DESTINY WAITS

Chapter 4

Eyare

You can run and you can hide, but I will eventually catch you . . . Destiny!

It was on the dark side of twilight as I pulled up in the driveway. Dark clouds hung heavy in the sky like gigantic cobwebs. It looked like rain.

Light spilled out from the kitchen windows, casting a bright glow on the otherwise dark driveway. I couldn't wait to get out of the dark and into the light. I was sure Osagiede was still up.

Piercing pain shot into my waist as I bent to take my briefcase and jacket from the back seat of my car. It had been a long tedious day. I was just glad it was over.

As I walked to the front door, my shoes made a crunch - crunch noise as it came in contact with the gravel beneath it. I had always loved the sound so I dug my heels in further, revelling in it.

I fished out my keys and slotted it into the key hole, but the door swung open of its own accord.

That's odd! Someone must have gotten inside in a hurry.

I looked around as I made my way to the foyer, noticing that the chandelier -- the only expensive thing there -- was still in place in its hold. I released the in-held breath I didn't realise I was holding.

Making my way to the sitting room, I saw the lights were off and a draft of wind breezed in through a window that had been left open. Although nothing seemed out of place from the little I'd seen, I couldn't shake off the feeling that something was wrong.

That feeling ebbed when a delicious smell waftied in from the kitchen; the smell of richly-cooked soup. Osagiede must have been in a good mood today. I wondered what the occasion was about.

First the unlocked door, the open window and now cooked food as well.

Something was definitely up!

She was usually too tired to do any cooking when she got back home from work, always complaining about how overworked she was. All that because of a promotion with a much bigger salary too, if I might add.

What she didn't understand was you had to earn that by putting in extra work and time.

"HONEY, I'M HOME!" My voice bounced around the house causing echoes as I made my way to the kitchen.

There the smell of soup hung thicker in the air. I spied the pot on the cooker and made my way towards it. Once I lifted the lid, the smell hit my nostrils. Lush green periwinkles cushioned in creamy yellow soup mixed with chunky pieces of large sized chicken, gazed back at me. Banga soup never looked so good.

Excited, I got a spoon, scooped a generous amount of it and sipped.

An explosion of yummy goodness filled my tastebuds!!

I couldn't wait to get out of my work clothes so I could do justice to it.

I retraced my steps to the sitting room and made my way to our bedroom, noticing as light spilled into the corridor from the guest room --- a room that had never been used before, only because it was meant for a new addition to our family.

Did that mean . . . ?

No it couldn't be.

But what if it were?

What if she were actually pregnant?

With an accelerated heartbeat and legs which had suddenly turned into molten silver, I walked towards the light, passing our bedroom in the process. The door was ajar, but I didn't even turn my head to take a peek.

I had a one-track mind and a mission to accomplish.

That mission was a few paces away.

I stood on the threshold and gazed, open mouthed at the wonder before me.

Sunny-coloured curtains hung from the windows, the walls had been repainted a pale pink and cute animation drawings grazed the wall.

My eyes continued to take it all in. The beautiful sofa to the right, a cream coloured rug that looked like persian, but I knew was fake.

But what caught my interest out of everything, stood in the middle of the room --- a blue wooden crib fit for a king's child. I guessed from the colour, she must have found out we were having a boy. But then the room was painted pink . . .

That showed uncertainty --- yes --- she still didn't know yet, if it would be a boy or a girl.

I felt the first fluttering begin in my chest and find it's way to the pit of my stomach. There it lodged and became a full-out volcano of eruption.

I felt like laughing, but I also felt like crying.

This was the moment every man dreamed about. To find out you were going to be a father.

Something colourful suddenly caught my eyes. It was coming from the ornaments hung, extended from the top to the middle of the crib. Every time a wisp of wind caught it, it tinkled into soothing melodious tune. I willed my feet to move into the room, drinking it all in as I made a sweep of the room with my eyes.

My heart swelled to twice it's size as an overwhelming emotion overcame me.

She probably made this as a surprise for me and I in turn would act like I knew nothing about it.

Willing myself to calm down, I exhaled and inhaled several deep breaths, my warm breath fanning out, adding to the warmth of the room.

Retracting my steps, I made my way to the bedroom, and stood at the door, as balls of unspent energy surged through me. I battled on the correct way to approach the issue with her.

Finally coming to a silent agreement with myself, I schooled my features into some semblance of neutrality and moved in further.

I heard the shower going and in my haste to join her, I snagged the buttons on my shirt and watched as they all popped onto the floor.

I wasn't moved, instead a goofy smile slipped onto my face and I found myself grinning from ear to ear.

Once divested of my clothes, wide grin still in place, I walked forward, almost tripping over my feet in a bid to join her, but stopped when conversation filtered out. It sounded like she was talking to someone.

Was someone in there with her?

My hands stilled on the bathroom door as my heart did a tango as if trying to escape it's cage.

Snatches of conversation filtered out, but I could hear only her voice. It seemed she was talking on the phone, so I inched closer to the bathroom and put my ears to the door.

Her voice became as clear as a bell being rung at the crack of dawn.

"Don't you remember me, doctor? My name is Mrs. Osazuwa, and I came to your hospital to find out about the different types of birth control. You even gave me your card and . . . oh, you remember now. I eventually settled for an IUD. Yep that was me. I'm so sorry I'm calling at such a late hour but I'd like to book an appointment with you tomorrow. I work in a networking company you see, and I just got back, the hours are killing."

There was a long pause in which I thought she had finished speaking, but just as I put my hand on the door handle ready to burst in, she continued.

"What I need? Oh, I need to know if you'd be available lunch time so I can come in to remove the coil. My husband and I are ready to start a family."

What balderdash was she talking about?

There I stood with not a stitch of clothing on me. A chill passed through, leaving me feeling utterly bereft.

Wait a minute. . . did she actually visit a doctor for a birth control?

I hadn't given a thought to her not getting pregnant in the two years of our marriage, putting it down to stress of work.

She always came back home tired and complaining of back ache and it was not until recently, in the last month or two that she came back home in high spirits, humming away in her usual off-key tone.

My thoughts skittered all over the place and I tried to put them in perspective, but seeing as I was getting the chills more relentlessly now, I had to make a move.

Her conversation filtered back into my consciousness.

"Hahaha, doctor, that was really funny, but my husband is a strong virile man. He's very up to the task of getting me pregnant, so I'll see you tomorrow then, good night."

Silence so profound, reigned thereafter, and I wondered, not for the first time, what I had gotten myself into.

I had walked into a lion's den, a hornet's nest . . . an unwanted territory and I felt trapped in my own damn house.

But I wasn't going to run away this time.

I would confront her.

With this last somewhat comforting thought, I pushed open the door of the bathroom and stepped in.

She looked startled upon seeing me. "Darling," she faltered. "I didn't hear the bedroom door open, how was work?"

I was sure my face was like an overcast sky. She took one look at it and her mouth opened and closed, quite like a fish.

I watched, a bit mesmerised, as a jaded look clouded her eyes.

I had seen that look on her face before. It was the look of shock, of helplessness, of a deer that had been caught in the headlights of a car that was too close to it.

This time I was ready.

This time, I had ammo.

This time --- the ball was clearly in my court.

"Correct me if I'm wrong," I started. "Aren't wives supposed to get pregnant for their husbands, or is it now the other way around?"

Her eyes took on a rounded look as they became as large as sauce pans.

I vow, I was getting worried as a feeling of fear came over me. Just then, the words came unbidden, into my mind. I don't love Eyare.

The dreadful words I saw written in her diary.

Pain knifed through me, strengthening my resolve to keep speaking.

"Why did you do it, Osagiede, why did you fix an IUD? What's going on? Don't you want to have children with me, tell me?" By this time, I was beyond livid. Rushing to her, I gripped her by the shoulders, shaking her with a force so great her teeth shattered together.

Her eyes became even more rounded, that I thought they would pop out of their sockets.

In my fear, I released her and

she staggered. Had I not caught her, she would have fallen and probably hit her head on the tiles, which were cracked around the edges. I kept telling myself I needed to have them changed, but as we all know --- procrastination is the thief of time.

Thankfully, a disaster was averted.

I watched as her eyes drifted shut and her breathing became shallow and erratic.

Panic crept into me, so I carried her back into the room and laid her on the bed, but as I made to pull the cover over her naked body, she clung to me, tears already forming in her eyes.

"I'm so sorry, darling." She looked so woe begotten -- a puppy dog expression on her face. My expression softened and I stroked her cheek as she leaned into my palm.

A sob caught in her throat as she went on. "I didn't want to tell you because I know you'd get like this. I've been so stressed ever since I started this job, and I didn't want to get pregnant under these conditions. Please forgive me."

Her words came out in a rush and I unwittingly took her in my arms.

"Shush! That's okay darling, I wouldn't beat you over the head about it. I understand, it's okay."

I felt like a complete idiot. I couldn't stand to see any woman cry, let alone my wife. She was obviously under a lot of stress and here I was, thinking of my ego.

I dressed her up in her warmest nightgown and pulled the covers up to her chin. I laid down beside her and held her until her breathing became more calm and steady.

She was asleep, and I breathed a sigh of relief. Still naked, I got up to take a shower, washing all the dirt and strain off my body while I ruminated on my marriage.

She was obviously ready for a family, hence the call to the doctor. I understood why she got the coil fixed, because she needed to focus on her job.

She had just been promoted and she needed to get results, though I wasn't condoning her actions but I understood her reasons. Life was hard enough as it was, but all I wanted was a happy home, devoid of stress and rancour.

I went back into the room after my bath. Osagiede was still sleeping peacefully so I put on some shorts, ready to join her in bed, my hunger forgotten.

Just then, my phone rang from where I had put it on the bedside table.

Brilliant, wonderful timing.

I wasn't going to answer it, so I slid under the covers.

It continued ringing and Osagiede stirred beside me. I made to put it off when I saw the caller ID.

It was mother!

I would never live this down if I didn't pick her call.

Slipping out of bed and walking to the sitting room, I picked the call.

"Hello, mom, kooiye." I greeted her in our local dialect. "It's late, can't what you have to tell me wait till the morning?" I made sure to allow the irritation in my voice show.

"Hello, son." Her strong, clear voice replied, "I'm sorry, but this can't wait. You have been summoned to the village in two week's time. It's quite urgent. Remember you're supposed to ascend the throne after the death of your father, God rest his soul. The ceremony comes up in a month's time."

"Mom, I have told you severally, that I can't take over from my father to go sit in the village like some heathen and attend to issues of the people. For one, I'm a Christian and I can't dabble in diabolical tradition. Secondly, I can't just leave everything here; all I've built, my business, my family, my friends, my life. No mom, I can't, won't do it."

"But son, what you call diabolical is the tradition of your people. Your late father was a Christian and he abolished any idol worshipping years ago when you were still a child, you know this as well. Secondly," she continued itemising it. "It's not a village, it's a town and it's even more developed now. You'll make a home here with your wife and children and you will be the most powerful man in the town. It's growing and needs a firm strong hand that can take it to the next level. The high chiefs will help you, plus you know you can't turn your back on the royal throne. You know the consequences, my son, please understand," she pleaded.

"I do not believe in such diabolic crap, consequences and reprisals. No mom, I won't leave everything to move to some godforsaken town." I heard her gasp, but I surged on. "My cousin can ascend the throne for all I care, he's also of royal blood too. Please, ma, I don't want to discuss this anymore. I'm tired and I need to sleep. I've got a business to run in the morning, so goodnight, mom." I quickly disconnected the call before she could get another word in, then put my phone off.

Looks like I won't be getting much sleep tonight. I was already feeling the beginnings of a headache coming on.

I tossed and turned on the bed, trying valiantly to sleep. I even counted sheep, then I tried praying, but that didn't turn out so well, so I just gave up altogether.

I got up and went back into the sitting room. All I could think about was how to make Osagiede love me and how we could really settle down and have children and ultimately, a happy home.

I rubbed my temples, my head already in a stage-one headache.

What I needed was a break away from all this. A change of scenery to be left alone to think, or not to think as the case may be.

I needed a holiday, and fast too.