness. Nwunye m, I never stopped loving you. I made big mistakes in the process of trying to hurt you. I want you back. I want my family back; this has dragged for too long”

“What about Charity? What will happen to her?”

“I will compensate her and make her understand my family needs me. I will do anything you want me to do for you to come back. Ask anything, anything at all and I will do it”

“I have forgiven you but I don’t want to come back to the house in the village”

“Why?”

“Is it not there you laid with Charity? I can’t use the same things she used when she was with you. I will support you; we need to build our own house in the village. Maybe we should build separately and leave the house for mama Nwanneka. It is rightfully her house”

“You’ve made a valid point here. I will make sure before the year runs out, we will build a befitting house for us. What else?”

“Are you ready to do away with all the ladies you have kept in Lagos? It is better I stay the way I have stayed than return and then you will still be womanizing. I can’t share you with anybody.”

“You won’t. Once I have you, I will not desire anyone else. It will be just you now and forever”

“Are you sure? You can say anything now but know that whatever you say now is binding. I have endured for three years, nna, I have tried.”

“Nobody had access to my property okwaya?”

“I am not like you. I respected the sanctity of my marriage. Didn’t allow anyone access. But you, every tom, d*ck and harry had access”

“It’s not true. It was just Charity and one or two flings. I am a man and I have needs. You know how much I had to have you when we were together. It didn’t change when we were apart, the only issue was I had to manage someone else. It won’t happen again”

“Onyedika, I sincerely want to believe this is real. I hope I am not dreaming”

“You are not. I have realized my mistakes and I will make up for them for the rest of my life”

“God, this has always been my prayer. Thank you for answered prayers. I will no longer be mocked and called abandoned property. The siege is over”

“Amen”

They stayed together in her room for hours, talking and planning their future together. Uloma told Onyedika about the offer to Ondo. He asked her to take it and he would be visiting every weekend. It was a big opportunity she couldn’t throw away.

Uloma was worried if she wasn’t around, Onyedika will go back to his old ways. She didn’t want to worry too much about his escapades. She told him she would pass this time and spend time with her family.

‘I think you should consider it. I will be stationed at Seme border and won’t come back for days or sometimes weeks. I will get a new accommodation which you alone will know about for now. Trust me, I have turned a new leaf. I will need time to cut off ties but I promise you, I won’t lay with any other except you”

They laid in each other’s arms while they made future plans together. It was a dream come true for both of them.

Uloma’s parents tiptoed from the door after listening to their conversation. They were happy that at last, their daughter can go back to her home.

Tbc