AN OVERSEAS HUSBAND. . .CHAPTER 11
“Bird, can you come back later?” I said to Bird as she leaves the room leaving me and Chika as Chika begins to cry again.
“What is really the problem? Didn’t you love him?”
“I did.” She sniffs as she fights the catarrh about to escape from her nostrils.”I do still love him.”
“You’re confused, Chika.”
“No, I am greedy.” I stare in bewildering expression as I watched her walk to the door and peep if anyone was within earshot. “It was all mummy’s idea. She wanted to come abroad for omugwo. She succeeded in making me see Chibuzor as a nobody.”
“I thought you said he’s jobless?” I questioned.
“Yes. He was actually doing a business and doing well until he was duped by fake agents who promised to help him prepare his visa. He lost alot of money. He had sold his house then but now he’s currently staying in his parents house.”
“Are you happy?”
That was a silly question for me to ask.
“I don’t know what to feel or how to feel.” She replies.
We hear some footsteps approaching so we quickly dragged a gown from her box and forced her into it as we went to the big parlor to greet her husband to be and his people.
Chibuzor was dressed in a new Ankara. It was obvious it was new. He was grinning from ear to ear, evidently happy. He won a lottery. Stole a bride or rather, his bride.
Some other uncles from my father’s side were present and the list was handed over to the proposed groom’s family not without Chibuzor paying 5,000 naira for the list. They began bargaining on the bride’s price. I marveled at the way custom was played out and that same day, a date was fixed for the traditional wedding.
I wonder how Collins will feel. I sincerely feel bad for him and I can’t help but wonder what will happen when he finds out. All the money he had spent. Will big daddy refund? Those were dollars and not naira. I bet even all our family’s lands won’t be enough to pay back because I doubt we even had up to 6 plots of land. I heard big daddy had sold almost all our lands to pay for Okey’s kidney transplant. His only son, who unfortunately couldn’t make it even after all the money we spent. That pain is unmeasurable. After spending all those money yet he what we got what the news of his demise.
As Chibuzor’s family were leaving, Chibuzor kept staring at me. I tried to see of anyone noticed but no one did. He signalled with his hands, pleading to see me for a few minutes. I was curious to know what he had to say so I obliged.
“I’m sorry we haven’t been properly introduced seeing that your cousin was and is still my bride.” He said trying to articulate his words to impress me or probably pass a message to me that he wasn’t less of her would be abroad husband.
“I understand everything.” I replied wanting to leave as quickly as possible.
“Erm. . . Please I want to plead with you. Watch Chika closely. I have a feeling she might try something stupid maybe to hurt herself of my unborn child.” He pauses. “Oir unborn child.”
“Chibuzor is not that bad you know. . .” I said to Chika as soon as we were alone, again.
“He wasn’t. I was the bad one. It wasn’t totally my fault. Everyone was already leaving the village. I told you of our childhood friend, Nnenna who left by marrying someone abroad and since then, almost all the mothers in this village wanted their daughters to marry someone abroad too. ” She rubs her flat tummy as she continues. “Even my mother. She pushed me to it.”
“Have you spoken to Collins?”
“Yes. I sent him a message on WhatsApp. I feel bad doing this to him. He was a nice man.”
“Is he asking for a refund?” I asked.
“I actually told him I have a sister and I sent him a picture we took together.”
“You What? Why would you so that without my consent?”
“Stella, I understand you are concerned about how I will feel but I’m doing this sincerely for you.”
“You should have. . .” I was saying when Bird’s voice cut through my statement.
“Aunt’s Stella, uncle Williams is on the line. Please open the door.”
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TO BE CONTINUED. .
