*EPISODE 7*
(MY SOULMATE)
Later that night, as Chris’s father laid to sleep, his wife angrily barged into his room.
“Cosmas. I really do not understand why you chose to let our son have his way in this marriage issue. You and I know that Vanessa is the right person for Chris. Why did you give him the permission to be with that poor, wretched and unfortunate girl?.” She yelled at her husband.
“Agnes you and I have no right to impose any girl on our son. If he says he doesn’t love Vanessa, then so be it. It’s his choice to make not ours.” He said.
“Since when did you start leaving such important matters in the hands of our little Chris who doesn’t know his left and right?. For crying out loud, you and I got married through this same process so why should his case be different?.” She questioned.
“Because he is my son Agnes. Let me ask you. Have we for once experienced sincere happiness in this so called arranged or recommended marriage of ours?. The only good thing that I miraculously benefited from this marriage is our son. And you expect me to sit back and watch him go through thesame painful experience that I went through?. You know that’s not going to happen because I know what I passed through and what I’m still passing through in your hands.” He said.
“Cosmas what exactly are you passing through? You know fully well that I’m the best thing that has ever happened to you.” She said readjusting her dress with full confidence and pride.
“For the past 28years of our marriage, you’ve never for once accorded me with full respect. And never have I been able to exercise full authority as the head of this family. I lived in fear in the early stage of our marriage because of the constant threats and control from your family who were richer than mine. Or is it the numerous times you insulted me and told me to my face that there was nothing I could do about it?. Those times you didn’t hesitate to rub your family’s wealth on my face at every little provocation. Agnes, they lied to us. They told us that we will definitely fall in love with each other as time goes on. But look at us. We just got used to living together and smiling before the camera. And you expect me to push my son into this same misery?. Look Agnes, I might not have a complete say over your life but Chris is my son. My responsibility. And I do have hundred percent say over him. And as his father, I will let him go for the woman he loves.” He said.
“Really?. Cosmas Ogbuefi really?. Okay. Let me ask you one question. What if it turns out that Vanessa is more suitable for our son than that local breed he has chosen?.” She asked folding her arms.
“And what makes you think that Vanessa is more preferable and suitable for my son?.” He questioned.
“Cosmas….” She yelled.
“Before you judge or condemn someone, I expect you to get to know them first. The fact that she’s from a humble home, does not necessarily mean that she’s bad like you are painting her to be. As a matter of fact, I will never oppose to their union except she gives me reasons to. Thank you.” He said.
“So it’s your plan to make me a laughing stock amongst my friends?. Cosmas you won’t like the outcome of this decision of yours. That I assure you.” She said after which, she clicked her tongue and barged out of the room slamming the door behind her.
“What kind of a mother is this?.” He asked totally amazed.
Stepping into her room, she picked up her phone and dialed Vanessa’s number.
“Mom….” Vanessa called sobbing all over again.
“It’s alright my child. I just called to assure you that I must make sure you get married to my son.” She said.
“But mum, he already has a woman.” She said
“I don’t care how many women he chooses to have. But one thing is certain. And that is, you are the only woman for him. All I need is your cooperation and together, we can restore you to your original position.” She said with a mischievous smile.
That same night, Chris was on the phone with Hilary in his room.
“Man, I still can’t believe you actually did what you did at okagbue’s house. Like, how were you able to boldly reject their daughter before them?. Honestly, your audacity needs to be mastered.” Hilary said over the phone.
“Come on guy, i just did what every full grown man in his rightful senses would have done. I had to set the record straight. Cause all these forced marriage can be mentally deranging.” Chris said.
“Well, I must commend your father for supporting your choice and decision. Such rich fathers are hard to come by this days.” Hilary said.
“Yeah. I’m really grateful to him for that.” Chris said.
“But wait a minute Chris. I thought you swore never to have anything to do with Gloria?. What exactly changed?. Did you sleep with her or something?.” Hilary asked.
“Guy. I honestly do not know how I fell for this girl. But all I know is that, right now, I really do not want to be away from her. Hilary she’s everything I’ve always desired in a woman. I just love Gloria with everything in me.” Chris confessed.
“Hahahaha……I told you didn’t I?. I knew from the onset that staying close to her will definitely grow your feelings for her. So what’s the plan?.” Hilary asked.
“First of all, I will need to go break the news to her tomorrow. Before I proceed with the rest. I think we should at least date for a while outside my house before bringing her home to my parent.” Chris said.
“Well, it’s fine as long as your intentions towards her are genuine. I just don’t want her to get unnecessarily hurt. By the way, what of Vanessa?. How did she take this whole thing?.” Hilary asked.
“How she should of course.” Chris said.
“The Vanessa I know has loved only you since she was a child. And one thing I know about her is that she hardly gives up on what she likes. Which is why I will advise you to please be careful. Protect Gloria from her at all cost. You never can tell how this whole thing would turn out tomorrow. Considering the fact that your mom and Vanessa are together.” Hilary said
“Don’t worry about any of that Hilary. I will make sure to protect my woman till we are fully married.” Chris assured.
Meanwhile, Gloria who had been missing Chris, was beginning to wonder if Chris had moved on after reading her letter without reaching out to her.
“I thought he said he loves me?. Why then did he not reach out to me again?. Or is he now married to Vanessa because of what I wrote to him?. I don’t think that’s possible. Cause if it were to be so, the news of their marriage would have spread through out the village. Then what exactly is he doing?. Don’t he miss me?. I miss him though.” She kept saying in her heart.
Just then, a car drove into the compound. And behold Chris stepped out from the car. Gloria couldn’t explain the kind of joy and happiness she felt at that moment. As she ran towards him and embraced him tightly.
“I don’t know when you became so important to me. But I just know that I can’t bear staying away from you. I don’t know if this is what love is, but I just know that you’ve become a part and parcel of my being.” She said in her heart.
“How have you been?.” Chris asked after they had sat on the wooden bench that was on the corridor.
“I’ve been good Chris.” Gloria replied fumbling her dress.
“I received your letter. And I must appreciate you for writing to me. Cause it helped me in taking a stand. Right now, I’ve openly told my parents about my feelings for you and my desire to make you my wife. And guess what? They’ve agreed to us getting married.” Chris revealed smiling profusely.
“Really?. Oh my God….!. Is this the truth?.” Gloria asked in disbelief.
“Yes Gloria and on this juncture, I think I would like to do that one thing that I’ve always wanted to do to you.” Chris said gazing helplessly at her.
Gloria was too shy to look him in the eyes so she turned away but Chris held her jaw in his palm and turned her face to his. Gloria was still blinking her eyes uncontrollably in shyness when She felt Chris’s soft lips against hers. She was star struck, startled and confused. As that was her first time being kissed by a man. She didn’t know what to do or how to react to it. Her body was literally filled with goosebumps and all she could do at that moment, was to shut her eyes and grabbed her dress with all her might.
Just then, they heard a woman’s voice shouting.
“Gloria?.”
Hearing this, Chris quickly pulled away from Gloria and Gloria quickly came back to her senses. Opening her eyes, she was shocked to see her mother standing before them.
“Mother?.” Gloria shouted in shock.
“Mother?. Did she also come for a visit?.” Chris asked cause Gloria once told him that she had come to spend some days with Comfort.
“What useless visit are you talking about?. This is my home.” Gloria yelled at Chris who was taken aback.
“But you said you came from a very far village.” Chris said
“Chris I don’t really have explanations for that now. Cause I’m currently about to lose my life in the hands of my mother.” Gloria said.
“Gloria what did I just saw you two doing?. In my husband’s house Gloria. How dare you get cozy with a man inside my own house?.” She raged.
