VERDICT EPISODE 126
BY TREASURE EZURUIKE
Ij got to work in the morning and called Chigozie’s mum. She said I’m sorry I’ve not called since I left. I’ve had personal issues to deal with. She said I called to check on you and ask how your husband is faring. I heard he was unwell. I hope he is feeling better now. Gozie’s mum said he is better. Thank you for checking on me.
How are you doing? Ij said I’ve not been okay but I’ve made progress. Then she ma’am I called specifically for Chigozie. First of all he’s not aware I’m making this call.
I heard you cut him off because we broke up. I want to plead that you reconsider because we only live once. If anything bad were to happen to him I’m sure you’ll regret your decision. Please ma can you forgive him please.
And reach out to him because he’s really miserable and a mother never abandons her child. I feel guilty that’s it’s because of me. Gozie’s mum said it’s not because of you, it’s because he made a fool of us. Bringing you here and breaking up with you few days later. It just got me so angry and I said so many things I shouldn’t have said.
But if I may ask what really happened? Ij said please ma’am I don’t think it’s important to narrate what happened because things are tensed already. Gozie’s mum said can I ask you a personal question? Ij said yes ma you can. She said did you really love my son enough to marry him?
Ij said yes ma I did if not I would never have said yes to him. He was really special to me but unfortunately it didn’t work out. Gozie’s mum said are you saying there’s no hope for both of you because I really fell in love with you once I met you.
By the close of work Gozie drove to his parent’s house. He knocked on the door and as his father opened the door. He went on his knees and started to cry saying he was sorry. His father said nothing but went in and sat down. His wife heard him open the door and came to see who it was and her husband said go and see for yourself.
That was what really drove me mad with Gozie because I’ve already imagined you as my daughter in law. Ij said I’m sorry ma’am right now I’m dealing with loss and grief so I’m not really in the frame of mind to tell if there’s any hope for the both of us.
Gozie’s mum said I’m sorry about your loss. Ij said thank you ma’am please reach out to your son. Gozie’s mum said she’ll think about it. She wished Ij well and said good bye.
Ij headed to Gozie’s office and knocked on the door. He said the door is open. Ij went in and Gozie was so surprised to see her that he stood up from his seat and said Ij I don’t know what to say. Ij said good morning sir please seat down and Gozie sat down and was still lost for words.
Ij said I’m here because of my mum, Chikezie, Chuks and Chika. They’ve been on my case to forgive you for my own sanity. Having carried the pain of the loss of my father for 10 years I know what holding a grudge can do to my mental health and happiness.
I don’t want that, I want to free my heart from all pain. The things you said about me on social media really shattered me and Gozie said Ij I’m sorry and Ij said please sir I didn’t ask you to apologize.
It really shattered me and broke me. Strangely enough my family made light of it and insisted I forgive you. I want you to know I have forgiven you and Gozie said Ij thank you. Ij said I’ve forgiven you but we are not in a relationship and we are not friends.
I want to see you and say good morning to you and stop holding a grudge but don’t believe I can love you anymore. You broke every promise you made me and what I can’t wrap my head around is trying to get me fired and give me multiple queries.
You knew how much this job means to me but yet wanted to get me fired. I didn’t tell my mum about that and I don’t know why. I remembered how you wooed me and then also remember how you destroyed the relationship.
Gozie stood up to get on his knees and Ij said sir please don’t do it because there’s a CCTV camera in your office and I don’t believe you want such an image captured in a public place. Gozie said Ij I don’t care I just want to genuinely apologize to you. Ij said sir I don’t need your genuine apology.
I remember all the great times we had then try to reconcile it with your social media posts and I just go crazy in the end. I’ve unblocked you and deleted all those screenshots from my phone. I don’t want anything to do with them.
I want a new chapter, a new day, a new beginning. Now I’m like a caterpillar emerging into a butterfly. I just want to fly to my freedom and explore God’s plan for me. I’ve held on to the past enough.
I want to thank you for the part you played in my life during my trying time. I’ll never forget it. Ij stood up and said thank you.
I think I’ll go to my work station. Have a great day sir. As Ij was leaving Gozie held on to Ij saying Ij please. Ij said sir please let go of me. As Ij left Gozie put his hands on his head and said Chigozie what have you done to yourself?
He picked up his phone and called Iruchi and asked her if the option of coming on her show COMING CLEAN was still available. Iruchi said good morning to you too. Well Chigozie it’s not. I thought about it and reached a conclusion that I can’t do it.
I can’t put you through that on live radio and people will call and send in insulting messages for you. From a professional point of view I can’t pull it off with you involved. From an ethical point of view it’s going to be difficult for me to do it and be objective without bias.
I can’t ask anyone to fill in for me too. Look I’m looking at Ijeoma and I just know it’ll kill any chances of you getting back with her.
It’ll get me great reviews especially on facebook because you are a sort after personality and you don’t do interviews but then again you are my friend.
So at this point I’ve to draw a line between friendship and a quest to make a name for myself and I’m choosing friendship.
Look I’m really mad at you but instead of doing it live I’m thinking we as your friends should come together this weekend and do something like that but it’ll be private. I spoke to Ike and he said he’ll reach out to Chuks to reach out to Ij and plead with her to come and hear you out and you should pray that she accepts.
You should also go and find genuine answers to those your damning posts especially the one where you regretted not having your way with her before dumping her.
That one just shocks me but hey who am I to judge you. I’m not perfect myself. So sir coming on my show won’t fly because of you and Ij. I’m imagining drilling you with very personal questions on live radio it’ll just be too much.
Chigozie said the thing is I’m desperate and out of options because Ij came to my office this morning and said she had forgiven me. I heaved a sigh of relief and then she said we are not friends or in a relationship and it just pierced like an arrow.
Iruchi said well you shouldn’t be surprised and besides she’s dealing with loss and grief too so don’t expect any positive outcome yet. Even from the intervention don’t expect Ij to say she’ll take you back.
The idea is to plant a seed of forgiveness and love that you’ll hope germinates when the dust settles. Ij is really hurt because she really trusted you in the highest level possible and you betrayed her.
Well Chigozie if she agrees we’ll try to meet you at a neutral venue I’m thinking Chuks and Chika’s home because she respects both of them so much. So we are hoping it’ll have an impact. Please hint her brother too so he could offer emotional support.
Chigozie I’m rooting for you so please don’t fall my hand. Just come ready to apologize and avoid gas lighting or trying to justify your actions or posts.
I’ll let you go now and try to be positive. You know I love you right and even though I may sound harsh I’m doing it out of love. It’s tough love. So let me apologize to you ahead of time for the things I’m going to say to you that day. Take care Chigozie.
Chigozie hung up and said my life has really gone from bad to worse. Just then his phone rang and it was his mum.
He looked and said mum? His mum spoke and said Chigozie good morning. Chigozie mum I thought I’ll never hear your voice again.
He said how is Dad? His mum said Chigozie that’s not why I called. I just want you know that I unblocked you because Ij called me and said it was unfair.
I’m still very mad at you for making a fool of me and your father. Chigozie was about to say something when his mum hung up. Gozie said and my day just went from worse to worst. Then he said Ij called? Really unbelievable.
Gozie went to Chika’s office and Chika said sir what can do for you. Gozie said Chika I just came to make peace. I know you are mad at me that’s why I confessed my crimes once you resumed.
I’m sorry that I made you convince Ij and then I go and destroy everything. Please I’m sorry I know I don’t deserve mercy. Please you’ve always been a great ally but I really miss our talks and conversations.
I’m always walking on my toes around you and my heart skips a beat each time I see you, in fact I’ll prefer you yell at me instead of this silent treatment. Chika said well I don’t want to get fired so I’m not going to yell, so forget it.
Gozie said please forgive me. I’m not going to make any excuses, I disappointed you and I’m sorry. Chika said sir I’ve heard you but please can you step back a little because your perfume is upsetting me. Gozie said I’m sorry.
Chika said I decided not to address this issue now because I’m pregnant and irritated and may end up going overboard with my words so I restrained myself.
However saying I’m disappointed is an understatement. You broke my trust. I never expected such a thing from you. I accept your apology so please stop apologizing. I’m not your problem Ij is. She needs you now unfortunately you are nowhere to be found.
Gozie said please can’t you plead with her to forgive me? Chika said the problem now is if I do what’s the guarantee that you won’t do something worse later? And Gozie looked at her. Chika said yes I put my reputation on the line trying to convince Ij to give you a chance.
I even gave her tips on how to improve your relationship and she called me so excited telling me all you did for her and how you were making her feel. Then I return to work and hear you got engaged and broke up after 24 hours because she refused to wear the ring.
I’m now scared of convincing Ij now that marriage is on the cards so that I don’t convince her and you’ll do something worse in marriage.
Then Ij will be trapped and my ears will get filled with complains of how she regrets listening to me. You know Ij sees me as her elder sister now so there’ll be no hiding place for me and I’ll not know what to do.
Gozie said please Chika I made a mistake, a horrible one at that. I’m not a monster. I verbally abused Ij and I’m so sorry and I’m not trying to make light of my crimes all I’m saying is I’ve never hit her or even attempted to.
I’ve never caused her any physical harm. I know I have a lot to work on but please I’m not the worst man in the world. I’m not going to blame the devil but myself. I do love Ij and yes I can’t explain why I said those things on social media.
Since that day it looks like my life has been on hold. My parents locked me out. My mum just called me and I was about to apologize and she hung up on me.
Please Chika I’m sorry. Having you and Ij on my bad side is giving me sleepless nights. Chika said sir your apology has been accepted, please I’m exhausted.
By the close of work Gozie drove to his parent’s house. He knocked on the door and as his father opened the door. He went on his knees and started to cry saying he was sorry. His father said nothing but went in and sat down. His wife heard him open the door and came to see who it was and her husband said go and see for yourself.
She walked to the door and saw Chigozie on his knees sobbing saying he was sorry and she burst out in tears herself. Her husband walked to the door just looking at them, Gozie’s younger brother came out too and said what’s going on.
When no one responded he walked to the door and met a crying party and said did I miss the memo? Please what’s going on? Did something bad happen? Big bros I’ve never seen you cry before please what’s going on?
Mum is crying and Dad is speechless fighting back tears .Gozie said nothing to him because he was over ran with emotion. He had thought so much about to get back on his parents good books.
He never lived without his parents before. He never went through a week without speaking with his parents. He never imagined that breaking up with Ij would have spiraled into the current storm he was facing.
His mum’s words hurt him and cut like a knife. Her giving up on him made him feel defeated. He had run out of options and decided to go home plead with his parents. His mum just sobbed until her husband said Chigozie can you see what you’ve done. I told you to stay away.
Gozie’s brother finally said Dad please just forgive him because I’m tired of the sadness hanging over this house. Mum is always moody and you are so aggressive. His Dad looked at him and he said what? I’m tired of walking on egg shells Dad and mum. Please forgive him he made a mistake and has come home to make amends.
C’mon Dad he’s on his knees you can’t just leave him there. You know it’s not easy for anyone to get on their knees let alone someone like big bros.
His father tried to walk away to weep but couldn’t hold it anymore and Gozie’s brother said great. Then said if everyone doesn’t stop crying I’ll go out to the street now and sit at the middle and start crying.
Everyone looked at him and he said you people should pity me now ha! What is it? No one died. Honestly Dad and mum I know you will cut me off too but you were both harsh with your words and actions.
Remember the part of the Bible that said provoke not your children to anger? Well you actually did.
I get that you wanted him to get married and were really disappointed but you went too far. I have to give it to big bros coming here and got on his knees and remained there.
If it was me I won’t come home again. I’ll do everything you said while angry like get married without you and have children you will never see.
I was angry mehn by what you both said it was just too much. Well I’ve said the unthinkable so I better go pack my bags.
He turned to leave and his father asked him where he thinks he was going to. He walked to Chigozie and offered him his hand and pulled him up and hugged him and said I’m sorry.
His mum hugged him and his brother said that’s what I like to see. We are all mad in this family just so you know. His father said mind yourself.
Gozie said I’m sorry please forgive me. His parents said they were sorry too and asked him about Ij. He said she was not speaking to him. His mum asked him what happened and his father said it wasn’t relevant.
He said what matters was winning Ij’s heart back if he was still interested in her. He said he was. His father said he had to keep his options open.
