His second visit was all it took for Nma to make up her mind she was going to have a piece of Ekene. Ekene had come the previous day with Ifeoma to her mom’s shop. Ifeoma was excited to introduce to her mom for the first time somebody she called “my man.” Her mom, Nma had been on her neck to introduce the guy she had always spoken so eloquently about.
“Mom, meet my friend Ekene. Ekene, this is my one and only mother” the excited Ifeoma looked on as the pair exchanged pleasantries. “Ekene, how are you?” Nma quizzed as she looked sternly at the piece of cloth she was trying to put together.
“Ifeoma has said a lot about you; I hope you are exactly who she described to me?” Nma continued. “Ifeoma, offer him a seat, or you want another visitor to come along?”Ekene and Ifeoma left the shop after spending about an hour with Nma.
Nma’s husband, Denis was late. He died when Ifeoma was five years old. Chisom, Ifeoma’s only sister was barely three at the time of their father’s demise.The burden of raising the two girls fell squarely on the then young and tender Nma. She had to use part of the money she got during her husband’s funeral to set up her sewing shop.
Nma watched the little Ifeoma and Chisom become adult. Ifeoma had become a nurse while Chisom took after her mother’s line of business. Nma was excited to see Chisom take after her; establishing a much bigger and modern designer shop. The two girls were doing well.
After the demise of Denis, Nma had attempted to date three times; all of which ended abruptly.
The third date which lasted more than six months was cut short when Ifeoma confronted her mother for dating a man as young as she was. Ifeoma couldn’t understand what her mother could possibly be doing with a man that young. It was one of those sore moments between Ifeoma and her mother.
After the incident, Ifeoma did not see any man hang around her mother; though she suspected she could be dating secretly.
Nma was unable to shake off the image of Ekene from her mind. He was the kind of man she had always wanted to date. Ekene was tall and handsome. He spoke very softly and laughed very heartily.
Nma knew the implication of her urge. The fantasy driven urge grew to the extent of almost driving her crazy.
One afternoon, Ifeoma received an email “Dear Ifeoma, we are pleased to inform you that after your application to study Master of Health Sciences (Specialist Nursing) program has been approved…”
Ifeoma was so elated. Her dream of specializing abroad was coming to fruition. She did not want to mention the plan to anybody until everything worked out.
“Hello mom, I have good news for you. I will be leaving for America in two months…erm…well Ma’am I didn’t want to tell anybody because I didn’t want to be discouraged. I will explain everything when we see. Bye.”
Ifeoma did not know what to make out of the way her mother sounded on the phone. She didn’t betray any emotions.
Ifeoma tried in vain in reaching Ekene on the phone. She sent a text message. “Hi Ekene, I have been trying to reach you on the phone. Please call me once you see this message; I have an urgent message to pass across to you.”
Ekene did not see the message until later in the night. His battery was flat all day. “Hi babe, hope you are fine? I just saw your message…when? You mean you didn’t consider it wise to mention your plan to me?”Ekene ended the call in anger.
“Why is everybody reacting this way, Can’t somebody see with me?”
Ifeoma made up her mind that she wasn’t going to be apologetic about her dreams and plans. “When they were wishing me the all best, what were they thinking?”
A night before Ifeoma’s trip, Chisom came over to help arrange her things. She was happy her sister would become one of the leading lights in her career when she returned home.
Ekene was not happy Ifeoma was travelling but he knew there was nothing he could about the decision. The thought that Ifeoma would be away for nearly two years was sickening to him.
Ifeoma arrived safely. She called everybody to inform them. The tasks ahead would be very daunting; getting used to her new environment, registration and making new friends. Her fees were not an issue. She had saved more than enough money to see her through her stay in the United States. Chisom also gave her some substantial amount in support of her dreams.
After one month that Ifeoma travelled, Ekene had not visited Nma or Chisom. Nma called Chisom one afternoon to find out if Ekene was still in touch with her. Chisom told her mom that she hadn’t heard from Ekene since Ifeoma travelled.
The following day, Nma called Ekene. “Ekene is this how we are going to do this In-law thing? Since Ifeoma travelled, you haven’t called or come to see how we are doing.” “Have you called Chisom since Ifeoma travelled? You see… this is not proper o.” All excuses Ekene advanced were rebuffed by Nma. He then promised to make amends by visiting.
The following weekend, Ekene visited the house. Nma hadn’t closed from her shop. He went to the shop to see her. Nma was happy to see Ekene his crush again. She moved over to where Ekene seated and brushed his hairs with her hand “see your head; you just abandoned your in-law.”
Ekene giggled a bit, squeezed his palms together “Ma’am is not like I don’t want to visit; it’s just time.”
“So how did this time come out?” Nma queried jokingly. Ekene waited until close of business. He accompanied Nma home. When he indicated he wanted to go; Nma refused insisting he must eat dinner before leaving. A request Ekene obliged. Before long, dinner was ready. Ekene left shortly after dinner.
Three days later, Nma took ill and was admitted at the hospital. Doctor said she had suffered extreme fatigue. She was discharged the following day after she recovered from the fatigue. The Doctor advised her to go home and rest for a week before resuming at the shop.
Chisom had to move into her mom’s place to look after her until she fully recovered.
To be continued…
NB: The picture above is for illustration purposes only.
