AN OVERSEAS HUSBAND.
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CHAPTER 16
“What were you people talking about?” My mother asked looking sternly at me.
“Oh. . .” I began quickly thinking of what to tell her it was. I wanted to lie about it but later kicked against it.
I told her everything. Starting from Collins to Williams but her response surprised me.
“My daughter, I think this Collins guy is not a bad person really but I won’t tell you what to do. Whosoever your spirit accepts, I’m okay.”
“But Mummy, won’t people talk about me marrying someone who wanted to marry my sister?” I asked feeling concerned.
“What if Collins was really meant for you and this was the only way to meet him?” My mother replied.
I gave it a thought and there’s mo truer words. Whatever belongs to someone, will find a way to that person. What if I just get to know Collins better and see where this leads us. I know Bird will never forgive me for not choosing Uncle Will.
After mother left, my phone rang and it was Collins.
“I’m so sorry I should have called before now. My brother told me you came.”
“Oh yes. I was going to come back again. Are you home now?” He asks.
“Yes. Just now.”
“Are you free for a walk? I know a cool bar where we can talk or chill. Depending on what you want.”
“Errm. . . I. . . I don’t know.” I said feeling uneasy.
“Look, Stella, I understand how you feel and I’m not offended but what about giving me a chance and if you’re not still comfortable about everything, I’m okay but you know that Chika is now married and pregnant. You owe her nothing anymore.”
“I know, Collins but what about what people. . .”
“What people will say. . .” Collins completed my statement. “People will always talk because of they don’t talk, their mouth will smell.” Collins ended as I began to laugh.
“I’m glad I made you laugh so, is it a yes?”
“I’ll think about it. How about in two weeks?”
“Ahhh just to take you chill in this village, you need 2 weeks to think about it. What if I ask you to marry me, you’ll use 2 years to think about it, right?” Collins replied surprising me.
He has a good sense of humour, no doubt.
“Alright. It’s a yes.” I finally answered.
“I’ll there in 10 minutes, my lady.” He says as the call comes to an end.
True to his words, he was here in time and we had a great time talking. He told me how it wasn’t easy migrating to the states.
“It took me some time to adapt.” He had said.
“Why didn’t you take a wife there?” I asked.
“I have actually tried dating some of our Nigerian women over there but it didn’t work out.”
“What about an American woman?” I asked again. “I’m sorry if I’m being too inquisitive.”
He laughs as he sips from the juice he had ordered earlier.
“I am a full blooded Igbo man and I know what I want. I want an Igbo woman who will teach our kids our culture.”
I was really glad he avoided the marriage talk between us as we talked about other stuffs and got to know ourselves a bit.
“I’m sorry to ask but are you in a relationship currently?”
“What? No, I’m not.” I was a bit embarrassed by his question. I don’t know why nor what he was thinking.
“But who is Uncle Will. . .urm. . Williams?”
“Who told you? Bird?” I asked him.
“I guess that’s her name.” He replied as I found it difficult to read a meaning into his facial expression.
I don’t know why but I explained everything to him. How Bird was trying to matchmake her uncle in America and I.
“I would not want to stand in your way or in his way.”
“There’s is no ‘his’ anywhere, please.” I honestly don’t know why I said that. Was it to encourage him that I was truely single?
We left the bar becoming closer than we had been earlier. He walked me home before he left. Mother saw us walk home together but didn’t call me. There was a little gathering in grandpa’s parlour.
“We’ll be going back to the states in two days.” Uncle Emeka says as Jeremiah begins to cry holding onto Green’s hands.
“Dad, can Jerey come with us?” Green asks not wanting to part with Jeremiah too.
“We’ll have to prepare for him to come during the next holiday. Is that okay?” Joanie asks as she tries to patronise the kids. Bird had began to cry.
“I don’t want to leave Nigeria so soon. Can’t we stay longer, mum? Dad?”
“Darling, you have school and Jeremiah too will be leaving for Lagos soon. Don’t worry, you’ll see again soon. I promise.” Joanie draws the kids in an embrace as our parents watched the drama.
I was totally lost in thought as I could only think about Collins. This is kind of weird. Should I tell Chika yet?
TO BE CONTINUED. .
