Three Generations episode 9
THREE GENERATIONS
WRITTEN BY: OGECHI ALABI
CHAPTER 9
Nwakaego didn’t know what to do. She had become prosperous in her business and had even expanded to other produce. Someone wanted to introduce her to Sapele garri which they claimed was hot cake in Rivers state. She would buy from Sapele in bulk and supply to traders in Port-Harcourt. This was her plan until Onyedika came with the news. She took all the money she intended for the business to her in-laws.
When she got to the compound, she saw her father-in-law exercising. She went to meet him. He was overjoyed to see her. “Truly, Anozie has forgiven me. Welcome my daughter, how are you? How is my child Nwanneka?”
Nwakaego burst into tears seeing how frail her father-in-law looked. How did they allow things to deteriorate this bad just because of greed? Her father-in-law spoke to her asking her to stop crying so people won’t think something terrible had happened. He led her into the house but she refused to go there, instead, she led him to the Obi as she was trying to avoid her mother-in-law’s harassment before she did what she came to do.
In the obi, she answered to all his enquiries about her family, health and business. Then she went on her knees and said to him, “Papa, I was not aware of what happened, I just heard about it. I went to see the lawyer yesterday asking him to return the gratuity money to you but he refused. I did not want to touch the money so I asked him to take control over it until Nwanneka is of age. I signed over my rights to him. He said he will not return the money to you. Papa, what I have here will not cover the wh0le money but it will at least take care of those who come in daily to harass you. As I trade, I will try to do more”
“Nwakaego, you don’t owe us anything rather we owe you. You see my son Obi, he put us in this mess and has disappeared into thin air. It is my responsibility, I allowed greed to get the better of me. I will pay the money no matter how long it takes me.”
“But why is the responsibility on you? Why do you have to pay for it?”
“My child, Obi is sly. He did not borrow any money himself, he used me. I took the responsibility of returning the money. That’s why he can disappear and no one will look for him. I now understand why Anozie hired the lawyer, truly Obi said the things Anozie claimed he said. Obi is covetous but we overlooked it. He is his mother’s son”
“Here papa. This is N1,000. Hide it. Call some of your debtors and pay them. Especially the troublesome ones. Please don’t tell anyone I brought this money biko. It is between the two of us”
“My daughter, this money is too much, it can crumble your business. I will not take it. We have already been disgraced and humiliated. What’s left? I am just waiting for death to take me”
“That’s the problem papa. If you die who will be in charge of the family? Is it Obi that ran away when there was a small storm? Mbanu, papa, pay off your debt. I will help as much as I can. Once you do that, your dignity will be restored”
“My daughter, thank you. I am ashamed of taking this money from you after all you suffered in the hands of my family. I remember when Anozie married you. I asked him if he was happy with you knowing your reputation with suitors and he said to me, “I have never been happier. Papa, I married my wife who God made for me. She is a strong woman who I know will lead this family well in future. She is hærdworking and very resilient. She is loyal and the best ally one can have. Nwakaego considers my reputation before doing anything. She loves me to the extent she can lay her life for me, and I can do the same for her” I know, and everyone knows you did not kill Anozie. When the opportunity came for my children to lay their hands on what they have never had before, they called a dog a bad name to hang it. They also transferred their greed to me. I have sworn to my God, it will never happen again. I have repented. I want you to visit us more often. I want reconciliation. You will not take responsibility for my family in any way. Swear to me today, if any of my children come to you to ask for assistance, send them back to me. If you, as a widow, can find your feet, why can’t they? Come and see me whenever you can and bring Nwanneka too”
When Nwakaego departed, Papa Anozie went on his knees even with the pain, raised his hands to the heavens and thanked God. This money was timely. One of his creditors had threatened to take him before the council. Now he could shut him up. He never knew how envious people were of him because of his son Anozie. Now he could redeem his image, at least to an extent. He planned on not telling his wife and children about the money or the source. He wanted them to keep away and think the worst of themselves.
Nwakaego travelled to Sapele to have a feel of the business. She helped the woman sell in Port-Harcourt. A customer called her aside and offered to give her money to bring ten bags of garri. She went back the same day to buy and supply the garri. As the woman got her supply, she was very happy. Other traders wanted the same. They paid her and the next day she came back with a bus full of garri. The woman who introduced her to the business was astonished at the turn of events. “This is favour, mama Nwanneka, this is favour,” she said still amazed.
Nwakaego told her family she was going to her in-laws for Christmas and New year. Her father wasn’t happy about it but she insisted ongoing. She had prepared for the holidays. She bought her father and stepmothers all they needed for Christmas and the New year celebration. It was her in-laws’ turn. She had dry fish, crayfish, dried prawns, Sapele garri, and many other items. She intended to buy a fowl or goat if the price is right.
The family was shocked to see her with Nwanneka. Only her father-in-law wasn’t.
“What are you doing here? Have you can to finish what you started?” her mother-in-law asked.
“I invited Nwakaego home. This is her home until she decides to remarry. Nobody here can harass her. I have done up two rooms, a toilet and a kitchen in your husband’s house. You will stay there with Onyedika so you will be comfortable. You can receive your visitors there ……..”
“She cannot receive any visitors there. She should receive them at our house so we will know what is happening. Nothing should be done in secret”
“You want to know if she was given money so you’ll collect it from her. This Nwakaego is different; you can see for yourself. If I see or hear you attempted to take money from her, I will throw you out of this house. Just make the mistake. You can receive your visitors anywhere you want; nobody has the right to tell you where to receive in your visitors”
“You are encouraging her to commit adultery. She should bring men into her room to visit her; where is that done?”
“A widow doesn’t commit adultery. Anozie is dead while she is still alive. I know her and what she is capable of. Onyedika, you are staying there to protect her”
“Why does she have to stay in that house? What happened to this one? Is it too small for her royal highness? After stealing our entitlement, we still have to bend over for her. The house is now Obi’s house, does she want to take it over too?” Anozie’s mother lamented.
“The house belongs to Obi and Onyedika. Obi chose his rooms while Onyedika chose his. She is staying in Onyedika’s area. When I sell the house to pay the debt, I wonder if anything will belong to Obi then. Obi that has not brought a kobo to redeem our debts wants to fight for a house he didn’t build? I am waiting for him. Anyone who tries to frustrate Nwakaego and her daughter in my home will be thrown out. I have said my bit”
Onyedika was glad he would be staying with Nwakaego in the new site. His father had put doors in the rooms, gotten some masons to floor the place well so a bed can be placed there. They built an external kitchen and other amenities. It was very comfortable and reminded her of her husband. She sat by his grave and wept. She was actually happy this Christmas and didn’t want anything to dampen her spirit.
Nwakaego went to her mother-in-law bearing gifts but the woman rejected them without looking at them. Her father-in-law told her to prepare sumptuous meals with them for him to eat. His wife looked at him in anger but he didn’t care. Nwakaeago went to prepare a meal with plenty of dry fish, stockfish and crayfish. She made ofe oha. The aroma filled everywhere. Her father-in-law went to the obi to sit in anticipation of the food to be served. His relatives who perceived the tantalizing aroma came to investigate where it was coming from. He asked them to join him in the obi while they wait. He sent word to Nwakaego of the number of people waiting to eat her delicious delicacy.
Nwakaego came out with the food and greeted her in-laws. They were happy to see her. Since she left for her father’s some of them hadn’t seen her. She served food. They ate to their heart’s content and praised her for such a delicious meal.
Her mother-in-law was by the door of their house. She watched the men make fun while eating. “Traitors!” she thought to herself. She was upset at the same time worried. What was Nwakaego’s intention of coming back? Did she come to take over what Anozie gave to her sons? She wouldn’t allow her. She was angry with Obi. He abandoned them when he was needed the most. He was obviously a coward. He had responsibilities as a first son but was dodging them because of the debts he made them incur. Her husband had warned her to steer clear Nwakaego otherwise she will face his wrath. She decided to avoid any confrontation with Nwakaego.
She looked at Nwakaego. She looked very good. She had maintained her weight loss and looked very fresh. How wouldn’t she when she had taken all her son’s assets. She looked even more beautiful than when Anozie was around. She knew she would have many suitors by now. She hadn’t heard anything negative about her. All she heard was how prosperous she had been in business. With so many debts to be paid, she had been worried. Maybe she would convince Nwakaego to help them sort out these debts.
Chijioke came to visit Nwakaego at her in-laws’ place. She was very glad to see him. She had just finished cooking ofe okazi so she offered him some. He initially rejected the food but she convinced him to eat. When he tasted the food, he finished the bowl of foofoo with the soup.
“This is very delicious. Did you make it yourself?”
“Yes, I did. I’m glad you enjoyed it”
“You can make it big in the city with this cooking skill you have”
“Really?”
“I live in Lagos, and I know many bachelors are looking for where to eat very good food; homemade food”
“Lagos is far o”
“It’s not that far. Anyway, how is the business going? I don’t need to ask; I can see it on your body it is going well”
“Honestly, I will be eternally grateful to you and your peers for what you did for me. Look at me, I am looking like a human being now. You rescued me at the right time. The dried fish in the soup is also what I sell. I kept some fish for you so you can take it back to Lagos with you and give your wife”
“Thank you. When is your daughter starting school, so we can make good our promise of training her”?
“Nna, I have become successful in my own little way. I can now afford to train my child in school. I owe everything to you and your age group. All we need are just your prayers. There are other people who desire this help, you have done more than enough for me”
Chijioke couldn’t believe his ears. What manner of woman is Nwakaego? She must be of a special breed. She is rejecting being helped? Many people would never give up the opportunity. He looked at her in disbelieve. He resolved to get his peers together, they will contribute to her to infuse in her business. That will ensure her daughter never lacks.
Anozie’s mother stood by the obi listening to them. She couldn’t believe Nwakaego passed off that opportunity. Was this girl ok? How did she intend to train her daughter when she had the opportunity on a platter of gold.
Later that evening, she confronted Nwakaego in the presence of her husband and Onyedika. She asked why Nwakaego rejected such a juicy offer.
“Mama, I can’t take the offer. Nwanneka will not be a charity case when her father left her with enough to train her in school. Anozie will train his daughter with his money. I do not want anyone approaching her in the future telling her if not for their charity she wouldn’t have gone to school. It will never happen” Nwakaego’s reply caused silence amongst them. She had actually thought this through.
“I’m proud of you my daughter. Even in death, you refused to put your husband to shame because of greed and selfishness. He was on keen on preserving his honour and that is what a well brought up woman with dignity should do.
After the New year celebrations, Chijioke came to visit Nwakaego in her father’s compound. He brought some money for her which he was able to raise from his peers. When he told them what she said about giving the educational fund to other children that need it, they were also as amazed as he was. They gladly contributed more money for her to invest in her business.
Nwakaego rejected the money but Chijioke won’t take no for an answer. He told her it was from the goodness of their hearts they gave to her. She was grateful. The money would take her father-in-law further away from debt. She packed Sapele garri, dried fish, dried prawns and crayfish for Chijioke to travel back with. She gave him two extra bags to share with his peers who had touched her life with their show of love.
That evening, she went to see her father-in-law. She gave him half of what Chijioke had given her to help reduce the debts. The other half she intended to trade with so she could give him with the interest on it. Her father-in-law cried tears of joy. He walked with her to one of his creditors who had just come that day to make trouble. He paid him in her presence. They walked together until he paid out all the money. She removed N50 from her wrapper and gave him to go home. He was good to her and she appreciated it.
Nwakaego continued to do her trade. She became a big wh0lesaler carrying trailer loads of goods to Port-Harcourt for sale. Her business was all she knew. She didn’t have time for relationsh¡ps. She was too busy and rich to be bothered about a man. She bought land in Port-Harcourt and built a guest house which accommodated travellers and businessmen and women. She had a room there for accommodation. Nobody knew she owned the building as she lived a lowkey life.
TBC