CHAPTER FOUR
1346 Words
Nicole was unaware of her father's presence. She was deeply lost in thought. She has harbored different kinds of weird thoughts and even almost consented to suicide as the last option.
“Nicole, at least, talk to your father. Let him know how you feel. Open up.” Her mother voiced out
“Nicole, I said what's wrong with you?” Her father recalled
“I can't believe you are seriously asking me this question.” She said with tears all over her face
“Listen, I feel your pain. Just take heart. Start packing your pieces of luggage because Nelson is coming to pick you up in the evening. Please, do well to adjust yourself to this change." Her father said as he walked out.
Mr. Adams couldn't align with the tension in the atmosphere of Nicole's presence. He was short of words seeing Nicole in such a devastated way. He wished tirelessly he could turn back the wrist of the cloth and earn money so his daughter wouldn't have to suffer for his financial breakout this way.
Mrs. Adams was shocked to hear that Nicole was leaving so soon than expected. She braced up and consoled her. She pat her back as she drew her daughter close to her.
“All will be well with you,” she said to Nelson
“My daughter, by now, I want you to know that the call of greater responsibilities in life has beckoned on you.” She said as she took a very deep breath.
Nicole said to herself, “I know I am from a poor background, and it is certainly my dream that I will never be poor in life, but certainly not attain the height of riches by being forced into a marriage of convenience.”
“Nicole, you have to calm down. You just have to be calm. This is adulthood, and since this is what it has to offer you, you just have to maintain your sanity.” She comforted herself in preparation for Nelson's arrival
"I just hope this arrangement is worth it. I just hope I find joy. I just hope he will turn out to be the man I want to fall in love with.” She said to herself as she took a deep sigh
“Mummy, I need you to leave me alone, I want to have a moment to myself. Please” She said to her mother
“No problem, My daughter. I know you need time to process the fact that he is coming this evening to take you along with him.” Her mother responded
“Thank you, mummy, for understanding. You may take your leave now.” She said facing her mother
“Okay, dear. But, I would love to have some words with you before I leave. Because we don't know how sooner or later he is coming to pick you up today.” Her mother said
“Oh, no. We can't do this now. We can't. I want to be left alone." She said bluntly
“Okay. Kindly spare me 10 minutes of your time. Please." Her mother pleaded with her.
"Okay, mummy. Let's have it." Nicole said
"Thank you, my daughter, for the audience.” Nicole nodded in anticipation of what she had to say.
“I know it's not as if you knew this man before now, or you were the one that brought him home to show us as your choice of man.”
"But I want you to calm the muddy waters of your heart, and let it settle as you listen to my words of advice.” Her mother said in a motion
"Okay, mummy. I'm with you” Nicole responded
“I didn't know your father as at the time my father collected my dowry. I was left in the dark until my father told me it was time for me to go to my husband's house."
"It was like a joke to me until I woke up to my reality. The only difference is that your father's parents knew me, and they wanted me to be married to their son because they are convinced I have acquired all the training needed to be a wife to a man and a mother to our children.”
“Your father brought me home and never for once raised his hands on me. When our farm plantation business was prospering, we had no lack of anything. Your father took proper care of me and we dealt with each other with understanding.”
"Until our farm plantation business started going doing, till this time. Thank God you can also bear me witness to this. You know your father would not have allowed this to happen to you if not for what it is. Your father is not that heartless to have married you off just like that like a piece of commodity.”
“I don't want you to leave here with a feeling of grievance or regretting the day that I conceived you or for the fact that we gave birth to you.”
"I understand the effect of this on your mental health, and that's the reason I'm taking my time to have this conversation with you.”
“Please, we are sorry for allowing this to happen to you.”
“Find a place in your heart to forgive us. Your happiness is my priority. Your father also consents because he is wealthy. So there's no cause for alarm of thinking if your needs are met or not.”
Nicole couldn't hold her tears as her mother said these words to her in a calm tone. She embraced her mother, and they wept as they leaned on each other.
“Mummy, I've heard you. It's fine. I'm calm, now. I'm no longer angry. I'm relieved. Thanks for taking the time to have this conversation with me. It feels like a therapy session.” She said to her mother still leaning on each other
Her mother looked at her and smiled.
“Thank you for listening to me my daughter. Before I continue with the conversation, I want you to have something to eat as I help you pack your things.” Her mother said to her.
“Okay, mummy. I'm so famished. I can't believe I haven't taken anything for the past 3 days. This is unbelievable.” She said smiling at the kitchen
“Yes, my daughter.” you need to eat before Nelson's arrival
Mrs. Adams was relieved as she remained in Nicole's room to pack her clothes as she had earlier stated.
Mr. Adams had been deep in thoughts ever since the earlier call of Nelson. He thought within himself to go have words with his wife.
He met her alone in the room with a smiling face as she was busy packing Nicole's clothes.
“My dear. To what do I owe this expression?” He asked in surprise
“I am so happy that finally, for the past 3 days, Nicole has decided to eat as she anticipates the coming of Nelson." She answered
"Really. This is unbelievable." He said laughing out loud
"I'm telling you. You can check her out in the kitchen. She's there.” She said to her husband
"My dear. I don't know what you might have told her but thank you so much. I haven't been happy seeing her in such a disposition. I was just trying to be a man.” He said to her
“I understand the reasons for your actions, my husband. I just hope it is all for the best." She said as they looked into each other's eyes affectionately
Nelson drives into the compound of the Adams. Nicole peeped through the window to see who it was. Mr and Mrs Adams went outside to take a look at the person. Lo and behold, it was Nelson.
Nelson came down from
the car and he ordered his driver to bring down all the items they got for Nicole's parents.
- Writer
