Chapter Thirty Four
JOURNEY TO HELL 6
Mazi was disgruntled with the news from Ezenmuo. He was not serving Ikenga again, but he knew how disastrous it can be when provoked. Besides, Mazi Iluno Okonkwo had woken the lion from his slumber, why won't it roar?
'Where on earth could he be? I have not seen or heard from him for some days because he has made me his enemy; the worst one for that matter. He believed that my refusal to accompany him to marry Chika was the cause of his predicament. Did Ezenmuo give him the money that can take him to the white man's country to hypnotize Chika and Mr. Eric Adibe to enable them to return his two sons?'
Mazi Onubuogu Okonkwo kept pondering.
Mr. Eric Adibe, the legal husband of Chika showed up after fifteen years that Mazi took her in as his mistress. By then, Chika had already had two sons for him. Traditionally, the two children belonged to Mr. Eric Adibe who had been in detention since he left for the United States of America. He came back for his wife after he gained his freedom and he never minded that she was living with another man because he feared divorce like a plague. He cannot imagine going for another woman when the one he married first was still living.
"It was not her fault; any woman could have done the same."
Mr. Eric Adibe told his father, who suggested he should take another woman.
Chika was so ashamed of herself when Mr. Eric Adibe returned. If only she had been with a decent man, the shame would have been tolerable. In this case, she was with a man who sent his wife and children away and associated with black heart and drunkenness. She can only boast of two sons, who he cannot fend for. Their relationship disgusted the entire community, and that made it difficult for Chika to run any business in the community. Though industrious, she often took her merchandise to a far community to sell. That was Chika's state when her husband came back.
When Mr. Eric Adibe was about to marry Chika, many people frowned at it, partly because Chika was not from a royal family like Mr. Eric and partly because she was not educated either. Though beautiful and well-behaved, many other ladies were doing everything within their reach to get his attention due to his father's affluence, but Chika never showed interest until destiny brought them together.
He married her against all odds. When he was detained at his base, Chika was mocked by all her mates who wanted Mr. Eric Adibe certainly who later got married to other men. Chika became a laughingstock by all, especially her rivals and her mother's mates. That day, Mr. Eric had returned and against their expectations, he still loved her.
Chika and the children left with him to his base to the surprise of all. Today, they have two additional children. Since then, Mazi Iluno Okonkwo became a village lay about. He hated himself and the people around him. He took to drinking and gambling. No woman agreed to associate with him again.
Mazi Onubuogu Okonkwo had not been himself from the time Ezenmuo left his house. He cancelled his plan to go to the farm that day.
"I was expecting you at the farm, why didn't you come?"
Asked Obidiya Okonkwo, his wife, when she returned from the farm.
"I changed my mind after Ezenmuo's visit.
The response came with a heavy expression on his face.
"Ezenmuo's visit? What was the visit for?"
The wife asked fearfully. She belonged to the group of people that believed that light and darkness have nothing in common. Ezenmuo was darkness, while those that worship in the church were light. She saw anyone who goes to church as a 'brother' or a 'sister' regardless of how the person behaves, even if he or she is a killer or a thief. The fact that the person entered the church qualified him or her to b a brother or a sister according to the philosophy of Obidiya Okonkwo.
Mazi Onubuogu Okonkwo repeated Ezenmuo's story to her. He did not add or subtract any information from what the Chief Priest told.
"What are we going to call this problem? Why will this man be creating a problem for himself and the people around him?"
Mazi Onubogu was fuming with anger. The wife was not happy either, but she had to be strong at least.
"I think it is appropriate to inform his children."
His wife advised.
Mazi Onubogu Okonkwo who had not thought of that was relieved. Though it may not yield any results, but at least he had taken an action. Heaved a sigh of relief.
"I think you are right. I have not thought of that. I will contact the children as soon as possible. It is said that the anger of a brother does not get to the bone. He is still my brother."
Proclaimed the helpless Mazi Onubuogu Okonkwo.
"How was it at the farm today?"
He asked.
"It was fine. I did the little I can and started coming back home after I noticed you were not going to come. Let me change and take my bath, please."
She said as she excused herself.
Now, the bone of contention was which of the children will he visit? For his age, he does not need much stressful trip.
"Obidiya, which of the children do you suggest I visit?"
He asked his wife with a loud voice, who was already in the bamboo bathroom.
"I suggest we find out where Ugodiya is. You can visit the home of the child she is spending her time with. You can then kill two birds with one stone."
"All right, let me find out from her friend by the market square."
With that, he left before his wife could respond.
Mazi Onubuogu and Obidiya have been married for over fifty years. They were very close to each other. It was not a secret that Mazi Onubuogu Okonkwo loved and respected his wife, while the wife respected and supported him in the running of the family. They had four children, who were all married. He was one of the first people to send their children to the white man's school. Despite the mockery from his people, he never relented in his decision to send his children to school.
Oby, the last child and the only daughter, was the first female graduate in the community. They visit their parents from time to time. Obidiya Okonkwo had travelled overseas on many occasions to stay with the children. She stopped visiting when her husband was getting older and weaker to be left in the hands of maids. She told her children categorically that if they will not allow her to come with her husband, they should forget it. The children were working towards it.
When his younger brother Mazi Iluno Okonkwo asked for Ugodiya's hands in marriage, the family decided to carry out due diligence on his family. The commendation of people concerning Mazi Onubuogu Okonkwo and his wife made people to recommend Mazi Iluno Okonkwo. Their parents had a blissful marriage and Mazi Onubuogu Okonkwo took after them, there was no doubt that he will do well in marriage too. But he turned out to be the black sheep of the family. Just as the saying goes,' one mother gave birth but created by different gods'. Very soon, the world would be relieved of his presence.