Sisterhood

Sisterhood episode 79

TITLE: SISTERHOOD

AUTHOR: OGECHI ALABI

CHAPTER 79

###

Uloma went to the recruitment agency. They had further discussions and received the remaining documentation they required from her. Then they told her the retail stores she would be covering. Luckily, three were in Houston while the rest were in neighbouring towns. She knew the office she would be working out of.

She resumed at her desk on the same day. She informed Iyke where her office was and that she wanted to get accommodation nearby. Iyke lived very close to her office. She didn’t want to live with him. Luckily, there was an opening in another residential complex a block away from his. It was a small apartment but it was perfect for Uloma. It would be the first time she would be completely independent. Iyke had to give her that.

When Iyke was off work, they looked at the apartment together and Uloma paid. They went in search of basic furnishing for the apartment. Uloma insisted on handling it herself. She bought a mattress first and some cooking utensils. In less than two weeks, the apartment was furnished

Both of them were working but they still tried to spend time together. When they couldn’t; they talked on the phone. Everything was going very well. They hardly had misunderstandings. Iyke noticed Uloma was reserved. He liked that about her but she wasn’t exposed. He wanted her to be balanced. He was surprised when she received her first salary and she sent everything to her mother.

“How would you survive for the rest of the month?” Iyke asked her.

“I will survive. I have everything I need. Besides, she will use the money to buy me foodstuff if she sees anyone coming to America. We have many Igbo people in Houston but I will like to keep a low profile.”

“Dress up, let’s go to the store. I need to stock your kitchen up for now.”

Uloma laughed. “Nkem has helped me with some money already. She knows the tradition, we all did it. I didn’t need much, my rent has been paid up for three months and I also have savings from my previous petty jobs.”

“Whenever you need anything, let me know.”

Uloma shook her head and said, “I can’t do that.”

“Why?” Iyke asked confused.

“I don’t make demands. I will work and get whatever my heart desires.”

“But if I give you willingly, you will accept?”

“I will. We don’t know each other that well. Your work schedule hasn’t given us the opportunity. I have a lot to tell you before we take this further. I didn’t know you will do all this for me. I don’t want it to appear as though I deceived you; it is not my intention. There is something you don’t know about me. It might break us up because only three people alive are aware of this. My mother and brothers are not aware.”

“But Nkem is. Ok, tell me what it is. I am dying to know what Uloma has done she is so ashamed of,” he asked jokingly.

“I got pregnant and had a child when I was nineteen and in the university.” Iyke did not expect this. He couldn’t believe his ears. Pregnant? Uloma didn’t look like a wayward girl, so how come? He asked her. “I was a novice, I didn’t even realise I was pregnant. When I did, the guy responsible gave me some pills that almost killed me. I was already six months gone. So, I had the baby.”

“And where is the child now?”

“I gave her up for adoption. I had to. It would have killed my mother and destroyed our family’s reputation. Nkem found out after I had given her up for adoption. She was angry with me. She is in a good home with a family that loves her. I continued my life and swore never to make such a mistake again.”

“That’s why you don’t want to have sex. You are still naive. There are ways to prevent unwanted pregnancies. It happened when you were young and unaware. Since the child is no longer in the picture, you didn’t have to tell me. So why did you tell me?”

“I don’t want you spending on me and later finding out about it. Besides, Nkem insisted I must confide in you about it and swear you to secrecy.”

“But you didn’t swear me to secrecy.”

“If you ever felt anything for me, you will not tell a soul about this. I have carried this secret for years and it will remain so.”

“I don’t think it is something you should be ashamed of though. It happens so often and the girls still raise their children. You made the right choice giving the baby up because you couldn’t afford to take care of her. No one can blame you for that. But you shouldn’t beat up yourself over it.”

“I have suffered self-esteem issues since then. I didn’t believe any man would love me the way I deserved to be loved.”

“What happened to the father?”

“He dumped me immediately after he was told I almost lost my life from the drugs.”

“Now I am aware, it is not a big deal to me. I got girls pregnant too in my days but we knew how to handle such.” He paused and looked Uloma straight into her eyes and said, “I can love you the way you deserve. I love you, I am not kidding. I am not trying to be smart here; I am speaking my mind. Nkem doesn’t need to know anything until we make the move to legalise things. Our schedule is very different but if we stay together, we will see each other more often. We live close to each other but we hardly spend quality time together.”

“What do you mean?”

“Let’s have a real relationship without interference from family members. If we agree we want to be together forever, then we take the bold step.”

“I will not move in with you, but I can visit. If you are on an earlier shift, you can come over to my place. If I close when you are off, I come over to yours.”

Read – Vampire queen episode 55 – 56

“Can I ask you this question? Were you involved with someone before you left Nigeria?”

“No, I wasn’t.”

“So there is no one waiting for you back in Nigeria?”

“There is no one. Why did you ask?”

“I just wanted to be sure.”

“What about you? Is there anyone waiting for you in Dallas?”

Iyke laughed as he understood the game she was playing. “I don’t. To prove it, I will give you a key to my apartment, you can come in at any time.” They gave each other spare keys to their apartments.

The relationship blossomed from there. Before long, they were sleeping over at each other’s apartments and had items of clothing and other personal effects left behind there. They got very close and intimate. Uloma was experiencing a different kind of love. Iyke cared for her and was kind towards her. He never talked down to her and corrected her lovingly. She appreciated it so much and falling completely in love wasn’t difficult.

Iyke, on the other hand, hadn’t met a girl who was so dedicated to him. She still had the mindset that she had to cook, do laundry (he hated doing it) and clean. No matter what time he came back from his shift, a hot meal and drink would be waiting for him. She was a quick learner and focused, especially on her job. She made his life very easy and he in return spoilt her. He bought her clothes, shoes, jewellery, wristwatches and gadgets he knew she would not think of buying. He changed her dress sense, she dressed more classy compared to when she first arrived.

###

On Uloma’s birthday, Nkem decided to surprise her by flying over to Houston to see her and celebrate with her. Uloma had told her she was taking the day off to just rest. This was a Friday so Nkem decided to spend the weekend with her. She had the address of the apartment (she had sent foodstuff to it her and placed orders for her).

Nkem arrived in Houston and went to Uloma’s place. She knocked on the door several times but there was no answer. It was 10 am and she expected Uloma to be up. She was about to call her on the phone when the door was opened. It was Iyke that answered the door. He was shirtless and was wearing his boxers. Both of them were shocked at this point.

Iyke recovered faster, “Come in. The place is a bit untidy but I will just pick up my stuff.”

Nkem entered the house. He picked a few things off the chair and went into the room. It took some time for Uloma to come out. She greeted Nkem but couldn’t look her in the face.

“You should have told me your boyfriend is around to celebrate with you.”

“He is leaving soon; his shift starts at 11 am. He will be back in time for the celebration.”

“That is nice.”

Iyke came out dressed in fresh clothes. He said he was leaving, he kissed Uloma in Nkem’s presence and he left. Uloma was embarrassed.

“What is going on here, Uloma?”

“We are in a relationship.”

“It looks like it has become serious. I knocked for a long time.”

“We were sleeping. We slept very late. We started celebrating by midnight. I am sorry.”

“In a relationship? What’s going on here? Are you sleeping with him now?”

“Sister Nkem, we are in a relationship. Let’s forget about that. I missed you. Thanks for coming, I am so happy to see you. Let me see what you brought for me.”

Nkem gave her the bag she came with while she looked around the apartment. She went to the fridge and found a half-eaten cake and ice cream. She served herself some while she waited for Uloma to come out. She came out wearing a nice dress Nkem bought for her and a pair of shoes. She was struggling to wear her earrings. That was when Nkem noticed she had fixed her nails. They were not too long but it was a change from what Uloma was used to.

“Thank you sis for the outfit.”

“Let’s try the other one,” Nkem replied and followed her into the room. The room was tidy. She sat on the bed while Uloma undressed and wore the other dress. It was very nice too. She thanked her. There was jewellery on the bed from her. “What did Iyke get for your birthday.”

Uloma smiled as she opened her wardrobe and brought out a bag. She then said, “One of his colleagues put this bag on her wishlist. He saw it and asked me if I liked it. I liked it although it was expensive. He bought it for me. I was surprised. It is so beautiful,” she said as she handed the bag over to her.

Nkem was not concentrating on the bag, it was the open wardrobe her eyes were focused on. She saw male clothes inside and also scrubs worn by doctors. She was confused. She looked lower and saw male shoes too. She asked, “Does Iyke stay with you? I mean, does he live here?”

“No, he has his apartment.”

“Uloma, what is going on? Are you living with this guy? The first guy that gave you face in America you have given in to him. Both of you are having sex. You can’t kill me before my time. Why Iyke? Why Demian’s brother? Why are you messing up yourself like this? You are from a good home and you are sharing an apartment with a man. You are giving him your body freely. When it ends, what do you think will happen? His family will know my sister was his whore.”

“Ah! Sister Nkem it is not like that. We love each other. He treats me well and accords me respect. He has never done anything to make me feel he is not genuine with his feelings. That’s why we didn’t tell anyone we are here. His parents don’t know he is now in Houston, they think he is in Dallas. We want to see how well this will work without interference.”

“Uloma, you are thinking with that thing between your legs. This guy might be serious but the war ahead is worse. I thought you had even moved on from him not knowing it was getting stronger. Please Uloma, whatever you do, don’t get pregnant.”

They went out together for lunch on Nkem where they talked some more. Uloma wore one of the beautiful dresses Nkem gifted her and carried her new designer bag. She looked amazing as they left the apartment for lunch. At the restaurant, they got stares but they didn’t notice as they talked.

Nkem asked, “By the way, have you told him about Elsie?”

“Yes, I have. He didn’t have a problem with it. He also got a girl pregnant but they did not keep the pregnancy.”

“He said he was ok with it?”

“Yes, he did.”

Nkem wondered if this was for real as it seemed too good to be true.

Iyke called to find out where they were after his shift. He came to meet them at the mall and took them out for some ice cream from there. Nkem asked him what his intentions were towards Uloma as they were now co-habiting. He didn’t deny it. “I want to marry her.”

“Really?” Nkem asked. “When?”

“Right now if she will accept.” He went on one knee before Uloma and said, “I planned on doing this later tonight to complete this beautiful day celebration but I know how much you love your sister, change of plans. I love you and I know you love me too. So, would you marry me so we can make it official?”

Uloma was in tears as she said yes. Nkem thought she was part of a movie or something. What was going on? Iyke proposed. The ring was so beautiful. They looked like they were serious about this. Nkem’s fears came rushing back. She had to hold herself back from spoiling the special moment. She watched Iyke kiss Uloma passionately in her presence. She couldn’t wait to tell Demian all about it. Nkem insisted on leaving that evening as there was no reason to stay. She didn’t want to share the house with them when they were being intimate. She didn’t want to think about it. They dropped Nkem off at the airport as she left for home.

Demian was shocked when Nkem told him Iyke proposed. She asked if he was aware Iyke had left Dallas, but he wasn’t. She told him what she saw and what Uloma told her about their co-habiting.

“That’s strange. Iyke doesn’t like to live with people. Even when I was back home, he insisted on a room to himself. We thought he was on drugs but he wasn’t. He likes his space. I am surprised he is living with Uloma. Since they want it to be private, let’s keep it that way. When they are ready to announce their engagement, we will be there to support them. Stop worrying, she is not a child. They are in love, let them be. At least my brother is getting some action right away while it took me years to get there.”

“That’s my point.”

“It is a useless point. Let them be and do not put ideas in Uloma’s head. Let her marry who she desires. My brother will take good care of her.”

Back to top button
Close

Adblock Detected

We plead you off your AdBlock on this site, as it kills the only source of it income.