Her Father's Wife

Chapter 47

Maxwell came calling a week later. This time he came with two of his kinsmen. They were received by Amadi, Nwokeforo's cousin. Amadi offered them kolanut. Thereafter, Amadi invited Obidiye to be part of the discussion. She came in and greeted, then sat down in a corner to listen. One of Maxwell's kinsmen got up to address them, he said they were there to commiserate with the Nwokeforo's on their recent bereavement. For some reason, this did not go down well with Maxwell. He objected vehemently, he insisted that, that wasn't the reason they came. He turned to his kinsmen, didn't he tell them that he had already been to commiserate with them and they treated him with ignominy. Obidiye there, he said pointing at Obidiye, did not even offer him a cup of water. No, he did not come to commiserate, rather he was there to take back his wife and unborn baby. And nothing will stop him from doing just that. He resisted all attempts by his kinsmen to stop him from starting a show of shame. But no, he cannot be stopped. He has prepared to do battle with anybody that tried to stop him. He pointed at Amadi and advised him to go back to his house. After all, he is not a spokesman to Nwokeforo's family. He maintained that the fight was between him and Obidiye and her children. 'Amadi go home' he screamed. Have you forgotten that you were one of those accused of killing Nwokeforo? since when did you become palm oil and salt with Obidiye and her children? Amadi's mood was bittered on hearing this. It hit at the core of his being. It is true he reasoned. What is he even doing here? He was made an outsider from the day Nwokeforo died. He got up and stormed out. That was just what Maxwell hoped for. He rushed towards Obidiye, whether to hit her or fight her nobody knows. Njide grabbed him from the back and started screaming. Ona who was hearing everything from her room, made to go out, Uzoamaka tangled Ona with herself and pleaded with everything she held holy, including the name of their late father for her not to go out there. She may die or lose the baby in the process of fighting with Maxwell. What will be their fate then? Ona relented and sat back. She dissolved into tears instead. She wept bitterly at the charade the story of her marriage to Maxwell has become. She wished she had never set her eyes on him. Men are not really what they looked like outside. People gathered to separate the fight between Maxwell, Obidiye and Njide. Maxwell sat back at the Obi. All entreaties for him to go home fell on deaf ears. He maintained that he will not bulge from there until Obidiye and her children settle him. It's either they release Ona to him or give him back the money he paid as bride price. The people were astonished. But the woman in question is pregnant. Doesn't he want the baby? If the bride price is returned the baby will not be his. Maxwell maintained that if he cannot have Ona, he doesn't want the baby either. In that case, they advised Obidiye to return his money to him . Many people were disgusted at how Maxwell was haggling over bride price. Such a shame. Something like this does not happen anywhere. Obidiye went into her bedroom an unearthed Maxwell's money from where she kept it. It was intact. Nobody touched it since the day he left it at the obi for them. She went back to the obi where Maxwell was still waiting and handed him the money. He accepted the money gladly, recounted it before them and pronounced it complete. Then he pocketed it and got up to go. You can go on and keep your headstrong daughter Obidiye. If I ask you for her again kill me. He announced on his way out. Obidiye and her children heaved a sigh of relief.