THE BROKEN POT

THE BROKEN POT(FATE OR PROVIDENCE)

"I shall see you tomorrow, take care of yourself and have a good night's rest,always remember that I love you." Chide said as he walked to his car. "Alright,I shall be right at this spot and at the same time. Enjoy the bliss of the night.I love you more." Bisi replied, waving at Chide as she watched him drive off in his new Mercedes Benz 4-matic.

"What a beautiful evening, beholding the beauty of the setting sun and having a feel of the evening breeze." She said to herself. Bisi walked across the road, opposite the mango tree where she was standing with Chide a few minutes ago.She touched a rose flower that attracted her attention. You could tell from her facial expression how happy she was as she quietly said to herself, " I just can't wait for Chide to introduce himself to my mother, I can't wait to walk down the aisle with him." Looking at her wristwatch which was a birthday gift given to her by Chide ,it was already 7pm."Oh!" She shouted "It is late already." She quickly rushed home.While she was trying to run in through their back door,she suddenly heard her mother's voice. "Bisi!" Her mother shouted. " Bisi,come here.What kept you out this long? You are late."

"Oh mother!" Bisi replied "You are there in the kitchen, what are you up to?'' She jokingly asked." I am so sorry I stayed a little longer, I was admiring the beauty of nature after seeing my friend off,I didn't know it was late until I looked at my wristwatch." "That's OK." Her mother said. " I hope to meet with him soon. " "Yes mother,you sure will." Bisi replied. "Never mind.I decided to add some extra vegetables to the soup you prepared last night,you can come over here and chop the vegetables for me." Her mother said in a soft voice" OK mother." Bisi replied as she rushed to the kitchen to help her mother.

Standing in his balcony and gazing in the dark,Chide feeling so dejected and troubled,said to himself "If only someone could tell me that this whole thing is not true, if only I never saw you the second time.Bisi,the woman of my dream, I have always hoped to walk you down the aisle,I have hoped so much to have you bear my children. Why is life so cruel? The moment we think we have become better and stronger, everything suddenly turns soft." Chide was so deep in his thoughts that he didn't notice it was very late in the night as he felt a sharp pain in his stomach. He had lost his appetite and the control of himself from the the moment he heard the sad news three days ago.He hurried to the kitchen, opened his refrigerator and brought out two pieces of doughnut, a toasted chicken lap and a bottle of red wine that he bought a day before he got the news.

" Thanks to God I got these,the life of a bachelor is not an easy one."He said to himself as he managed to eat a piece from the doughnut,a small portion of the toasted chicken lap and drank a glass of red wine.This was the only thing he had eaten since three days.

He rushed to the bathroom for a cold shower,hoping to have some sleep after all the sleepless nights.

Brrrr……..brrrr….his phone kept vibrating. Brrrrr…...In a deep sleep, Chide turning from one side of his bed to another, heard his phone vibrating, he quickly picked up his phone and answered the call."Hello Chide." A voice came on.It was Dayo his friend whom he rushed to tell about the news the night of that fateful day.Dayo had been his friend from his university days,he knew everything about his relationship with Bisi including the recent development and had sworn to Chide never to mention it to Bisi."How are you doing, Chide? Why are you still in bed by this time of the morning? It is 7am already,won't you go to work today?" Dayo asked, feeling so concerned. "I am so confused, Dayo." Chide answered. "I have really lost control of myself, I went to bed very late last night thinking about Bisi.I almost got a query from my boss yesterday after finding so many errors in the data I prepared. I am so confused, I don't even know how to tell Bisi about this whole thing." Chide said with a shaky voice. "Don't worry Chide, just keep strong, everything will be fine. Go get ready and hurry to work,you are late already, we shall figure out the best way to handle this issue.You know I care about you,I shall always be there for you." Chide said in an assuring voice. "Thanks so much Dayo,I appreciate your care,you are really a friend in need.I shall call you later in the day.Let me quickly get ready for work." Chide said."Goodbye Chide."Dayo replied and hung up the call.

"Chide,I almost served you a query yesterday for the numerous errors in the data you presented to me.What time is it on your wristwatch? This is 8:30am,you are an hour late.You were promoted to your current position in this firm based on your meticulousness, punctuality and accountability. I do not understand what has been happening to you lately, the past three days precisely. Chide is everything alright with you?" Mr Clems,Chide's boss asked, looking so worried as he stood in front of his office table."I am so sorry Sir ." Chide replied. "Yes,I see you are but something is eating you up Chide.You always play your cards close to your chest,you must learn to confide in me.I know that I am your boss but you are like a brother to me.Tell me Chide,what is the matter with you.?Chide's boss said as he moved closer to Chide. "OK sir." Chide started. "It was six years ago,when I gained admission to study accountancy in Obafemi Awolowo University Ile Ife.On my first day in class,a young beautiful girl approached me and introduced herself as Bisiola Elechi." Are you the new Igbo boy in class?"She asked.I looked straight into her eyes and answered "Yes,I am" as I was among the last batch of students that gained admission in the faculty of Business Administration. I started a month into the semester.

"Omo Ibo." She called me as she smiled and asked again. "What is your name?" "Chidera Johnson." I replied. "Good,Chide.I am an Ikwere girl but my mother is a Yoruba woman,I grew up in Yoruba land.You are now my friend, you can call me Bisi.Feel free to let me know whatever troubles you here.This is my mother's land." She proudly said. "Thank you very much Bisi,you are very kind." I responded. That was how we became friends.Throughout our University days, Bisi portrayed a very positive behavior, she was very respectful, decent, humble and very intelligent. I remember the first day I tried to kiss her,she politely stopped me and said "Chide,the future holds the best." It was in our second year in the University that Ayo joined us.The three of us became so close but she was closer to me than Ayo.Bisi and I were so fond of each other."

From Chide's voice, his boss already knew he was heartbroken, he held Chide's hand as Chide continued with his story. "On the night of our graduation from the University, I organized a party to celebrate our success in school as Bisi and I were among the 10 best graduating students that year.The party was in my house,I was one of the richest boys in school, coming from a rich family. We had fun with our course mates. It was that night that Bisi and I promised to always stay in touch.As fate had it,Bisi left for Surulere,her mother's home town.She lost her father in her early years.Dayo and I left for Lekki where I secured an apartment and a job with your firm. Dayo also rented an apartment in Lekki phaseII.The very night I packed into my apartment, armed robbers broke in and took away all my belongings,including my phone. I was lucky to have my certificates because I left my file in my car which was parked at the general parking lot.This was how I lost Bisi's contact. I tried so much to find her but to no avail. One Saturday morning, I decided to drive through all the streets in Surulere,hoping to see her but had no luck.We didn't deem it necessary to open f*******: accounts while we were in school because all that really mattered to us then was the two of us and our studies."

The pain of losing Bisi was all over Chide,you could tell it from his voice and his looks as he kept narrating his story."After work one day,I missed her so much that I decided to open a f*******: account,I searched for Bisiola Elechi.Immediately I typed in the name,behold the face of Bisi,the smiling Queen as I fondly call her.I was filled with excitement, I felt a new me,it was like seeing heaven on earth. I rushed to her inbox and typed; Hello Bisi,this is Chide,I lost your contact due to some unforeseen circumstances. Please call me with this number. So I typed my number in her inbox. The next day,I received a call from Matchless Diamond Firm, asking "Is this Chide?" "Yes." I replied. "Please hold on for Bisi." The voice said. I felt a surge of adrenaline all over me,filled with goose bumps,I held the phone tight as my hands were shaking. All these happened within a few seconds. I just couldn't wait to hear her voice. Suddenly "Hello Chide." The voice came on, it was Bisi."Chide, where on earth have you been? I have really missed you. I lost your contact the same day I got to Surulere, it was like hell to me.When I saw your message in my inbox,it was like a dream.I am so happy to hear from you again." She said, "I understand Bisi,I felt the same way, I am so happy I found you.I replied with excitement. That was how we started again. So,that weekend, I invited her over to my house for lunch,proposed to her.Her response was this; "The future holds the best, I've always said. Today,I am right here saying yes to my dream man.Thank you for loving me Chide,thank you for believing in me.I say yes,yes and yes again to us." We were so happy. After lunch, I drove her back to her work place because she works on Saturdays.

A week later,we both took a day off from work and drove down to Lagos State University Teaching Hospital for blood group and genotype test.We took the first entrance to the reception hall.Suddenly, we heard someone exclaim in an excited voice "Ayo!Ayo!!" In response, Bisi turned to her but she kept pointing at me. "Ayo, is this you?" I was surprised, feeling embarrassed at the same time. I went straight to her to tell her that I am Chide,not Ayo. The woman who was in her late 60s hugged me so tight. You could tell she was really happy seeing me."Ayo,she cut in,where have you been? I lost contact with your mother for over 28 years.How did you find her?" She asked. "Find who?" I asked in great confusion. " I mean, I don't understand what you are talking about.I am Chidera Johnson,I am not Ayo. I emphatically told her" Bisi was seated on one of the chairs,a little far from us,waiting for me to finish with the woman,she was not hearing our discussion.The woman began "I am Folashade,this particular spot has been my sitting position for over 45 years.Your grandmother,Mrs Ayo was my very good friend. Your mother, Adejoke, was her only child. One unfortunate night,armed robbers came to their house, your mother Adejoke was r***d by one of the robbers.They also took away some of their belongings." While she was saying all these,I felt like I was dreaming. "Your grandmother never called me until two months later when she suspected that your mother was pregnant, she called me crying bitterly. I tried to console her and brought Adejoke your mother to this hospital. I registered her for antenatal care.Four months later, your grandfather died. Life became so hard for your grandmother and your mother. I tried my little best in helping them until your mother Adejoke gave birth to you,Ayo.You were a very handsome boy and still are. Your file is right here." She went and brought my file, I stood still like a log of wood,I couldn't utter a word as I was shocked to my marrow. She continued "Your grandmother named you after her husband,your grandfather Ayo,saying that her husband came back to bring her joy.Two years later,your grandmother died.Life became very miserable for your mother, she couldn't feed you and herself, she came to me,begging that I should help her take you to any good orphanage home where you could be taken care of.I tried to encourage her to go on with a new life.I gave her transportation fare to go to her aunt who lives in Osogbo.She was very grateful as she left for Osogbo.

Two days later, I took you to God's Grace Home,a well known Orphanage home which was three poles away from here." She pointed to the direction where the Orphanage used to be." I visited there every week to make sure you were doing well.One morning, I went there to check on you as usual but found out that they were not there.I cried out loud, calling on the neighbours, no one could tell where they moved to,all we heard was that some childless rich families adopted almost all the children in less than one week.I wept bitterly knowing that I may not see you again and did not know what to tell your mother. One year later,your mother came to me, she said that she was happily married to an Ikwere man,from the Niger Delta area in the South South region and that he was willing to take care of you.At that moment fear gripped me because I didn't know what to tell her but I muttered the courage to tell her what happened. She threw herself on the floor,screaming at the top of her voice, she cried so much, the people around came and held her,they consoled her.Your mother left for Osogbo,shattered and heartbroken. "Mrs Folashade was saying all these with tears rolling down her cheeks.I felt hot tears dropping from my eyes too.I begged her to stop but she continued

"Three years later,she came to visit me with a baby girl. She was born a year after your mother left me.She said her name was Bisiola." Immediately I heard the name 'Bisiola' , something told me that there was a problem, my whole body started shaking,I started sweating. "I can never forget her face, that beautiful and lovely girl I saw with you is still the same way she was 28 years ago.God bless the both of you.I am very happy to see you.How is your mother,Adejoke?she must be very happy now." She concluded.I didn't know what to do,I felt like shouting like a mad man but I tried to control myself,especially because of Bisi.I didn't know what to answer,the only thing I could say was,yes I was adopted by a rich Igbo family, Mr and Mrs Johnson. They really took good care of me like their biological son.They gave me all the comfort I needed as a child and as a teenager. God bless them.When I was five years old,they had their own child, a boy.He is currently studying abroad. On my 15th birthday, Mr and Mrs Johnson threw a very big party for me.It was that night that they told me that I was adopted from an Orphanage home.They promised that they would always be there for me. They trained me through my University. They were very nice to me.I didn't want Mrs Folashade to go on with questions about my mother and also talking with Bisi.So, I told her that my mother was fine.I quickly went to Bisi and told her that I had an emergency call to come to the office immediately, that I had to leave for office at once.When she asked what I was discussing with the woman in the hospital, I told her it was nothing serious, that the woman knows my parents and was very happy seeing me.I told her that we took time in the discussion because she was telling me about my childhood." Chide's boss was already shedding some tears before Chide could finish narrating his story. He held Chide so tight and said "Chide…….em…..Ayo,it is OK,I can understand your plight and I feel your pain right now. An adage in Yoruba land says 'A broken pot remains a broken pot'

There is nothing you can do about it.You must go on with your life,your life can not be shattered alongside your dream. Give yourself time for another dream. An English adage says; 'When life gives you a lemon, turn it to a lemonade and enjoy it'

All hope is not lost,at the end of it all,you got yourself a beautiful sister,a lovely mother and a caring adoptive parents. Call for a family reunion where everyone will introduce themselves. I promise,I will be there as your boss and brother. We shall all be happy together." Chide felt very relieved after telling his boss his story. "...and don't forget to invite Mrs Folashade, she is a great woman." Chide's boss added.

Later that day,Chide called Dayo as he promised, he told him what happened in the office, his boss's suggestion and they agreed to do what Chide's boss said.

Chide also put a call across to Bisi,calling off their meeting that evening,he told her that there was a change of plan,he told her that he would see her mother in a week's time.

One week later,Chide and Dayo organized a family reunion party just as his boss suggested. Everyone was there,including Mr and Mrs Johnson,they all listened to Mrs Folashade as she narrated her story.Mr and Mrs Johnson were so happy to hear her.Bisi's mother could not contain her joy as she rushed to embrace Chide,her son that she felt she had lost forever.She held her two children happily as she thanked Mr and Mrs Johnson for taking good care of her son and also Mrs Folashade for all she did for her in the past and also for bringing her family back to her.There were tears of joy as it indeed was a happy ending.