asom keep rejecting ngodoo's offer
1018 Words
*1. A WOMAN WITH A HIDDEN AGENDA*
Ngodoo had not given up.
Two years had passed since she first tried to pull Asom into her plans, and time had only made her more desperate.
As Asom grew into a young man — tall, responsible, respected as Head Boy — Ngodoo watched him with new eyes.
Eyes that were not the eyes of a stepmother.
When the compound was quiet and Fater was away, Ngodoo’s behavior changed.
She began to dress in ways that were not fitting for a woman in a home with children.
Wrappers tied too low. Blouses that left too much bare.
She moved through the house in a way that demanded attention.
She would find reasons to be near Asom.
_“Oga, let me help you with that.”_
_“Oga, you are looking tired. Come and rest.”_
Her voice was soft. Too soft.
And every time, Asom felt a cold weight in his stomach.
*2. CONFUSION IN A YOUNG HEART*
Asom was seventeen.
He was no longer a child. His body was growing, his mind was opening to the world.
But his heart had been raised on Mimidoo’s teachings:
_“My son, be disciplined. Honor your father. Fear God. Do not let any woman lead you into shame.”_
So when Ngodoo came close, he felt torn.
One part of him recognized that what she was doing was wrong.
Another part of him did not understand why an elder would act like this.
He began to avoid being alone with her.
If she entered the parlor, he found an excuse to go outside.
If she called him, he answered from a distance.
But Ngodoo noticed. And it made her angry.
*3. THE CONVERSATION HE DID NOT WANT*
One afternoon, the compound was empty.
Fater had gone to the farm. The younger children were at school.
Only Asom and Ngodoo were home.
Asom was in the parlor, reading. Preparing for WAEC.
Ngodoo came in. She sat too close to him on the bench.
_“Oga,”_ she said gently. _“Why are you always running from me?
I am your father’s wife. I am supposed to care for you.
Anything you need, you can tell me. I am here for you.”_
Asom kept his eyes on his book. His voice was steady.
_“Thank you, Aunty. I am fine. I have school work.”_
Ngodoo leaned closer. _“You are now a big boy, Asom. You should not be shy with me.
I respect you. I can give you anything you ask for.”_
Asom stood up. His heart was beating fast, but not from desire. From fear. From anger.
_“Aunty, please. Sit properly. I have to go and read.”_
He walked out. His hands were shaking.
*4. THE NIGHT OF DECISIONS*
That night, Asom could not sleep.
He lay on his mat and stared at the roof.
His mind was a battlefield.
_“How can this be happening in my father’s house?
How can I betray my father, who trusts me?
How can I betray my mother, who sacrificed everything for us?
If the people of Mbakor ever hear this, what will they say about our family?”_
And then another thought came, clear and clean:
Princess Sedoo.
Her quiet dignity. Her gentle smile. The way she carried herself in school.
She was his age. She brought peace to his thoughts, not confusion.
Asom made a vow in the dark:
_“I will not fall. I will not bring shame to my mother’s name.
I will protect this house, even from the people inside it.”_
*5. MIMIDOO SEES*
Mimidoo was wise.
She did not know what Ngodoo was doing, but she saw the stress on Asom’s face.
One evening she called him.
_“My son, you look troubled. Is it school?”_
Asom shook his head. _“No, Mama. It’s nothing. Just WAEC pressure.”_
Mimidoo touched his face. _“If anything is disturbing you, tell God. And tell me.
You are the pillar of this house. But even pillars need rest.”_
Asom almost broke down.
But he smiled instead. _“I will be fine, Mama. By God’s grace.”_
*6. NGODOO’S FRUSTRATION*
When Ngodoo realized Asom was pulling away, her attitude changed.
She became cold. She began to complain to Fater.
_“Your son thinks he is too big. He doesn’t respect me anymore.”_
Fater, who still trusted Ngodoo, scolded Asom.
_“Respect your stepmother, boy.”_
Asom bowed his head. _“Yes, Papa.”_
But inside, he prayed: _“God, give me wisdom.”_
*7. THE CHOICE THAT MADE HIM A MAN*
The next time Ngodoo tried, Asom was ready.
She called him to the kitchen when no one was there.
_“Oga, come. Let me talk to you.”_
Asom stood at the door. He did not enter.
_“Aunty, whatever you want to say, you can say it here.”_
Ngodoo’s face hardened. _“You think you are wise, abi? One day you will beg me.”_
Asom looked her straight in the eye.
_“I fear God more than I fear any person, Aunty. I will not do what is wrong.”_
And he walked away.
That was the day Asom truly became a man.
*8. HOPE AHEAD*
From that day, Asom threw himself into school.
Head Boy duties. Reading. Helping his siblings.
And thinking, quietly, of Princess Sedoo.
He did not know if anything would ever come of it.
But for the first time, his heart felt light.
At home, Ngodoo’s plans had failed.
But a woman scorned is a dangerous thing.
And Ngodoo was not finished.
Mimidoo kept praying.
Fater remained blind.
And the resilient African woman watched over her son from a distance.
The battle was not over.
But Asom had won the first round
- Writer
