Three generations episode 48
TITLE: THREE GENERATIONS
WRITTEN BY: OGECHI ALABI
CHAPTER 48
They stood up and left. Everyone was speechless. When the dust they left behind had settled, all eyes were focused on Nwakaego and Nwanneka. They both gave an abridged version of what happened leaving out the visions and Muslim cleric. Nwakaego told them she only threatened her so she would release Onyedika which she did at last. God must have taken his revenge on them.
“So all these happened and you didn’t tell us?” papa asked.
“Onyedika didn’t want you to know; you, mama and nda Obi. He was afraid you won’t be able to survive seeing him in the state he was. He is much better now, haven’t you seen him recently? He is more robust than he has ever been. We thank God he survived and it is a lesson to men to stop carrying women up and down”
Mama said, “The two women Obi and Onyedika brought into our home came to cause havoc. We thank God they were not successful. They should continue carrying these possessed women. Who would have thought Charity’s family was into idol worsh¡p? I even thought she was Igbo. Anybody that wants to harm any member of this family will meet their waterloo. Nwakaego and Nwanneka, what will this family be like without you? Anozie, the woman you married and the daughter she bore you have been our shield. I know it is you using them to protect your own. Nna, thank you”
Nwakaego took Chike and Nwanneka to her father’s house. The family gather to receive them. She introduced Chike to the elders in the compound. They welcomed him. Chike got to see where Nwanneka grew up. Nwanneka’s grandmother’s house was still well maintained. It was also an escape route for Nwakaego. She comes there sometimes to just relax, Because she was kind to everyone around her, she was well protected in her village.
Chike saw how Nwakaego and Nwanneka were worsh¡pped in her Nwakego’s village. He was proud he was part of this beautiful family. Mother and daughter had a very beautiful relationsh¡p. He wished he had that with his family. His mother loved her family members very much. She forced his father to take care of them because he was training his own siblings. She ill-treated her husband’s siblings and favoured her own. Because her husband didn’t stop it in good time, his siblings despised her and in the long run their brother. When his father lost his job and fell on hærd times, no one was willing to help them. His father knew the most pressing issue would be accommodation so he quickly finished his house in Asaba and they moved in there. He was still in University when this happened.
His two sisters were married out at his mother’s prompting. His first sister married a man her mother chose. The man ill-treated her and she chose to leave but her mother refused. After the first child, she left but her mother brought her back. It became a continuous fight from then. He knew her to be quiet and gentle but she had turned into a monster because of marriage. She refused to have another child for the man after having a son. He got another woman pregnant and neglected her. The family resolved the issues between them at his mother’s prompting against his sister’s wish. That night they spent together got her pregnant. Two months into the pregnancy she found out that another lady was also pregnant for him. She aborted the pregnancy. He was furious and sent her out of the house. She came back home a sad bitter woman.
His second sister believed she married her heartthrob. The man appeared a good man until she couldn’t get pregnant after two years of marriage. His mother made her life a living hell. She will come from the village to Asaba to disgrace her. She called her barren. Her husband didn’t say anything. She got married a V-rgin so there was no way she was wayward. But, his mother wouldn’t hear that and her husband didn’t support her. It had dragged for six years now and she was tired. She stopped her job to be able to conceive but nothing was happening. Her husband joined his family to accuse her of being barren. He claimed her V-rginity was fake. He threatened to marry another wife. Every morning, she comes to her father’s house to relax and stay with her nephew. She goes back in the evening. When he travels, she stays there until he returns. Chike didn’t like the way she was now; she was completely withdrawn.
His brother was a different problem altogether. He was spoilt and devious. He was given the opportunity to be trained in school by one of his father’s siblings. He went to school and forgot why he was there. Unlike Chike who had to hustle his way through school while his father could only provide school fees, his brother was well taken care of by his uncle. But still, he would keep demanding monies for non-existent things. Eventually, he joined a cult and became notorious. When he was caught by anti-cult security, he was to face jail time. It took the grace of God and Chike to get him out of there. Chike pressed buttons he didn’t even know existed. That was when he realized his connections mattered. One of his clients had a high ranking police officer as a cousin. He was the one that finally got him out. Okey had spent four months in prison. Luckily, he wasn’t rusticated. He had an extra year because of the problem. His uncle refused to pay for an extra year. The family had to raise the money for him to finish. Chike took him to the police officer. The man told him there was surveillance on campus. If he ever heard he had gone back to his cult, he would pick him up and lock him up for good. The prison experience wasn’t a funny one. Okey avoided cultism but the lavish lifestyle he was used to was no more available. He joined a gang of robbers. He was lucky he didn’t join them on the day of the shoot out. Three members were killed and three arrested. They called his name as being a member of the gang. He denied it. After much interrogation, the police asked for money to bail him out as he wasn’t involved in that particular robbery. The money was much. Everyone rallied around to get something. His father eventually had to sell farmland to raise some of the money. When he came out, his father wanted to disown him but people begged. Thankfully he graduated with a second class lower. He was unable to get a job ever since. He stayed at home being mischievous and bringing females into the house without any respect for his parents. Chike was tired of him but his mother encouraged his bad behaviour. He told her, one day it will come back to bite her.
His father and his siblings don’t get along. His father’s siblings respect him but have refused to help him and his family. Meanwhile, they were the ones who benefitted the most from him. He sent two of them abroad. He begged one of them to take Chike abroad but he refused. He claimed he didn’t have the means to take him. But he built a mansion in the village not long after. He stopped asking them for help since then. He tried his best in his business to feed his family and pay his bills. He says it all the time, “The best decision I ever made was to build this house even when some people (referring to his wife) stood against it. By now we would have been in the village exposing our failures. At least we are not begging to pay house rent. Whatever we make, we eat from it”. It hurt him that his two daughters weren’t working. If his children could be independent like Chike he would have been happy. At least his family members won’t mock him.
Nwanneka was told she could travel back to Lagos via Sam Mbakwe airport Owerri which was recently opened. That meant she could stay longer in the village. Her mother wanted to stay in her own village while Nwanneka and Chike stayed in her husband’s village. Nwanneka knew her mother wanted them to have privacy.
On the way back to the village, Chike couldn’t stop talking about his experiences in her world as he called it. He told her his story to an extent without indicting his siblings. He asked her if she would still be willing to continue with the marriage plans since their families didn’t share much in common.
“When we become one, we will build our own lives and have our own value system which others will imbibe when they see how well it is working. This is what happened in my family. You see that uncle Obi that was asking questions, he despised my mother and me for years until something happened to change all that. My mother waited patiently for the change to come. Did I tell you how auntie Chinyere and auntie Uloma exposed to the entire village that I got pregnant and had Nwadiuto? See how close I am to auntie Uloma now. Love changes everything”
“Not with my family especially my mother. My sisters are unhappy and frustrated so they can prove difficult. My brother is spoilt. My father is a responsible man. My mother is difficult. But I believe you are the change the family needs”
When they got back to the village, Nwanneka did up her room for Chike to sleep in. She had decided to sleep in her mother’s room that night. But Chike refused her leaving. He wanted her to spend the night with him. He promised heaven and earth to get her to stay with him. Interestingly, no one raised an eyebrow when they entered the house together. They were alone in there. She agreed.
They prepared for the night rest and talked some more. As they talked Chike rubbed her hand and then k-ssed her. It was getting really steamy and he expected her to stop him as she usually did but she made no such attempt. He attempted to take off her nightie but she resisted a bit. It made him stop and ask d and asked her “Are you ok with this?”
“Will you refuse to marry me after this?”
“Nwanneka, I am more worried you will refuse to marry me. I love you so much and I will do anything for you”
“I hope you won’t change your mind after this. As long as you will be my husband, I won’t stop again. If you have doubts, then it is time to stop”
“I can’t make you mine fast enough. If I can marry you tomorrow morning, I will do so immediately. I am surprised you doubt my feelings for you. I desire you but whatever happens, won’t change how I feel about you”
Nwanneka laid down calmly. He attempted to take off her nightie again and did so successfully. The lights were on. Nwanneka closed her eyes. She decided to do this so Chike would know what he was getting. The scar on her stomach was still there although it had faded with age. Chike saw it but didn’t pay attention to it. There other body parts that took his breath away. She was like a sculpture well shaped on the bed. Her body was more beautiful than he had ever imagined.
Chike quickly took off his clothes. He explored her body touching her in places that brought forth reactions that surprised even her. She was a bit shy when he did certain things but then he whispered sweet words in her ears as he made his way into her. He believed her when she said she hadn’t done this with anyone since her first encounter. He felt the tightness and enjoyed it. He kept telling her how much he loved her as he rode to orgasm. He collapsed on top of her and then held her in his arms tightly and whispered to her, “I will never leave you; I promise”
Nwanneka smiled when he said so. She had the experience she wanted and she loved it. She knew in her heart, Chike was the one for her. She decided to take this risk and she believed it had paid off. He held her while they slept. This was better than she expected it to be and she was happy. She was marrying a complete man who knew how to satisfy her.
The next morning, Nwanneka woke up very early, boiled water and put it in the bathroom for Chike to have a bath. He had to leave for Lagos early. When she woke him up, he dragged her back into bed with him. He didn’t take his bath until forty-five minutes later.
Nwanneka made breakfast for him and served it on the dining table. He ate the food and thanked her with a k-ss. He was obviously very happy and she alone knew why.
“I don’t feel like going back to Lagos”
“You have to go back, what will you be doing here”
“Let me wait with you and we fly back together. I will get someone to bring back my car”
“I hope you know we aren’t going to have s€× again until the wedding”
‘Why now? How can you make me taste something so sweet and then take it from me?”
Nwanneka laughed. She felt good with herself. “We had a deal and we are sticking to it. I just wanted to be sure before we start any plans”
“Sure of what?”
“That you can perform”
“What kind of nonsense talk is that. I am a performer. Ask my exes, that is why they keep coming back. Or I didn’t perform to your expectation?”
“Did I complain? I only said we will wait until we are married to eat sugar regularly”
“Nne, you want to kill me. I’m not going back again. I’m going to meet your uncle, we must do the introduction this week.”
Nwanneka laughed and said to him, “You are not serious”
“I am serious. I’m not going back until everything on this body is mine. Baby, you are very sweet and you don’t look like some who has had a child. I can’t allow another man to take you from me. Not the one I have shown interest then another man decides he wants you too. You know that Imo people have a problem with Anambra people”
“It is getting late, you have to leave now”
“I have to speak with our uncle first. Where is his house?”
Chike went to meet uncle Obi that early in the morning. He told him he would like to come back the next weekend for the introduction with his family. He wanted the traditional wedding to be done almost immediately so that he can have his wife. Uncle Obi promised to start work immediately but told him the following weekend was too close. He promised to send a message across.
Chike agreed with him. He was outside ready to drive off when Nwakaego returned. They exchanged greetings and she prayed for him. Chike was happy and it showed. There was a difference between yesterday and today. She wondered if anything happened.
Nwanneka told her about Chike’s discussion with uncle Obi. Nwakaego told her not to worry, she will handle him. She asked her to get ready so she could take her to the airport. As they entered the house, his mother stepped back and then entered again.
“No wonder he was so happy this morning. What happened here?” Nwakaego asked.
“Like what? Nothing happened” Nwanneka replied avoiding her mother’s eyes.
“Just don’t get pregnant before the wedding so they won’t say it is because of the pregnancy he is marrying you. Some will still say it is because of money he is marrying you but I don’t believe so”
“I won’t get pregnant. This was our first time and last until we get married.”
“No wonder he is pushing. I remember when I married Anozie, we terrorized the other tenants in the house with our love encounters. There can never be any man like Anozie. I am happy this guy loves you. But, do you love him?”
“I wouldn’t bring him to you if I didn’t. He hurt me o, mama. But, he asked for forgiveness and I forgave him. He has treated me right since I knew him. This marriage will come as a shock to even his friends”
“I am glad you have forgiven him. Never bring it up again, it is gone and forgotten. Since you are sure he is the one, I will support you. I will begin to make preparations so that we will meet his three months request”
“Mma, thank you very much. I hope I am making you proud now. I want you to always be happy”
“Ada m, you always make me proud. I wouldn’t have asked for a better daughter. The most important thing is that you are happy in this marriage. You need to know marriages have their ups and downs but it takes a resilient woman to keep her home. Losing her home is a failure on the part of the woman. Once your husband is happy with you, he will choose you even over his family. You have to make sure you do right by him always. It doesn’t mean he won’t misbehave like Obi and even Onyedika but he knows where his bread is better buttered and will always come home”
The flight to Lagos was a thought-filled one for Nwanneka. The man sitting beside her sought her attention but she wasn’t willing to listen to him; she was buried in her thoughts. She wondered how life would be without her family. She would miss her mother, uncle Onyedika and auntie Uloma the most. She was glad they lived close to each other. She prayed she would be able to convince Chike to move to the Alaka estate. She was willing to sell the house her father gave her so they would move closer to Uncle Onyedika.
She began to envision herself in her marital home. She planned her day with Chike as a priority. She couldn’t wait to always be in his arms; he was a good lover. He was gentle and sweet. The memories of the day before and that morning flooded her mind and she smiled to herself. Was this what most girls enjoyed with their boyfriends? No wonder they moved in with those boys.
Her smile disappeared when she realized it was what Mercy and his other girlfriends enjoyed. Why couldn’t he have reserved this for only her to experience? Others had been there before her and she was upset about it. She had to ensure no one else has this experience after her. Chike was hers and hers forever.
As she got into the office and settled down, she received an external phone call. It was uncle Onyedika.
“Thank God you are back. Charity and her family are here. They have apologized to me and also to Uloma. Uloma can’t believe it was Charity that was behind the sickness. I accept, I am partly to blame for what happened and the man doesn’t deserve to lose his children because of our actions. Please, I want to take them to the Muslim cleric, I suspect it was his declaration that has caused this problem. Come and take us to him”
“Uncle, I am at work. I can only do that when I close from work”
“This is more important. I will call your Group head, he will allow you to come”
“I want to be retained here. I came back from the village today and you want me to still take permission to leave before closing. It is somehow. Let them wait until I close at 4pm. There is no hurry”
“They are going back today. They want to leave now but I want the cleric to pray for them. If you can’t come, direct us to his house so we can continue from there”
Nwanneka directed him to the place. After about two hours, she received another call. The man didn’t recognize uncle Onyedika and his interpreter who worked with him before wasn’t available. Nwanneka was needed. Uncle Onyedika had spoken to her Group head.
Her boss called her into the office and told her she could close for the day. She was surprised because the woman was usually mean to her but she was smiling today. She packed up her desk and left for the cleric’s house.
When Nwanneka got there, she met Charity and her people. Immediately the cleric saw her, he recognized her. She told the interpreter what had happened and asked for him to pray for Charity and her family.
The cleric said, “It is not in my hands. She should go back to the person she challenged, it is in her hands. The sooner she goes there, the better. May Allah forgive your sins”
Chief Kpekere asked Charity who she challenged. “I told you it was Mama Nwanneka that challenged me. She was the one who caused all these problems and still sent us on a wild goose chase”
“She didn’t do anything to you or your family. She just cursed you and because you were stubborn it affected you. All you have to do is go back to the village and check on her. If you can fly down there this afternoon, you will see her. She is going back to Port-Harcourt tomorrow”
Uncle Onyedika was still confused. “I still don’t understand what is happening here. You and your mother knew it was Charity that was behind this?”
“It is a long story which I will tell you when we get home. I am glad your ex has exposed herself for what she did. I also hope it will be a lesson for you. Auntie Uloma is enough for you, don’t ever cheat on her otherwise, the repercussion will be worse”
“What are you saying? You are now in your auntie camp. What will happen to all the beautiful girls I see that need help” he asked jokingly.
“Remember LUTH and leave them alone”
By the time they got home later that evening, auntie Uloma was in the house. She was worried and rushed back to Lagos. Nwanneka used that opportunity to explain to both of them what happened. They were astonished when she mentioned her father Anozie visiting her and the things Nwakaego had to do to save Onyedika. She told them Nwakaego knew it was Charity that was behind the sickness and confronted her which resulted in threats and counter-threats. She also revealed the role the old woman played in ensuring uncle Onyedika was delivered fully.
“Mama Nwanneka did all these for me? Nwanneka you did all this for me? I will forever be indebted to both of you” Onyedika replied.
“You owe us nothing. All this happened because there was a crack in your relationsh¡p. Eliminate completely what caused the crack and what helped to expand it. Uncle Onyedika, ladies like Charity are all over the place, you will never suspect them. You have to avoid them. Auntie Uloma, listen and obey your husband. Do not allow the devil to use you to create a problem in the home. Disagreements should be sorted out without rancour. Forgive each other and move forward together. You have done well so far and I want it to remain so or even better”
Mama Nwanneka called them later that night. She said Charity and her family came back to the village when she was about to leave for Port-Harcourt. They asked her for forgiveness. She insisted she wasn’t the one that was offended but Onyedika. After much talk, she agreed to forgive Charity and she prayed for her and withdrew the curse.
She got a call when she got back to Port-Harcourt. Charity’s father called to tell her one of his sons had died and the two left were critical. Mama Nwanneka told him she didn’t know what else to do; she had played her part.
Chief Kpekere called later and asked to speak to Nwanneka. He said he needed Nwanneka’s forgiveness for the other son not to leave too. To worsen the situation, his last son had fallen ill. Nwakaego explained to him Nwanneka was in Lagos and couldn’t be reached on phone. He begged for the phone number. She ended the call to talk to Nwanneka.
Nwanneka asked her mother to give them the phone number of uncle Onyedika’s residence. She waited patiently by the phone to receive their call. Eventually, Chief called. He asked Nwanneka to pray for him. His prayer request was he would no longer lose his children.
Nwanneka could hear the hurt in his voice as he appealed to her to please help him save what he had left. Nwanneka prayed for him from the bottom of her heart. He responded to the prayers, thanked her and ended the call. That was the end of the affliction.
Tbc