"Chijioke what on earth is wrong with you?! Have you gone insane?" Agatha yelled as Onyedikachi managed to get back on his feet.

"He needs to leave this place right now! I will not tolerate this fool being here" Chijioke barked angrily

"We will hear the young man out and you..... young man need to get yourself in order " The last words were directed to Chijioke who grudgingly let Onyedikachi pass through. Nnamdi quickly apologized to Onyedikachi and led him into the living room with Obanma trailing behind. She had reacted quickly as Chijioke's fist connected with Onyedikachi's cheek by screaming and quickly ran to his side.

Chijioke was instructed to stay behind and after pacing angrily around the room, he took his leave. A small grin appeared on Onyedikachi's face as he left, it pleased him to know they were willing to hear him out. He had truly expected to be physically abused and sent out or worse baptized with boiling hot water from the kitchen. Many discouraging thoughts had he envisaged before he decided upon coming to Obanma's place. Luckily for him navigating to their home was easy because he had brought her back once.

Agatha fetched Onyedikachi tissue paper to clean his bleeding lip as he made himself comfortable on the couch. He could still hear her mumbling about how disappointed she was in Chijioke and was slightly relieved his mother wasn't present to witness what had transpired between him and Onyedikachi

Obanma rushed to his side and he pulled her into a long embrace. Nnamdi cleared his throat which caused the couple to quickly pull apart.

"I recall you said you came to ask for her hand in marriage, We usually converse when doing that without the woman in our clutch" Nnamdi's gaze narrowed to his hands holding Obanma's waist, his lips pursed into a straight line which made Onyedikachi realize he was completely serious with what he had proposed.

Obanma squeezed Onyedikachi's hand then stepped away. She had almost gotten to the door before she turned to her uncle who was still waiting for her to leave.

"Uncle do you want me to get refreshments for you two?"

Onyedikachi almost chuckled at her request knowing there was an underlying message to her request. He subdued his face to a grin while Nnamdi shook his head.

"I ganu ịnụ mmiri? Would you like some water then?" She continued with Onyedikachi still battling to suppress his amusement.

"Obanma I just had water" Nnamdi retorted slightly exasperated with her feigned hospitality.

"I don't mean now, I mean subsequently as you discuss"

"I'll tell Agatha to call you when I need you and please give us some privacy" Nnamdi declared rubbing his forehead.

Obanma hesitantly left the pair and Onyedikachi was pleased to see the hint of amusement tugging Nnamdi's chin. There was an unmistakable camaraderie between the two which he was exhilarated to notice.

Most uncles would have considered Obanma's bugging impertinent or even impudent and resulted to yelling to reprimand the girl but Nnamdi handled her quite simply.

Onyedikachi's eyes trailed the position where Obanma stood before and chuckled lightly. His eyes had caught a shadow at the door and he was startled to see Nnamdi's eyes in the same direction.

"She's still at the door" He finally spoke turning to stare at Onyedikachi.

"She has always been a handful" He declared chuckling once more and Onyedikachi couldn't help but smile. In some way he had pictured him as an evil uncle who would have his head on a platter when he mentioned marriage.

Obanma's uncle seemed calm and quite endearing. It made him imagine how he had been with Obanma and how often she got into trouble.

Onyedikachi heard muted voices behind the door and assumed Obanma's aunt had come to take her away.

"Always strong willed and very annoying sometimes" He continued, his gaze unwavering from Onyedikachi's face.

"She is very fond of you" Onyedikachi replied curtly not certain if he was to concur with what Nnamdi had said.

"Well she has become fond of you too.

Listen young man... Life has been very unfair to not just you but the three of these siblings. I've watched them grow into these lovely adults and though they might not discuss about it, each of them have scars from that incident that occurred years ago.

Adaugo once told Agatha that she blames herself for leaving Obanma and Obinna, she claims that in the bid to call her they were hurt and she lost Obinna. She still believes that if she hasn't gone for ịchụ afọ Obinna would still be alive while Chijioke feels he failed his little brother. His death haunts them and that is why they often feel protective of Obanma.

I must apologize for Chijioke's attitude today but I will not totally disregard his reasons considering the situation he described earlier to me about the incident in Obanma's school. "

Onyedikachi's face fell almost immediately as he reprimanded himself deep within for leading Obanma away from school and presenting her in the worst way possible for her siblings.

" I'm very sorry about that sir.... But I can assure you that my intentions towards Obanma are pure. Truly I want her to be my wife" Onyedikachi declared boldly

"The truth is that we all doubt your intents and I can't say you can blame us.

I try to get certain things wrapped around in my head and I see so many contraptions from the bad history both families share.

To the world and your family, Obanma will always be that girl whose father sent your father to the grave. And your father though not completely proven would be the adulterer who caused the death of a young boy ripping a whole family apart.

This reconciliation in my head has plenty hiccups and sadly there are more to come.

You talk of marriage.. How many of your ụmụnna are willing to accept the daughter of a murderer. Even Adaugo's intending wedding has been a struggle because of this singular reason.

Notwithstanding that fact, I believe there are other reasons to oppose this marriage which I wouldn't be in the right position to make known to you. Whatever differences you have with Chijioke, I suggest you set it right because traditionally he is the lawful guardian of Obanma.

I also do believe that he has more to share to you that will go a long way to determine our next step. "

" What about my proposal? Should I carry on with marriage rites? "Onyedikachi enquired slightly puzzled by Nnamdi's words

" I believe that tradition requires you present with your ụmụnna" Nnamdi answered swiftly

"And they will come, I promise. I really do love Mma, I have always loved her since childhood and I know it does not make much sense but I know we're meant to be together" Onyedikachi heartily spoke in a bold yet pleading manner

"It makes enough sense... It probably just made more sense now" Nnamdi replied, his mind racing around what Chijioke had revealed to him. Blood seemed to be thicker than water and even he feared he didn't have the right words to reveal the truth to the love struck young man.

"I have nothing against you and I won't deter you from your purpose but I strongly advise that you refrain from any form of intimacy with Obanma till marriage" Onyedikachi could see how serious the man appeared and quickly approbated his request with a nod of his head. "I do not have anything against you but I do love these children like they were mine and won't blink an eye in saving them from whatever harm they are plagued with"

For long, a silence enveloped the pair and they basked in it.

Nnamdi was the first to speak with a half smile. "I believe I need Obanma's water now"

Onyedikachi couldn't help but smile and when Nnamdi beckoned on his wife he was pleased to see Obanma with her bearing refreshments.

Onyedikachi only took the water Obanma served, ignoring other items on the plate.

Nnamdi and Agatha excused the couple who gifted each other smiles of relief.

Onyedikachi scooted over to where Obanma sat and held her hand. She ran her finger softly across his broken lip then placed a very chaste kiss on his lips.

Onyedikachi inhaled deeply, pulling her into a bear hug. The pair sat that way for a long while, content with the turn of events.

"Your mother would probably send me racing out of the compound with a a mortar if tables were turned " Obanma teased when Onyedikachi told her about his conversation with her uncle. "Mma I don't think it'll come to that"

"I think he wanted to say more but now I have to deal with that nutcase brother of yours"

Obanma slapped Onyedikachi's shoulder almost immediately pointing out how offensive his words sounded in a subtle way.

"Chijioke is just being protective of me and we can't really blame him considering how things turned out between you two. Arinze also had a hand in making him this way"

"Obanma I understand how he feels but his temper needs to come down a notch."

"Maybe you can tell him as the two of you are to bond" Obanma teased with an annoying grin

"So why was the king here?" Obanma noticed how quickly Onyedikachi's hand which was caressing her quickly halted her movement.

"I can't really say but... It had something to do with Chijioke and my mother I think" Obanma responded subduing the stutter that threatened to slow her speech.

Chijioke's revelation about Onyedikachi's mother resounded once more in her ears and she began to fidget. The indecision about telling or not telling Onyedikachi what Chijioke had uncovered.

It made her realize that somehow her family was right about her probably being in danger by a marriage to him. What if Chidiogo decides to get rid of her in the future?

Onyedikachi's voice pulled her out of her deep thoughts as he placed kisses on her forehead.

"What is it? Mma you can tell me.."

Obanma gripped his hand and kissed his fingers.

"It's nothing, I was just trying to figure out if making out here would be wrong or right" She declared with a giggle. How did one reveal to her lover that his mother was an attempted murder suspect?

Onyedikachi couldn't help him as he smiled. "I've been wanting to do that but I think it would be disrespectful considering how we're trying to get on your uncle's good side." He exhaled deeply then kissed her cheek

"You don't know how worried I was today. I almost lost my mind thinking of your safety, couldn't stop bugging kelechi with pleas to call and text you.

God knows I would have been destroyed had something happened to you"

"I love you" Obanma said amidst soft pecks on Onyedikachi's face.

"I am doing the right thing by pleading for their approval for our marriage. But.... If somehow things don't go as planned, be rest assured that we will elope. I can't lose you... My love I won't survive it"

"Onyi it won't come to that, we have to believe things will turn out better. We have papa nnukwu. You just need to convince Arinze and your mother hopefully"

Onyedikachi grimaced his hands caressing his thighs gently.

"Arinze will be hard to convince but Olivia his wife, knows about us. I'll tell them myself and honestly I do dread what the outcome might be."

Obanma covered his hand with hers, halting their movement.

"They are your family.. No matter how mad they get, I don't believe they'd hurt you"

"Well.... They won't kill me" He chuckled "But my face will definitely receive more punches"

Obanma meant to give him a reassuring statement before her mother stepped into the room.

Onyedikachi couldn't help but stare at the woman. He hadn't been very close to her for years and the only exception was at the king's palace where she sat away from his family.

Onyedikachi greeted the woman with a smile and she reciprocated. Her gaze ran across his length and she seemed quite perturbed. Maybe she had remembered who he was or she was just plain disappointed in seeing him there.

The semblance between Obanma and her mother seemed to become much evident. Their eyes, hair, lips, face everything seemed alike.

"It is quite late and your uncle says you should bid him farewell"

She directed to Obanma who quickly stood to her feet.

The couple made their way to the door whole Ngozi stood in the living room her thoughts more scrambled than they usually got.

She sat down staring at nothing in particular yet voices kept echoing in her head.

"She is very beautiful" A little boy had told her holding a baby.

"is she an angel that fell from the sky?" The boy enquired, his curious gaze pointing out that he was much interested in figuring out the baby before him. She had been amused by the question and quickly told him a yes which seemed to excite the young boy more. She wasn't happy, she could tell from the tears that threatened to fall.

"She is red" He declared with a chuckle "Ah Mma"

His words brought her back from her momentary wander to sadness and she chuckled with him.

The boy hesitantly placed his hand into the baby's palm and gasped as she held him firmly. Mma gave a smile and even her own heart melted staring at them.

She had indeed birthed an angel and it had taken a young boy to prove it.

"She is truly an angel, I'll take care of her.. I promise" A voice called out to her and she saw the young man standing at the door.

"Onyi .." Ngozi heard Obanma calling and she smiled at the young man

She watched her daughter link her hands with the young man's own and practically dragged him away .

They hugged each other tightly and Obanma waved at him as he entered his vehicle. She walked to the gate and pulled them apart just for Onyedikachi to drive through.

He had wanted to bid Nnamdi and Agatha farewell but they relayed a message through Obanma to him.

Onyedikachi waved at Obanma before zooming off and she was truly pleased that part of their problems was solved.

Now her family knew who he was to her and she didn't have to hide so much from them. But one thing still bugged her as she retired, the fact that something Chijioke insinuated could ruin her mother's reputation was pending.

She wanted so badly to uncover the secret and hoped another misfortune wouldn't befall the family.

Onyedikachi had barely moved a short distance before he abruptly stopped the vehicle.

"Listen if it's trouble you want this night, be rest assured that I have no iota of strength in me for your rubbish" He declared angrily turning to Chijioke who sat behind in his car

He had crawled into the vehicle almost immediately as Onyedikachi entered but had signaled Onyedikachi to maintain decorum. Claiming he had something important to share.

" I don't want any trouble but there will be trouble if I don't reveal the truth to you. It's not like I enjoy having bruised knuckles".Chijioke retorted stretching his neck which he had craned badly

Onyedikachi scoffed in annoyance considering how many punches he had received from him.

"What is it?"

A loud siren interrupted their banter and they were quickly surrounded by policemen.

Chijioke noted the tag on the shirts as they pounded angrily on the door.

"Oo Chi m these mad dogs don catch us"

"Sounds ironic coming from you" Onyedikachi retorted as he whined down his glass to face the thug like looking SARS operatives standing with their rifles.

Hello everyone!

How are we?

Happy Sunday ♥️♥️

Here's another chapter for us to read enjoy.

I'm so proud of Nigerian who lent their voices against this SARS menace in the country. It is good that they have been disbanded and shows how much progress we Nigerians can make when we work together in unity.

Who is curious to know what Chijioke is up to this time?

I'm so pleased that Ngozi got to remember little Onyedikachi, maybe that's another victory.

I can't wait to find out what Chidiogo has to say to her son.