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Sunday, August 31, 2008

Accepting Reality


It took some courage, but Ugochi had to get help from her sisters. She came out of the study where she had been all through the three days, except when she had to eat or use the bathroom. She went to her elder sisters’ room – the meeting point for all gist.

“Hi everyone,” she said, feigning a smile as she sat on the couch beside Adaeze. Uchechi and Ogechi were on the bed, opposite the couch. As usual, they were all full of excitement making loud noise. Ugochi’s entrance caused a momentary silence.

“Are you back from the village of denial?” Uchechi teased.
“Yeah. I’ve finally made up my mind to accept the proposal. God will be with me all through, that I am sure of.”
“That’s more like the spirit,” Adaeze said and gave Ugochi a warm hug. “Do you know how many of us are dying to be the wife of Cousin John?”
“He’s no more Cousin John…He’s now brother-in-law John…” she said this amusingly making her sisters giggle.
Before anyone could start speaking, she started by saying, “I need some tips from you as I prepare for marriage.”
“What kind of tips?” Uchechi asked.
“Like, if my husband does not want to come to the bed, like do the thing with me, what can I do to make him come to the bed?”
“No husband will not want to come to the bed if someone as beautiful as you is in there!” Adaeze said humuorously.
“What if I annoyed him? What if I said we would not do anything and he has taken me seriously?”
“Ada,” Uchechi said, “We need to help our sister. We don’t want her to disgrace the Alozie Girls’ family name. What do you think?”
“Oge, please excuse us for a moment,” Ada told Ogechi, their youngest sister. She tried to refuse, but Uchechi dragged her out of the room and then locked her out.
“I think you are asking us how you can seduce your husband if he is not willing?” Adaeze asked.
Ugochi nodded.
“Plan for the day or night when you want to do it. Have a nice bath. Shave your hairs; you know which hairs I’m talking about…?” Ugochi nodded. “Smell good, use light but sensuous make-up, go to him, talk to him but while talking to him, be touching him.”
“How am I going to get or do the make-up? What am I going to say to him?”
“We’ll give you some cosmetics, but when you prepare for the wedding, we’d buy you your own cosmetics,” Uchechi said. “When you talk to him, just tell him all you like about him, the first day you fell in love with him, what he means to you, how good he is… just words to please him. He won’t know when you are touching him but something would be happening within him.”
I would not lack such words to say to Chimaobi, Ugochi thought. I really do love him, and he is a wonderful guy. As she thought of him, she felt a fresh pain in her heart. Her eyes moistened. Her sisters did not notice.
“I also suggest you wear a morning coat or a wrap-round gown that can easily be removed by the pull of a string,” Adaeze continued.
“And, my dear, no underwear. This is because if he is refusing, all you have to do is pull the string and behold…”Uchechi was saying before she started giggling. Adaeze joined her.
“You are so naughty, Uche,” Adaeze said in between laughter. “I thought I was worse than you.”
“I learnt from you... Come on, this is not about us. It’s about Ugochi. Let’s get her one of your wrap-round gowns and do the make-up thing. Let’s have a rehearsal!!!”

After several rehearsals, from how she should walk up to him, to the tone of her voice, and the words to say, Adaeze and Uchechi certified her okay. They gave her a wrap-round gown to keep. She also had to admit that the make-up made her look beautiful.

She went back to the study. She leaned on the wall and slid down slowly until she sat on the floor. She closed her eyes as she thought of the next plan. She had to answer some questions.
What am I doing? Seducing Chimaobi.
Why am I doing it? Because otherwise, he may not agree to sleep with me.
With whom am I doing this with? Chimaobi of course.
Where am I doing it? In his room, in the BQ.
How am I doing it? Sensuously and seductively.

The last question came:
When am I doing it?
Tonight.
God help me so.

Thursday, August 28, 2008

The Chosen One


It was three days later that Ugochi knew the details of her move to the UK. Her parents called her to their bedroom and broke the news to her.
“You know you will go to London to continue your education,” her father started.
She nodded slowly with no enthusiasm on her countenance. She sat on a chair opposite them who were seated at the edge of their bed.
“You’ll leave next month.” He hesitated before saying, “You’ll be going as John’s wife.”
“What!” she muttered in shock.
“Yes,” her mother chipped in.


She could hear her heartbeat suddenly faster and louder, thumping like they could explode in her rib cage. As John’s wife? She asked herself. What would happen to my beloved Chimaobi? My new found faithful love?


“Why me?” she asked while gripping the arms of the chair for fear she would slip off the seat and faint.
“You are the chosen one,” her father continued with a sly smile that revealed some of his brown teeth, discolored from excess chewing of kolanuts.
“Daddy, I am not the first girl nor the second girl in this house. I am only seventeen years old. My dream is to marry a Christian, who shares the same beliefs as I do, and someone who is not fifteen years older than me.”
“John is a Christian. He goes to church…”
“Not a church-goer but a committed Christian…”
“Shut up, my friend!” her father suddenly shouted.


She sat back on her seat when her father stood up. It meant she had to go through the remaining part of the discussion in silence. She had provoked her father and she did not want any of the consequences.


“Age has nothing to do with marriage,” her mother continued as her father paced the room to cool down. “You’ve known John right from your childhood. He is a good man. He will take care of you and make you happy. Since he is mature, he will not treat you the way small boys do. He will not break your heart.”
“Listen, Ugochi, this house is on fire,” her father said after resuming his sitting position. “There is no money and no food in this house. We are living from hand to mouth. All my businesses have collapsed. Uncle Simeon has promised us two million naira for your acceptance of the marriage proposal. He will help us get back our property and take care of the family. You are the pride of the family. You are the one bringing restoration to us.”
She dare not voice her thoughts of “so you are selling me for two million naira? Pride of the family my foot!”
“What if I don’t accept? What if I run away?”
“Then I will skin you alive…” Her father said and she knew it was not an empty threat.
She had no other choice but to accept reluctantly while praying that in a month’s time, God will do something to restore the family. Then she will not have to be married off.

While her sisters rejoiced over the oncoming traditional marriage that would take place in their home, she went into seclusion for three days. How would I tell Chimaobi this news? She asked herself. How will I bear to be separated for him, not just for a while but for life? The more she thought about her separation from Chimaobi, the more she wept. Then she had an idea.


Why don’t I give my virginity to Chimaobi as a parting gift? But we agreed that our wedding night will be our first night of being together. How can I make him change his mind? What do I do? Maybe this is time to learn from my sisters…

Monday, August 25, 2008

The First Clue



The next morning, as soon as Father stepped out, Ebere and I went back to Mother's room. We had not had breakfast. We pounced on the poems and continued from where we stopped.

"Chimaobi, please let me read this one to you," Ebere offered when we got to a sad poem.
I nodded. She read out the poem with a voice deep with emotions. The poem was titled "You are the man".



You are the man


Who brings out the best in me


Who gives me reason to live


Who opened my eyes to bliss;





You are the man


Whose touch speaks sweet words


Whose words churn my world


Whose love is like none I know;





But fate has stepped in


And I see that we were not destined to be


Now I leave with someone else


I fear we may never see again;





I will miss our treasured moments


Of sweet kisses and whispered sweet nothings


Of shared dreams and love inexplicable


Of a planned future that cannot be;





You are the man


I will always love


I will always adore


I will always keep in my heart:



How do I say goodbye?






"Are you thinking what I am thinking?" I asked Ebere.
"Yeah, Daddy is not the man she was in love with," Ebere replied.
"What could have gone wrong?" I wondered out loud, "How could she go with someone else?"
"We might have to ask Aunty Adaeze or Grandma."
"You know mummy does not really like them. They only come here to take money from Daddy."
"We could have an idea from asking."

I had mixed feelings. I was happy the man mother loved was not father, but I was not happy that she did not marry the man she loved.

"Let's search the poems maybe we could get more clues," I suggested.
"Suddenly I feel like a detective," Ebere said humourously.
"Oh yes, Private Ebere. Let's dig the poems for more info..."