Besotted (18+) ✔️ [A Nigerian Romance]

Nine

There was something that she wasn't telling him, but Chike knew about hard truths and he'd also learned not to push. Ada would talk to him when she was ready, so he let everything go.

They clung to each other till they exited the plane. He grabbed their bags while she searched for the car her family had sent.

"Mr. Ukochi is here. I can't believe this old man won't retire," Ada said, pointing at a dark tinted car. She waved and the old man exited the car as they began walking towards him.

"Welcome back Mr. Umeh and Miss Nwafor."

"Good morning and thank you sir." Chike nodded at the man. He refused to let the old man take their bags, instead placing them in the trunk himself. Mr. Ukochi had been the driver to replace his father when he died and the old man had been kind to him in the years he'd remained with the Nwafors before he traveled out.

Ada hugged the man before taking a seat at the back and Chike joined her. He made himself comfortable for the long ride, Ada doing the same and resting her head on his shoulder. The airport was in the same community with the Nwafors' Estate but because of how big their lands were, they lived on the very outskirt of town, a good forty minutes drive from the airport.

Thirty minutes and they were already at the beginning of the property. White fence topped with barbed wire traveled as far as they could see ten minutes before they got to the gate. The ride was silent with Ada dozing off. Chike busied himself with keeping her stable as her head constantly fell from his shoulder.

Ada woke up just as they got to the gates and Chike's gaze was drawn to the huge statues of snarling leopards on either side of the gate. The leopards were on their belly yet they were as tall as him. The artist had captured each features carefully that if the leopards weren't painted black, it would look real.

"What is it with Igbo men and leopards?" Chike asked Mr. Ukochi. The man smiled at them in the rearview mirror. The statues had been there all his life but they never stopped amazing him.

"I don't know," Ada replied sitting up. She probably thought the question was for her. "But you're an Igbo man who loves to show off riches. I'm pretty sure when you build, you'll have those statues too or something similar. Maybe then, you'll tell me what they mean."

"Leopards are actually what we Igbos call Agu." Mr. Ukochi replied as they were waved in. He continued driving as he spoke. "Nowadays, people think Agu means lion, but it doesn't. From our history, leopards represents a man's tendency to take his destiny in his own hands. It also symbolizes strength and adaptability. That's why the Igbos are able to adapt to any conditions and survive. It also recently began to symbolize riches."

"Kachi's father has even bigger statues and a leopard skin in his visitor's parlor," Ada added. He remembered seeing them the times he'd visited and how he'd wondered about who killed the leopard all those years ago.

"There's an Ogbu Agu in your father's family," Mr. Ukochi said, referencing a person who kills a leopard. "The skin was passed on to your father's older brother."

"Wow. And all these while, I thought lion was Agu and wondered why these men had leopards instead of lions painted and built around their homes." Chike grinned, ideas for a story already filling his head.

"Is that why Kachi's father started answering Obi Agu, as in King of leopard instead of Obiagu, heart of a leopard," Ada said aloud causing the three of them to laugh.

"A lot of our people still think lions are Agu. I think I should write a book about that, something to educate the younger Igbo people."

"Oh, Mr. Writer. Whatever you say." Ada laughed. The sound warmed Chike's chest as he continued to joke around, enjoying how her mood lightened as they drove on into the compound.

***

Chike was shown to his room, a floor below Ada's and her family's. The first floor was reserved for frequent guests and he, Kachi and Azu had rooms on that floor. The Nwafor's relatives also had rooms on that floor. The three storeyed building was massive. The floor he was on had ten rooms which all had en-suite bathrooms. The ground floor held the living room, Mr. Nwafor's office, a receiving room, the kitchen and dining, a small library, another parlor for Mrs. Nwafor and a game room. The top floor held rooms for Mr. and Mrs. Nwafor, Adanna and her brother Chukwudeh.

This building was just one of many in the estate. They also had a pool house that contained a swimming pool, hot tub and bathrooms. The staff also had a residence for their uses then numerous garages were found on the estate. The even had a small cabin that overlooked the River Niger at the end of their property. Even Chike had not explored the entirety of the estate. The Nwafors were rich, powerful people but they were surprisingly nice and humble. One couldn't even guess who Ada's family were on meeting her for the first time. They all seemed so regular, with the exception of Mrs. Nwafor. The woman exuded power.

There was a knock on his door, cutting off his wandering thoughts. Chike went to answer it, finding a young woman who greeted him and let him know that Mrs. Ugo Nwafor was waiting for him in her living room.

Chike followed the maid as they passed through the main living room, took a left and then found themselves in front of the smaller living room. The maid knocked once before ushering him inside.

Mrs. Nwafor rose and greeted him with a grin identical to her daughter's. She spread her arms as he approached. The older woman who Ada was a carbon copy of hugged him.

"I missed you, dear boy." She held him at arm's length, perusing and inspecting him. "Not a boy. A man. You're a man Chukwunweike." She called his full name, the name his father used to call him.

He grinned, allowing her to hug him again. "Good morning ma. How is it possible you look exactly the same as you did five years ago? One can easily mistake you to be Ada's elder sister."

Mrs. Nwafor laughed, sounding just like her daughter. She pulled him to a seat, then took the one beside him. "You and your flattery. At least that one didn't change. How've you been? Hope no oyibo woman has held you captive o? You have to marry an African lady."

He shook his head. "There's nothing wrong with marrying a white woman, ma. I've just not found the one yet."

"Mhmm. I'm sure you will find her soon. I invited a few people to dinner. Hopefully, your one will be in attendance." She winked at him.

The one he wanted would definitely be in attendance, but Mrs. Nwafor would not be the one he confessed his love to. No. Ada had to find out first and he could only hope the woman gave her blessings.

As if thinking about her conjured her, Ada entered the room. "I knew I would find you two here. Mom wastes no time," she teased.

Chike's eyes remained on her as she took a seat opposite them. Ada had changed into a long dress that was free and flowy but still managed to hint at the curves beneath the cloth.

"I just needed to see him. Five years is so long."

"And me that you've not seen in months?" Ada teased.

"I knew you would go to greet your father first. Oya come here my darling." Mrs. Nwafor spread her arms again and Ada went over to hug her.

"I hope you've not started hounding him?" Ada asked.

"How can I do that? I'm only confirming he hasn't fallen in love with an oyibo because I've invited a few people over."

"Mom!" Ada said and the three started laughing.

***

I actually thought Agu meant Lion as many people do. But I did my research and found out it actually meant Leopard. Fun fact, lions were rarely seen in the Igbo land since they majorly inhabit grasslands and savannah. Savannah land do not exist in the Igbo lands. Igbos dwelled in lowland rainforests. So you're welcome for the brief history lesson.

Translations:

Agu: Igbo term for leopard
Ogbu Agu: Someone who kills a leopard
Oyibo: white person

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