Akwaugo – Episode 63

PART 63

 

Uju lived outside London. We got to her lovely home which sat on quite some land. I loved it from outside. It looked Victorian. She parked the car and went inside the house together. I met her husband, he was home alone with the kids. I met her two adorable kids. I could see the joy she had in motherhood.

 

She had cooked before coming to pick me up. The table was set and dinner was served. I enjoyed the food; it tasted more Nigerian. Later I discovered there were many Nigerian stores in the UK that stock Nigerian foods. We sat down after the children had gone to bed to catch up. Her husband made jokes while we laughed. He brought drinks for us while we talked and then after a while, he retired for the night. I was left with Uju.

 

“When are you resuming? What date did you give them?” Uju asked. I told her. “Thank God, you can rest a bit before then. I am off work tomorrow so we can go sightseeing. We can look round my county and maybe drive into London after rush hour”

 

“That’s fine”

 

 

“So, you don’t want to tell me about this guy?”

 

“I have told you what you need to know for now”

 

“But do you know Emeka will immediately divorce his wife if he knows he has a chance with you”

 

“Advise him not to; he has no chance with me. I have moved on”

 

“You have changed Akwaugo”

 

“Have I?”

 

“You are different”

 

“I am no longer naïve?”

 

“Yes, and very mature. Emeka will love the new you”

 

“Was it because of Emeka you pushed for me to come?”

 

“No. Why would I do that? It is just that Emeka likes sharp mature ladies and goes after them. I remember you when you were madly in love with Emeka. The you I am seeing now would never have dated Emeka”

 

“It is late. I’m jetlagged. I need to sleep”

 

She showed me to my room downstairs. Luckily it had its toilet and bath. I took a hot bath, came to bed and called my family members. I had told them I had arrived but I wanted to give them my UK number which Uju got for me with a phone and international call card. I called was also connected to social media on my other phone though the house wifi. I called Samuel on WhatsApp video. We spoke at length. He told me I didn’t sound excited. He asked if I was ok. I told him I was fine just missed him and family. It made him smile. We talked for about an hour before we retired for the night.

 

 

I remembered when I did video calls with Emeka and all the things he made me do for his viewing pleasure. I hated doing them but I did them because they made him happy. Dubie had also tried to get me to send erotic pictures of my body to him which I declined doing. It was something I couldn’t bring myself to do. I learnt to respect myself especially my body.

 

I settled in as I got to the UK a week before resumption. Because of the schedule, I decided to help out in the house. I chose to do chores that I could do at any time of the day especially when my schedule permits. Uju’s husband didn’t want me to but I insisted. I saw how their home ran with all hands on deck and I had joined.

 

I resumed work and that was when I knew what God had called me to do. I was drafted to the children’s ward. So many troubled teens needed psychiatric help. I took to it immediately. I made friends with them and then their parents. Within months, I was the most sort after Psychiatrist in the hospital. I enjoyed what I did.

 

I considered moving out not to be an inconvenience to Uju and family but she wouldn’t hear of it. I contributed to the running of the home by buying groceries every month. Uju’s husband was very nice to me. He took us out to restaurants and parties. When his friends come around, he introduces me to them but I wasn’t interested. Some of them made passes at me but I showed no interest. It was when men were making passes at me in the hospital that I dug out my engagement ring and put it on.

 

Uju noticed it the next day and asked me what it was. I explained to her I was engaged.

 

“You are a bad person. What’s the whole idea? Are you afraid I will jinx you or what?”

 

“I don’t want to talk about him yet. Can I just enjoy my relationship quietly?”

 

“You can’t. I have stopped Emeka from coming here because of you not knowing you are engaged. He can come then”

 

“As long as he is not coming to see me. He should visit on the days I am on duty. Emeka and I are still pals but I don’t want him feeling there can be more”

 

 

“I agree with you. He will come and hear the good news”

 

“He shouldn’t have hopes”

 

Emeka came to visit with his wife and children. His wife was stunning. The kids were so cute I couldn’t stop loving them. Emeka looked well. He had aged but still very well put together. I was impressed. As we settled down to eat, his wife began to take pictures of the food, her face, and her cleavage. She was still hot for a mother of two.

 

Emeka was able to get my undivided attention because his wife was distracted by other things. He spoke to me in Igbo.

 

“You are so beautiful Akwaugo. Still as gorgeous as ever”

 

“Emeka you are not bad yourself with slay mama wife and adorable kids”

 

“She’s young and childish. I’m talking about you. Nne you filled out nicely. What’s happening? Uju just told me you arrived. Baby, you look so good”

 

“Thank you, Emeka. How is work? You have refused to come back to Nigeria”

 

“I am not coming back any time soon. I am tired of my family. I was told Jacinta is ill. I sent money for her treatment; that’s all I owe her. When my parents pass away is when I will visit again”

 

“And the mansion you built in the village?”

 

“My two brothers are occupying them. I still maintained the top. You can see her; I can’t possibly take her home. Jacinta won’t spare her sick or not. She is a good mother but she loves attention. We have fought over so many things but now, I have chosen my battles carefully. I don’t want to die early. I catch my fun and free her to have hers. We’ve lived in peace ever since”

 

“That’s how it is supposed to be. She’s the lucky one; she was allowed to have babies for you”

 

 

“Akwaugo, please don’t start. Let it remain in the past. You have forgiven us; God will grant you your heart desire”

 

“He has. I am getting married”

 

“To who?”

 

“You don’t know him and I am keeping it a secret for now”

 

“Why? Is it that tall guy I met you with at Uju’s wedding?”

 

“Not him; we broke up. Some else”

 

“And you won’t tell me who?”

 

“No, I won’t”

 

“If that’s what you want. Hope I can visit you or you visit me anytime I am in London”

 

“As long as you respect me and my body, you can visit. I will not be used”

 

We took pictures together that night. His wife wanted to have memories. I observed she didn’t know who I was. I was gobsmacked when she called me Emeka’s cousin. He lied to her. I played along and even exchanged phone numbers and social media handles. Emeka didn’t like it at all but there was nothing he could do.

 

Uju and I had a good laugh after they left. Emeka complained to Uju how much I had changed. I couldn’t be manipulated anymore. He felt I was unmarried, lonely and wanted to try his luck. He jammed a rock. I had been in the UK for four months now. Uju then suggested.

 

“Why not invite your fiancé over”

 

“He would love that but where will he stay?”

 

 

“With you now? He won’t want to be with anyone else”

 

“We are not intimate yet. We can share a room for a few days but not that long. Anything can happen”

 

“You, Akwaugo, not intimate with a man before marriage? What are you waiting for? What if he is not that good?”

 

“God won’t give me someone who won’t satisfy me. Why would he punish his own like that?”

 

“So, we that did and are enjoying our marriage, what happens?”

 

“I did it with Emeka after the traditional wedding, what happened? I did with Dubie and I wasn’t enough. Now, I have someone more interested in making me his than taking me to bed. He is patient and understands me better. I will take advantage of it. I ask God to be my guide”

 

“You have truly changed. I will love to meet this guy. If your employer can’t give you documents for him to come over, I will”

 

“Thank you. I will work on it”

 

That night, I spoke with Samuel about coming over to the UK. He was excited. He agreed to start the process while I got my documents. He kept asking if I was sure I wanted him to come and I said yes. He told me repeatedly he missed me and I said the same. We shared our activities during the day and talked about family members, Talking to him was always my highlight daily. He had a way of making me enjoy talking to him and also listened as I talked about my patients. He was never bored hearing my stories and remembered the names of people I shared with him.

 

I approached my office for a letter of introduction for my fiancé and they obliged me. But the information was limited. I needed another letter and documents from Uju and husband. The wrote the letter and attached tax papers, property ownership

 

 

documents and so on. They requested for the data page of Samuel’s international passport which I forwarded to them.

 

Samuel got a date and in less than two weeks; he was issued the visa. I asked him to take a long leave so we could be together for a long time. He told me two weeks was enough. I wanted him to stay longer and we argued over that. He told me we might have to come back together. When I asked why he insisted we should wed soon. He felt it was taking too long. I wasn’t in a hurry but I felt his pain. I told him I wanted to mourn my father for a full year before doing anything.

 

“Your brothers don’t agree with that”

 

“What do you mean?”

 

“They are ready for us to get married. It is more than six months your father died. Let’s get this over and done with”

 

“Why the hurry?”

 

“Canada”

 

“What? What happened to Canada?”

 

“Our immigration papers will soon be out and I can’t go there without you. I want us to go there for our honeymoon and start life”

 

“When is it coming out?”

 

“In the next few months”

 

“We have time”

 

“Let’s get married. Or have you changed your mind?”

 

“I haven’t. Let’s talk some more about it when you get here. I have been looking up airlines tickets for nice deals ….”

 

 

“One of my friend’s in Abuja has a link with Arik air. I did him a favour and he has promised to buy the ticket. I will keep you posted”

 

“The dollars with you, you can come with it so we can shop”

 

“It has come in handy now; I thought you wanted to return it. I am coming with my own money. I’ll bring the money if you need it”

 

“I don’t need the money; keep it with you. When are you coming?”

 

“When you want me to come”

 

“Next week?” I asked jokingly.

 

“Done”

 

True to his words, he sent his itinerary and he was flying down on a Thursday which was my day off. I worked mainly during the day but could be called for emergencies. I informed Uju and her family about his coming. They were excited to meet him. I couldn’t hide my excitement. He could hear it in my voice and it excited him even more.

 

His mother spoke with me before he travelled. She said, “my daughter, your coming into our lives was not a mistake; it was divinely orchestrated by God almighty. My Etete is travelling abroad? It is because of you. God bless you, my child”

 

Uju and I discussed sleeping arrangements. She said I could sleep in the spare room upstairs (I hardly went upstairs to give them privacy) while Samuel could stay in my room. I was happy. She insisted on going with me to the airport to pick him up. I wanted us to have a special moment but with her there, I was going to be self-conscious but she insisted.

 

On the day Samuel was to arrive, we spoke until he boarded his flight and it took off. I quickly bought things and cooked. I wanted him to have a good meal after the six hours flight. Uju left work early so we could get to the airport. We arrived at the airport and checked the flights’ schedule. I saw his flight had arrived. We

 

 

had to wait for I knew immigration would take time. I was anxious and looked out for him. Uju kept trying to calm me down but I wasn’t calm. It took about thirty minutes of our waiting before I saw him stroll out with tons of luggage. I ran to him and we hugged each other very tightly. I didn’t want to let him go and he held me even tighter. People stared and smiled at us but we didn’t mind. After the hug, we walked together to meet Uju. I introduced them

 

“It is nice meeting you Uju. I have heard many nice things about you. Thank you for opening your home to Akwaugo and I. We appreciate all you do’

 

Uju blushed under her dark skin. She whispered to me, “he’s a charmer”

 

We walked to the car. We put the luggage into the car. He came with a suitcase and two big jute bag. I wondered how he was able to pass immigration with them but that question was for later. I sat beside Uju who urged me to join Samuel at the back but I didn’t think it was right. We chatted all the way home. Samuel made the car ride lively that we didn’t feel the distance. He was different. He was more out there. He sounded like the guy who was with his friends in Abuja. I knew he flew from Abuja and stayed with Amanze for two days before coming. Amanze and family like him.

 

We got to the house and helped take his luggage into the room he would be staying in. When we were alone, he opened his arms again and entered them gladly. “Ediye, I missed you. I missed you so much that I was useless all day until I hear from you. I never thought your travelling would affect me so much. My mother made me stop brooding and convert that time to making money for our wedding “Igbo people’s list is not a joke” she said to me repeatedly. I had snap out and buckle up. I am so glad to be here with you”

 

“I am too. I wouldn’t give this moment up for the world”

 

“Your friend is nice”

 

“I know. Her husband and children are wonderful too. You must be hungry” I said as I disembarked from the embrace,” I made some food for you. Let’s go into the kitchen so you can eat”

 

 

“I am not interested in food. Just stay here with me. I just want to hold you. I missed you; it feels like a dream”

 

I did as he said. We laid on the bed and he held me. He said sweet nothings into my ears as he stroke my arm and ear. Before long I fell asleep in his arms. It was the best rest I had had in months. He fell asleep too while holding me. We had a wonderful evening’s rest.

 

[G1]

 

AKWAUGO