Roses and Thorns
- Reads 761
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- Parts 11
MatureOngoing1h 45m
Last published Sat, Jun 5, 2021
Marriage is a beautiful thing, but when it comes to the rigourous activity of searching and finding, one would realise there is more to it that meets the eye.
Nnanyelugo sat dazed in the armchair in her mother's room as she had just referred to the girl he wanted to marry as an osu- outcaste.
"Such practices don't exist anymore, Mother", he blasted helplessly at his mother.
"Onye si? Who told you?", his mother queried. " Jee juo ese". Go and ask questions she answered defiantly.
The osu caste system is an ancient practice in Igbo land that discourages social interaction and marriage with a group of persons called osu which means outcaste. Osus are dedicated to Alusi-deities of Igboland and they are usually considered as inferior beings and separated from the Nwadiala or Amadi which are known as real born.
The ferocity of his mother's voice scared me him witless.The thought brought a painful grimace to his face. His father was his lost hope. There was no way he was going to regard another human being as inferior. A human activist like his father, Eze Festus will not condone such evil.
He felt his father's obi become rather stuffy as his speech took the very direction that had him cringing in fear. His throat suddenly became dry and he was hyperventilating. His voice rugged and gagged.
"Where is she from?", Eze Festus asked, peering at his son w ith the daggers.
It was difficult for Nnanyelugo to speak audibly.
"Ihe-mbosi ", Mmiliaku answered almost immediately. Tapping her feet on the well tiled obi.
"You cannot marry her", Eze Festus said with a note of finality.
Hiss pupils dilated in fear. He cast pleading glance at his parents.There ought to be a hope somewhebre. It ought to be a nightmare but it wasn't.
He pleaded. He felt the tear escape his eyes. He had cried but they had remained as obstinate as ever. That was a part of his parents that were all to novel to him. The pain in his heart numbed him. There and then, a part of him died.
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Written In The Stars
"So.. go on a date with me?" I can't stop looking at him. He's just so beautiful. As he always was-just ten years younger. Same brown eyes, same lips, that boyish charm. The only difference is the hint of innocence in his gaze and the curiosity in his expression. No doubt he's surprised by my sudden question. I can't really blame him. His boring, nonchalant classmate of one year has just asked him out after a nice evening together. But I know he'll say yes. He has to. He never said no to me. I can't wait to plan all the amazing, adventurous dates with him, to make him feel special this time-just like he did for me. I'm eager to get to know him all over again. That's when I hear mumbling. "Hmm?" I ask, not hearing him properly. "No. I'm sorry, but I'm not interested. I had a great time today, Anu, but I don't see you that way. I'll have to decline." I can hear my heart breaking. Funny, isn't it? All your life, you think: Okay, this will be my last heartbreak. This guy will be the one. He's going to make it all worth it. And then, suddenly, life throws another failed attempt at love into your bucket. If I can manage to get rejected by my husband of three years, then there probably isn't any hope for me. . . Anu had everything-power, success, and a love so deep it felt unshakable. Three years of marital bliss with Ashwin, the man who was her home, her heart, her forever. Their life was perfect, built with love, laughter, and quiet mornings wrapped in each other's warmth. But in the blink of an eye, everything vanished. She woke up not in their home, but in a college dorm. Not as the woman who ruled boardrooms, but as a twenty-year-old student. And then she saw him. Ashwin. But this Ashwin didn't know her. He wasn't her devoted husband. He was a stranger, a boy still finding his way in life. She had been thrust back into his past, into a time where she didn't belong. And the most terrifying question of all- Would he still fall in love with her?Complete
Innocent Heart (completed)
"You stop worrying about your sister and worry about yourself. You have said that today is my marriage but I have made a slight change in it." he said with menacing smirk playing on his face. "What change" she asked as she was not getting good vibes from him. "It is true that today I am getting married but not with Mahi but with you." He stated like it's not a big deal that he swapped the brides. Her eyes widened in shock and disbelief. She stared at him without blinking her eyes. She couldn't bring herself to believe what he just had said. She asked him in her trembling voice "W...What d...did y...you s....say?" He leaned on her face dangerously close "I said that you will marry me today and in the same mandap (pavilion). Before you refuse me, let me tell you that your sister and your family's life is in my hands if you try do something. If you try to refuse marriage or try to tell anyone about this then your sister will be the first person whose life I will smash. It will be better for you not to waste my and your time, wear wedding lehenga quietly and come to the mandap. go and get ready. yes, one more thing you must remember that no one should see your face till we get married so that the marriage can be done smoothly. I don't want any drama before marriage." She was silently listening to him as she was too numb to react. She couldn't even think of marrying a person like him. How could she marry a person whom she couldn't even talk to properly?? "How can I marry you?" his eyebrows raised in anger hearing her question. He took out his phone to call someone and ordered staring deep into her eyes making her heart sink in fear and dread "kill Mahi." She kneeled down joining her hands infront of him and begged him crying historically "Please don't do this". He raised his one eyebrow in questioning manner and asked her "So will you marry me?" She didn't say anything. Seeing Her silent, He told the man again "Kill her." "Yes, I will marry you."Complete
Love Me If You Dare
" Why ? Do you have any issues with it ? Are you feeling jealous over those girls whom I slept with ? " he laughed cynically looking straight into my eyes. Those eyes sends shivers down my spine. I remained silent with my trembling body. " You...... I told you several times..... be in your limits. Then what was that drama ? " He raised his eyebrows and gave me a pathetic look. Before I could say something his right hand fell on my face. I expected a slap so I shut my eyes tightly. " You are sold to me girl, you know what does that mean..... right ? " I squealed with pain when he squeezed my cheeks pressing my head towards the wall behind me. " Don't try to act smart if you don't want your family to end up on road. People who cheats me.... Neither I won't let them live even by begging on streets " he came more close to my face and continued " Nor..... I won't let them die. " I looked at him with my bloodshot eyes. I couldn't find a bit of humanity in him. Sometimes I wished he could see my pain. " You can just watch them by becoming a helpless daughter who can only cry. But always remember don't even dare to make a sound " he patted on my cheeks with a dirty scoff and pushed me like a trash. " Dev........ " I heard his lover calling him by banging on the door. He stood in front of me like a huge pillar and corrected his suit perfectly not leaving a fold. " Follow me like an obedient wife " before opening the door he ordered not even bothered to look back. I quickly stood from floor and corrected my face to become his perfect wife. Again I am going to be on stage to perform my character as Mrs Devadatta Pratap Singh Rathore Behind the success of every man there will be a woman, in same way behind his failure also there will be a woman's hands. Things get dirty when that hand belongs to his wife itself. She never intended to hurt anyone but the wound inside her heart was something deep and she had to hurt him........ because he is a beast.Complete
Sifon ✓ (SAMPLE)
He leaned into me so our lips were inches apart, I stared wide eyed, unable to move my body but I leaned my head back creating a little bit of space between us. A smirk graced his lips as his eyes twinkled with unbridled mischief. "You'll definitely make for a good wife. Lucky me". He said and purposely leaned into me so much so his lips nearly grazed mine, I squeaked and shut my eyes in surprise but his forehead only pressed on mine. I opened my eyes slowly to meet his and I realized he was holding up a diamond studded ring. I looked back at him only to see him watching my reaction closely. "What is that for?", I hoped he didn't detect how shaky my voice had become because of our close proximity. "This is your engagement ring, my dear fiancée", he said and took a step back, burying one of his hands in his pocket and tilting his head. I just stared wide eyed at the ring in his right hand, it was all too real. "What?, You didn't expect me to kneel, now did you", he chuckled at his own words and took my hand, sliding the ring on it. •••• Trapped in a marriage of convenience by her father, Sifon must fight tooth and nail to come out unscathed but she'd damned before she lets him have the last laugh. Or will she succumb to her growing attraction for the man she desperately wants nothing to do with?. .... 18/08/21 ranked #1 in projectnigeria 21/05/22 ranked #2 in nigerian 25/03/25 ranked #1 in african *Slowly being edited* ~ ©_eberechi 2021Complete
Stronger Than Pain
Highest Rank #61 Mum was struggling to breathe, her legs kicking hard as they shuffled on the floor. I pulled on dad's hands which gripped mum's neck but he was quick to nudge me with his shoulder, forcing me to stagger, hitting my head on the wall. Tiny white stars danced before my eyes as quick darkness closes in on me. Mum was gasping. Dad hasn't let go. I staggered up, my eyes clearing off a little as I rushed to dad. Glancing at mum, her pupils were dilating, the white part of her eyeballs slowly taking over completely. Dad's eyes were bloodshot with no emotions whatsoever registered in them. Mum's kicks were slowing down with her hand slowly losing grip. I screamed and bite into dad's hands, chewing as though I was hungry for meat. The metallic taste of blood trickled into my mouth but I didn't let go as I bit harder. All his efforts to push me away were in vain as I kept my gaze on mum, every slow kick she gave urging me to bite in more. Then dad let go. And mum's body slumped. Sprawling on the floor like a bunch of weak leaves. I let go off dad's hand and rushed to her. No pulse. No heartbeat. ****** This emotional fiction gives it's readers an opportunity to peek into the life of a pained woman and her struggles to survive when abandoned by a man she's ever loved. ****** African society has given men so much control over women. No matter what a woman accomplishes in life, once she's not under a man, she's seen as utter useless.... Religion, society and family have subconsciously compelled African women into accepting everything including domestic violence as long as the 'Mrs' title is retained. Many women have lost their lives through physical and emotional abuse. They stay put in abusive relationships cos most are afraid to bear the tag "divorcee", so they rather die than leave. Most African men are proud cheats, with the excuse that "men are polygamous in nature". Sadly, women are the most supporters of this false ideology.Complete
If I Can Hate You, Why Can't You? A Nigerian Story
Anger, pure anger and fear sipped through her veins threatening to burst out. She struggled vehemently to release her hand, but that only made him tighten his hand around her twisted arm. She cried out of pain but that only seemed to impress him. He smirked and said, "Mm, so fiesty?" He glared at her and pushed her against the wall. "You are evil Abdullah!" She almost shouted. Beads of sweat formed on her silk skin. Why was he making her life a living hell in her matrimonial home? She was supposed to live a happy life with her so-called husband, but instead, he is bullying her. "Just tell me, why?" She gazed at him confused wondering what he meant by that. "Why what?" She cried "Heh" he chuckled, "don't play dumb with me Kulthum. Just tell me why you chose him over me? What am I lacking? Huh? Tell me!" He shouted pushing her more against the wall. "Because you are evil! I never loved you in the first place, you are nothing worth loving" she spat as tears flowed down her beautiful face. As soon as he heard that, his face stoned up while his jaw clenched and his eyes became bloodshot. Such a sight she had never seen since she was married to him. "If I can hate you, why can't you, Abdullah?! I am so tired of this relationship, I can't do it anymore just let me go" With a dejected heart, he released her hand and whispered dangerously close to her ear, "If I can't have you, then no one will" He stumped off angrily while she slumped to the ground releasing a heavy sigh of defeat as tears rolled down her cheek. Since the day she got married to him, there had never been a day where she laughed for at least two minutes. All she knew at that very moment was that she was doomed! *completed but currently under editing*Complete
Before you go
"Listen to me Qurratul Ayn, before you go, I want to know; did I ever offend you? Is my love for you too little?" I can feel his hand hovering over mine. He wants to hold it, but he knows better than to do that. "Please, I don't want to do this now. My flight is in thirty minutes." I can feel the tears wetting my Niqab. "No! I want to know. Where did I go wrong? Was it money? I didn't feed you well? I didn't clothe you? My love wasn't enough for you? I need to know, all those years! You're seriously willing to throw them away like they were nothing?" A sob breaks out but I manage to hide it behind a cough. I take a silent deep breath and turn, my Niqab swaying and making a whip sound. "It's not like, they really were nothing! Look, I don't have it in me to explain myself. You said you'd give me whatever I want? Then leave me be. I never loved you okay! I never did, it was all a sham, a facade!" His hand that was looming over mine falls limp beside him and he staggers back. "You're lying." He laughs. It's as if he's trying to convince himself. I scoff. "You think so? Well take a look at this." His eyes fill with tears and he takes one of his hands and place it on his mouth. He can't believe that it's actually true. "Okay, Fa'iza." My heart breaks. He never calls me that, ever. "I know something is wrong, and wallahi I'm going to find it out and bring you back to my house in six months. I promise." I feel my heart squeeze knowing his promise can never come to pass, ever. Death is nearing me so nothing can be done. Absolutely nothing. * Ten years of loving, doting over each other and marriage, Fa'iza upped and suddenly said she wanted out of the marriage. After months of persuasion and blackmail, Bello let her go, but before she left, he made a promise. Would he be able to fulfill this promise? STARTED: COMPLETED:Complete
married in silence
Jisoo had always believed in love-the kind that made your heart race, the kind that made the world feel lighter when you were with someone. She never imagined that love could be ripped from her hands so abruptly, leaving only emptiness in its place. Suho, the man she thought she would spend her life with, had become a chapter that ended too soon, and yet, life had a crueler twist in store. Across the city, Taehyung was fuming behind the polished doors of his family estate. A man of discipline, control, and icy perfection, he had never tolerated unpredictability-least of all heartbreak. But when the woman he had planned to marry left him at the very last moment, his life, which had always been neatly ordered, fell into chaos. And now, by the insistence of his parents, he was to marry... a stranger. Their worlds collided in a contract neither wanted. Jisoo, heartbroken and betrayed by circumstance, faced the unimaginable: leaving the only love she had ever known, stepping into the arms of a man who made no effort to hide his disdain. Taehyung, stern, serious, and unyielding, saw only annoyance in her presence-a living reminder of a life he hadn't chosen. Forced together by duty, surrounded by expectations, and burdened with resentment, they entered a marriage built on obligation, not affection. Yet, fate has a way of twisting the simplest truths. In stolen glances, accidental touches, and moments of vulnerability, the icy walls around Taehyung's heart would begin to crack-and Jisoo, the girl he claimed to despise, would be the one to see the man behind the cold mask. This was a story of hate that simmered too close to love, of a bond forged in resentment that would test every limit of the heart, and of two people who had no choice but to discover that sometimes, love comes when you least expect it... and often, in the most unwilling hearts.Complete
When Silence Breaks (Hausa Story)
They say a woman's success means nothing if she doesn't end up married. I used to laugh at that. Quietly. The kind of laughter that doesn't escape your lips, because you don't have time for arguments that go nowhere. My name is Ibtihal. I'm twenty-eight. I have two degrees, a corner office in Abuja, and enough money to make my own choices - or so I thought. But in a house where my mother prays more for my marriage than for my health, and my father treats every holiday like a matchmaking summit, my silence eventually became an agreement. Not because I was in love. Not even because I believed in the institution. But because I was tired. Tired of being the "too focused" one. The "still not married" one. The "career is not companionship" one. So I said yes. To a man I didn't know. A man who barely looked at me during the introduction. A man who, as I later found out, had someone else waiting for him - someone he actually loved. But he said yes too, because his uncle - the man who raised him after he lost his parents - asked him to. A year, we agreed. A year of pretending. No expectations. No intimacy. No emotional strings. Just two people performing tradition so the noise would stop. And I was fine with that. More than fine, actually. I didn't want love. I didn't want mess. I wanted space to breathe and be left alone. But then, something changed. It wasn't dramatic. There were no candlelit moments or sudden heartbeats. It was subtle - the way he started looking at me like I wasn't just a deal. The way my name sounded different coming from his lips. The way I began to notice his silence... and miss it when it wasn't there. I didn't mean to fall. And I don't think he meant to either. But here we are - trapped in a marriage neither of us wanted... now tangled in feelings neither of us planned for. And for the first time in my life, I'm not so sure I want to be left alone anymore.
At War
"Obanma if you keep vibrating like a car engine, neither of us would get good sleep. I can feel the bed shaking from way over there" He gestured at the edge of the bed where lay he before. Her mouth couldn't form any words in her own defense. "I've been battling with pneumonia I would have left the bed for you. Those tiles might just worsen my case. Besides there's enough space to fit two more people on this bed." She only nodded still staring at him and recoiling inwardly at the proximity between them. Adaugo had once told her that being on the same bed with a man could make her pregnant. Oh Biology her saviour! " I am not that kind of man, I offered you a place to rest for the night and that you shall get. Sleeping with your Jean trousers on, one foot in and foot out of the bed, huddling at the edge which is quite close to the door, wouldn't really save you if I wanted something else. I am a man, I am stronger and faster. So please relax, stop shaking and go to sleep. I have a very busy schedule tomorrow and just like you, I can't sleep unless my surrounding is suitable for sleeping " How did he know all that? Was he a mind reader too? She nodded again then slowly relaxed on the bed, still very much awake. Sleeping was not really what one did in enemy camp. He smiled, gently rolling over to his side to really have a look at her. She was truly very beautiful and innocent. He knew deep down that she could escape if she wanted to, he was no superman and she would definitely elude him. His hands itched to caress and hold her, that feeling was not alien, he had always felt protective of the girl. Onyedikachi simply turned to the other side of the bed with a smile on his face and very familiar words in his heart as exhaustion drove him to sleep. Smart girl! *** Two families living peacefully as neighbors till an unfortunate event turns them into arch enemies. How long will their war last when love decides to make their children mediators?Complete
"So.. go on a date with me?" I can't stop looking at him. He's just so beautiful. As he always was-just ten years younger. Same brown eyes, same lips, that boyish charm. The only difference is the hint of innocence in his gaze and the curiosity in his expression. No doubt he's surprised by my sudden question. I can't really blame him. His boring, nonchalant classmate of one year has just asked him out after a nice evening together. But I know he'll say yes. He has to. He never said no to me. I can't wait to plan all the amazing, adventurous dates with him, to make him feel special this time-just like he did for me. I'm eager to get to know him all over again. That's when I hear mumbling. "Hmm?" I ask, not hearing him properly. "No. I'm sorry, but I'm not interested. I had a great time today, Anu, but I don't see you that way. I'll have to decline." I can hear my heart breaking. Funny, isn't it? All your life, you think: Okay, this will be my last heartbreak. This guy will be the one. He's going to make it all worth it. And then, suddenly, life throws another failed attempt at love into your bucket. If I can manage to get rejected by my husband of three years, then there probably isn't any hope for me. . . Anu had everything-power, success, and a love so deep it felt unshakable. Three years of marital bliss with Ashwin, the man who was her home, her heart, her forever. Their life was perfect, built with love, laughter, and quiet mornings wrapped in each other's warmth. But in the blink of an eye, everything vanished. She woke up not in their home, but in a college dorm. Not as the woman who ruled boardrooms, but as a twenty-year-old student. And then she saw him. Ashwin. But this Ashwin didn't know her. He wasn't her devoted husband. He was a stranger, a boy still finding his way in life. She had been thrust back into his past, into a time where she didn't belong. And the most terrifying question of all- Would he still fall in love with her?
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