CHAPTER 14
Shades of Marriage
🥰😊😔🥺😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭
“Mama, I apologize for my outburst earlier on. I
allowed my emotions to control me. Please
don’t be angry”. Austin pleaded.
“You really surprised me. I have never seen you
that angry”. Mama said.
“I apologize for my unruly behavior mama”.
Austin said as he genuflected.
“I hear o”. Mama said reluctantly.
“Mama, I know you and my sisters mean well
for me and you care deeply about my wellbeing
and happiness. Elizabeth here..”
He reached out for my right hand and held it
firmly. He continued;
“I was the one that approached her even before
her marriage ended”.
I could see the shock in their faces. They
passed puzzled glances at one another.
“I was the one that loved her first. I was also the
one that made her fall for me. If there’s anyone
to be crucified here, then it should be me.
Concerning her pregnancy, even if she isn’t
pregnant, it won’t change anything because I
have always wanted her to be mine before the
baby came into the picture. I am not marrying
her because I think she is pregnant, I want to
marry her because I love her with everything I
hold dear. Please, I want you people to respect
my choice of a woman. I can go ahead and
marry her without your support but my joy won’t
be complete. I plead you all to give us your
support and blessings”. Austin concluded.
This was followed by a loud and prolonged
silence. Loud silence because I could see what
was running through their heads in their puzzled
faces.
After what seemed like eternity, mama finally
broke the silence.
“What else do I have to say? You are a grown
man and I believe you know what you are doing.
I was particularly excited when you told me you
have finally found Love. This is because we
were all scared you would never find love since
the death of Chi Chi. If Elizabeth is the woman
you want to spend the rest of your life with, I
have no choice than to give you my support
even if it is a very tough decision to make”.
Mama said.
“Elizabeth, do you really want my brother as
much as he wants you?”. Oluchi asked.
I looked at Austin with so much admiration.
“Who wouldn’t want to be with a man like him?
I love him so much and I am glad to be his
woman “. I said with smiles.
“You leave us with no choice than to start
planning for the wedding “. Oluchi said and we
all burst into laughter.
“Please take care of our brother for us o. He is
the most precious person in our lives “. Nkechi
chipped in.
“He is in safe hands. Thank you for your
approval and acceptance “. I said bending one
knee as a sign of appreciation.
“Were you really pregnant?”. Mama asked.
“I swear with my late mother’s grave, I saw the
two lines in the pregnancy strip. I don’t know
what is happening. Austin and I would try
another hospital. I am even confused myself “. I
said.
“Yes mama. I will communicate back the result
to you people. Even if she isn’t pregnant, we can
still make babies in the future “. Austin said.
“That’s true”. Oluchi added.
That was how I finally got accepted by Austin’s
family.
Austin pleaded I follow him to Abuja since he
doesn’t want me to be alone in Portharcourt. So
I followed him to Abuja.
We went to another hospital in Abuja to confirm
if I was truly pregnant.
During the ultrasound scan, it was discovered
that I had fibroid which was covering the fetus,
that was why the first doctor didn’t see the
baby.
“I wonder why the doctor who carried out the
first scan didn’t notice this big fibroid. We need
to remove it surgically so it won’t affect the
baby”. The doctor advised.
Austin booked an appointment immediately.
The surgery was scheduled for the next week.
I told Faith about it. She travelled down to Abuja
with her baby a day before the surgery. Austin
also took a week off from work so as to stay by
my side. His mother also travelled down as well.
I felt so loved and cared for.
The surgery was done and the fibroid was
successfully removed. To the glory of God, my
baby was safe.
Faith travelled back to Port 4 days after my
surgery. Mama stayed for over a week before
traveling back to the village.
In all of these, non of my family members were
in the scene. I told my father I was having a
surgery but he acted so indifferent. He never
called to check how the surgery went or if I was
still alive.
I was so hurt that I told Austin that we shouldn’t
do any traditional marriage because I didn’t
want my father to reap at where he didn’t sow
but Austin wouldn’t hear any of it.
Thanks to Austin who stayed by my side, I was
able to heal really fast.
A day was scheduled with my father for my
introduction.
In the day of my introduction, no single
preparation was made to receive Austin and his
family. It was as if, it was a normal visitation.
The excuse was that, I was once married so
there was no need to start running around
again. I could see the disappointment in the
faces of Austin’s kinsmen.
“Austin does not deserve to be treated like this”.
I cried bitterly within.
My marriage list was given to Austin. It was
twice the amount of my first marriage. My
father was bent on frustrating my life.
After plenty talks and deliberations, a date was
fixed for my traditional marriage.
News got to my ex husband who vowed to
make sure the marriage doesn’t hold.
To be continued
