He paused and looked at the gob smacked Mr. Aaron, hoping that he had anything to say, but he only gazed at him. Then he proceeded.
“As for the issue of male or female children. I don't have any problem with that. Both genders are very useful to me.”
Chief Phil Ikenna, Fredrick Ikenna's father, was a Business Icon and a Community Ruler in his place. A well-respected man who can buy Mr. Beck Aaron's entire life over and again said after listening to him
Chief Ikenna was the father of three children. His wife had delayed conception before conceiving after six years of marriage. The children were well-trained and lovely. He often advised them, especially the two sons, to marry a woman who they would love and respect, for those were the elements that sustained his marriage during their waiting days.
The words of Fredrick's father humiliated Beck so much before his guests that he did not even dare to glimpse at him.
Now, Uju, who was already tearing up due to her father's shameless hate speech, was cheered up by her father-in-law's firm stand. She dried her tears with the handkerchief that her mother-in-law, who was so delighted to have her as a daughter-in-law, handed over to her.
As for Ada's marriage, he asked her husband, Callum, a young graduate, to buy him the latest model of Mercedes-Benz if he must give him his daughter to marry.
Sarah's marriage was the most stressful and difficult because he threw the whole community into confusion. After he had agreed on a particular date with the family of Evans, he informed his kinsmen of a different date.
Meanwhile, Evans and his family members visited on the stipulated date only to meet a deserted town. It happened that everyone was at the village square for the fundraising of some projects in the community. Now, Mr. Beck Aaron’s house was locked against their expectations. They hoped to see him and his Kinsmen waiting happily for them, but the story was different. When they could not think of what else to do, they contemplated going back when they saw a little boy who came back to pick his flute. The boy happened to be a kinsman's son. Then, Evans drew his attention.
“Hello boy. How are you?”
“I'm fine.”
The seven year old boy replied nervously.
"I'm Evans Owens. What is your name?”
“My name is Frank Aaron.”
The boy responded.
“That is good. Frank, we are here to see Mr. Beck Aaron. Do you know the way to his farm? I won't mind if you can take me there.”
Evans requested because he could not think of anywhere else that he would be at that time of the morning apart from his farm. Then, Frank inquired.
“Are you the person coming to marry Aunty Sarah?”
“Yes. And these are my relations.”
He answered, pointing at his relations.
Then, the boy's face brightened, as the children in the neighborhood had been expecting him. They knew that they would always get one or two notes of money from the would-be husband of their sisters. To the children, it was always a great day. Now, Frank was smiling from ear to ear, he was happy to be the only kid around and the first to meet the in-law. With only him around, any tip from him would go directly to his pocket, and would not have to share with other kids. Then his response left the team in a daze and confusion.
“Mr. Aaron said you were coming tomorrow.”
“What?”
Evans's relations, who were furious, exclaimed simultaneously. To their consternation, that was the highest humiliation anybody would give to a would-be in-law.
“Is she the only lady that you know? Just forget about her and look for another lady.”
One of Evan’s relations blurted out.
“That is undoubtedly what her father wants. If I were you, Evans, I will marry this girl over and over to ensure that her father's wish did not come to pass.”
Obioma, Evans's eldest sister, maintained.
“Yes. Obioma had just said my mind. Let's go back. We will come back tomorrow.”
“It's just a few hours from now, and the trip will not kill us.”
Another member of the group said. Now, the four got back into the vehicle, while Evans was so dejected and ashamed of the kind of in-law he was going to have. All the same, he was delighted that his senior sister Obioma was there because she would do anything to ensure that he was happy. He was also relieved that the number of people who accompanied him on the trip was just few and could easily be managed.
Before they drove off, Evans called out to Frank, his latest friend and future adopted son.
“Frank, come.”
Now, Frank, who had lost hope of any tips while, watching the bewildered team, walked to Evans who was already turning on his car ignition.
“Take. We will come back tomorrow.”
He handed over two thousand notes to him and drove off. What he did not know that he had just sent the boy back to school with that amount. Meanwhile, as Mama reminisced all the past events, she hissed and then mumbled.
'Now, what does he want?'
Then, she got up from the bed with one aim; to stop him before he stops her and the children.
“Grandma, where are you going?”
Lillian, who was disturbed by Mama’s movement, inquired.
“Oh! I am sorry I disturbed your sleep. I just remembered the fish I bought from the market, and I wish to wash and store it in the freezer.”
“I see. Can I come and assist you?”
She volunteered.
"No. Don't bother yourself, my daughter. You can go back to sleep. I will be fine”.
She advised her while covering her with her blanket. Then, the aggrieved mama left for the kitchen. She was aware that the guest room lock was bad, and the door would not be locked. Nobody had bothered to fix the lock, as the need to lock it had never arisen. Now, Mr. Aaron was already snoring and that was an indication that he was fast asleep.