CHAPTER THREE
February 1987.
Catherine was once married to a Nigerian she met in New York, during her college days. They'd both fallen in love. Upon the completion of their Master's Degree, they got married. A marriage her family never approved of.
Six months after their union, her husband decided to move back to Nigeria, a decision she wasn't entirely pleased with, at the time same she was curious to meet her in-laws. She had ways wondered what Nigeria really looks like. The stories told by her husband fed her curiosity. As a geographer, she took a great interest in the photos she saw and the country's appreciation for tradition and preservation of culture. Nonetheless, she also heard stories that scared her, stories that mummifies her.
Before her marriage to Deji, Catherine had a hard time convincing her father to bless her union. She was convinced it will be even more difficult for her Nigerian in-laws to accept their marriage, this she knew, matter-of-factly. And didn't beat herself about but rather braced herself to do right by them until the period of their visit elapses.
"did you sleep on it, as promised?"
Deji's voice sounded over the 1981 classic of Fela Kuti-unknown soldier- which had become a favorite of hers.
Deji took her legs onto this thigh and massaged slowly.
"It's not a bad idea"
She mumbled. Multitasking, she was listening to the music on the stereo and glancing through a magazine held over her face.
"But, I sense 'but' there"
She put away the magazine and sized up with him on the couch.
"don't get me wrong, I want to know more about you, like meet your family and all that, but my Dad"
There she said it. Her father's disapproval was only an excuse to mask her fears. Catherine didn't want him to notice she was scared, as much as it excited her, it scared her in the same vein. But doesn't have to know Deji.
"What about your Dad?"
Deji asked forging ignorance.
Catherine hates it when he tries to rope her into telling the truth, he's pretense not to understand annoys her even more.
"He is not pleased with this whole development"
Deji turned to face her, he envisioned there was more to be said. Catherine cursed under her breath, he knows her too well, and on a day like this, it did her no justice.
"Frankly, I am not too. It's too sudden…"
"sudden?"
"why can't we stay here, it is peaceful, we are happy, we have great careers, we're stable, what more can we ask for?"
There she said it, it feels a lot better letting it out there, she would not pretend moving doesn't scare her. It did, more than she was willing to admit.
"Catherine, please breathe"
She puffed, letting it out sure has its consequences. And feeling like a spoilt, selfish brat was hers.
"I know your fears" he admitted.
"But you have to understand my position, I haven't been home in over three years, I am needed over there and I don't want to go without you by my side. I need you too, with me as my wife" he said cupping her shoulders.
Deji couldn't pretend he wasn't scared too. He was. After he's Nigerian, the only son of his father, that means responsibilities awaited him back home. Responsibilities he couldn't avoid even if he wanted to. A lot was expected of him, and even though New York had given more than he bargained for-love included, staying wasn't part of his plan.
"Don't be scared. I will always be by your side and you won't feel anything else both love and acceptance" he assured her.
Curl up against Deji's body, Catherine felt a sense of protection and understanding. She was also sure it was his unique way of assuring her that everything was going to be just fine.
The warmth emanating from Catherine's body consoled the cold in his heart. He was more nervous than she was. He hadn't told her the whole truth. He wasn't sure what the reaction would be when his folks find out he obdurately married his white woman contrary to their instruction.
"Didi"
She whispered, her body screaming wants.
"Do you promise?"
"I promise"
He promised. Hopefully, it will never come to choosing.
***
In consension with Catherine's previous assumption, Admiral Sue, declare his disapproval of Catherine moving to Africa with a husband he was yet to accept. Her marriage to the Nigerian was a battle between the two until Catherine insisted and conducted a secret marriage behind his back. The news of his daughter's marriage had come as a shock to him, it was a union he greatly despised but had to withstand, to prevent his daughter from carrying out her plans of eloping with the 'black monkey' a name he gave to Deji out of spite.
Admiral Sue feared that his daughter would one day be bewitched by Deji and be cajoled into leaving. To make sure that never happens, he ensure Deji was bonded to his work there in the states.
Today, his fears were confirmed. Catherine had waited after dinner to inform Sue about her intention to move to Nigeria with her husband. As expected, she met her father's disappointment
"I refuse, you are not setting foot in that uncivilized country of his"
Sue roared, clearly stating his displeasure.
Catherine tried in vain to make him consent. It hurt her to see the pains in his eyes, the hurt that he will feel when she leaves.
"Father"
She called as calmly as she could. Growing up, Catherine could get away with anything she desired from her father just by patronizing him. Today, contrary to before, they both were on a different page. She hoped they didn't have to but they were.
"He is my husband"
"we are your family"
Sue countered.
Catherine's nerves melted at the thought of family. Her family is all she has. Leaving everyone and everything she loves behind to be with another she loves was bad enough.
"so is he, my place is by him now. A woman's place is by her husband, remember? I have no choice but to"
She replied, matter-of-factly.
"then get a divorce, marry another, and stay here, you belong here, with the people that genuinely love and will look out for you"
"Didi genuinely loves and cares for me and so do I. I do not desire another"
"Catherine, you are making a mistake, you are taking a risk that will cost you…"
"is it because his Africa, a Nigerian?"
"it would have been different if he wasn't"
Sue retort. His last comment struck, he didn't deny things could have been different if Catherine had married one out of the most suitable men that wanted her. Instead, she chooses a man of no name, no status, and of unknown, foreign origin.
"Catherine, stop being a fool. You are a smart independent lady, for the love of Lucy, your mother, put your brains to use"
Sue said, trying to placate her.
How dare he use the memories of her mother to win over her, Catherine thought, Her mother's memories are sacred, not a weapon of emotional blackmail. It hurt that in a bit to win her over he disregarded her mother's sacred memories.
"I am using my brain and I will follow my heart"
She declared, rising from her seat.
The soft gaze in Admiral Sue's eyes contorted, replaced with an abrasive stare. The look told Catherine all she needed to know, her father wasn't going to let her off. Not this time, not ever.
"If you work out that door, it will be shut on you forever"
He threatened, in a hostile tone. A tone she only heard him use on his subordinates.
Contrary to Sue's command, Catherine left, daring not to turn back. She consoled her broken heart at having to choose between the people she loved most in the world.
She wasn't leaving forever, she told herself. It is only for a short period, then she would return and make peace with her father until then this is how things will be.