Two years ago…..
Sharon
It's been a week now after the incident, the war, the celebration of Wendy's new babies and all. I woke up late today, my head feeling heavy. I don't know if the pregnancy has something to do with my fatigue and tiredness. But I've already thrown up about four times today and I'm still feeling weak.
I went down to the kitchen, still in my nighties. Jide already called me on FaceTime earlier, saying he'll be at my place later. I'm glad he's doing great now. He's body has totally healed to treatments.
I was sipping the green tea I made for myself when I heard the main door shut. With the mug in my hand, I went to check who it is.
Lo and behold, it was Jide's immediate elder sister. The fourth child of the family. She's just a year older than him. She's a happily married lawyer with two kids and they all live together in America.
Ifunanya. But normal pronunciation sounds like Ifi-nanya. Or call her Ify for short.
We've only met once at Jide's parents wedding anniversary and she's never look at me twice or regarded me. She always has this ego that makes me wonder how she even got married in the first place. I think amongst all Jide's siblings, it's only Wendy and I that share a friendly bond. So, I'm still wondering what Ify is doing in my house and on top of it all, how she got my address.
Her dark eyes roam around the place for a while, then she flutter her fake lashes at me and dropped her designer handbag on the couch. I always remember Jide reminding me that Ify can be intimidating and saucy with sharp tongue. She's so mean about everything, so, I just have to play nice and never raise my voice on her.
When I first greeted and she snubbed me, I gulp the remain of my green tea.
And there the bullets rained from her eyes to me, "How disrespectful you can be. You're drinking something in front of me without regarding me first. Is that how your parents brought you up?"
"But I—" hoping I could defend myself from her claws before she bites again.
"Oh please, shut your castrated crap up." It took all the power in me to calm down my nerves so I don't spark back. "I'm talking and you're talking? Not after how you humiliated my younger brother. You should be ashamed of yourself for causing him pains. Not after everything he's done for you and how he loved you. Yet, you dragged him to the mud with you. Ungrateful servant."
So, this was actually about the incident with Jide?
"I'm just being nice coming to show my concern that you're…." Her fake lashes flapping up and down on me till it stopped on my stomach. "... Pregnant. With maybe my niece or nephew, I don't know."
I look down at my fidgeting fingers. I'm just trying to keep my cool because Jide has given me pre lectures about all his siblings attitudes and I don't want to fail him.
"But my brother is a very sweet soul and a good person." She continued. Her six inches heels clicking everywhere on the floor as she walked around. "But still, I don't know how he wants to end up with a wretched witch like you."
I held onto the edge of the dinning table when I felt the nausea coming again.
It's like she noticed my behaviour and glance on her watch, "Have you eaten yet?"
God, tell me she's not here to babysit me because I'll die. "No."
She gave me a look that can send me to an early grave. "No? What is wrong with you?" Her eyes flash to my stomach and I touched it. "It's past ten already and you haven't had breakfast yet? Do you want to starve my niece or nephew to death? What kind of a mother are you planning to become? Do you think you can push a baby out by doing hunger strike?"
"I—" God, she won't let me speak.
"Shut up." She snapped and I swear I feel like crying my eyes out. "Stop talking. Are planning to waste the little energy that's keeping that baby alive on your foolishness?" She made her way to the kitchen and popped the fridge open. "There are stuff in the house but you just prefer to starve that innocent soul in your womb. You're wicked."
I entered the kitchen and she's microwaving something.
She spin her face at me and I saw fire, "Don't stand there. Go and sit somewhere before you wear out of energy."
"Ify, I—"
"Don't Ifunanya me!" She grab my arm and quietly nudge me towards the dining room.
I wanted to tell her that I have zero appetite.
Ifunanya placed a hot plate of spaghetti Bolognese in front of me, followed by fruits and juice and water. And I just stare at all of them. "Look at what pregnancy has done to you. You have to finish all of them."
I growled and rub my stomach, "I can only eat a little."
"Except you want me to feed you." Ifunanya is so mean. Even to this point? She pull a seat close to me and plot to feed me. When I retaliate a couple of times, she pulled her shoe and held it up in one hand, "Better behave before I spank you the way I spank my kids at home."
So, she thinks I'm like her kids? And she can take care of me?
I had no choice but to comply. After forcing me to eat the giant plate of spaghetti, she took me upstairs for a bath. Geez, she watch me strip naked and shower like a mommy watching over her daughter. I don't know if this is normal but I kinda hate it.
I was too tired to talk to anyone or fight with her, so I slept off after that. Hoping that when I wake up, she must have disappeared.
Jide's voice woke me up later. When I checked the clock, it was evening already. I stretched and yawn. Suddenly, I felt hungry. I left the room just to see if the witch has left.
As I got down the stairs, I heard Jide and Ify laughing over something they're discussing in the kitchen. So, Ify is still here. Did she plan to sleep over? Because I'm not accommodating her bitchy attitude again.
And as I move further, I perceived a delicious aroma of a native delicacy. I don't know what it is in particular but I can tell it's a local Nigerian dish.
"My love," Jide spotted me when I stood at the door post. That's when I remembered I had no make-up or wigs or contact lenses on. "Glad my sister could babysit you for a while." He kissed my lips briefly.
I blush in embarrassment because of Ify's presence. I just hope she disappears from here.
Now, she won't be mean because her brother is here with us.
"Ekwesịrị m ịmanye ya maka nri ụtụtụ. (I had to force her for breakfast.)" Ify started a conversation in their local dialect and I don't understand.
Jide's hand caressed the small of my back, "Ọ bụghị onye nri ụtụtụ mbụ. (She's not an early breakfast person.)"
"Ewezuga na ị na-amanye ya. N'ihi na nwa ọhụrụ chọrọ ya. (Except you force her. Because the baby needs it.)" Ify said something over the pot she was stirring.
I whispered something to Jide, "What is she cooking?"
He peck my nose and stroke my cornrows hair. "Ofe-onugbu and pounded yam."
"And you'll have to eat it." Ify added. Her tone calm and soothing. I guess because her brother is here.
"But I need tea and biscuits." I complained, clinging on Jide.
"Uh uh," Ify refused my words. "You're carrying an Okafor's blood. And we only live healthy. You see all that junk food you're craving for, you're never getting a dim of it in these nine months yet to come. I'm gonna be an aunt again and it's my duty to feed you healthy."
God, no.
I look up at Jide for help and he just smiled and peck my pouted lips like usual.
The only thing he said in remark was: "My parents has sent for your bridal list and dowry. All we have to do is pick a wedding date."
*****
Narrator
Meanwhile, the mansion here was raining hell like mad. Adira was not keeping it down, neither was her husband, Dayo.
Ever since he returned and heard the news about the incident, he wasn't happy himself. He already called Sebastian and they've talked over it already and now, it's his turn to deal with Adira.
"Adira! How dare you lay a finger on her!? Knowing fully well that she's pregnant with our grandchild." He chased her down the stairs.
"She is my daughter and I have every right to discipline her." Adira spat back. Creating a long distance between them.
"And also my daughter too." His thunder voice warned. "Have you ever in your life seen me raise my hands on her? Have you?"
"Felix, you caused this problem." Adira snapped, "You spoiled her so much."
"She is my daughter and she deserved to be pampered." He gritted his teeth.
"Ha!" Adira clapped her hands heavenwards. "I said it. I don't have to blame her so much when the origin of her waywardness is standing right in front of me. Like father, like daughter."
Dayo narrowed his eyes. It's as if she just pressed one of his hidden buttons. "What did you just say? That I and my daughter are wayward?"
Adira won't wait for him to finish, "And I'll repeat it twice, Felix. You are as wayward as—ah!" The unexpected resounding slap send her flying to the couch. "Did you just…. slapped me?"
He pointed a warning finger at her, his eyes of flaming fire, "One more word from you again and I'll give you the beating of your life. Since you don't know how to hold your tongue. ọrọ-isọkusọ (Nonsense.)" He walked away and Adira is left to decipher the situation that still lingers in the atmosphere.
*****
Adira
"He has never raised his hands on me since thirty years of our marriage and just yesterday here, he did. God, my cheek still hurts." I'm left alone in Starbucks with my bestie, Ella.
If not for the plenty foundation and press powder I applied on my cheek, my face do have drawn attention from many.
Ella sipped on her frappucino, "Success, I think you really pissed Dayo to the verge of losing it. He's not the type that hits women. He loves and cherish feminine, you know that."
I just stir my cappuccino and sigh. God, I'm still wondering if it was truly Felix that raised his hands on me.
"I'm really sorry that happened but you have to control your tempers sometimes." Ella added and I know she's speaking the truth.
"He didn't even apologize." Just how proud he was to walk away freely made me surprised. "Just last night when we're supposed to sleep on the same bed, he took his pillow and walked out. This morning he didn't even look at me or talk to me or even answer when I greeted. Ella, are you sure he's not planning to divorce me?"
Because I'm scared.
"Ah. Success, your mindset is going too far." She said it like it haven't happened years ago. "Dayo won't do a thing like that, stop hallucinating."
But his attitudes makes me scared of seeing a lawyer at our door post one morning. "I still love him, you know."
"And he does too. You just have to chill out, okay?" She simply said. "He'll calm down when the time is right. Didn't you say he got you a signature handbag on your birthday, despite a big fight two years ago? So relax. No worries."
But his silence….they just keep frightening me. "I shouldn't have hit Sharon. But I didn't know she was pregnant. You and I only found out at the hospital last week."
Ella leaned back on her seat, "Success, you know these kids of nowadays. They can be secretive sometimes and Dayo is a man that loves kids more than anything in this world."
I know. "He said it by himself one time. He told if fate had opportuned him, he'd have had seven kids."
She raised her brows, "He said that?"
I nodded, "Yeah, but that's years ago. Over two decades. Especially the moment he found out that I lost my womb as a result of my twin sister changing my meds."
"Cecilia was cruel." Ella frowned. "Thank God she died. You should be grateful to Sebastian because if it wasn't for him, she would have still tormented your marriage till date."
"Exactly," she's right. Time takes me back to the bad old days where my sister was a thorn in my flesh. She was Lucifer itself, tearing apart a whole family. Almost taking my life with hers too.
God, I don't want to flash back. If not for my son I would have been a dead corpse by now.
"That reminds me," she lean on the table and clasped her fingers, "Have you called Sebastian to see if things have subsided yet?"
Speaking of Sebastian. My son is too stubborn to adhere to me. "He is a tough skinned man. I tried calling him but he's not picking my calls. He even asked his guards not to allow me in for now when I went to his place to talk."
"I believe he thinks you want to come clean for Sharon." Ella is right. That's exactly what I went over to do but he won't talk to me either. "You mentioned something about Seb preparing a proposal for a girl. So, he has finally decided to settle down."
"She doesn't know about it yet. It's his deepest secret." I whispered.
"For a woman to capture his heart for marriage, tell me she's pretty." She's not believing me.
"She's heavenly made, Ella." I sigh.
Her eyes brightened. I remember the good old days when she once wanted Seb for one of her daughters. "How old is she? And where's she from?"
"She's from Brazil and she's twenty-four." I said.
Ella gasped, "Twenty-four? She's foreign and….very young."
"She's a sweet girl, Ella." I said. "I just wish he impregnates her before anything."
Ella is misunderstanding me, "You want Seb to impregnate her before the wedding? Success, that's kinda crazy."
But I have my reasons. "I'm scared if Seb might change his mind later. You know how much he loves kids, right? So if she gets pregnant beforehand, he won't think of prolonging the wedding."
"You're overthinking, Succ. I don't think Seb is that kind of man. He is a man of his own words. So when he clarifies about the proposal, I believe he meant it also." Ella stated and I'm left to rethink it.
*******
Two weeks later, I'm trying to resolve things between Dayo and I. "But Felix, I already said I'm sorry. Ma binu na (I'm sorry.)"
He didn't answer. He wouldn't answer or speak to me for two weeks counting now and the silent treatment is wearing me out. I can't tolerate it anymore.
I quickly stood on his way when he attempts to exit the study room. "I've been begging you to forgive me since two weeks now. Felix, if there's anything I'm not happy about is how you're ignoring me."
He stopped and gave me a straight look. I look into his eyes too. "Is there anything you're lacking? You have all my credit cards, you have access to all the cars in my garage and even the access to my office, bank accounts and everything I've achieved in my fifty-eight years of existence. So, what is your problem?"
He thinks I'm after material things? "Felix, I'm not materialistic." I point out. "You really think I'm bothering you because I need something from you? What I need is your attention, Felix. You're ignoring me."
He ran his hands through his face and sighed. Completely frustrated. "Why do you women always gives men problems?" He murmured. "You have me the idea of ignoring you." He said and I frowned, "Yes, you. You know what you did that pissed me to the edge, Adira."
Okay, he still hold grudges against me. "But I already apologised. Felix, I said I'm sorry and indeed, it's from the bottom of my heart."
He stare at me for what seems like forever, then he tightened his grip around the newspaper and push me out of his way and walked out.
I stumbled to the side, "Felix?" I called but his retreating back is all I see. "Felix, honey?" I followed him downstairs.
He is too stubborn and egoistic. I know how hard it'll be to persuade him or win him over again.
When we got on the staircase, we froze on our tracks and both stare towards the people who just invaded our house without informing us.
Raymond and his wife—my best friend—Ella where standing together, ordering the household staffs on what to do.
The servants and maids were bringing in big boxes wrapped in gifts backs. The boxes were so plenty and more were still coming in.
"Oya, oya, bring them in—don't break anything there—yes, they're for my in-laws. Oya, gently drop them on the floor." Raymond was instructing them. Chewing his bubblegum just like his son—Jide. The both of them has similar personalities though.
Ella grinned and flashed her brows at me and I just returned a weak smile of hello.
I look at Dayo who adjusted his glasses and was ready to throw questions. "Raymond, what's the meaning of these? Is my house some warehousing? Or storehouse? I don't get it."
"Nna, in-law (My dear in-law)" Raymond grinned and adjusted his glasses too. "It's seems like you're surprised, eh? Okay, there's this fruit we have been eyeing over four years now. So, this fruit turned out ripe and we have come to pluck it home." He looks at Ella, "Mommy, ọ bụghị ya? (Isn't it?)"
She nodded vigorously, "N'ezie, Daddy (Of course, Daddy.)"
Sometimes, I usually get jealous of how romantic they can be. They get to call each other sweet names. Like: Him addressing her as Mommy. And she addressing him as Daddy. Most times, they call each other: Honey, Sugar, Milk, Butter, Darling, honey pie, hot cake, sugarplum. But when they're not in the mood, you'll hear her call him: Chief and he'll address her by her name Nkechi or simply Ella.
"There's a garden at the back of the mansion. You can go and find the fruit you're looking for." Dayo pretended like he has no idea what Raymond is talking about.
But me, I actually have clue of his point. I know what he's insinuating. But I just laughed it inwardly.
Guys, it's tradition. And what they're doing now is called the introduction of pre-wedding proposals.
Raymond looked at his wife and the both of them laughed for a while.
Dayo shook his head helplessly. He knows the game they're playing but he remained silent with both hands in his pockets.
"Felix," Raymond cleared his throat, "The fruit we're talking about is your daughter—our daughter." He said the last one when he looked at his wife and she nodded. "And everything we brought here today are the items needed for traditional rites and all."
"The kids have officially picked a date for their wedding that will be happening in Paris by weekend." Ella added and my mouth dropped.
Sharon fucking picked out a date and never cared to inform me or—wait, Dayo doesn't seem surprised about it. I know Sharon doesn't hide things from her father, so it's obvious he already knew about it long before I'm just finding out.
"Wait, are you two fighting?" Raymond observed our expressions.
I look at Dayo who was clearly ignoring my face and back at Raymond, "We're….. we're good."
Raymond was about to say something when his phone suddenly interrupted the moment. "Hello? Nna, Bịa ebe a— for what?" The phone still on his ear, he frowned at Ella, "Mommy, did you send for the grandkids? N'ihi na ha nọ n'ụlọ anyị ugbu a (Because they're in our house now.)"
Ella bit her lower lip and played with her hair. "It's holidays. Ikemefuna said they should spend the week with us. They'll be going back next week after the wedding."
Raymond almost cried on himself, "One whole week, Nkechi? Chinekeme (God almighty) I thought I'm free from Ndidi's kids two days ago and now, more? God, Ella, you want me to die of babysitting."
"Chief, stop complaining, I don't like it." Ella pouted, her peppered lipstick doing the annoyance. "Are they also not my grandkids? When you wanted six children, you didn't know plenty grandbabies would follow later. Don't worry. I don't blame you."
Now, it's their turn to argue and fight. I heard Dayo's silent chuckles.
"Who knows how many Jide would produce later, remember our Sharon is pregnant." Ella mumbled and I silently prayed for dozens.
It's as if Ella just dropped a bomb in front of Raymond and he snapped immediately, "Heh, heh, heh," he earnestly disagreed and hung up the call, "Don't mention kids again unless you want me to die right now. Have you forgotten how Wendy's kids and Ifunanya's kids ripped my couch apart and ate most of my documents?"
"They did?" Dayo laughed it out.
"Yes!" Raymond turn to him. "I just got that couch new from Japan a week before they fucked it up. I don't know when it became a crime having grandbabies everywhere but me, I'm having high blood pressure over it."
"They won't kill you, Ray. You just have to be the best grandpa in the world and accommodate them." Dayo said.
"Exactly. That's what I keep telling him everyday." Ella added, "As for me, I like my grandkids to always be around me because most times, the house is quiet like a graveyard but once they come over for holidays, it's booming and bubbly again. I love kids that is why I have six children."
"Eh heh?" Raymond raised his brows and Ella nodded vigorously and flick a strand of hair behind, "In that case, you'll go home and babysit them."
"Chief!" Ella called when he started nudging her out of the mansion. "Chief!"
"Ella! Ella!" He retorted, still grogging her out.
"Ikemefuna is taking them to the park." Ella quickly saved herself.
Ikemefuna is their eldest son and first child. He is three years older than Sebastian.
"Ikem is in Germany with his wife and children, Mrs. Okafor." Raymond said, his hands still on Ella's shoulders to kick her out.
"No, Chief." Ella pouted her lips with puppy eyes. I believe that's the way she weakens him because his hands dropped from her shoulders immediately. "He's in town."
Raymond mumbled something out of frustration then sighed. His eyes rested on Ella for a while before demanding we proceed about the wedding preparations.