Click here to Read The Prologue
Click here to Read The Part 1
Click here to Read The Part 2
Click here to Read The Part 3
Click here to Read The Part 4
Click here to Read The Part 5
Click here to Read The Part 6
She had run as far as she could. Her hurt and her shame had not allowed her to stick around a single day more. That same day she found out about Izuchukwu and her friend Kate… Ozioma, she had called her travel agent, packed her bags and fled for the airport. She did not have a destination in mind, she just wanted to get away from both of them as fast and far away as possible. It was easier to get a flight booked at such a short notice than she had thought, being an American citizen had its benefits. She had typed up her resignation letter in the departure lounge, and sent it to the bank by courier post at the airport. She had boarded her flight, the next available one out of Lagos, and gone to Sweden. She had lived in Stockholm ever since, trying to forget Izuchukwu and trying to paper her life together again.
She couldn’t believe how Kate could have set her up like that. How could she have known that Kate Amadi – whom she barely knew as Ozioma, if ever she knew, back in their growing up days and in school, was married to a man by the name Izuchukwu Amadi – same surname as her maiden surname. The odds were too great.
What was more upsetting was Kate’s reaction when she called her to admit her guilt and shame; and to confront her for putting her in such a mess – knowing how she was just coming out of another bad relationship.
She had been stunned by what she had heard over the phone.
Kate hadn’t even been mad at her for carrying on a relationship with Izuchukwu. That had not surprised her much, seeing how she was the one who set her up for it. It was how Kate (she still couldn’t wrap her head around the fact she was also called Ozioma) had practically begged her not to leave Izuchukwu. She had pleaded and begged her for forgiveness, that her husband needed her more, someone to put him right in the coming months and years. That he was going to be very lonely and she wants her to be around to comfort him. She wanted her in his life…. She had been confused by all she heard and had found it difficult to understand why Kate was acting so strangely. Why did she set her up with her own husband, knowing fully well what she was getting her into?
Why?
It was the one question that burned at the back of her throat, but she had no chance to ask it. She had been overwhelmed by Kate’s pleading and sniveling.
She couldn’t understand what was going on, or what Kate was getting at. But, she knew she would go crazy staying around to find out. She was pregnant for him, he was married to another woman – her friend. And she loved him to bits. He loved his wife and proclaims to loving her too.
It was a royal three-way alright.
“I can’t, Kate.” It was all she could say before hanging up the phone that day. It was after the call she had packed her bags and ran to the other side of the world.
***
Ozioma knew it was torture for herself and for Izuchukwu. Daphne was too young to realize what was going on, for now she was safe from all that was going on. Her third birthday was a sharp contrast to what she and her husband had planned. There was nothing to be done, she couldn’t stick around him anymore knowing what was going on and her own involvement in it all. She was sorry she had put her friend Olamide through this without her full knowledge. But she wouldn’t have gone through with it if she knew. She also couldn’t have confided in her husband about what was going on and her plans for his future. She knew he would have taken the chivalric stance – stay with her till the end no matter what. But, she knew it would have been a waste of time and a greater torture for all involved if she had allowed him to do that.
So she had hatched her plan alone and executed it almost to perfection. She however forgot a very cardinal aspect of the plan, that Olamide may fall too heavily in love with her husband and demand greater commitment from him before she was ready to vacate the scene. It was only a matter of a few months before she took her bow. But, the game had blown open. So, she had skipped the country in hope that her absence would help smooth out the mess she had made. She hadn’t told Izu why she had left. No need to elaborate on that, Olamide would do that. She had taken Daphne with her as a source of solace in the coming months. She knew she would return to the country in a few months – when it is time to return; but in the meantime she hoped Izu can get back with Olamide and make sure that what they built was not irreparably broken.
She could only give up her husband gladly to Olamide. She was her best friend from as far back as she could remember. She also had a heart that knew how to love a man. She was one of those women who loved from deep – with their very soul. She had known her over the years and observed her struggles with men because of this virtue. And in her situation, she wanted her man to have a woman like that. A woman who would care for him unconditionally. Not one of those bimbos he was always prattling about.
God not those women.
Her daughter deserved someone who would love her like Olamide showed on the many times they had met together at the Yellow Chilli. She was good around Daphne and her daughter was equally very comfortable with her. It was one of the last indices that made her mind up about what she needed to do for the future of her husband and daughter.
She owed Olamide and Izu an apology, but that can’t come now. She had played on Izu’s weakness for beautiful women, and set Olamide up to help him fall into that trap. She had a premonition , if he was going to have anything serious with another woman it would be someone like Olamide. So, all the ingredients she needed for her plan were all available. She just needed the time to faultlessly execute.
But, time hadn’t been friendly to her.
She got up from the windowsill of her two-room apartment building in downtown New York. It was months after she left him, she had had regular updates from her sister – who was sworn to an oath not to reveal her location. She was also the only one she had confided in about what really was going on. She heard about his illness immediately after she left him, and how he had recuperated and also about how he had threatened her family, pleaded and then later tried to cajole the information about her whereabouts out of them.
Eventually, she had learned that he had gotten back on his feet and was doing okay. But, something kept niggling at her heart. No one was able to tell her Olamide’s whereabouts or if they both still saw each other. That worried her very much. She had pleaded with her to stay with him.
“I can’t, Kate.”
That was her reply. She however hoped that she would stick around and that Izu would have the good sense to talk to her and make her stay. Olamide was more useful to him now than she would ever be.
Her time was coming to an end.
***
Hello Guys,
Thanks for following the story so far. It has been a joy-ride, yes? Of course, the whole story can’t be all perfect – it is the imperfections I’d like to hear about. These stuffs help if only you know about them.
If you spot anything, please do not hesitate to point it out. I hear some of y’all have had challenges leaving comments. All you need to do is to click the comment box, type you comment and click the “post comment” button.
It’d be nice to hear your thoughts people. It’d be nice to know what you guys feel after reading this story, or even before.
Very soon we would close up this story. It is coming to its end, a head. I have enjoyed writing it, have you enjoyed reading it?
To my two very good friends – Lizi and Sally, I say thank you for your own angles to the tale. It would have been better, I am sure, if it worked out how it was planned.
The blog will be a year old on October 1, 2013. I will be marking the anniversary with another series of stories – Eggshell.
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Still wondering what could make a woman set her husband up with another woman. I’ve enjoyed every episode so far. More ink to your pen.
Thank you (Olamide).
I am always falling into.that trap…it is why I once asked u to be my editor….for free o!
Still wondering what could make a woman set her husband up with another woman. I’ve enjoyed every episode so far and can’t wait for the next. More ink to your pen.
@Ayo thank u for coming here to read this little story. I will be delighted if you tell me you read till the end. This happens around us, I’d want to believe. I recently heard a somewhat similar story….once again, I appreciate you for taking out time.
Hey, Shai! I finally made out the time to read the series so I’ll go back and start from the beginning. From what I see here I like the way you’ve put the story together, you too try, the suspense and all! Even I that know the story can’t wait for the next bit, lol! I’m really proud to be associated with it. Since you asked for the critique I’ll go ahead and mention my favorite topic (you know!), the tenses… But really cool story.
@Zeenike thanks
Thanks @ Ayo. It is all comina head soon….
Good thing about this story Is the ability to make sense out of it no matter what part ur reading. More ink bro
If u don’t finish up this story in time,I’ll find you and kill you.knowing fully well tht You’re a papywater,finding u won’t be soo difficult
ha !!! @Pest