Neglected mate of an alpha

Chapter 2

Five years later, they both graduated from the University and went on to their National Youth Service, popularlly known as NYSC. It is a compulsory one year program for every young graduate in Nigeria. It is an opportunity to service the Nation by providing services for a little allowance and in the process the young graduates are introduced to the labour Market where they also build their skills.

Mark was posted to serve in Kaduna capital city while Nneka was posted to Zaria. it was easy for them to visit each other and continue with their relationship.

A day after their passing out parade, Nneka discovered that she was pregnant and that was the beginning of their problem. When she informed Mark of her pregnancy, he was happy and ask her to keep the baby while he makes plans for their marriage.

They were both lucky to get jobs in Asaba, the capital of Delta state Which is thirty minutes drive to Onitsha. While Mark worked in his father's company, Nneka worked at a Private consultancy service company.

Mark visited her office one afternoon during the eighth month of her pregnancy. After the normal pleasantries, mark asked her out to a restaurant for lunch.

When they got to the restaurant, they ordered their meals and decided to chat while they wait for the food

" Babe I am sorry but I can't go ahead with the marriage" Mark said apologetically placing one hand on her hand on the table

"I don't understand, what do you mean?" Nneka asked slowly

"My parents decided to call off the wedding because of the traits of untimely deaths in your family" Mark tried to explain

"Please don't do this to me Mark. my whole life revolves around you now please don't break my heart" She pleaded bringing her second hand on his hand that he had on hers

"It's not my decision. I can't go against my family" Mark continued patiently

"But I went against my brother, my only brother to be with you all these years. please if not for me, don't do this to our baby" she brought her hand to her already big belly. By now tears were flowing freely from her eyes.

"Look babe, it's not like I don't get your feeling but there is nothing I can do in this situation. I can't marry a lady without my parent's blessings" Mark said getting irritated. He stood up and started walking out of the restaurant while Nneka tried to run after him, she tripped and fall, hitting her tommy on the ground as she fall before she fainted.

Mark was kind enough to take her to the hospital. When he was sure a doctor was already attending to her, he called her elder brother to inform him that Nneka was at the hospital. after that, he never tried to visit nor contact Nneka from that day.

Nneka stayed in the hospital till she gave birth to a baby girl whom she now left in front of an orphanage.

end of flash back

The next morning, baby Precious was discovered by the matron of the motherless baby home madam Pat.

"Oh! poor child" she carried the baby out of the box

"What a beautiful looking girl you have there" said one of the staff on sighting the child in the matron's arms.

" I wonder what kind of wayward girl was crazy enough to get pregnant and yet have the mind to abandon the innocent baby" the matron said

"Young girls of these days are so shameless, they open their legs for any man they see then hope not to get pregnant. when they do, they try all sorts of illegal abortion method or kill the child at birth" the staff spat

"thanks God this one was spared" madam Pat muttered.

"Look." the staff pointed to the piece of paper on the baby's cloth "Precious. Wow they even scribed a name for the baby" she picked the paper and read the name on it. This was how baby Precious came to live at Children of Mercy orphanage home.

As she grow up, she came to know the orphanage as her only home. The Matron and other four women that work with her took care of the children in their own way. They usually received donation of gifts and money for the children from different organisations and individuals but they keep most of the donations for themselves.

The children at the orphanage usually look sick and skinny because of malnutrition and lack of proper medication. Precious manage with other children at the orphanage and grew into a beautiful tiny girl.

One day, when she was three years old, she went into the matron's office to complain that she was feeling hungry. Despite her age, the matron beat her up and warned her that it was against the rule to complain.

" You should learn to be grateful for what you have" the matron said pulling her ears.

On one of the children's day celebration, the governor of the state visited the orphanage as part of his charity work.

"What a beautiful girl we have here" He exclaimed on sighting three years old Precious who was busy playing with other children.

" Her name is Precious" said the matron

"she was left outside the orphanage three years ago."

"How thoughtful of you to name her with such a befitting name" the governor stated.

"Actually, the person that dropped her here was the one who name her. The name was written on a piece of paper attached to the baby" cloth. the matron honestly replied.

Before the arrival of the governor, everything at the orphanage was put in place, the children were generously fed and new set of clothes from people's donation were given to them to make them appear good. The governor was so pleased with the administration of the orphanage. He made his own donation and presented the home with fivebags of rice, ten boxes of instant noodles and many other food items. Before he left, he took photos with all the children.

At that time, Mr and Mrs Mark Igwe had been married for three years now. However, Mrs igwe has been unable to conceive. The doctor confirmed that both of them were both healthy and medically fit to have children.

After Mark left Nneka at the hospital, he went and married the woman his parents choose for him Ann.

However, Mark could not overcome the feeling of anxiety he have every month when his wife sees her monthly period. He was desperate to have a child. All his wife's effort to remind him that God's time is the best, fell on deaf ears.

Every night Mark hardly sleep, he lays awake thinking of the children he abandoned four years ago. Even when finally sleep, he usually has nightmares of a little girl crying out for papa. It is the clarity and repetation of such dreams that kept disturbing his mind daily.

One day while Ann was busy at the kitchen, he was relaxing in the parlor sitting on his favorite couch. Soon his thoughts wandered.

"How do I get Nneka" he thought to himself, he had secretly tried to search for Nneka last year but neither she or he brother stays in the house at onitsha anymore. No one in their neighborhood had any information about them. they just packed and left the city three years ago without informing anyone.

"If I had known I would have taken the baby from her even if I don't marry her. I hope she survived the birth of our child after that fall. how could I have been so callus? Now I can't have children, not even a female child to my name. I know that I am being punished for my sin against Nneka"

After a while, he called out to his wife "Darling. please come here" he yelled

"Yes sweetie, I am busy. Give me a minute" she yelled back from the kitchen

"I really need us to talk now. leave what you are doing and come here" he pleaded.

"Can't you wait for just five minutes. I am busy here" she complained

"Ann! I said we need to talk and it's urgent" he was getting impatient. when she heard him call her name instead of darling, she knew that the matter was serious. Since they got married, he has never called her by her name. it was either darling or baby. But today, he sounded upset. She rushed to the palour.

"Sweetie, hope all is well. Have I offended you? she said as she came to sit beside him on the couch.

"Ann, this is the fourth year of our living together as husband and wife" he paused. when she didn't say anything, he continued with his speech.

"It is time we do something about it. My friends that married after me now have two children each" he paused again

"What do you suggest that we can do about it. Two different doctors have already confirmed that we are both physically fit to have children. why not we wait for God's time" she said pleadingly.

"Is that what you think about this situation? If you are not tired of waiting for the so called God's time, I am tired. I am tired of coming home every to see only your face. That is not why I married you. I married you to make an heir" he ranted in anger.

"My love, I don't understand this sudden outburst. What happened to the love we shared." she was almost in tears

"Love my foot. You will soon understand when I bring in another wife" he said moving away from her to the end of the couch.

"What? No! you can't do this to me. the fault is not even from me..."

"Is it from me?" he interrupted her

" What I am trying to say, sweetie, is that God's time is the best" she spoke softly, moving closer to him

"Well, I have been doing a lot of thinking lately. I have decided to adopt a baby for an orphanage." he paused, waiting for her reaction.

"Why can't we wait for sometime and see where God's plan is" she suggested.

"Don't you think that, adoption is better than getting a second wife?" he was looking at her with narrowed brows.

"Ann. this is Africa. the sole aim of marriage is to have children. As an African man, I have the right to marry as many wives as I desire"

"Okay, I think we should adopt a baby but preferably a girl who will grow up and get married. she gave in to his demand.

"Good. now come here, let's try again for a baby" He said pulling a closer. His hands began to run all over her body as they prepare for a hot streaming s*x.