Moving on

Each day that passed after Chimaobi walked away, Ugochi felt hurt. Some days she could not eat. She hoped that he will return and say it was all a joke. Her father prevented her from going to see Chimaobi. She was indoors waiting for Chimaobi. But as time went on, she did not hear from him. She was nonchalant about her wedding preparations coming up. Adaeze and Uchechi took over the planning and preparation of the traditional wedding. There was no white wedding planned.

After three weeks of not hearing from Chimaobi, three weeks of sleepless nights and pinning away with heartbreak, she decided to write him a letter. It was a long letter explaining the predicament she found herself and a profession of her undying love for him. She also explained her wish for them to elope. After writing the letter and sealing it with a kiss, she gave it to Ogechi to deliver to Chimaobi.

Ugochi never knew that the letter did not reach Chimaobi. Ogechi gave it to Chimaobi’s younger sister. Younger sister got soaked while playing under the rain. The letter was ruined. Since she did not have anything to show her brother, she threw the letter away and never mentioned it to anyone. When Ugochi did not get a feedback from Chimaobi, she assumed he did not care about her anymore. Ugochi also did not know that her parents visited Chimaobi’s parents and told them to tell Chimaobi to stay away from her. Embarrassed Chimaobi, who also could not stand the thought of his loved one being given away, had to take some weeks off to be away from that vicinity, since the traditional wedding was taking place in her house.

That was how Ugochi was married off to John. It was the saddest day of her life. She could not force a smile all through the occasion. The pictures were evidence of her sadness. She could not wait for the day to end.

The end of the day came. When she and John got to their hotel room for the 1st night of marriage, she did not let him come near her.

“Please, I want to rest tonight. Today has been very hectic for me,” she said. She could not imagine herself sharing the same bed with this man not to mention consummating the marriage that night. She could only wish she was sharing the beautiful room with Chimaobi, the man she loved.
“You don’t have to do anything,” John said. “Just lie down on the bed.”
She shook her head. They argued for a while. John tried to force himself on her. She resisted. They fought. Her kicking and screaming was like sweet music to his ears. That night, he raped her, leaving her very sore and in pains.

“So this is my fate?” she asked herself as she remained awake all through the night disturbed by his snores and the pains in between her legs. She thought of how different it was with Chimaobi. She sighed. Then she started sobbing quietly. She drifted off to sleep in the early hours of the morning on a wet pillow.

The Break-Up

It happened. Yes it did.

As Ugochi lay on the bed that night, sleep did not come easily to her. She thought after being with Chimaobi that she will feel better. Rather, she felt guilty and troubled. She was not only thinking about the forced marriage she was about to enter. She had to think of the consequences of sleeping with Chimaobi. Am I pregnant? Have I contracted an STD? She asked herself. She finally concluded that sleeping with Chimaobi was not to the detriment of her parents, who were fast asleep while she was awake.

She tossed and turned in bed recounting the events of the evening. As she thought of the passion that ensued between herself and Chimaobi that evening, she felt like going back for more. He was gentle on her. He touched her in ways she had never imagined. He spoke kind, loving words to her. Each thought of what happened sent sweet sensations all through her body.

“How do I tell him I am getting married to someone else?” she asked herself in frustration as tears filled her eyes. “What kind of confusion have I brought upon myself? Can I still go ahead with this marriage after sharing this part of myself with Chimaobi? Could there be anything sweeter than making love to Chimaobi? God, I want to be with this man for the rest of my life. Can I be with any man other than him?”

All she could hear were the stillness of the night, a clock ticking in the room, and the gentle snores of Ogechi.

I have to tell Chimaobi about this marriage thing, she resolved. Hopefully we could find a way of eloping.

*******************************************


Ugochi spent the early hours of the day with Adaeze and Uchechi, talking about the wedding preparations. She participated half-heartedly. She was waiting for afternoon to see Chimaobi. She just wanted to be in his presence.

She was with her elder sisters when Ogechi came in and announced that Chimaobi was looking for her. Her heart began to beat excitedly. Was he missing her the way she was missing him? Did he want another moment of being with her the way she was looking forward to it?

She ran down the stairs to meet him in the living room. He was backing her going through a bookshelf. He had his arms at akimbo. She walked up to him quietly and tickled him. He responded by turning sharply.

His face was hard. He did not return the brilliant smile on her face.
“Chimaobi…”she whispered, searching his eyes for the cause of his cold countenance.
“Please sit down,” he replied curtly.
“Is anything the matter my love?” she asked. She could not believe this was the same man she had shared a passionate moment with less than 24 hours ago. She sat down as he took a seat.
“Ugochi, I loved you and trusted you. Why did you betray me? Why did you use me?” He still remained calm as his spoke, but his words were like daggers on her flesh.
“What are you talking about Chimaobi?” she stuttered.
“Ugochi, you are getting married next month. Ogechi told us. Why didn’t you mention it to me? Have I ever hidden anything from you? Instead you felt it was right to use me to know what the experience of being with a man would be like! What did I do to you to deserve this?”
“I can explain, Chimaobi,” she said softly. Tears had filled her eyes. She sniffed.
“Please spare me your crocodile tears! Explain what?” Now he sounded angry and did his best to keep his voice from rising. He stood up.
“Chimaobi, this is not the best place and time to talk. Can I see you later today?” She held his hand but he pulled it away quickly.
“Ugochi, as I leave this place today, I don’t want to ever see you and talk to you again. I never knew you of all people will treat me like this! Have a wonderful married life!”
She felt the pains in her heart, this time like the daggers were ripping her heart apart.
“Chimaobi, please…”she started in tears.
As he was about to walk out on her, her father came into the living room.
“What’s going on here?” her father inquired harshly.
Noone answered.
“I am on my way Sir,” Chimaobi said to avoid the stare from her father.
“Young man, I hope you know this is a married woman you are talking to!” her father warned him. “Leave my daughter alone. If you are coming here to deceive her, please stop coming here!”
“Daddy?” Ugochi muttered.

Chimaobi gave her one last look then walked out of the house. She stormed off to her room and went straight to the window to watch him walk back to his house.

As she looked out of her window and watched him go, she could feel the pains of her shattered heart, getting deeper with each fast-paced stride he took away from her. Is that how it ends? She asked herself. This beautiful relationship we had?

When she could no longer see him, she closed her eyes. Then she started crying uncontrollably.

Attempt at Seduction

The day dragged rather slowly. Ugochi could not wait for evening to come. She prepared dinner by 4p.m. to enable her prepare for the evening and leave the house by 7p.m. She tried not to think about what she was about to do. Each time a voice asked her if she was sure of what she was doing, she quickly told herself she was getting back at her parents for giving her off to someone she did not love.

I'd rather die than have cousin John enjoy my pride. I have saved it all my life for Chimaobi.

When 6p.m. came, she went to see her sisters who were lost in some discussion about a man.

"I'm going for a stroll," she announced. "Ada, please could you help organize serving of dinner?"

"Where are you strolling to this night?" Ada queried.

"It's been a while since I took fresh air."

"She wants to say goodbye to Chimaobi," Uchechi said then laughed mischieviously.

How right Uchechi is, Ugochi thought, but she has no idea what I plan for tonight.

"Go and have fun," Adaeze said, "We'll sort ourselves out."

"Thank you, Ada," Ugochi said in relief then left them to go to her room.

She had a bath, dressed up as earlier rehearsed, then knelt down beside her bed to pray.

"Father, forgive me, for I know not what I am about to do... Amen." With that, she stood up, braced herself for the mission ahead and buried all fears that seemed to discourage her.

*******************************************

She walked stealthily to the BQ of Chimaobi's home. She knew where he kept the key to his room and since he was not in, she went into the room and made herself comfortable on his bed. She picked up a magazine from a bunch of scattered magazines on the bed. She wanted to pass the time.

When she heard footsteps approaching the room, her heart began to beat frantically. She was not sure she was ready for what she set out to do. She heard Chimaobi whistling as he approaced the room. She started panicking. She sat up on the bed. She wanted to run back home.

I cannot do this anymore, she told herself. I am soo scared.

She felt nauseated. The moment she stood up to run to the bathroom, that was when Chimaobi walked into the room.

"Ugo, my love!" he exclaimed in surprise. "Where have you been?"

As she saw his face and the love in his eyes, as she felt the care and genuine concern in his voice, as she smelt his mild musky scent when he stepped towards her, nausea left her. Instead, she rushed towards him and hugged him fiercely. The moment she felt his warm arms around her, she reached for his lips to give him a passionate kiss.

Then the wrap-round gown loosened...