Against All Odds

Chapter Seventy Six : A New Clause

"So you be coming back today? I hope it's before the meeting, you can't arrive late. . Ngwanu I can't believe you're a graduate Tobe. It feels just like yesterday, biko mee lọta. You deserve a feast. And make sure you come back before 1pm ịnụ, I'm so proud of you! Alright, take care"

Obi ended the call with Tobe who had just finished his final exams. She had literarily watched her brother grow in to a man and the fact that he was responsible enough to finish his education without problems was one thing Obi was grateful for.

The times where she heard tales of young boys joining secret cults that led to their untimely deaths or even being involved in vices that led to their expulsion often shook Obi. She had never been in a school campus and could not fathom the kind of pressure certain students were on, but she did have faith that her little brother would excel.

Ifenna and Oluebube came back that morning because of the message passed across to them and the brief Christmas holiday that the school had granted them. The girls distracted themselves with conversations with the boys about what had been happening since they went away. Her sons chirped like over fed birds leaving no detail out while Obi prepared lunch in her kitchen.

Chioma had gone out with Chukwudi, the two couldn't get enough of themselves much to Obi's amusement. If not for the businesses that held him up Chukwudi would have been spending all his time with Chioma.

The previous week had both unsettled and excited Obi. Something about Obiefune's return had brought her out of the gloom she had locked herself and slowly happiness was creeping in. She could remember running her hand around the photograph taken of her and Obiefune with their children. It felt so right as she stared at their happy faces. The picture was worth making a portrait of. The picture and the thought of having a family with Obiefune made her giddy with excitement and for the first time she felt her baby move with a suddenness that made her smile.

"Maybe they wanted the same thing too" Obi thought to herself. The fact that she thought of the possibility of having twins was owing to her husband's dying wish.

Obi still revived the events of that day in her mind like it had happened yesterday. After taking pictures with Obiefune whom she was utterly surprised to see, they went down to the children's dressing room where the boys changed into their original outfit.

The boys were thrilled to see Obiefune each hounding him with questions that he did well to answer.

He helped Chukwuemeka out of his clothes while Obi struggled with a sprightly and inquisitive Chukwuebuka . She struggled with the buttons of his shirt while Obiefune had already done that of Chukwuemeka and was at his shoe lace.

"I missed you! Nobody plays war with us again, Daddy is in heaven and you just left us. Uncle Tobe is always reading, he said we are a bunch of nuisance and the game will not propel his academic advancement." The little boy chuckled as he mimicked Tobe's voice." Aunty Ifenna says over seriousness will kill him"

Obi chuckled at the boys words and so did Obiefune. His throaty laugh pulled Obi's gaze to his and their eyes met for a brief moment before they continued with their task

"Uncle Tobe is so boring, he says we should be playing scrabble. Did you see when I sang on the stage? " Chukwuebuka enquired

"Yes I did, you were so good eh, I owe you a new collection of toy cars" Obiefune stated causing the boy to squeal

"Uncle what of me now? Didn't you see my own part was harder, mummy ọkwá ya" Chukwuemeka asked. The way he addressed Obiefune made Obi's heart cringe and for a moment she felt disappointed that the boys couldn't address Obiefune by what he was to them.