The best skill at cards is knowing when to discard.
—Baltasar Gracián


Episode 16


Mr. Chiwendu and family received very angry visitors on Sunday evening-- Jessica and her parents. They ranted and raved about their slut of a daughter, Nkiru, who'd stolen their pregnant daughter's fiancee. They told Nkiru's father to tell his daughter off their daughter's fiancée and do something about the court marriage or else they'd face the consequences of their daughter's actions. No one could chip in a word as they nearly pulled the building down with their hysteria. Mr. Chiwendu was seething with anger by the time they left. The entire household was in shock except Nkechi who was more alarmed than shocked at the happenings. Their mother burst into tears and lamented profusely. Then she recalled that Nkechi just got back from Akure. She leapt for her second daughter's shirt to stop her from running when she called her name. Nkechi had wanted to bolt but her mother had been too fast for her. 

"Tell me what happened. You went for the wedding, didn't you?" She gripped her daughter's shirt tautly and it exposed her flat stomach. Nkechi stared at her flip flops. Njideka looked on in wonder while their father stared at the ceiling, repeatedly shaking his right leg. 

"Mummy, I don't know what you're talking about. I only went to visit Nkiru. I don't know anything about any wedding," Nkechi denied hotly.

"Chineke! So you want to deny it? A single bracelet does not jingle. You and Nkiru have always been partners in crime." More tears dropped from the woman's eyes. "Nkiru, why? Why? You, an Ada of all people. Tell me, Nkechi, who is the man who has made your normally wise sister do this foolish thing?"

Nkechi continued to stare at her slippers with a pout until her father yelled at her at the top of his voice for her to answer the question. She visibly shook. Even Njideka got up from her chair and moved away in fear. Their mother was also alarmed. She left her daughter's rumpled shirt and went to sit beside her husband. She held his hand. The man was obviously trying to contain his anger.

Nkechi tried straightening her shirt as she contemplated telling them the truth or not but her father made the decision for her with his harshly spoken words.

"If you know what is good for you, better speak now or else I'll throw you out of this house this minute."

"I...I..." she stammered in her haste to speak. "Nkiru invited me to be the second witness at her wedding."

Her mother put her hands on her head and lamented in a dramatic manner, saying her enemies had finally caught up with her.

"Is she pregnant?" she asked after her rantings.

"No." Nkechi slowly shook her head.

"Who is the man in question?" Mr. Chiwendu silently asked.

Nkechi twined her rumpled shirt in nervousness. "He's Senator Ekwe's first son."

"Obara Jesu! Senator! We're finished!" The woman began hitting her laps with her hands noisily.

Her father, a picture of calmness said, "Tell us everything."

Nkechi proceeded to tell them all Nkiru had told her so far. How she and Gio had met and fallen in love in school, the party, the pregnancy accusation and the wedding. By the time she was through, silence enveloped the living room.

"So you mean all those times Nkiru went to Abuja with the excuse of project nonsense, she actually went to live with a man?" Her mother broke the silence in bewilderment. Nkechi slowly nodded.

"And all this while, she has been living with a man she wasn't married to until recently in Akure?" Nkechi nodded at her second question.

"Who is Nkiru Chiwendu? Do I know her? Has an alien taken over her body?" Her mother shouted. Nkechi wanted to laugh at such questions but held herself rigidly from doing such. She didn't want to incur more wrath on her head. She faced the wrath anyway since she was the one present and was more or less an accomplice.

"And you! You knew all these were going on yet you didn't breathe a word of it to us." Before Nkechi knew what was happening, her mother rose and landed a slap on her face. Before she could hold her cheek in pain, another one landed on her other cheek. She screamed in pain.

"What about you? Where is your own husband? Is he the president's son?"  Her mother angrily continued beating her while she tried running away amidst pleas and tears. Njideka begged on her behalf. It had to take the intervention of her father for the angry woman to stop.

"It's okay, Obim."

Her mother looked at him angrily but stopped. Nkechi was on her knees.

"Go and call her. Tell her to come home immediately." Mr. Chiwendu rose rigidly and left the room. Her mother after placing a final knock on Nkechi's head went after her husband.

Njideka knelt beside her sister and held her as she wept. Nkechi stumbled up and went to her room to wipe her runny nose before picking her phone to call her elder sister who'd made her mother give her the beating of her life.

Nkiru had her head on Gio's laps on the sofa as he fed her an apple from his mouth while they were watching a movie on the television. She giggled when the apple he tried placing in her mouth fell to the floor. She got up to pick her phone from the table when it started ringing. She was shivering when she ended the call. Her husband lovingly held her.

"They know," was all she said. Gio led her back to the chair and held her while she recounted all Nkechi had relayed to her with tears smarting behind her worried eyes. He eased her up against him and stroked a hand through her hair until she calmed down. Her husband however had to pet her to sleep that night when worry overcame her again.

She called Nkechi back the following day to tell her she'd be home by Thursday. She had to wait to do her clearance first before leaving, which was a lie. Nkechi knew what she was trying to do. From experience, it was best to stay away from their parents, especially their mother when they were angry. They'd calm down eventually. 

Gio wasn't happy that his wife of just a week was leaving him when Thursday came but he knew it couldn't be helped. He'd begged to come with her but she'd informed him that his presence would only fuel the fire of her parents' anger. She smiled at him but he knew the smile was false. His wife was worried and scared and he could do nothing about it. He booked a flight for her from Lagos to Owerri despite her complaints. She felt they should start saving all the money they had since he'd been disinherited. He could only smile at her. He hadn't told her about his inheritance which his father could actually do nothing about. He just told her it would be the last time. 

They kept kissing each other goodbye in the house until Gio had to firmly put her in his car to take her to the park where she'd board a bus to Lagos. He waited there with her until the bus slowly went on its way. He felt as if his heart was going away with the bus. He entered his car and drove back home to prepare for his PPA.

Nkiru was jittery throughout the journey. But when her husband sent her a text message, she felt strengthened. His words were so lovely, she smiled and read them over and over again.

Even with the significant hue and cry
That resounds among the apostate scarecrows,
This Romeo must assure his lovely Juliet
That she is perfect as she is,
And because she thus accepts my humble self,
I shall make her the happiest among women.
My fondness for you is not the red rose,
For even roses will be pallid with time.
I love you because you are a bird;
The magpie of wits,
The jackdaw of the mental crossroads,
I see your iridescent plume up above,
In majestic copulation with the clouds.
You are the smiler with the sword,
But you strike without drawing blood.
You intelligence, baba--your ken--is a ship,
Well away from the perils of the lee shore.
Call her wits to questions and shoot bird in the dark,
In a country where there are fewer birds.

My love is not only a bird,
She is also a bee,
Known for sweetness and light,
As contrast with the dirt and poison of spiders,
In the web of today's love affairs.
She is the plain one I love,
I love her for her courage and strength,
If her pistol misses fire,
She is ready to knock you down with its butt

Stay strong, Luna. I love you, my very own Mrs. Giovanni Ekwe.

(Thanks LarrySun for the poem.)

However, by the time the bike pulled up in front of her house, she was a mass of nerves. She noticed with trepidation that her mother's shop was closed. She called Gio to tell him she'd arrived. He said soothing and comforting words which did nothing to her frayed nerves. She opened the pale blue gate and walked into the compound. Mrs. Ekwe came to a halt just before the wooden front door, her heartbeat accelerating, her mouth quivering a little in anxiety. She made the sign of the cross before pulling down the door handle.

Nkiru took a step back, startled.

Even you Jonathan2787? Last warning or your captain armband goes to mitchyy. kingphilip, if I catch you! Hustler!

@Henrique4real, lol. Thanks dear.


@kayemdy, thank dear.


@sammyendowed, thanks dear.


@eitsei, thanks dear.


@kingphilip, thanks dear. Amen.


@Jonathan2787, lol. Thank dear. Abeg o.


@JeffreyJamez, you like trouble ehn! I never said such.


@Abuklaw, thanks dear. Thanks for pointing that out. True, sometimes it's eagerness. Sometimes it's s sheer laziness going back to edit, sometimes it's migraine and also the fault of my auto correct. The thing has gone crazy. But not to worry, I intend handing it over to an editor before the final publishing. Thanks dear.


@HelenBee, lol. Thanks dear.


@Loisemm, thanks dear.


@mitchyy, lol. Hmm...lucky you. I had a wedding afternoon not a wedding night. We were so tired that very day. Then we decided to go on a road trip before getting home. We even visited hubby's mother before finally going home. Hubby couldn't wait till in the night so we closed the curtains and had a nice wedding afternoon. It took us almost a week before we consummated the marriage. It was fun though. We still tease each other about it. Thanks dear. Lips sealed about Fiorella.


@Debbime, thanks dear. You should also check out Unfulfilled Promises and Waiting For The Bouquet. Yes, it's definitely going to be handed over to an editor before it's published.


@Ashraf123, thanks dear.


@FIYINMI, thanks dear.


@Omoalhaja7, lol. Thanks dear.


@Izyyblaze, lol. Thanks dear. I'm organizing serious whips for you and ya boyfriend kingphilip. Love you too.


@humeehjay, thanks dear. God bless yours too.


@chizi007, hmm...heard I'm a sadist, right? Just can't let true love be. Thanks dear.


@Ciscodasilva, aww...*blushing* I wish you success in your exams. Thanks dear.


@Lildoks, really? That's good. You should also check out Unfulfilled Promises and Waiting For The Bouquet. Thanks dear. 


@virtuedagirl, thanks dear.


@smileysmiley, lol. Nice theory. Lips sealed though before mitchyy carry cane come. Thanks dear.


@Tife101, lol. Thanks dear.


@marveangel, yep, i get you. Romance is really unrealistic and exaggerated but hey, it helps us escape the real world sometimes and allow us bask in fantasies. That's what I do when I just get tired of stuff. I pick up a good romance novel. Thanks dear. 


@Richie990, that's nice. Thanks dear.


@uniquebrand, lol. Thanks dear.


@bummybummy, thanks dear.


@dupsai, thanks dear.


@yusufibrahim, thanks dear.


@Ali1king, guess.


@hordunhorlar216, thanks dear.


@ozeepresh, thanks dear. Hmm...I'm still in the learning process. Still can't properly discern the use of 'will' and 'would' as I old reach. Maybe you should google online courses in Creative Writing to get you started. When you're through, mail me at audreytimms83@gmail.com for my own small contribution. I wish you success.


@JIGGERNAPPY, really? That's fantastic. Innocent virginity? I like your choice of words. Thanks dear.


@pejxy, thanks dear.


@FancyDaddy, aww, thanks dear. You didn't have to quote the whole scene though but I understand you were trying to make a point. Hmm...let's keep our fingers crossed.


@kayemdy, good morning. Update coming up as soon as I finish replying everyone.


@Deluxewize, yep, Saturday is here. Update coming up.


@Loisemm, good morning, dear. How was your night? Hubby traveled but I will extend your greetings to him. Thanks dear. Update coming up now.


@amyvals, lol. Don't know about plenty but I'm about to update.

Hello, wonderful people. I'm so sorry for the silence since. I'll reply each and everyone of you. Just very busy right now. Thanks for always being there. Tomorrow it continues by His grace. Thanking you.

**********


Arranging the clothes she'd put on the following day, Jessica was at the height of happiness. Her childhood friends gazed at her with envy in their eyes. Her stomach wasn't protruding yet so her beautifully tailored cream lace gown was the best she had to wear for the ceremony. She knew after the wedding, she'd have a walk-in closet. She smiled as she placed her head gear beside the gown. Her mother came into the room looking frantic. Jessica was alarmed. Her mother asked her friends to excuse them. She stood at arms akimbo at the door.

"There's fire on the mountain, Uzodinma." She held her wrapper and stopped it from slipping to the ground from her waist. She retied it firmly. Jessica watched her mother and wondered if she should chant, 'run, run, run'

"Gio is married," The desperate woman blurted.

"What! Chineke (God)!" Jessica yelled and moved closer to her mother who sat down on the bed and moved her leg frantically.

"Mummy, what did you just say? Did I hear you right?" She held her right ear.

"He got married to that Nkiru of a girl on Wednesday." Jessica sat on the bed with a thud.

"Jesus! How? Where?"

"In Akure. A court wedding for that matter. His father just called to tell us."

"Jesus!" Jessica put both hands on her head. "I'm finished."

Anguish reflected on her face. "Mummy, what are we going to do? Me, I can't give birth to a bastard baby o! I'll go and abort it."

"Shut up! Lemme think," the woman castigated with a hand on her jaw which had three strands of hair on it.

Jessica got up and paced the room.

"We're going to visit Nkiru's family. It's as if they aren't aware of it. Let us go and threaten them. I'm sure they'll do something about it."

Her daughter hissed. "What will that achieve?"

"Discord. It would make them not accept Gio for marrying their daughter without permission. Their Ada for that matter."

"Okay." Jessica sniffed as tears gathered in her eyes.

"I also have some more bad news but I think that can be easily rectified."

"What is it again? This happy day has turned into a haven of misery." She sniffed again and sat down beside the woman who gave birth to her.

"Senator Ekwe has disinherited him."

"Ha! That's not an issue sha. Gio has his own trust fund or something like that."

"No. He doesn't get anything for defying his father."

"Chineke! Then what are we fighting for? Please Mummy, let me remove this baby and look for another person. Remember I told you a friend of mine wants to introduce me to one Americana like that."

"No. The die is cast here. That small boy can't play a fast one on us and go scot free. Besides, if he marries you, I believe he will get his inheritance back."

Jessica frowned and looked away. "Mummy, I want to marry Giovanni at all cost but I must confess that I get scared of him sometimes. It was rumored that he's unstable, as in mental. I don't want him to kill me one day. My plan is to just be a rich man's wife and enjoy the pleasures of life. But I don't want to die while trying to achieve it."

"Foolish thoughts and words. Unstable indeed! Unstable enough to pull that stunt on us. There's nothing wrong with him. He's only pretending. You must marry him. Even if you become his second wife, you must marry him, live in that house with them in Akure and do your best to chase Nkiru away. You must marry him!" She beat her chest. "I've said so."

The ruin of a nation begins in the homes of its people.


**********


Gio climbed into bed beside his wife in the dark of the night and she stirred. He cuddled her and she became fully awake.

"Gio! How...what...when did you arrive?" She turned to look at him in surprise. She rubbed her left eye sleepily.

Her husband smiled. "A few minutes ago. There was no point staying back in Abuja when my dad kicked me out."

"But I thought you said you were going to put up with Tosin."

"I changed my mind. I wanted to be with my darling wife."

She smiled. "I missed you."

He kissed her lips. "I missed you too."

"How did you get in?"

"I called Nkechi over the phone to let me in. I didn't want to disturb my darling wife.

His wife grinned. "I'm glad you're back."

"Me too." He held her and they spooned. 

Nkechi went back home the following day while Nkiru with her heart in her mouth waited for repercussions of their actions from Gio's dad and Jessica's people. She was amazed to note that Gio wasn't bothered one bit.

Life is like a shadow and a mist; it passes quickly by, and is no more.

*To be continued on Saturday.*

Thanking you.

Change can be good but its always tough to let go of the past.
—Emily Giff


Episode 15


Aunt peace came to say goodbye before going back to Abuja. Nkechi came to visit the newly-weds later in the day. Gio took them around Akure and spoilt them rotten. They even went to Ekiti state to visit Ikogosi waterfalls.

The following day, Nkiru was sorry to see her husband go after taking permission not to attend their CDS but she knew he had to. Gio had called his dad the previous night to inform him of his plans to come home. Gio had felt his father's happiness over the phone. Little did he know he was about to receive the shock of his life.

He met his father looking debonair in a dove-grey three-piece suit, writing at his table. Gio wondered where he'd gone looking so good. He greeted his father and they exchanged pleasantries. He remained by the door wondering how to broach the topic.

"Dad," he softly called. The man in question raised his head. "I can't marry Jessica."

His father sighed. "Gio, we've been through this. There's no other way. Everything has been arranged. We'll take the last flight to Owerri in the evening." 

Gio lifted his ringed finger and scratched his nose. His father's eyes narrowed.

"I can't marry Jessica because Nkiru and I got married on Wednesday."

"What!" The senator stood up in fury and marched across the air-conditioned room to where his son, an epitome of calmness, was standing. Gio handed a copy of his marriage certificate to his father which he'd removed from the big brown envelope in his hand. After reading it, the father tore it to pieces.

"There's more where that came from," Gio informed him and handed his wedding pictures to him. When his father saw the smiling woman standing beside Nkiru, all his anger sipped from his body like air from a deflated tyre.

"Why? Why did Oby do this to me?" He moaned out his frustration.

"Because she understood my reasons for not wanting to marry Jessica."

Enraged eyes held his. "Do you know what you've done, you f.ool? You've disgraced me. Jessica and her people are expecting us in their house in Awomama tomorrow."

Gio scoffed. "They can wait till hell freezes over for all I care."

"You will not shame me. I'll have that marriage annulled," his father warned with an angry forefinger stabbed in the air at him.

"On what grounds? I'm not responsible for Jessica's pregnancy. Can't you just understand that?" Frustration laced Gio's words. "It's even too late to have it annulled. I had the best wedding night ever. She bled, Dad. Nkiru bled. Real blood, Dad, unlike that lying slut."

His father took that vital piece of information in silence and calmly said, "But the DNA test shows you're the father."

Gio laughed scornfully. "But of course."

"Even the one I had done secretly," Senator Ekwe informed him solemnly.

"What?" Gio was stunned. "It can't be."

The senator watched him through darkened eyes. "You've been lying to me. It's obvious you blanked out after sleeping with her."

"I didn't!" His son lifted his hands and dropped them as he moved about the room.

"Then explain the DNA result to me," Senator Ekwe yelled.

Confused, Gio yelled back, "I can't! Maybe the second one was doctored as well. Maybe they knew..."

Gio's father cut in with a wave of his hand to show his disgust. "Oh, please stop with the conspiracy theory. No one knew about the second test except your aunt. What? She sold you out? The evidence against you is damning. Jessica said you impregnanted her, Fi saw you n.aked with her on your bed, in your room, and both paternity tests show you're the father. What do you want me to do, son? What?"

"Dad please, I..."

"Yet you recklessly went ahead to marry another girl two days ago."

"I love Nkiru. I'm not responsible for that harlot's baby." Gio put both palms together in a desperate plea.

His father rose to his intimidating height. "This is the last straw that has broken the camel's back. I told you not to defy me again. A child can play with its mother's breasts, but not its father's testicles. I'm going to seize your inheritance."

Gio's nose flared. "You can't do that."

"Yes, I can. Watch me. If the throat can grant passage to a knife, the anus should wonder how to expel it. " He moved to his desk to pick one of the phones on it. Gio followed him.

"Dad, please stop this. What did you expect me to do? Sit back while you assuage your ego by marrying me off to that slut! I'm of age. I can do whatever I want."

"You're now a man, right? Now get out of my house. I don't want to see your face again till I call you to come and answer face to face to Jessica's family."

Gio nodded and held his peace despite the rage in his eyes. He left the room quietly while the senator collapsed on his chair. What was he going to do to his headstrong son? He'd underestimated him. What was he going to do now? Gio had destroyed all the plans he'd made by marrying Nkiru. He recalled with fear the shock he'd felt when the result of the second paternity test he'd sent to Lagos came. What really happened that night? There was no explanation other than Gio had blanked out after sleeping with Jessica. Of course it wasn't rape like the Jessica girl was trying to portray. He could remember the way she'd ogled Gio the first time she visited. She'd probably gone to his son's room to seduce him and the foolish boy had succumbed to her whims. Probably distressed after the incidence, his mind had chosen to blank it out. His son used to do that. What a mess!


As he sat there with a hand underneath his jaw, thinking, Senator Ekwe however couldn't stop the smile that curved his lips. He finally realized that Gio was innocent. He wasn't responsible for Jessica's pregnancy. His son couldn't have taken such drastic steps if he weren't innocent. He had neither cared for his rage nor that of Nkiru's parents nor Jessica's people. Gio was married. He now had a daughter-in-law. He was still thinking when he heard a soft knock on the door. Aunt Peace came in. His eyes communicated to her his anger at her betrayal.

"How could you?" He finally asked her after a length of silence.

She shrugged nonchalantly. "How could I not?" She sat on the chair beside him. "That was the first time in his twenty-two years plus he ever asked me for anything."

"And you chose to betray me because of that? You chose my son over me?" He stood up smoothly.

"I chose not to let history repeat itself," she firmly told him but he waved a hand in disgust.

He walked fluidly to his window. "Please don't bring that up."

Aunt Peace followed him. "Why shouldn't I bring that up? You want to subject your son to the same thing you went through?"

"Obiageli please. It's not even the same." Gio's father moved his body to face her with critical eyes.

"But almost," she countered fiercely. "Why can't you realize the fact that Gio loves Nkiru and she loves him in return. They're a perfect match. I believe he isn't responsible for Jessica's pregnancy."

"But Fiorella saw them together. The evidence is too incriminating. Both DNA test shows he's the father. Why would Fi lie against a brother she loves so much?"

She moved to hold his hand. "We've been through all these. The fact that she saw them together means nothing. Gio didn't deny it. That devious and conniving Jessica could have been on her period or something and Fi, bless her soft and good heart had allowed herself to be deceived. Furthermore, I believe Jessica and her family knew about the second paternity test. Remember you recently fired that maid who told Gio where to find me on the night of his party. Remember you caught her eavesdropping at the door when she thought you were here with me, not knowing you'd gone to get somethimg from your car. She might have been paid by them to monitor us also. I wouldn't put anythimg past them. They are a desperate bunch."

"Oby, you really don't understand what's at play here. Jessica's family have threatened to go public with the news. I can't have that happening. I don't have any political ambition anymore, I'm not running for a third tenure despite the pleas but I don't want my family brought out in the public and torn to shreds by the media wolves. What happened to Gio would be brought out."

"Then pay off Jessica's family."

"You think I haven't tried that? I wrote them a check the last time I visited. I could see they were tempted but they seem to have a bigger fish to catch. I have to assume that in some way, they've found out about Gio's money. Maybe Fi in her foolishness told Jessica about it. If that's the case, after this stunt that Gio pulled, I'll tell them he has been disinherited by me and has lost his inheritance as well. That ought to scare them away."

Peace smiled and hugged him.

"I'm still angry with you though," he said but smiled and gave her a peck. "How was it?

"It was beautiful. Underneath that cold facade your son shows to the world, he's the most romantic guy I've ever known. Tuface Idibia graced your son's wedding luncheon and he happens to be Nkiru's favourite Nigerian artiste." Aunt Peace laughed at his lifted eyebrows.

Looking at a king’s mouth one would never think he sucked his mother’s breast.

"Your daughter-in-law might not be beautiful, but she's a rare gem. She saved Gio from a fate worse than death and she really loves him. She was willing to give up her dream wedding just to marry him."

"And you're sure it isn't because of his money," he asked with sckeptism.

"I asked Gio the same question. He hasn't told her about his inheritance. He said she complains that he's too extravagant and tries saving his money for him."

The senator laughed heartily.

"Tell her I said goodluck with that!"

When Gio called his wife to tell her his dad sent him out of his house and disinherited him, she became worried. Nkechi had to calm her down. She held her hand and made sure they prayed about the incident and the future.

*Continuation of Episode 14*

"Gbe meh ah! (Kill me) Ehigianewo, Gbe me ah! Kill me instead of you having anything more to do with that witch of a girl."

Oh, God! Who was the witch here now? Wasn't she the one trying to kill him with high BP? She came to see him in the hospital everyday to rant and rave. His mother had just woken him up with her shout.

A nurse came into the room just then and eyed the irate woman.

"Madam, you are here again! Please don't let us call security for you today again o," she warned sternly.

"Comot here, afiemhen (bird)," was his mother's angry reply.

Felix coughed to hide his laugh. Indeed, the nurse looked like a bird. She was quite tall and as thin as a rake. She had a beak for a nose amd underneath her nurse's cap, her hair began at the middle of her head.

The birdy nurse eyed Felix's mother, hissed and walked out of the room. Felix's mother rained abuses on her before turning to her son who had a bandage on his left upper arm and a plaster on his forehead.

"Felix, please. Listen to your mother. A child’s fingers are not scalded by a piece of hot yam which his mother puts into his palm." She sat on the white plastic chair beside the bed and held his right hand. "That girl is a witch. See how she almost killed you. She doesn't come from a good family. They are all witches. Mama Otibhor called me just seconds before you had the accident. She dreamt that morning that she saw you in your car and also saw that witch, Ivie, standing by the roadside and directing the steering wheel of a trailer. Was that not exactly what happened? I was waiting for you to get better before telling you." A tear rose in one eye. "Please do away with that girl. You will find another girl. You don't know what I did and how I suffered to get you. Don't you ever wonder why your sisters are far older than you? I couldn't conceive again after Efua for a long time. Please. It's the mouth parents use in talking to their children, if they use their buttocks, then disgrace will befall them. You're alive today because of God. Please let that remain so. She migut try to kill you again." Mrs. Eromosele sniffed.

She'd discovered that her threats weren't getting her anywhere with her stubborn son. After all, it required a lot of carefullness to kill the fly that perches on the scrotum. So she'd would use tears and coercion to get through to him. She'd never forget how her heart entered her throat when she heard of his accident. The boy didn't know how much she treasured him. He didn't know the length she'd gone to make sure she had him. The woman quickly pushed away the images of yesteryears trying to pop out from a box in her mind. She had to think of something sorrowful now to make sure her tear ducts did their job. Her tears, she believed would convince her son to stay away from that girl. She wondered what he'd gone to her house to do. He refused to say. Oh, where were these tears na?

Women!

Indeed, he was alive today because God had said it wasn't his time to go, Felix acknowledged. He remembered what happened that tragic day with anixety and still had nightmares about it. He'd missed hitting the trailer by mere whiskers. But his swerve had been too much; he'd plunged into the pillar of the bridge. Luckily for him, only his left hand which he'd hit heavily on the dash board was sprained with a small bruise on his head. He could still feel the fear as his life passed before him when he thought the end had come. The screeching of tyres and the smell of twisted metal still assailed his ears and nostrils every now and then. His car was a write-off. It was a horrible experience. Never again would he want to experience such. His mother had nearly had a panic attack upon seeing him unconscious on the hospital bed. His father had had to drag her out twice as she shouted and cursed Ivie.

Ivie!

Hmm...he couldn't believe his ex-girlfriend hadn't deemed it fit to visit him in the few days he'd been at the hospital. All his friends and relatives had visited him but not a breath of her. And to think just before he'd fallen into the deep pit of unconsciousness, he'd decided to take responsibility of the baby before having a paternity test done after she must have put to bed. All for nothing. She didn't even care that he'd had the accident just after leaving her place. Or was it true like his friend had always said, that she was a mermaid? So upset by his rejection, she'd tried to kill him? Nah, he shouldn't have such thoughts. He didn't believe in such things. But Mama Otibhor was known for her astute dreams though some had fallen short in the past. Was this one of them?

What was he gong to do? He loved his mother so much he didn't want to give her high BP but at the same time, if he was truthful to himself, he still had feelings for Ivie. One couldn't turn off deep feelings just like that. And just maybe the baby she was carrying was his. He didn't want a son or daughter to come looking for him in future after punching him in the face to claim he or she was his child. But could he really be sure? He'd seen her with Ehis dammit! But Ivie, the Ivie he'd known from the onset wasn't like that. She'd been a virgin for crying out loud and had wept profusely when he took it. He'd heard stories of recently-deflowered girls going crazy for s.ex after tasting the forbidden fruit. Was that what had happened to her? After all, he had been in school for a while then.

Gosh! He was so confused. What to do? He stared at his mother and her theatrics. She was squeezing her eyes tautly to produce tears. If he wasn't sure she would give him a dirty slap, he would have laughed out loud at her antics. She needn't bother. There was only one female on earth who would cry and he'd go to hell, kill the master of the underworld and dump him at her feet.

Her name-- Ivie!


*To be continued*

He claimed her luscious mouth and she trembled, made weak by the hunger he could awaken so easily. While she struggled to catch her breath, he stripped off the sexy lingerie and lifted her onto the bed, peeling off her bra and, more slowly and provocatively, her panties. He punctuated each and every action with the drugging demand of his lips on hers. So roused was she by his touch that when he attempted to step back she automatically put her arms out to prevent him and stretched up to find that taunting, teasing mouth of his for herself. An earthy laugh rasped low in his throat as he toyed with her full lower lip and let his tongue plunge deep in an erotically sweet invasion that left her gasping.

Nkiru laid on the bed where he had put her, her senses singing and quivering. Clad only in her birthday suit, however, she soon began feeling horribly exposed and shy and all too shamefully aware that she had pulled him back to her, desperate for another kiss.

"Relax, moglie mio." Registering her apprehension in the evasive flicker of her eyes, Gio endeavoured to employ a soothing tone for his nervous wife. "You look incredibly sexy."

Nkiru shot him a reluctant glance. His black silk boxers revealed more than they concealed of his bold state of arousal. It was a view that shocked her and she hastily looked away, her heart racing like an express train. Her tension acquired an edge of panic, for suddenly it seemed unbelievable to her that she was actually about to get into a bed with a man for the first time in her life. She shivered. Gio noticed. She covered her b.reasts with a pillow.

Her husband kissed her and she stopped wondering and trying to think her way around unfamiliar and complicated corners. Wanton craving took over. He pulled and the pillow fell away revealing smooth brown delicate curves crowned by pouting dark buds.

"You’re ravishing,"he groaned appreciatively.

Lowering her down onto the pillows, he rubbed the luscious crests to even greater prominence with skilful thumbs and finally laved the straining peaks with the tantalising warmth of his mouth. Nkiru was catapulted from a moment of extreme shyness over her unclothedness into an infinitely more shocking surge of pleasure. She shut her eyes tight at the height of it. Her tender n.ipples throbbed beneath his administrations while a feverish damp heat stirred between her thighs.

There was an unbearably tight feeling of yearning low in her pelvis. She shifted up skittishly against a hair-roughened masculine thigh, absolutely desperate for his touch, controlled by instincts far stronger than she had ever imagined. Just as quickly that frightening instant of forced self-discovery was forgotten again beneath his expert touch. The dark, exquisite pleasure of his seduction made her jerk and moan and cling. And she didn’t care, she really didn’t care about anything but that he should continue holding her and teasing her with an erotic skill that made her feel as if she could fly as high and bright as the sun.

At the exact instant when the excitement threatened to become an indescribable torment, Gio shifted over her and slid between her thighs. She hadn't even known when he took off his boxers. Her pleasure was that intense. She felt the iron-hard length of his s.ex push against her tender entrance and, although she was frantic, all keyed up with eagerness for the ultimate act, she froze with nerves and the conviction that he was much too well endowed for her.

"Luna, please don’t tense,"Gio urged grittily.

His wife lay as still as a sacrifice, eyes firmly closed. He stole a sexy, savage kiss that lifted her lashes and he gave her a slashing smile of challenge in reward. Coming up on his knees, he dragged a pillow across the bed and eased it below her hips. "It’ll be okay," he swore in a roughened undertone.

The slick, hot heat of him forged a passage into the tender depths of her damp, resisting flesh. He felt massive. A startled moan of discomfort was wrenched from her. Immediately he stopped, apologised, swearing in ferocious Italian below his breath.

Nkiru looked up at him with accusing eyes. Fierce strain was etched in his lean, strong face along with an astonishing hunger that made her feel oddly empowered. She was at a screaming pitch of nervous anticipation, both wanting and not wanting, burning quivers of need still shimmying through her slender frame because he had roused her to a point beyond bearing.

He was skilful and smooth, but that slow, deep plunge into her silken softness and the final piercing of the barrier of her virginity caused fleeting tears to well into her eyes. He stayed very still then, allowing her to adjust to the invasion. ‘I’m sorry...I couldn't help hurting you.’

Ripples of heat and stimulation pulsed from the hot, secret heart of her again. Newly sensitised, she quivered, her body angling up to his in an invitation that spoke louder than any words. With a ragged laugh of gratification he moved again and a whimper of excitement escaped her because he felt amazing. Her heart began to hammer against her ribs. Exquisite sensation built and the knot of ravenous need in her was tightened and tightened as he set up a raw, sensual rhythm. Delirious with pleasure, she abandoned herself to his dark, driving passion. At the height of a shattering climax she moaned in ecstasy before she tumbled down and down and down in a release from her physical body that was so powerful that she was not quite sure she was conscious for several minutes afterwards.

Gio kissed her all over her face as he murmured words of sweet nothings to her. His wife felt elated. As if she'd just received a prize for climbing the highest mountain. Her decision for waiting till marriage before coitus was definitely worth it. There was no feeling of guilt or recriminations. Just bliss, fulfillment and completeness.


**********

Daylight was struggling to get through the thickness of the lined velvet curtains when Gio gradually stirred into consciousness. He yawned. He tried lifting his right hand but felt a weight on it. He slightly lifted his head and smiled. Nkiru had her head on his arm and an arm around his waist and the other underneath her. She was sleeping on her side, facing him. He smiled again. His wife. The word sweetly rolled off his tongue. It was now the most important and beautiful word in the dictionary to him. In fact, the best. He gazed down at her innocent-looking face as she slept. She wasn't innocent anymore, not after last night. He felt his loins stir as he remembered what was definitely the best night in his life. He however took deep breaths to control himself. She'd be sore by now since they'd done it twice last night and he'd foolishly not used protection. The wedding preparations and all had made him forget protection. And last night he'd been too carried away to remember precautions. He didn't want her getting pregnant now. They still had quite a number of months to go before the end of their service year. He didn't even want NYSC to know they were married until he resolved things with his dad, Jessica and her people, and his in-laws. They'd be furious when they found out he'd married their daughter without their permission. Time-- he knew time would solve everything. He would get the condoms later. He needed to make breakfast for his wife at that moment.

Gio gently removed his hand from underneath her head. She muttered something and turned on her other side, still fast asleep. He located his boxers at the other side of the bed and put it on, trudged carefully out of the room and went to the bathroom to freshen up. He got to the living room and realized they didn't put out the candles. They had burned themselves out. He chuckled and made for the kitchen opposite the living room. He didn't know how to cook but Nkiru had taught him to at least fry eggs. He opened the door to the Samsung fridge by the door and brought out four eggs and took them to the counter. He took in the neat and clean kitchen with a wry smile. His wife was almost a clean freak while he was an untidy kind of guy. A smile turned the corner of his lips when he envisaged her frown at him turning her kitchen upside down when he was through. He'd tried his best to be tidy but he never remembered replacing things where he'd met them or always told himself he'd do it later. Her complains at his untidiness were however half-hearted. She'd confided in him that she found it cute and was glad that he wasn't perfect. His untidiness was a character flaw to her coupled with his snobbish nature. He smiled in reminiscence and set out to work. He took the sauce pan from its position on the wall. Where the hell would he find the vegetable oil? 

By the time Gio was through frying the eggs and boiling water for tea, the kitchen looked as if a circus had passed through it. He'd succeeded in burning both dish rags on the fire from the gas cooker. There was a spill of oil on one of the gas cooker plates, the empty egg shells were on the counter coupled with the opened salt and pepper containers. The peels from an onion bulb littered the marble floor alongside water. Four used plates were at the sink and the stainless steel pot he'd used before he saw the kettle was on the fridge. Satisfied with his accomplishments, he carried the large tray that contained the loaf of sliced bread, a plate of burnt eggs, two mugs and spoons and tea items to his room. He placed the try on the floor and opened the door. His wife stopped whatever she'd been doing and looked guiltily away. He carried the tray into the room and kicked the door shut with his leg. He placed the tray on his reading table and went to sit beside his wife on the bed. 

"Morning moglie," he cheerfully greeted but she stared at her hands in shyness, refusing to meet his eyes.

"Morning," she murmured and gave him a quick glance and a small smile before staring at her hands again.

"Go and freshen up for breakfast in bed." He glanced at the tray on the table and missed her grimace. She knew he was a terrible cook. She looked around the room for her lingerie and saw it on the floor alongside her bra and panties. 

"Please pass me my...my dress." She pointed at the tiled floor where it lay. He followed the direction of her forefinger and slowly shook his head.

"Please don't put that on this morning. Except you want to spend all day in bed." His wife's face turned a rosy hue. Gio stood up and offered her his sky-blue shirt. He walked to the table and turned his back on her to give her the privacy she was craving. His wife really had to get used to him seeing her naked. He turned around and saw her pulling the sheets from the bed.

"Why are you..." He paused before turning his back on her again to hide a smile. There were blood stains on the sheets. He'd noticed it before he left the bed. That was probably what she'd been trying to hide when he opened the door. She took the sheets with her as she left the room in his oversized shirt that was sexy on her.

Nkiru put the sheets in a bucket in the bathroom and poured some detergent on it before opening the tap to allow water fill the bucket. She sat down on the toilet to pee and winced. She was sore underneath. Her face reddened when she remembered all she and Gio had done the night before. Wow! It was classic!

She quickly brushed her teeth and washed her face with her Irish Spring soap. By the time she got to the room, Gio had made tea for her. His table was in disarray and the tray was on the bed. She sat down before him and sipped from the mug. She tried her best to hide what she was feeling inside. Christ! He'd probably emptied the entire contents of granulated sugar and a tin of peak milk inside her mug. Even though she had a sweet tooth, this was too much. She dropped the mug on the tray. The eggs looked burnt but not to hurt his feelings, she took a bite. Caustic! She knew she'd have to go to the market that very morning to go and buy more dried pepper and salt because her husband had probably poured the entire contents of various containers inside the eggs. The terrible meal would likely corrode the linings of her stomach but she had to eat it for her darling husband's sake.

"Hmmmm." She swallowed the over-spiced, sawdust-tasting meal with a false smile on her face.

Gio chuckled. "My brave wife." He picked up the plate of charred eggs and placed it on his table before going back to the bed.

"I'll learn. I promise."

Nkiru was so touched by his efforts and his words, she pushed the tray further on his bed and climbed his laps. Her hands went around his neck.

"Thanks for the effort. That's all that matters to me." She placed her lips on his.

Love is a beautiful thing.

*To be continued*

*Continuation of Episode 14*

With her eyes on her wedding rings, Nkiru pinched herself on the lap to determine if she was dreaming. Was she really Mrs. Giovanni Ekwe? She looked at her husband who was seated beside her on the round table. He took his champagne glass and sipped from the Moët & Chandon Dom Perignon White Gold champagne he'd ordered. The other occupants on the table were her sister, Nkechi and Aunt Peace; their witnesses. Dressed in a sky-blue spaghetti gown with a rosette on one strap, one would mistake Nkechi for the bride. Her human hair weave bounced off her shoulders as she discussed with her in-law. Nkechi was glowing, her happiness from within shone on her pretty face. Aunt Peace was all smiles also as she listened to Nkechi's animated talk. She was simply dressed in a sexy sky-blue maxi dress. She tucked a loose braid behind her ear and bit from her chicken as she continued listening. 

Nkiru's gaze fell on the silent but smiling guy beside her who was also listening attentively to his sister-in-law. Gio, her husband. The word 'husband' sounded strange in her ears. The guy in question looked drop dead gorgeous in a beautifully tailored suit teamed with a sky-blue shirt and a white tie. 

They'd had a simple ceremony at the registry that morning. They were now having their wedding luncheon at Sunview hotel in Alagbaka. The wedding party had finished eating in the restaurant and were now at the inner bar, chilling. She was happy that she and Gio had been joined together without any obstacle and their witnesses had been willing to come and brave their wedding without asking questions and divulging their secrets to anyone but she still felt something was missing. She signed. This was probably the driest wedding ever. They'd snapped a few photographs inside and outside the registry but there was no cake, no music to dance to, nothing! And she couldn't complain because Gio had single-handedly done everything. The only thing that had given her joy was her wedding gown, if it could be called that. It was a simple slip of a gown but what brought out the beauty of the white mono-strap gown was the small diamond studs that was all over the dress. It sparkled in the sun and fit her like a glove. Gio had bought the expensive dress. his bride had frowned at such extravagance but when she'd opened the box and viewed the dress, she'd fallen in love with it. She was glad she could wear it anywhere. Her sky-blue shoes and clutch complimented the dress. She fingered the pearls on her neck and ears and wondered again just how much Gio had spent on this simple wedding. He'd done everything except order for cake and music.

The new bride was still lost in her thoughts when a waitress cleared the table. When she heard the instrumentals of her favorite song, 'African Queen' by 2face Idibia, her gaze flew to the plasma television on the wall to watch the video but was disappointed to see it was still tuned to Super Sports channel. Then she heard a voice clearly, which she'd recognize even in her sleep.

"This goes out to Mr. and Mrs. Giovanni Ekwe. Congratulations on your wedding." 2face's voice boomed over the microphone. Nkiru screamed and her gaze flew to the door where 2face was standing with his crew. A big sky-blue and white cake shaped like an open laptop with Gio and Nkiru's faces on the screen and a half-moon symbol at the top was placed on the table just then. Her gaze was fixed on her husband's smiling face when 2face started singing.

Just like the sun, lights up the earth, you light up my life
the only one, I've ever seen with a smile so bright
and just yesterday, you came around my way
and changed my whole scenery with you astonishing beauty

ah, you coulda make a brother sing,
you ordinary thing, a supernatural being,

I know you are just brighter than the moon
Brighter than the star, I love you just the way you are

Gio rose from his chair and extended a hand to his wife when Tuface began the chorus. She placed her cold hand in his and they moved away from the chair a little to engage in a slow dance as the famous musician sang on. They were oblivious to the fact that guests and employers alike had gathered at the bar to watch the rare show; they had eyes only for each other. People took pictures. Nkechi was asked to dance by one of the guests while Aunt Peace sat back to take pictures. 

By evening when Gio was driving them home in his car, Nkiru had to declare that day the best in her life and the best wedding ever. 2face had not only sung his all time favorite song for most people, African Queen, he'd also sang his 'If Love Is A Crime', 'True Love', 'My Love' and crowned it all with his latest track, 'Implication'. Everyone had gone crazy then. That was when she realized that Gio could dance pretty well. He and Nkechi had had the fun of their life on the dance floor. Even now he was singing to the lyrics of 'Oleku' by Iceprince. She still had a lot to learn about this guy she called a husband. 

She started laughing when he began moving his raised hands to the rhythm of Naeto C's 10/10 when they were stuck in traffic at old garage. He stopped, gave her a sexy wink and continued singing and dancing. By the time they got home, Nkiru had sobered up. Nkechi and Aunt Peace stayed back in Sunview hotel to give them some privacy. When Nkiru told them they could stay in her former room since she'd moved her things into Gio's room the previous night, Nkechi had silenced her with a frown. Nkiru didn't see the need for them staying in the hotel, after all, her sister and Aunt Peace had spent the night in her former room while she'd slept in Gio's room. Gio had gone to stay in a guest house for the sake of decorum.

By the time Gio drove into the compound and shut the gate, Nkiru was a mass of nerves. Her clutch dropped from her hand when she alighted from the car. Gio was there to pick it for her. She refused meeting his eyes. Before she knew what was going on, her husband bent and lifted her in his arms. She smiled and put her hands around his neck. He carried her to the veranda and awkwardly opened the front door.

Nkiru knew then why her sister and his aunt had refused coming home with them. Short and round candles lit the way to the corridor, coupled with red petals.

"Welcome home, moglie." She grinned at his words. He'd called her 'wife'.

The candles lit the way up his room. He opened the door and she smiled again. The red petals entwined with the lighted candles created the shape of love on the bed. The opulent bedroom was festooned with white flowers everywhere she looked.

"Who did all these?" she found herself asking. Gio grinned.

"Sincerely, I don't know. I just told the manager in the hotel what I wanted. I gave him the description of the house and the key."

"And money of course!" she teased and he laughed. 

"You really are worried about the way I spend money, right?"

"Duh! Like yeah!"

He burst into laughter. 

"Luna, please don't be worried about money. I'll tell you something in the morning." His voice was so solemn, she frowned but he grinned. He carefully laid her on the bed beside the candles and petals. 

"Do you want to freshen up or should I go first?" He questioned innocently but frowned when she gulped. Her eyes were lowered.

"Go...go first," she stammered and looked away when he began unbuttoning his shirt. He'd removed his suit jacket in the hotel. Her husband put on the light, blew out the candles and removed them from the bed. He left to take a shower after that while Nkiru lay huddled on one side of the bed. When he came back a few minutes later on a black silk boxers, toweling his head, her eyes bulged. Gio was one fine male specimen. Her eyes moved up his body from his lean strong legs to the part where the boxers covered. Despite her nervousness, she felt like running her fingers down his chest with black hairs spinkled all over it and his flat taut stomach. In all their time living together, she'd never seen him in this state of UnCloth. She salivated and ogled him shamelessly. Gio removed the towel from his head and she quickly looked away. He grinned. She felt like dying. He'd probably noticed the lustful way she'd been looking at him. What was the matter with her anyway? This was her husband.

"Your turn but after tonight, we bathe and do everything together."

She could only nod as she got up. She practically ran out of the room. Gio chuckled. Nkiru was behaving typically like a shy bride on her wedding night which she actually was. He found it cute. He put on his laptop and played old school blues to set the mood right and probably calm her nerves. He was flipping through their wedding pictures on his phone when she came into the room. His phone clattered to the ground but he didn't notice. His wife looked down and whined her toes with one hand rubbing her other arm. She bit her bottom lip in nervousness. Scorching eyes raked over her and she trembled, maddeningly conscious of the tightening of her n.ipples and the surge of heat and moisture at the apex of her thighs.

Gio had always known his wife had hot legs but the the see-through black lace lingerie which ended at mid-thigh emphasized it. The strapless lingerie left nothing to the imagination. A smile lit up his handsome face. Of course his prim and proper wife had ruined its allure by putting on a half-cup strapless bra and panties. He walked slowly to her at the door where she was still fidgeting.

"You look amazing." He gave her a light kiss, held her hand and led her to the bed. Italian love words poured forth from his mouth.

Flakkydagirl:

Now this is thrilling,I cannot come and read 13pages of a story then disappear without a comment,like some readers do.

And honestly,unfulfilled promises is a learner beside this one.
The improvements are so obvious,the plots are well constructed,and the characters vivid.
Although at a point,I got bored of Gio's description and his family's wealth,and then the designers were too much.I see you dropped them already.That's great!

I love the way you paint the characters,your conversations are fluent,your grammer is good,then the body languages are great,and your description is quite better.
AudreyTimms is no longer a story teller,she's now a prolific writer.
And this is not another sweet mouth comment,its the truth my sister.
Ride on.

Wow! Wow! Wow! I'm not trying to open old wounds but this is what i call constructive criticism. Not only have you brought out my strong points, you have also subtly told me my weak points. With such a comment, all i want to do is work harder and harder and try to get better and better. Coming from a writer, i truly appreciate this. Thanks a lot. *dancing shakitibobo*

Comments

@Jumizie13, so you're LarrySun's sister. Hmm...I used to think he fell from the sky. And you sound troublesome. Permit me to say I love you for that. Please trouble him harder. I love troublesome siblings. I'm an angelic one though. Thanks dear.


@LarrySun, thanks a million. Coming over to join you guys pretty soon.


@handmaid, thanks dear. Lips sealed.


@Bb4u, I'm not trying to blow his horn but I have a one in a million hubby. He was the one who resurrected my writing career after we got married and he gives me my space when I'm writing and researching and is forever a source of encouragement. Yep, I ended up with my own Gio. 


@SPDAZZY, thanks dear. I didn't even realize I did that. Thanks for pointing it out. 


@chizi007, thanks dear. Yep, today is Wednesday. Amen. God bless you too.


@kingphilip, @kingphilip, @kingphilip, how many times did I call you? Na here you wan find your Nkiru?


@Feyikemi12, thanks dear. God bless you too.


@Okinjay, yes, today is Wednesday.


@Tife101, you're welcome dear. Wednesday is here.


@jokepearl, thanks dear. Keep your fingers crossed.


@vonn, lmao. I haven't gotten to episode 20. It's not going to end soon. We aren't even half way through yet. You know me. I don't know how to write short stories. I usually get carried away when writing. Thanks dear.


@Izyyblaze, epic response. Pity him sha.


@JeffreyJamez, lol. You will get it. Just work hard on your relationship and pray. By the way, where is your boo? I miss her. And you partners-in-crime friends? Thanks dear. Badt guy!


@Maryclaire1, thanks dear. *hiding my face at the pidgin english comment* I learnt it when I was in school.


@kayemdy, lol. Yes, it is. I'm just going through it looking for errors. Getting bored though. Might just post it like that abeg.


I'm sorry if I didn't reply your comment. I just replied the ones that came after my comment. I appreciate you all.


Thanking you.

Too tired to reply every comment. So sorry! Thanks for the beautiful and funny comments. Wednesdays and weekends are my free days. Stated this before i began the story.


Thanking you.

Nancydearie:
www.okadabooks.com/book/about/8746

Thanks dear

Yayyyyy! You're back. I have to go and read from the beginning though. Can't recall some major events anymore. No disappear again o.

mitchyy:


You already gave me spoilers. Don't defend any of your characters dear. Just let us think whatever we wish and at the end, allow us to be surprised. That's the beauty in it.

Caught in the act again! Hubby complains i explain myself too much. I can't help doing that. I hate being misunderstood. I hate her too sha but felt sorry for her when everyone attacked her, well, except kingphilip, her defense attorney, i just felt i had to come and defend her action. Lips sealed from now on. Thanks dearie.

**********

Gio allowed Nkiru to bask in the euphoria of their engagement before he dropped his bombshell when they came back from their PPA on Monday afternoon. They had to get married next week, in a registry. Nkiru would hear nothing of it. She ranted and raved. She wanted her dream wedding; a church filled with her family and friends. Gio tried to reason with her that it wouldn't be possible and they didn't have time on their hands but she refused to listen. She burst into tears and rushed to her room to slam the door. She locked herself in despite Gio's pleas at the door for her to come out. She laid on her bed and cried. She knew Gio was right but life was so unfair. She felt real hatred for the first time in her life. She hated Jessica. Why couldn't she have just let Gio go? Why had she decided to spoil things for her? 

Nkiru rolled restlessly on her bed. She wasn't even going to have a traditional wedding. She wasn't going to dress in her native attire to take a cup of palm wine to Gio. Her mother wasn't going to feel proud that her first daughter was getting married. Could she really do this? Marry in an office without her parents' consent? They were of age so they needed only witnesses. Could she betray and cheat her parents out of her marriage? Their Ada (first daughter)? She was caught between two stools. Don't count your chickens before the eggs have hatched. She had counted hers after Gio had given her that ring. She had dreamt of a wedding and honeymoon fit for a queen, forgetting totally about Jessica.

She lifted her hand to stare at her ring. But she loved Gio with a passion. She couldn't imagine life without him. She was gripped with the belief that she would walk off the edge of the world if he asked her to. If she didn't marry him, Jessica would. The following week had been slated for the wine carrying, bride price paying and all that with her family. More tears dropped from her eyes. Jessica was cheating her. She was trying to take her place. That event ought to take place in her house not Jessica's. It never rains, it pours but it was time to put her money where her mouth was. But could they really get married just like that? They weren't abroad where couples just called their parents to tell them they were married. She'd watched a lot of foriegn movies where couples went to Las Vegas to have a quick wedding even at the age of eighteen but never Nigeria. Had such ever happened in Nigeria? Was it even allowed? She took her phone from the pillow beside her. It was time to gather information.

She didn't come out of her room that night and that got Gio worried. He didn't know how to cook, so he went to Chicken Republic in Alagbaka to get their dinner but she refused coming out to eat. When she didn't talk to him the following morning before leaving for their place of primary assignment, he became alarmed. He tried to think of a way around their problem but came up short. This was the only way to beat his dad, Jessica and her people. He understood how she felt. He knew every girl dreamt of how her wedding would be. Fi had always talked his ears off about how hers would be. He wished he could turn back the hands of time. He would have insisted on the party not taking place. Heck, he'd have ended the friendship between the slut, Jessica and his sister. But he hadn't really cared enough about his sister's friends. He'd only warned her to be wary of Jessica after he caught her with that guy that night. His indifference to his family had cost him greatly. Fi had perfected her revenge against him. He hadn't spoken to her since he'd told her those harsh words that fateful day. Gio regretted saying such to her but he'd been overcome by rage. He should have spoken to and endeared himself to the side of the sister he'd grown up with and loved. Maybe, just maybe she would have changed her story. She'd left the following day to go and visit their cousins in Lagos. They hadn't communicated since.

Gio, his hands in his pockets walked home slowly the following day. He had not felt like driving his car. Nkiru had left the school without even telling him. She'd told her students she wasn't feeling too fine so could not hold their usual extra-moral lessons. Gio knew better. He opened and shut the gate behind him. He turned the brass door knob and heaved a sigh of relief when it opened. He wouldn't put it past her to lock him out in her fury. He was amazed to notice she'd kept with their ritual despite her anger. The coffee table was already set with lunch. She came out from the kitchen which was opposite the living room with a bowl of water in one hand. She didn't even spare him a glance. She sat down on the rugged floor, washed her hands and cut a lump of eba which she dipped into the richly garnished egusi soup. Gio went to his room, dropped his bag and changed to casual clothes of a shirt and shorts. He went to take a leak in the toilet before joining her in the living room. Gio watched his fiancee tentatively. Seemingly glad, however, of something to do, he sat on the rugged floor at the opposite side of the table. Time seemed to move on without her noticing. Tired of watching her eat alone, he washed his hands and cut a lump of the molded eba and dipped it in the soup. He ate noiselessly and savored the taste. Nkiru was a very good cook. Her culinary skills never failed to blow his taste buds away. They savoured the culinary delight in silence. She ate and played with her phone while he ate with his eyes on her. Their eyes didn't meet. She dropped the phone and tried opening the bottled water (he'd maintained they wouldn't drink sachet water because he didn't trust them). He quietly took the plastic bottle from her and opened it. He gave it back to her and she murmured her thanks. They continued eating in silence. Nkiru washed her hand, wiped it on the dish rag and got up. Gio quickly did the same and rose. He held her hand when she wanted to walk past him.

"Luna, please. It's the only way." She turned to stare at the door then she used her other hand to cover her eyes tightly.

"I know. I know." She sobbed. Gio dropped her hand and took her in his arms. "I know there's no other way but it still doesn't stop the pain I'm feeling knowing my family won't be at my wedding." Gio held her tightly.

With a broken voice, her fiancé said, "Luna, I can't do this without you. It takes two to tango. You once told me If you want to go quickly, go alone. If you want to go far, go together."

Nkiru grimaced. Of all the time to remind her of her proverb!

"I'm sorry. I'm so sorry. If only I hadn't quarreled with you that night. If only I'd thrown Jessica out of the room when she came in, Fi wouldn't have met her there. I'm so sorry for everything, amore mio." Gio closed his eyes as regret filled every pore in his body.

"No need for recriminations. We need a way forward." She sniffed and left his arms. She sat on one of the blue and white flowery patterned arm chairs and drew her legs to her chest. Gio sat on the arm of the chair and stared down at her with pain.

"I browsed about civil marriages in Nigeria. I don't think we can make it. We have to give the court three weeks notice before fixing a date for our wedding." She removed her pink handkerchief from the pocket of her grey shorts and blew her nose with it.

Gio smiled. She'd researched their wedding even in her anger.

"It's possible to get a special license but since I didn't want any opposition whatsoever since we're dealing with two custodians of Nigerian law, I filed for the license on the twenty-seventh of last month."

Nkiru raised shocked eyes to his. "What? You've been planning this?"

He smiled a little and held her hand. "After that meeting on boxing day, I knew I had to do something drastic. Dano came up with the idea. The twenty-second of this month was fixed for the Ikwu Aka or whatever. I think it's called knocking on the door or something." Nkiru nodded and looked away. She knew all about the marriage rites in her place. Tears gathered in her eyes again at what she'd be missing. Gio's warm hand turned her chin to meet his eyes.

"We'll do all that. I promise. Let's just get Jessica out of the way. Please." At his gently spoken words, she swallowed her tears and nodded. 

"It's going to be tight," he continued. "But we can do it. Even though it might be just at the skin of our teeth. I told Tosin about it the following day. He sent someone to the registry here where the person obtained the Form A. He sent it via a driver coming to Abuja since that was the fastest way to get it across to me. When I finished filling it and attaching our passports, I paid a driver to send it back here. The guy submitted it on the 28th. Counting from then, Monday next week will make it twenty-one days. That's on the 17th. We need to go and swear the oath and have the marriage done between Tuesday 18th and Friday 21st since the introduction is on Saturday."

With arms folded around herself, Nkiru got up and started pacing the room. Gio watched her every move from the chair. She paused and looked at him.

"So when are we getting married?"

Gio grinned and rushed to take her in his arms. 

"On Wednesday, the 19th of January, 2011. Well, that's if we can, 'cause I need to get to Abuja on Friday to stop my dad from going to waste his time going to the village."

"Okay. Who will be our witnesses?"

He looked down at her. "I was thinking Nkechi and Aunt Peace. Nkechi can keep our secret, right?" Nkiru slowly nodded. Nkechi was good at keeping secrets. If Nkiru hadn't found her bleeding when she came home that fateful day, Nkechi would never have told her what happened.

"Why here? Why not Abuja or else where?"

"I don't want my dad to find out before I have the satisfaction of telling him myself." Nkiru chuckled at that. So Gio was using their wedding to score a point against his dad. She lifted her head from his chest and gazed into his eyes.

"I love you, Nkiru. I promise you, you will never have cause to regret taking this risk with me," 

His fiancée prayed so.


*To be continued on Wednesday*


Have a nice week ahead, everybody.


Thanking you!

**********

The handsome young man felt like a billion dollars when he stepped down from his car opposite Freedom road. Dressed in a white Marks & Spencer shirt teamed with white Levi's jean trousers and white belt, Burberry sneakers and hat and also a Ray-ban foldable aviator glasses shading his eyes from the rays of the sun, Felix felt as if he should go to Benin and have his state governor bow down to him. He was looking that good and feeling that fly. After shutting the door of his Honda Civic, and taking a few steps around the car, he reveled at the numerous eyes on him.

Just as he removed his glasses to see properly to cross the road to the other side to Ivie's house in order to avoid stories that touched, a motorcycle rider on high speed splashed muddy water on his sneakers from the small puddle that had formed inside a pothole due to a leaky water tanker going to deliver water that had stopped there for some minutes.

Felix paused and wondered how someone could be plying his trade of wizardry in broad daylight. Wasn't it sheer wickedness that someone would see him looking so fresh and clean, so cream de la cream, yet decide to muddy his clothes?

"But una witchcraft strong for this village sha. Una no go see me," he murmured to himself and crossed the road to Ivie's house.

It was childish of him, he knew, for he wanted her to see what she had thrown away for that louse who'd brought his fiancée home for all and sundry to see. He had used and dumped Ivie. It had pained him to his bone marrows when he'd sighted Ehis and his would be wife in church but short of going there to punch his lights out, there was nothing he could do. Besides, he had to maintain the camouflage to his friend's that he was okay when deep down, he felt as if something was eating him up. He had truly loved Ivie. Her betrayal still hurt ike a machete cut.

He paused at the door. To think he'd thanked God for bringing his soul mate so early in his life. All for naught. His mother, knowing her son just from the phone had been able to deduce that something was wrong with him. She had put pressure on him to tell her what was wrong. She'd wanted to leave Port Harcourt on his behalf so he had eventually opened up to stop her from coming back. She'd been sorry to see him hurt but glad to see the back of Ivie. His mother had comforted him to no avail. Wanting to make her only son happy, she'd pressurized her husband into getting him the car he'd promised him since his third year. She and his sisters and their husbands contributed financially towards her husband getting the car for their son. The car had lifted Felix's spirits and he'd longed for a way to show it off to his ex-girlfriend since she seemed to fancy guys with cars. The opportunity had presented itself when she'd come to his house to tell him she needed to talk to him. He'd been in front of the house, inside the car with his latest catch. He hadn't given her a listening ear and she'd begged that she couldn't say what she had to say infront of his girlfriend and he hadn't corrected that impression. The lady had just being another bed warmer. He couldn't count how many girls he'd bedded since Ivie broke his heart. There were times when he would look down and see Ivie's face instead of the present bed warmer and quickly get off her, abusing Ivie to high heavens. But eventually, he was able to focus and push her out of his mind no matter how it hurt.

Ivie had pleaded with him to come and see her whenever he was free because she'd used her last money that day to come and see him. He had heard she no longer operated her recharge card shop and her grandfather still refused to die. Wanting to kill two birds with one stone, he'd agreed. He'd tell her to stop calling him and sending him messages of wanting to see him and then listen to whatever sorry tale she had cooked up. His friends had told him not to go but he'd told them he needed closure. This was probably the last time he'd set eyes on her. Since he was now in his final year, he'd make sure he spent more time in school.

Knocking on the iron door, he stepped back and waited for someone to answer it. He was sure it wouldn't be her aunt. He could count the number of times he'd seen the middle-aged woman. She was never at home. Always out hustling for money or in the hospital taking care of her father. Maybe she felt at eighteen, Ivie was old enough to take care of herself. If she'd known the number of s.ex that had taken place in the house between him and Ivie, and of course, Ehis and who knew, maybe another or some other guys, she wouldn't have stepped a foot out of the house.

The door opened and Ivie stood at the other side. Felix felt a pang in his heart. His ex-girlfriend was now a shadow of her former self. She was very pale and looked sickly. She had even lost weight. The spaghetti gown she had on which he'd bought her hung on her like that of a scarecrow. She was a far cry from the beautiful girl he'd known. What a pity! For some seconds he remembered the good times with her. They had enjoyed the best of both worlds. But she had made her bed, so she should lie on it. Alone.

"Welcome," Ivie said with a small smile. "Please come in."

Her politeness grated on his nerves but he removed his hat from his head and entered the sparsely furnished living room. He avoided the old sofa they had made out on during his second to the last visit there and sat on the white plastic chair close to the door. She stood with uncertainty.

"Can I get you something to drink?"

"Yeah right," he sneered. "You don put otumokpor (love potion) inside abi?"

Tears smarted in her eyes. Felix cursed his wayward tongue.

"Sorry. No, I don't want anything to drink."

Ivie abruptly went to sit on the only armchair in the room far away from him.

"I heard you have a car now. I'm happy for you. Did your dad..."

Felix cut in roughly, "Ivie, I didn't come here for niceties. I came to tell you to stop calling me and texting me. I wanted to change my number but thought against it. You weren't worth changing my number for. It's over between us. It was good while it lasted but I've moved on. I don't need to tell you that. You saw it for yourself the last couple of times you came to my house. My girlfriend doesn't fancy you calling me and texting me all the time. She's the jealous type. So please quit embarrassing yourself. Now what do you want to tell me?" Felix dealt harshly with his ex-girlfriend.

Ivie moved herself backward as if she'd been given a blow. He didn't need to tell her he'd moved on. Less than a week of seeing her with Ehis, he had had different girls visit him for s.ex. Obehi had relished telling her about his escapades. It just went to show that he never truly loved her. Weeks later she was still hurt at their breakup but he'd already replaced her. She'd wanted to tell him subtly but since this was the way he wanted it, oh well!

"I'm pregnant," she delivered into the silence that had fallen in the room.

The uneasy silence dragged.

Ivie looked down at her hands.

"It's eight weeks old. I didnt want to tell you but my aunt found out and threatened me. I didn't tell her you're responsible but she told me to tell its father or get thrown out of the house. It was conceived probably when we had that quickie on this couch. You didn't use protection and when i told you i was probably in the my fertile stage, you pulled out but i think the damage had already been done by then. Remember that night?" she asked the rigid Felix.

The silence still dragged on like a hangman's rope threatening to snap tight at any moment.

After some tense minutes, Felix rose fluidly upright to regard her narrowly. 

"You still think I'm that fool who worshipped you, right?"

Ivie gasped, raising both hands, palms outward, in a gesture of sincerity.

"I swear on my late mother's grave that you're responsible. You are...were my only lover. I never slept with Ehis or any other male. Please believe me."

Felix laughed humourlessly. "You expect me to believe that? Seeing is believing."

In desperation, Ivie walked up to him and slowly went on her knees before him. "Please believe me, Felix. Remember you took my virginity. I don't want anything from you. I just want you to acknowledge to my aunt that you're the father of my baby. I don't want her to throw me out. Please, I beg of you. Please." Ivie sobbed as she spoke.

Something broke inside of him. He'd never liked to see Ivie cry. It always made him want to tear his hair out. But he didn't want to be played for a fool again. He knew what he saw that night. Rape! Yet she hadn't been struggling or screaming. She'd laid there in her undies allowing Ehis kiss her. That image made him want to smash something. Maybe the child was his, maybe it wasn't. He remembered vividly the night she'd claimed her child was conceived. He'd been so Hot for her, after being in school for a whole month without seeing her and due to his forced celibacy, he'd needed to left off steam on his brief visit home. Luckily, her aunt had gone to buy something so they'd had to do it real quick. He remembered having to shoot his load off in his boxers when she'd yelled she was either nearing her ovulation or it was that very day just when he'd started to release. Could they be that fertile? Or was it Ehis's child?

"Have you told Ehis?" he questioned expectantly.

Ivie looked crestfallen. He obviously had not believe all she said.

"Of course not!" she stated angrily. "I repeat. Ehis didn't sleep with me. I swear! Let God strike me and this baby dead before the end of this month if Ehis ever slept with me," she vehemtly stated, being at the end of her tether.

Felix smiled a little. "Really? Then see you at the end of the month."

With that, he put his Burberry hat on his head and strode to the door.

Refusing to justify herself again, and frankly incapable of saying another word, she rose, spun on her heel and rushed from the living room. She sprinted down the hall to her own room and rushed inside, slamming the door and locking it before collapsing on the floor and giving into the pain mushrooming inside her.

She thrust her face violently into the pillow on the bed, terrified that he might hear the shuddering sobs tearing for an exit from her shivering body. She began to sit up in spite of the sick whirling sensation that engulfed her the moment she moved, listening to him walk away.

Oh, God, she had failed to convince Felix. Her aunt was going to throw her out of the house. Felix was wicked.

The so-called wicked guy was feeling like James Bond as he drove with speed out of Ubiaja. He was disturbed by the memory of Ivie weeping at his feet and that the child she was carrying might really be his. Had they still being together, after the first rush of fear, he would have been delighted that she was carrying his first child. He was so disturbed that he didn't see the trailer coming directly in front of him under the bridge until was too late.

Metals could be heard clashing.

Is premarital sex really worth it?

Letting go of someone we love is the hardest thing we will ever do. Some people never surrender to love for the fear of being hurt. But to not have loved, to not have felt the immense joy it brings, would have been a far worse kind of death.
—Goldie Hawn



Episode 14


**********

Nkiru wondered what Gio had done all day as she alighted in front of the estate from the taxi she boarded from Old Garage. She paid her fare and walked towards the mini gate of the estate. She took a left turn, greeted people along the way until she got to her cream-colored house. The house had a small compound with a small gate. She pushed open the gate and locked it behind her, certain Gio was inside since his car was parked there. He'd left their NAFDAC CDS group early. After their CDS, she'd gone to visit friends in Ijapo estate. She'd gotten carried away with gisting and watching movies that the sun was going to bed before she'd decided to leave. Only finding out then that the text message she'd sent to her boyfriend didn't deliver.

It was beginning to get dark. She strolled to the small balcony and knocked on the wooden door. Gio opened it. She gave him a hug and stretched on her toes to give him a peck on the cheek. She started talking immediately but the words hung in her throat when she took in the scene before her as she entered the living room. The house didn't have a dining area so they usually ate in the living room. The lights had been deemed to bring out the beauty of the romantically set table. Four scented candles created a rectangular shape on the coffee table. In between them were two plates of her favorite meal, artistically designed-- Jollof rice and fried chicken, garnished with salad and fried plantain. Two empty wine glasses stood beside an ice bucket with a bottle of Don Moët champagne inside it. A single rose laid beside it. She turned to look at him, a question in her eyes. With a small smile, he handed her a FedEx parcel.

"This came in for you today at the secretariat. I collected it for you." He put his hands in his khaki trousers. Nkiru noticed irrelevantly that he hadn't changed from his white polo shirt, khaki trousers and jungle boots just like her. She wondered who would send her a parcel. She had never received a parcel in her life. She wanted to leave it till after dinner but curiosity wouldn't let her. Nkiru stood there before him to tear it open. Her eyes narrowed when she realized it contained only a sheet of paper. She smiled when she read its contents. It was a word code. She'd to decipher the message. She could think of only one person who would send her such-- Hassana, her naughty friend.

"What does it say?" Gio quietly asked.

"It's a word code. There's a message here. Care to join me?" She lifted her head, smiling. He smiled back but shook his head slowly. When she wanted to move away, he held her hand and told her he was eager to get the message. She shrugged and removed a biro from her hand bag and went to take a seat. Gio stood there staring down at her. She unlaced her jungle boots and removed her stockinged feet from it.

Nkiru bent her head and quickly began decoding the words. She wrote down the decoded letters at the bottom of the sheet at random without trying to piece the words together. After placing the final figure, the letter 'a', she decided to read what her crazy friend had sent her. Her jaw dropped. She lifted her head slowly as if in a trance to meet Gio's intense eyes. Her heart was about to burst from her chest.

Will You Marry Me?

That was what she'd deciphered.

She stared at him wide-eyed and stunned before rising sluggishly. She placed her feet in her boots to walk to him but had to remove them when something in her right boot prevented her from putting her leg fully. It was a jewelry box from Tiffany & Co.

Gio hit a remote button and music from the DVD player enhanced by the home theatre system filled the room. Bless The Broken Road by Rascall Flats filtered into the room.

While the instrumentals was going on, he went to her. He took the box from her hand, cupped her cheeks softly before putting his arms around her in a slow dance. He sang along.

I set out on a narrow way many years ago
Hoping I would find true love along the broken road
But I got lost a time or two
Wiped my brow and kept pushing through

I couldn't see how every sign pointed straight to you
That every long lost dream lead me to where you are
Others who broke my heart, they were like northern stars
Pointing me on my way into your loving arms
This much I know is true
That God blessed the broken road
That led me straight to you
Yes it did

I think about years I spent just passing through
I'd like to have the time lost and give it back to you
But you smile and take my hand
You've been there you understand
It's all part of a grander plan that is coming true

Every long lost dream lead me to where you are
Others who broke my heart, they were like northern stars
Pointing me on my way into your loving arms
This much I know is true
That God blessed the broken road
That led me straight to you
Yeah

And now i'm rolling home
Into my lover's arms
This much i know is true
That God blessed the broken road
That led me straight to you

That God blessed the broken road
Ooh, ooh
That led me straight to you

When the song slowly winded to an end with instrumentals, she raised her tear-stained face to look at him.

"Can we really do this?" she asked in between tears and smiles. Gio wiped her tears away with his hands.

"Yes, we can. We can do anything as far as we love each other. I love you with a depth that even scares me at times, Luna. I want to spend the rest of my life with you against all odds. Nkiru Anita Chiwendu, will you marry me?" 

More tears dropped from her eyes. "Yes! Yes! I'll marry you Giovanni Chukwuma Ekwe. I love you so much! You're my life!"

Gio removed the box he'd placed inside his pocket before his dance with her and opened it. He lifted her left hand and placed the gold ring with a clutter of diamond studs on her middle finger. She stared at it in wonder and smiled. Gio placed a finger underneath her chin to raise it and gave her a slow but passionate kiss that left her breathless. 

The following day being a Saturday, they went to Idanre hills and had a picnic there. It was a fun-filled day. Nkiru couldn't stop herself from looking at her ring almost every thirty minutes. Was it really true? Was she engaged to the man of her dreams? Nkiru was tickled pink. She felt she'd wake up any moment to discover it was just a sweet dream. She called Nkechi and Hassana to tell them. They both shouted on the phone in euphoria and wished them well. She thought there'd be a change in their relationship but they were still the same old couple even though Gio's kisses had moved from chaste to intimate. He however didn't take it further than that much to her disappointment. He'd woken up a fire inside her but she was willing to wait till their wedding night since that seemed plausible now.

When she went to the Scared Heart Cathedral to worship that Sunday, she felt like coming out for thanksgiving. She however giggled when she imagined what she'd be thanking God for-- getting engaged! The church wardens would probably throw her out. She couldn't help the fact that her Corper friends noticed the ring when they met after the first mass. She saw envy in their eyes. She knew they'd always wondered at her relationship with Gio, first from camp and now they were not only living together but engaged as well. They sent their regards to Gio who they'd noticed never came to church with her. Nkiru had tired her best but failed to get Gio to attend church with her. She however took consolation in the fact that he wouldn't be able to dodge getting married in a church.

**********

2011

When it was time to go back to Akure, Nkiru went to Owerri to board a bus that would take her there. Gio had wanted her to take a flight to Abuja, then he'd drive them down to Akure like they did when they went for orientation camp but she'd refused. She didn't want their first meeting after the incident with Jessica and her people to be in a crowded airport. Nkiru arrived in the evening. After staring at each other when Gio opened the door for her, she went inside to drop her baggage and the food stuff her mother had given her. She strolled slowly into the beautifully furnished living room. She'd told Gio not to bother furnishing the house since they were only going to be there for a year but he'd refused. He wanted them to live in comfort for the whole period and then they might decide if they wanted to stay there permanently after service. Nkiru had seen it as a waste of money but conceded when Gio promised to sell everything or leave them in the house till they got somewhere to live in if they decided to relocate to another state. It had actually been fun going to buy the furniture, electronics, kitchen equipment and utensils and other household accessories together. Gio had a high taste. He always went for the best. She couldn't blame him though, the money was there for him to do that.

Her boyfriend was seated on one of the chintz covered arm chairs, going through his phone. Nkiru fidgeted. She didn't know what to say.

"Emmm...have you eaten?" she finally asked from the doorway leading to the rooms.

"No." He shook his head slowly, still staring at his phone. Nkiru decided to go and lie on her bed since he looked as if he wasn't in a good mood. She spun on her heels to leave when she heard his voice.

"Luna, I swear on my late mother's grave that I didn't sleep with her."

She turned back to stare at him. "I know. I believe you."

Her quietly spoken words got him on his feet. He enveloped her in a warm embrace. 

"What are we going to do?" Her voice was laced with worry.

"I'll fix it. I promise. If only I hadn't quarreled with you that night. If only I had thrown her out of the room the second she came in. If only..."

His girlfriend placed a finger on his lips to stop his pain-and-regret-filled words. "Ssh, sweetheart. Do not look where you fell, but where you slipped. We will get through this together."

"Please don't leave me." His plea touched her heart. She lifted her head from his chest and held his eyes with hers.

"I'll never leave you again. I promise."

His lips descended on hers. "I love you, Luna."

"Right back at ya, amore mio."


Gio grinned. The first in a while.


An army of sheep led by a lion can defeat an army of lions led by a sheep.


*To be continued*

**********

Gio knew he had to try his best to get through to his father to call off the wedding before his departure the following day. This had been the worst holiday ever. Only Gaetano who didn't know what was going on had made it worthwhile. Fi had disappeared to go and visit relatives after causing harm. Gio knocked on the door to his father's room when he was sure he was back from his sitting that morning. His father was at his table, writing. Gio stood by the door. His father motioned for him to come to the sitting area. He sat down and faced his father.

"Dad, I know I haven't given you cause to believe me but I'm telling you once again that I didn't touch her. I swear I didn't."

Senator Ekwe stared at his son. He so desperately wanted to believe him but the evidence against him was incriminating. Why would Fi lie against him? He had come up with a theory for his peace of mind. Gio probably blanked out like he did in the past after the incidence.

He sighed. "I want to believe you, son. I really do but you don't have anyone to back you. Why would Fi lie against you."

Gio leaned back on the red and black high-backed chair with exasperation. "Fi is on a personal vendetta. She's trying to pay me back for the years I neglected her."

His father flipped his hand. "That's so flimsy an excuse."

"But it's the truth. She's jealous of Nkiru. She hates the fact that it was Nkiru not her who brought me back to my former self."

An eyebrow lifted. "You expect me to believe that?"

Gio sat up again. He put both palms together. "Father please. I beg of you. Please do something to stop this madness. I didn't touch her. Nkiru is my life."

"But you almost touched her," his father pointed out bluntly.

"Yes." His son's shoulders hunched. "It was a moment of weakness. Please believe me."

His father ached to believe him. He knew his son wasn't promiscuous by nature. There was a time he'd even been scared Gio might be gay until the Nkiru girl came along. But the die was cast.

He focused his gaze on what he was writing. "You just have to take it like a man. Some things happen that we can't control. Maybe you didn't intentionally touch her. You probably blanked out again in the process."

Gio's face showed disbelief. "When was the last time you heard I blanked out?"

"You still see and talk to Dano, don't you?"

"Leave Dano out of this. He has nothing to do with it. I'm not crazy," he vehemently stated. 

His father got up. "I have made my decision. Whether you're there or not that day, the marriage rites will take place. You shouldn't have allowed her into your room in the first place."

"The party shouldn't have taken place in the first place," Gio yelled and rose also. "You made me lose one year of my life, please don't bind me to a girl I hate for the rest of my life. If you hadn't insisted on that party taking place this wouldn't have happened."

"What in the world are you talking about? I was happy for you. I was proud of you. I even broke my piggy bank to get you a car i knew you would love. If you hadn't been a jerk and quarreled with your girlfriend over what was none of your business, Jessica wouldn't have found her way into your room. He who goes to sleep with an itching anus wakes up with smelly fingers." 

"The fact that you're sleeping with my late mother's sister is none of my business?" Gio raged but his father ignored him and wanted to walk away but Gio held his hand.

"Dad please. Please don't do this to me. Nkiru means the world to me. Don't make me lose her because of a liar."

His father held his other hand in a fist and grimaced. Too much was at stake. If he didn't allow the wedding push through, the consequences would be dire. He was certain Jessica's family would go public with it. They were a shameless bunch. They'd insinuated not only going public with it but suing him as well. He didn't mind all that but he knew if it went public, his kids would suffer. The press would dig deep and divulge Gio's stay in the hospital in America which he'd done his best to keep hidden thus far. They'd also hinted they knew about Gio's spell in a psychiatric hospital. He suspected it was his foolish daughter, Fi who'd probably told Jessica about it. What foolishness had made her tell a stranger such a deep family secret, he couldn't comprehend. Now he had the media to deal with. The media had published several bloodcurdling stories about what happened to those foolish enough not to cover their tracks. Gio's future was at stake here. He didn't care if he lost the election this year. He was only interested in protecting his son and his family. He preferred his son divorced than being hounded as a crazy person wherever he went for the rest of his life.

His son didn't know he'd explored all avenues. He'd gone to visit the chief justice to look for a way to get out of their predicament. They'd put heads together but hadn't come up with anything. Abortion was out of the question. The only way was a DNA test which the girl in question had frowned heavily at, which had initially made him more suspicious but she had stated her fears on the risk involved for her baby and had accussed them of trying to get rid of her baby. He'd researched and discovered there were a number of places in Nigeria to carry out the test with minimal risks without them having to go abroad to get it done. If the grandchild was really his, he didn't want it born out of wedlock. He however didn't want to lose his son. This was more than being in between a rock and a hard place but he'd leave no stone unturned till he could get his son out of the mess. He already had the plan of getting the married anulled. He would tell his people to give to Jessica's people whatever the requested for during the marriage rites to keep them happy and unsuspicious like he'd done when they came to his house to confront Gio. He would keep them happy and unsuspicious till his plan panned out. He would insist on no white wedding till Jessica put to bed and tell Gio not to touch her no matter how tempted. He would fly Jessica out to have her baby in America then ask Gio to come over for the paternity test before Jessica was even out of the labour room. If the baby wasn't his, they'd send her back to Nigeria with shame and demand for the bride price to be returned. Gio would continue his relationship with Nkiru. But he wouldn't tell his son his plans in order not to raise his hopes up in case all didn't go as planned. Hope dashed was certainly worse than no hope at all. And also for Gio not to act rashly. His son was quite a hot-head. But if the child was his...

"Why don't we wait for the result of the DNA paternity test," he said with a note of finality.

Gio scoffed.

"Why? Are you scared it would turn out a perfect match?"

Gio felt it would be doctored and told his father so. As far as Jessica and her family had insisted on knowing where the test would be carried out because they didn't trust the senator and his son enough not to falsify the results, he knew the worthless family would pay through their noses just to make the diagnostic centre claim he was the father of that witch's child. If not money, then something. Everyone had a price. The chief justice was known to be a very corrupt and ruthless man. His dad, with his good intentions was no match for such a corrupt family. His late mother had once said, 'Money can’t talk, yet it can make lies look true.' He just had to take matters into his own hands.

Gio however didn't know that his father had had double samples collected and had secretly engaged the services of another diagnostic centre to have the test done. If the results were the same, then it was a lost cause. If not, then the senator was willing to fight and even lose all just to make sure his son didn't end up with a girl he hated.

"If the child turns out to be yours through the paternity test, then there's nothing I can do, Gio. My hands are tied."

"You can't or won't do anything?" His eyes blazed. "I promise you, if you go ahead with this wedding, I'll become worse than I used to be. I'll become completely frozen and when I come into my inheritance two years from now, you'll never see me again." He marched to the door. His father could only stare at him as he slammed the door shut. Senator Ekwe angrily opened the door and walked behind his son.

"Give me your passport," he demanded fiercely when they got to his son's room. He couldn't afford his son taking matters into his own hands.

"You want to control my movement too?" Gio was surprised.

"Don't toy with me, Giovanni. Give me your passport." He stretched forth his hand. Gio, an embodiment of ice, went to the drawer of his dresser to remove his Nigerian passport. He threw it at his father but it landed on the floor a few feet from him.

"Pick it, Giovanni." The words were spoken from the senator's clenched teeth. Gio stood there in defiance.

"If you don't want the beating of your life right now, bend that impertinent body of yours, pick it and give it to me." Gio was tempted to dare his father but thought of Nkiru. She wouldn't be happy to hear that he'd fought with his father but God, he was so angry. He walked to where the passport lay on the rugged floor and picked it. He was about to slam it in the man's outstretched hand when his father held his hand in a vice-like grip.

"Don't you ever in your life try this nonsense again. I've been very lenient with you over the years because of what you've been through but if you ever disrespect me like this again, I'll make sure you don't get your inheritance. Have I made myself clear?" Black eyes held black eyes. Understanding passed between them. Gio nodded slowly but the senator leaned forward with a hand pushing forth his ear in anticipation of a response.

"Yes sir," Gio whispered.

"Good." He took the passport from his son. "The frown on the face of the goat will not stop it from being taken to the market. Whether you're there or not, your marriage rites to Jessica will take place two weeks from now in her family house in the Awomama. Comprehend?"

"Yes sir," his son intoned coldly.

The senator walked out of the room. Gio turned and hit his fist against the door of his wardrobe. He flexed his fingers in pain. He wasn't going to surrender his life to that slut. It was time to keep anger at bay. It wouldn't solve anything. Drastic times call for drastic measures. Thank God Dano had thought of something. He prayed it would work. It was crunch time.

A roaring lion kills no game.

*********

Weeping may endure for a night, but joy comes in the morning. Ivie felt that bible verse wasn't for her for she had wept and wept yet joy refused to locate her. Joy in the person of her ex-boyfriend coming to tell her that he believed her and would love for them kiss and make up. But Felix would never do that now. He'd moved on as she heard. She was just building castles in the air. Felix was probably gone for good!

Feeling a bit under the weather, she moved her lean frame to the bare kitchen to get herself a sachet of BJ pure water. It was most unfortunate that she was all alone in this her most trying period. Her aunt had taken residence in the specialist hospital in order to take care of her grandfather who looked set to kick the bucket any moment from now. Or maybe it was even a good thing her aunt was absent. How would she be able to tell her all she had gone through and all the lies she'd told just to be with Felix. Her aunt would be so disappointed that she hadn't kept her promise to her mother of keeping her virginity till she had a ring on her wedding finger.

More tears dropped from her eyes as she flung the almost empty sachet of pure water in the waste bin and weakly walked back to her room. Everyone had abandoned her. Even Obehi who she believed had a hand in what had happened that cursed evening had come to rain abuses on her for cheating on Felix with her brother who was bringing home his fiancée the following week. That had made her cry her eyes out. So after ruining her life, Ehis wanted to get married to someone else? Oh, she really ought to strip naked at the stroke of midnight and rain horrendous curses on his future. But would that bring Felix back? Would that vindicate her? Would that show to all and sundry that she wasn't a cheat? It was a lost cause. Everyone now saw her as a slut, a gold digger. To them she'd made the ultimate sin of cheating on their golden boy. Her sales had dwindled drastically. Everywhere she went, people cast aspersions on her character. It was so unfair. She was innocent.

She'd been foolish! So foolish! Ehis had deceived her with his niceties. He was nothing but a smooth-tongued devil. When she saw Felix was furious at her association with him, she'd declined his gifts and his lifts, she'd even stopped talking to him. That fateful evening, he'd come to her shop to tell her her aunt was at home and desperately needed for her to come home because her grandfather, on his deathbed wanted to see her. With her heart in her throat, she'd dialled her aunt's number to make doubly sure but the line was unavailable. Rushing to close her small shop, she'd been at her wits end at what to do. She wasn't overly close to the old man but he'd provided her with shelter even though he was dead broke. She hadn't said a single word to Ehis on the journey home but had had plenty to say when she got home and called for her aunt but received no response. Ehis had grabbed her, put a hand across her mouth and carried her to her room just down the corridor with her kicking and spitting fire. If only Felix had come in five minutes earlier, he would have heard her crying for help. But he'd come when Ehis had put his hands on her throat and pressed hard, almost cutting off her oxygen and almsot lulling her to sleep which had left her very weak and given the rapist the opportunity of taking off her clothes and kissing and carressing her. Noticing he'd paused, she'd slowly followed the direction of his gaze and almost sobbed out her relief until she realized Felix was staring at her with pain, sorrow, betrayal and anger, all in those dark eyes of his. Her tear dam had burst open and she'd tried to explain things to him. He'd left before she could. The useless Ehis had smiled and told her it served her right before putting on his clothes and departing.

After getting back her strength, she'd tried calling Felix to explain things but couldn't get in touch with him. She'd even gone to his place but the gateman had refused opening the gate for her. Out of desperation, she'd called his friends, Ose and Kenneth to explain things to them. Ose had cussed her out while Kenneth and listened and promised talking to Felix but when she'd called him back the following day, he'd told her to stop calling him. Obehi had come to her house to abuse her two days later. Almost going haywire over the next few days, she'd kept calling Felix's line and sending him text messages explaining what really happened but had received no reply and his gateman still refused allowing her to enter the house.

Pushing her weak self to her feet, she decided to try one more time. At least to tell him what she was suspecting whether he believed her or not. Walking slowly to her travel bag, she selected one of the spaghetti gowns Felix had gotten her and which he loved seeing her in. It was a flowery multicolored dress which showed off her nice figure. Putting a comb through her hair and applying minimal makeup to her pale face, she got ready to spend the whole day in front of his house if possible. She was that determined to see him. She prayed he would be at home instead of watching the Igbabonelimhin acrobatic masquerade dancing competition going on at the public field. Praying against all odds, she sent him a text message that she was coming over and had an important message to give to him. Her eyes almost popped out of its sockets when he sent a reply that she could come over. Happiness put colour on her pale cheeks. Maybe, just maybe he was beginning to believe her.

The motorcycle wasn't fast enough in her estimation. She kept urging the rider on. She felt like flying to her beloved. The poor man had not stopped his means of livelihood before Ivie hopped down from it and paid him without waiting for her change. She banged on the black iron gate, greeted the gateman when he opened it and rushed into the large compound. She didn't stop to marvel at the beauty of the compound with its trees and beautifully grown flowers this time around. She just wanted to see her boo and talk things over with him. She was happy his mother had gone to take care of his sister and her baby else she might have stopped her from coming in. Not bothering to knock on the front door, the anxious girl opened it and walked hastily to Felix's room, totally ignorant of the fact that there were moans coming from the room.

When she pushed the door open after a brisk knock, she stood transfixed in dismay as she watched the naked couple on the bed. Ivie couldn't seem to tear herself away from the erotic sight; a sight that was tearing her apart. A girl, stark naked, was riding what she could now call her ex-boyfriend like she used to do in the past. Felix had his eyes closed and was moaning out his pleasure. She must have made a sound or something because he paused and looked at her with pleasure-filled eyes.

"Yes, what do you want? As you can see, I have moved on," he curtly told her before fixing his gaze on the naked girl who had halted her movements. "Babe, continue abeg, you're killing me."

Same words he used to say to her. In her blind rush out of the room, she didn't see Felix roughly push the unclad girl aside before sitting up to put his hands on his head with anguish on his face. Ivie couldn't recall how she got home. She just found herself in her room and leapt on her bed. Her heart felt as if someone was squeezing it. She felt short of breath. So the rumours were true. So Felix has really gone back to his former womanizing self as she'd heard. Meaning the rumours that he'd been cheating on her in his school when the going was good were all true. Talk about double standard! So it was okay for him to cheat on her but it was a no-go area when the shoe was on the other foot albeit she hadn't even cheated on him? You do not teach the paths of the forest to an old gorilla.

Oh, God, why? Why me? She lamented. Was this punishment for opening her legs when she wasn't married? Why had things turned out this way? She wasn't the first to engage in fornication neither would she be the last, so why was her case different? Oh, how she regretted allowing Felix to sleep with her and continue sleeping with her. Now she would bear her cross alone because she was sure he wouldn't believe her.

She wailed as she wept. Unfortunately, there was no one to comfort her.

After a foolish deed comes remorse.

*Continuation of Episode 13*

**********
Nkechi searched for her elder sister all over the house but couldn't find her. She went to the her mother's shop to ask her if she'd seen Nkiru. She was told Nkiru was inside the house and hadn't left it all day. The other members of the family had gone to watch the annual football competition going on. Not having an interest in such, she'd only gone to watch the 'Ekeleke' festival. Wondering where her sister was hiding, she decided to check the backyard. She'd come back early from her salon because of the road construction going on in front of the shop. It made the whole place dusty and customers refused coming there as a result of the dust and inability to get to the salon without becoming dusty in appearance. Despite the fact that it was the festive season where girls wanted to make their hair to look good, business was poor. Two of her apprentices had however gone to make the hair of someone in her house. Since it was going to take awhile for the road to be finished and after staring at those going and coming all morning, she'd decided it was best if she went home to be with her sister who was home for roughly a week or two owing to the fact that those wicked NYSC officials had placed clearance on the third of January, the following year. She however made sure her number was visible for all and sundry to see on the wall outside the salon in case of home services.

Nkechi was alarmed when she opened the back door and saw her sister with her head against the wall, curving her arms round her churning stomach and involuntarily rocking back and forth on the edge of the bench. She had her teeth beneath her bottom lip and tears were pouring profusely from her eyes. A photograph was clasped to her chest.

"Nkiru! What's the matter?" She sat beside her and removed the picture from her grasp. It was Gio. She smiled. Maybe they'd quarreled again or she was missing him. Nkechi chased away the goats and hens who had rushed towards them in hope of getting a meal since one of their meal givers was around. They scattered away, running on the dusty red ground, bleating and clucking.

"NK, how far? You guys have quarreled again, abi? But you should know and understand Gio by now. Stop crying. Or is that you're missing your boo? Ndo!" She comforted her sister even though she was trying her best to hide a smile. Nkiru turned her tear-stained face to stare at her sister.

"Jessica is pregnant. She said Gio is responsible," she informed her sister without any preamble.

"Jesus! Tufiakwa! (God forbid!)" Nkechi moved her right hand around her head and clicked her thumb and middle finger. 

"He called me not long ago. She came with her parents and her uncle, the chief justice. They've probably set a date for the introduction." More tears rolled down her eyes. "I underestimated her. I was very foolish. She told me to my face that I'd never marry Gio, that she'd make sure of it. Now she's done her worse."

"Jesus! Which kain wahala be this na? Oh, my God! Oh, my God! I feel like tearing that harlot apart limb by limb! Na by force again?" Nkechi lamented. She put her arms around Nkiru's shoulders. "It's okay. We'll find a way to get out of this. Two small antelopes can beat a big one."

"How?" She sniffed. "I might as well start getting used to life without him." 

"Don't talk like that. Abeg!" She put her sister's head on her chest. "What of Gio? What's he saying about all these?"

"He wants us to see face to face to talk. We'll be going back to Akure on the 2nd of January."

"Okay. That's good. The best way to eat an elephant in your path is cut it up into little pieces." Nkechi had also taken her mother's proverb-speaking tongue. "Everything's going to be alright," she consoled the weeping girl. "But wait, NK, are you sure Gio didn't sleep with the i.diot that night?"

Nkiru raised her head to look into her eyes. "With every fibre of my being. Remember I told you what he told me na. If he hadn't told me what went down that night, I'd doubt him now."

"I know but men can be fickle sometimes."

"Not my Gio," Nkiru affirmed strongly. "I mean, this is Gio we are talking about. He hasn't laid a finger on me. We lived together for almost a month yet nothing of that sort from him. Is it Jessica he will now fall for? Someone he hates with a passion? He now regrets not making sure Fi stayed away from her when he caught her having s.ex with a guy one night. I know things look bad right now but I believe this is just to test our love for each other. At the end, this will strengthen us. True love must go through such hurdles and challenges. I love Gio with a passion. I can't imagine life without him."

Nkechi could't hide the admiration in her eyes for her sister willing to stand by her man and fight for their love. She prayed she'd meet such a guy she was willing to fight for like this someday but she was definitely not going to hold her breath about it. "Okay, I understand. Don't worry, everything will be alright," she told her sister but inwardly she worried that her sister's relationship with Gio might be over. The rich would oppress the poor once more.

Ha! So many comments to reply. Lemme update first. But first. LarrySun, my secret crush! Hubby traveled, so i'm permitted to do this How have you been? Missed ya.

@mitchyy, lol. Number one hated character? It took a lot of guts for Fi to have done what she did. Maybe she had a good reason for throwing her brother under the bus. Who knows? You didn't answer my quick question. *sobs*


@loadux, lmao. Who's the sadist now? 


@phebean008, lol. Take it easy. 


@vonn, darling. I missed you too. Happy everything to you too. I wish you success in your exams. Thanks dear.


@kayemdy, you almost discontinued? But I warned you guys of scenes that might make you wanna smash your phones against the wall, didn't I? Story don finish if Jessica is shamed na. 


@fatemmy, hello. Till in the evening, please. I'm very tired right now.


@eitsei, lol. Just keep reading.


@MidieMeliss, how you doing? Been a while. Please give the senator the benefit of the doubt. Gio has been known to blank out in the past and why would his own sister lie against him? But let's watch and see. Thanks dearie.


@yusufibrahim, thanks dear.


@Ali1king, lmao. Please chill till in the evening. I'm exhausted. Woke up pretty early and couldn't go back to sleep. Just got back from church. My eyes are half closed here.  Please bear with me.


@kingphilip, don't allow people look for your house address o.


@all, thanks for your comments. I truly appreciate you all. Try to give Gio's dad the benefit of the doubt. Of course paternity test can be carried out on a pregnant woman. I don't write a story without researching. So let's just keep our fingers crossed. I'm bone tired right now. I'll update in the evening.


Thanking you.

@Amuj, lol. Of course they are aware of paternity test.


@Loisemm, they actually do. Nope, I'm good now. It's water under the bridge. At least now I know what to expect. Thanks for the encouragement.


@Henrique4real, lol. You're welcome to the thread. You should check out Unfulfilled Promises and Waiting For The Bouquet. 


@Izyyblaze, what to do, dear? I have to lead by example. Hmm...good analysis. Let's not judge Fi too harshly. She had her reasons. Lol. Epistles are allowed. It shows you're not just reading the story but it's actually going through you. Thanks dear


@ChidiGodwin01, thanks dear.


@Eridith, thanks dear.


@Bb4u, are you clairvoyant? Lol. Loving is allowed o. As far as it's coming from a fellow female.


@Jonathan2787, I'd say good for now. Just went through all the comments and couldn't help laughing. We won't let such people get to us.


@Harbay0101, thanks dear.


@MzEspoir, oops! Sorry about that.


@fadario, it's good to be back. Thanks dear.


@phemmywilliams, thanks dear. You should check out Unfulfilled Promises and Waiting For The Bouquet.


@cutiepie25, thanks dear.


@Bishops10, alright. See you tomorrow.


@davidakenzy, I know fair ladies prefer TDH men because opposite attracts. FYI, I married a tall, fair and handsome man but I'm light-skinned. Excuse you, we have TDH men in Naija. Isn't the present Mr. Naija one. And it's a work of fiction ooooo. How many times do I have to say this? I love having the ladies drool. Mills & Boon spoilt us.


@Jonathan2787, eiya. Don't worry. Your so-called missing rib will soon come along.


@leezbebe, now that's just plain wicked. Wicked I tell ya. Almost did the same though. *winks*


@kingphilip, chill na. Remember slow and steady is how we roll.  The senator isn't a fool. You're the first person that has been able to relate with Fi. Kudos. Don't mind me, i get carried away sometimes. Thanks dear.


@davidakenzy, you say the story is predictable yet you can't even remember the heroine's name. Predictable, right? Okay, let's wait and see.


@loadux, thanks dear.


@Ego2, well done!


@Jonathan2787, lol at your last comment. Not to worry, you all will understand why the whole family except Gaetano act emotionally and look crazy. 


@kingphilip, hian! Fi's defense attorney. I like your conspiracy theory though. 


@mhiz, hmm...nice theory.


I appreciate each and every one of you. See y'all tomorrow by God's grace.


Thanking you.

Swissheart:
AudreyTimms.... ...... . I hope you know say you offend me.. .. ... after Oleng story, I just dey find you up and down(was a guest then).Na only one thing nor go make me turn your follow follow........ The thing na wetin I never see. With Great Love from me to you........ Weldone ma

Aww, thanks dear. I had to take a break. Had serious eye issues and stuff to handle. Welcome back.

gal10:
This family truly has issues from Fi to Gio to even senator..d only reasonable person na getano..so much sick people in one house!! And fi taking sides just like that?? Too rash..abeg what about DNA/paternity test?? Marry ko marry ni??

Pyscho house. I guess the family fell apart when it lost two of its members. Coming up. Thanks dear.

ebysandra:
congrats ma you are now on FP

Thanks dear

Bishops10:
Audrey.. ..Comr Chijioke E (Bishop) came knocking ..

You miss road? Oya go back to base.

chii8:
Now we r on frontpage,abi my nokia E5 dey deceive me

I don't no why i'm not thrilled about it unlike that of Unfhlfilled Promises where i ran naked down my street. I guess i'm scared of the pressure to update.

jmkbond:
slapping Jessy is allowed

Adegokedamisky:
Chai may thunder strike dis jessica 2 death oh I dey vex abeg make person hold me!!