There was great jubilation when the baby began to cry. Nneka had been in labour for hours and her mother and husband who were waiting at the lobby had run out of patience. Her mother particularly had been worried. She prayed her rosary while pacing up and down. She was well aware of the possible complications of labour. There had been many cases of maternal and neonatal deaths lately. The health sector had suffered many years of neglect and the hospitals had hence become death traps. One could therefore imagine their joy when the cry of the newborn baby wafted into the waiting area. Their happiness doubled when they were led into the ward to see mother and son. As Sam went straight to the cot where his son was kept, Nneka's mother went into her daughter's waiting arms and both women had a prolonged hug.
"Congratulations, dear," The older woman smiled at her daughter.
"Thanks, Mom."
"How are you?" her mother asked.
"I am fine, Mom," Nneka looked disturbed and her mother wondered why.
"Are you sure you are okay? Did you bleed much? Are you in pains?" her mother couldn't hide her fear as she scrutinized her.
Nneka tried a smile but ended up with a frown. "I am fine," she insisted.
"If you say so," her mother said as she joined Sam at the cot. She froze the moment she set eyes on her grandson. The baby in the cot looked every inch like Chike. Nneka's heart stood still when her mother turned and gave her an accusing look. She could see so many questions on her mother's face. She could also see accusation and confusion. The look on her mother's face had confirmed her fears. She had seen the similarities between her son and late fiancé but hoped it was just a figment of her imagination. Maybe her psyche was playing a prank on her but the look on her mother's face said otherwise.
She shuddered as the events of that night flashed through her mind. It was her wedding night. She had just arrived at the hotel in her husband's company, when his phone rang. It was Mr. Ado, her husband's friend and business associate from Ghana who was supposed to attend their wedding but couldn't make it on time because of delayed flight. Sam had promised to go and pick him up at the airport and he had called to announce his arrival the moment the new got to the hotel. They had barely moved in their luggage into their suite when Sam left for the airport but came back almost immediately and made love to her before eventually going to the airport to pick up his friend. The light in the room was out and all she could see was a silhouetted figure as the only source of light was the one radiating from the adjoining bathroom whose door was ajar. But she had no doubt that the man that made love to her that night was her husband. She knew his voice too well and could smell him from afar.
She was therefore shocked to get a call later that night from a private number. The caller claimed that he was Chike, her former fiancé and that he was the one that had made love to her. He had gone ahead to prove to her that he was alive; that he wasn't killed in jail; and finally referred her to Mr. JJ for further clarifications. Nneka had tried to meet Mr. JJ but her effort yielded no result as the former prison comptroller was out of the country. Since her efforts to confirm the caller's claim yielded no result, she decided not to discuss the incident with her husband or anyone.
Though she had loved Chike dearly and missed him when he had gone away, she had moved on. She had just married a wonderful man and wouldn't want anybody to put asunder, not even Chike. She had prayed that Chike should go back to wherever he had been and let her be.
As if he heard her prayer, he never showed up again but nine months down the line, she gave birth to his replica. There was no doubt that Chike fathered her son. Soon people would start asking questions and tongues would start wagging. Her mother had already started asking. She hadn't voiced it out yet but the expression on her face had said it all. What if Sam became suspicious and decided to probe. What if he arrived at the truth? That would certainly break his heart and of course, their marriage as well.
"Congratulations to you, my darling wife!" Sam said cheerfully, interrupting Nneka's brooding. He had left the cot and was standing close to her.
"Thanks and congratulations to you, too," She looked up at him and smiled.
"What's the matter?" Sam asked when he noticed the tears in Nneka's eyes. He sat beside her on the bed and put his arm around her shoulders. "Are you okay?" he asked as he dried her eyes.
"I am fine. They are tears of joy. I don't know how to thank God for this bundle of joy He has blessed us with," she lied and her mother nodded sarcastically. The look on her face was that of dismay. She was highly disappointed in her daughter and she was doing little or nothing to hide how she felt. How could Nneka be so irresponsible? She knew she was already married to Sam yet agreed to have sex with Chike. That was adultery, infidelity of the highest magnitude. Now her stupidity had come to live with her and would be staring her in the face on daily basis. Her mother could swear that Chike was her grandson's father. She had bumped into a man that looked exactly like him sometime in the past but concluded then that people could look alike but now, she knew better.
"He has indeed done a great thing and it's marvelous in our eyes." Sam affirmed. "Our son doesn't look like either of us. He doesn't take after our parents either." Sam stated and Nneka's heart skipped a beat. The moment she dreaded most was upon her already. Sam was already suspicious and the look on her mother's face wasn't helping matters at all. The older woman kept looking at her with resentment.
"But I am sure he takes after my grandfather or great grandfather. I didn't meet them, so I don't know what they looked like but I am sure that Ikem looks like one of them," Sam said with confidence and that gave Nneka a level of relief. She knew it was a sort of postponing the evil day but better later, than now.
Her mother for her part decided to let the sleeping dog lie. She could smell a rat but could not substantiate whatever suspicious she nursed. Chike was dead or so it seemed to the world and therefore couldn't have fathered her daughter's son. But the resemblance was so significant that it would be difficult to gloss over it. Besides, she once saw a man that looked exactly like Chike. Maybe he wasn't killed after all. Maybe some people played some trick on them. But nothing was hidden under the sun. The truth would come out one day. She decided to keep calm and watched events as they unfolded. She would talk at the right time and to the right persons.
As the days went by, Ikem grew to become every bit like Chike and of course tongues began to wag but since none of the rumourmongers could substantiate the allegation, the rumour remained with them.
Their daughter came two years after Ikem was born. She was a very beautiful creature. She took after her mother but certainly more beautiful. She was christened Princess and she was really a Princess.
Life was good as long as Nneka was concerned. There was no word from Chike anymore and it was obvious that the wagging tongues had become fatigued. Her family was filled with love, peace and joy. Their businesses were doing very well and theirs was a perfect family. Sam was the best husband and father in the whole world. Nneka couldn't ask for more. She was certainly not an ingrate.
She was equally a good wife and mother. Sam had on many occasions, openly expressed his gratitude to God for giving her to him.
Princess had just turned one and an elaborate party had been organized to celebrate her first birthday. Friends, family members and business associates turned out in their numbers to grace the occasion. Sam and Nneka didn't disappoint. They were ready for their guests. Everyone ate and drank to their full and some even took food and drinks away.
Later that night, Nneka lay in bed counting her blessings and naming them one by one. She had a very caring and loving husband. Her children were very healthy and growing well. They were turning into beautiful and smart children. She was surrounded with caring relatives and friends. Their businesses were doing very well. God had been so faithful and she would forever be thankful to Him.
Sam for his own part was so disturbed. He had received an anonymous phone call requesting him to come to De Mangrove restaurant for an important message. He had excused himself from the party and honoured the invitation. He had met with a man who later introduced himself as Frank. Frank had gone ahead to reveal some secrets to Sam, convincing him that he wasn't Ikem's biological father. He had told Sam about Chike and the possibility that he was responsible for Nneka's first pregnancy. He had claimed to know Nneka and most of her secrets too well, having been engaged to marry her in the past. Frank had ended by showing Sam pictures of Chike and pointing out the similarities between him and Ikem.
Frank was so convincing that Sam had no doubt that he had said the truth. Now that he knew the truth, he had two options, either confront Nneka or let her be but look for Chike.
He decided to take the second option. He reasoned that Chike was to blame. How could he take advantage of the love Nneka had for him and have sex with her even when he knew that she was married? Why did he establish contact with her when he knew that seeing him would bring back old memories and definitely lead her into temptation? Chike was solely to blame and Sam was ready to find him and pay him in his own coin. He must find him and send him back to the grave where he was supposed to be. After all, he was already dead, to the world. "Nobody will raise an eyebrow when a dead man dies again," he said to himself. He visited some guys at the church the next day and the manhunt started.
Meanwhile, Sam maintained a cordial relationship with Nneka. He continued to carry out his duties as a good husband and father. There was no sign that he bore an enormous burden in his heart, a burden that only Chike's death would lift, and the sooner he died the better.
For Nneka, it was business as usual but little did she know that she now had regular companies. The assassins followed her around because they believed that she was the only one that would lead them to their target. Frank had informed Sam that Chike was still in contact with Nneka and Sam wanted the target to be spotted around his wife, either with her or stalking her, before killing him. That way, he would be able to justify his action.
As the hunt for the target continued, Sam took off to Ghana. His insurance company was an affiliate of the topmost insurance company in Ghana and as a tradition, the company's annual general meetings held in Accra. It was Nneka that dropped him at the airport that morning. She stayed with him at the airport while he waited to board.
"I wish you could come with me," Sam sobered up suddenly. Nneka had promised to attend that particular AGM with him but had to cancel at the last minute because of a dinner party she must attend the next day.
"I wish I could, too. In fact, I desire to be in Ghana more than anyone else but I need to be in that dinner. My absence would negatively affect our business relations with Chief Rufus," she explained again. The first time she explained was the night before. It wasn't like Sam didn't understand but he had already told his business partners in Ghana that he was coming with his wife and they were all waiting to meet her. They would certainly be disappointed but Nneka had a cogent reason to cancel the trip and trying to coax her would be irrational.
"It's okay," he smiled at her, and she smiled back.
"What are you thinking about?" Nneka asked when she noticed that Sam was absentminded. They were sitting side by side, so he turned to look at her.
"I was just wondering when the dinner would end, must be very late in the night. I hope it would be safe to go home at that time." He paused for a while. "I think it would be safer to have a company," he suggested.
Nneka smiled and kissed him briefly. "I will be fine. Nothing will happen to me but that doesn't mean that your idea of having a company isn't good. I will look for a company," she said and kissed him again.
At that point, it was announced that all the passengers going to Accra should proceed for boarding. The passengers had earlier checked in and were waiting to board. The couple stood immediately and hugged each other.
"What will you buy for me?" Nneka asked her husband.
"Whatever you want. Just mention it," Sam said, holding her hand.
"Surprise me, darling," Nneka said after a brief thought.
"Deal!" Sam said and kissed her on the forehead. "I love you," he added as he began toward the boarding section.
"I love you, too," she called and wave as he looked at her over his shoulder.
When Sam arrived in Ghana, Mr. Ado was at the airport to meet him. They hugged each other and exchanged pleasantries.
"Where is your wife?" Mr. Ado asked, a bit disappointed.
"She couldn't make it," Sam answered. "She has a business dinner to attend tomorrow. The dinner is very crucial to her business." he explained.
"My wife will be so disappointed," Mr. Ado said as he picked up one of Sam's bags from the ground. "She has completed preparations to host her."
"Oh dear!" Sam cried. "I am sorry that we couldn't tell you earlier than now. The invitation to the dinner came last night. I am so sorry." Sam apologized.
"It is okay," Mr. Ado smiled and led the way. A chauffeur was waiting at the lots to take them to the hotel which would serve as the abode for the participants as well as venue for the AGM. Mr. Ado would also lodge in the hotel. He showed Sam to his room and left after a short while. They had a meeting the next day and needed time to prepare for the meeting. They would have time for social discussions after the meeting. After all, Sam would spend a week in Ghana.
The next day, the target waited in his car, parked outside Sam's gate as Nneka prepared for the dinner scheduled for that evening. She wasn't aware that someone was waiting for her. It was supposed to be a surprise.
Suddenly, the assassins, four of them, stormed the target, tied him up, put him in his car boot and drove him to a bush where a grave had been dug. Without much ado, they killed him and buried him in the waiting grave.
When Nneka arrived at the dinner venue around 8pm, Chinwe was already there. Nneka had heeded her husband's advice of having a company and the only person that came to mind was her cousin, Chinwe. Chinwe had relocated to Lagos and was therefore at Nneka's beck and call. They met on the court and walked into the venue together. The dinner afforded the cousins great opportunity to have fun. The last time they got together and gossiped was over three months earlier. There were many talking points but top on the list was Chinwe's new relationship. The son of a politician cum business tycoon started dating her about three months back and there was every indication that the lovebirds would soon walk down the aisle.
It all started when Chinwe gatecrashed a wedding reception. She was supposed to accompany a female colleague to a wedding reception on that fateful day. She neither knew the bride nor the groom. When she arrived at the venue, she discovered that her colleague hadn't arrived yet. She had gone inside the venue, sat down and waited for her friend. A cursory look at her had shown a lady that was tensed up. She couldn't relax as she knew nobody.
Bill had noticed her and decided to make her relax. "Hi!" he had said while showing a perfect dentition.
Chinwe had looked up and smiled apprehensively. Maybe the guy had come to find out if she was duly invited as the wedding reception was grand and attendance was most likely to be strictly on invitation. Bill had been one of the groom's men and just like him, all the groom's men were sons of the movers and shakers of the society.
"Hello!" She had replied and then waited for the embarrassing moment. But Bill's next comment had made her heave a sigh of relief.
"You look harassed. I can deduce that you haven't seen the person that invited you," Bill had guessed right. He was a very observant and smart guy but most importantly, he was very handsome, every woman's dream.
"You are very correct," Chinwe had conceded.
"So, can I sit and keep you company as you wait for him to arrive," Bill had offered.
"Her, actually," Chinwe had corrected and the expression on Bill's face showed that he liked the fact that Chinwe's company was a lady.
"Okay! So can I sit?" Bill asked, pulling a seat.
"I will appreciate it," Chinwe nodded. There was no doubt that she was grateful.
The duo had chatted and laughed like old friends. Bill was full of life and Chinwe was his match. They had been so engrossed in their discussion that Chinwe didn't notice that her colleague had arrived at the venue and had been calling to know where she was. It was even Bill that noticed that her phone was beeping and pointed it out.
It was when she took the call that she discovered that she was in a wrong wedding. There were other halls in the hotel and Chinwe didn't know that.
Time to say goodbye.
They had said goodbye but not without exchanging their phone numbers. Bill had called later that night, and ever since, their relationship had been growing from strength to strength. This happened about three months back and Nneka hadn't seen Chinwe since then as she had traveled outside Lagos for a training sponsored by her company, and just returned. They only talked about it on the phone on few occasions. So now that they were seeing one on one, it was a good opportunity for Nneka to get the full gist of the past, the present and even the future. And Chinwe was as excited as her cousin was. She couldn't wait to give her every detail.
They were at it until a guy chose to distract them.
"Hello ladies," the intruder said, grinning from ear to ear. Nneka looked at him and wondered what gave him the guts to disturb the beautiful story her cousin was telling her. He probably mistook them for single ladies and came to try his luck. He had definitely met the wrong ladies. She had concluded and decided to ignore him. She hoped that her cousin would do the same, but on the contrary, Chinwe screamed with joy, jumped to her feet, and threw herself at the intruder. She hugged him tightly and kissed him passionately. Nneka was totally lost and the expression on her face said it all.
Chinwe saw the confusion on Nneka's face and chuckled. "This is Bill, the topic of our discussion," she said as she stood hand in hand with her heartthrob.
"Talk of the devil," Nneka said, standing to greet her in-law to be. "At last, I meet the guy that swept my cousin off her feet," she said, holding out her hand for a handshake. Bill laughed as he took her hand. She quickly studied the young man standing before her and saw Chinwe's wisdom in falling for him. He was a prince charming from a rich and classy home. "It's a pleasure to meet you."
"My pleasure, too," Bill smiled at Nneka and turned to Chinwe.
"She's my big cousin. Nnneka is her name. She is the CEO of Dikeson constructions LTD and mother of two. I am sure you couldn't have guessed that she is married let alone have children," Chinwe introduced her cousin.
"Wow! Mother of two? You are very correct, darling. I couldn't have guessed right by just looking at her. She looks like a sweet sixteen," Bill complimented.
"That's pure flattery," Nnneka said even though she knew that he was correct. People rarely believed that she had had children. Her figure was that of a beauty queen and she relished it a lot.
"Well, it's not for you to say. It is for us who see you in three dimensions to say and we have told you," Bill insisted as he pulled a seat for Chinwe. He waited for the ladies to sit before taking his own seat. "So tell me, what were you gossiping about me?" he asked with a laugh.
The ladies laughed instead of answering his question. He didn't insist on an answer either. It was only a rhetorical question.
"You are supposed to be in Abuja," Chinwe reminded Bill.
"Yes, but I came back this evening. My dad had insisted that I come for this dinner, so I had to cut short my trip," Bill explained.
"And you didn't bother to tell me?"Chinwe was calm but the disapproval in her voice was evident.
"Check your phone," Bill instructed and Chinwe started fumbling in her bag in search of her phone. She found it, checked and noticed that she missed twenty-one calls. All the calls were from Bill. She looked up and started gaping at him.
"I started calling you the moment I confirmed my flight and I called over twenty times. I wanted to tell you about the change in plan and also to find out if you would be free to attend this dinner with me but little did I know that you would be here before me." There was no sign of anger in Bill's voice and that made Nneka nurse no doubt about his capability of being a good husband. Patience and benefit of the doubt were key ingredients in a marriage.
"I am so sorry, darling. My phone has been on silence," Chinwe apologized sincerely.
"There's nothing to be sorry about. Divine providence has accomplished my reason for calling you. So let's forget the past and be merry."
Bill was a chatterbox. He held Chinwe and her cousin spellbound with gist. He was so humorous and seemed to have a lot of gist to share. He could compete with Okey Bakassi and Basket mouth. He was so lively that Nneka lost track of the time. By the time she realized herself, it was few minutes to midnight. She jumped to her feet and announced her intention to leave immediately. She was tempted to stay till the end which would be at 2am but she had promised her husband that she would leave before 11pm. She had failed to keep her promise and was feeling guilty. Chinwe rose to her feet as well and kissed Bill goodnight. She must go with Nneka. After all, her sole reason for being at the dinner was to be Nneka's companion during the dinner and while going home. She didn't want to shirk that responsibility even though she was tempted to.
It was only when Nneka got home that she realized that Sam had called her severally. Her phone was on silence all through the time she spent at the dinner, so she didn't know it was ringing. She had already dialed back before it occurred to her that it was too late. It was some minutes to 1am. Sam must be fast asleep. She shouldn't disturb his sleep considering that he must have had a tough day and needed to rest. She must stop the call immediately but her decision came a bit late as Sam answered the call before she could stop it.
"Hello, love!" his voice was loud and clear. It was obvious that he was yet to near his bed let alone sleep. As a matter of fact, he was at the bar chatting over a drink with Mr. Ado. Their insurance company had been a huge success and they had to celebrate. It was also an opportunity to catch up socially. Sam had already told his friend and business partner about Chike, his affair with his wife and how he dealt with the situation. They were making jest of the topic when Nneka's call came.
"Hi honey, you aren't sleeping yet?" Nneka was surprised. Sam never joked with his sleep especially after a stressful day.
"Nope," Sam answered simply.
"I thought your day was stressful," Nneka wondered.
"It was but Mr. Ado and I have a lot of catching up to do."
"I see but you have a whole week," Nneka reasoned.
"I am not sure a week will suffice," Sam joked and laughed.
Nneka laughed as well. She knew a joke when she heard one. She asked how the annual general meeting went.
"Wonderful! I won the manager of the year award," Sam informed her.
"As usual," Nneka enthused. "Congratulations! I am so proud of you."
Sam had won that award for three consecutive years and he now saw it as his birthright. But he desired it. He had revolutionized the insurance business in Nigeria and Ghana. Mr. Ado never regretted partnering with him.
"Thanks!" Sam said. "How did the dinner go? Don't tell me you just got home."
"I am sorry," Nneka apologized. "I went with Chinwe and we ran into her boyfriend at the dinner. He came with his father who happened to be one of the VIPs at the occasion. Chinwe had said so much about him, so I was excited to meet him. In the course of getting to know him and probing to know if he is the right man for my cousin. I lost track of time. I am really sorry."
"It's okay," Sam said calmly. "I hope she walks down the aisle this time."
Chinwe had had her fair share of disappointments with regard to relationships. The last man that dated her later got married to one of her friends whom he met through her. After that incident, she swore never to have anything to do with men. Nneka tried on many occasions to convince her that she had been meeting the wrong guys; that some men were good, but her advice fell on deaf ears. Even Sam couldn't make any headway when Nneka recruited him to try. She had made up her mind and that was final. There was no going back.
It was therefore gratifying that Chinwe was in another relationship which from all indications would lead to the altar. Only time would tell if that would happen.