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 throu-ghthe 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 nee-ded 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 embarras-sed me in your hotel room that night?”
“Anne, you remember. I did. I ended the relationship not long after the incident. She came one morning to Se-duce 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 nee-ded 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 haras-sed 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 as-saulted 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 relationship? Had she mourned Chike enough? She had been feeling lonely and frustrated. Her friend who is also her colleague, Joy, told her she was se-xually 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 un-derstand”
“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 un-derstand”
“Come home with me. Spend the night with me. No, it’s not because I want se-x. 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 se-x. 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 se-x unless you ru-b my che-st. 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 pas-sed. 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 attra-cted 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 Br@ndy 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 ki-ss she had with him. Her first R0m-ntic ki-ss. It was the best ki-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 R0m-ntic movies. I have the old clas-sics. 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 brou-ght 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 as-sured 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 R0m-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 cud-dle 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 brou-ght them home. She saw the flash and looked throu-ghit. 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 pas-sed, I would have been at your doorsteps ages ago. I un-derstand 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, “ki-ss me”. Paul didn’t nee-d to be told twice. He ki-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 ki-ss got dee-perand more pas-sionate. Paul was as lost as she was. She knew it was either now or never. She stopped the ki-ss.
Paul heaved a sigh. She could see the pas-sion 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 ki-ss him some more. She wanted him to ki-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 de-ep 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 ki-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 plea-sure. 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”.
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 che-st of drawers, wardrobe, a dresser and then a reading table. She came down from the bed and observed she was completely na-ked . 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 M0-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 ki-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 as-sured 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 brou-ght back the breakfast on a tray. He had got bread with eggs, bu-tter, 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 se-x just like you have se-x 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-alyzing 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 ki-ss on her li-ps. They ki-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 nee-ded. It happened, and I have gotten what I nee-ded. 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 friendship more than a R0m-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 nee-d, you can’t give”
“Try me.”
“I don’t want a R0m-ntic entanglement that will distract me. I am a responsible mother. All I want is a sincere friendship. 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 de-ep 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 pas-s and then he hu-gged 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 relationship 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 nee-ded someone who un-derstood 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 whole 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 bitc-h 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 relationship with her. Stick to the friendship 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 se-x with her. He wanted it as much as she nee-ded 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 nee-ded 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 R0m-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 nee-ded 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 friendship “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 nee-d. 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 nee-ded. 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 ha-rdly 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 scholarship. 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 nee-ded 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 nee-d 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 brou-ght 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 cu-ps 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 ha-rdly 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 friendship 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 ab-orted when they found out? This is a serious abomination.”
“You are talking nonsense. Why would your mother ab-ort 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 widen 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 Br@nch. 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 celeBr@ting her graduation since Malik was not in the picture.
“I will sort out my father issues before I seek him out to have the celeBr@tion”
“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 rele-ase you. You will no longer nee-d 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 viBr@te 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 hu-g. And then he left.