Yagazie, Yagazie nwa….ndi ogo a bia go, our in-laws have come”,Mrs Adichie exclaimed in ecstasy , as she ran into the bride’s dressing room, where her only daughter was being decorated in Uli, by the Umu-Ada of her clan. Akpo town was preparing to join in marriage her children, Yagazie the town’s undisputable paragon of indescribable beauty, and Uchedo, the most eligible divorcee in the town, and the town was agog with festivities, for the big day. It was unthinkable for anyone that missed out on Uchedo’s first wedding, to miss his second, as there was a guaranteed overflow of food and drinks, and judging by the huge crowd in the Adichie’s compound, the number was thrice the first. Everyone was in high spirits, everyone except Yagazie.
“Achalugo’m”, her mother fondly called” what’s wrong? Why aren’t
you cheerful?” she inquired, as she removed a strand of hair, from her first
outing apparel, a creamed-lace boob gown, that was heavily accentuated
with red, native coral bead necklaces. Yagazie had a rather forlorn look
on her face.
“So you choose today of all days, to gloat over a friend that is
obviously jealous of your union? Over Mmesomma who has been single since we
have known her? You better wipe your face and prepare to meet your husband”.
On an ending note, she walked out of the room, to the
disappointment of the eavesdropping set of the women in the room, who listened
more to the mother-daughter conversation, than they were decorating.
Maybe mama is right, Yagazie thought, as she looked at the mirror
opposite her, in admiration of her transformed "Igba Nkwu” look. Mmesomma
always had a penchant for spewing negativity about the men in her life,
including Yagazie’s. Okey was too opinionated, Chukwuma was a male
chauvinist and Ikenna was a mama’s boy. However, all her comments put together,
were not as aggravating as her reservations about Uchedo.
“Yagazie, a divorcee? Do you know what happened to his ex-wife?”
“Mmemme, he filed for divorce. He said she cheated on her. His
family corroborated the same story and I am inclined to believe them. Besides,
I have carried out my investigations. Uchedo bu ezigbo nwoke.
“I ju go nwunye ya? Have you asked his ex to verify her version?
If you claim he’s a good guy, how come she left her marriage, in just three
years? A ko kwa na.
“I don’t need to find out anything about his ex, because she would
always come to her defence. I trust Uchedo. We have prayed on this, and have
consulted our spiritual leaders and councellors. Uchedo is my destined
husband.”
“Bia nne, there’s no such thing as "a destined husband".
You better snap out of it. Uchedo has probably bribed his way out of serious
probing. You can rule me out of your marriage preparations, and any form of
support”.
Those were Mmesoma’s last words, before she stormed out of
Yagazie’s house. A month later, the silence between them, was still resounding.
Yagazie was not going to let Mmesomma’s absence spoil her shine.
She would marry Uchedo Diobi, and they will live forever, until Mmesomma
eventually died of jealousy. As their union was sealed with the exchange of
palmwine, she smiled in victory, at her won conquest. Mmesomma can finally be
laid to rest.
As she drove to Enugu, with Uchedo, she envisaged what their
wedding night would be like, and how she would apply all the read tricks and
the unimaginable sex positions suggested by her mother. However, lying
critically in the hospital bed, on her wedding night was not in the plot.
Matter of fact, she did not remember how that night went, but she remembered
serving Uchedo an overheated plate of Eba and Egusi, and the counter arguments
that ensued, as to why the food was not served warm. This was surprising,
because Uchedo had always requested that his food be served piping hot.
Uchedo questioned her for challenging his manhood and talking back at him, and
in the fit of anger, gave her a deadly blow on her eye. On her wedding night,
Yagazie became a one eyed damsel.
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