Fear of the Unknown

FEAR OF THE UNKNOWN

     It isn’t anymore news that there’s no relationship without a challenge. Such famous assertion that has globally gained ground in every facet of human endeavours isn’t in any way an overstatement. And, the aforementioned fact seems to be more prevalent in a relationship involving a man and a woman, or an emotional affair; this is why anyone could boldly say ‘show me a relationship without a challenge, then I’ll show you two dogs in love’.

     In fact, in some relationships, the partners involved might end up encountering not just one or two overwhelming challenges but a series of them, and that of Tayo and Bisi wasn’t an exception. This implies that the best thing that could happen to the said partners was to seek the advice of an experienced counsellor as well as the face of the ‘Almighty’.

     “My dear,” said Tayo. “I invited you here so we could discuss this issue once and for all.”

     The 36-year-old Ms Bisi who was dressed in a pink dress coupled with white flat-heeled shoes nodded.

     Both of them were seated separately adjacent to each other on single upholstery chairs; the meeting was taking place in Tayo’s sitting room.

     “We have been engaged for almost a year now,” the equally 36-year-old Tayo, though a bit younger, rode on. “So it’s time for us to get it right.”

     Bisi was calm and attentive.

     “I have thought of it all over,” said Tayo who was in only blue boxers. “I think I should resign.” He landed succinctly.

     Bisi hastily looked at him, speechless.

     Tayo and Bisi who were engaged to each other having met about two years back were colleagues in the same company, a telecommunication firm precisely, and the latter happened to be the former’s senior colleague; they actually met each other in the company. Intriguingly, according to the firm’s tradition, a married couple could not be its employees; and if peradventure two employees of the company wanted to get married, as in the case of these two, one must resign from the job before the marriage would take place, or the company would sack both partners if they eventually tied the knot without adhering to its modus operandi. That was exactly the issue at hand.

     It appeared the aforesaid partners were placed in a state of dilemma; to choose between the awaited marriage and the job. The bone of contention was that one of them must resign or they would live to face the repercussion of rebellion as regards the firm’s ethics. This very state of dilemma had been troubling both of them till this moment when the man in charge decided to wear a bold skin rather than perambulating. Now, the die had been cast; what next?

    “You will resign?” She finally uttered.

     “Yes,” he responded emphatically. “I have made up my mind.”

      Bisi left her seat immediately and joined him in his. “No, you won’t.” She hinted.

     “How do you mean?”

     “Rather, I will.”

     “You will what?” Tayo ranted.

      Ab initio, Bisi had already made up her mind to resign. She only wanted to see if Tayo really loved her before she could take such enormous risk; that was what prompted the delay. So, it was a test of faith. Now that the young man had proven beyond doubts what he felt for her, she had been convinced that they were meant for each other, thus the fear of the unknown had abruptly vanished.

     “Yes, I should be the one to resign.” She cleared the air.

     “No, you won’t.”

     “Why…?”

     “You earn more than me,” quoth Tayo. “And you have already gone too far in the job.”

     Bisi was silent.

     “So, I should be the one to resign,” he asserted. “And look for something else to do.”

     There was tranquility.

     “No, I will resign.” She insisted. “Don’t worry, I can take care of myself, okay?”

     “Are you sure about this?” said Tayo, looking into her eyes.

     Bisi nodded. “Very sure.” She responded accordingly in a low tone.

     “If you said so.” He surrendered, apparently filled with fear of the unknown.

    This implies that the fear of the unknown his fiancée was initially preoccupied with had therein been shifted to his mind.

    The following day, Bisi disclosed to her parents her intention to resign from the job which she had nurtured for over six years; she had gone to visit them at their place of residence for that very agendum. The news was a big blow to the said recipients, particularly her mum.

    “You must be out of your senses.” Her mother boiled impatiently.

    “Young woman, calm down,” the husband quarreled. “Let me talk to her.”

    They were all seated in the parlour. The couple, Mr. and Mrs. Taiwo was on a 3-in-1 cushion while Bisi was separately seated on a single one.

    “Why have you taken such decision?” Mr. Taiwo enquired maturely.

    “Because, he truly loves me.” Ms Taiwo replied.

    “Love…?” He voiced out with a high bass.

     Mrs. Taiwo who couldn’t hold her temper shook her head continuously.

     “Yes Dad,” she said. “Tayo has proven it to me.”

     “So, this is all about love, right?” Mr. Taiwo continued.

     “Yes Dad,” she answered tempestuously. “And that is the ultimate when it calls for marriage…”

     “Shut up,” Her mum heckled. “What do you know about love?”

     “Woman…” Mr. Taiwo cautioned unfriendly, asking his wife to remain calm.

     “Mum, in case you have forgotten,” Bisi responded. “I am 36.” She reminded.

     Mrs. Taiwo was speechless in order not to attract another wrath from her darling husband.

     “So, you have made up your mind?” Mr. Taiwo inquired.

     “Yes Dad,” said Bisi. “I and Tayo are meant for each other.”

     “Are you sure about this?” Her dad reiterated, looking into her eye-sockets.

     “Very sure, Dad.” Bisi replied vigorously.

     Her mum shook her head that bore gorgeously plaited hairs. “Hmm…” She sighed.

     “If you said so,” quoth Mr. Taiwo. “Then invite him over during the weekend.” He urged.

    “Okay Dad,” the interviewee appreciated elatedly, felt fulfilled. “Thank you so much!”

     After all the brouhaha, Mrs. Taiwo succumbed, thus she assented to the arrangement. The following week, Bisi resigned from the job having received her parents’ awaited blessings.

     Two months on, she tied the nuptial knots with Tayo, the groom of the moment. It was indeed a very special day for both of them. Thereafter, they were happily married to the glory of God.

     As God would have it, six months later, Bisi successfully secured another employment in a different firm with the help of the connections she gathered while serving in the previous one. And at that very moment, she was heavily pregnant.

     Hence, the fear of the unknown earlier nurtured by both parties finally metamorphosed into a state of glory. Isn’t He a wonderful God? Think about it!

 
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Such is Life

SUCH IS LIFE 
(True-life story)

    “Tochukwu,” Chima calmly called.

    “Yes.”

    “If you have parents,” said Chima. “And they treat you like a slave…”

     Tochukwu listened attentively over the incoming tale.

    “How would you feel?” He landed.

    “How do you mean?”

    “Didn’t you get the question?” the 19-year-old Chima enquired.

    “What kind of question is that?” quoth Tochukwu. “The question is too complicated.” He confessed.

    “Okay,” Chima reiterated. “If your parents treat you like a slave, how would you feel?”

    The misleading and vague inquiry related to paradox was undoubtedly so complex that Tochukwu couldn’t fathom a bit of it let alone figure out a suitable answer.

    Tochukwu and Chima who were age mates were childhood friends and neighbours in the city of Enugu in Enugu State of Nigeria; ‘neighbours’ in the sense that, they, under the care of their parents, lived in the same street though about ten yards apart. Amidst their usual discussion which was taking place at Tochukwu’s home, Chima thought it wise to share with him an ordeal he had been passing through which was seriously telling on his emotions.

    The truth of the matter remained that Chima who was the first child of his parents, Mr. and Mrs. Okoro was undergoing hell in the hands of the said couple. The scenario appeared as if the said couple regretted ever bringing the poor chap (Chima) to the world; in other words, his birth was not unlike a mistake to them. Funnily enough, prior to the birth of their subsequent offspring, which came when Chima was already seven owing to inability to conceive by Mrs. Okoro, the little Chima was pampered as well as treated like gold just to say the least. Suffice it to say that before the birth of Chima’s immediate younger sibling, Chike who came into the world when the former was already in primary four, the former was indeed adored by his supposed parents; but the moment the latter was born among two others, which included a boy and a girl, that followed suit afterwards, the drumbeat automatically changed.

     The most awful part was that Chima managed to finish his secondary education whereas the other three, his younger siblings, were schooling in one of the best primary schools in town. All these made Chima to be of the notion that something was definitely wrong somewhere. Hence, at that moment, he decided to disclose the unbearable experience to his best friend, Tochukwu since it’s popularly cited that ‘a problem shared is half solved’.

    “Chima, this your question is still confusing.” quoth Tochukwu.

    “I know this might shock you,” Chima persistently rode on. “But I need to share this with you...”

     Tochukwu was silent and very attentive.

    “Maybe you could be of help.” He added.

    “I am all ears.” informed Tochukwu.

    “I am living with my parents,” said Chima, paused. “But it seems I am living alone.”

    “How do you mean, Chima?” the listener said. “Please go straight to the point.” He urged apprehensively

    “My dear,” continued the intriguing storyteller. “I have been facing hell in the hands of my so called parents.”

    “What!” exclaimed Tochukwu in a low tone, quickly adjusted his posture. “Are you serious about this?” He added, confused.

    Many other disclosures accompanied with requested clarifications continued for several minutes. 

    “My dear,” said Chima after about forty minutes amid the discussion. “Myself, I am even confused.” He confessed, paused. “All I wish now is to drink acid and die.”

    “No, don’t talk like that,” Tochukwu quarreled. “It hasn’t gotten to that point.”

   “Tochukwu you don’t seem to understand,” said the complainant. “I am dying in silence.”

    “Still, that doesn’t call for suicide.”

    “So, what would I do?”

    “Believe me,” said Tochukwu. “Your problem has come to an end.” He hinted frantically.

    “How do you mean?” Chima anxiously said.

    “There’s a Pastor I will take you to,” responded Tochukwu. “He’s a very powerful man of God.”

    “Are you sure about this?”

    “Surely, Pastor Okeke is the only one that has the final answer to your problem.” Tochukwu enthused. “He’s my family pastor.”

   “Since you said so,” quoth Chima. “I am damn willing to see him.”

    The following day, both of them arrived at the priest’s worship centre. “You are a great child.” the priest rightly informed Chima the moment they got seated in his office.

    “I don’t understand, sir.” replied Chima.

     Therein, the priest told him the story of his life that sounded like a mere dream.

    The truth was that Chima wasn’t a biological child of Mr. and Mrs. Okoro. They adopted him because they were yet to have a child having waited patiently for twelve years. Miraculously, after seven years of the adoption, the couple had their first biological child, Chike coupled with two other kids that came subsequently.

    The aforesaid couple adopted him nineteen years back by the consent of his real mother, Mrs. Ogiri right in the hospital where he was delivered, but his biological father wasn’t aware of the abominable gesture. Amazingly, Chima was a twin but his biological mum sold only him to enable her take good care of his twin brother who was later named Amaechi due to abject poverty that was ravaging her matrimonial home; thereafter she lied to her husband that the sold baby (Chima) who was yet to be named died in the hospital mysteriously.

    The god-sent clergyman further revealed to him that that his twin brother, Amaechi was killed many years back by his mother’s evil sister-in-law, but his parents were yet to know the cause of his abrupt demise. Ironically, according to the anointed man of God, his biological mum couldn’t conceive again after Amaechi’s untimely death; needless to say that his biological parents, Mr. and Mrs. Ogiri were seemingly childless at that very moment that they were faced with no other option than to treat their male house-help, Rumu as their only child. One would assert that the servant in question (Rumu) was adopted by the couple going by the nature of the relationship between the two parties.

    Something very remarkable transpired some months after Chima was sold out to strangers owing to poverty, although unknowingly to his dad; therein his biological parents who were reckoned to be the epitome of poverty became extremely rich; his wretched father, Mr. Ogiri won an overwhelming contract in his little farm business that positively transformed his life for eternity. This implied that they were stinkingly rich at the moment but had no child to enjoy the wealth. Till this point, Mr. Ogiri was yet to be told by his wife that one of their twins was actually sold out, thus he was still kept in the dark.

    Consequently, the cleric disclosed to Chima the exact direction that would lead him to his biological parents, Mr. & Mrs. Ogiri who hailed from Rivers State. The following day, in the company of his friend (Tochukwu), Chima began his journey to meet his real parents without the knowledge of the fake ones, Mr. and Mrs. Okoro. There and behold, he successfully got to his father’s compound that seemed like a haven.

    His mother, Mrs. Ogiri who came out to receive the guests having been notified on their arrival fainted as soon as she was told by Chima that he was the innocent baby who was sold nineteen years back.

    Rather than being resentful over his wife’s weird and dastardly attitude, Mr. Ogiri who got the overall news afterwards thought it wise that the reunion called for celebration.

    Thereafter, Chima could boast of not only materials a child of his age wished to possess but anything he could lay his hands on to include a Jeep, classy wears and what have you. Subsequently, he went back to his fake parents in his personal Jeep to let them know that he had discovered his lineage; they were densely shocked to see him as a totally changed person. Prior to this time, they had been searching for his whereabouts only for him to resurface in a different mood some days later.

    Four years on, the intelligent Chima became a graduate of Linguistics & Communication Studies from the University of Port-Harcourt, Rivers State, Nigeria under the care of Mr. and Mrs. Ogiri. Undoubtedly, such is life.

    N.B: Actual names of the real characters as well as localities in the story were withheld by the writer.

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Mystery of Life

MYSTERY OF LIFE

    “Oh Lord,” Lola soliloquized in a state of solitude. “I have waited so long for this!” She lamented ungratefully.

    Mrs Lola Adegoke, a 39-year-old mother of four who was yet to conceive a male child, had been faced with enormous unbearable matrimonial pressure that she was forced to speak to her creator just like an ingrate would. No doubt, her 10-year-old marriage to her childhood friend Mr Seun Adegoke had made the said young man to see life as an unfair situation, thus each moment of his ‘miserable’ life was preoccupied with agony and unbridled emotional seizure. His unending sad mood became so annoying that one could wonder if a female child didn’t worth it, or what actually was in a male child that couldn’t be found in a girl child.

    “Please, my Lord,” she continued. “Just give me a male child so that my husband would be happy.”

    She was actually seated on her matrimonial bed, her face faced upward directly toward the room ceiling.

    “Just a male child, Lord.” She landed, gushed out tears.

    Few seconds later, Seun walked in, sat close to her. “Lola,” he called, without minding the fathomless tears on her face. “I have a plan.” He hinted.

    She stared at him, surprised. She wondered if the situation had gotten to a point that her supposed hubby would never mind her sorrowful physiognomy. “What do you mean?” She managed to utter.

   “I have been thinking.” Seun rode on, staring at the cemented floor.

   “Thinking of what?” Lola enquired, quickly wiped out the tears with her bare left hand.

   The pink single wrapper she tied up to her chest level could sense that all wasn’t well going by Seun’s countenance.

    “Something very important.” He answered vaguely, continuously tapped his right leg that was in a brown lather slipper on the floor.

   “I am all ears.” Lola informed apprehensively, wore a weird face as if her mind could absorb any news regardless of its gravity.

    “Well,” the sad looking Seun uttered. “I have decided to bring in another woman.”

    “In this house?”

    “Yes, of course.”

    “Besides,” she retrogressively said. “What kind of woman are you talking about?”

    “A second wife, of course”

    “Second wife…?”

    “You heard me,” Seun frankly cleared the air, paused. “Isn’t it clear you can’t give me a male child?” he asked rhetorically.

     Lola gushed out tears again.

    “This is not a matter of crying.” He thought aloud. “You just have to see reason with my intention.”

    Therein, she wept bitterly and helplessly.

    “You have been nice to me since I got married to you,” he confessed. “But, ten years isn’t ten days, neither is it ten months.”

    There was absolute tranquility.

    “We can’t continue like this,” he continued. “Can’t you see?” He landed, looking into her pitiable eyes.

     He attempted to wipe her tears with his hands. “Leave me alone.” She ranted, stood up and walked away.

    One week later, Seun tied the knot with Titi. Practising polygamy was something he forbade right from childhood, but he had broken that vow.

    Those who knew his person from Adam wondered why he couldn’t wait for at least a little more time. Besides, they were of the opinion that a woman gave birth to what her hubby inserted into her womb.

    Funnily enough, four years on, Titi couldn’t conceive even a child let alone the awaited gender. It was like a mirage to the entire Adegoke family including Seun’s aged parents who persuaded him to pick a second wife.

    Consequently Titi accused her sister-in-law, Lola of being responsible for her purported barrenness; the abrupt accusation aroused uncontrollable uproar in the family that Seun got estranged with her (Lola), though she alongside her children was still living in the same house with him.

    Prior to the aforementioned estrangement, Seun had gotten married to another lady, his third wife. The separation occurred barely three weeks after he brought in the third woman, Funmi who was already impregnated by him before the marriage.

    Fourteen days after the misunderstanding between Seun and Lola, the latter was confirmed pregnant for her fifth child; no one could imagine that the former was still sleeping with her having gotten married to two other different women. The intriguing game men play.

    Subsequently, Seun overlooked Lola’s pregnancy with the view that she would still deliver a baby girl when due, thus he was only mindful of Funmi’s pregnancy. What she (Funmi) needed to do was just to name her want and it would be delivered at her doorstep within a twinkle of an eye. The scenario proceeded unabated that Lola couldn’t bear the humiliation any longer; her four female children were her solace as the intimidating circumstance lingered.

    Eight months on, Funmi the third wife successfully gave birth to a baby girl. The news was a big shock to Seun who anxiously waited at the hospital’s waiting-room prior to the childbirth. The awful reality, which befell a nervous wreck on his person, kept him speechless several days afterwards. 1987, which was the year of the incident, appeared to him like twenty years back, 1967 precisely, when he lost his two siblings to a road carnage in broad daylight.

    As God would have it, one month later, the heavily pregnant 43-year-old Lola delivered a bouncing baby boy. Her estranged husband, Seun couldn’t believe the news regarding the mystery of life the moment it was brought to him in his matrimonial home. He hastily ran to the hospital, which was situated very close to his home, in only knickers and bathroom slippers to embrace his ‘lovely’ wedded wife whom he had forsaken for a longtime. Amazingly, on her part, Lola forgave him as soon as she caught sight of him in the distance while in her hospital bed.

    At this point, Titi who couldn’t fathom the miracle was still purportedly barren. She needed not an interpreter to notify her that her presence or services were no longer needed.

    Thereafter, Seun outrightly divorced the makeup wives, Titi and Funmi having renewed his matrimonial vow with Lola. However, he promised he would be remitting alimony to the latter for the upkeep of her baby girl till she grew up.

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