Verdict Episode 124

As Chika left, Gozie headed to where Ij was. Once she saw him she wiped her eyes. Gozie said Ij what is it? Ij said nothing. She adjusted her clothes and was getting ready to leave when Gozie said Ij you can take some time out and put yourself together.

Ij said I’m fine and besides I don’t want to get fired. Gozie said Chika told me you were crying. Ij said I’m fine I’m heading to my work station. Gozie said Ij stop it, I know I went out of line but at least I still care about you.

Ij said I’m fine sir. Gozie said if it’s because of me you are crying. I’m so sorry. Ij said sir I’m fine, thank you for your concern and she left still looking gloomy. Gozie stood for a while before saying it’s really going to be an uphill task to win Ij back.

Ij managed to get through work and headed home. Chikezie met her at the door and said sis please call mum now, you need her. You left home weeping and you come back weeping. Ij said I’ve heard you.

She got into her room and called her mum. Her mum heard her voice, hung up and called her by video and said Ijeoma what’s wrong? You look like you’ve seen a ghost. Ij broke down in tears even more and her mum hung up and called Chikezie.

She asked Chikezie are you with Ij? He said yes, she said then why is she sobbing like that and you are not there? Chikezie said mum it’s a basket case. A lot is going on and you know how big sis is always trying to save and protect everyone else.

Today has been one of the worst days of my adult life. I felt the same pains I felt the day the news of your murder broke. I told myself you are still alive and will come back home but for ten years you’ve not come back.

Nneoma said broke up? How and why? Kezie said mum you’ll have to ask big sis. Nneoma said okay, thank you. She called Ij back by video and said you broke up with Chigozie and never told me? Why? Let’s start with that first before we get to your father.

What happened between you and Chigozie? Ij sniffed and blew her nose then said he proposed to me and we broke up the next day. We broke up because I didn’t wear the ring to work and then he asked for it to be returned, I returned it and he went to social media and made damaging posts against our family.

Finally I blocked him so I stop seeing the posts and the responses. Nneoma said my goodness Ijeoma you got engaged and I didn’t know? Ij said mum it happened so fast and also ended so fast. If I had told you how will I have explained that we broke up?

Nneoma said Ij, Ij I’ve always been there for you, no matter what. You never hid anything from me no matter how difficult; suddenly you are hiding things from me. Imagine you going through all this alone. What have I done to you? Ij said nothing mum I just didn’t want to bother you.

Her mum said that’s not for you to decide. What are the things Gozie said? Ij said mum I don’t know if you really want to read them. Nneoma said forward them to me, Ij said mum I don’t think it’s a good idea. Her mum said Ij let me be the judge of that. Ij forwarded them and her mum went through the screen shots on her other phone.

She said wow; unbelievable Gozie said all these about our family? It really unfortunate. Nneoma said did you respond to any of them? Ij said no mum. Her mum said better. Then she said tell me the truth what has been happening in your relationship before now?

Ij said I don’t have much to report just that once we were not communicating he took me to his house against my will. Her mum said ehn, did he harm you? Ij said no. Then Nneoma said how did you hide this kind of thing from me?

Ij said mum then I was protecting the relationship I thought you’ll get mad if I told you. Her mum said so what? You can’t be hiding such things from me. He mum said nnem you know you and Chikezie are priceless to me.

I don’t like seeing you hurting now look at you. See forgive Chigozie. Ij said eh! Nneoma said yes I know you must be shocked but forgive him from your heart. What he did is bad but not the worst thing in the world. He said horrible words on social media which he can’t take back.

But he didn’t cause you any physical harm. He didn’t try to kill you or sexually harass you. Ij said mum I don’t believe this; you mean taking me to his house against my will is not bad enough? Nneoma said its bad but If he had touched you it’ll be a different story but thankfully he didn’t. He has some unresolved issues.

Nnem see eh I know you are not married but in marriage so many things happen. In divorce cases so many hurtful words are said and it gets messy but some of them still get back together. Marriage is deep.

Forgive me for using marriage as an example but imagine if you were married to him and he said all these will you leave the marriage? Ij said but mum I’m not married to him so I won’t tolerate it.

Nneoma said nnem let me tell you something. You know why I’m not upset about these posts? He dwelt so much on our financial status, calling us poor but we are not. I’ve never told anyone this before except your father’s lawyer knows of course he was part of the plan.

Your father was murdered because of his wealth. He feared it’ll happen so he hid so many of his assets and belongings. He instructed the lawyer to not come to read his will if he died.

He instructed that I let them take his belongings they knew about so they don’t kill me too and you’ll become orphans.  I knew of his other assets and all these years I’ve maintained a low profile just to take care of you and your brother.

So we were never broke. You both had educational funds. So I didn’t suffer. I hustled because I didn’t know if they’ll find out too or the lawyer will double cross me but surprisingly he hasn’t. I’m impressed with Chikezie for the way he hustles and has business sense like you.

At least I know you both won’t squander your inheritance when you gain access to it. You’ve all made your own paths so I refused to get angry over those posts. I choose to look at them as his ego getting the better of him.

So forgive him, I didn’t say marry him, that’s for you to decide but genuinely forgive him. Ij said mum you make it seem so easy but it’s very difficult for me. He betrayed my trust and broke my heart I was trying to mend.

Nneoma said it’s not an order it’s just my opinion on this issue, you mustn’t do it but remember that you work together and can’t be at each other’s throats in the same environment.

She said now to your father why is it so difficult to let go? Ij said mum I’m just afraid that if I let go Dad won’t exist anymore. Nneoma said nnem that’s not true. He still exists in our hearts. We may never see him physically but he exists in you and Chikezie.

You are his children, you look like your father and anywhere you go people always stop and stare and say isn’t that Umezuruike’s child.

So they still talk about him. We started a foundation for him and every quarter we host talks and events about things your Dad was passionate about. Your Dad gave out scholarships while he was alive. It’s still ongoing although it’s anonymous and I can keep going.

I know it’s not easy, it’s not been for any of us but we’ve to make do with what we have which is his memory. You are not being fair to yourself because if I refused to let go I doubt you would have enjoyed me as your mother.

Every anniversary of your father’s death you lose yourself and that whole month is ruined. You will never heal if you keep thinking about what hurt you. Allowing the hurt stay in your thoughts wouldn’t free you until you are shattered to pieces.

If you are dwelling on the past, you won’t see a new thing. Nothing that happened in the past should keep you from the bright future God has in store for you.

Let go and focus on the present. You’ve missed out on so much because of this hurt. I won’t say I’ve forgotten your father but I’ve learnt to live without him while keeping his memory alive.

You know that thing I told you about your father’s assets please don’t tell Chikezie for now; you know how he can act crazy sometimes.

I don’t want to bury my son. They think they are smart and that they got everything but in the real sense of the word they got nothing. When Chikezie gets a little older and won’t take irrational decisions then the time would be right.

Ij said mum I’m sorry for how my behavior has affected you and how I’ve not been open to you about what’s going on in my life. Nneoma said its okay you don’t have to apologize we all deal with hurt differently.

Now to Chigozie I don’t want you to hold on to that grudge. Ijeoma let go of it. Say good morning to him if you see him. Lighten your heart and let love lead. You know you are special to me and I don’t like the idea of you carrying your burdens alone.

We are a unit and we look out for each other. I hope you find the closure you so desire but remember your father lives on. We may not see him physically but he not forgotten he is only gone.

Ij said thank you mum as she wiped her tears. Her mum said I want to speak with Chikezie. Ij yelled his name and he came and said Chikezie at your service, why did you yell my name like that?

Then he looked and saw his mum and said mum! You never call me by video why? His mum said nwokem sit down and explain to me how your one week visit has refused to end.

Kezie scratched his head and said mum you didn’t tell me how comfy this apartment was, as I got here I got so comfortable. Nneoma said now you mentioned it, it reminded me of the house warming party.

It was so loving now all that’s left is the ruins. So Chikezie I’m sure you read those posts what do you think? Chikezie said mum I think its private matter between big sis and Gozie.

Personally I wasn’t offended even though they were really bad; I choose to look at them as a poor call of judgement on his part. I mean I spoke to him a few times and met him a few times. He didn’t exude such character.

I think he had unrealistic expectations. Like so many people he has just one opinion of how some things should go. Things like engagement rings. He expects it be worn religiously, big sis doesn’t think so and unfortunately he didn’t seek her opinion.

I also think big sis didn’t like how her proposal went even though she’s not saying it. I think if she did she could have worn it. She’s not a jewelry person true but if you are excited about something you do things outside the box.

When she walked in after the engagement she didn’t seem excited like he a newly engaged woman she was devoid of emotions. I blame Chigozie though for not carrying her along. Now it escalated to one big misunderstanding so I don’t know what we should do.

I’m not mad at him though. I believe he made a mistake and if big sis will still accept him, he doesn’t have to worry about me being upset with him.

Their mum said Ij. Ij said mum like Kezie said it’s personal. I feel relieved you are both not mad but this issue is far from over. Nneoma said its okay nnem. We don’t know how you feel so we can’t tell you what to do. We can only advice.

She wished them well and hung up. Ij said Chikezie tell me how were you able to heal quickly from the loss of Dad? Chikezie said it wasn’t easy but I told myself that I couldn’t be held back by the past so I had to look to the present and make Dad proud.

I mean I was 11 when he died and you were 13. I never bothered about those responsible because vengeance is for God and he’ll repay. I refused to let them keep me sad and hold me back, I chose to move forward.

Where are most of those people who are responsible? We don’t see them anymore, so why should we hold on to an event that most of those involved have faded away.

Ij said thank you, you’ve been helpful. Kezie said big sis you are welcome. Chuks called Ij and said I heard you had a bad day at work? So how are you? Ij said I’m better, I called my mum and she helped me put things in perspective.

Chuks said really? So how do you feel? Ij said better and lighter. Chuks said you told her about Gozie!? Ij said yes. Chuks said and? Ij said I was surprised she didn’t make much of it; she said I should forgive him.

Chuks said so will you? Ij said I’ll forgive him for my own sanity not to rekindle a mistake of a relationship. Chuks said wow Ij! That’s a harsh thing to say. Ij said Chukwuka I’m sorry but I’ve done everything you’ve advised.

But forgiving Chigozie and getting back with him is not something anyone can order me to do. Chuks said very well then. You are definitely right but you know after my misunderstanding with Chika when our parents were in town, it strengthened our relationship when we got back together.

I’m sure If you decide to your relationship will be better it was. I believe Gozie has learned his lesson. Chuks said good night to her and hung up.

Ij took a pen and paper and wrote Dear Daddy, it’s like a dream to me that you are no more. You left without saying goodbye to us. Humanity failed you, the justice system failed you.

Today has been one of the worst days of my adult life. I felt the same pains I felt the day the news of your murder broke. I told myself you are still alive and will come back home but for ten years you’ve not come back.

I refused attending the burial and never even said good bye because I never believed you were dead and Ij let tears fall from her eyes. I feel like sometimes I see you but you say nothing to me, I saw you today at work as I cried but you said nothing to me.

Your memory is all I’ve got. I wish you’ll just come back to us. Watching the video of your burial made me realize that you are no more and it cut like a knife.

I wept and the heavens wept. I love you Daddy but God loves you more. Good bye Daddy. I’ll miss you dearly. She dropped the pen and wept bitterly. After putting herself together she called Chidinma.