OFF THE HOOK EP 4: The Wedding
“How long has this been going on?” Dad barked, angered by my confession, but I couldn’t put myself together to give an answer as I was too choked up with crying, I was trembling.
“How long?” Dad barked again.
“Nna anyi, biko were ya nwayọọ (our Lord, please take it easy)” Mum placed a hand on his chest and spoke softly to calm him. A futile effort.
“Were ya nwayọọ? That boy!... That boy had the effrontery to cheat on my daughter and come to my house to ask for her hand in marriage. Isi m were ya nwayọọ (and you say I should take it easy). Ofu Ịkwu m nwere (the only egg I have). Mba kwa (no way)” he jerked his shoulders and continued.
I heard Dad’s heart break with every word he said, so I no longer cried for Elo, but for Dad. I had caused this. I allowed it to happen. Not because I didn’t know what I was worth, but because I believed I could change Elo. Though every attempt had failed, I believed it, and now I’ve made a fool of Dad. My action had come with a spit on his face, one I wished I could cleanse with my tears.
“Adannaya, tell me the truth, has he ever laid his hands on you?” Dad was squatting before me now, his hands holding mine and his eyes pleading for my sincerity.
I shook my head slowly and said, “No, sir”.
He exhaled and stood upright. He turned his back at me. He had one hand at akimbo and the other one raised to his face. Mum and I watched.
Then suddenly he turned and said, “Why would you let that happen to you?” Dad’s voice was softer, calmer, lower, and sadder. “Why?” He breathed.
Again, the tears flowed. It was the only answer I could afford.
“Why didn't you tell me, or your mother?”
“I thought I could change him” I cried.
For a long minute, my crying was the only sound coming from the room where we were. Dad and Mom both sat beside me with their hands over my shoulders, comforting me.
“You should never have to change a man Nne’m. If he changes, he should do so on his own accord, and if he loves you, he will change,” Dad said when I stopped crying.
I nodded and we all shared a hug.
Soon after, the door opened and someone called my name.
“Yadera”, it was Elo’s voice.
***
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