A twist of Fate (A Nigerian Love Story)

Chapter 3

Chapter 3

"You will do as i say young man and that is the end of that!" Anselem Okoro thundered. "Dad i am not ready for a wife" Emeka retorted. "What do you mean you are not ready? How can you not be ready? Is Chioma a statue?" Anselem screamed. "I am not ready to marry Chioma" Emeka replied. "Nneka! Get in here and talk sense into your son" Anselem shouted for his wife. Mrs Nneka Okoro who had been watching the drama between her son and her husband from the master bedroom walked down majestically. She was an epitome of beauty, with a perfect figure. She was 55, but could pass as a 30 year old lady. "What is it Anselem" she asked in a low sexy voice

"Advise your son, that he cannot take over the company till he gets married" Anselem said fuming. "Why can't i? Is it not your company dad!" Emeka screamed.

"My company or oit, you seem to forget that it is run by a board of directors!" Anselem screamed back. "Be quiet boys!" Nneka said raising her voice louder than usual. She was a woman of authority and she knew it. Both Men closed their mouths when she said that. "Now Emeka, tell me what is wrong with Chioma and why can't you marry her?" Nneka asked

"I just can't mum and that's final" emeka replied and walked out.

Visibly angry, he decided to go to a bar and get a drink or two to clear his head. He was tired of his dad constantly nagging him about marrying his ex Chioma. They had broken up two weeks ago after he had caught her pants down with a friend of his. He was not interested in her pleadings and broken up with her. Although he had feelings for Chioma, he was not sure he wanted to marry her whether she cheated or not. Her parents and his were friends and her father was one of the members of board of directors in his fathers company. Apart from that, her father owned multiple factories all around the country and Emeka knew the real reason his parents wanted them together was for the money. His mum especially who had made it a point of duty to set up a blind date between them. Emeka knew his father would understand if he knew Chioma had cheated on him, but his mother never would. She was all about the money.

As several thoughts ran through his mind, Emeka did not see the young woman crossing the road till he almost hit her. Though he knew he was at fault, he got out his car and screamed at her "Are you okay? Are you out of your mind?" The young woman never replied but kept staring at him expressionless. He got back into his car and drove off. As he drove his conscience kept pricking him because of his earlier outburst. After driving around for a couple of miles, he decided to forget about getting a drink and drove to his own apartment, where he could have a peace of mind.

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It was late at night when mama and papa finally came home. Mama looked worn out and older than I remember. I wondered how that was possible. I had just seen her this morning before i left for my job search, but in that few hours we had not seen she looked like she had aged by at least 10 years more. "Welcome mama" i said as i ran to take her bag from her. "How was market today?" I asked. "My dear hmmm. Only God can help us. I could not sell a thing. Do you know that mama Nkechi ......." mama began talking and I zoned out. It was the normal talk she made each time she was back from the market. How awful it was, how she sold nothing, how mama Nkechi her stall neighbor stole her customers. I was tired of it. My mum was not a complainer but i guess life had turned her into one. She would go on and on about how horrible her day had been and would end it with "Nnem did you have any luck?" And when she asked me that tonight and i said "no" she said nothing which was unlike her. I had expected her to keep nagging but there was nothing. I looked at her and all i could see was despair. I had never really seen this kind of hopelessness in my mum before. Sadness, yes but i had never seen her look so helpless and hopeless. It was there and then that i swore to myself that no matter what, i would provide a better future for my family.

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