Contract husband

” Ok dear.” She whispered softly and rested her head on his chest.

********************

*Four months later!*

” Honey are you ready?” Ife asked his wife.

She sighed softly and smiled.

” Yes dear.”

He nodded and said.

” Let’s say a word of prayer before we leave.” He said and held her hands while they prayed.

Picking up his daughter from her cot, he laid her gently on his shoulders.

He turned to his wife once more.

” Shall we?”

” Sure.” She replied, picking up her bag.

They held hands and left the building, with the gateman carrying their luggages behind.

A lot had happened in the last four months.

First of all, the couple were greeted with the shocking news that Mr Coker was involved in a ghastly motor accident that almost took his life completely. The doctor had said some his vital organs had been affected due to the impact, and he was taken to the ICU were he remained unconscious till date.

Judith on the other hand, developed a mental illness and was taken on admission to a psychiatric home for treatment.

But the impact the bad news brought, changed, immediately Omar was delivered of a bouncing baby girl.

Ife was overwhelmed with joy the moment he laid his eyes on his daughter.

Although Omar had seen him happy before, but not in this dimension.

” I will name her Ayanfe.” He said brightly.

And that became her name.

The naming ceremony was done elaborately with Ife sparing no expenses at all. The gate was opened to as many guests that came and there were several delicacies to choose from.

The guests danced to the rhythm of music played by different bands and ate to their fill, chattering and humouring happily.

Back to reality.

They were on a journey to her family house to see her parents and siblings. And as they journeyed through, Omar drifted into thoughts.

There were so many uncertainties on her mind which brought about fear.

Fear of what if her parents were dead?

She had already forgiven her parents in her heart a few months back. But right now, she really hoped to meet them all in good health and soundness of mind.

The plane balanced steadily in the air, and journeyed smoothly. The weather was fair and there was no turbulence of any sort.

She watched as Ife stroked little Ayanfe lovingly, and felt a tinge of jealousy.

She exhaled deeply and smiled.

The plane landed eventually in Makurdi and reached its terminal in about an hour thirty minutes. They were able to locate their luggage easily and immediately boarded a taxi that took them to the family house. There had surprisingly been development in the area since she last left. She had to ask around from passersby for directions to her home.

Standing in front of the family house once again,

Omar was taken aback by the memories the building brought. Although it had been renovated from the dilapidated form it used to be, but there were still similarities that made the building peculiar, and these was the memories it brought.

” Is this your father’s house?” Ife asked.

” Yes.” She replied in whispers.

A little child ran out of the front door playfully. He was bare chested but wearing his shorts.

He suddenly came to an halt the moment he sighted Omar and her husband.

” Hello dear… how are you doing?” Ife greeted him tenderly.

He looked from Ife to Omar and then back to Ife.

Just then, they heard the voice of a woman calling out a name as she rushed out of the building.

” John!!…. Won’t you come and eat your food….. if I see you playing with those manner less kids again, I will beat you!!” she said loudly as she marched towards the boy.

She stopped immediately she saw him in the company of an unfamiliar couple.

” Good morning ma.” Omar greeted.

” Good morning…. Please how may I help you?” She asked impatiently.

” Please is this the Edeh’s household?” Omar asked further.

” Yes… who are you looking for?” The woman asked in an interrogative way.

There was something striking about her face, and there was a note of familiarity in her voice that made Omar wonder quietly.

The woman gesticulated impatiently.

” See madam, if it is Peter you came to see,….. Peter is not here at all….. you can check him at the Bet naija shop where he is gambling away his life…. You can drag him there to give you your money, because I have no penny to pay for a debt I do not owe.” She said loudly.

Omar gasped.

” Grace!!!….. Grace!!!…. Is this really you?” Omar exclaimed.

The woman widened her eyes in amusement.

” Please who are you!!…. And how did you know my name?” she asked Omar in confusion.

Omar exhaled deeply.