₦airaland Forum

Adeola25:
Hmmm, this is more than serious I hope Ejiro isnt dead. Thanks for the update ma'am

You're welcome

PrudySara:
Come to think of it sef, why is Chukwuemeka doing this??
Why does he wants Ejiro dead??
Thank God Rukevwe went with her brothers...

Thanks for the update SheWrites!

*winks*

CHAPTER 16

Oghenekaro and his sons sat outside the chemists’ shop. They tried calling Ejiro several times, but her line was unreachable. They became worried because they didn’t really know the situation of things.

“It’s been like this since morning,” he complained.

“Chukwuemeka is not smart at all. How can your wife leave the house and you claim that you don’t know her whereabouts?” Eru hissed. “My wife cannot try that. I know where she is two-four-seven.”

“I am beginning to suspect the guy,” Ochuko made a scowl.

Itoro came out of her shop with Rukevwe. They walked towards the Chemist shop.

“I have just spoken with Chukwuemeka.”

They looked up and turned in her direction.

“What did he say?” Oghenekaro raised an eyebrow.

“He said his wife has not returned,” Itoro re-tied her scarf.

“That is stupid nonsense,” Ochuko flared up. He believed that there was something his brother-in-law wasn’t telling them.

Eru glanced at his wristwatch. It is seven-thirty. “What area in Ikorodu did she go to?”

Ochuko hissed, “He claims that he doesn’t know.”

“That is nonsense! The guy is out of his mind,” Eru got to his feet. He looked at his watch again. It would take them about twenty minutes or more to get to his sister’s place.

Rukevwe folded her arms and stood beside her mother. She was already tired of the whole situation. Unexpectedly, her vision became blurry and an event flashed through her mind’s eye. She found herself in a room. Ejiro was lying on the floor, crawling as if she lacked strength. Every movement she made, made her to grit her teeth in pain. Her clothes were stained with blood, her face was swollen, and she was crying and finding it hard to breath. Her husband came into the room, holding a pestle in his hands. He ran to where she was and hit her on the head with the pestle. Ejiro collapsed and knew no more.

The vision faded! Rukewve screamed and grabbed her mother by the hand.

The noise startled Itoro. “What is it?!”

Eru looked in her direction. He suspected that she must have had a vision. “Rukewve what did you see?”

The girl started to cry. “Mummy…”

“Speak up for heaven’s sake!” Oghenekaro became impatient. The nagging fear he had been feeling all day resurfaced.

“Mummy,” she held her mother’s hand.
Itoro swallowed hard, “Yes, my darling. What did you see?” the woman braced herself for the bad news.

“We need to go to Surulere,” Rukewve stomped her feet on the dusty ground.

Itoro directed her gaze at her husband. He sighed heavily.

“Mummy…”

She turned back to the girl, “Yes, yes, I heard you.”

Tear drops rolled down her dark face. “Ejiro doesn’t have enough time.”

“Ewo! Chimo! Jehovah help us!” Itoro began to wail.

Ochuko got up immediately. “Let us not waste any more time,” he started to walk towards the road.

“Rukevwe, stay with mum and dad,” Eru hurried after his younger brother.

“You people should make sure that Chukwuemeka produce my daughter today!” Oghenekaro called after them.

“Don’t worry, we’ve got this,” Ochuko stopped a bike driving past the shop.
Rukewve ran after her brothers.

“Where are you going?!” Itoro screamed at her.

“I don’t trust Chukwuemeka,” Rukewve jumped on the bike and gave the driver directions to her sister’s place.

Ochuko joined her and glanced back at his brother.

“Go ahead, I will stop another bike,” Eru slipped in his hands into his pockets. He intended to call his wife and intimate her that he would be home later than usual.

“You people should be careful,” Itoro watched the bike carrying Rukevwe and Ochuko. The driver’s speed was too fast for her liking.

“Don’t worry yourself. Just start to pray that nothing bad should happen to Ejiro,” Eru waved at her and headed down the street.

Oghenekaro pulled his wife to the bench. She sat down and placed her face in her palms. She started to pray for God’s mercy.

****

Ejiro crawled out of the bedroom in a blood-stained sleeveless white satin night gown. Her elbows and knees were badly bruised, her face was swollen and blood was dripping from a nasty gash on her forehead. Her breathing was slow and laboured, as she gasped for breath.

Chukwuemeka came up behind her, carrying a pestle. He lifted it above his head and positioned the heavy wood, ready to strike. The bangs on the door stopped him. A scowl appeared on his face. He wasn’t expecting anyone. He hoped whoever it was would leave. But, the bangs became louder, faster and incessant. He jumped over his wife’s wounded body and walked briskly to the window closest to the door.

He peeped and saw his in-laws standing by the doorway. Fear gripped him. He turned around and looked at his surroundings. The sitting-room was in disarray. He dropped the pestle and tried to put the room in order, as fast as he could. He looked around again and saw a few blood stains on the white and blue tiles. He picked up the pestle, ran to the kitchen and returned with a wet mop.

He cleaned the stains and glanced at his wife, then back at the door. The bangs grew louder. He knew he needed to act very fast. He walked up to her, grabbed her by the legs and pulled her out of the sitting-room. He returned several minutes later and mopped the new stains on the tiled floor.

Chukwuemeka wiped the beads of sweat on his forehead with his tee-shirt, then he saw that it was also stained with blood. He pulled it off and hurried into the master bedroom. He put on another shirt, came out of the room and ran to the front door.

His in-laws pushed their way into the flat the second he opened it. Their action left him short of words.

“Ejiro! Ejiro! Ejiro!” Rukevwe called out and looked around for her. She noticed that the center table wasn’t in its rightful place. Her concerned gaze flew to her sister’s husband.

He returned her stare. His look seemed to say, ‘What are you looking for?’

” Why did it take you so long to open the door?” Eru glared at him.

Chukwuemeka thought of what to say, “I was… erm…”

“Where is Ejiro?” Ochuko poked him on the shoulder.

His brows came together in a frown. He stepped away from the younger man. “What is it? Why are you all here?” He looked from one to the other, feeling ambushed by their presence.

“Ejiro!” Rukewve took some steps towards the bedroom, but Chukwuemeka blocked her.

She met his angry look. “Where is my sister?”

He eyed her.

“Where is your wife?” Eru demanded. He noticed that the chairs in the room looked awkward.

He shrugged. “I told your parents that she left the house this morning. She is probably in Ikorodu with her friends! Why are you people bothering me?”

“Liar!” Rukevwe snarled. “My sister in this house. Bring her out, now!”

He narrowed his gaze and looked at her as if he was seeing her for the first time.
She glared back at him.

“Why is her phone line not going through?” Ochuko tapped him on the shoulder.

Chukwuemeka moved away from the younger man. The way the guy jabbing him made his blood to boil. He was on the verge of turning on him and giving him the beating he would never forget. “I don’t know. I don’t know, okay?!”

“It is not okay,” Eru eyed him. “I am beginning to regret the day we allowed you to marry her. This is the height of incompetence.”

He breathed in and out. “This is unnecessary. I believe she will come home soon.”

“When? Ehn? Useless man,” Ochuko spat on the floor.

“Fine! Fine…” he started to pace the room, “You think she is here? Fine, go on, search the house,” he moved over to a chair and sat down.

Rukevwe dashed into the bedroom. Ochuko hurried into the kitchen, while Eru searched the guest-rooms. They all returned to the sitting room after about twenty minutes.

“So, where is she?” He got up and confronted them, “I told you she isn’t here, but, no, you won’t even listen to me,” his hazel eyes twinkled with victory. “She is not here.”

“Liar!”

Chukwuemeka eyed the young girl, “Go home.”

Rukevwe pounced on him and held him by the collar. “Produce my sister, or else, you will meet your maker tonight!”

“Let me go,” he began to cough. The more he tried to free himself, the tighter her grip got.

“Wait, wait, don’t kill him yet. Let us find Ejiro first, then we will give his head to the birds,” Ochuko pulled her away.

Chukwuemeka fell on his knees and coughed for a long while.

“Let me go. He knows where she is,” tears gathered in her eyes, but she couldn’t fight her brother off.

“Where is Ejiro?” Eru faced him.

He raised his head and held his throat. “I don’t know,” he coughed, “I… I want,” he coughed again, “All of you…” he coughed again and again, “All of you, leave my house,” he coughed and coughed.

“You are out of your mind! I am not going anywhere without Ejiro,” she tried to free herself from his grip, but Ochuko held her bound.

He met Rukewve’s gaze and his heart missed a beat. “Please, please leave… I don’t know where she is.”

Eru placed his hands on his hips. He was tired and confused.

“Let me go, let me strangle him,” she pleaded with her brother.

“Wait, let’s find Ejiro first,” Ochuko refused to let her go.

She cleaned her wet face with the back of her hands. Suddenly, her vision became blurry. She found herself in a very dark space. When she turned around, she saw the shadow of her sister. She was bleeding and gasping for breath. She blinked several times and the image cleared. She pushed her brother away and leapt at Chukwuemeka again.

“Hey! Hey! Rukewve,” Ochuko called out to her, but this time around, he didn’t stop her.

“Where is she, you murderer!” she held Chukwuemeka by the collar.

Their gazes locked.

“Witch…” he whispered and started to cough.

“Where did you hide her?! Where is she?” she tightened her grip around his throat.

Ochuko and Eru grabbed her and pulled her away.

“Let me go!’ she tried to fight them off.

“Rukewve be calming down. You will have all the time you need to kill him. Let him tell us where Ejiro is first,” Ochuko held her by the waist.

Chukwuemeka staggered to his feet. His fear-filled eyes remained on Rukewve’s angry face. “I want you all to get out,” he wobbled to the door and flung it open.

The sight of the opened bedroom door caught her attention. She lifted her eyes towards the white ceiling and saw red patches. It dawned on her that the space in the roof was dark. Was that the place she saw in her vision? Was that where her sister was? She started to scream.

The noise made him to jump in fear. “What?!” Ochuko eyed her.

“What is it?” Panic gripped Eru when he saw the anguish in her eyes. He suspected that she had seen something again.

Rukewve couldn’t speak. She kept pointing at the master bedroom. They followed her gaze and saw nothing.

“What did you see?” Eru shook her by the shoulder.

She met his gaze and started to cry. “The ceiling, she is up there on the roof.”
Her brothers looked up at the ceiling in the room and saw the red patches on the white ceiling.

“Jesus!” Ochuko grabbed his brother on the arm. He couldn’t tell what was on the roof, but the thought that his sister was up there made him terrified.

Eru ran into the room, followed by his brother. He dragged the chair by the dressing mirror to the spot under the patch. “Hold the chair,” he instructed his younger brother.

“Okay, go,” Ochuko held unto the chair with all the strength he could muster.

Eru climbed the wooden chair. He staggered a bit, but soon, he steadied himself and punched holes into the spot that had the red patches. Pieces of the ceiling fell off. He stretched his neck and took a look. All he could see was darkness. He strained his eyes, till it settled on something that looked like a sack.

His heart beat accelerated. “Ochuko hold the chair!”

“I am holding it!” he yelled back.

Eru reached out for the sack and pulled. It was quiet heavy. He pulled again and again, until he was able to drag it through the hole he made in the ceiling. Underestimating the weight, he toppled and crashed into the chair, along with Ochuko.

Rukevwe ran into the room. She found her brothers on the floor, with a broken chair and a rice sack. She froze where she stood. “She is in there…”

Eru got on his knees, thankful that he wasn’t badly injured. He untied the sack and saw the bloodstained body of his sister. “Jesus! Jesus! Jesus!”

His brother’s heart-wrenching scream filled his ears. Ochuko got up and looked into the sack. He staggered away, consumed by terror. He turned towards the doorway and saw Rukewve.

She met his dread-filled eyes and looked back at the opened sack. She couldn’t tell whether Ejiro was still alive or dead.

CHAPTER 15


Rukevwe woke up the next morning and found herself on the cold tiled floor. She must have slept off while praying for her sister the other night. She sat up and looked around for her phone. She found it under the bed. She re-dialed her sister’s number and waited as it rang.

“God please let her pick the call, please God,” she bit at her bottom lip.

“Hello.”

She recognized Chukwuemeka’s voice. “Hello, please, can I speak with Ejiro?”

“Who am I speaking with?”

She groaned inwardly. She believed he must have seen the Caller ID. Why was he asking for who he was speaking with? “It’s me, Rukevwe.”

“Oh, Rukky, hi.”

“Hi, good morning.”

“Morning. How is Mumsie and your dad?”

“They are fine. Can I speak with Ejiro?”

“Oh, yes, erm… she is in the toilet.”

“Oh, okay. Please tell her I called.”

“Sure.”

“I will call her back later.”
“No wahala.”

She ended the call and leaned against the bed. The dream she had flashed through her mind’s eye. Her heart beat quickened again. Her phone began to ring. When she checked the Caller’s ID, it was Senami. A smile tugged at the corners of her mouth.

“Hello stranger.”

“Rukevwe, na me bi stranger, ba?”

She started to laugh.

“No wahala. Your cane dey hia with me.”

“How dey go, dey go?”

“We thank God for everything. I have been trying to reach Ejiro since last night, but she didn’t pick my call.”

“Oh…” she realized that she wasn’t the only one who had been trying to reach her sister.

“I tried again this morning, but I husband answered the call.”

“Oh…”

“I am at the airport right now, in case I am unable to speak with her before my flight, please tell her that I have travelled out of the country to stay with her uncle in the UK.”

“Wow! Congratulations sis,” she bit at one of her fingernails.

“Thanks, jare. No be God?”

“I will let her know. But, try to call her again. She will surely want to hear from you.”

“Fine by me.”

“Don’t forget us o.”

She heard her laughing. “How can I?”

“Safe journey.”

“Thanks, dear, talk you to some other time.”

The call ended. Rukevwe was indeed happy for Senami. She began to imagine herself in the girl’s shoes. Unexpectedly, her phone began to ring again. She assumed that it was her sister, but when she saw the Caller ID, she paled. It was Gbemisola.

“Hello…”

“Rukky, hi.”

“Hi, Gbemi. It’s being a while,” she tried to remember the last time she spoke to or saw her friend.

“Yeah, my apologies. I will make it up to you. I will like to inform you that I will be getting married in two weeks.”

“Wow! Wow! Wow!”

She heard her laughing.

“I am so, so happy for you girlfriend.”

“Thanks, my darling. God is good.”

“I can tell. I like this your sharp-sharp wedding.”

“I believe this is God’s time for me.”

“True that,” she began to play with a strand of her hair.

“I hope to see you and your sister.”

“We will be there. We cannot miss your wedding for anything.”

“That reminds me, I tried calling her last night, but she didn’t pick my call.”

“Oh…” Rukewve sighed heavily. “Don’t worry, I will intimate her.”

“Thanks love. Talk to you later.”

“Yeah, later,” thoughts of her sister occupied her mind again. She re-dialed Ejiro’s number and waited. It rang and rang and rang.

“Hello…”

She frowned when she heard Chukwuemeka’s voice. “Hi, I want to speak with Ejiro.”

“Erm… she is still in the toilet.”

“Haba!” she began to suspect that something was amiss.

“I think she is purging.”

Rukevwe rolled her eyes. She wasn’t satisfied with his response. “I will call back.”

“You don’t have to. Once she has cleaned herself up, she will call you.”

“O-okay,” she raised an eyebrow.

Why didn’t he want her to call back? What was going on in her sister’s home? She got to her feet and ran out of the room. She hurried down the hallway and burst into her parents’ room. She found them seated on their bed talking.

“Good morning dad, morning mum,” she settled at the foot of the bed.

“Morning, I don’t know why you don’t knock,” her mum let out a loud yawn.

“Sorry mum.”

“How was your night?”

She met her father’s stare and looked away. “It was…”

“Ehn hen… that reminds me. You will assist me in the Chemist shop today. My sales boy is not around.”

She moved closer to his side. “Okay daddy, but, you will pay me.”

Her mother started to laugh. “All these children of nowadays.”

Oghenekaro eyed his youngest child. “Can you imagine?”

Rukevwe winked at him, “The bible says that ‘He that does not work, will not eat.”

“No problem,” he adjusted the pillow behind him. “Then you must also be ready to pay me for taking care of you all these years.”

“Ah-ahn, daddy.”

He grinned from ear to ear, “Tit for tat.”

She hissed and folded her arms across her chest.

He threw a pillow at her, “Go and take your bath and get ready.”

“Ah-han… it is too early,” her gaze drifted to the wall clock.

He followed her gaze, “It is past seven already.”

“Does your sales boy come this early?” she eyed him.

“Why the JAMB question?” he threw another pillow at her.

“Daddy be calming down. I will be there with you in your shop today,” she drew the pillows to her side.

“You better be,” he collected his wife’s pillow.

The dream she had flashed through her mind’s eye. “Have you tried calling Ejiro lately?”

“I spoke with her two, three days ago,” her mother looked back at her.

She turned away and began to bite her fingernails. “I think you should try again.”

“Why?” Itoro collected her pillow back from her husband.

“What is the problem?” His concerned gaze remained on her face. He could sense that something was up.

She lifted her head and met her father’s stare. “I think… I don’t know, but she is not picking her calls.”

Itoro turned to look at her husband, then back at her daughter, “Ehn… maybe she is busy,” she scratched a spot on her elbow.

Rukevwe gave a shake of head. “I doubt that. Her husband picked her calls this morning.”

Oghenekaro’s firm stare remained on the girl’s averted face, “What did he say?”

“It is either she is in the bathroom or in the toilet.”

Her parents shared a worried glance.

Oghenekaro reached out for his phone and dialed Ejiro’s number. It rang and rang and rang. “She is not picking the call,” he looked at Rukevwe.

“Ah-han…” Itoro’s brows came together in a frown.

She got down from the bed. “Let’s go and see her.”

Her parents gawked at her. They watched the way several emotions were depicted on her face, from worry to fear and back to worry.

“Why should we go all the way?” Itoro tried not to think of the nasty images running past her mind. She was sure that her eldest daughter was fine.

“Rukevwe, what are you not telling us?” he narrowed his gaze.

She bit at her lower lip.

“Rukevwe, what is it?!” Itoro’s heart began to beat hard against her chest.

“I… I dreamt that… that she was running, and someone was chasing her and she was bleeding…”

“Ah!” Itoro placed her hands on her head.

Oghenekaro swallowed hard. He wasn’t a fan of his daughter’s nightmares. But, the fact that they always manifest, made chills to run down his spine.

“Then, I saw her husband. He came after her and hit her head with a pestle.”

“God forbid!” Her mother held her chest with both hands.

“And… and, I think she… she died,” Rukewve whispered.

Silence filled the room.

Her father jumped down from the bed. “Both of you get dressed. We are going to Surulere,” Gone were the days when he used to doubt his daughter’s dreams and visions, especially when it came to life and death issues.

“Oya, oya, Rukevwe, hurry up,” her mother climbed down from the bed.

She sighed with relief and dashed out of the room. She hoped her sister was all right. She didn’t like the dream she had one bit.


****


The knocks on the door brought him out of the bedroom. He walked over to the window closest to the front door and peeped. Chukwuemeka groaned when he saw his in-laws. He dropped the curtains and walked to the door.

“Good morning sir, good morning ma,” he unlocked the door.

“Morning,” Oghenekaro regarded him. The younger man was still in his pajamas.

“Morning,” Itoro tried to look past the door. She was eager to see her child.

“Rukky, how now?” his gaze drifted to his wife’s younger sister.

“Fine, morning,” she faked a smile.

He stepped back and allowed them into the sitting-room. They walked in and sat on the leather chairs.

“Where is your wife? Is she still sleeping?” Oghenekaro drilled the younger man with a hard stare.

“Erm… no… she… she left this morning,” he sat down and got up, “She… she had… erm… an emergency.”

They all stared at him in disbelief.

“What sort of emergency?” His father in-law asked.

He avoided the older man’s gaze. “Well, a friend of hers called last night. She decided to leave early this morning. She should have gotten to Ikorodu by now,” Chukwuemeka glanced at the wall clock.

“Ikorodu?” His mother in-law frowned.

“I see,” Oghenekaro leaned against the chair.

“Which of her friends?”

He met Rukevwe’s unconvinced gaze. “I… I don’t know. I don’t know all her friends.”

She eyed him. Everything he was saying didn’t add up. She could tell that he was lying and probably hiding something.

“But why isn’t she picking her calls?” Itoro was still worried.

He shrugged, “I don’t know ma. I have tried calling her myself.”

“Okay,” Oghenekaro got up. He was relieved that nothing bad had happened to his daughter, “Please tell her we came to pay her a surprise visit.”

“Okay sir,” he smiled, relieved that they were leaving.

Itoro got up reluctantly. She wished her daughter was home. She wanted to see her before they left. “Please tell her to call.”

“I will ma,” Chukwuemeka breathed out loudly.

Oghenekaro headed for the door.

Rukevwe folded her arms and eyed her sister’s husband. She didn’t believe a word he said. Her mother pinched her on the shoulder and signaled to her. She got up sluggishly and followed her parents out of the house.

“Please take this for the taxi fare. I would have dropped you off, but, I am heading to my business place in the next few minutes,” Chukwuemeka brought out wads of naira notes from his pocket gave it to Oghenekaro.

Her father counted the money with his eyes. He was sure that it was about twenty thousand naira. “Thank you,” he placed his hand around his wife and they walked towards the gate.

“You are welcome sir,” Chukwuemeka returned to his apartment.

Rukevwe fell into steps with her parents, “He is lying.”

“Maybe they had a quarrel or something, and she left home to unwind with her friends, do you expect him to share the details?” her mother unveiled her thoughts.

Rukevwe wasn’t sure if they had a quarrel or not, but she couldn’t shake the feeling that her sister was in the house.

“Or maybe he was simply telling the truth,” he hailed a cab the moment they were out of his daughter’s compound.

The driver stopped by the road side. Itoro and the man haggled over the price till they reached an agreement.

“I tried to warn Ejiro about the miscarriage, but, she avoided me,” Rukevwe got into the backseat of the vehicle with her parents.

“What?!” Itoro placed her hands on her head.

Oghenekaro glared at her, “Why didn’t you say something?”

She murmured to herself and looked out of the window.

“You should have told us. What kind of wahala is this now?” Itoro hissed as her heart beat accelerated.

“I will try to call her again by noon, if she doesn’t pick her calls, we will take it from there. I will get to the root of whatever is going on, today,” Oghenekaro eyed Rukevwe. He wished the girl would stop keeping vital information to herself.

The girl remained quiet.

****


Ochuko walked into his brother’s office. He took a seat by the large desk and leaned against it. “Rukevwe called me. She said no one has been able to get through to Ejiro since last night.”

Eru nodded. “Yes, yes,” his gaze was fixed on the monitor, “Dad called me too. Ejiro is a big girl. She can take care of herself,” he scanned through the files on his table, then stared at the computer screen again.

“Rukevwe said she had a dream last night.”

His dark eyes flew to his brother’s worried ones.

“She believe that Chukwuemeka is trying to kill his wife.”

Eru frowned, “That is absurd!”

“Exactly,” Ochuko breathed out loudly. “But, you and I know how these dreams of hers find their way into reality.”

He looked away and drummed his fingers on the wooden table.

“I tried calling Ejiro several times today, but the line just rings out.”

Eru nodded his head and glanced back at him. “I tried too.”

Ochuko’s heart missed a beat. “Should we go to Surulere, or go to our parent’s place first?”

Eru pondered for a while. He clasped his fingers and closed his eyes.

Ochuko raised an eyebrow, “Bros…”

“Let me think, let me think,” Eru’s eyes remained shut.

Ochuko kept quiet and watched his brother. His attitude wasn’t helping matters at all.

Hello everyone. Hope your week has been good.
Updates resume this week **winks*

Adeola25:
This is getting really bad, Chukwuemeka is truly a chameleon. I pray nothing happens to Ejiro. Thanks for the update ma'am

You're welcome

Kaycee9242:
Nice one op

**thumbs up*

Ann2012:
I pray nothing happens to Ejiro Thanks for the update ma’am

**winks*

YoungBruzzy:
Thanks for this update OP.. That Ckukwuemeka is a beast, imagine what that fool has done to himself.. Ejiro better brace up, a strong wind is blowing around her marriage oo...
its been a while OP, hope everything issokay..

**hugs*

Am good jare. Just phone issues. Planning to get a new one

CHAPTER 14

Ejiro broke down crying when she saw her siblings. They sat by her bed side and consoled her. it felt so good seeing familiar faces, aside her husband’s. Long story short, she doesn’t recognize him anymore. It was as if she was now living with a perfect stranger.

“Where is your husband?” Eru looked about the room.

“He is with the Gynecologist,” she met her brother’s angry stare.

He got to his feet and strode out of the room.

Ejiro closed her eyes, but each time she tried to stop crying, her blood-stained cloth flashed through her mind’s eye, reminding her of what she lost.
Rukevwe reached out for her sister’s hand, “It is going to be all right. God is not asleep. He will surely give you another child.”

She nodded and dabbed her wet face with a handkerchief. Her husband had been apologetic since they got to the hospital. He was equally devastated about the loss of the pregnancy. He made her promise not to tell anyone what transpired between them. He didn’t want to be held responsible for the death of his unborn child.

She looked up at the white ceiling and breathed out loudly. If only she had known how angry he could get, maybe she would have been cautious before saying “I do.” Maybe she would have broken up with him. If only wishes were horses.

Eru walked down the hallway, not too sure of where he was going. He started to wave the second he sighted Chukwemeka stepping out of a room or was it an office? His brother in-law saw him and waved back.

“When did you get here?” he approached the younger man.

“A few minutes ago,” Eru looked him up and down.

“How was the introduction?” Chukwuemeka feigned a smile.

He placed both hands on his hips. “What happened to my sister?”

His hazel eyes darted sideways. “Erm…erm…it was an accident.”

Eru’s annoyance multiplied. “For God’s sake, where were you? Don’t you know that women in her condition need extra care? You need to watch them all the time.”

“I know, I know,” he shifted on both feet. He didn’t appreciate being scolded by someone younger than he was.

Eru eyed him. “I am highly disappointed. What if there had been complications? Ehn?”

He sighed heavily and dropped his gaze. There was no use defending himself. He was responsible for everything that happened.

The younger man turned away. “What will my parents say? Kia! Losing their first grandchild, just like that,” he turned back to his in-law. “This is pathetic.”

“Truly, it is. You don’t know what is going through my head now. I…I always told her to be careful.”

“This is not about telling her!” his voice rose a bit. “It is your duty to protect her, always.”

He nodded and mumbled under his breath. His irritation was growing.

“I need to call my dad,” Eru walked past him.

Chukwuemeka made a long hiss. If roles were reversed, he would have put his brother-in-law in his place. He hissed again and headed to his wife’s private room.

“Brother Chuks…” she smiled the second she saw him. It had been a long while since she set her eyes on him.

He tried to smile back at her, but it barely reflected in his anger-laced eyes. “How now, Rukky?”

“I’m good,” she noticed his lack of enthusiasm.

He stood at the foot of the bed and met his wife’s sad stare. “I am sorry,” he mouthed.

She eyed him and turned her head. A million ‘I am sorrys’ wasn’t going to bring back her baby. Her very first child for that matter.

“Dad and mum are on their way,” Eru came in and stood by the doorway.

Ejiro sighed with relief. She hoped that her parents would be able to talk some sense into her husband’s thick skull. She wished she could tell them that it was her husband’s violence that resulted into the loss of the pregnancy, but she had already promised him that she wouldn’t. She wished there was other ways she could punish him, so that he would learn his lesson. She met her younger sister’s stare and tried to smile.

Rukevwe smiled back at her, then suddenly, she remembered the vision she had three days ago. She saw Ejiro in her own pool of blood, crying. Her eyes widened in shock.

Ejiro noticed her sister’s expression. “What?”

Rukevwe folded her arms across her chest and just stared at her.

She eyed her. She had a feeling that her sister wasn’t telling her something. “What now?”

Rukevwe leaned closer to the bed. “Three days ago, I asked you if you were okay,” she whispered, so that Chukwuemeka and Eru wouldn’t be able to hear what she was saying.

“Oh… that,” she turned on her side, but the pains that attacked her organs made her cry out. “I am going to need a lot of painkillers.”

“Sorry darling,” Chukwuemeka held the edge of the bed. He concluded that his wife would need a lot of assistance when they returned home, till she was back on her feet.

“Don’t worry, dad will soon be here,” Eru leaned against the wall and started to browse on his phone.

Rukevwe drew close to her sister. “I saw you in your own pool of blood.”

Her eyes widened in shock. “Why didn’t you tell me?”

The younger girl rolled her eyes. “You ignored me, remember?”

“You should have told me,” Ejiro eyed her. “What kind of a sister are you?”

She started to feel frustrated. “I tried to.”

“Abeg, you no try,” Ejiro hissed.

“You didn’t even pick my calls for two days straight.”

She sighed heavily. She wished she had picked the girl’s call. Maybe, just maybe she would have avoided her husband when he started throwing things at her.

Chukwuemeka eyed them. He was eager to know what they were talking about. He hoped his wife would keep the promise she made to him.

“What’s all the whispering about?”

Ejiro and Rukevwe glanced at Eru. “Nothing,” they both chorused.

He eyed them, “Like seriously?”

Ejiro laid back and adjusted her pillow. “You should have told me,” she eyed her sister and hissed again.

Rukevwe wanted to respond, but the sight of their parents made her keep mum. Oghenekaro and Itoro came into the room, looking tired and worried.

“Eeh! See my pikin,” Itoro rushed to the bed-side and sat down. “How are you feeling now? How did it happen? Did you fall? What where you doing? Where was your husband when it happened?” she shot an angry look at Chukwuemeka.

Oghenekaro stood beside his daughter’s husband, “Chukwuemeka, are you sure you are capable of taking care of my daughter?”

“Ye-yes sir,” he glanced at the older man, who kept staring at his daughter.

“I don’t think so.”

“I… I am trying sir.”

“That is not good enough, what is the meaning of this?” he glared at the younger man. “You allowed your first child to die just like that!”

Chukwuemeka swallowed spittle, “It… it was an accident.” He caught a glimpse of his wife. She was looking straight at him. He hoped she wouldn’t say a word.

“What accident?!” Itoro eyed him.

“This is the height of carelessness,” Oghenekaro placed both hands on his hips.

“I am sorry sir,” he stared at his feet.

“Your sorry doesn’t cut it. This is unacceptable,” Oghenekaro sized up the younger man up and down.

“We will be more careful sir.”

His father-in-law hissed and folded his arms across his chest. He was highly disappointed.

Ejiro watched her father and her husband. She felt a bit relieved. She hoped some sense was knocked into his head. His nasty behavior and sudden irritation at the slightest provocation was unacceptable. They were barely four months into the marriage. It had been different while they were dating. Was he pretending back then? Did he change? Or did he deceive her with his smooth talks and generousity?

“Ah! Chukwuemeka, you have not done me well at all. Look at my daughter,” she stared at him with wet eyes.

“I am sorry, ma,” he avoided meeting her sad gaze. He wished the ground would open and swallow him. He felt defenseless against his wife’s family.

“Ah! God! My grandchild. He or she is gone, just like that!”

“It is okay, mum. God will give them another child,” Eru moved closer to her.

Rukevwe’s eyes remained on her sister’s face. She had a feeling that Ejiro was hiding something. She wished she would open up to her. She wished she would talk to her. She glanced at her brother-in-law. He seemed a bit uptight. It was almost as if he didn’t want to be in the hospital. She looked back at her sister. Were they hiding something? What was going on between them? She decided to keep praying for them. She believed that there was nothing God could not do.

****

Rukevwe sat in the sitting room with her parents, enjoying a meal of start and banga soup. She had just completed her second semester examinations. The thought of starting her second year in the new session made her feel very happy. Soon, she would also be a graduate, like the rest of her siblings and friends.

“Dis soup mak sense die,” her father licked his fingers.

She beamed with satisfaction and caught a glimpse of her mother’s jealous stare.

“But, it is not as sweet as your mother’s own,” he added and swallowed another lump of starch.

Rukevwe rolled her eyes. She assumed he was trying to pacify his wife.

“Before nko,” Itoro started to laugh.

“Na una sabi,” she hissed and continued to eat her food.

Oghenekaro and his wife exchanged glances, then they burst out laughing.

“I was the one that prepared the food you ate at Eru and Ese’s wedding reception.”

Her parents stared at her in surprise.

“Everyone at the high table were impressed with the caterer, but, na me be di caterer.”

“Oh-oh-oh, that means, you were the one that also cooked for the high table guests at Ochuko and Tega’s reception?” her mother licked her fingers.

Rukevwe winked at her.

Oghenekaro began to shake his head. “Thank God it is not only dreams you sabi dream, you can also cook too.”

Itoro couldn’t help but laugh. She held her tummy and laughed till it began to hurt. “Oghenekaro has killed me ooooo, eeeeh!”

Rukevwe eyed her father.

“Is it not true? Josephine the dreamer,” he grinned at her and continued to eat.

“Rukevwe the dreamer, hahahaha,” Itoro patted her on the shoulder.

She hissed and moved away from the chair she shared with her mother.

“When are you bringing your own suitor? All your siblings are now legally married.”

She met her mother’s gaze. “What suitor?”

Itoro turned to her husband. He shrugged and continued to eat.

“I am not thinking of marriage until I am a graduate.”

Her mother made a long hiss. “That’s too far. Don’t you have married classmates or course mates?”

Rukevwe shrugged. “Everybody should bear their father’s name.”

Oghenekaro began to lick his plate of soup. “It will be nice if you bring someone home, even if you are not getting married yet.”

“Exactly my point,” Itoro added quickly.

She looked from one parent to the other. “If dem send you two, please tell them that I am not at home,” she packed her empty bowls and got up.

“Rukevwe…”

“Mama,” she responded and walked out.

“This girl…”

“Leave her. Na dream she wan dey dream,” he gulped down his glass of juice.

“Winch kain talk bi dat one now?” she eyed her husband.

“Josephine the dreamer, Rukevwe the dreamer, we don born pikin oooo, eeeh,” he leaned against the chair and started to sing.

“Eh bi lik say di banga wey dis girl cook don tan ya head,” she made a long hiss.

Rukevwe dumped her bowls in the kitchen and went to her room. She sat by the window and watched a group of women at the gate of the house. She suspected that they were talking about somebody.

“Gossipers for life,” she hissed and moved to the bed.

She hoped her parents would leave the sitting room soon. She had a couple of television programs she wanted to watch. She placed her pillows behind her and leaned against the wall. She reached out for her smart phone and began to scroll from one web to the other. Soon, she dozed off.

Rukevwe found herself in an empty room. The large space was bright and the source of light was invincible. She looked around, then began to hear footsteps. Someone was running and breathing heavily. Who was it? Her eyes darted left, then right, till it settled on a lady who had similar features with her sister!

“Ejiro!” she called out to the lady.

The lady kept running. It seemed like she didn’t hear her. Why was she running? What was wrong. Her heart missed a beat when she saw the bruises all over her. She was bleeding too!

“Ejiro!” she called out to her again.

The lady started to shout. Rukevwe turned around and saw Chukwuemeka. He was holding a pestle. The lady kept shouting. She slipped and fell on her buttocks. Chukwuemeka came after her and hit her on the head with a pestle.

“Ejiro!” Rukevwe screamed and placed her hands on her head.

Chukwuemeka kept hitting the lady, until her brains were all over the ground.

“Ejiro!!!” Rukevwe woke up screaming.

Her heart was racing wildly and she felt drenched in her own sweat.

“Jesus, Jesus, please,” she sat up quickly and looked around the dark room. Where was her phone?

She pushed her weight off the bed and staggered to the light switch. Once the room was illuminated, she searched for her phone and found it under the bed. She sat on the tiled floor and dialed her sister’s number. The phone line rang and rang and rang. No response.

Fear gripped her. She hoped Ejiro was all right. The dream she had was a very bad one. What was God trying to tell her? Was Chukwuemeka trying to kill his wife? Was he responsible for the death of his unborn child? What kind of a man did her sister marry?

Several thoughts crossed her mind. Should she wake her parents? She didn’t want to alarm them. Who should she call? Her brothers were on their honeymoon. She didn’t want to disturb them either. She tried calling Ejiro’s phone line again. But it rang out.

“Jesus have mercy. Please save my sister,” she lay on her tummy and began to pray.

Adeola25:
Thanks for the update

You're welcome

Missmossy:
So much to learn from this story well done SheWrites keep up the good work.

*hugs*

SPDAZZY:
Sorry about that. Good to hear from you

Babes thanks.

aprilwise:
Love at first sight is dangerous. Thanks for the update

*winks*

CHAPTER 13

Eru and his family and friends arrived at Ese’s home in Ketu bearing gifts. Ese’s parents welcomed them and the introduction ceremony commenced immediately. In less than forty-five minutes, the wedding list was given to the Etadafes. Once the dates for the traditional and court wedding were finalized, food and drinks were served.
Ejiro carried her plate of food and drink and went outside. She sat under the canopy with some of the guest. She ate the food quickly and gulped down the can of malt. She felt a little bit satisfied, knowing fully well that she would soon start to feel hungry again. Sometimes she wondered if she had more than one baby growing in her womb. She saw Rukevwe when she came out of the house. She had with her a plate of jollof rice and two cans of malt.

“Who gave you two cans of malt?” Ejiro eyed the drinks in her sister’s hand.

“Just forget it. I am not giving you one,” she sat beside her sister under the canopy.

Ejiro hissed, “Who is asking you for one?”

Rukevwe made a longer hiss. “The request is written all over your face.”

Her elder sister eyed her again and snatched one of the cans of malt from her hand.

“Haba!” Rukevwe tried to retrieve her drink, but her sister slapped her hand off the can.

“That’s your punishment for making an assumption,” Ejiro opened the drink and took a sip. “Hmmm… this is so chilled.”

Rukevwe gave a shake of head and opened the second can. “In three days’, we are going to Tega’s parents’ place.”

“I will be there, or else, Ochuko will hold it against me.”

She started to laugh, then her vision became blurry. Ese’s compound faded before her very eyes, replaced by another house. In the space of ten seconds, she saw her sister lying in her own pool of blood, crying hysterically. Rukevwe gasped and blinked several times. The images cleared and the blur disappeared. She turned her head to look at her sister.

“What?” Ejiro met her direct and intense stare.

“Are you okay?” her heart kept pounding against her chest.

Ejiro looked her up and down. “Do I look sick to you or am I incapacitated?”
Rukevwe shook her head. “No, but…”

“I am fine,” she took another sip. “I am pregnant, that’s all. Three more months to go and the baby will be here.”

She breathed out loudly. “I hear you, but seriously, is everything okay on the home-front and everywhere else?”

Her last argument with her husband flashed through her mind. Her brows came together in a frown. “Rukevwe, I am fine,” she downed her malt and crushed the can.

“The baby and you?” she was unwilling to give up. The pool of blood stayed glued on her mind.

“Perfect,” Ejiro said through gritted teeth. Her sister’s question was beginning to irritate her.

She watched her sister closely. She could sense that she wasn’t being completely honest. “Marital affairs?”

She forced a smile and turned away. “Intimate.”

Rukevwe raised an eyebrow, “Really?”

“Yes, really,” she threw her a glare. “Go and marry if you want to know the intricate details.”

Rukevwe observed her sister. She could tell that she was in no mood to talk. In the past, Ejiro was always willing to talk about her sweet relationship with her husband and she could go on for hours, non-stop.

She held the table with both hands and lifted her weight. “I am going inside to dance with the couple.”

“Ejiro wait…”

“Rukevwe, please leave me. I am in no mood for your shenanigans today,” she started to walk away.

Rukevwe opened her mouth and closed it. She wanted to tell her about what she just saw. She watched her saunter into the house, rubbing her tummy and mumbling. She pushed the plate of food away. She had just lost appetite because of what she saw. She was worried about her sister. The pool of blood flashed through her mind’s eye again and her heartbeat accelerated.

What was going on with her sister? Was she well? What about the baby? Is he or she healthy? Hope Ejiro and her husband were not fighting? She had no idea what the pool of blood meant, but she knew that all was not well. She decided to start praying for her sister and hope that she would be willing to open up sometime soon.

****

Ejiro sat by her dressing mirror, tying the gele on her head. She glanced at the wall clock again. It was past twelve. Ochuko and Tega’s introduction ceremony must have started. She looked towards the bedroom door. Where was her husband? She hoped he was ready. They were late already.

Chukwuemeka flung the door open and marched into the bedroom. He sat on the bed and began to pull off his shoes.

Ejiro watched him in astonishment, “What are you doing?”

“I am not going anywhere again. You can find your way,” he laid on the bed and closed his eyes.

She opened her mouth, closed it and frowned. She threw the gele down and approached him. “Why are you behaving like this now? You agreed to take me there, even if you don’t want to stay, just drop me off.”

“I said I am not going again,” he sat up and glared at her. “Don’t I have the right to change my mind?”

Ejiro shook her head. “No, no, no. This is not about rights,” she waved a finger at him. “It is my brother’s introduction ceremony…”

“And so what?” his red eyes looked her up and down.

She waved a finger in his direction. “Chukwuemeka, Chukwuemeka, why are you talking like this? What is all this for heaven’s sake?”

He crossed his legs. “Ochuko can be Bill Clinton or Idi Amin for all that I care. I am not leaving this house today.”

She stood in front of him. “This is wrong. It is not fair. How do you want me to get there? And in my condition for that matter?”

He glowered at her. “Are your legs broken? Can’t you walk? Don’t you have hands?”

“Ah! God,” she looked heavenwards. “What kind of wahala is this?” her sad eyes fell on him, “We agreed on something, now… now you are backing out,” tears gathered in her eyes.

He clapped his hands and hissed. “Your mates are out there selling pepper in the hot scorching sun, and you are here complaining. Stupid idiot.”

She felt exasperated, just standing there in front of him. “Oh-ooh. Is that why you married me? Do you prefer that I suffer? Is that what turns your evil mind on? Ehn? The Devil’s Advocate?”

Chukwuemeka reached out for his leather shoes and threw it at her, one after the other.

She tried to run, but one of the shoes struck her on the chest and the other on the tummy. “Yeh! Yeh!” She knelt down and held her tummy.

“Lazy bones, fool, useless brat!” he spat at her, unmoved by her pains.

“My God will punish you,” she lifted her tears stained face. “You want to kill me. You want to kill our baby. You will not succeed. Ah! God will punish you in hundred-fold.”

“If God punishes me, you will also partake of the punishment,” he carried all the pillows on the bed and flung them at her.

The weight of the pillows made her fall on her buttocks. “Aaaaah!”

“Useless human being,” he spat on her head.

“If I knew that this was the kind of person you were, I wouldn’t have married you,” she started to cry. “You are very wicked, it will not end well with you and the rest of your generation,” she sobbed.

“Are you talking to me?” he beat his chest.

“Who else is in this room?” she tried to get up, then her eyes caught the sight of blood on the French lace skirt. Her heart beat accelerated. She got on her knees and checked herself. “Jesus!” she placed a hand on her head when she discovered that she was bleeding.

Chukwuemeka froze when he saw his wife on her knees, in her own pool of blood.

“Jesus!” Her shriek echoed through the walls.

****

Ochuko and his wife moved their bodies in flow with the rhythm of the music played by the hired DJ. They were both happy that the major part of the ceremony was over. Their families and the guests were eating, while some were with them on the dancing floor.

“The list your family gave me, it is enough to buy a hundred cows,” Ochuko teased his fiancée.

Tega started to laugh. “They know that you are very capable,” she winked at him.

Oghenekaro and Itoro moved closer to the couple. As they danced, they pasted naira notes on their foreheads.

Rukevwe stood by and watched the happy couple. It was hard coming to terms with the fact that her brothers were going to get married weeks apart from each other. Her parents must be counting their blessings by now.

She felt the vibration of her phone in her hand. She checked the caller’s I.D. and frowned when she saw her sister’s name. Where was she? She had been trying to reach Ejiro since the ceremony begun. Did she miss her way? Was she lost?

It was a bit difficult to locate Tega’s parents’ place. She wouldn’t be surprised if Ejiro and her husband missed a turn or two. She moved away from the loud music and picked the call.

“Hello…”

“Hello, Rukevwe…”

“Where are you? Where is your husband? Both of you are very, very late.”

“I know. We know.”

She rolled her eyes. “Where are you? Did you miss your way? I can send someone to come…”

“Rukevwe, I am at the hospital…” her sister’s voice sounded cracked.

Her heart missed a beat. “Hospital? What hospital? What are you doing there?” the thought that they must have had an accident made her afraid. “What happened?!”

“I… I had a miscarriage,” she heard her sobbing.

“Holy Spirit! Jesus Christ! Oh my God!” the news that her sister lost her baby broke her heart.

“I am at the hospital at the end of my street.”

“Okay, okay, I am on my way,” she ended the call.

Tears gathered in her eyes. She cleaned her face quickly so that no one would see the tear drops.

“Oh God. What sort of problem is this?” She looked around and saw her eldest brother in the company of his fiancée and a few friends.

She approached him and led him away to a quiet corner.

“What is it?” he noticed her sad expression.

“Ejiro called me.”

Eru hissed. “Where is she? She and her husband are late.”

Rukevwe breathed out loudly. “They won’t be able to make it.”

“Why?” his brows came together in a frown. “Ochuko will have her head. Wherever she is, she better come.”

Her eyes darted left, then right. “She said she had a miscarriage.”

Eru dropped his jaw, unable to say a word. He placed both hands on his hips and directed his gaze at their parents. “We can’t tell them. Not yet, anyway.”

She followed his gaze and saw their parents dancing with Ochuko and Tega.

"Okay.”

“What hospital? Did she tell you?” Eru glanced back at her.

She nodded. “Yes, erm… it is the one at the end of her street.”

“Okay, okay. I know the place,” he looked towards the corner his fiancée was seated. “Just go, I will meet you at the gate.”

“Okay,” Rukevwe dropped her phone in her purse and headed for the gate.

Eru walked up to his fiancée and spoke in her ears. Her alarmed gaze met his worried ones.

“Stay with my parents, I will call you as soon as I am sure that she is fine.”

“Okay. Are you leaving with Rukevwe?” she looked towards the gate.

He followed her gaze. “Yes. Don’t say a word to Ochuko or my parents.”

She nodded her head. “Okay, okay.”

“Talk to you later.”

“Okay.”

He pecked her on the cheek and hurried towards the opened gate.

Ese frowned. She wanted to come along. She didn’t want to babysit his parents. What was she supposed to tell them when they start asking questions?

Opeade939:
@op, I hope you're fine? May God always be with you.

*hugs*
It's phone issues oooo

SPDAZZY:
Good afternoon Shewrites. This is quite unusual. I hope you are good.

Hi my phone crashed oooo.
I have been trying to repair it.
Thanks for asking *hugs*

Set Apart resumes this weekend by God's grace.
The story continues...

YoungBruzzy:
Now the beast is finally showing his true color, yuck
Ckukwuemeka behave nahh, a pregnant woman at that That's bad⛔
Thanks for the update SheWrites

You're welcome

PrudySara:
Ejiro, welcome to the reality : MARRIAGE Thanks for the update, SheWrites!

*winks*

Ann2012:
Thanks for the update ma’am

*hugs*

bimberry1307:
Hahahaha. Me wey dey fear her dreams. I just want justice for her.

Hehehehe... Rukevwe the dreamer

bimberry1307:
Haruna Adinoyi Yusuf

I know him by the name Adinoyi :-) Pls send my greetings o.

Adeola25:
Emeka don dey show him true colours. Thanks for the update ma'am

*winks*

Halyma:
It has been a while Rukky dreamt?

Abi...

bimberry1307:
I'm already sending a hug to the person (hubby) that recommended your books to me. He's actually someone you know.

Btw, thanks ma'am for this wonderful piece. Can't wait to see the end.

*hugs*

Send my greetings to your hubby.
Curious about his identity *winks*

Halyma:
Well done Mama!!!

Thank you *hugs*

Liposure:
I'm enjoying your work even tho i'm behind schedule.

Thanks. No wahala

izaray:
Interesting, thanks for the update ma'am

You're welcome

Kaycee9242:
Nice one Shewrites

*winks*

crossfm:
Welcome to the world of marriage Ejiro.

Ejiro the computer age lady,it's time to make us of all your technology to solve your marital problem.

You failed to look before you leaped.

Marriage is a serious business,and I ascribe to doing your background check before saying I do,just the way it was done in the olden days.

Thanks shewrites for the update.

*winks*

CHAPTER 12

Oghenekaro came into the flat and found Rukevwe seated on the floor in the sitting room, sobbing as if her whole life had ended. He stood at the doorway for a while, watching the girl, speculating on what the matter was. His heart missed a beat when the thought that she must have had another night or day vision crossed his mind.

“Rukevwe…” he hurried to her side. “What is it? Talk to me.”

She raised her head to meet her father’s worried countenance. “Ejiro…” she whimpered.

His eyes grew wide with fear. “What happened to your sister? Is she okay? Did God reveal something to you about her?”

She shook her head and dropped her gaze.

“Rukevwe talk to me.”

“Ejiro said… she said my… my private part has been rendered completely useless by those men.”

He opened his mouth and closed it. He couldn’t fathom what made his older daughter to speak in such a manner to her sister.

“She said what?!” his voice hit the roof.

Itoro walked in. “I don’t know what has come over the girl. She is acting as if she is possessed or something.”

He regarded his wife. “Is she back from Port Harcourt?”

She made herself comfortable on the chair closest to the television. “Yes. And since then, all hell has broken loose.”

His brows came together in a frown. “What’s going on?”

Itoro gave a shake of head. “Your daughter is pregnant and unremorseful about it.”

Oghenekaro could hardly believe his ears. He used to pride himself with the fact that his daughters and even his sons were disciplined. None of them had given him cause to worry or fear. He could beat his chest and vouch any day, anytime that his daughters were virgins, “She is what?!” the room vibrated.

“She is pregnant, my husband.”

A sudden headache took over his head. It was as if his brain was splitting in two. “Ejiro! Ejiro! Ejiroghene!”

The twenty-four-year-old strode into the sitting room. “Who did I offend? Why did I come home? Who send me message sef? I should have just gone straight to Chukwuemeka’s place.”

Oghenekaro and Itoro shared a confused glance.

Ejiro continued talking to herself. “Am I the first lady to get pregnant out of wedlock? Ehn? Why are you people behaving like stone age men? The world has gone beyond your level of understanding. Both of you are no longer current. You don’t know what is happening,” she eyed her mother, then looked her father up and down.

Rukevwe stared at her sister like one who had lost her marbles.

He placed a hand on his chest. “Ejiro, you are calling me and your mother stone age men.”

The girl hissed and sat on the settee. “Daddy, what else do you want me to say? Your wife has already pronounced judgement on myself and my fiancé. She has decided to play God, and I…”

“Shut your mouth!” he felt like giving her a sound beating.

Ejiro jerked at the tone of her father’s voice. The rage in his eyes terrified her, but she knew that he would never lay a finger on her. The man stopped beating her and her siblings when they all turned eighteen.

“Can you imagine?” he looked at his wife.

“She thinks she is all grown up. She thinks she can say or do whatever she likes. I am so, so sorry for her,” Itoro snarled at the girl.

“I don’t believe this…” Oghenekaro started to pace the room. “First and foremost, you must apologize to your younger sister.”

Ejiro turned to look at her sister. The girl seemed unhappy and distraught. She bit at her lower lip. She knew that she was the cause of her sister’s wounded state.

“Number two, we are going to sort this… this your unwarranted issue out as a family,” he directed his gaze at his wife. “Please call Ochuko. I will call Eru.”

Itoro got up and left the room.

“I said you should apologize to your sister!” his red eyes met her reluctant ones.

Ejiro cleared her throat. “I… I am sorry. I didn’t mean to... to, you know?”

Rukevwe raised an eyebrow. “I don’t believe you.”
She opened her mouth, then turned to her father.

Oghenekaro folded his arms across his chest. “Convince her.”

She adjusted her sitting position. How was she supposed to persuade the girl and assure her that she didn’t mean what she said? She had no intention of reminding her of her ugly past or reopening the scars of her wounds.

****

Eru walked into the large office. He adjusted the hand of the knapsack on his shoulder and waved a greeting at the people in the room. He located his brother’s desk and settled down on the spare seat opposite the table.

“Hey…”

“What’s up?”

“Are you ready to leave?”

Ochuko shook his head. “Almost through. My oga gave me something to do at the last minute."

“Oh…” he eyed the pile of folders on his brother’s desk. “Did dad call you?” He crossed his legs.

Ochuko gave a shake of head, “No, but mum did. She said something about Ejiro disgracing the family and et cetera,” his eyes remained on the monitor.

Eru nodded in affirmation. “Dad said she is pregnant.”

He lifted his eyes to meet his brother’s tired gaze. “Seriously?”

“Yep.”

“That girl…” he hissed.

Eru leaned against the leather chair. “Can you blame her? Didn’t you see the way Chukwuemeka was looking at her during the introduction ceremony?”

His brother started to laugh. “Yeah, I saw him too. He was staring at her like a lion dissecting its prey with visual teeth.”

Eru burst into laughter.

Ochuko’s brows creased in a frown. “Mum is mad.”

“So is dad. But, what is done is done. We cannot turn back the hands of time.”

“Hmmm…” he dropped his head and continued typing. “Are you going there now?”

“Yes. I guess I have to wait for you, shey?”

“Yep. But I doubt if there will be food in that house today.”

Eru smiled. “We will eat something somewhere before going to settle the war, the fight and the indaboski.”

Ochuko couldn’t help but roar with laughter.

****

Ejiro and Chukwuemeka were ushered into the vehicle after they had taken pictures with their family and friends outside the court house, alongside their best man and chief bride’s maid. They arrived at the reception hall in less than twenty minutes.

“I will let the MC know that we have arrived,” the best man, Andy, came out of the vehicle.

“Thanks man, get us some drinks on your way back,” Chukwuemeka called after his friend.

“Sure,” Andy responded and left.

“I will go and get us some food. It is advisable to eat now before all the dancing starts,” Rukevwe climbed out of the car.

“You are right. I once heard of a couple who didn’t taste a spoon out of all the delicacies their caterer made. They left their own reception on empty stomachs,” Chukwuemeka added.

“God forbid!” Ejiro hissed. “I want pounded yam and melon soup with catfish,” she instructed her sister.

“Roger that,” she winked at her and cat-walked away.

Chukwuemeka pulled his wife into his arms. “I can’t wait for us to get to the hotel,” he whispered in her ears.

Ejiro giggled. “Me too.”

“Hope you are ready for some pounding tonight."

Ejiro started to laugh. She was happy that her traditional and court wedding went well as planned. Although they had to scrap the church wedding because her pregnancy was beginning to show. And the pastor that was supposed to officiate the ceremony told them that it was against the church’s rule to wed couples who were already expecting a baby. She found the policy harsh.

“I am more than ready, my love,” her gaze bored into his.

His eyes began to twinkle, “Or should we abandon the wedding guest and flee to the hotel?”

She started to laugh again.

“What’s funny? I am sure you have been dreaming of our wedding night for days and weeks now,” he started to tickle her.

“Emeka stop it!” her screams rented the air.

The best man returned with bottles of wine and glasses. “The wine is chilled, man,” he stood by the window.

“Great…” Chukwuemeka adjusted his tie.

Rukevwe came back bearing a large tray of food. “We need to eat fast. The MC said he will call us in the next ten minutes.”

Ejiro hissed. “They will wait until I am done eating.”

“Exactly, he doesn’t know that she is eating for two, or three sef,” her husband added.

Rukevwe and Andy exchanged glances and they began to laugh.

Hours later, Chukwuemeka and Ejiro left the reception hall and were driven to their honeymoon suite at Sheraton hotel.

****

Rukevwe stood beside the vehicle that was supposed to take them home. Her parents were already seated, but the driver couldn’t leave because they were waiting for Eru and Ochuko. The boys were at the junction, trying to secure a cab that would take their girlfriends home.

“Rukevwe, please go and look for your brothers,” Itoro looked out of the window of the car.

She grumbled and stood where she was. She was in no shape to start walking around and searching for two grown men. Telling her mother that might spark an argument.

“Why are we even waiting for them? Can’t they find their own way home?” Oghenekaro hissed.

“They said it is too late to get to their own apartment. They are coming home with us,” Rukevwe pulled off her high heeled shoes. She was happy that she brought along a pair of slippers.

Her father hissed again. “Maybe you should go and look for them. I can’t sit here and wait.”

Rukevwe looked towards the junction and saw her brothers approaching the gate of the reception hall. She heaved a sigh of relief. “They are here.”

“Thank God,” Itoro leaned against the car seat. She closed her eyes and started to doze off.

Oghenekaro hissed again. He was extremely worn out. All he wanted to do was to shower and sleep.

Rukevwe and her family arrived home an hour and half before midnight that day. She went straight to her room, her parents retired to theirs and her brothers went to the guest room.

“I am so happy it’s all over now,” Ochuko pulled off his jacket.

“Same here. This year, I will be clocking twenty-eight,” Eru lay on the bed. “It will make perfect sense to get married now.”

Ochuko eyed him. “Are you sure you are ready to be tied to one woman for the rest of your life?”

“Yes, I am. I love Ese and she is the one for me."

Ochuko was silent for a while. “This means that there might be another wedding in the family this year,” he winked at his brother.

Eru started to laugh. “You got that right.”

He lay beside his brother. “Tega isn’t bad either. Aside a few of her shenanigans, she is a good woman.”

Eru turned to look at his younger brother. “So, are you also willing to tie the knot this year?”

“I am thinking about it?” he closed his eyes.

Eru placed a pillow under his head. He wondered how their parents would feel if they told them that they might be getting married simultaneously that same year.

****

Six months pregnant Ejiro stirred the soup in the pot and covered it. She slow-walked out of the kitchen and strolled into the master bedroom. She sat on the bed, arranged some pillows and lay on her back.

Chukwuemeka walked into the room fuming. “How long does it take you to cook? I came back from work two hours ago, yet, no food,” he glared at her.

She looked up at him and smiled. Her husband actually returned home from work about forty-five minutes ago, but there was no need to correct him. “Please, please be patient.”

“Patient? For how long?” his angry eyes bored into her calm ones.

She dropped her gaze and kept quiet.

“Didn’t your common sense tell you to make sure that your husband’s food is ready before he returns from work?”

She sighed and raised her head to meet his glower. “Honey…”

“Don’t honey me!” he looked her up and down.

“Dear, you know I went to the clinic today.”

“So?” his face hardened. “Are you the only one going for Ante-natal brouhaha?”

“They didn’t release us till around two, then I went to the market. And by the time I started cooking, it was like five or so.”

“I don’t care!” He thundered.

She trembled at the sound of his voice. It was the first time she was seeing him that angry.

“I am hungry. I want my food now!” He walked up to her and dragged her down.

“Chukwuemeka!” her heart missed a beat. “Take it easy now,” she steadied herself and frowned at him.

“Get me my food!” he stood toe to toe with her.

She backed away. She didn’t know what possessed her husband that evening. It wasn’t the first time his dinner had been delayed. “The soup is not yet ready. Please be patient.”

“Go and bring me my food,” he gave her a push towards the door.

She lost her balance, staggered and almost fell flat on her tummy. “Emeka!” Her heart beat quickened. She held her round stomach and looked up at him. “What is wrong with you? What if I had fallen?” Her throat tightened and tears gathered in her eyes.

“I will not repeat myself,” he pointed a finger at her. “Go and get my food.”

“Am I the fire? Do I look like the gas cooker to you?” she eyed him. She was hurt because he wasn’t even remorseful. “Abeg, abeg, abeg…”
She tried to seat at the edge of the bed, but he pulled her by the hand and pushed her towards the door again. This time around, she fell on her buttocks and shrieked in pain.

“Get up! Lazy bones! Get up!”

“You are crazy! Do you want to kill me? Do you want to kill the baby?!” She looked him in the eye with tears streaming down hers.

He pulled her by the hand again. “Get up!”

“Leave me alone!” When she couldn’t free her hand from his grip, she bit into his flesh.

He yelled in pain and hit her across the face with the other hand. Then yanked his bitten hand free from her sharp teeth.

“Witch! Look at my hand! She wants to suck my blood!” he stared at the teeth marks. Blood flowed freely from the bruise.

She held her hurting face and began to sob. It was the first he was hitting her. She had no idea that the man she married was capable of such atrocity.

“It is my blood you want to go and donate to your coven, right? You will not succeed. You hear me? It will not work,” he picked his car keys from the bedside table and marched out of the bedroom.

Her sobs got louder. She checked her tummy and other parts of the body, hoping that she didn’t hurt herself when she fell. Her mind travelled to her dating period. Chukwuemeka didn’t show such crazy tendencies while he courted her. What was going on? It’s been barely eight weeks since they got married. Did he change? Or was she overwhelmed with his love and gifts and missed one or two warning signals?