Fearsome Melodrama

FEARSOME MELODRAMA

    “Okey,” Mr. Madu called.

    “Yes dad.”

    “I called you here to discuss something very important with you.”

     The brilliant 16-year-old Okechukwu who was fondly called ‘Okey’ by his teeming friends and relatives was the only child of his late mother who died two years back at 44 after a brief illness. Since his mother’s eternal demise, his 51-year-old father, Mr. Ama Madu had vowed not to tie the knot with another woman, but the unending persuasions he had so far received from his kinsmen including his aged parents had made him to think otherwise, thus had decided to add a lady to the house’s population.

     This was what necessitated the above meeting which was taking place right in their sitting room at about 5:20pm the moment Okechukwu who was preparing for his forthcoming Senior School Certificate Examinations (SSCE) arrived home. He had however earlier informed him when he was leaving for his school in the morning that he had a very crucial issue to iron out with him when he returned. Okechukwu, having hurriedly taken his lunch as well as undressed himself as soon as he arrived as instructed by his beloved father, joined him in the parlour where he was patiently awaiting him. Both were seated closely in the same cushion.

    Okechukwu listened attentively, stayed calm.

    “It’s true that the vacuum your late mum created in our hearts cannot be filled so easily.” Mr. Ama Madu rode on.

    Okechukwu looked at him sorrowfully.

    “But, we can’t continue to remain in a mourning mood.” quoth Mr. Madu. “Therefore, we must move on.”

    Okechukwu took a sigh of relieve, adjusted himself a bit.

    “Okey my son,” he called. “You need a woman that would take good care of you as a mother.”

     The listener remained calm.

     “You can’t continue like this,” he said, looking into his eyes. “Neither me.” He added.

     Okechukwu bent his head, became sober.

     “The burden is becoming so unbearable,” Mr. Madu confessed. “Oh, Adaku!” He bitterly recalled his late wife, shook his head.

     “Dad, it’s okay.” Okechukwu enjoined. “God knows everything.”

      Mr. Madu glanced at him, was deeply encouraged over his courage.

     “I think you are right,” Okechukwu proceeded. “We can’t continue to mourn.”

     “I am impressed you are sounding this way.” Mr. Madu complimented. “Well, it’s time to tell you why I called you here.”

     Okechukwu became more attentive.

     “I want to remarry,” he informed hesitantly. “I want to marry another wife.”

      The chap was moody, though wasn’t shocked by the notice.

     “I want to bring in a woman that would take care of us,” he landed. “Particularly, you.” He said, gesticulating.

     “There’s no problem, dad.” concurred Okechukwu in a jiffy. “I know you have always wanted the best for me.”

     Mr Madu was calm, overwhelmingly amazed to hear his son speak courageously and wisely.

     “So, when am I meeting her?”

      Mr. Madu smiled. “You will meet her soon, okay?”

      Okechukwu nodded. “Alright dad,” he said. “I can’t wait to meet with her.”

     The discussion ended at exactly 6:15pm prior to the discussants’ departure for their respective bedrooms.

     The following three days being Saturday February 9, 2008, the awaited bride, Chizoba by name, arrived. She was in her mid-thirties, looked virtuous and meek. Okechukwu was conspicuously pleased by what he saw in her externally, and was eagerly looking forward to seeing a woman that had a pure heart just like that of his late mother, Adaku.

     The first few months of Chizoba’s stay at her matrimonial home were splendid. Owing to this attribute, rather than seeing her as a step-mother, Okechukwu was of the view that his late mother’s spirit had eventually returned; she was, to say the least, the deceased’s replica, thus he vowed to remain loyal to her regardless of the circumstance. By this time, she was already five-month pregnant; apparently she conceived the moment she packed into the home.

     There was nothing Okechukwu asked or sought for that wasn’t given to him on a platter of gold, that, at a point he became so astonished over the innumerable kind gesture. When he was sitting for his SSCE, Chizoba who was a professional fashion designer ensured that he made the best out of it by providing him with all he needed, though with the assistance of her husband. In fact, she could best be described as an ‘angel’ whenever her name was being discussed in the family. As a result of this, Mr. Madu kept appreciating God that he never made a mistake bringing in another woman in respect to his first wife’s exit. Notwithstanding, only God knows what one’s fate would entail in the future.

     Four months later, the heavily pregnant Mrs. Chizoba Madu successfully put to bed a bouncing baby boy. It was ostensibly a moment of divine mercy. Above every remarkable thing attached to the euphoric moment, at least Okechukwu could then boast of a more intimate everlasting companion. At this point, Mr. Madu’s joy knew no bounds, hence he organized a revelry. The newborn baby was therein named Chibuzo.

     “You have made me more complete now.” Mr. Ama Madu elatedly told his wife amidst the gathering while standing.

     The revelry comprised every dignitary the community was proud of. The host, Mr. Madu was a notable man in the locality, thus he was able to reach out to ‘all-that-matters’ in the ancient clan.

     Chizoba smiled as she cuddled the little Chibuzo who was well wrapped in a charming multi-coloured wrapper.

     “Honestly,” the celebrant continued, stood still. “I don’t know how best to appreciate you.”

     The crowd instantly gave a very cheerful look at the outpouring compliments.

     “Since you came into this family,” Mr. Madu said. “A lot has really changed…”

     Before he could finish the last statement, one able-bodied man who seemed to be in his late thirties, though looked poor, just jumped out from the gathering. “Hold it there!” he urged Mr. Madu with alacrity.

     The crowd including the celebrant marveled at the scene. On her part, going by Chizoba’s body language, it appeared she knew the man who seemed totally strange to the entire members of the gathering; she instantly stood up from her seat, looked apprehensive.

     “For your information,” the intruder told Mr. Madu amid the crowd. “This baby is mine.” He informed, pointing one of his right fingers at Chibuzo who was tightly held by his pale-looking mother.

     The fearsome melodrama was occasioned by the fact that the seemingly strange being named Kedu who hailed from a neighbouring clan was the person who truly impregnated Chizoba, thus was the biological father of Chibuzo. They were dating prior to her abrupt marriage to Mr. Madu. She was even pregnant of the baby before she tied the knot, unknowingly to the groom (Mr. Madu) because the pregnancy wasn’t yet obvious.

     Mr. Kedu couldn’t settle down with her due to his financial incapacity, and she wasn’t willing to wait either. When Mr. Madu sought her hand in marriage, having disclosed the proposal to the former, he pleaded with her to wait for him but she refused. Apart from her personal wish, her mother whom was aware of every bit of the situation persuaded her to abandon the former for the latter.

     Although Kedu wasn’t aware of the pregnancy, Chizoba’s trusted ally - Dalu whom was the only person she confided in aside her mother regarding the origin of the pregnancy, disclosed it to him (Kedu) without Chizoba’s knowledge; hence, Mr. Kedu waited till she delivered the baby before he could claim it.

    What happened thereafter is a story for another day. But, if you were in Mr. Madu’s shoes, what would you do at the gathering? Think about it! 

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