Episode 6

Minutes after Ndubuisi pushed Ogechi out of the room, he began regretting his actions.
"What happened to me? I was so harsh on her and I almost slapped her. This is one thing I won't like to be doing, I can't be a wife beater. I should apologize to her now" he said, stepping out to make Ogechi forgive him.

He then headed to the kitchen and found his mother making the fire.

"Mama, where is Ogechi?"

"She is not here... That girl is proving to be stubborn. She is supposed to be here making the fire, but she is allowing me do them myself"

"It's because I made her angry. I shouldn't have pushed her the way I did, so that's why I want to apologize to her now."

"Apo what? Are you OK? Apologize to her?"

"Yes Mama, she is so upset right now. So, it's my duty as her husband to make her happy again." He said looking around, trying to find Ogechi,

"This can't be happening. So my son wants his wife to gain control over him? If he apologize now, she will take it that he is weak and use it as an advantage to be controlling him. No my son, this is one mistake I won't allow you to make" Okwuchi quickly thought and then called Ndubuisi back..

"No my son, I won't allow you to turn so weak in the eyes of your wife, what do you think you want to do, ask her to forgive you?"

"Yes mother, I think that's the right thing a husband should do."

"No Ndubuisi, you are getting it all wrong. Haven't you heard of women who control their husbands, do you want such things to become your fate?"

"It's not like that, mother. You know how much I enjoy peace. So I'm doing this for peace to reign.. I want everybody to be happy"

"Ndubuisi, I want to ask you something"

"Go ahead"

"You strictly instructed Ogechi to join me in the kitchen so that I will teach her how to cook, but where is she now? She is not here... It proves that she is stubborn and people like that deserves to be followed with iron hands. She is disobeying your orders. Now, use this as an example to understand what I'm trying to explain to you"

What Okwuchi said sounded like the truth to Ndubuisi and it swiftly stirred up his anger anger.

"I hate it when people disobey me like that, I really can't tolerate it. Where is she now?"

"I don't know. I just don't know........ I am sorry my son that Ogechi turned out like this. I thought she was an angel but not knowing that her parents were only deceiving me. And now it's too late."

"Where is she at the moment, that's what I want to know? That girl is trying my patience" he asked and began calling out for her in a harsh voice.

"I am in the kitchen" Ogechi cheerfully answered in a loud voice, as if nothing happened.
And they rushed back to the kitchen and saw her preparing the things she and Okwuchi will use to prepare the food.

"Mama, I am almost through.... So let's start with the cooking or should I continue?"

Okwuchi was dumbfounded.... She expected her to be sucking up in pains for the way Ndubuisi treated her, but she was reacting happily as if nothing ever happened... Okwuchi was still in her thought when Ogechi pleaded with Ndubuisi to have a little patience for them, that the food will soon be ready. "We will be very fast, Ok" she added

And Ndubuisi nodded, watching her as she was cheerfully doing her chores.
Ndubuisi then quietly left the place and entered the room.
"She is such a gorgeous beauty. She doesn't bear grudges about the way I treated her. She is acting as if nothing happened. This is one attribute of an ideal wife. Ogechi is my wife, my God given wife, I have no doubt... I expected her to be still nurturing her anger, but she has gone about her activities." Ndubuisi said...

Okwuchi stood, began wondering when Ogechi entered the kitchen.
"Why did she entered the kitchen? I should have used the opportunity to increase my son's anger over her. Anyway, I still have countless opportunities to make sure that she doesn't gain control over my son's life. I am the first lady in his life and I won't allow her to take my place. Ndubuisi is all I have got left, and not Ogechi nor anybody will take him away from me" she said

While Okwuchi was still on her thought, Ogechi then turned and began looking at her.
She reminisced how she sneaked into the kitchen after she heard Okwuchi speaking ill of her.
"Mama, it's now obvious you don't want me as your daughter in-law, but one thing I'm telling you is this, I have come here to stay and nothing will ever make me leave"
She then spoke up: "Mama, can we start the cooking now?" She asked

And Okwuchi looked at her and reluctantly nodded. And they began cooking...

After they finished cooking, Ogechi then brought a plate to serve Ndubuisi and Okwuchi obstructed her.

"What do you think you are doing with my plate?" She asked

"Your plate? Am I not allowed to touch the plate?"

"Ogechi, you have not answered my question"

"OK, I want to serve my husband" Ogechi answered

"Ogechi, that responsibility is for me and me alone. He is my only child, I am the one who gave birth to him, I began feeding him right from when he was still in my womb. So you will have to wait, when you give birth to your own child, you start feeding him" she said and forcefully collected the plate from her.

Ogechi was shocked hearing all that, she was lost of the word to reply Okwuchi. All she did was to leave the kitchen and headed straight to the room..

And Ndubuisi who had been looking for a way to apologize to her then thought it a good idea to ask her why she was angry.

"Oge, are you still angry with me? OK, I'm sorry for the way I reacted. I know I overreacted, but can you forgive me....?"

And the way he begged her sweetened her heart and she asked: "Hmm, you said you are sorry, right? But I don't believe you"

"I am truly sorry, Baby, I am"

"OK, if you said you are truly sorry, then why did you stop me from serving you your food?"

"I don't understand"

"You told Mama that you are the one who should be serving you and not me"..Ogechi said, thinking that he was the one who instructed his mother to be serving him.
"No, I didn't give such order....." He was still speaking when his mother entered the room with his food.

"My son, here is your food. I cooked it the way you always want it"

"Hmm" he hummed and then stood up and said: "Mama, you shouldn't have stressed yourself bringing me my food. I have a wife now and it's now her responsibility to do all these things."

"But my son, it's my duty to take care of you."

"Yes mother, but my wife now has that primary duty. It's now our duty to take care of you. So don't stress yourself the more, the time for you to rest has come" Ndubuisi said cheerfully

"But......"

"There is no but, Mama. I am married now, so I'm now my wife's responsibility, her first priority" he cut in, smiling.

And Okwuchi then left the room feeling dejected..
Ndubuisi meant no harm, he was only being sincere, but Okwuchi misunderstood his kind actions.

"Once again, I'm being rejected by my son. I can no longer serve him food and watch him while he eat. Look at Ogechi, a girl I thought that will be nobody is now gradually taking my place in my son's life. And from the way things are going, he might take her to the city with him......and I will end up loosing him forever, she won't allow him visit me in the village anymore. He is doing everything she ask him now and I'm sure she is the one who made him say all these things to me. She is turning my son against me. Ogechi, I have clearly understood who you are and the stuff you are made off. But just watch and see how I will make my son detest you his entire life. Just watch and see. I will destroy every chances of him taking you to the city with him."

While she was still nurturing her anger, she heard Ogechi's voice and that of Ndubuisi laughing out loudly...
And that pained her the more.
"Just look at? I have always sat beside my son, enjoying his praises whenever he is eating my food, and now Ogechi is enjoying it all. Not to worry, I know what to do now. I will make her prepare another food this night and then sabotaged it like I did the previous one, let me see how Ndubuisi will enjoy the food with her by her side laughing out like that" she said and then hissed angrily.

To be continued...

Thank you so much

Bodydiialect57:
You write so well.

Thanks so much

Chinnems:
This is great.

Your style is down-to-earth and conveys your idea perfectly.

Well done.

Kindly continue.

Episode 5

After placing the food on the table, Ogechi then informed him that she had finished serving him.

"OK, thank you." He appreciated

Ogechi then nodded, turning to leave..

"And what about you, won't you eat?" Ndubuisi asked

"I'm going to get my own" she replied

"To get your own? Are we not we supposed to be eating together?" He asked

"Are we supposed to be eating together?" Ogechi asked back, looking shy
"Come on Baby, don't tell me you are still shy. We are husband and wife now and couples eat together.. So you will have to get extra spoon. Now go and get it because I can't want to taste this special food of yours"

".. OK, I'm coming. Ogechi said and then went to the kitchen to get a spoon.

After she got the spoon, they sat ready to eat.

Ogechi then waited, looking at how he will react after eating the food... "Lord, please let him like the food.....please.....please..... Lord" she prayed silently

"What is this?" Ndubuisi angrily screamed, spitting out the food from his mouth

"My husband what is it? Here..have water" Ogechi gave him drinking water

"What is this?" Ndubuisi asked, pointing at the food

"It's....it's food, but I don't understand my husband. What happened to it?" She asked

"Did you taste the food after you finished cooking it?"

"Off course I did."

"And it was OK in your mouth?" Ndubuisi asked

"Yes my husband. OK let me taste it to know what you are talking about" she then did and was shocked at the taste.....

"Bu......bu....but how come? My husband, I swear to you, this is not my stew. I know how my stew tasted and not this, I swear"

"And what are you trying to say now, that it's not what you prepared this morning?"

"I mean, this is strange, this does not even taste like tomato stew. It's odd, it's not my stew."

"You shouldn't have wasted the ingredients you used in preparing the stew since you don't know how to cook. I think I will have to ask my mother to prepare some food we will use to entertain the people that will be coming to welcome you as the new wife of the family."

"But my husband, this is not my food, even if I don't know how to cook, it shouldn't be this taste. It's quite odd"

"You see, I'm not that bothered that it's too salty, but the taste is something else, and I think I'm going to be sick, my stomach is doing me somehow now" he said, looking upset, touching his stomach

Ogechi's effort to impress her husband with her cooking skills was quashed.

Okwuchi who had already heard her son's voice, then entered the room, pretending to be checking if her son had eaten.

"Ndu my son, have you eaten now?" She asked

"No Mama, Ogechi just made a mess of the food, I don't even know what she cooked... It could not even pass my throat"

"I know that food is one thing my son doesn't joke with, but he is not reacting the way I expected him to. So I have to add more fuel to his anger" she said in her heart and then spoke up: "But my son, the stew is good in the eyes, and the aroma smells good, what could be the problem"

"Mama, just taste it, you will understand what I'm talking about."

"OK, let me taste it" she then bent and took a quarter spoon.

And immediately, she spat it out, furrowing her face, looking angrily at Ogechi.

"Ogechi, you want to kill my only son? What is this? Did you even taste it at all?"

But Ogechi was already crying profusely, she couldn't understand what was happening.
"Lord, will I survive in this marriage? Yesterday, I faced Ndubuisi's anger and today again, another issue. What is really going on? I remembered cooking this food with much love and effort and it was tasty, how come this? Is there any evil spirit following me around, seeking to destroy my marriage?" she kept crying, wondering what happened

"You won't talk now, right, because you know what you did. I remembered asking your mother if you know how to cook and she emphatically said yes, so what is this nonsense now?"

"Mama, I promise you, cooking is one of my hobbies, I can swear that this is not my food, it did not taste like this after I finished preparing it. OK, allow me prepare another stew for you, you will then know that this one is no where near my stew, my stew doesn't taste like this at all"

"Prepare another one? After wasting all the ingredients, do you think we pluck money from trees, huh?" Okwuchi snapped

"No mother, I'm sorry that this one is already wasted, but allow me prepare another one, please" Ogechi pleaded

"It's OK now Ogechi, we don't have time left and people will start coming here. So Mama, you will have to do the cooking now, please I beg you, prepare the food we will use to entertain the guests.
And one more thing mother, please, I want you to teach her how to cook. Please, just do it for my sake" he requested

"Hmm, what an insult to my personality." Ogechi hummed

"You are right my son, it now seems she does not know how to do anything and her family are full of lies. First her education and now, food. I'm beginning to think that I made a mistake by choosing her for you"

"It's OK Mama, just take her along with you and teach her how to cook, you know I can't tolerate bad cook. This was why I asked to have some time with her before marriage but you refused, now see. I just pray she learns fast, because if she fail to improve in her cooking skills, I might aswell change my mind. Please take her along please. Today is her first time of cooking in this house, at least as a sensible person, she should have put more effort in impressing her new family, but no, she never cared, only to bring this nonsense here. Please take her along with you and make sure she learns quick, please" he said, still looking serious

And Ogechi stood, looking pained, releasing tears.
"Lord, only you knows what happened, I need you to save me in this mess. Food has never been a problem for me. I know how to cook very well, but what happened? Can you just tell me what happened? Because I can't understand anything" she said earnestly in her heart.

Okwuchi was smiling happily in her heart: "Hmm, I am happy now. Ogechi, you have seen how intolerant my son could be when angry, so this should be served as warning to you. Before considering expanding your wings, just know the family you came into." She said in her heart and spoke up
"I'm going to the kitchen now, follow me" she said, leaving

But Ogechi stood still.
When Okwuchi noticed that she was not following her, she then returned to the room to call her.

"Have you gone deaf now? I said let's go to the kitchen and prepare something for my son"

"Mama, I am sorry, I'm not following you to the kitchen. This is an insult to my person. My parents have never complained about my food before, and this is clearly not my style of cooking. Please, I don't need to learn anything from you. I'm skilled in the art of cooking, I don't need to learn from anybody again. I am sorry"

"What? How dare you talk to my mother like that?" Ndubuisi burst out in anger, raising his hand to slap Ogechi......., but seized it on the air......
"Ogechi, don't try my patience, don't make me raise my hand next time, otherwise it will descend on you. Disobedience is one thing I won't tolerate in this marriage, not to me and not to my mother, you hear me? Now, get out from here" he then pushed her out of the room.

Ogechi stumbled out as he pushed her.
She then went to the back yard, and began crying her heart out, calling the name of her mother.
"Mother, you promised me that I will enjoy my marriage, but is this what you meant by enjoyment? I have been insulted
Mother. This is not what you told me that marriage is all about"

Okwuchi was laughing happily in her heart that her plan was a success.

Episode 4

"This girl is not only smart, she is also a good cook. And if I allow my son to eat her food, that will mean loosing him forever. Yesterday night was a tip example, he walked out not minding how I would react. Okwuchi, you have to soil this stew.. And where is she sef?" She asked, checking through the corridor to know where Ogechi was, but didn't find her. She then went to the bathroom stand and noticed that she was bathing..

"She is bathing... Very good, let me use this opportunity to put something into the stew" she then brought out grinded potash, mixed it with a little water so that it will be smooth, and then poured some quantity and stirred it carefully: "I don't think this will be enough, let me add more salt" She said and then poured salt
After pouring them, she carefully stirred the stew so that it will blend very well.
She then sneaked back to her room waiting for when her son will be served with the food.

"Ogechi, let me see how you will succeed in taking my only source of happiness from me. But come to think of it, this girl is becoming something I never expected. Did I made a mistake by asking my only child to marry her? This is not something I bargained for, seriously, it's not. She can never take my place in my son's life, not when I'm alive"

Ogechi who was busy taking her bath was not even aware of what was happening. Ndubuisi was still lazying on the bed. He was awake but couldn't wake up because he was weak.

"Finally, its over. This wedding, the preparation and all that really stressed me out but I thank God that it was a success. And Ogechi, I think she will make a good wife for me. I had an immense peace sleeping beside her last night. Thank you Lord that I listened to my mother regarding marrying her. It's always good to listen to our parents, they are epitome of wisdom. She sure made a nice choice for me" he said and began reminiscing the lovely moment he spent with Ogechi the previous night
And just then, Ogechi entered the room, and saw him smiling to himself...
"Nkem" (Mine) she called in a sweet tone and Ndubuisi turned and saw a beautiful woman he had ever seen in his life.
The charming fragrance from the soap she bathed with scratched his nostrils. He then raised his head and saw her long legs which were graced with her wet hairs sleeping calmly on them.
"Ndubuisi, your wife is beautiful." He said in his heart

Ogechi who noticed how lost he looked went closer and asked him what was happening to him, if he was alright. And he said: "Come closer baby"

And Ogechi heeded, as he drew her down to the bed.
"Do you know you are beautiful? I'm just discovering your beauty for the first time"

And Ogechi smiled shyly, hiding her face. And Ndubuisi romantically drew her face to his side and then planted a kiss on her lips, and the next, the husband and wife ended up making love. Ndubuisi was seeing more reasons to love her the more.

50 minutes after Okwuchi sabotaged Ogechi's food, she got tired of waiting to hear when Ndubuisi will begin shouting at her over the food, because she knew that her son doesn't joke with food

"What are they still doing in that room? Ogechi, you think you are smart, don't worry, you will see a bit of my son's anger this morning, and after that, you will know where you belong. You will know your place in this house. Stupid girl! And by the way, my son should be awake by now and he has not taken his breakfast. And what is Ogechi doing with him inside there? I should call her to give him his breakfast. I can't wait to see how he will react after eating the food...." she chuckled and then headed to her son's room. When she got there, she wanted to badge in like she used to do before, but she forgot that things were no longer the way they used to be.
The door was locked from inside.

"Ogechi now owns my son.... The door is locked, which means I no longer have free access to my son's life" She lamented and then knocked: "My son, are you there?"

"Mama is knocking on the door" Ogechi said in a low tone, trying to get up.
And Ndubuisi held her :"No Baby, I still need you in my arms. You really need to rest, we have stressed ourselves enough preparing for the wedding, you need to rest, OK... So come here, I still need you" he said smiling so lovingly, drawing her back to his arms

"But Mama, she might get angry"

"Don't worry I will take care of that" he said and then called out for his mother: "Mama, Good Morning!" He greeted

"Good morning my son, how was your night?"

"It was splendid Mama,it was all thanks to my beautiful wife.. I slept like a baby"

"Hmm, see how happy he is sounding, just in one night? Ogechi is snatching him already. This is getting more serious on every minute, I never saw this coming." She quickly said in her heart.

"But my son, are you not going to eat? And why did you allowed Ogechi to remain in that room with you? She is supposed to be doing the house chores by now, you know that, soon guests will start arriving" She said in an angry tone.

"Mama, she needs to rest and I also need to rest, and you too, as well needs to rest. She has already prepared something this morning. You can go to the kitchen and serve yourself if you are hungry..... I'm still enjoying my new wife"

Ndubuisi who was busy showing how appreciative he was over his wife, making his mother to understand that he was pleased she found someone like Ogechi for him but little did he know that his mother was no longer seeing things from the same angle.

"There is no point talking to them, I better go back to my room" she said and then returned to her room, sat on her bed, burning out in anger.

105 minutes later, Ogechi suggested to Ndubuisi to go and take his bath, that guests will start arriving their house soon.
"And you know you have not taken breakfast, should I make tea and bread for you?"

"Hmmm, no. You said you prepared Rice and stew right?"

"Yes"

"I think I will do with that one. The weather is hot now, I can't take tea" Ndubuisi said

"OK my husband" she said, leaving the room.

When Okwuchi heard the sound of the door opening, she came out to see who it was.

"Finally, you came out, I thought you would die in that room and never come out again"

"God forbid! Mama, what are you saying to me?"

"Come on shut up your mouth there.... Go and give my son something to eat" she ordered

"OK, Mama" Ogechi said, running to the kitchen.
She then entered her room, listening to hear when her son will shout at Ogechi over the food.

And unsuspecting Ogechi quietly dished out some food and took to her husband.
She knew that her mother in-law was something else but not knowing that she could be extreme.

To be continued..

Episode 3

Ogechi stood quiet, expressing her face in a meekly manner.
Okwuchi continued raking, that she lied and got herself into the life of her son

"Oh Lord, you promised me that I will enjoy my marriage, so this issue that I'm facing now won't be enough reason to start getting shivers because I know that you are with me. I don't know why Mama is doing this, but I won't allow her actions to ruin my marriage, I have to calm my husband's anger and receive his forgiveness." She said in her heart and then left herself on the floor and began crying.
"My husband, I am sorry for having fed with lies that I attended higher institution. I never hate education, just that I was so unfortunate not to attend one. My father was on the negative believe that training female children in the university is a waste of time, and because of that, I was denied the benefit of furthering my education. My husband, you are learned and I believe you are endowed with wisdom that no time is too late for acquiring education, therefore, I am telling you now that returning to school will be the most happiest thing to happen to me on earth. I will never ask for anything in life but only for you to send me back to school. I am willing to learn." She said and continued pleading.
Ogechi was a calm girl who was full of wisdom. Okwuchi accused her of lying to her son, but she did not raise tantrums.

Ndubuisi was touched, watching his wife on the floor, crying, pleading to return to school.
"Well, it wasn't her entire fault. And since she requesting to return to school, no problem. I am willing to train her" he said in his heart and then asked her to stand up

"You can stand up now... It's a good thing you have interest in education. So I'm assuring you now that you will return to school. I am willing to train you to any level you want in education. OK" he said, looking cheerful

And Ogechi jumped up in joy, thanking him. She hugged him for promising to give her a good future.

Her happiness made Ndubuisi laughed out.
And he said: "Its OK my dear, you are my wife now, I have to give you the best"

Okwuchi was shocked watching the whole thing.
Her son who was extremely angry became happy all of a sudden.
"Okwuchi, I think you are going to be in deep trouble. I know my son and how furious he used to be when angry, but Ogechi controlled him just like a remote. Huh! And on top of that, he promised to send her back to school... No, I can't allow this girl to snatch my son from me. Can you imagine? Just like that, he is happy again? And sending her back to school will make her become wiser and she won't be that naive Ogechi again. The main reason I chose her for my son was because she is not educated. She doesn't know her left from her right, and her actions now has proven otherwise. No, Okwuchi you have to do something, Ogechi only came here to give me grand children and not to snatch my only son from me. Ndubuisi is the only one I have in this world and no woman and not even his wife will take him away from me" Okwuchi swore in her heart, going inside.
While entering the room, she turned watching her son and how happy he looked chatting with his new wife.

Few minutes later, Ndubuisi turned and noticed that his mother was no longer there.
"Oh oh! Where is Mama, I thought she was here here" he said

"Maybe she has gone inside" Ogechi replied

"OK, let me tell her the new decision we just reached. I will be back. You can enter the room now, I will meet you later"

"OK my husband" Ogechi said, smiling shyly, infecting Ndubuisi with the smiles and he released a faint smile and went to his mother's room.

While he left, Ogechi said to herself: "Mama, I think you will be a problem for me in this marriage, but all I know is that, my God, the one who I pray to every morning and night will never allow me to be put to shame. Let me just go inside and think on how to make my handsome husband happy this night" she said, going into the room

Ndubuisi had gone into his mother's room and began telling her about his plans of sending Ogechi back to school, while he was still speaking, he noticed that his mother was not looking happy.

"Mama, you are not even listening to me? And why the sad look on your face?"

"Ndubuisi my son, why did you arrive at that decision without first discussing it with me, your mother?" She asked

"But I'm telling you now"

"After you have concluded sending her back to school?"

"Mama, your son just got married today, you shouldn't be angry for any reason. Today is a happy day in our family. OK, I'm sorry for not telling you before agreeing to send her to school..... Mama, I have something to say...."

"And what is that?" She asked

"You are so right. I think Ogechi is the perfect girl for me. She is so calm and lovely and also willing to go back to school. I think I am loving her already"

His words were beginning to irk Okwuchi and she then cut in: "Ndubuisi, you won't send her back to school. Did you hear me? I said you won't send her back to school"

On noticing that his mother was not in good mood, he then decided to let her be.
"Mama, you know what? We will continue this discussion tomorrow, I have seen you are in a very bad mood, my wife needs me now. So Mama, goodnight. Tomorrow we will continue from where we stopped" he said and then left the room
Shocked Okwuchi couldn't even believe what happened.
"What? My son walked out when we are not yet done with our discussion? I think I'm finished. I am in deep trouble. What just happened? He said that his wife needs him?" Okwuchi continued burning in anger

The next morning, when she woke up, she noticed that Ogechi had already woken up and was preparing food which they will use to entertain the guests that will be arriving their house that very day.

"Hmm, this girl is claiming to be a good girl. She has already swept the compound and cooking without the help of anybody. And what is she cooking? I pray she doesn't know how to cook, because I should remain the only best cook in my son's life" she said and then went closer to taste the food.
"Huh! What did she add to this stew? Never! I will never allow my son to eat this food like this, never!"

Episode 2

The next say, Ndubuisi arrived village like he said and his mother, Okwuchi was extremely happy to see him, coupled with the fact that he came for marriage purpose.

She served him the hot Ora soup she prepared for him which was also his favourite.
And the way Ndu was enjoying it gave her an immense joy. She warmly appreciated it whenever he enjoyed her food like that.

"Mama, you are the best cook in the world. Others should come and learn from you. Even all these so called 5star restaurants, they should come and learn work from your hand, they don't know what they are cooking. I just hope that the woman I will marry will also know how to cook like you" Ndubuisi praised his mother's cooking skills
And Okwuchi smiled,and said: "My son, that was why I took out time to search out a nice girl for you. I met with the girl's family today, they have accepted to give their consent. And I have already spoken with your uncle, Patrick. So he will inform the kinsmen about it"

"What? You did what Mama?" Ndubuisi asked, with a sheer anger crossing his forehead

"I don't understand, my son?"

"Mama, this is marriage. Don't you think that I should first see the girl before discussing anything with her family, what if I end up not liking her?"

"Ndubuisi, have you forgotten that your mother also have a high taste? You don't have to worry about liking or not liking her because this girl is beautiful and young. You will like her, in fact, you will fall in love with her at first sight"

"But Mama, you shouldn't have done all these without my consent. I don't want anybody to say that I broke her heart in this village"

"No my son, you won't reject this girl. In fact, on no account should you say no to this union and my decision is final. What are you telling me here? Have I done wrong by meeting the girl's family on your behalf, are you no longer my son?" Okwuchi asked and walked inside, angrily.

And that was the only way she used to control her son. She knew that Ndubuisi doesn't like seeing her angry.

"She will never change! Oh Lord, please help me in this situation. Let it be that this girl she found for me will be appealing to my eyes. It will even be a nice idea to marry a woman of her choice so that peace will continue reigning in this family. I better do what she wants" he said and then went to her and called in a calm voice: "Mother, why are you angry now, did I say something wrong?"

"Ndubuisi, you are telling me that I'm stupid by searching for what's best for you?" she asked, still in angry tone

"No Mama, you are never stupid and will never be. You are my mother, and I'm sure you know my taste and the kind of girl I want."

"Yes my son, the girl's name is Ogechi, you will like her. Trust me, It will be love at first sight" Okwuchi said, looking cheered that her son was willing to listen to her

"OK Mama, which means she is educated. Because you know that I have always loved girls who are well educated?"

"Heeey.. This is going to be a problem. Why is he emphasising on education now? And Ogechi is not even half educated. Should I tell him the truth about her educational background? No, he won't accept to marry her again. I better lie to him." She quickly thought and then spoke up: "Off course my son, she is educated. But not the type you studied"

"I don't understand, Mama" Ndu said, looking serious

"Should I say secondary school? No, let me say College of Education, that will sound more better" she thought and then replied: "She went to College of Education"

"OK good. That's not bad at all. Which means my wife will be a teacher. It's very OK. It will also give her time to take care of our children and the family"

"Yes yes my son. You are right. You see, your mother knows what's best for you."

"Yes mother, I trust you on that" Ndubuisi said, looking calm

"Oh my God! I just lied to my son now. What will happen if he finds out that I lied to him? No, he shouldn't find out. I better talk to Ogechi and his mother, and incite them not to say anything about it. Oh no, I have already told Ogechi's mother that my son has accepted to marry her daughter despite her poor educational background. What do I do now? Okwuchi think...think..." And finally, an idea popped in
She then went outside and called Ogechi's mother.
"Hello, Mama Ogechi, my son and I will be coming soon, and I know that you want this Union as much as I want it"

"Off course... It will be my sincere pleasure, Mama Ndu"

"Good. You see, when my son comes, please let him be the only one to be doing the talking so that he doesn't see your family as people who talk too much"

"I don't understand?"

"This is clearly understandable. I have given you all the information you need to know about him. So it's better you don't ask him unnecessary questions so that it will not stir up his anger and make him call off the engagement. You know this marriage stuff has gone round the village, and the daint it will be on your daughter if Ndubuisi rejects her? He is marrying your daughter because of me, so I don't want him to see any reason to call it off"

"Hmmm, you have a point. You don't have to worry about anything, I know what to do" Mama Ogechi said

"Good" Okwuchi said and then ended the call. She then called Ogechi on the phone..

"Ogechi my daughter, you know soon you will be my daughter in-law and you will start living with me?"

And Ogechi laughed shyly.....

"So I want you to do something for me"

"And what is that, Mama?" She asked

"See, let this be between you and me. Don't tell anybody about it. My son will be coming soon, if he raises the topic about your educational background, just avoid it, you just quickly change the topic, you hear me?"

"OK Mama, I will do exactly as you said" Ogechi immediately accepted, forgetting all the list of questions she made to ask Ndubuisi before marrying him.

"Good, that's why I like you, you heed to instructions without questions" she said and then ended the call.

Ogechi then dropped her phone on the table and sat on the chair. She then remembered
she had series of questions to ask Ndubuisi, and the gap in their level of education was the main question.

"He is highly educated, unlike me, won't our understanding of things be different? I wanted to ask him why he chose to marry an illiterate like me despite being highly educated. And now the mother said that I should avoid the topic, does it mean he is not aware or something? Anyway, she is his mother, she knows best, I should do what she says" Ogechi said

Finally, Ndubuisi, along with his mother and some of his kinsmen arrived Ogechi's family. They were given a warm welcome.
Ndubuisi was so anxious to see his "would be wife".

"Mama, when am I going to see her?" He asked

"Don't be the impatient frog, you will see her soon"
After the introduction, Ogechi was called out to welcome her guests.

And on sighting her, Ndubuisi noticed that she was too young.

"Mama, how old is she? You didn't tell me she is still a small girl" he spoke in a soft voice

"How can you call her a small girl, is it because she has a small body? Somebody who has graduated from a high institution can no longer be a small child" she replied

"Hmm, OK, you are right" Ndubuisi said

After Ogechi greeted them, Ndubuisi then requested for a permission to have a quick chat with her.

And Okwuchi nudged him, trying to stop him from having any discussion with Ogechi, but he ignored the mother because he saw it necessary to ask her some questions.
But Okwuchi insisted: "My son, I have told you all the things you need to know about her, so what more do you want to ask again? If you have any other thing you want to ask, you can ask her parents here, they will tell you everything you need to know"

Ndubuisi who knew the kind of person his mother was then decided to heed to her advice.
"But this is my only opportunity to talk to her before the wedding date gets fixed. Hmm, anyway, since my mother is so confident that this girl OK for me, then let her wish be done."

A month later, Ndubuisi and Ogechi got married. Okwuchi was happy, likewise Ogechi, but Ndubuisi was hoping on God, praying for the grace to love Ogechi.

On the night of their wedding, Ndubuisi was quiet. He did not even know how to initiate a chat with his new wife. She was like a stranger to him.
Ogechi who was also getting uncomfortable at the way Ndubuisi was keeping mute then decided to start a conversation. She started by appreciating him for accepting her as his wife.

"No, it's OK... You are beautiful, you are also educated, so why won't I marry you?" Ndu said

"He said that I'm educated? Which means he accepted me knowing that I'm not half educated as him." She thought and then said to him: "So you knew about my poor educational background and still went ahead to marry me?"

"Yes, my mother told me about it, but it doesn't matter. It doesn't matter the tertiary education one acquired."

"Ndu, you are a nice man, my friends kept telling me that you will not accept to marry me because I stopped in elementary 4"

"Elementary what?" He asked

"Elementary 4. Did I say something wrong? I thought you said your mother has told you already?" She asked, noticing the facial expression.

"Oh no, I should have kept quiet. Mama warned me not to say anything o.. But what is he going to do now, is he going to throw me away?" Ogechi feared

Ndubuisi who couldn't control the anger dashed out of the room, calling out his mother.....

"What happened my son, why are you reacting this way?" She asked wondering what just happened

"Mama, you lied to me. You lied to me Mama! Why did I end up marrying somebody who did not even attend secondary school. Mama why?"

"I don't understand My Son"

"Mother, I strictly asked you about Ogechi, but you told me she went to College of Education, so why did you lied to me?"

"He found out? This is sure a problem for me. If he discovers that I lied to him, he won't trust me ever again, he will loose his respect for me. So, I better tell him that Ogechi and her mother were the people who fed us lies just to get her married into my family" she said in her heart
"Mama, are you not the one I'm asking?" Ndubuisi asked in a deep angry tone

"No, I did not lie to you my son. Ogechi and her mother told me that she attended a College Of Education, the one that is situated at Nsugbe"

And this shocked Ogechi.
"But Mama, we never.........."

Before she could open her mouth to speak, Okwuchi cut her short
"Shut up your mouth there! What do you think you want to say? You and your mother told me that you attended the school, that you will be a teacher soon. Let me not hear any word from your mouth again, bunch of liars"

The way Okwuchi shunned Ogechi made her got scared. She doesn't know how to defend herself, she then stood, praying in her heart, watching what will happen to her next.

All Rights are reserved. You may not reproduce this story in any way or form, in whole or in part, without the written consent of the copyright holder, (Ngozi Lovelyn) and any infringement of this is a violation of copyright law.

The characters in this work are entirely fictional, as well as the settings. Any resemblance to people and/or events, either living or dead, is purely coincidental, unintentional and doesn't intend to offend

Story Story? Let me hear your response "Story".... This is another interesting story you won't love to miss, and I must warn you, it's suspense filled.

"Grin grin" phone rings

"Who could be calling me by this time?" Mrs Okwuchi asked, checking the time and found out that it was 11:35pm.
She then sleepily picked her phone without checking who it was.

"Hello" she greeted in a weak voice

"Hello Mama, it's me, Ndubuisi, your son"

"Ndu my son, is that you?" She cheerfully asked, as the voice of her son quickly cleared off sleep from her eyes.
"Yes Mama, I know you must be wondering who could be calling you by this time of the night, because I know you are already in bed."

"Yes my son, I wondered because nobody has ever called me by this time. But hope there is no problem?"

"Hmm, not really mother, but I'm calling to tell you that I will be coming to the village tomorrow evening, there is something I would like to discuss with you. I was thinking about it and just came to the conclusion now, so sorry that I'm giving you the information very late." Ndubuisi said

"And what is that my son, can you give me a hint now?"

"Not on phone mother, it will be better when I come home"

"No my son, I demand you tell me now, just tell me already, I can't wait till you get home"

"Mama, you hav not drop this your domineering attitude. I never wanted to tell you that I'm visiting, because I know you will become too inquisitive to knowing my reasons for coming"

"Ndu my son, tell me why you are coming, what is it that you want to discuss with me?" Okwuchi insisted on Ndubuisi telling her the reason he wanted to return to the village.

"Fine Mama, I will tell you. I am planning on getting married, so I'm coming home for us to have a proper discussion." Ndubuisi said

"Are you serious my son, for real?" Happy Okwuchi asked

"Yes mother" Ndu replied, but feeling a bit angry that his mother always had things her way. She never agreed to anything anybody said, except her own wills. And this was a great concern to Ndubuisi. And because of his mother's domineering nature, he spent years searching for a woman who will be able to endure his mother. A wife who would be able to tolerate her. A wife who would understand her harsh nature like he, Ndubuisi does. But seemed, it was only a waste of his precious times because his mother never gave her consent to marrying any woman he found for himself.

"Ndu my son, I have a beautiful girl you will marry. A girl that will make you happy and give you beautiful children. A girl that will honour and respect you for the rest of your life" Okwuchi said

"Mama, you don't have to worry about any of that, I already found one. She is humble and from a well responsible home and also, well educated. She will love you as her own mother and understand your temperament. Don't worry mother, you and her will get along well" Ndubuisi said

"Ndu my son, you are not getting me, do you? I'm telling you what will benefit you and you are telling me about a strange girl. I will not accept any woman you bring here, do you get me? Have you forgotten that I'm your mother, I carried you in my womb for 9 months, so I know what's good and what's not good for you. Marriage is a life time relationship, and one needs to enter it with a woman who will be able to love him and his family. My son, I don't want a daughter in-law who will disrespect me. I want the one who will love and honour me, the one that will not snatch you away from me. You are my son, my only child, so I won't allow any woman to take you away from me. And I also want your wife to live in this village with me. Hope, you understand the area I'm coming from, my son?" She asked

Her demands quickly weakened Ndubuisi, he then lost his voice, and began speaking in his heart.
"Lord, why did you gave me this type of a woman as my mother? And on top of that, I can't see her angry or upset, she suffered to make me who I am today, so in return to appreciating her for all her sacrifices, I am bound to respect every of her wishes. Now, my marriage won't be base on love if I'm to decide to marry this girl she said she chose for me. I wish she can be more calming and understanding like other mothers that I know. And if I decide to disrespect her and marry any girl of my choice, she won't
stop until she destabilize my marriage plans, or even create constant problem in my marriage. I better do what she says, because no girl will want to live in the village with her. So I'm believing that this girl she said she know will want to obey every of her words, so in that manner, peace will reign, I just hope she is good and educated, atleast"

While he was still in deep thought, his mother who was "helloing" over the phone decided to hang up, since he was no longer responding.

"He suddenly went mute? I'm sure he is not going to disobey my wish and bring in another girl here. That will never happen. Tomorrow, I will meet Ogechi's mother, and tell her to get ready, that my son will be coming to marry her daughter." She said and then went back to sleep.

The next day, she went to her best friend's place, Nkechi to share the good news with her.

"You mean your son agrees to marry the woman you chose for her?" Nkechi asked

"Technically, he hasn't agreed, but I'm sure he will. I must make sure he obeys my wish. Ogechi is the kind of girl I want for him. She will obey my every order without raising any question, not like all these wild and irresponsible girls who are exposed to life"

"But Okwuchi, do you think your son will agree to marry her? You know, she is not educated like him. She only ended up in elementary 4. The educational gap is too much and your son is a full university graduate. So think about this very carefully"

"Nkechi, what are you even telling me? Have you forgotten that when ever I make any decision, it's always final?" Okwuchi asked

"Yes I know, but it concerns the life of your son, don't you think you are been too domineering over him?"

"Nkechi, it seems we are done discussing this... Let's change topic, please"

"Hmm, OK...but think about it oo" Nkechi said

"Please, hope tomorrow is Afor?" (Afor, one of the four market days in Igbo Land - Orie, Afor, Nkwo, Eke) Okwuchi asked

"Yes"

"Do you have any product to sell?" She asked as they continued talking about their commercial life

Okwuchi later went to Ogechi's family to break the news to them.
When Ogechi's mother asked him if her son had agreed, she happily said "yes".

"Oh my God! This is good news. You mean he agreed after you told him that my daughter is not even educated?"
"Yes, why won't he? He is my son. He listens to everything I tell him, so that's why I chose your daughter for him, somebody who will also listen, honour and obey me like my son does"

"Mama Ndu, you don't have to worry about anything, my daughter Ogechi is a well respectful girl, she will not have any reason to disobey you."

"Good" Okwuchi said, nodding her head in acceptance.
She told Ogechi's family that she and her son, along with their kinsmen will be coming to meet them soon. He reached this decision without first, hearing his son's opinion.