Chapter 86

THE HONEYMOON

Obiukwu had been preparing for Tobe's convocation party with her husband when she heard a loud thud. The event was also partly for her husband's book launching which he had been working on for months.

"If it's another vase, I promise you I'll send those boys to boarding school, I don't care if they're not old enough" She threatened as she went downstairs leaving Obiefune very much amused.

"You know I won't let you" Obiefune called after her, as she descended the stairs

It had been three months since the quadruplets were delivered; the boys were named after their father and the girls were named after Obi's mother and Benjamin's late mother.

Benjamin, Obinna, Virginia and Nkechinyere were the center of everyone's attention. Their dedication in their father’s home church was ear buzzing news. Chioma was their godmother, while Akubueze stepped into the shoes of a godfather. Every child did need an Nchi who would save him or her from trouble.

Mrs. Obioma had moved into the house, helping Obi with the babies. She enjoyed every bit of her "ọmụgwọ" as it was traditionally called. She had grown close with Obiefune's mother and even learnt a thing or two from her.

She was the one who encouraged Obi when she decided she wanted to take up a project at the village. The lands she had acquired from her late husband lay bare until she decided that she wanted to build a better hospital at the spot. Having gone through the ordeal of being driven a very long distance before receiving medical assistance, Obi decided it would be a gift from her to the villagers for helping her with childbirth.

Her name had automatically changed from "mama ejima" mother of twins to "mama ogbara anọ" mother of quadruplets. It wasn't a title but it often amused Obi. If only those people knew how difficult it was to handle those children.

Her sleep had been limited to 4hours a night and sometimes even less, while Obiefune was there to help as well as his mother, Obi often encouraged him to work on his book. They had gotten a court wedding a month after the children's delivery.

He had made provisions to Obi's kinsmen and her father and declared his intentions towards Obi even before the court marriage. A small ceremony was held with mostly family members and few villagers on the day of the traditional marriage and Mma stood in as her mother for the second time.

This time it felt like the old woman was glad to be a part of the ceremony as she linked the hands of the pair before gulping her palm wine greedily.

Mr. Okechukwu had to hold his mother's hand for her to remain a quantity of the palm wine that would be presented to him as well as the father of the child. "mma ṅufotu nke anyị ga eji gọzie ha" (Please remain a little) her father had whispered as she dragged the guard with his mother.

Obi was happy and so was Chioma who was grinning from ear to ear. She did well to gloat and tease Obi about words that she spoke many years ago. Obi had to thank her specially while they were rendering their appreciation speech, it was because of Chioma's efforts that she realized a lot about her life. Obi's speech got teary as she spoke because she rendered it from her heart. Bumping into the Ukaegbu's on that day had brought her life meaning.

"I see we'll never rise above some stereotypes Tata" Obiefune had whispered into her ears after she finished speaking.

Obi stared at him with glassy eyes as he smiled radiantly at her. Her heart never knew how to resist the charm that he brought with his smile and it did well to show it by beating at an increased rate. Obi's heart swelled with happiness and she no longer thought it to be a mystery that Obiefune often called her "Tata". Maybe Benjamin was right? Maybe Obiefune was right as well? To them, she would always be that baby, a baby that the two of them adored.

She gently wrapped her hands around Obiefune while the people cheered them on. They had proceeded to the court after that with so many witnesses including Mr. ìgwè, who was eager to know the state of his son's property and how quick Obiefune would make amendments.

After the pair signed the marriage certificate and were pronounced married by the judge, Obiefune captured Obi's lips in a heart melting kiss. She turned to the crowd to see how uncomfortable her sons had become but she didn't care, they would get used to it.

Obi didn't expect a honeymoon, neither of the two did. She still had to recover from child delivery and her babies were not old enough to be left alone. Obiefune did promise her a proper wedding when the children were old enough and a will was not in the way.

To Obi it didn't matter if she stood on the pinnacle of a temple or the top of a hill to say "I do", all that mattered to her was that she was his.

Chioma did tease her about it claiming that even in the nearest future, her honeymoon would be a family vacation.

"Obi if you know what's best for you, don't conceive again"

"Your brother is active but not productive, there's a big difference" Obi retorted, assuring Chioma of the impossibility.

"A wise young girl once told me, you never can tell the future" Chioma stated making Obi to wonder if a miracle could happen

Chukwudi and Chioma had finished with their traditional marriage long before Obi's, the pair didn't want to rush their wedding and mapped out an additional six months to plan the event.

Daa Nkem and her sisters were all settled down, the only person without a family was Dee Ogbo.

Obiefune returned into Benjamin's house as the head of the family this time. He insisted on getting a different room than their bedroom because he often saw it as disrespectful to be sleeping in the same room as Obi with Benjamin's pictures hung all around the wall.

She had to move her late husband's pictures into the children's room and left only one in the room she converted to her personal bedroom. She found it rather amusing that Obiefune felt uncomfortable when he almost made love to her in the same bedroom months ago.

The house felt livelier and different, dinners were filled with discussions and baby cries and Obi's nights ended on either Obiefune's chest while he read her books to her, or in his arms while they became exhausted from taking care of the children.

On one such night, the pair were exhausted after feeding the children. When Obiefune brought out an old wrapper and handed it over to Obi.

"I think you should have, it belongs to you" Obi smiled after she remembered that it was one of Mma's.

"You should be giving it back to your second wife Mma it is hers" Obi replied with a huge grin

"No, it is yours. You gave it to me, the first night you kissed me. I've had it with me ever since. It's funny how I used to feel so much anger towards you and at night I'd still wrap this around my body to sleep. It made me think of that night and the memory often gave me peace. I don't need it anymore, I have you here. You're on my bed, that's much better than this"

"How about sharing? It's ours now. "Obi declared linking her hands into his

“It's too small, it won't cover the both of us "Obiefune stated laughing

"It doesn't need to, it'll cover you and you'll wrap your hands around me. It means we're sharing too"

"Very funny, or you're just saying that you love having me as a human insulator" Obiefune teased

"Biko kwa, you're not that efficient besides It comes with a lot of discomfort" she retorted grabbing the wrapper from him

"What kind of discomfort?" Obiefune enquired with a quizzical look and she ignored him .She gave a wicked smile knowing that Obiefune's curiosity would bend him to her will.

"Tell me, Obi, I know you're not sleeping"

Obi's hesitation caused Obiefune to get off the bed. She smiled smugly to herself as she felt his weight being lifted off the bed. It felt good provoking her husband sometimes, it brought out the childish part of him that amused her. She shut her eyes in her petty pretence, expecting Obiefune to ramble as he often did but instead he pounced on her and attacked her sides.

She squirmed on the bed, struggling to hold herself from screaming because it would wake her children who were in the next room but Obiefune was hesitant to stop.

"Biko zie nụ, (Please)I'll tell you!" Obi managed to wheeze out. "If you wake them, you'll bear the consequences alone"

Obiefune smirked knowing that he had won this time. "I don't care"

"What is with you people and tickling me?" Obi blurted out, she realized what her statement had implied almost immediately and apologized. Obiefune didn't seem affected by her statement, he understood to Obi's dismay how difficult it was for Obi to adjust.

"Well I wake up to an aroused man everyday, it is quite uncomfortable" Obi explained gasping

Obiefune gave her a devilish smile before attacking her lips hungrily. He devoured all he could take leaving her breathless and wanton.

"That's how difficult it is to sleep on the same bed with you without having you. Once you get better, we will fix that. Most times I think of how I almost lost you during that delivery and it calms me" Obiefune stated on a somewhat grim note

"You brought me back.... I was surprised when I woke up and you weren't there. All I could hear in the midst of so much darkness was your voice. It felt like you were calling out to me and I had to answer" Obi stated with her eyes fixed on his face

"I did have a strange dream. It was about the first day we met, do you remember?"

"Yes I can, how can I forget? Chukwudi wanted to beat me up that day. We ran into each other and you left me" .It’s funny how he always manages to lead me out to places we collide.”

"This time I didn't, in my dream I had to choose between running away and helping you up and I chose the latter. The weird thing was what Chioma said in the dream. You can never outrun destiny"

Obi was stunned with his revelation. "I guess we are destined to be with each other. Predestined" She smiled as she wrapped her hands around him.

"Yes we are"

There were many blissful nights and chaotic days as they struggled to keep their valuables intact from their grown sons. Mr. ìgwè made it a mission to visit every weekend because of the babies and always came with gifts. The girls had gone back to school and Tobe had already been posted for his service. It scared Obi when she discovered that he was going to the north but her brother insisted that he would serve there.

His school's convocation came up and Obi decided that she wanted to celebrate her brother in a big way. Family and friends were invited for the event and Obi's sisters were instructed to come back.

One of Obiefune's books had finally been announced as the JAMB prose for the year and Obi often teased him of being his inspiration.

Obi got to her kitchen and saw the shattered cup on the floor with her two sons kneeling beside it. She moved them away from the pieces before she began to pack them.

Chioma arrived early with Chukwudi and greeted Obi briefly before rushing to see the children. Chukwudi was the one who spoke to Obi for long and she enquired about his mother.

"I'll visit her one of these days" Obi stated. She saw how happy Chukwudi was as he threw his hands around her.

"She'll be very happy inu" He quickly joined Chioma while Obi reprimanded her sons.

Mrs. Obiọma brought the children down with the help of Obiefune, Chioma and Chukwudi. While Obi brought the necessary materials for an outing.

"What did they break this time?" Obiefune enquired as he handed the baby over to Obi.

"Your Achara tea cup" She replied kissing her son on his plump cheek

"I agree with you, we'll send them to a boarding school" Obiefune retorted earning a smile from Obi.

"Mummy aunty Chioma said that we should not tell...." Chukwuemeka began only to be interrupted by an anxious Chioma

"You that I got them matching bracelets, I was going to tell you afterwards"

"This your aunt Chioma is always spoiling you with gifts" Obi replied mouthing a thank you to Chioma who chuckled nervously

Obi was the first to head out of the house with little Benjamin, followed by the others. Obiefune fixed his son's clothes before leading them out of the house.

"The two of you almost ruined her surprise!"

"I didn't say anything it was Chukwuemeka that almost told her"

"Mummy said we should never keep things from her" The little boy stated on a grim note

"I understand, ọ dịghị (It’s not) easy. I find it very difficult to go against her wish most times. It's like she has a spell on the Ukaegbu men. Did you know she asked your grandfather for his wife and he practically drove her here. She has all of us wrapped around her fingers "Obiefune stated, while the boys laughed

"Today we must fight! "

"Just like a war game? " Chukwuemeka stated as his face brightened quickly with the mention of a game.

"Yes, we'll have to keep this secret from her till it's time. Starting from now none of us will do your mummy's bidding" Obiefune had barely finished his statement before he was instructed by Chioma to get an additional diaper for the babies.

"Obi said she needs more, biko mee osiso (Be fast)we are running late"

Obiefune's sons eyed him warily while he ran to their room to fetch what was requested

"Starting from now!" He declared as he led the boys into the vehicle.

"I hope you all have dictionaries in your phone?" Chioma teased as they boarded their different vehicles

"Mummy why do we need a dictionary?"

"It's because your uncle Tobe likes big big words, we are all anticipating to hear so many today"

The event had gone so well with various people from different social classes in attendance. There were retired doctors, several politicians and business men that Mr. ìgwè had invited, even some of Obi's classmates were in attendance. She had met and greeted some while she also welcomed her brother's colleagues and her sisters' colleagues. Chioma and Chukwudi's guests.

It was amusing in a way how certain people reacted to her marriage with Obiefune, especially those who knew them while they were younger. She could hear them mutter after being introduced as Obiefune's wife comments that engendered a smile on her face.

"You know I used to suspect the two back then in school!"

"He was Mrs. Akachukwu's pet boy, I even heard she's getting married to Obi's uncle"

"I thought Obi hated him, he used to punish her a lot"

Obi was happy when she bumped into Timothy and she welcomed him. When she turned to move to her seat as she saw her brother approach the stage, she saw Obiefune and Alison whispering words and it did make her blood boil for an instant.

She focused on her little brother who stood before them in a black tailored suit wearing a smile that him stand out spectacularly, she couldn’t be prouder of him.

"Good day ladies and gentlemen"

Tobe began earning everyone's attention. Obi's gaze fell on Chioma who mouthed the word" dictionary" to her, making Obi chuckle.

They all paid rapt attention as he read his speech acknowledging several people who helped to shape him as a man.

The acknowledgement and appreciation ranged from their parents, his younger sisters, his extended family, the village where he came from, family friends where Chioma, Obiefune and most people came in. His colleagues, lecturers and school. He spoke gracefully about his late brother in law and the sacrifices he made for them as well. Obi couldn't help but feel sad when Tobe spoke about her late husband Benjamin. He was a huge part of the man Tobe was becoming. He couldn’t help the sadness that overcame him when he spoke of his late brother in law. Benjamin was the reason he had grown up to be a good young man.

Tobe's speech was rather simple with very few ambiguous words to Obi's surprise, she was the only one who was omitted in the acknowledgment. She exchanged stares with Chioma who pretended to be disappointed because she didn't have to use her dictionary.

“I woke up today with a speech I had written with the help of a friend in my hand. I tried so hard to memorize it but I discovered that the harder I tried, the more untrue it sounded.

These are words from my heart and it doesn't need to be ambiguous for me to express my gratitude to all of you for the lot you have done for me. To some little might be insignificant but to me everything counts.

And I have saved the best for the last.

To my dear sister Mrs Obiukwu Iheoma Ukaegbu.

As a young boy, I used to wonder why my sister would always sit on our small verandah to fix her gaze on us like a hawk after chickens. It was uncalled for! I would whisper to my friends who were allowed to roam around in the village without supervision.

Sister would settle fights that broke out while we played, engage us in chores to keep us busy and sometimes force us to nap which we all loathed.

Those were bedrocks to the principles I later developed for myself in school. Sister taught me discipline

It sounds amusing sometimes when I try to describe who my late mother was to friends who didn't know her. I present her to them like a fictional character pieced together from words of description because I find it difficult to differentiate between my sister and my mother. You became responsible for not just the girls and I but also for all those children that would wander into our home to associate with us. You made sacrifices and continue to make sacrifices that amazes me as a person.

It didn't matter if you were being flogged for getting to school late, so long as Tobe and the girls were early. So while I thought about most of the sacrifices you've made, it drove me to pushing myself hard in order to make you happy.

It takes me back to an excerpt from nursery rhyme we would sing while growing up.

"What shall I do for her?

I have to read my book

To pay her back

I thank her very much!

There are no words to qualify how special you are to me and how grateful I am for everything you've done. A woman who is the true meaning of her name. There are no encomiastic or laudatory words that would equate how special you are to me Daa. God will you continue to bless you for me. Today is not just about me, it is about you as well. It is about the victories I’ve made for you, the debt which I may never be able to repay. Thank you

Tobe held his sister's gaze and nodded while she smiled. Chioma smiled at Obi and pretended to be searching for words on her phone earning her a laughter from Obi.

To my younger colleagues who are here today I'll always encourage you to work hard...

Obi went to tend to be her children's needs while the remaining part of the speech went on.

Mrs. Obiọma helped her she fed and cleaned the children before they got back to their seats.

Obiefune joined her almost immediately before he was called up because of his book. His speech was even more heart melting than Tobe's and Obi got teary.

The books were distributed amongst the guests who paid huge sums for just a few copies. On one hand was Tobe receiving congratulatory messages and on the other hand was Obiefune signing copies of his books out.

Obi walked to where he sat and fished out a book and placed it in front of him.

"So madam what do I make it out to be" He requested with a smile

"A heart shape, with Obiefune loves Iheoma in it"

"I feel like this is a duplicate, have you seen this somewhere before?"

"Yes, on a tree in a farm. This copy is for my husband."

"Well he must be a very lucky man" Obiefune stated as he picked up his pen to inscribe what was requested

"No, on the contrary, I am the lucky one"

Obiefune gave Obi a huge smile before handing her copy over to her. Obi left for other people on the queue to get their copies as well.

She saw her sons drinking with her father in law while he narrated what she couldn't hear to them. Chioma was busy talking to Chukwudi before the disc Jockey decided it was time to dance. Obi quietly went to her seat but Mr. Okechukwu and Mr.s insisted that she joined the others on the dance floor.

Obi grabbed Chukwuemeka and danced for a while before a hand tapped her shoulder.

Obi turned to see her husband smiling at her. He bent and whispered into her ears

"In a sea of people, my eyes will always search for you"

Obi laughed heartily before diving into his arms as they danced around the room

"You do know that a corny line a character used in your book doesn't exactly sound romantic to your wife"

"My wife inspires me to write, it should be romantic. Besides I would consider myself more romantic than my wife"

"For a man with a sharp mouth, you seem to be too dumb for my liking"

Obiefune broke into a fit of laughter as he twirled Obi around.

"I see we've modified our favorite clause which was one of my romantic inventions. I carved our names on a tree, took you on a road trip. What have you done?"

"I tended your wounds which you inflicted on yourself by checking me out on a tree"

"That doesn't count"

"I bought you a bracelet, gave you a wrapper"

"I gave you your first kiss and the wrapper was Mma’s to be fair" Obiefune stated causing Obi to blush

She cleared her throat before speaking

"You can't win this Tata" He declared with a smirk

"I proposed to you, gave you two sons" Obi retorted with a grin

"That does not count!"

"It does my darling, all is fair in war and love" The couple danced and bickered about lots of things before it was time to go.

Tobe and Obiefune rendered a brief appreciation speech before people dispersed. Chioma begged Obi to release the twins to her, which she did surprised that Chioma was requesting for her sons on a short notice. Obiefune left with Alison and the quadruplets much to Obi's annoyance. She decided she was going to have a word with her husband about Alison after Mrs Obiọma revealed the information to her. While Chukwudi opted to drive her there.

Chukwudi had opted to take another route to their house to avoid traffic and she accepted. Obi couldn't see much because of the tinted glass and waited patiently in the car for her cousin to drive her home.

After spending two hours on the road, Obi became concerned especially because of her children who she needed to breastfeed. Chukwudi blamed it on traffic and managed to get Obi partly distracted before they finally arrived.

Obi stepped out of the fuming but was surprised when she didn't see anything resembling their house in front of her.

"Where had Chukwudi taken her?"

She looked around and could only hear crickets, they seemed to be in the middle of a road. Every other thing seemed dark except the light coming from Chukwudi's car.

"Chukwudi what are we doing here?" she enquired suddenly concerned

"It's where they are, you just have to trust me."

Chukwudi led her through a part with a torchlight before they approached what seemed to be a huge tent.

Obi heard one of the babies cry and quickly grabbed Chukwudi's torchlight and rushed into the tent, terrified that something had happened to her children.

The light came on while she entered and she saw her children laying side by side on the bed in a different cloth as the one they had worn to the party.

Obiefune had single handedly bathed and changed the children. Obi heaved a sigh of relief as she moved to the bed.

She lifted Obinna who was crying and started breastfeeding him. Obi's eyed moved around the tent which was decorated with lights. There seemed to be an inner chamber and Obi wondered why Obiefune had prepared everything like that and even brought their children. They had agreed on going on a honeymoon after the children got to their seventh month.

She heard Chukwudi's engine humming outside before he sped away. She fed all her children and watched them drift to sleep before she stepped outside to search for Obiefune.

Obi flashed the torchlight around and saw something that caught her eye. Something had been carved on a tree beside the tent. "Our favorite spot"

Obi grew cold as she stood outside staring and waiting for Obiefune to arrive before a sound startled her.

She moved to where the sound came from and saw him trying to light a heap of firewood.

Obi was amused as she watched him struggle with matchstick and the rubber material he held in the other hand. He could have just gotten kerosene or something else.

"I don't know why I am so bad at this" he stated grimly as he handed the matchbox and rubber to Obi.

"Next time go for kerosene or even a little amount of petrol"

"I wanted to recreate the first day I slept on a bed with you"

Obi channeled the lit rubber onto the firewood before it caught fire and illuminated everywhere. Her eyes traced the root of the tree where Obiefune sat to the trunk where their names were carved and she smiled.

"I think you are much more romantic than I am"

"I told you so" Obiefune replied with a smirk

"The school allowed you to do this with their farm?"

"Yes they did"

"How?"

"I bought it from them, it took a lot of convincing but after they heard about your project the king decided to relinquish it to me. It was not like I needed much. Besides they weren't taking much care of the farm, I used to clean it while I was around and I knew you used to help me with it. I was just too afraid to reveal that to you. I wasted enough time staying away from you and I want to spend every minute for the rest of my life proving that... "

Obi interrupted his rambling with a gentle kiss which Obiefune deepened.

"You didn't let me finish" he stated breathing raggedly.

"I wanted to propose to you under this tree, it is where it all began."

"I thought we were already married" Obi taunted

"I don't want you to keep telling me you proposed to me"

"So that's the problem, what if I say no?"

"Then I'll have to force this ring on your fingers because I want to wed you in a church " Obiefune threatened

"I'll marry you again and over again" Obi murmured against his lips laughing "And you have to get a new editor"

"Good because you don't have a choice" He slipped the ring onto Obi's hand and allowed her to do the same after they removed the previous one they wore. "That's what I did today, Alison is no longer working with me, jealous tata"

Obi glared at him as she looked around

"Are we safe here?"

"Yes we are, the vigilantes are in on this. But I told them to give us our privacy, it's our honeymoon after all"

"Honeymoon! You just proposed!"

"You know for a girl with a boy’s name you are just too dumb. You've been seeing the signs, what did you expect?"

Obi broke into a fit of laughter "Our Honeymoon comes before the wedding because of your selfish reasons"

"Biko don't pretend as if you don't want the same thing, I am just saving us time. You look at me like a plate of food you want to eat"

Obi blushed furiously "that's true"

She wrapped her hands around his neck, pulled his head closer and kissed him longingly. They kissed and caressed each other before a cry in the tent broke them apart.

"It is going to be a very long honeymoon" Obi teased as they made their way into the tent.

They changed the babies together and Obi praised Obiefune for becoming quite efficient in baby matters. His mother had taught him well

He led Obi into the inner chamber which he had spent days trying to decorate. The bed had roses on it and the food which was beside it.

"When did you do this?" Obi enquired with her eyes scanning the place.

"I started this a long time but I had a lot of help"

"Let me guess, Chioma was in on it"