Against All Odds

Chapter Fifty One: Hope

Obi saw how uncomfortable her husband was as Chioma settled in. Chioma stole glances at the both of them especially at Obi who she was happy to have seen. Chioma had even become fairer and her body seemed to have gained curves that used to be non existent. She looked around the house and saw enlarged pictures hanging around, she saw that of the girls, Tobe, two babies, then that of Obi and Benjamin. Chioma was slightly hurt upon her discovery that Obiukwu had been married.

"Chioma I can't believe this, yesterday when I sent you a message from Ifenna's phone, I didn't know that I'd be seeing you here"

Chioma smiled "I've been praying for this opportunity for a long time, have you not been seeing Obiefune? Benji how did you whisk my friend away? And where is Funmi? The girls and your babies? I can't wait to spoil all of them. My God it has been a long time, those girls are now grown women. I did not even recognize Ifenna when I got her friend request. "

Obi was pleased to know that certain things hadn't changed about Chioma. Benjamin excused himself before relaying a message of Chioma's visit the women in the room. Ifenna and Oluebube's squeal could be heard from a distance. Obi waited for her husband to come back so that she could properly introduce Chioma to him but he did not.

Ifenna, Oluebube and Funmi entered the living room and they all excitedly hugged Chioma while Obi went to get her guest kola.
Obi could hear so many questions thrown at Chioma by the two girls, who also tried their best to answer as many questions as they received from Chioma likewise. Obi was surprised when Chioma left them to join her in the kitchen.

"I'm so sorry for your loss Obi, Obiefune told me what happened. If there was a way I could have reached you I would have." Chioma threw her hands around Obi who smiled.

"Why did you ask if I had been seeing Obiefune? Didn't he travel with you?"
Chioma threw Obi a quizzical look

"Are you joking? Obiefune said he saw you, that was what he told me. I'm just not happy that things did not work out with the two of you. And I also understand why you settled with my cousin Benjamin. It must have been difficult but you did the right thing. Benji needs someone especially because of his condi.... "

" Did you say Benjamin is your cousin? "Obi interrupted, she was stunned by what she was hearing. The lies Obiefune told and the truth Benjamin had kept from her.
How come Benjamin acted like he didn't know either Chioma or Obiefune when she mentioned them to him, she had even told him about her intimacy with Obiefune.

"Obi are you okay?" Chioma asked noticing her sudden change in demeanor.

"Yes, adị m mma. I'm okay. How's your father? Your mother? Did they travel with you then? I was so heartbroken when you didn't come back as promised."

"It wasn't our fault, we were tricked into believing we were just going for a visit. My parents had everything planned out with my aunt, there was no way to relay the information to you. Obiefune was the one who managed to slip away after weeks of planning and pretending to go along with our parent's idea.
Everything happened so fast, one minute I was gone the next minute it was as if I was completely cut off from my family. Obi I understand why you left him, I probably would have done the same "

Obi's brow arched out of confusion" Chioma I did not leave your brother, I haven't seen or heard from him in over eight years. After my mom's burial, I got married to Benjamin. For me he was the way out of everything, he even accepted to take care of my siblings so it was a sacrifice that I had to make. But I have never for once heard anything from Obiefune. "

Chioma was surprised with what she was hearing from her friend. Obiefune had told her an entirely different story from what she was hearing.Benjamin entered the kitchen and went away with fruits." I think he's really hungry now, Kam mechaa, we'll talk more"