NGỌZI

Chapter Eight.

FECUND;
Fruitful, productive, fertile.

Months passed Gozie and I with the help of
Mr Richard persistently follows up with our drug routine and doctor's appointments.

Within this period Gozie's sexual hunger did not reduce rather he became a little more prudent while getting intimate with other women.

Gradually, I became less concerned about Gozie's adulterous affair after I had threatened him of what I might end up doing to him if he ever gave me any further infections.

I became closer to God and prayed for his forgiveness and mercy on my life. I turned my hopes and faith to God and prayed ceaselessly, i prayed for God to give me a change of name, to vindicate me from Gozie's family and public accusations.

Mr. Richard had me on his very important patients list and he assured me that as long as I take my medications and follow up with his medical advice, I will conceive my children. A statement that gladdened my heart.

Months on I became pregnant, it was the happiest day of my life. The feeling of a soon-to-be mom obliterated every painful memory in my mind. I promised God that if I successfully gave birth to this baby I was going to worship him for the rest of my life and along with my entire household.

Nine months have gone and I gave birth, he was a boy the cutest baby boy God has ever created and I named him Bright Anozie (meaning well positioned).

His birth did not only change people's view about me, but also Gozie's family became much more welcoming to me, and I knew from that moment that indeed there is a God and that my life was never going to be filled with agony.

A child of my own? Yes!

Now I can walk freely without people making gestures at me or calling me a man instead of a woman, the joy Bright Anozie's birth brought to my life could not be curbed.

My nights slowly became peaceful and my pillow was no longer wet with tears. The joy of motherhood distressed me from the fickleness of my marriage.

Two years later I became pregnant again and gave birth to another son and named him James Afamefuna which means (My name will not be lost).

There was this new respect accorded to me and for the very first time, I could speak in a public gathering without anyone referring to me as a white witch or barren woman. Gozie on the other hand did not change much at least not for his cheating, which even became worse.

But as I stated earlier I was unbothered, I had proven my fruitfulness as a woman contrary to public opinion and that was all I ever wanted to do and the main reason why I did not leave my marriage as my father requested then.

Five years after giving birth to my two sons Gozie remained a dishonorable man, he never for once changed not for me or his kids.

One Sunday afternoon Gozie came back home so vexed and pissed, he did not even say a word to me nor respond to my greetings.
I was surprised to see him come back home so early as it was barely an hour before he stepped out.

I even tried finding out from him what the problem was and he pushed me away and requested that I should leave him alone, and I did just so.

The thoughts of what might have occurred for Gozie to have returned home so mad did not bother me, not till the previous day which was a Monday morning. I arrived at my hairdresser salon and noticed the strange behaviors of my employees on seeing me.

I sighted two of my employees whispering something to each other while stirring at me.
The whispers and mockery of laughter soon began to get to me and I called out one of my employees Chika, who happens to be my manager.

I called her to a private corner and asked her if anything had happened during my absence.

"No! Ma." She replied
So what's with the whispers and laughter?
"Nothing Ma'am"
Chika... I called her
"Ma'am"

You are one of my most trusted employees here, you know I single-handedly brought you from Nigeria to Cameroon and you know I have always treated you like a younger sister, or haven't I?

"You have ma'am" ...she replied
So I want you to tell me the truth.., am listening.

"Ma'am early this morning when I was entering the salon I overheard Ann telling the rest of the workers that...
That's what Chika? I asked with curiosity.

Ma'am, I beg your pardon I may not be able to say this"
Chika said with a trembling voice.

Speak! Chika!

"Ma'am I overheard Ann telling the rest of the workers that yesterday "OGA" told Chantel to come and meet him at the hotel"
She said with her eyes stirring at her feet

OGA? Which OGA Chika?
"Ma'am OGA your husband".

Pardon? I said cupping my right hand to my ear.

Continue.... I said
Chika! I said continue.

"Ma'am Ann also told the workers that Chantel disappointed him by not showing up"

I was silent for over three minutes and later asked her to leave. Chika tried to console me but I lost my temper and yelled at her and she ran off.

I did not know exactly how to feel, irritated. Mad? I just did not know exactly which feelings to hold on to. Everything makes sense now, I said leaning back on the huge hairdryer behind me.

This was the reason why Gozie came back home very angry shortly after he left. Wow!

What a sick-making man Gozie is.
This is it! The reason why Gozie steadily visits my hairdressing salon.

How slow-witted of me to have understood this, how could I even think that Gozie's steady visits to my salon were for me and not for the pretty staff and clients? To think that this same husband of mine stopped me from beautifying male customers with a fatuous comment that they would be stealing from me.

Oh! Gozie! Are you ever going to stop defaming me? I muttered with teary eyes picked up my handbag from the couch and left the salon.

I was not going to waste my precious time confronting Gozie as he never denies his disgusting ways nor does he even feel ashamed of it.