EAGLE FROM THE RUBBLE: CHAPTER 32

geniusvic (54)in #story • 6 years ago (edited)

Obioha had been with Nwamaka for three months, preparing for his JAMB examination. Within this time, he had made it known in no uncertain terms that he would not be controlled. He flouted all the rules and regulations of the household. He went out and came back at will. He refused to join them in doing things together like praying, eating or going outing. He was also in the habit of openly challenging Tony' s authority.

Tony was becoming uncomfortable with especially as it was a bad example to his children. But he tolerated all these because of his wife whom he loved dearly. He knew she was troubled and scared of Obioha and because of that, he had tried to accept him in order to reassure and make her happy. But Obioha seemed to be making things more difficult by the day.

Oyibo had told him everything concerning Obioha when he was courting Nwamaka. Tony met Nwamaka in their Master's degree class. He instantly expressed interest in her but she rebuffed his every move. This rebuff merely increased his love for her and he persisted. He made enquires and discovered she was living with her sister. Tony then took the bull by the horn and introduced himself to Oyibo and her husband. When Nwamaka returned and was told about his visit she was very angry.

"Why would he come here to look for me? Is he out of his mind?" she shouted.

"What's wrong with his coming here to ask after you? He is a fine young man with a bright future," Oyibo said.

"I am not interested," she snapped.

Oyibo looked at her worriedly. She then went over to her. Putting her hand gently on her shoulders, she looked her straight in the face and said:

"Amaka, stop punishing your soul for what happened years ago. This is the time to begin a new life. Think about getting married and stop scaring suitors away. You already have a degree and now pursuing your master's degree and yet you have refused to settle down. To me, Tony is a nice person. Why not give him a chance," she pleaded.

"Sister Oyibo, I can't marry him," she sobbed.

"Why not? What is your reason?" she asked.

"I don't want to...I just can't."

"You must have a reason. Come let's sit down," she said as she led her to a seat. They sat down and Oyibo wiped her tears with her hands. "Do you realise how beautiful you are? How long will you continue rejecting suitors? Confide in me, what's your reason."

Amaka shook her head, tears streaming down her face.

"Sister Oyibo, it is not that I don't love Tony. It is just that... I don't know. How do I tell him about Obioha? It will only scare him away," she said weeping.

"Look at me, Amaka. If Tony truly loves you, he will accept you for who you are. Tell him everything. Don't keep anything from him," she urged her.

"I can't do it" she sobbed.

"Ok. Don't worry. Bring him here and I will tell him myself."

"Do you think that would be alright?" she asked.

"Yes, I do."

So it was that when next Tony visited, Oyibo told him about Obioha. He was silent all through and at the end of it all; he left without disclosing his feelings about the matter. When next he saw Amaka, he told her he still loved her no matter what her past life was. He also promised to love and care for her child. And for the past twelve years he had been doing just that but he suddenly realised that Obioha was becoming more trying for him with each passing day.

As fate may have it, Tony's mother Louisa, chose this time of Obioha's stay in her son's house to visit. Tony was from Umuduru which was about ten minutes drive from Nneri. The two communities have similar customs and traditions. Initially, when she had heard about Nwamaka's illegitimate son, she had tried to dissuade her son from marrying her. But Tony refused. Later on when Louisa came to know Nwamaka better, she came to love and appreciate her. But that did not stop her from making it known to her son that he could not adopt Nwamaka's child. He would be making himself the laughing stock of his kinsmen. Tony had listened silently to this but had not replied.

Now, as Louisa came visiting, she was not in the least happy to find Obioha in her son's house, especially as he was unruly in his behaviour. She called Tony aside as she was leaving and made her stand clear.

"You are my first son and as such I cannot remain silent about this issue. Why do you keep this boy here?" she asked.

"Which boy?" he asked.

"Of course you know who I am talking about. You and your wife have two sons and a daughter. I am contented with them. I don't want a bastard, a strange blood in my family. Send that boy away to his father now. Tomorrow is far away. Send him away to his father. Don't invite trouble unto yourself. I have said my own," she concluded as she collected her bag and left.

This discussion bugged Tony for a long time after but he did nothing concerning it.

Thanks for reading! Check my blog often for subsequent chapters.

#life #wafrica #nigeria #busy

6 years ago in #story by geniusvic (54)

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geniusvic (54) 6 years ago

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wafrica (66) 6 years ago

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