Verdict Episode 127

                                                                                 

Gozie drove back home and drove to Ij’s apartment and Chikezie opened the door and saw Gozie on his knees saying he was sorry. He went to Ij’s room and knocked and said big sis you have a visitor. Ij came out because she thought it was Kelvin.

She was shocked to find Gozie said he was sorry. Ij turned to Chikezie and said what Is the meaning of this? Kezie said c’mon big sis tell yourself the truth. It’s not easy to find your boss on his knees in front of your apartment.

I had to call you because he came to see you not me. Please don’t leave him on his knees, just tell him to go if you won’t hear him out. I’m tired, I’m going to rest. Just then Kelvin came out of his apartment and was stopped in his tracks when he saw Chigozie on his knees.

He had seen him in the bank but he didn’t understand what he was doing on his knees in front of Ij’s apartment. He retraced his step, went back into his apartment and closed the door.

Ij said Chigozie what’s the meaning of this? I said I’ve forgiven you why did you have to come here and act like I’m so wicked.

Gozie said Ij today is a bad day for me please help me end it on a good note. Ij said please get up, Gozie stood up and Ij said sir please don’t get on your knees before me again or I won’t speak to you again.

As she was leaving Chuks felt a presence and looked back and saw her and called her by her name. He was surprised to see her. As she left he ran after her and said baby is everything okay you are walking fast. Chika said since you decided to abandon me.

Gozie Ij please I’m sorry I regret my actions. My life has been so miserable since I made those posts. I’m so sorry please tell me how to make it up to you? Ij said sir please go home and she went into her room and broke down in tears.

Chikezie said it Gozie please go home I’m sure we’ll work something out. Gozie went to his car and sat for a while before driving off. Chikezie went to Ij’s room and found her sobbing and said big sis why are you doing this to yourself?

You said you’ve forgiven him, yet you are sobbing. Ij said because I’m not ready. Can’t anyone understand that? I’m still grieving for God’s sake. Why is everyone so selfish and concerned with forgiving Chigozie.

How about what Ij wants. Are my feelings not valid? What kind of thing is this? I’m still in therapy because of Dad, allow me deal with my feelings one after the other. Chigozie can wait.

He just wants me to say we can go back to how things were; well I’m a different person now. When I needed him, he wasn’t forth coming. Today is my first day back at work since my melt down and yet you pull this kind of stunt?

Chikezie said big sis and Ij said I don’t want to hear it. You are my only brother yet you are not even rooting for me. Everyone has an opinion about what I should do. Well I have my own opinion too and they count.

Chikezie said I’ll be outside if you need me. He left to Kelvin’s apartment. Kelvin let him in and said what’s going on. Chikezie said it’s a long story.

 Chidinma called Ij to check up on her and found her crying and said I thought we are passed this stage? What happened? Ij said relationship issues. Chidinma said you care to share? Ij said no. Chidinma said well you are crying so there must be something there.

Ij said first I’m just tired of everyone telling me what to do. It’s just Chika who hasn’t been telling what she thinks I should do.

Chidinma said they can advise but you decide which to implement. It’s normal for people to always dish out advice they won’t implement themselves in a similar situation.

Well to the relationship issue now, what’s going on? Ij said In a nutshell I was In a relationship. I got engaged, it lasted just a day and we broke up.

Then it spiraled into angry social media posts. Well it was targeted at my family. When I found out that weren’t that offended.

I made peace today, told him I forgive him but didn’t want the relationship. I deleted all the screen shots of the posts he made because I’m moving on.

Then this evening he shows up at my apartment, gets on his knees and is sobbing saying he’s sorry. My goodness I’m tired. All my emotions are colliding. I should be allowed to deal with one emotion at a time.

I can’t deal with both. Chidinma said then why did you break down crying please be truthful. Ij said because I’m overwhelmed with emotions. Chidinma said really? Ij said what do you mean?

Chidinma said so there’s no part of you that misses him? Ij said why are you doing this to me? Chidinma said because it’s my job. C’mon your secrets are safe with me. How do you feel? Ij said honestly I miss him especially now but I can’t just bring myself to admit it and let him back in, he hurt my feelings deeply.

Chidinma said who is this person you are referring to? Ij said my boss at work. Chidinma said so your boss got on his knees because of you? Wow that’s intense. So how did that make you feel?

Ij said it hurt me deeply and she began to sob and said it reminded me of the proposal and how everything has gone south.

Chidinma said then restore everything back to a happy place. Ij said I wish I could but I’m not ready. I don’t want to make matters worse by transferring aggression. And honestly seeing him on his knees hurt me. It was so emotional and embarrassing.

Chidinma said let me let you be. I’ll call you tomorrow or meet you in person. Please do take care of yourself. You’ll smile a genuine smile soon. Chidinma drove to Gozie’s house and he was surprised to see her because he was looking like a nervous wreck.

Gozie said couldn’t you call? Chidinma said I heard you had a rough day today so I had to come here. Gozie said how did you know? Chidinma said Ij but first tell me how your day went you look worn out.

She said I’ll get you a glass of water, please take it and take a deep breath. It’s not the end of the world. Gozie took a sip and she said so how did you day go? Gozie took a deep breath and said it started with Ij. She said she had forgiven me but we are not friends and it shattered my day.

I apologized to Chika and headed home for an emotional rollercoaster. I got on my knees and begged my parents. Chidinma said excuse me you did what? Gozie said I needed to do it because without my family I felt so empty.

Everyone cried and we tried to sort things out. Then I headed back to town and went to Ij’s apartment just hoping that she’ll get back with me but it didn’t work.

Chidinma said Chigozie you are doing things you’ll regret later. You’ve pleaded with Ij so please stop. You’ve apologized and it’s enough.

She’s not ready to listen to you. Please wait till she is. She is dealing with grief and expecting her to get back with you is not fair. Her emotions are all over the place. Please you’ve done what’s expected of you. So please take a chill pill.

Please I know you are going through a lot now but please try to get some sleep today. Wake up tomorrow and dress good, smell nice and go to work. Say hello to Ij if you see her and just go .You are trying too hard and acting desperate and it’s not good and you are bound to make mistakes.

Leave Ij alone, your friends are pushing you too hard and you are listening but today ask yourself what would Chigozie do and do it.

Please call off any intervention your friends are planning. They’ve interfered enough. Now do you. Do what works for you not them.

This problem may be resolved easier than you think. One day Ij could show up at your house when she’s ready and say I forgive you from my heart and I miss you.

The way you are going it’s not going to happen. You are pushing her away. Ask yourself what Ij would want. Please don’t go on live radio like you were planning, I beg you in the name of God.

The Ij I’m talking to won’t approve. These people don’t know her like you do please use it to your advantage. I’ll leave you now but I want you know that you are not a horrible person. You just made a mistake. Ij knows that but she’s not ready to admit it.

So till she does, live your life and breath. It’s not the worst thing in the world. I’m happy you have made up with your family.

Please one more thing stop getting on your knees for Ij she hates it. It’s a complete turn off even to me. Have a great evening Chigozie dear. I’ll check on you at work tomorrow.

Gozie got some sleep like Chidinma advised. Kelvin wondered what was going on with Ij. He felt bad he didn’t get to have the talk with her.

The next morning he got ready much more earlier than he’ll usually do just to see Ij. Ij was looking much better than the night. He said hello to her and she apologized to him because of the mild drama that played out the previous day. He said it was fine.

Then said please can we have that talk today. I could have called but I’ll prefer it be in person please. Ij said okay I’m sorry it didn’t hold yesterday. I’ll keep that in mind.

Gozie to work and saw Ij and said good morning to her and went to his office. The previous day was one of his worst in recent memory.

He sat down and text his friends and thanked them all for looking out for him but said he was calling off every intervention because of Ij.

He said he was going to do things his way now and wanted his privacy respected. He said he’ll ask for help if he needed it.

He sent a text to Ij’s mum apologizing to her for letting her and her daughter down. She smiled when she read it and said that’s more like it.

He went about his job without distractions that even Ij and Chika wondered what was going on but somehow they liked it.

They didn’t like that version of Gozie. Chika for one never wanted to speak to Ij about anything. She believed time was a great healer.

 Chidinma stopped by the bank to see Chigozie. She said you look much better than last night please never look that way again c’mon you are Chigozie so act like it.

How do you feel? Gozie said much better but I miss Ij and Chika coming into my office like they used to but I’ll survive.

Chidinma said that’s more like it. I wanted to keep my promise of checking on you. Gozie said you know I think we should go out for a drink.

Chidinma said no sir. I think I’ll be on my way now. She headed to Ij and Ij smiled at her. She gestured we’ll talk and left.

Ij got home and Kelvin was waiting for her. He was chatting with Chikezie when Ij got back. Ij said we can have that talk now please let me freshen up.

When she was ready Kelvin said okay let’s go sit outside. He said Chikezie we’ll chat later. Kelvin said I know you must be wondering what could be so important that I’ve been pestering you. Just one thing may be on your mind but I assure you it’s not what you think.

The day I came to the bank I was drawn to you. I stood on the queue where you were for a reason. You reminded me of someone.

In fact you bear the same resemblance with someone special to me. When I saw you I wondered if you were Karen my late sister. She died two years ago after a brief illness. Her death broke me. When I saw you though I don’t believe in ghosts I thought you will disappear once our eyes met.

Like we see in most movies because I was so convinced you were Karen who had disappeared and was existing here. But I was surprised you didn’t disappear. You attended to me and continued to attend to others.

I had to ask for your number because I wanted to hear your voice like I hear my sister’s voice every night before I sleep. It was just the two of us so now I’m an only child. For the first time in two years I’ve had a good night’s sleep.

The past two years have been hard. I could barely get by. My parents didn’t want to let me out of their sight. I had to summon the courage to leave. Ij said wow. Kelvin said what? You thought I was going to ask you out?

Ij said yes that but also something else. Presently I’m dealing with a loss of my own. Although it happened 10 years ago, I never got closure until recently so I can relate to what you are going through. I lost my father at 13, so I know what loss looks like.

Kelvin said so I was hoping we could relate like brother and sister even though we don’t share the same biological parents. Ij said of course I’m sure we could, I just need to know what she did that kept you happy.

I have always wanted to have an elder sister and then I met Chika and she filled that void perfectly. So I’m sure an elder brother won’t hurt. What was your sister older or younger? Kelvin said younger. Ij said perfect.

I’m sure Chikezie would be so happy too because he has always yearned for an elder brother. Kelvin said I’m so relieved to have gotten this out of the way. I feared you will turn me down. Ij said well I’m sorry you misjudged me like a misjudged you.

Kelvin said hope you don’t mind my asking do you mind explaining to me what happened yesterday. I recognized that guy as the manager from the bank so I was kind of confused why he was here and kneeling too.

Ij said it’s a long story one I may tell one day but not today. Kelvin said okay. I’ll be ready when you are. Thank you so much for listening to me and granting my request. Ij said the pleasure is all mine. I guess we should tell Kezie.

Ij got back to her apartment and Kezie said is it over already? Ij said yes so meet your new adopted elder brother.

Kezie said are you kidding me? Ij said no. He said he wants me to fill the void created by his late younger sister. So that makes him your elder brother.

So feel free to do all those things you dreamt of with him and let me know how it goes. Kezie said you’ve got to be kidding me.

Kelvin said no I’m not she acts and bears a resemblance to my late sister so hope you don’t mind me sharing your sister with you.

Chikezie said of course not but this is unbelievable and you also end up living here. Wow is this a divine arrangement or what?

Kelvin laughed and said well I wouldn’t know but I’m an only child now so I’m looking for how to cope and I believe I’ve found it.

Kelvin said thank you both of you for making this so seamless I’ll you two be now. As he left Chikezie said are you sure about this?

Ij said yes I am. I’ll tell mum about it too but I can relate to his grief and pain. I’m still looking for someone to fill the void created by Dad. So why can’t I fill that void for someone else. It’s not like he is moving into our home.

He just wants to be able to talk and also wants to have the feeling of having a younger sister. I won’t deny him that. I can understand your suspicion but that’s where you come in. I’ll expect you to let me know if something is off. Kezie said of course I’ll be on the lookout.

Few weeks later on a Saturday morning, Chika got out of bed and was feeling energized. She went to go find Chuks. She found him in the reading room and peeped at him and left.

As she was leaving Chuks felt a presence and looked back and saw her and called her by her name. He was surprised to see her. As she left he ran after her and said baby is everything okay you are walking fast. Chika said since you decided to abandon me.

Chuks said me? Baby in the last 6 weeks even your shadow has irritated you, just looking at your shadow made you hiss.

You hissed almost every minute. I started sleeping on the floor as if I mistakenly rolled in your direction in my sleep you will hiss a long hiss that I’ll be awoken from sleep so I respected myself.

Chika said so you felt I didn’t even need a hug?  Chuks said after you said I was a complete turn off? I had to avoid you till this phase is over.

Chuks said baby but seriously are you okay? You seem more energetic. Chika said let me go now since you are justifying abandoning me.

Chuks said c’mon don’t say that, you know what let me test the waters and hug you first. He hugged her and she didn’t complain and Chuks said hugging you feels so good. How I missed it.

Chika suddenly said Chukwuka I’m hungry. Chuks said say that again. Chika said Chukwuka I’m hungry. Chuks said are you serious what would you like to eat and she said egusi soup and swallow, Chuks said are you serious!?

Chika said yes, Chuks said baby I’ll go get it for you now. Freshen up; when I get back we’ll go for a stroll how I miss taking strolls with you.

I need to take advantage of this energy in case it’s a one time thing. Chuks got back and he was surprised Chika really ate the meal. He said this is the first decent meal you’ve eaten in ages…