SEE FINISH BY TREASURE EZURUIKE EPISODE 1

SEE FINISH A STORY BY TREASURE EZURUIKE EPISODE 1

INTRODUCTION

(CHIKANMA’S Point of view)

Good afternoon, ma’am, good afternoon, sir. Please ma’am are you Mrs. Nkem?

My heart began to beat faster but nothing prepared me for what I heard next. Yes, I am, I responded.

You may need to sit down ma’am for what we are about to tell you. Did something bad happen? Please can you go straight to the point?

The woman among them said sit down ma’am as she guided me to the sofa. I sat down, now in full panic mode.

We are sorry but something bad has happened. To whom I screamed? Your husband I am afraid.

My husband? I said as I stood up. What has happened to him? The woman guided me back to the sofa.

I’m sorry he has been shot and killed was what I heard next. I passed out and woke up hours later in the hospital.

The first words I uttered were where is my husband? Where are my children?

My mother-in-law was standing beside me with my two children. They didn’t understand what was going on, but my mother-in-law was sobbing.

So, it’s true I asked and let out a loud scream. I pulled off my wig and flung it away.

I was so confused screaming, so my husband is dead, so I’m now a widow? But how?

He was full of life this morning. He hugged me and kissed me before leaving for work. We had plans when he got back.

It was our anniversary, and he was taking me out, he was going to spoil me like he always did. How would I survive without him?

Who would I call when my car stops on the road, and he’ll come running to fix my car or send someone immediately? Who would I call each time I have a gist?

Who would I play hard to get for? Who would tell me I love you and you look beautiful?

Who would our children shout daddy to, each time he returns home? Who would lie beside me in bed? Who would…? I burst out in tears.

My children said mummy what’s wrong? I didn’t know what to say to them because they were aged 4 and 2.

Before I’ll say anything to them my mother-in-law passed out. She had to be resuscitated.

I was taken to identify my husband’s body and I sobbed uncontrollably when I pointed to him.

He was lying so peacefully with blood all over him. That image tormented me. I wish I never saw him that way.

Why would anyone kill my husband? I thought to myself. Nothing just made sense.

The police had no leads and even if they did it matter to me because it wouldn’t bring my Nkem back.

(KIRA’S POV)

My name is Kira. I met my husband just fresh out of university. Then I was in no mood to be in a relationship.

I gave him a run for his money. I went the whole nine yards just to frustrate him. He didn’t give up no matter what I did to him.

I remember the days I will discharge him in unfair ways. He will wear a frown while leaving and be so upset and I will think he will not return.

To my surprise, he will show up the next day with a smile on his face. At some point, I started to wonder if he was up to something or probably, he had taken a bet with someone that he was going to win me over.

For that reason, he did not want to give in no matter what I did to send him away. He will come back with a new tactic and be more caring and loving.

I had no way of finding out what he was up to, and I couldn’t get into his head, and I couldn’t track him either.

The truth was that I wasn’t playing hard to get. I didn’t like him, and I wasn’t interested in him.

I wasn’t interested in a relationship. I hadn’t been hurt by anyone, so I wasn’t transferring aggression. I just wanted to be left alone.

I left for the National Youth Service corps. It was such a relief to me because I wouldn’t have to deal with Kenny again. What was so hard for someone to understand that you don’t want him.

Kenny was not happy when I told him I had been mobilized for the National Youth Service Corps.

“So, you are leaving me so you can fall into another man’s arms. He said.

I just couldn’t understand how someone could be so hung up on someone despite all the No’s he had been told.

The day I was leaving for NYSC camp. I was surprised to see Kenny at the park waiting for me. What kind of man is this? He offered to drive me down to the camp.

Well, I loved the comfort, so I accepted. It was a cool ride to my destination.

Kenny bought me lots of things on the way. We arrived at the NYSC camp, and he helped me settle in.

As he was about to leave, he handed me an envelope and said use this to get yourself stuff and keep yourself comfortable.

I said thank you. He asked for my account number. I wondered what for.

Just give it to me, he pleaded. Okay fine I said. I texted it to him.

He smiled and said I’ll miss you, but I’ll be in touch, I promise.

He waved me goodbye, turned around, and left as I watched him go out of sight.

I headed to the room I was assigned to set it up. I was so busy and only got to my phone at night.

I saw I had a text message. I clicked on it, and it was a bank alert of 100,000.

I wiped my eyes and counted the zeros again, 5 zeros.

I scrolled down to the name of the person who sent it. Kennedy Nnaemeka was the sender.

I dashed for my handbag to check the envelope he handed to me just before leaving.

I found it, opened it, and found clean mint 1000-naira notes.

I counted them and they were 50 pieces. 50k I screamed and another 100k? What was Kenny up to? 150k in one day?

(NNENNA’S POV)

My name is Nnenna. Since I married my husband. I never knew peace because of my sister-in-law Oluchi. My husband beat me up often because of my in-laws.

Any little misunderstanding my husband would hit me with his hands or any object he could find.

He never hit me before marriage and didn’t hit me immediately after marriage. A few months later he started to hit me.

He would hit me and become remorseful after it. He would pamper me and buy me gifts and make love to me passionately. I just couldn’t understand why he kept doing it.

I couldn’t inform my family because I didn’t want to involve third parties according to the advice I received before marriage. I also couldn’t tell my father because he was so overprotective of me.

I knew what would happen if I told him. He would show up with soldiers who would beat my husband up. I didn’t want that. I just wanted the marriage to work because it was just 6 months old.

My sister-in-law was older than me but single. I was 22 and she was 34. She wanted everything I had. My husband’s family is well to do but my family is wealthier.

My father didn’t like my husband, but I convinced him to let me marry him. My father gifted me an SUV as a wedding gift. He also gifted me other items.

My mum gifted me household appliances to make my life easier. My sister-in-law wanted all these things, especially the car.

She said they now belonged to my husband as I had married him, so he should give them to her as I didn’t need them. My husband never said anything about it.

He didn’t say no or yes to her request. I refused to be submissive in that area. I told her I won’t give her even one item because they were from my family.

My husband’s family always watched him beat me and never intervened. My sister-in-law was his greatest supporter.

She succeeded along with my mother-in-law to get my husband to stop me from working. I had to resign from my job and be at home.

One day my sister-in-law showed up and beat me up. She first arrived asking for the documents of my car and other items she wanted.

I hid them where she couldn’t find them, including the car key. She ransacked our bedroom and when she couldn’t find them, she beat me up and injured me.

I didn’t fight back to avoid more beating when my husband returned. After beating me as I bled, she told me she’ll teach me a lesson and my husband couldn’t protect me because he already hit me. She left as I nursed my wounds.

(KEISHA’S POV)

I’m not sure you’ve met me before, but my name is Keisha. I come from a family of 5. I have a brother and a sister. I’m the youngest.

I graduated from university at 21. After the National Youth Service Corps, I secured a job as a Public Relations person.

I was retained in my place of primary assignment. My relationship with my elder brother is anything but cordial. We don’t get along. We’ve no relationship.

The reason is not far-fetched. He has never supported me in anything in my life. He’ll rather support some random woman Instead of me or my elder sister.

I have memories of him paying the transport fare of a girl he just met instead of paying mine. I didn’t have money to pay my transport fare and it was also the last vehicle heading in our direction.

He’d rather a woman not related to him got home safe and dry than his sister. I was almost raped and robbed that night if not for a good Samaritan who saved me.

He took me back home with him. I was so terrified. I believed he would rape me himself, but he just took me home to help me to have me to himself.

I sat at the tip of the bed when he took me to his home. It was the home of his parents. They were out of town. It was just us in a huge house. He could have had his fill with me, killed me, and buried me and no one would find me.

Why are you sitting so scared he asked, trying to touch me? I cringed and jumped when he touched me. Relax he said, I won’t hurt you. What is a little girl like you doing all by herself in such a dangerous place?

I said nothing to him. Thank God I arrived when I did. If not, who knows what could have been? How old are you, he asked? 16 I said. 16? All by yourself in this no man’s land?

I wasn’t willing to tell him that my brother had decided to use the money our parents had given to him to pay my transport fare to pay that of another woman.

He accompanied me to write the Joint Admission Matriculation Board examination in a nearby city. I wanted to go by myself, but my parents insisted my elder brother take me to write the examination.

I knew going with him was the same as going alone. Who was I to complain to my parents when they had made their proclamation that my brother was taking me to write the examination?

I prepared my mind for the worst. I knew I couldn’t count on him for anything. I had found out very early in life that he just wasn’t reliable, and I couldn’t count on him to Save My Life.

The guy who rescued me from my attackers said it looks like you’re injured. Let me look at that. I screamed just leave me alone and go straight to the point and do what you want to do.

I know you plan to rape me tonight, you just got me away from the other guys so you can have me to yourself just get over with it so I can move forward.

(NICOLE’S POV)

Sweetheart Bernard said to me on the phone. Please get dressed, let’s go out. Really, I exclaimed. You are so funny, he said. Yes, I’m serious. I’m taking you out today he said. Okay, I said feeling excited.

I’ll be home in 30 minutes, I hope you’ll be ready by then. I’ll try, I said. He hung up and I hurriedly had a shower and got dressed.

Where are you going? The children asked me. Out with Dad, I said, seeming so excited. What’s the occasion? They asked me.

I have no idea, I responded. Your father is surprising me. Take me with you, they all echoed.

Indeed, I responded. You can crawl into my handbag I saw with a sarcastic laugh. Mum, it’s not fair they all said.

You know what? Wait for Daddy. When he arrives he will decide. I’m not taking myself out. Dad is. That seemed to calm everyone.

Bernard arrived and told our children much to their dismay that he was just taking mummy out.

Today is all about mummy he said and besides, you are all big boys and girls now. You can cope all by yourself. The children all frowned, and Bernard said I hope you are ready.

Yes, I smiled. You look dashing by the way he said, planting a kiss on my lips. He kissed me a little more, I freed myself and asked, are you sure we are going out?

The way he looked at me said I don’t think I want to, but we must. Why did you break that up he protested?

I didn’t want to end up in bed after getting dressed and taking my time to do all this makeup.

You are not a very nice person he said. I admit I said giggling at him. Let’s go, he said, offering me his land which I gladly took.

He told our children we would be home shortly. Please lock the door and remember our password. Don’t open the door for anyone who doesn’t get it right.

Yes, Daddy, they echoed. Don’t even give the person a hint. If they don’t know it. Don’t open the door. Okay Daddy their voices echoed.

We walked down to the car, he opened the door of the passenger’s side of the car for me to get in and closed it gently.

We headed to our hangout destination. It was a new place in town. I had never been to that place.

We found a nice spot and sat down. What’s the occasion I asked. You, he said. Me?

Yes, you. I’m celebrating you. I’m saying thank you for all your support. Your care and affection. The way you look after me and our children.

Our home is always sparkling, smells nice, and is peaceful. You never complain about anything. I just want to thank you today.

I teared up as he spoke. Don’t cry, he said. The aim was to thank you and spoil you, he said, wiping my tears.

What would you like he said? I’m at your service. Some catfish pepper soup would do with some wine I said, still wiping my eyes.

Great he said, signaling to the waiter and making the order. We ate as we had small talk when our order arrived.

We finished our meal, and he took me shopping. I felt it was my birthday or our anniversary, but it was neither of them.

We headed home afterward. I headed to the kitchen to do chores as Bernard freshened up and joined the children in the sitting room.

I had lots of chores to do. When I was done making dinner and serving dinner with other chores I was exhausted and had a throbbing headache.

I managed to have a bath and retired to bed with Bernard. I took a painkiller just before bed for the throbbing headache.

Are you okay?” Bernard asked. No, I’m not, I responded. What’s wrong with you he asked. I have a throbbing headache and general body weakness.

No now, that’s not fair, he said. What is not fair, I asked. You know I want you tonight, after the amazing day we had.

I smiled at him and said I know that that’s why I took the painkiller. In 30 minutes, it’ll be effective.

What would we do within that time he said, seeming visibly angry? We could talk and have a little touching and even throw in some kisses.

Just tonight I want you, you are giving these clumsy excuses. Sweetheart! What has come over you?

To be continued.

© Treasure Ezuruike.

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