Three generations episode 55

TITLE: THREE GENERATIONS

WRITTEN BY: OGECHI ALABI

CHAPTER 55

Nwadiuto felt ill-treated by her mother. She took her to a Catholic boarding secondary school that had only midterm breaks which she had to spend with Nwanneka and her family. Her grandmother, Nwakaego, had come many times to the school to visit her but was refused access to her. She couldn’t even say hello to her.

She was pained because she had to cut her beautiful long hair. She was on a very low cut that made her look like a boy. Her mother didn’t think so. They were not allowed edible provisions and expensive items. Everything they needed was listed with the brand name which made everyone equal so there was no way to show off. Even with her bragging about going to France, she met students whose parents were far wealthier than her grandmother who she bragged about. It was a humbling experience for her.

In her first term, she did just averagely well. Her mother was utterly disappointed in her and didn’t hide her displeasure. Chike felt Nwanneka was being too hærd on Nwadiuto and asked her to talk to her more than scold her. Nwadiuto continued to exhibit her stubbornness by disobeying her mother and behaving the way she liked. Chike stepped in several times but he could see clearly Nwadiuto was being rebellious. He decided to watch her before proffering a solution.

Nwakaego came to see her granddaughter. Nwadiuto complained bitterly about the school and how it was a prison.

“My mother hates me that is why she put me in the hell h0le. I hate it there” Nwadiuto lamented as she laid on her grandmother’s lap.

“Your mother doesn’t hate; why will she hate you? But then, you are not applying yourself in this school. I thought you will be popular by now but you sound like you are struggling. This is very disappointing. Your result shows you are taking out your anger on your academics.”

“I will flank out of that school so my mother will know she has made a big mistake. I feel like running away from here. I am not happy. The only thing my mother does is scold me always. She wants me to work when Ada is in the house. She wants me to cook and clean. Why?”

“Now I understand what your mother is complaining about. Your mother, can she cook? Does she know how to keep a home? Don’t you see her clean her husband’s room? What is wrong with you? What is wrong with learning these things you will need in the future? I taught your mother and from now on, I will teach you”

“You are supporting her. Mama, I am suffering. She doesn’t treat me like her daughter. Chigozie and his siblings are better treated than I am. Take me away from here”

“Nne, you will do as your mother has said. Even long holiday, I will not take you anymore. You need to learn to be a woman. I came to the school and I was impressed with the way the staff and students were courteous and respectful. They all looked so neat and tidy. Why are you complaining? You were to be moved to a gifted children’s school and now you are barely average in this school. Are you trying to tell me they were wrong by offering you that?”

Everything Nwakaego said fell on deaf ears. Nwadiuto was determined to cause problem in her mother’s home and in school so she will be sent back to her grandmother.

She did. She had fallen below average by the end of the second term. She was very insolent and bullied junior students to the extent she was sent on internal suspension. She sneaked out of school with a group of other naughty girls and they were caught. They were all to be expelled from school but the school got a counsellor to speak with the students to discover what could have made them do this.

While the other girls confessed to sneaking out to attend a party, Nwadiuto told the counsellor she sneaked out because she hated the school and wanted to go back to her grandmother and her former school. She didn’t even attend the party but hung around watching television through the window from someone’s house.

Further probing made the counsellor realise Nwadiuto was acting out so she could get her way. Getting expelled was her heart desire so she would be sent back. She realized how selfish Nwadiuto was and advised the school against expelling her but to give her a wh0le term’s suspension.

The counsellor met with Nwanneka and Chike and advised them to send Nwadiuto to a place where she will appreciate what she has and come to terms with her actions before it becomes too late. “Even if she is to repeat a year, I would advise you to allow her to do it. She needs to understand there are repercussions for her actions. What if she was raped where she was watching television? She didn’t do this for pleasure; she did this to hurt you and be sent away.”

This broke Nwanneka’s heart. She looked at her unremorseful daughter and decided she had had enough. When they got to the house, she brought out canes and beat Nwadiuto. Nwadiuto didn’t believe her mother’s reaction. Nwanneka was furious when hitting her that Chike had to jump in and save Nwadiuto.

That night, Chike gave Nwanneka advice. “Nneka, send this girl back to the village to attend school there. Let her live with your uncle and his wife. Their children are no more there so she will do most of the work. This will teach her a lesson she won’t forget quickly.”

‘What if she runs away?”

“We both know where she will run to. Agree with your mother, she will bring her back to the village. When she has nowhere to go, she will humble herself and ask for forgiveness”

“I got pregnant in the village. I don’t want her to make the same mistakes I made”

“Your auntie will be in the best position to monitor her and ensure nothing like that happens. We will also pay someone to be close to her in the village she can confide in. See, do this for her. She likes the good life. If you and your mother seize all her clothes and expensive things and give her only the basics, you will see dramatic changes”

Even though sceptical, Nwanneka considered it. She travelled to Port-Harcourt to discuss with her mother extensively. Nwakaego was broken when she heard all her granddaughter had done. She wept. She knew she contributed to the problem by spoiling her in the name of loving her.

She listened to Nwanneka’s suggestion and agreed with it. She cleared Nwadiuto’s room and removed everything in it to locked storage. That way, she wouldn’t gain access to anything.

Nwanneka went to the village with her mother to discuss with auntie Chinyere. Auntie Chinyere agreed. They planned on how Nwadiuto would survive there without the usual luxuries. She was to work before going to school and many more arrangements. She was dropped off at school by uncle Obi and brought back a driver they were to hire.

“Why not allow her to walk back?” Chinyere asked.

“I don’t want her branching on her way back”

“Don’t you trust me? It is a village that trains a child. Anytime she branches, I will be informed and she will be punished for it. All I need is your permission and you will see a new Nwadiuto”

“Mma, will you give your permission?” Nwanneka asked.

“What will I do? We have to work hand in hand to change our daughter’s life. I feel like I failed”

“How can you say you failed Nwakaego, don’t you know grandmothers are not the best to train grandchildren? You did what every grandmother does. That’s why they are best to be seen during holidays. Since we know the problem, together we will correct it” auntie Chinyere replied.

Nwadiuto was shocked when she was sent back to the east by bus with one of Chike’s boys. She met her grandmother in the village. It was there it was explained to her that she would henceforth be residing with auntie Chinyere and uncle Obi. She will be enrolled in the missionary secondary school and will complete her education there. Nwadiuto couldn’t believe her ears. She looked at her grandmother and asked her, “Mama, you too have turned against me?”

“Did you break out of school to go for a party? Who brought you up to exhibit such behaviour? You have brought my leg outside. I am constantly to blame for your bad behaviour and you have refused to listen to reason. Since you were sent to an expensive Catholic school and you hated it, maybe you will enjoy village life”

“I want to go back to F.G.G.C Abuloma”

“Why? You were expelled from your last school so they wouldn’t take you to Abuloma. You are also in the third term of SS2 so they wouldn’t consider you. Only this school in the village will accept you. Since all my advice didn’t move you to change you, learning the hærd way will”

Nwadiuto cried for days unend. Auntie Chinyere wasn’t compassionate at all. She registered her in the school, bought her uniform and books. The clothes Nwanneka bought for her to come back with shocked her. She was to maintain her low cut.

It took a while for Nwadiuto to adjust but she did. Auntie Chinyere wasn’t unkind to her but she was strict. She got angry with her if she doesn’t pound the fufu well. She scre-med down the house if she forgot to warm the soup before sleeping. She sent her on numerous errands.

Nwadiuto couldn’t keep friends. She wasn’t allowed to stop at anyone’s house. If she does, auntie Chinyere would know and shout at her. When her friends come around, they were not allowed to stay for more than thirty minutes. She was isolated and hated it.

Her classmates made fun of her. They knew who she was but that notwithstanding they bullied her. She came to school with airs as though she was better than them. Well, they made her feel less than herself. She didn’t have anything per say to use to show she was better except who she was. They asked her why she was in the village and she told them her mother was punishing her.

The teachers didn’t do justice to the subjects they taught. She was a science student and hadn’t decided what she wanted to study yet. She excelled in her tests because she had better background than her fellow students. She had her textbooks from SS1 to SS2. She began to read on her own. She had to be the best otherwise nobody in the school would respect her.

She became the teachers’ favourite as she answered questions with ease. She had books to read. She began to change. She would rush her chores and then go to the obi to read. Auntie Chinyere could see some of the changes. Some of her classmates came to the house and she tutored them. She enjoyed teaching and imparting her knowledge.

Nwadiuto had discovered herself in three months. The change was drastic. Nwakaego came to visit three times while she remained in the village and two of those times, Nwadiuto was too busy to spend time with her.

For the long holiday, Nwadiuto org-nized lesson to teach science students from SS1. She told her grandmother how the students needed textbooks and other books in the school library to enable them to learn some more. Nwakaego told her to write to the different age groups association so they could contribute. She showed her how and it worked. She raised money for textbooks and library books of which the school was grateful.

Nwanneka came to visit. She was impressed by the transformation she saw in Nwadiuto. Auntie Chinyere gave a very encouraging report about her. What changed Nwadiuto were the strict monitoring which the villagers helped with and her discovery of her worth. She knew she was academically sound but just discovered she could impact her knowledge effortlessly and loved it.

Nwanneka asked her to return to Lagos with her to complete her education. She refused saying she would rather finish in the village so she could help others. Chike refused and insisted she registers for WAEC in Lagos and competes with other students like her. He believed she needed to be brushed up after spending a term in the village school even though it was a missionary school.

Nwanneka returned to the Catholic Secondary school she was suspended from a different person. She had learnt a lot from her experience. She appreciated her mother more and for the first time, she could boldly say she loved her stepdad.

After writing WAEC, Nwadiuto begged her mother to allow her to go back to the village to teach other students.

“Why would you want to go back there? Stay here and learn a skill. Go for computer training or learn a trade”

“Mum, why would I want to do those when I want to be a teacher?”

“A teacher? What would you want to lecture in?” her mother asked.

“I want to major in Physics and Chemistry”

It was confusing to Nwanneka. Why would her daughter want to study Physics? Why would she prefer to teach? She knew she couldn’t stop her from doing what she desired but she felt she could do something more worthwhile than just teaching.

Nwanneka discussed with her husband and asked him what he thought.

“She is carried away with the help she is giving to the villagers which is a good thing. Let her stay there for a month and then bring her back to learn something new. She still has until next year to write Jamb”

“Are you sure she will drop the teaching idea?”

“It is not a bad idea but I would prefer her in a different course well suited for her personality”

Nwadiuto turned her great grandparents’ house into a lesson place. She thought students from Senior secondary only. She taught just science subjects. She stayed for a month. Then she came back to Lagos.

In Lagos, she started a computer training school and fell in love with computers. She begged her stepfather to get her a computer at home to practice what she learnt. It became her best friend. She hurried to perform all her chores and spent the rest of the day on her computer. She shared with Chike what she had learnt from the training school and what she could do.

That year, the family didn’t travel home for Christmas. Chike had a big surprise for his family. He had built a duplex for his family. He also built six flats on the next plot beside the duplex. He built a massive shopping mall and events centre on the busiest road in that area.

He drove Nwanneka, Nwadiuto, Chidindu and Ada to see the property. Nwanneka asked if he wanted to rent the house and he said he was thinking about it. They went into the house and saw it was lavishly furnished. Nwanneka asked her husband what was going on.

“Nneka my beloved wife, since you came into my life, I saw the need to be a man. You never made me feel less than one but I strived to be the man you deserved. I am what I am today because of you. Nne, this is our house. I quietly built this house for us to live and enjoy in. We only have two children but I know God will give us the grace to fill this house with more children if he desires, if not, the two we have will make us proud. This is your house Nneka”

Nwanneka almost fainted. This was their house. It was beautiful and she was so proud of what her husband had achieved. His hærd work had paid off. He wanted them to spend Christmas in their new home living the life.

He showed her the other six flats and also the shopping mall and events centre. She couldn’t believe they were the owners of all these. Chike had made very wise investments. She was proud of him. While he handled payment of rent, utilities and fees, Nwanneka handled the feeding and bought groceries. Chike shopped too but Nwanneka did the monthly shopping without being told.

Chike’s friends counted him very lucky to be with someone like Nwanneka who besides being from a very comfortable home, was also very humble. She treated all his friends with respect and they enjoyed visiting his home. Chike knew what he had and was loyal to his Nneka.

The house warming was done in the new year. Chike brought his parents, siblings, his mother-in-law, uncle Onyedika and family. He also invited some of his clients, friends and staff. It was a big party. He celebrated what God had done for him.

He kept his parents and siblings in one of the flats while Nwakaego remained with Onyedika. It was at this time mama Chike observed Nwadiuto lived with them. She was unhappy. She lamented bitterly.

“It is his wife’s family that is enjoying. Imagine that girl she had for a man she doesn’t know is living with them now. Why would Chike be so blinded by love that he would allow that girl to come in? They are now controlling my son’s wealth”

“Did you hear what Chike said at the house warming? He said his mother-in-law took him by the hand to five of his biggest customers who have made him what he is today. Who should then enjoy it? He has asked me to get ready to build a house in the village for him. Stop being jealous and be grateful”

“Why didn’t he build a house for us first? Are we not his parents? Why not take care of us before settling his family?”

‘What happened to the house we are living in? Don’t start, mama Chike. The boy has taken very good care of us. He has changed my car and even bought you a car. He renovated the house in the village and now wants to build his own. We should be happy and proud that our first son is not a disgrace”

“Why didn’t he help Okey? Why didn’t he give Okey the opportunity he is enjoying now? Did you see his boys? Some of them have done freedom and are still working for him. Did you see the cars they came in? Why did he refuse to help his brother?”

“Did you see how those boys were serving food and drinks at the event? What was Okey doing? That’s the reason. If Okey feels Chike is his brother, he should prove it by helping him. Instead, it was Ijeoma that was helping out. Leave Chike alone. We are not seeing what Okey doing again. Money is not showing up as usual. What happened?”

“Don’t ask me any stupid question”

Ijeoma had come with her new husband. She had gotten married two years earlier to her boss’ friend who worked with an oil company. The man loved her and treated her like gold. She took in immediately after they got married and had a son for the man.

Chike’s mother initially didn’t support the marriage until she saw the man was very loaded. She quickly switched over to him. Ijeoma’s husband made her happy and that was all she needed. He wanted only one child but Ijeoma wanted to have a daughter too. She was planning on how she would achieve that.

Nkeiru had done well for herself in her business. Her son Uju still remained with Nwakaego even when Nwadiuto left. Nkeiru had settled down; rented a comfortable apartment and had a steady flow of income. It didn’t come in millions but it paid all her bills conveniently and left enough in the bank. It had changed how she looked.

Many suitors had shown interest but Nkeiru insisted; one marriage was enough for a lifetime. She refused to remarry, she concentrated on taking very good care of her son. Whenever she visited him and she saw how close he was to Nwakaego, she couldn’t bear to take him away from her. She left him there and faced her business. Nobody knew Uju was with Nwakaego.

Okey made some money and as the saying goes, money comes, money goes. He squandered the monies he made. He had no meaningful investment on the ground. He was broke and had just the car he was driving to his name. He had to continue to squat with his friend in order not to expose his condition. At a point, he had to ask Ijeoma for money to start something. She gave him and never heard from him again.

He came for the house warming in his car. He came with two of his friends who had hit some money and they came to paint the town red. He couldn’t think of collecting money from this friend who hit the money in millions to rent an apartment and start a business, their only mindset was to squander whatever they made.

Nwadiuto chose to attend the Federal University of Technology Owerri to study Computer Science. She said FUTO was the leading university when it comes to technology. She still wanted to continue her computer training course during her break. She wanted to do Oracle and Cisco. Her mother marvelled at her choice.

Well, Nwadiuto proved herself in her secondary school. She had the best WAEC result in the school which most of the students didn’t believe. She entered FUTO with ease. Everyone celebrated her success. It was a huge relief to all of them. Nwadiuto didn’t rest. She made money from taking students in Science subjects like she did when in secondary school and also teaching her fellow students, helping with assignments. She wasn’t the braggart anymore. She was a focused businesswoman.

Nwanneka had risen to enviable heights in the course of her career. With the military gone, she knew she had to achieve without the influence of auntie Chinyrere’s brother. She made sure she was the best at what she did. She was diligent, hærdworking and very dedicated to her job. She passed every promotion examination in flying colours. To survive in the parastatals without connections, you have to be exceptional. She chose to be with the support and understanding of her husband.

Nwanneka was travelling for work more often than she intended as she grew in her career. She would be in Port-Harcourt, Yenagoa, Warri, Benin and Cross river whenever the need arose. She had a capable hand in Ada who had graduated from the university and was now working and a nanny they had employed for Chidindu.

Nwanneka had three miscarriages and she was desperate to have another child for Chike. Even though he hærdly complained, she was scared that with wealth would come betrayal. She refused to be the woman that would be checking up on her husband and instead chose to be the woman who would be committed to her marriage, attend to his every need and then go on her knees in prayer.

Nwakaego was also worried about Nwanneka not bearing another child. The miscarriages were suspicious to her and she had prayed about them. She wanted Nwanneka to have other children sharing the same fears her daughter had. Men couldn’t be trusted.

It wasn’t that Chike didn’t have offers or didn’t take them, but he had promised himself he would never disrespect or betray Nwanneka. He used protection with all the girls he had ever been with. Nwanneka was working h-rder and her absence was felt. He met his girls secretly and never stuck to any of them. He also warned them he would never accept a child from them if they decide to play games. Whenever Nwanneka was around, he was faithful to her.

His mother wanted more children and would harass Nwanneka about it. Chike defended her as much as he could. She insisted the job was the cause of the miscarriages. She told Nwanneka to stop work. Chike refused and sided with Nwanneka.

His father finally stepped in and begged Nwanneka to take some time off work to get pregnant. Nwanneka decided to apply for a Masters degree and put in for study leave. Her boss wasn’t happy about it but she knew if she didn’t take the risk, she might lose out in the long run. Even her mother supported the idea.

Immediately she got the admission, she took the leave. She also went to see a fertility doctor who helped her with the pregnancy and bed rest. For three months she was pregnant, she didn’t get down from the bed except to use the bathroom. She was closely monitored by her doctor. Chike supported her. He wanted another son as he regarded Nwadiuto as his daughter. Nwanneka wanted to have another daughter.

She was discharged from the hospital and continued her bedrest at home. One afternoon, she received a phone call from one of Chike’s boys. Chike had slumped in the office and was rushed to a hospital in Apapa. Nwanneka panicked. She rushed down there to meet her husband. He had been complaining of fatigue for some days now.

By the time she got there, he had been resuscitated although he was still very weak. Several tests were done on him and what they kept treating him for was typhoid fever. Still, he wasn’t getting any better. A doctor came in and administered medication to him, he was able to move around a bit and was discharged.

He stayed home for two weeks and then resumed work. He was still not fully recovered but there was a big difference. Nwanneka begged him to stay back home and work from there but he refused. He continued going to work although now he got himself a driver.

Nwanneka prayed about her husband’s health. She was worried. She couldn’t sleep at night checking on him steadily. She had a very bad feeling but refused to voice it out so it doesn’t become a reality. In the process, she developed hypertension and had to be admitted to the hospital again.

She was placed on bed rest again. Chike came to check on her every day for one week and then he told Nwanneka he had to travel. Nwanneka was against it but he insisted saying it was very important. He travelled to the village to meet his father for the completion of the village house. Nwanneka didn’t hear from her husband after he claimed he was in Asaba.

Nwanneka knew there were network issues in the village but she expected Chike to call, he didn’t. She called her father-in-law, his line wasn’t also connecting. Then she called her mother-in-law. She told her the men were in the village the last she heard from them.

Many things ran through Nwanneka’s mind. Why would Chike travel and not talk to her? What will be the reason why he would fail to talk to her? Had he abandoned her? Has he found someone else? Did he travel with his girlfriend? She was scared Chike had travelled to marry another wife. Her blood pressure went up a little because of this worry. She called her mother and told her what had happened. Her mother promised to send someone to the village to find out.

What Nwakaego found out, she couldn’t tell her daughter. She instead told Nwanneka he was in the village but the network there was really bad. He promised to be back soon. In reality, Chike had collapsed again in the village. He was rushed to the hospital and resuscitated. He was still in a bad condition. Nwakaego had to travel down to the hospital to transfer Chike to the University of Nigeria Teaching Hospital Nsukka (UNTH). She used her influence to get him admitted and attended to. A consultant was called in. A review was done. Chike had liver cirrhosis. The condition had eaten deep into his liver. It could only be managed now for the liver damage not to get worse. The consultant gave him medication that would help him function with strict rules which included no alcohol. Chike loved to drink his alcohol so it was a tall order but Nwakaego begged him to give it up and stay alive. He also had diabetics which he was advised to manage with diet and exercise.

Chike came back to Lagos. He had agreed with Nwakaego not to tell Nwanneka what happened. Also, his father was fully aware and understood why they had to keep quiet. They didn’t want Nwanneka to lose the baby.

When Nwakaego was seven months pregnant, she had a dream. She saw herself wearing black cloth. She didn’t like that dream at all. She didn’t understand the meaning but she was determined to get to the bottom of it. She recalled the Muslim cleric who helped her during uncle Onyedika’s predicament. She went in search of him. It had been years but she was determined to find him. She went to his last known address, she was told he was no longer there and directed to Ebute Meta. She went to the address she was given and called the phone number. The number wasn’t going but she located the house. She asked after him and was directed to his room. The man could speak English now and communication was easy. He was happy to see her.

She told him what brought her to him. She still was scared her husband had another woman because he travelled to the east often now. The man told her, “I have no message for you. I was told to tell you there is no problem at all. You have a good destiny. Just trust your instincts and be very vigilant. That is all you need”

“What is the meaning of this dream?”

“I can’t tell you what I wasn’t told. If I knew the meaning, I will tell you. I can never lie to you. Go back home and pray yourself”

She was very worried now. How would this man who had helped out in the past not have a message for her? She decided to face her God in prayer. She was pregnant and wasn’t ready to lose it. She did daily visits to the blessed sacrament and before long, she had peace.

Tbc