CHAPTER 14
1335 Words
Homa left there. On her way home, she thought to herself," I wonder why he shouted at me. Was I not telling him the truth? Is anyone more beautiful than me in this Akumi? I was telling him the truth, he was shouting at me. He thinks he is the first person to go to the city. I will also make money and move to the city. I will surprise everyone who thinks I can't make it. They will all be shocked".
Richard got home and was still thinking about what Homa told him. His facial expression showed that he was worried. His mother noticed and walked up to him.
"My son, Richard, what's wrong? Your face looks pale. Talk to me. I am your mother. Open up," Richard's mother said.
"Mother, I saw Homa today when I went to meet Soyan. She greeted each other as we ought to. Then, she went ahead to tell me of Soyan's attitude. She said that Soyan is a very bad girl. She also said that Soyan is a p********e. She is a poke-noser and that I will be poor after marrying her. You know what? She even used one annoying phrase," I will be poorer than a church rat," Richard explained.
"God forbid!!!," Richard's mother said while snapping her fingers backward, "that will not happen to my son. See, let me tell you something you don't know. I have always wanted this girl to be your wife, so, when you told me about her, I was happy. You see that girl, Homa, she is very wicked. She never wants to see other people's progress. She loves to see people in pain. You remember Tuwe, my friend, who used to carry you when you were young?" she asked.
"Yes," he replied.
" She is the one responsible for Tuwe's failed marriage," his mother explained.
"What? That girl? She is so evil. She ruined a marriage of twenty-five years. Oh… that is too bad," he exclaimed.
"Hmm…you see that, that girl is a good-for-nothing girl. She goes about poke-nosing. Those kinds of people never end well," she replied.
"Okay…I know what to do. Tomorrow morning, we will quickly go and see her parents. We don't have to delay," Richard said.
"Yes. Of course, there is no time to check time. So, we need to hurry up. You see that your mood is now bright. Your face looked like a Lion's face because of that silly girl. Don't let that girl ruin your mood again," Richard's mother said jokingly.
They cracked jokes and went to bed.
At night, Homa is awake thinking about her conversation with Richard. She is lost in thought.
"No, Soyan cannot get married to Richard. How old is she? Richard is thirty-five and I am twenty-nine. Soyan is just twenty-two. He can't marry her. You see that girl? She is just after his money. I am the one who is rightfully his. Where was Soyan when Richard and I were playmates. She is a child that I am seven years older than. Seven good years is not a joke. Anyways, I have made up my mind to make sure that Richard is mine and mine alone. Not even Soyan can save herself. That I promise myself. Richard is mine. He is mine. I own him. He is mine. He is mine ," she said repeatedly.
She slept off.
The next day, Richard sat with his mother in her sitting room.
" Mom, we need to go and see Soyan's family this morning. I am ready," Richard said.
" I am too. Let's move," she replied.
"Okay…you look good. That's my mom," he replied.
" Thank you, my son," she replied, heading to the door.
They both leave for Soyan's house.
Meanwhile, in Soyan's house, they are getting ready. They prepared everything they would need to entertain Richard's family. Soon, they arrived. They exchanged greetings. They were beckoned to sit inside the house. They went inside and the ceremony commenced. The colanuts were broken as is the culture. They introduced each other. They ate and drank. Everything went so smoothly. They all bade each other goodbye and went home.
Richard and his mother got home. They freshened up and started discussing how the day went.
"Everything went so smoothly. To God be the glory," Richard's mother said.
"Yes. I'm happy indeed, so by this time next week, I will be a married man. I can't wait," he replied.
"I'm happy too. I'm even more happy that you grew up to be the responsible young man I've always wanted you to be," she said.
"Thank you, mama. You've done alot for me. You deserve the best," he said.
"Ohh…I am pained that your father is not here to witness this," she said amidst tears.
"Ohh..mama, stop that. Don't cry. Okay, stop that. Pull yourself together " he consoled her.
She managed to pull herself together.
Richard continued with the conversation
"Mother, I want the marriage to be small because of some evil people," Richard said.
"Okay… I understand your point. I am with you. Do as you please. I believe that you will make me proud ," she said reassuringly.
"Thank you, mother. I want to retire for bed now. See you tomorrow morning ," he said.
"Okay..my son, good night ," she replied.
Richard and his mother got home. They freshened up and started discussing how the day went.
"Everything went so smoothly. To God be the glory," Richard's mother said.
"Yes. I'm happy indeed, so by this time next week, I will be a married man. I can't wait," he replied.
"I'm happy too. I'm even more happy that you grew up to be the responsible young man I've always wanted you to be," she said.
"Thank you, mama. You've done alot for me. You deserve the best," he said.
"Ohh…I am pained that your father is not here to witness this," she said amidst tears.
"Ohh..mama, stop that. Don't cry. Okay, stop that. Pull yourself together " he consoled her.
She managed to pull herself together.
Richard continued with the conversation
"Mother, I want the marriage to be small because of some evil people," Richard said.
"Okay… I understand your point. I am with you. Do as you please. I believe that you will make me proud ," she said reassuringly.
"Thank you, mother. I want to retire for bed now. See you tomorrow morning ," he said.
"Okay..my son, good night ," she replied.
The day of the marriage arrived. Richard and his family looked their best. Soyan's family is not left out. They got to the assigned venue and did the marriage quietly indoors. After the marriage, they went home happily. Richard and Soyan returned to the city.
After some days, Homa paid Koge a visit. She had not heard of Richard's marriage with Soyan. She started discussing it with Koge.
"Guess who I saw some days ago, it was Richard. The same Richard who was my playmate when we were young. He looked so fresh. See, let me tell you something. I would love to have him as my husband," Homa said while wrapping her hands around herself.
"No, that's not possible," Koge replied.
"Why are you talking like this? What is your problem? When did you turn into my enemy?" Homa queried.
"I am not your enemy and I will never be. That means you are not aware," Koge replied.
"Aware of what?" Homa asked.
Koge bursts into laughter.
"What is this now? Why are you laughing at me?" Homa asked, annoyed.
"You want to marry someone's husband?" Koge asked laughing.
"See you. He is not married. The last time I saw him, he was single," Homa said.
"Ohh…I see. He was single when you saw him but now, he is married. He got married some days ago," Koge replied.
"I thought…," Homa stammered.
"You thought…..he is now a married man, so get your eyes off him," Koge cut her short.
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