Three generations episode 64

TITLE: THREE GENERATIONS

WRITTEN BY: OGECHI ALABI

CHAPTER 64

Nwanneka woke up the next morning in a strange bed. She had the most restful sleep she had ever had since Chike’s illness. She opened her eyes and she was alone in the room. She remembered what happened last night. She remembered how daring and demanding she was. She had stepped out of her comfort zone. She became shy.

She looked around the room. It was large and set up like a hotel. There were side stools with lamps just like she had seen when she in hotels. The bed was a very comfortable king size bed that was laid with white bedsheet and duvet. How can he sleep on this bed with these sheets? The whites were immaculate. She saw a television, a chest of drawers, wardrobe, a dresser and then a reading table. She came down from the bed and observed she was completely unclad. She quickly grabbed her pyjamas folded on the side stool and put them on. Paul must have picked them up. She wanted to explore the bedroom some more but she also had to take a bath and get ready.

When Paul got back, she was no longer on the bed. He smiled. He had woken up very early and couldn’t fall asleep anymore. He played the scenes of last night in his head. He could still hear her mo-ns. He smiled. It was what he expected and a hundred times more. He watched her as she slept so peacefully. She was amazing. He couldn’t believe how crafted she was when he was able to explore her beautiful body. She didn’t look like she had any children. Clothes didn’t do justice to her body.

He walked to her room and knocked on the door. There was no answer. He felt she was shy. She wasn’t last night. He reminisced some more. He remembered how he was fighting with himself in the bedroom that night whether to come back to her or not before she walked in of her own freewill. He desperately wanted to talk about last night. He wanted to hold her in his arms and k-ss her. He was also scared of being too forward. He didn’t want to scare her away. He would look out for the greenlight before making any move. He set the breakfast items on the stool and went into his room.

After about ten minutes, Nwanneka came out. She was speaking with her kids on the phone and assured them she was coming back in the afternoon. She also spoke with her mother. She gave her the impression she was in Lagos as they spoke. That was why she didn’t answer him. She didn’t want them to hear his voice.

She saw the breakfast items laid out on the stool. She had psyched herself in while dressing on how to behave when he comes back. She knocked on his door to get his attention.

“Good morning,” Paul greeted when he came out.

“Good morning” Nwanneka replied.

“Slept well?”

“Very well. Surprisingly one of the best sleeps I have had”

“That’s my effect. So, let’s have breakfast now. You will have lunch before you go back ..”

“I will eat lunch when I get home. What are we having?”

Paul took the items into kitchen and brought back the breakfast on a tray. He had got bread with eggs, butter, sardines and coffee. When he came back out, she was in front of the television bending over to pick something from the floor. He couldn’t take his eyes off her back side. He couldn’t believe he enjoyed this last night. It stirred him immediately. Ideas filled his head. He quickly cleared his throat to distract her.

They ate in silence. She cleared the plates and refused to listen to him when he said he could handle it. She came back into the sitting room.

“What do we do while we wait for us to leave for the airport?” Nwanneka asked to ease the tension already building up.

“Can we talk about last night?”

“I would rather not. “

“We have to. Nikky, I meant every word I said. I love you and I want to be with you”

“We had s€× just like you have s€× with other girls. We have a past which made it special. We fulfilled a hunger that has lingered for years. I don’t want us to talk about it like we are an-lyzing an activity. We both had a good time; let’s quietly enjoy the memories.”

“I wanted to talk about us. Where is this heading? I want something serious”

“Paul, you are speaking out of emotions. We don’t really know each other that well. Age has changed us. Relax, there is no hurry.”

“It’s flowing right now. What are you afraid of? You are scared you will get attached? I am attached. I don’t want you to go. I want you to spend a week with me at least. There are so many years to catch up on”

“I am resuming work on Monday… What am I even saying?”

“Maybe I am going about it the wrong way. I want to see you again. When will you be in Port-Harcourt again?”

“I had no plans of coming back soon.”

Paul became frustrated. He stood up and walked over to where she was sitting. “I am controlling myself. I want to see you again. I wish you would spend another night with me but I also know it would be asking too much. So, when do I see you again?”

“We can talk about it when you are ready. My flight is for 1pm. I think we should leave for the airport now so you can make lunch with my mother”

“You are evading my question. That’s fine. When we go out, we won’t be able to do this” and he planted a k-ss on her l-ips. They k-ssed for a while. They both wanted it to progress but each wanted the other to make the first move.

Paul ended it and said to her, “Let’s talk now. Sincerely talk like two mature people”

“Paul, please don’t make this more awkward than it already is. What happened last night was something I needed. It happened, and I have gotten what I needed. Telling me you love me or asking me to stay is like we are children that don’t know we have responsibilities. I wouldn’t make that mistake. If truly you love me Paul, let me go back to my family. This isn’t the teary eyed Nikky of university days. I stepped out of my comfort zone and I enjoyed it, I must confess. But, it ends here. We remain friends; nothing more. I will value our friendsh¡p more than a rom-ntic entanglement. What you did yesterday at the site endeared me to you. At least I have a man who can look out for me. But that is where it ends. This is the reality”

Paul slouched back onto the chair. He didn’t expect this from Nikky. How do you tell a girl you love her and she tells you this bullshit? He had loved her for years now and because he did, he didn’t want to hurt her by trying to pull her out of her marriage. He has seen her again after almost twenty years and he still had the same feelings. Wasn’t he sincere enough with her? Didn’t she believe what he said about loving her?

“Maybe I should go to the airport myself. I wouldn’t want any awkwardness between us there. I am glad I met you again.”

“Nikky, what do you want from me?”

“What I need, you can’t give”

“Try me.”

“I don’t want a rom-ntic entanglement that will distract me. I am a responsible mother. All I want is a sincere friendsh¡p. But you can’t give it”

“I will take you to the airport. I don’t want to be late for lunch with your mother” Paul responded irritated.

“Please, don’t tell her anything”

“Why would I? We are just friends”

The ride to the airport was a quiet one. Nwanneka was on her phone responding to some mails while Paul was deep in thoughts. When they arrived the airport, he helped carry her luggage to the counter. He waited for her to get her ticket and boarding pass and then he hugged her and left without saying anything.

He had lunch with Nwakaego. It was a delightful lunch date. She was interesting to listen to. She asked about their relationsh¡p indirectly and he repeatedly told her they were just friends. When she saw him off to leave, she told him, “Be patient with her. She is good person and she is trying not to get hurt. She will come around with time if you are patient”

Paul thanked her. Obviously, this woman didn’t know her daughter was in his bed last night and he feared now that would be his only experience with her. He was beside himself. He drove from Nwakaego’s to Warri. He went to see his friend Fidel. He was hurting and needed someone who understood him to hear him out.

Fidel hadn’t seen Paul like this before. He talked about this girl like without her he couldn’t survive. He wasn’t making reasonable points at a time that was when Fidel realized he was venting. He allowed him. When he finished, he offered him a chilled of beer to help cool his raging emotions.

When he was calm, Fidel spoke to him. “Paul, you met this babe again and in less than 48 hours you had scored her. Not that you pressured her, she wanted it as much as you wanted it. What does it tell you? The chic is into you. Didn’t you give her premium service? I trust you now. But, you are rushing her with the wh0le emotional entanglement stuff. She wants a man not a puppy that wants to obviously show love and be loved. A mature dog is different, he is loyal and knows with confidence the bitch is his. He takes care of her without wanting something in return because he owns her. I couldn’t believe it when you told me she came to meet you; the chic likes you. Stop telling her you love her or all those emotional bullshit. Be a man. Withdraw a bit from her. Don’t call her or disturb her. I know she won’t call because she has pride. When next you are in Lagos, go and see her. Take her to dinner and drop her home. Don’t push. She will be the one running after you after some time. You allowed your emotions and love for this babe to ruin your marriage. Don’t allow it ruin your relationsh¡p with her. Stick to the friendsh¡p both of you agreed on”

Paul was quiet. He wasn’t happy hearing this, although it was the truth. Why couldn’t Nikky allow it to flow naturally? Last night was great. She went cold the next day. She should have told him she was just using him; he would still have had s€× with her. He wanted it as much as she needed it.

“Paul, she might have loved her husband and is still mourning him. For her to give you her body, you are the one”

Food for thought. Fidel was right. He was usually a mature person but Nikky always turned him to an emotional wreck. He had to take charge of emotions. He will work with her mother at site. That will be his way of showing love to her. He wouldn’t bother her with phone calls. He knew it would be difficult but he needed to do. He blocked her number on his phone and deleted it.

Nwanneka couldn’t wait to get home. She believed she did the right by letting him know where she stood. She couldn’t train children while being rom-ntically involved with another man. She knew Paul was trouble with his continuous profession of love for her. She wasn’t ready for something serious right now. She couldn’t dispute they had chemistry and if they were alone it could happen again but she didn’t want to be amongst those widows who become wayward when their husbands die. A one time indiscretion was enough. She didn’t want her children to be called the son of an ‘akwuna’ or’ashawo’ and her mother-in-law was still looking for ways to discredit and disgrace her. She was not willing to give her that satisfaction.

She waited to hear from Paul on that Sunday, he never called. She spoke with her mother worried something happened to him, she told him he came for lunch and they had a good time. She wanted to intrude on her privacy but she cut her off. She called his number much later at night. It didn’t connect. She was scared and worried.

The next time she spoke with her mother, she mentioned Paul was with her on the site. This was the confirmation Nwanneka needed to know he was alright. Why he refused to call her baffled her. She was hurt. She reminded herself what she wanted and that was friendsh¡p “Until konji hits again” she said to herself.

Nwadiuto finished defending her project and was now a certified graduate. She and some of her friends from school went into town to have fun that day. They came back very late in the night. She had gradually moved out of the hostel; she had only had only two bags to take with her. The next morning, she took her two bags and a taxi and went to the village.

She stayed in the village to enable her visit school if there was a need. That was the reason she gave her mother and grandmother but in reality, she wanted to investigate her roots. It was easy to get auntie Chinyere to talk to her about her grandfather’s death. She was always sober when she talked about those times. It took a week but finally, without rousing suspicion, she was able to get the vital information she needed. She found out her grandmother moved back to her father’s house and that was were Nwanneka grew up and had her before they moved to Port-Harcourt. She was happy. She was even closer than she thought.

Nwadiuto visited her grandmother’s village. When she mentioned who she was; the daughter of Nwanneka and granddaughter of Nwakaego, she was very well received. Nwakaego was revered there. She hærdly remembered visiting this village. Her greatuncle welcomed her to the family. He took her around to see other members of the family. He told her stories about her greatgrandfather, greatgrandmother, grandmother and mother. He showed her grandmother’s house in the village which is where she stays when comes around.

They met some people at home while others had left their homes for their daily activities. They entered a compound and a woman came out to greet them. The woman looked familiar but she couldn’t pinpoint where she might have met her. To her greatest surprise she heard,

“Mama Chidi, see Nwakaego’s granddaughter”

“She is all grown up. Nwa m, come here let me greet you. She looks like her mother. How are Nwanneka and your grandmother?”

“They are fine ma. Are you uncle Chidi’s mother?” she asked just to confirm the name.

“O, imagine, Nwanneka never forgot her cousin. They were very close when she was young, still in secondary school. That room over there was there succor. Nwanneka was teased because of her stature and physique; she had the body of a full grown woman before she turned fifteen. Chidi was the only one that could calm her down.”

“Where is he now? My mother talks about him fondly but hasn’t been relating with him”

“He is in UNN. He is a professor.”

“I would love to meet him. I want to have my Master’s degree in UNN. Can I get his contact?”

Mama Chidi gave Nwadiuto Chidi’s phone number gladly. She stayed with the woman to eat while she learnt how Chid was one of the early benefactor of Nwakaego’s scholarsh¡p. Nwadiuto knew she had found her father. She knew she had found out the well hidden secret. She trembled as she ate what her grandmother offered her. She knew she was home.

She called Josh on her way back to her village. She said to him, “I have found him. I have found my father”

Josh was speechless as he heard the silent sobs that followed. He didn’t know what to say to her but he knew she needed help. He said to her, “Do you want me to come over?”

“Would you?”

“I will if you want. I have a meeting to attend then I can catch a flight down. Or better still, why not come over so we won’t be rushed. I will check you into a hotel so we can talk as long as you like. What do you think?”

“I’ll come. Book my flight. Thank you Josh, I need this time away”

She packed a few things and told auntie Chinyere she was going back to the hostel. She printed out her ticket and left for Lagos. A car was waiting to pick her at the airport and take her to the hotel. She laid down on the bed and waited for Josh to come. He had sent her a message he would join her after work so they wouldn’t be interrupted.

She was lost in thoughts when Josh knocked on the door. He came with five bags that she had to help him carry some,

“What are these?”

“It is to help us cool our nerves when we talk. It will soothe us during the difficult conversation. And also dinner. Tell me, how are you?”

At that moment Nwadiuto held onto Josh and began bawling. Josh held her for as long as she wanted to be held. When she relaxed, he led her to the couch in the room and sat beside. He then gave her his handkerchief to dry her tears. When she had calmed down, he brought out the bowl of ice cream, skittles, maltesers and the big packs of smarties. It made Nwadiuto laugh.

As he was bringing out the disposal cups and spoons, Nwadiuto said too him jokingly, “I am depressed and you want to make me fat?”

“One day of consuming junk won’t kill you but lift your spirit. Sit back and enjoy” he replied as he poured smarties in her ice cream up which already had the other chocolate.

Nwadiuto smiled. See what Ada was missing. Josh would have been the best man for Ada. Now Nnaemeka has proposed Ada was hærdly in Lagos. With the help of Josh, she was still able to run the affairs of the office. Her mother didn’t complain too; she must be happy Nnaemeka was marrying Ada. She had asked her to bring a suitor too which made her laugh.

She didn’t know if Ada had finally told Josh about her marriage proposal. She didn’t want to be a tale bearer and so she decided to allow them sort their friendsh¡p out. She also didn’t tell Ada Josh knew about Nnaemeka.

“So, what happened? How did you find him?”

“I didn’t act on your suggestion until after my project defence. I went to the village to stay with my auntie. She was the one that told me where my mother grew up before she had me.”

“Where was that?”

“My grandmother’s village”

“Oooo. Ok, this is getting serious”

“I went there to visit them. I introduced myself. My greatuncle (my grandmother’s half brother) showed me around. He took me to a compound where I met a woman. Guess what he called her?”

“What?”

“Mama Chidi. My father was my mother’s second cousin. Now I know why it was a secret. Josh, I am a child of incest. How could my mother have laid with her cousin? Why wasn’t I aborted when they found out? This is a serious abomination.”

“You are talking nonsense. Why would your mother abort you? You are here for a purpose. Never regret why you were born”

“I am a child of shame. I am a child whose paternity was concealed in order to avoid open disgrace. I asked around. They told me the repercussion of incest. No wonder my mother never went back there. I didn’t go back too. My existence must be a constant reminder of my mother’s sin. No wonder we don’t have a bond. She has always been harsh towards me…”

“She has always wanted to protect you. I met your mother and I know she is proud of you. It is your discovery that is putting these thoughts into your head. Nothing has changed. Your mother did the best for you and you have told me how much she helped form you. Will you say same about your grandmother?”

“She loved me. She spoilt me. I bear her husband’s name as she regards me as her daughter. Why did she hide this from me?”

“She wanted to protect you. Let’s not focus on blaming anyone. We have an important information, what do we do with it? Would you want to tell him what you know? Maybe you should let him know you are his daughter he abandoned. Where is he?”

“He is in Nsukka. He is a professor there. I know my mother is very intelligent and I also have an intelligent father”

‘No wonder. Would you like to meet him?”

“I’m not sure. What do I tell him?”

“I will suggest you be friends with him before revealing who you are”

“I can’t do this alone”

“I will be with you. I know how this can be; it might turn out the way you wouldn’t want and get you feeling so depressed that you will become suicidal. We don’t want that. We have to have a strategy. I still have some days from my last year’s leave. I could take a few days off. I haven’t been to Nsukka before. We will explore the place together. I love to travel”

Nwadiuto’s eyeballs w¡den in surprise while she said, “Will you go with me?”

“I will. I will stand by you all the way. Have you told your mother and grandmother?”

“I haven’t. They will discourage me and tell me lies. I want to know the truth”

“Let me find out when we can go.” He called his boss and also Human Resources department of his branch. It was arranged for Thursday the following week. It was perfect timing as he would only miss two days of work.

They stayed together talking and eating. Josh digressed from the topic to something he knew would spark her interest. She hadn’t heard from Malik and couldn’t find his number on her phone. He asked how she was celebrating her graduation since Malik was not in the picture.

“I will sort out my father issues before I seek him out to have the celebration”

“You are still adamant about this. He hasn’t called you since the last time you saw him and you are still willing to be with him. What do you ladies really want? Can’t you see?”

“I have a fantasy in my head and I have to achieve it”

“You will meet your father and so many issues that had held you captive will release you. You will no longer need to rebel or follow a path of destruction. Malik has nothing to offer except destroy you. The problem is that you women are so gullible and fall for his antics. You never see a good thing even when it stares you in the face. I’ve got to go.”

“Why so soon? Are you angry with me?”

“Why should I be? It’s your body and your choice. I will still be here to console you when the inevitable happens”

“I don’t think you like Malik; why are you even friends with him?”

“I like you more that is why I am speaking up knowing the kind of person he is. You saw it for yourself. Promise me one thing” she nodded, “when you want to do your idiocy, don’t tell me. I don’t want to hear anything about. Just don’t ever let me know it happened”

“I won’, I promise. Is that why you are leaving me? Or do you have a babe at home? Your phone had been blinking for sometime now and you just ignored it”

“I put my phone on vibrate so you could have my undivided attention. Did I do wrong? There is no one in my house waiting for me except my sister and my house steward. Is that ok?”

“Yeah, I was just joking”

“I know. I think you should get some sleep. I will talk to you in the morning so you can go back to the Owerri. If your mind wonders, you can just come back home.”

“If I come back home, I can’t go to Nsukka. I will stay in the village and wait for you”

“Ok. We will leave on Thursday when I arrive. I will send my driver to pick you up tomorrow. He will bring you breakfast too.”

“Thank you. You are such a good friend”

“You are a good girl. I like so many things about you. You are young and also mature and smart. I like that. I want you to be happy and you will, soon”

“I really want to be”

“You will. Come here” he said as he gave her a hug. And then he left.