Too precious episode 12

TITLE: TOO PRECIOUS

WRITTEN BY: OGECHI ALABI

CHAPTER 12

The months that followed made PB realise how much she loved Biodun. He knew how to woo a woman. He gave her his undivided attention. He sent food and gifts to her office. He called her at least five times a day; they saw each other five times a week. He made it a duty to check up on her on his way home.

Three months after the proposal, PB informed her grandparents and mother of Biodun proposal, they were both happy. PY was very excited too. She said she would love to attend the wedding and play her part. She was no longer worried about her father as he had disowned her because she ran away.

Biodun had proved himself to her and she was ready for the next step. He gave her a ring; an engagement ring. He took her to meet his family. They lived at Sango Ota, Ogun state. They lived in a modest three-bedroom bungalow that Biodun claimed they owned. She met his siblings; two younger sisters and a brother. They were all in higher institutions. It was strange but they were all in school together but she didn’t bother to ask questions. They were very nice to her.

She invited Biodun home to officially meet her family. Two of her uncles were present. They had lunch and the men quizzed him. After his stay, PB saw him off. Her uncles were pleased with her choice and gave their go-ahead for the wedding. She requested for a modest wedding taking into consideration his family wasn’t buoyant and might not be able to meet up with the flamboyance. They agreed to a very modest wedding with only two hundred guests.

That night, her grandmother called PB into her bedroom. She never allowed her into her bedroom since she reported her to Chief many years ago. She was surprised when she asked her to come into the room.

“Precious. I named you Precious and I want you to be always conscious of the name. This boy you brought to the house, is he the boy you want to marry?”

‘Yes, grandma. His name is Biodun and I want to marry him”

“I don’t like him. I feel strange around him. There is a negative aura around him. There is something fishy about him. Before you go ahead, investigate him. Ask questions about him. He is hiding something. Don’t rush into the marriage, do your findings. Go spiritual. Your mother only knows how to attack my son spiritually but can’t investigate her daughter’s fiancé. I have told you what I observed it is left for you to decide what you want to do”

“Thank you, grandma. I will investigate him. If I find out he isn’t genuine, I will end the relationsh¡p but if I find out he is, I will marry him. I will also ask my mother to check spiritually too”

PB told her mother what her grandmother had suggested. Her mother said she didn’t know any spiritual means. She told her to ask her grandmother to check spiritually for her. She added, “The report will never be good. Let her do that one while you find out more about him from where he lives and also where he works”

She asked her grandmother to help her with the spiritual aspect while she investigated his background. Her grandmother was happy to do it for her. PB went to where he lived asking questions about him. She got someone to ask questions at his place of work. Everything seemed fine there. She needed to dig further.

PB asked Biodun where he grew up. He said he grew up with his aunt at the barracks. He was too stubborn so his father sent him to stay with his sister who was married to a military officer. When she asked which barracks, Biodun went silent. He then asked her if she was investigating him.

“I am not. I just want to know about your background”

“I am an open book, no need to snoop. I will take you to see my aunt and her family so you will see where I grew up. Is that ok?”

‘That’s fine. I would like to meet more of your family members”

Biodun took her to see members of his family. He didn’t fail to mention who her grandfather was when he introduced her. He seemed so proud. His family members were all over her. The older ones especially.

Titi called PB into her room and gave her the result of her findings. She was told not to marry him because they wouldn’t be able to have children. She also said a curse was on his head.

It sounded like gibberish to PB. PB told her grandmother there are modern technologies that could help couples who don’t have children to bear children. And even if it becomes difficult, they would adopt.

“That’s a bastard.”

‘That’s a child and will be my child.”

“I thank God it is not more than this. Since you don’t believe in curses, you can go ahead. I gave them money to cancel the curses.”

“Thank you, ma.”

“Precious, aren’t you worried about your father? He has been in prison for too long. He has changed. Talk to your grandfather so he will release him. At least he will give you away.”

“Grandma, are you going to sponsor my wedding?”

“Why did you ask?”

“If grandpa refuses to sponsor my wedding because I went to him about my father, will you sponsor it? No, you won’t. If you feel so strongly, meet grandpa yourself. If he releases him, it wouldn’t be because of my wedding. He is playing no part in it; he is dead to me. Only the man who took care of me like a father will give me away. I don’t want anything flamboyant and I want my grandfather there.”

“You are a bad child. So, you have disowned your father because he has a problem. Well done. Like mother like daughter. Because your grandfather has money therefore your father is useless?”

“Whatever you say is fine by me; it doesn’t change anything. Even you denying the trauma your son put us through is ok by me. I don’t want to be reminded of my stupidity and I will not be a party to another stupid act. Handle it yourself. Thank you, grandma”

PB told Biodun about the plans for the wedding. She told him she wanted everything done in one day and within five hours. He asked her why she wanted it that way, she said she wanted a small wedding.

“Small wedding? Why? I thought we would paint the town red”

“On who’s cost? My father is in jail and my grandfather will be the only one footing the bill”

“He can afford it. Did he agree to a small wedding?”

“He did. We should concentrate on the important things. We have to move out of here to a three-bedroom. I would prefer a place outside Ogba. I will get an agent tomorrow to start looking if you agree”

“Yes, you can”

“I will pay half of the rent while you pay the remaining half. Is that ok?”

“Nice. That’s fine. What else?”

“The salary at the firm isn’t much, I would have to look for another job. It would mean I can’t have a baby immediately”

“We are not in a hurry”

“Let’s plan the wedding itself. We are having not more than two hundred guests”

“That’s a small number. How many family members do you have. Only my family is a hundred people not including friends, colleagues and clients”

“Then you won’t invite all your relatives. Cut them down. I have trimmed mine to fifty people and my direct invitees are not up to ten. I can give you the remaining one hundred and fifty thousand invites. I want a very private wedding. This is my person”

“What of me? Are you considering me at all? Did you ask me if I want to have a small wedding?”

“We discussed it and I told you I wanted a modest wedding, you didn’t say anything then”

“Precious, I have people who need to be present to help advance my career. You need to take a lot of things into consideration”

This was their first misunderstanding. Biodun knew whatever Precious wanted she got. He went to speak with her grandfather. He claimed PB didn’t carry him along and he had many relatives, colleagues and clients who he wanted to invite to the wedding.

Chief Rotimi said he didn’t know the lady he wants to marry. “She wants a modest wedding. I have gotten a bill. She was generous enough to give you one hundred and fifty invites. If you want to bring more people, you can but you will have to cater to them”

“Chief, the way to do it is to do the engagement on Thursday and wedding on Saturday. I will invite my relatives for the engagement and only two hundred people for the white wedding”

“Discuss it with Precious. I doubt she would agree. She is a modest girl. Talk to her first”

PB refused outrightly. Finally, she agreed to three hundred guests. The wedding would hold in a day within five hours and then an after-party which PB wasn’t interested in attending.

Chief Rotimi was happy when she came with the change of plans. He told her he was proud of her for compromising. “That what a successful marriage is all about. Your husband was happy when you agreed. We will use the same venue for the wedding and then I have chosen another venue for the after-party. Food and drinks will be surplus there. You have nothing to worry about my dear child”

Her grandmother took over the purchase of the traditional wedding attire for the couple. She even purchased for Biodun’s family members. PB ordered her wedding gown and all the accessories for it from abroad. She paid for it herself. Her mother was upset with her. She called Biodun and told him he was responsible for PB’s wedding gown and accessories. Biodun transferred money to her immediately. Seun hærdly talks but when she does, people listen.

Chief showed PB a newly renovated block of four flats in an Estate in Ikeja. She liked the environment. She loved it.

“I am giving you this building as a wedding gift. It will be in your name alone and you can hand it down to your children. It is good for a mother to also leave an inheritance for her children. Also, I don’t want his family knowing you own this house. You mentioned looking for an affordable apartment to live in. After marriage, both of you can live here and rent out the remaining flats”

“Chief, I appreciate your gift. I would have been more grateful if you had given it to my husband and me. The truth is that we don’t need this gift now, it will make us comfortable and I don’t want that. What we need are more clients for Biodun so he can be on his own and a good job for me. Together we can make our wealth. This is like a handout to us. If we can’t pay rent, what can we afford to pay? What will we do with the money? Let us work for our money”

“You are a sensible child. Unfortunately, there is a way this world is. Let me advise you, take a flat here and move in with your husband. Both of you will pay the rent and the lawyer will keep the money for you or even invest for you. Biodun doesn’t need to know it is your house. Nobody knows. The former landlord signed the doc-ments directly to you. We haven’t changed anything yet until you give us instructions to do so. Collect money for rent and pay the landlord’s lawyer. It is your money but you are paying your rent and being responsible”

PB took Biodun to see the place. He fell in love with it. She showed him the flat she wanted. It was more expensive than their budget. Biodun provided the money for the difference. He also gave her some money for the furnishing. She used what they had available and received help from her mother for some of the furnishings. The kitchen was adequately equipped as a wedding gift from her grandfather’s only daughter.

Biodun moved into the flat a few days before the wedding. He loved the place. He brought his family members to stay there with him to attend the wedding from there. He didn’t inform PB.

PY arrived a day before the wedding. She came with Simon. When PB saw her, she was speechless. PY was pregnant. She wondered what was going on as PY didn’t mention anything about pregnancy to her.

“I didn’t want to tell you. You would never have supported our plans.”

“What plans?”

“This will make my father and Simon’s father accept our love.”

“Have they?”

“They are not aware yet. My father fought Simon’s father; that is what caused the wh0le problem. His father doesn’t want to see me and doesn’t understand we are in love. I don’t want him to go against his father. He said he wants us to have a child together; it will cement our relationsh¡p forever. Whether we are together or not, the child binds us. Elvis is dating a white girl. My father wants to run mad. He told my dad he is never coming back to Nigeria.”

“Pregnancy is no guarantee that all will be well. Both of you should have handled this more maturely. No need crying over spilt milk, is your mother aware?”

“She isn’t. She is in America with Allen and his daughter.”

“What of Adaeze?”

“She walked out of the marriage. Allen refused to support her lifestyle and there was a major problem. She left her baby they waited three years for, came back to Nigeria to catch her fun. She is a Lekki big girl. She is hotter than she was before. My mother said she refused to nurse the baby only for her to discover she had silicone in her b-obs. She had her b-obs done.”

“Are you serious? When did she do that? She didn’t have b-obs when I last saw her.”

“I was surprised when my mother said it. I searched for her on social media and then I saw her. She is different. She is like a barbie doll. Allen cannot deal. She is so artificial. Let me show you” PY brought up a picture of Adaeze for PB to see.

“She is hot. These her assets are to die for. She didn’t do this for Allen. Allen is so simple and down to earth. Poor him”

“Her parents promised to talk to her, according to my father, but Allen has made up his mind and filed for divorce and custody of the child. He sent the copy of the divorce to her family in Nigeria. He blocked every one of them, including my father. Marriage has ended. I met her in Abuja one time. I stayed with Simon there. She was shocked when she saw me. She was with another man.”

“They could be friends.”

“Madam, the things they were doing isn’t what friends do. When she saw me, she couldn’t look at me a second time.”

“Did you tell on her?”

“Why would I? Allen will find out someday. I don’t think infidelity is part of his problem; abandonment is the main cause it”

“I feel for Allen; he would have been loved and appreciated by a more reasonable woman. She was too flashy and into the world for him. He has always been the reserved one that liked a private life.”

“Well, after the next court date, he is moving back to Lagos. He wants to sell his house in America and buy one in Lagos. He has always wanted to come home, but my father refused. Now he is coming back on his terms.”

“I am happy he now has control over his life.”

“I am too. I am happy for myself too. Simon loves me. I am so confident about that.”

“Yes, he does. Sort out issues with his family, I beg you.”

“When the baby comes. I’m still you chief bride’s maid.”

“Of course. I don’t want anyone else.”