Bruised
"Onyedikachi I am your mother! Would you just listen to me! Come back here!"
Onyedikachi's quick gait didn't falter as he made his way to the living room where he quickly grabbed his car keys. He headed into his room and picked up his black travel box where few of his clothes were neatly folded .
He could hear his mother's grouchy tone as she approached but the blood pounding in his head wouldn't let his decision waver.
"Onyi biko nodu zie ana ,so we can talk " Chidiogo pleaded as her son knotted his shoe laces,his box beside him. It was interesting how she quickly switched from demanding his attention to begging for it. It was a trick his mother was too good at. It would have worked on him if the transgression wasn't too heavy
"Onyedikachi you just got home...nna can't we just talk about this? Why are you taking their side!" The rise in Chidiogo's voice only seemed to cause Onyedikachi's to heart boil.
"Taking there side! Taking whose side!
That boy almost died in the hospital for goodness sake and that's all you can say eh! Your words are ridiculous! and you know it mother
That I am taking sides inukwa !Chijioke was stabbed and left to die! "
"Onyedikachi I never intended for that to happen! Don't make me the villain here I was trying to protect your brother! "
Onyedikachi let out a bitter laugh and shook his head in utter disbelief still trying to comprehend all that he had heard .
"You know for years I have done my part trying to please you . I lied against Mma ,made her look like a thief all because I was certain taking her side would hurt you"
" I did not leave that boy to die if that's why you're saying these words to me , I sought for help and I did get. How am I to blame? Wouldn't you have done the same for your brother? "
"We've tormented those children for the sins of their father for years ,called their family murderers . And while we cursed them we have also forgotten that what happened on that day took two people out of their lives as well . And yes we were all supposed to hate each other because of the pain and uncertainty but it will not be so . Mother we are not the only victims !
I am utterly disappointed in you truly, for the pain you caused Chijioke . Call it taking their side ,I don't care but I will not come back to this house until you've fixed this .I don't care how you intend do it .
You were not protecting Arinze by hiring a thug no! That's what you tell yourself to assuage your conscience of the gnawing guilt!
You did this because you are full of hate."
Chidiogo,truculently managed to mutter her son's name as tears welled in her eyes.
"This is just too convenient for you isn't it? Discovering this after your silly marriage proposal"
" I don't recognize you any more . I do not want to believe that you are this cold hearted and that is all you care about right now . Do you even feel any remorse at all for what you've done or is this an eye for an eye thing? .
Have you even considered the fact that Chijioke would have died?
It doesn't even matter ,I'll sleep at Arinze's and I am leaving for Enugu tomorrow. Father would be disappointed in you too, he wouldn't have wanted any of this "
A resounding slap landed on Onyedikachi's cheek and be turned to see tears pouring from his mother's eyes. He felt heartbroken as he saw those glossy eyes but he knew he had to call his mother to order. Chijioke had mentioned that his family members had a hand in his attack but he dismissed it only to find out his mother had hired a thug to threaten and scare Chijioke who ended up stabbing him . That much she had told him still he couldn't help but feel enraged .
". Don't you dare talk to me in that manner or even mention your father's name! It is because of him that I'm in this mess. "
Onyedikachi's face hardened as the cold recollection of everything his brother went through in the hands of his fellow business men came surging back to his mind. All that was because they thought he had attempted to kill Chijioke while his mother hid the truth from them . His cheek stung a bit from the hit but his anger suppressed the pain.
"What was I supposed to do eh? Fold my hands and watch him kill my son?"
"It wasnt a fight to the death mother ,Arinze and I have had one too many of those kinds of fights .There's really no excuse for this and don't bother calling mother "
Walking out of the house, he couldn't help but remember how he had once fought with Mma because she hinted it was his family member that hand a hand in Chijioke's attack.
Onyedikachi punched his steering wheel out of anger which let out a honk sound followed by a deep exhalation. He turned on his vehicle and navigated to Arinze's with hopes that the revelation his mother had plunged into his hands wouldn't also tear his brother. After all he was the the one who had been interrogated by the police and was still on top of their suspect list.
On getting there, he saw his brother outside clearing weeds that had sprung up in front of their gate.
Quite baffled to see Onyedikachi, Arinze quickly discarded his tools and waited for his brother to approach.
"Ọ dị kwa mma? I won't say I wasn't expecting you here?" Arinze's instincts had whispered of a subtle danger after his brother's revelation and he wasn't much surprised when his brother mentioned his fight with their mother. A part of him knew his mother would never agree to such union.
" Is it because of ịga eri?"
Onyedikachi much acclaimed with the range of his brother's rage, thought it wise to keep the truth to himself which further convinced Arinze that it was indeed because of Obanma.
The two brothers conversed briefly owing to Arinze's attempt at changing the topic. He mentioned building a warehouse because of their family business and Onyedikachi speedily agreed.
Olivia broke the discourse with an invitation to eat and was quite stunned to see Onyedikachi in their home.
Onyedikachi's stay wasn't for long and he left for Enugu the next day. Ralph, the carefree had a long squabble with his father that led to Onyedikachi jumping to aid of the man. He was always the one sent on assignments Ralph tossed aside against his father's wish. Little wonder he was seen as a threat by the fool.
He had stalled on calling Obanma severally because he saw himself letting lose the truth he found out from his mother to Obanma's hearing which could draw no less than a painful tirade from her part.
Onyedikachi felt so stupid for not seeing how deeply rooted hate had sunk its tentacles into his mother.
He had spoken with Chijioke on his way who had insisted on meeting him for reasons he knew too much.
Onyedikachi could not deny the plague wrought on him by uncertainty even though he did not trust Chijioke enough.
What if his father was truly guilty?
It would destroy his mother who he knew held on to merely tethers of whom she thought her husband to be. It would ruin him, the thought of losing Obanma to what he could not battle, blood
Onyedikachi stepped out of his vehicle to the very hotel Chijioke had directed him to, more wary than he was when he began the journey.
He approached the receptionist for directions to the lounge where Chijioke was.
Chijioke was helping himself with a bottle of water while his soon to be in law, Olumide waited not too far from him.
Guilt struck harshly on Onyedikachi's conscience because he now knew the reason for Chijioke's ailment. The wound hadn't quite healed completely even though the mule still paraded around with it.
"Nnọọ" He voiced out as Onyedikachi sat down. Olumide nodded swiftly with a smile as Onyedikachi's eyes met his and he quickly reciprocated.
"He's not here to protect me, I can break you into pieces" Chijioke taunted with an annoying grin.
Onyedikachi found it amusing that he even had to explain.
"We'll be going to have a meeting with our ụmụnna today. Very soon Adaugo will be a Yoruba woman. We are almost done with the rights now" Chijioke continued amidst gulps of water.
"His people will be coming next week and everything will be concluded. What do they bring for you?" Chijioke enquired as the waiter approached their table
"Nothing.... I don't really have any appetite for anything."
"Then we'll simply get down to this issue at hand.
I have told you the major part of this rebellion I have concerning Obanma's relation with you.
Truth be told, it is much more complicated than I first thought it to be. The consequences I believe would only worsen the state of things and my mother's fragile health. I know you doubt all that I've said and I do understand but believe me when I say that you saving my mother's life puts me in your debt. "
" And your revelation is not because you want Obanma to marry the king? "
Onyedikachi noticed the subtle change in Chijioke's demeanor, before he wore back his mask of seriousness.
"Being a murderer's son doesn't have many advantages as you may know. My sister marrying the king will help the family name. "
"And you think marrying Mma off against her will ,will solve your troubles?"
"Against her wish? Very funny! I'm not the type to force marriage on someone and it's not as if the king is not good looking , responsible,young and wealthy . He has always been entranced by Obanma and I believe they are good friends from what I've heard. Time will merely put things in perspective for them. Our family needs a clean slate ...certain whispers and Ill treatment have gone on for far too long"
"You had it all planned out , didn't you?" Onyedikachi enquired in a brisk tone ,reigning in his frustration .
"I truly did ...But now it seems nature has simply placed us all in another direction" An annoying grin crept unto Chijioke's face like a spy on a mission.
"I love my sisters and I want the best for them .Which is why I won't stand idly by and let my reluctance ruin my sister's life. Ever since I read your father's notes ,I've been going nuts . Obanma could be my half sister! I need to know for sure that you're not related" Chijioke's face softened as he spoke revealing his very honesty about the situation.
"How do we go about this test ?" Onyedikachi finally asked , convinced by Chijioke's worry
"We'll be needing uncontaminated samples of their hair. You're to get Obanma's own and we'll get my father's own together, well that is if the man still has any to relinquish to us. The last time I saw my father, I could see that even a vulture had more strands of hair than he did. Anyways we'd have to fetch an item that bears his fingerprint"
"Why do I have to get your father's sample with you . I haven't seen the man in ages and trust me , I don't want to see the man who murdered my father . "
"Onyedikachi I wouldn't want you accusing me of fraud if the results are not favourable "
Onyedikachi saw reason with what Chijioke said and they quickly fixed a date for their task.
Olumide joined the two and invited Onyedikachi to his wedding. As Onyedikachi set out to leave , Chijioke's voice stopped him.
"Obanma is coming to see you tonight, try to keep it in. Keep your balls in your court and don't tell her yet . The knowledge might very well destroy my sister. She has really been through enough"
Onyedikachi found his caution annoying but still nodded ,then walked away while Chijioke's eyes followed him
"I like him" Olumide declared bringing Chijioke's attention back to him . Chijioke only managed a half smile then resumed with his water consumption. Slowly,even though he denied it within him, he was beginning to realize that Onyedikachi never really turned for the worse and that he did love his sister, unlike the cow dung he had for a brother
Onyedikachi arrived his hotel much later than he presumed to. His boss had specifically requested that he be the one to handle the issue of an accident that led to the death of an indegene during a road construction.
A young man who was accidentally crushed by a bulldozer while he rode across with his bike . The driver had barely escaped with his life as the villagers clamoured for his head. They had confiscated all their equipments and had even set one of the company car, a pick up truck ,ablaze in their fit of anger
Watching the man's mother wail and his father constantly shake his head reminded him of the scenario with his father's loss.
He tried his best to manage the issue and set an agreement with the villagers which involved compensating the family and taking charge of the burial arrangements. After his meeting with Chijioke he had deliberately stalled meeting with Mma but after seeing the remnants of the dead villagers body he couldn't help but rethink.
Would Mma be devastated if he died? Was it right to keep things from his fiancee?
What if everything turned out good and they discovered they have no blood ties?
Why was he ruining his chance to be with her?
Onyedikachi picked up his keys and set out for Nnamdi's home . The reception he got was better than he did the last time and Agatha had even let him hold her daughter while she went to fetch Mma.
The little girl's eyes were fixated on him and severally she smacked her little pink lips together. Onyedikachi couldn't help the smile that crept on to his face when he placed his finger into her little palm and she close her hand around it. It was a feeling that assuaged his troubled mind .
"I'm going to have a daughter with Mma someday and she's going to have me wrapped around her little finger"
The little girl coed in response to his speech and he ended up blushing .
"That's the perfect answer .it's good to know I have your blessings"
Ada found Onyedikachi's body not only comfy for resting but also for excretion as she urinated on his body . Onyedikachi quickly stood up as he noticed his trousers get wet by the second . He had no inkling about the lack of Pampers when he took the child from Agatha.
He shook his waist in the bid to rid himself of the liquid that had trickled down to his undergarment and ended sending the baby to sleep.
How convenient?
"Now they're going to think I wet my shorts ,take responsibility for your actions baby inugo"
A little chuckle drove his attention from the sleeping girl to Obanma who stood in the living room with a beautiful smile plastered on her face.
"Onyi it's a blessing" She managed to say as she took hold of the sleeping child and went away. She fetched a towel which she used in wiping his clothes then returned speedily .
Onyedikachi's first move was to wrap his hands around her in a warm hug. Her scent and the aura she exumed were the things he needed to feel peace.
"We need to talk " She began on a brisk note when they pulled apart ,leaving him saddened and quite truculent.
He had never considered how upset she would seeing that he had avoided her all day.
Onyedikachi nodded and made his way to the chair but she stopped him immediately.
"We're not having that conversation here,it'll be at your room"
"Mma your aunt might not be comfo..."
"We're going ,I've told her " Onyedikachi could sense the anger in her tone and he knew why it was there in the first place. He had done a good job of avoiding her calls and her texts .
The drive to the hotel was silent and even though it killed Onyedikachi,he didn't know the right thing to say .
He led her through the elevator to his room and couldn't help but remember their encounter in Owerri. Obanma must have remembered the same because he caught a glimpse of amusement written all over her face for a fleeting moment .
"I wanted you to break the bad news to me alone , so tell me what it is they've decided?"
Having no inkling about what she meant,he questioned her only to discover she had been asking of his meeting with his mom.
He explained how things went after he walked her to the bed to get seated . He hated that their conversation was awkward and sought to rekindle the camaraderie they had .
Onyedikachi grabbed her hand and placed a kiss on her palm ,then apologized for not speaking to her immediately. He had deliberately omitted the information he had
gotten from his mother.
Obanma seemed genuinely happy that Arinze agreed to the marriage but she feared they were still holding on to mere tethers of hope as Onyedikachi's only living parent hadn't given her blessings. That wasn't the only thing plaguing her mind .She noticed how distant Onyedikachi seemed even though he was in the room with aware. He usually made her so aware of him that her mind often fought to wander. His face seemed tired,his eyes weak but his voice fought to stay strong .
"Onyi ... Are we okay?" Obanma enquired as she moved closer to him.
Onyedikachi softly caressed her worry filled face to assuage her worry ,coupled with his reassuring words but she could feel it deep within her heart that he seemed to be hiding something.
"We can always talk about it if you want"
"Mma you don't seem to be as feisty as you used to be any more? I thought I would have left the room with a bandage with the way you sounded earlier"
"You're trying to change the topic"
"I'm not really, everything is fine .Why would you think there's a problem?"
" I just feel it,Onyi"
"Don't tell me Obinna is back with the weird feeling and all" Onyedikachi teased while Obanma managed a half smile
"Do you love me Onyi?"
Onyedikachi was taken aback by the question ,he never doubted his love for her ,he only feared the possibility of it destroying him with the knowledge he had
Cupping her cheek with his hands,he placed a kiss on her forehead. Even though he knew Chijioke's threat held no water ,he couldn't help but hold back with expressing himself . He wanted to kiss her but he feared what it might lead to.
madness!
He thought to himself still wary of all his problems.
"Mma I love you, I have always loved you . Never doubt that "
She blessed him with a smile that left him almost breathless.
"How can a human be this beautiful?' Onyedikachi muttered underneath his breath drawing laughter from her lips.
"You're the world's worst flatterer and I love you like that "
Obanma wrapped her hands around him ,basking in the warmth of his embrace.
"Mma do you think we're meant to be together? Do you think us being together is right ?"
Obanma made a move to pull out from his hands but he held her in place.
"Just talk .... please" He urged
"My little cousin peed on you today and daa Agatha laughed about it . A few years ago all I could think of was how horrible you and your family were to us because of my father. I lied about the phone you got me because I couldn't tell them you saved me in Owerri and now you can come and go as you please. Arinze agreed to us being together. Things might not get the way we want them but Onyi ,now I believe that being with you makes everything right .
You once called me your destiny and I doubted it but now , I've never been as sure as I am that you ,Onyi are my destiny"
Onyedikachi's grip lessened and she finally held his face,staring at his eyes .
"Nothing feels as right as us being together. Even the universe knows it " With that she placed a longing kiss on his lips which Onyedikachi deepened . She was his oxygen and he felt starved of it . Nothing made complete sense without her and the thought of losing her was driving him insane .
How could being with such a perfect woman feel wrong ? How could even entertain the thought of them being siblings when deep down in his guys everything screamed false.
The tongues danced in sync to the longing in their hearts and Obanma felt herself being lifted off the bed and into his arms.
She couldn't help but chuckle as he ravaged her lips like a predator would it's prey,but she enjoyed every bit of it .
She loved holding him,kissing him ,being with him . She loved him
"I'm only going to think of you "
Onyedikachi chanted in his heart as he gently placed her on the bed .
" Mma would you like us to continue? Whatever you say is fine by me" Onyedikachi declared halting momentarily from peeling off her clothes .
"Would you like to continue?" She enquired with a grin,peeling off the remnants of her clothes while he watched lustfully.
"Have I ever told you that you are one annoying temptress? It's supposed to be a yes or no question"
Onyedikachi earned a deep throaty laughter as he practically pounced on her to lull her amusement.
"I might have heard it once or twice my rove" She replied with a glint ,carressing his face
"I love you so much Mma and I can't wait to make you my wife "
"I love you Onyi, I think I always have too"
With that she pulled his face to hers and let him claim all the love she could offer . She was his and he was hers , it had been written before the dawn of time and she believed with her heart even as nature hummed beautifully in acqueisence .
Hello everyone!
Happy New year ,hope we are all safe
I've had bits of challenges this year leading to my lack of updates,but I'm back for good.
Hope we enjoyed the chapter.
What do we think about Chijioke's quest for paternity test ?
Are our love birds on the brink of disaster ?