Chapter 65

STAY FOR TONIGHT

Obiukwu had been agitated with Obiefune's arrival that she sought refuge in her kitchen. Chioma arrived almost immediately bringing plates with which their guests were fed. Benjamin was in a grim mood no doubt, but at least he had achieved his aim for calling the meeting

She busied herself with chores to get her mind off things, her sisters and her sons seemed to pre-occupied with fun to even notice guests and she didn't bother to call them. Chioma left almost immediately and she had the kitchen to herself. Obi was almost certain that her worries were receding till Obiefune's mother walked into the kitchen.

Obi was startled at first as she turned to face the woman, Mrs. Obiọma seemed too focused on Obi's China wares displayed in a rack to notice how uncomfortable her presence was making Obi.

"I have always loved quality plates, I have a habit of buying more plates than I use. I won't call it a flaw, it's one of my hobbies besides tending to the sick."

Obi smiled at her not knowing what to say but Obiefune's mother continued "You know I told my husband that I wanted to use the restroom and Benjamin insisted that his lovely wife accompanies me to do the deed. I can see how much he adores you, my nephew. Although I wonder if his mother, my sister would have approved of you"

Obi saw that she had a lot on her mind to let out, so she granted the woman her full attention leaving the dishes in the metal sink.

"You know when you were younger, whenever my husband and my children visited they would sing tales about you. Nwata ọma, the girl who takes care of people, who was selfless and hardworking. I used to respect you and often I found myself being terrified by the rate at which my children clung to you. Chioma would say she doesn't do a certain thing because Obiukwu advised so, Obiefune onye nke ahụ,(that one) he practically worshipped you. Then my husband decides to top it off with how hardworking you are. I must tell you, I really wanted to meet you.

Not until I saw my son on that hospital bed crying, Do you know how it feels to see your child in so much pain and there's absolutely nothing you can do for them? I had to make the decision of either removing his future generations or keeping him paralyzed and it's all because he claimed he loves you. It's funny how that played out, you got married to my nephew, his cousin and you have two sons with him and Obiefune has nothing!

Obiukwu wanted to cut in but she felt it wasn't her place to do so.

"So forgive me if I'm not particularly thrilled to be around you, Obi do you sleep well at night? Do you know how difficult it is for Obiefune to do so? For months he had the same nightmare on repeat, my son's life was destroyed. He had a bright future! He should have been a doctor with kids now, just like you. He was so depressed that he chose to be a writer, I mean how many Nigerian writers feed well! Is that even a career?

I had hoped he would have moved on but my idiotic offspring of a son decided to lurk around just because of you. "

" h.. He is not here because of me, he's here because your nephew who you all abandoned, is dying" Obiukwu replied trying to hide her emotions. She cleared her throat

"Benjamin is not dying, he has sickle cell anaemia, which he has been able to manage for years."

"It's worse than that, but he should be the one telling you. I'm really sorry about what happened to Obiefune. I can't imagine how you must have felt, but honestly putting all the blame on me is not right. He has always had a passion for writing, I know this because of all the books in my store that came from him, some he bought, some from your shelf. I had no idea Obiefune had not traveled before the accident happened, I only found out about everything a few weeks ago.

"Well that does not restore his testicle, I don't know what it is that you've done to him that made him decide to stay here, but you have to undo it! I will not have my son heartbroken and almost dead for the second time! Whatever obsession he still carries about for you needs to end"

"I am a married woman, he.."

"That hasn't stopped most women from whoring about, have a good night Obi"

Obi had barely responded before Mrs. Obiọma left, she turned to her plates almost in tears. She was taking deep breaths to calm herself before Obiefune walked in.

His voice startled her and she threw a plate on the floor, Obiukwu quickly reached out to the plates and started picking the pieces. Obiefune rushed to her side and she tried to keep her eyes away from him. Obi didn't know she had gotten a cut till when Obiefune held her hand abruptly and blood rushed out.

"Ọ dị kwa mma,(Is everything okay?) is everything okay?" he asked pulling her up and away from the pieces.

Obi nodded afraid that her emotions would come flooding to her face if she opens her mouth.

The cut was a minor one and Obi dipped her finger into her mouth.

"That is not hygienic" Obiefune reprimanded Obi with a smile.

"Tell that to most children" Obi cleared her throat

"You're not a child and you are definitely not clumsy, it must be about my mother. I bumped into her on my way to see you."

"It's not about her, it's about you"

"I see you've really met my mother already, listen Obi my mother is hurt, she feels I can't have children and I know that she.."

"It's not about your mother! It's about you, it's about me! It's about the fact that you are driving me absolutely insane! I am a Christian and a married woman at that! Yet I lie underneath my husband thinking about another man and it is not right! I can't have you or these insane feelings destroy my family! I have morals! "

"Obi calm down, it's okay I'm sorry, it's just I can't stay away from you. Do you think I wanted to be here? I love you, I do"

"No you don't! And I don't love you. And.. And I'll tell Chioma to pick the children during weekends so that you can spend time with them, but you are never to come to this place. You're to stay away from me, I mean it! Your mother was absolutely right. What have I been thinkimg?"

Obi felt nauseated and dizzy all of a sudden as she moved back from Obiefune.

"Obiukwu are you okay? "

"Yes I am Fine and you need to stay away froooooom me"Obi's words drawled and she swayed like a drunk battling to keep his legs steady

"Obi, stay there, you'll fall on that glass"

Obi almost landed on the plates before Obiefune caught her and carried her away from the kitchen. Luckily Benjamin was on his way to get Obi when he saw Obiefune carrying her.

"What happened?"

"We were talking and she fainted." Obiefune replied very concerned

"Let me carry her" Obiefune hesitated not sure of Benjamin's state of health.

"I can carry my wife Obiefune, I'm not handicapped!" When it came to rights over Obi, Obiefune had none, Benjamin's proclamation assured him of that. Obiefune reluctantly Dropped Obi into his arms and watched him carry her away. He went into the living room and waited with the other members of the family. His face was gloomy and even when Benjamin came down to bid them farewell, he couldn't get himself in order. Benjamin assured him that Obi was fine but he didn't want to believe till he saw with his own eyes.

Chioma, Obiefune and their parents arrived at Chioma's apartment. Chioma had been planning to go to Chukwudi's place before her parents came, but she decided she was leaving the day after.

Mr. Obidike left his family to freshen up while Chioma went to prepare dinner. Obiefune was left with his mum who he didn't want to speak to. He quickly got up and excused himself before she called him back.

"Obiefune when do you plan on leaving this city? There are plenty opportunities in Lagos, Aunt Judith still wants you to come over"

Obiefune cleared his throat before speaking "I'm fine here"

"Obiefune please be reasonable, you've already lost her, she's married to your cousin. All that woman has done is to destroy your life and you still follow her like a lost puppy. You need to take control of your life, move on.You can get married, adopt children! Don't rain down curses on yourself because of an adultress who does not care about you! "

Obiefune's eye twitched out of anger but he held his peace. It was better to avoid the confrontation his mother was aiming for.

"Goodnight mum"

"Obiefune she doesn't deserve you, she never loved you. If she did she would have waited. Don't become an adulterer because of a gold digger like her, exploiting two men for her own benefits. Bedding two men in the same family, I only pity poor Benjamin, I wonder what his mother... "

"Ozugo! Mother you've said enough!"Obiefune barked angrily

"I'm telling the truth! And you need to listen! "

"The truth is, Obiukwu was more a mother to not just her siblings but to us, more than you ever were. Don't you wonder where Chioma picked up her cooking skills? Do you know who took care of us when you abandoned us for your precious work? It was her! Did I ever mention that I was constantly abused by a teacher in that boarding school you forced me in because of your precious career! No she was there, she helped me overcome a sickness that would have gotten you more grandchildren than you can imagine! That woman was there during my first operation, where I screamed my lungs out. I can count how many times you acted like my mother and I can't forget the peak of your motherhood, where you had them cut off my balls! "

Obiefune felt a slap across his cheek" I will not have you insult me because of your Obsession with that woman, you ungrateful child! Everything I did, I did for you and your sister! "

"Stay out of my life mother, yes I am obsessed with Obiukwu. It was that Obsession that got us the two children we have. Maybe you need to reconsider how you feel about her for the sake of your grandchildren or should I tell them their granny calls their mother a whore! "

"Bibi ozugo, that's enough! Go to bed! "Chioma commanded startling both mother and son. Obiefune walked away angrily leaving Chioma with their mother.

"Is it true? D. Do they have children? "

"Yes they do, It turned out Obiukwu was pregnant before we left the village. I know you hate her for what happened to Obiefune but honestly Obi is a wonderful person, she has been through so much and is still going through a lot. Just don't meddle in Obiefune's life, it didn't end so well the first time you did"Chioma walked out leaving Mrs. Obiọma in a bemused state.

Obiukwu had been sleeping before a scream woke her up. She jerked up from the bed and staggered as she descended the stairs. Her heart rate went up and all she could think was that something had happened to her Benjamin

The scream came again followed by crying before she heard laughter from the girls. Obi followed the sound of their voice and saw that they were in Mma's room. Benjamin was trying to calm his children while the girls were amused. "ọ gịnị mere? " (What happened?)

"They saw Mma putting snuff in her nose and decided to try it! Now they are seeing things!" ifenna replied giggling.

"Obi you shouldn't be downstairs, you're not feeling well" Benjamin had his two sons clinging on his arms as he made his way to their mother.

"Let me put them to bed, I'll be back"

Obi slowly made her way to Mma's bed and lay there with the old woman who seemed to be smiling at nothing. "Obi ahụ gi dị ọkụ"(Obi your body is hot) Mma noticed as she groped Obi's skin and she nodded. "Ahu n'enye m nsogbu"(I’m not feeling wel)

"Ọzọ nọkwa n'ụzọ" (Another one is on the way)

Obi didn't understand what Mma meant but she didn't have the strength to ask the old woman. She wrapped her hands around Obi and they slept till Benjamin had to carry her to their room.

Benjamin covered her with their duvet and caressed her chin and Obi sleepily clung to him. Her body was burning up and she seemed to be smiling as she slept. Benjamin tapped her to see if he could wake her because he wanted to give her a cold bath.

She was reluctant to wake and he decided to leave her be. Maybe it was just exhaustion that got her into that state. Ever since he came home she had barely had a good sleep. Benjamin tried to untangle himself from her grip to fetch a wet towel that he would place on her forehead but she did not let go.

"Stay... please, oyi Jim" (I’m cold)

Benjamin relaxed and caressed Obi with a smile before she spoke again "I know you love me and I still love you too, but it is not right" She mumbled sleeping still grasping Benjamin's arm.

"It's not fair to Benjamin, I love him too"

Benjamin froze as he heard those words "Stay, Obiefune please just stay for tonight"