Three generations episode 63 B

TITLE: THREE GENERATIONS

WRITTEN BY: OGECHI ALABI

CHAPTER 63

Nwanneka went to Port-Harcourt to inspect her father’s house. Her mother had been on her case to pull down the house and rebuild for commercial purpose. Nwakaego insisted on Nwadiuto inheriting the main house while the two boys get the other plot. Her insistence was based on the fact that Nwadiuto was like her daughter and she believed Nwadiuto shouldn’t inherit equally with her brothers; they would share according to custom. Nwadiuto had also said she wasn’t interested in any property from Chike but will fight for her brothers.

Nwanneka agreed. She had actually considered giving Nwadiuto the entire property but then, her mother was also giving her the house in Port-Harcourt. And she knew Nwadiuto would get married. With her rebellious spirit, she was worried she might bring a lowlife who would want to live off her to marry. It was best it remained in the family through the boys. She loved Nwadiuto but she didn’t trust her. Especially with her recent behaviour and quest.

She had been funding the construction of the two buildings from her salary and other deals she had going. Her mother supervised the construction for her. It was almost finished and she asked Nwanneka to come and see what had been done and how she wanted the finishing to be.

Nwanneka stayed in a luxurious hotel. She didn’t want to stay with her mother who had filled the house with motherless children she was training. She only visited the site, then she went home to eat and discuss further with her mother before retiring for the night.

As the driver dropped her off at the hotel, she didn’t feel like going back to her room. She went to the poolside of the hotel to have a drink and eat suya. She just wanted to relax and be on her own. She stayed at a corner and enjoyed the solitude. Her mother had complained bitterly about her. She said she had lost her glow and happiness since Chike died. It had been five years now but Nwanneka couldn’t bring herself to move on. It was because of Chike’s grave she visited his village every Christmas. Nobody had challenged her over the property there. Whenever Ijeoma or Nkeiru visited, they stayed with her.

Okey had finally come to his senses a year ago. He made up his mind to go legitimate and needed to work somewhere. She asked Ijeoma to help with a job for Okey. Ijeoma gave her a contact who could help. Nwanneka followed up, got him the job with one of the oil servicing companies. He was happy with the job. He was able to work and contribute to the company. The salary wasn’t as much as oil companies but it was enough to get him on the right track. He had put a girl in the family way and he realized they couldn’t survive and have a decent life on handouts from his friend.

Nwanneka, from the goodness of her heart, got him married to the girl (she liked the girl because she had a job and was focused), rented an apartment for them in Warri, paid for two years, furnished it and then hands-off. The wife gave birth to a son for him. Okey had a responsibility now. He had changed.

Chike’s mother still wasn’t grateful for what Nwanneka did. She claimed she didn’t have a choice since she knew Okey would still take over the company one day.

As she was reminiscing on her life, someone said to her, “Hello, can I join you?”

Without looking up she replied, “I will love to be left alone, please”

“I’m sorry to bother you. You look like someone I know. When you walked you, I was wondering if by any chance you are my long lost friend Nikky”

Nwanneka couldn’t believe her ears. She looked up and truly, there he was. Paul. From the look on her face, Paul realized he was right. She looked different. She was more mature although her physique was still very much intact. It was what made him suspicious she was the one. He dragged a chair.

“My name is Paul. Nikky, it’s been a very long time. How have you been?” he asked.

“Paul? Is this really you? I can’t believe it. How did you recognize me?”

“I will recognize you anywhere I sight you. I can never forget you.”

“What are you doing here?”

“I live in Port-Harcourt now. I run a small business. I came to chill with my friends from out of town when I saw you. It’s been ages. You look good; better than I remember. What has been happening with you? Fill me in on the gap”

“What of your friends?” she asked seeing they were still staring their way.

“Let me tell them it is you; I told them I know you.” He left to tell them. Then he came to join her with his drink in his hand.

“I am back. Where did we stop? Ok, I’m waiting to hear it”

Nwanneka told him she got married had three children and later lost her husband. She told him where she worked. She just summarized what he wanted to hear.

“You got the job with NIMASA just as you said you would. Sorry about the loss of your husband; you are a young widow, that’s not funny. How have you been coping after his demise?”

“I am managing. Tell me about yourself”

“Nothing to tell. I got married. She left the country with the kids and lives there with them. I left my job here to be with them but it didn’t work out. She filed for a divorce and took almost everything I had. I came back to start over. Four years fully divorced and started my business.”

“How is it going?”

“It is a struggle but I am getting by.”

“How many kids do you have?”

“Two. A boy and a girl.”

“Nice. Did you marry that lady that embarrassed me in your hotel room that night?”

“Anne, you remember. I did. I ended the relationsh¡p not long after the incident. She came one morning to sed-ce me. She asked that we do ‘it’ one last time. I obliged her not knowing she planned to get pregnant. When she found out she was pregnant, she came to tell me. I didn’t know what to do. She went to my family with the pregnancy and evidence she was having twins. My family insisted I marry her. I had no choice but to agree. We got married, she travelled to have the babies (twins) and came back. We lived together but we weren’t happy. She relocated to the US. She complained often she needed help. I sent her mother to her after her father died. I remained here. She sent her mother back to Nigeria after three years and insisted I come. She harassed me with calls claiming the children were ill and she couldn’t cope. I resigned from a good career and joined her there. We lived off what I had saved over the years. I bought a house. I went into IT. I was doing well. She was studying for a nursing degree. I thought we were good. She kept investigating me. She found out about my finances behind my back. I didn’t know she had a lover who was a lawyer. Immediately she got her nursing degree, she claimed I assaulted her and got me kicked out of my house. I moved into an apartment. Her best friend called me and advised me to move my money back to Nigeria as she wanted to wipe me out. I didn’t think about it but finally, I moved some money to Nigeria. I moved it into a friend’s account. I would have left America with nothing. She had details of all I had in the US. Luckily, they couldn’t claim the money I moved home. My lawyer told my friend to claim it was a loan and this was the first instalment payment. She took the house and half of the monies in the bank. She claimed not to have any money. It was a mess. I was lucky I didn’t get stranded. She refused me to see my kids, I had to go back to court. My lawyer is working on the custody issue. I want to have them during the holidays so they can experience Nigeria. I left my money in the bank to pay monthly child support. I came back here, sold my two properties and built eight flats joined together and a penthouse at the top. I gave the flats out to expatriates and live in the penthouse. Started my business. I’m surviving.”

“I can’t believe she did this to you. I thought she loved you. Or did she catch you cheating again?”

“Cheating in America? She didn’t. There was no time to cheat. I spent most of the day with the twins and worked at night. All my activities ended at 1pm before the twins get back. She fell out of love and found a way to scam me. The lawyer is a black American. She should enjoy it. Back to you. You still look good. Are you sure you have kids?”

“I have three kids”

“Nice. Are you staying here?”

“Yes, I am”

“When will you be in Port-Harcourt again?”

“I don’t know. Maybe two months?”

“Are you asking me? If you ask me, I would say next week. When are you leaving?”

“Tomorrow. I’m seeing my mum tomorrow and then I will take off”

“Can I pick you up? I can take you to your mother’s and then to the airport. At least, I will get to spend some time with you”

“My mother will freak out if she sees you with me”

“We are old-time friends who bumped into each other. She won’t freak out. It’s a date? What time tomorrow?”

“I should be with her from 10am. We want to inspect a project at the old Railway quarters. Maybe next time; it will be too inconveniencing for you”

“Why would it be? I will be with you at 9am. We will have breakfast before we get to the site. I want to be with you tomorrow; we have a lot of catching up to do”

Nwanneka accepted. He saw her to the lobby and then went to join his friends. Memories flooded Nwanneka’s mind. She couldn’t believe the coincidence of running into Paul. His story was quite sad. He still looked the same; he didn’t age at all. She smiled when she remembered him saying, “Meet my wife”. Paul was a character. She knew why he wanted to be with her tomorrow. Was she ready for a relationsh¡p? Had she mourned Chike enough? She had been feeling lonely and frustrated. Her friend who is also her colleague, Joy, told her she was s€×ually frustrated. She had tried to put ideas in her head which she shoved aside. She felt a connection with Paul. Maybe it was the fact that they had a past. She felt she was thinking too much. It dawned on her, he didn’t ask for her number. Well, she went to bed smiling which she hadn’t done in years.

The next morning, Nwanneka woke up, took a bath and got ready for her activities. There was a knock on her door. She opened it and saw Paul standing outside. He was all smiles as he came in. She wore a pair of jeans trousers and a top. He was also on jeans and a white polo tee shirt.

“You are still as beautiful as ever. I can still remember you like it was yesterday. I remember every single moment I spent with you. I shouldn’t have let you go so easily. I planned to wait until your service year to revisit my intentions towards you but then fate played a fast one on me. If she didn’t get pregnant I wouldn’t have married her”

“Stop talking nonsense. She loved you. Probably she outgrew you when she travelled. It doesn’t matter. This was all designed by God”

“How is that your uncle that beat up a lecturer?”

“You remember? He is doing great”

“I remember everything. I have played our memorable scenes in my mind a million times. You were a good girl and I can bet since your husband died you haven’t been with another man”

Nwanneka smiled. He knew her well. All she could say was, “Let’s go”

They quickly had breakfast at the hotel restaurant and left for the site.

Nwakaego was there before they arrived. She introduced Paul as her former friend she ran into. Nwakaego exchanged pleasantries with him and then they faced the business of the day. They talked with the contractor in details. Paul pointed out some structural anomalies and how they could be corrected. He asked most of the questions and made suggestions. In the end, Paul was discussing with the contractor. They exchanged numbers. Paul told both ladies not to worry, he will supervise the contractor as long as the properties belonged to Nikky.

The rounded up about 2pm. Nwakaego enticed her daughter with breadfruit cooked with dried prawns, dry fish and stockfish. Paul was also interested; they went home with Nwakaego. The meal was delightful. Paul couldn’t stop praising the food. He told Nwakaego he might be visiting her often. She invited him over on Sunday, which was the next day, to lunch. He accepted.

Nwanneka flight was at 7:30pm. She had checked out that morning. She asked to leave for the airport because of traffic. Her mother wanted to send the driver but Paul told her they were still catching up and he would drop her off.

As they left her mother’s house. Paul asked, “Nikky have you ever done something risky in your life?”

“I don’t understand”

“Have you ever taken a risk in your life?”

“Do I have to answer that?”

“Yes, you have to”

“Not really”

‘I thought as much. Take a risk with me”

“I don’t understand”

“Come home with me. Spend the night with me. No, it’s not because I want s€×. I will do it if you want, but because I want to spend more time with you. We will change your ticket to tomorrow morning before I go for lunch with your mother”

“My children will be waiting for me to come back”

“Tell them your flight got cancelled. Talk to them on phone. Please, just take this risk with me. I know we haven’t seen each other for years but trust me on this”

“Paul, I ….”

“Nikky, let’s just do what we loved to do most; sit down and talk. I miss having an intelligent conversation. Most of the girls here have nothing else to offer except s€×. I crave your presence so I can be with a beautiful and equally intelligent woman in my arms tonight”

‘Arms?”

“Yeah. We will be talking. I promise you, no s€× unless you rub my chest. That will be the sign you want it.”

“I’m not ready”

“You will never be ready. Let me take you home and then change your flight. I missed you”

Nwanneka was quiet. She didn’t argue with him. She also felt like spending time with him. This would be her first time enjoying male company alone since Chike passed. She couldn’t bring herself to date any guy. But, she felt at peace with Paul. She was comfortable with him as she was when they first met. She didn’t feel she was doing something wrong. She actually craved the attention and love that could follow. It had been a very long time she enjoyed a man’s undivided attention. A man who was interested in her.

She went to his house. They went up to the penthouse which was on the third floor and he had his own stairway to his apartment. The other two building had their stairways. She entered the flat. It was sparsely furnished with the essentials. You would know a man lived here without a woman’s touch. As they got in, he got on the phone and asked for her ticket which she showed him. He changed her flight to 1pm the next day. She would have preferred an earlier flight but she was in no mood to argue at that time. She was scared. Afraid of what might happen soon. Afraid of how far she would go as she was still very attracted to Paul just like when she was younger.

He offered her a drink. She said anything soft. Then she changed her mind and asked for brandy if he had. She wanted to mix it with coke. Paul guessed she was nervous because he remembered she didn’t drink. He served her the drink and helped her mix the drink. She accepted. He sat on the floor by her feet while she was on the only couch in the sitting room.

“Hope you like my place”

“Yes,” she replied in a shaky voice.

“What’s wrong with you? You are all nervous. Let me show you your room so you will relax. I made a promise to you and I intend to keep”

“I’m fine”

“Don’t tell me you haven’t been alone with any man since your husband died?”

“I’m not telling you anything”

“You haven’t. Feel free Nikky, I want to spend time with you like old times”

“I’m fine. I’ll be fine. Let’s talk about what you do now. So, what contractor are you?”

“I provide some of the oil companies contract and casual staff” and he continued from there.

All the time they talked, Nwanneka’s mind kept going back to the past. She remembered the trips to her hostel to pick her, the restaurants they ate together, the last conversation they had and then she remembered the k-ss she had with him. Her first rom-ntic k-ss. It was the best k-ss she had ever experienced. She wondered what life would have been like if she had married Paul. Would Paul have married her? Would he have disregarded the fact she had a child out of wedlock and gone ahead?

“Nikky, you are not here. It is getting late. Why don’t you go in and take a shower? I have a movie here somewhere we can watch together. I must warn you, I love rom-ntic movies. I have the old classics. I have some newer ones. You will get to choose”

Nwanneka went into the room he directed her into. She slumped on the bed reminiscing for a few minutes. She asked herself, “What am I doing here? Nwanneka when did you become this bold”

She took off her clothes and took a bath. She moisturized her skin, used some deodorants and body mists. She then went wore her nightwear. It was shorts pyjamas. She tied a wrapper on top of the shorts as she wasn’t comfortable.

She came out to the sitting room to see a well-made mattress on the floor with pillows and a duvet. On the side stool was a tray that had drinks, chocolate, biscuits, and mixed nuts. She sat on the couch and waited for him to come out. He came out in his pyjamas. He asked her if she wanted to eat something, she declined.

“I brought out a mattress so we will be comfortable while we watched the movie. My room has most of my equipment but I don’t want you to be more uncomfortable than you already are. I have assured you I have no negative intentions at all. Just having here is more than enough for me”

They sat on the mattress with their backs against the couch. Paul placed their treat between them and mixed her drink for her while he poured himself a cold bottle of beer. They decided to watch Pretty woman. He had warned her he watched only rom-ntic movies.

The tray was empty by the end of the movie. It was past 10pm at this time. The tray was cleared and they had laid off the mattress to watch Nottinghill. As they laid down, Paul asked if he could cuddle her while she laid down. She declined. Then he covered her with the duvet as the air conditioning had gotten colder. After covering her, he snuggled against her just to be close to her and whispered, “I had always dreamed of this moment. I can’t believe you are lying here with me. I searched for you just before I married Anne. I wanted to make us work. I found out you were in Lagos and serving with NIMASA. Don’t be surprised. I could see you were pursuing your dreams. I decided to allow you to be; you were too young to be saddled with that kind of responsibility. I gave up when you got married. I was told he was a good man and treated you right. I was happy for you. That was when I let you go. It was because Anne found the emails my informant sent to me that triggered the problem we had. She saw your picture on my laptop. She said I was obsessed with you. She threatened to contact your husband and tell him we were having an affair. I had to delete every piece of information about you on my laptop. But I saved it somewhere else and hid it in my office. I changed jobs and mistaken brought them home. She saw the flash and looked through it. She found everything. It was now a full-fledged war. Probably then I was obsessed with you. But I stopped to make the marriage work. She decided to end years later and still claimed I was in love with some else. I wasn’t aware your husband had passed, I would have been at your doorsteps ages ago. I understand how you feel but trust me, my feeling towards you haven’t changed at all. I told Fidel last night that I met you. He was shocked. I told him you are a widow now and he said “This is fate. Both of you were meant to be together”. I don’t want to rush you. Let’s take it a step at a time. But, I want you to know that I love you and I want to be with you”

Tears dropped from Nwanneka’s eyes. She wasn’t expecting this. She actually didn’t want this. Her defences had been shattered. She sat up, turned to Paul and said, “k-ss me”. Paul didn’t need to be told twice. He k-ssed her. She could hear her heartbeat in her ears. She was scared. She was afraid she wouldn’t be able to stop. She was more afraid she didn’t want to stop. The k-ss got deeper and more passionate. Paul was as lost as she was. She knew it was either now or never. She stopped the k-ss.

Paul heaved a sigh. She could see the passion in his eyes. She had never felt like this before. Never. They looked at each other. She was still breathing very fast.

Paul said, “I will in my room tonight so we don’t do anything we will both regret” he stood up took the tray to the kitchen and then went into his room.

Nwanneka sat in the same position. She couldn’t sleep either. She was fired up and wanted more. She wanted to k-ss him some more. She wanted him to k-ss her all over her body. She checked herself, was she crazy. This wasn’t her. Paul always made her take risks. He pushed her out of her comfort zone. She stood up. She decided to take matters into her own hands. She walked into his bedroom. She saw him leaning on the wall deep in thoughts but startled by the door opening. He looked at her. “Are you sure about this?”

“Shhhh. Just don’t let me regret it”

“You will never regret it”

They k-ssed again. He took her to the bed. He turned off the lights and turned on the bed lamps. He asked her what she wanted and told her to lead him into giving her pleasure. She showed him where to touch and how to touch her. He made it all about her. All night they explored each other together. They couldn’t get enough of each other. When they were fully exhausted, Paul held her to fall asleep. He said to her, “Today is the happiest day of my life”.