NWADIUTO

NWADIUTO (Chapter 15)

Chapter 15

Ekene did not give up. The very next day, he returned to the hospital. This time, he stood outside the gate for hours, waiting for any opportunity to catch a glimpse of Nwadiuto. But the hospital staff, at her request, had strict instructions not to let him in. And so he waited—every day, for weeks. His presence became a routine, a familiar sight to the hospital staff, yet he remained invisible to Nwadiuto, who refused to acknowledge him.

It was during one of these days, standing by the gate, that Ekene was approached by one of the nurses who had often watched him from a distance. She handed him a small bottle of water, her eyes soft with sympathy. "She’s still very hurt," the nurse said gently. "But I can see how much you’re trying. Don’t give up. She might come around."

Her words gave him the slightest bit of hope, a flicker of light in the darkness he’d been living in.

When Hadiza was discharged from the hospital and the family returned home, Ekene continued his visits. Each time, he would come to the gate, humbly asking for a chance to speak to Nwadiuto or Ogadimma. Each time, the guards turned him away. But he didn’t stop. He came every day, standing outside for hours, hoping, praying for a chance to make things right.

One evening, after another fruitless visit, Ogadimma and Hadiza sat in their living room, discussing the situation. Ogadimma could see how much Ekene had changed. Though he was angry and hurt by the past, he also knew that deep down, his father was trying to make amends. And Hadiza, ever compassionate, had begun to feel sympathy for Ekene as well. She admired his persistence, his willingness to humble himself in such a way.

That night, they both decided to speak to Nwadiuto again. As they sat with her, Ogadimma began, his voice calm but earnest. “Mama, we know what he did was wrong. We know how much pain he caused you… and me. But we can’t keep holding on to that hurt forever.”

Hadiza, sitting beside him, added softly, “Mama, forgiveness is not just for him. It’s for you too. If you forgive him, you’ll be free from all this pain. He’s been trying so hard. Maybe it’s time we give him a chance.”

Nwadiuto looked at them both, her face set in a frown. “You don’t understand what it was like for me,” she said, her voice shaking with emotion. “The man abandoned us when we needed him most. He left us to suffer while he went off with another woman. How can you expect me to just forget all of that?”

“We’re not asking you to forget, Mama,” Ogadimma said gently. “But we’re asking you to let go of the anger. We’re asking you to give him a chance to make things right. He’s still my father, and he’s still your husband. If there’s even a small part of you that still cares for him, then let’s try to heal together.”

For weeks, they continued their gentle pleas, slowly breaking down the walls Nwadiuto had built around her heart. She was stubborn, refusing to even consider the possibility of forgiveness. But the more they spoke to her, the more she saw the truth in their words.

Finally, one evening, after much soul-searching, Nwadiuto relented. She agreed to forgive Ekene—but under one condition. If he truly wanted to return to their lives, he would have to marry her again. It was her way of reclaiming her power, of ensuring that he understood the gravity of his actions.

When Ekene returned once more, he was greeted by Nwadiuto’s condition. He agreed without hesitation. He would do anything to earn her forgiveness, even if it meant starting over completely.

A week later, the family gathered for Ekene and Nwadiuto’s traditional wedding. It was a grand affair, a celebration of reconciliation and love. Friends and family came from all over, thrilled to witness the reunion of two people who had once been torn apart by pain and betrayal.

During the ceremony, Ekene, filled with joy and gratitude, made a heartfelt speech. Turning to Hadiza and Ogadimma, who stood hand in hand, he smiled warmly and said, “I want you both to know, the shoes I plan to dance with at your wedding are already ready!” He then proceeded to show off a few playful dance steps, sending the crowd into fits of laughter.

The atmosphere was light, filled with joy and celebration. Hadiza and Ogadimma, overwhelmed with happiness, shared a loving embrace. They looked into each other’s eyes, filled with hope for the future, before sealing the moment with a tender kiss.

As the crowd cheered and clapped, the family, once broken by pain, was finally whole again.

***THE END***