The lowly voice of nightfall maintained its subtlety as the  moon danced around the enlightened skies. Different stars, sprayed across the sky blinked rapidly and the lulling voice of the soft breeze maintained its resilience.

Obanma drawn by the tranquility and beauty coupled with the very resistance to sleep offered by her clouded mind embraced the night as her staring partner.

Coming back to the house with everything that had happened had made her understand the meaning of the term outcast. The looks directed her way during the day from both her aunts and siblings were not to difficult to grasp. It was clearly disappointment laced with anger.

Chijioke maintained his silence with her and uncle Nnamdi barely spoke with her as he did before. She could sense the strain in conversation while he asked about her school. Her mother had been the one who often conversed with her during dinner while the others merely acknowledged her presence.

She was hurt by the backlash resulting from her decision, yet the love she had for Onyedikachi only brewed violently in her heart.

Somehow she knew she had become a model of a wayward girl in mama's eyes. They may have restrained themselves from wholly unleashing their anger but they hadn't kept their judgmental demeanor at bay.

Thoughts of moments spent with Onyedikachi clouded her mind and she found herself grinning like a fool. She had thought of the times spent in his apartment at okigwe and how happy they seemed running under the rain.

Onyedikachi's blatant failure at feigning masculinity when they arrived the room. The way he looked pitiable as shivers maintained their course on his body.

"Temptress"  He had called her which amused her to the core. The helplessness he faced with turning down her requests and consciousness to keep her free from hurt all reflected in his eyes.

Obanma sighed as she remembered Onyedikachi's terror ridden face when Chijioke and her siblings came barging into the room. She could tell her helpless he felt but he tried his best in restraining his anger.

How could her siblings not see how perfect Onyedikachi seemed to be?

"I love you mma" Those were the words she wanted to hear for the rest of her life. Marriage wasn't that hard, aunt Agatha had managed so well with her uncle for years.

The sound of retreating footsteps caught her attention and she quickly called out to the person.

"onye" who is it?

It had been Adaugo who had stood for minutes just staring at her younger sister. She craved speaking to her but chickened out at the last minute before Obanma's voice drew her back.

Ora atuwabeghi gị? You're not sleepy? " Adaugo had promptly replied as she made her way to the veranda where her little sister sat. Adaugo had herself completely wrapped with clothes because of the breeze. She took slow and quite unsure steps to where her sister sat and briefly stared at the sky before placing her derriere right Beside Obanma.

The pair sat in silence for minutes until Adaugo decided to incite a conversation.

"Are you angry? We haven't been receptive so far" She enquired from Obanma who seemed hazed by the question.

"mba" Obanma's eyes were fixated on Adaugo as she responded, noting her sister's nervousness. Had her aunt possibly sent Adaugo to speak sense into her. "I totally understand"

"You're so grown up" Adaugo declared with a smile as she assessed Obanma's features.

"It feels like it was just yesterday that you were a child, racing through this house and wreaking havoc everywhere" The pair couldn't help but chuckle as their minds revisited memories of the past in retrospect.

"We were very worried about you after Obinna passed away. I for one did not know how you would cope without him. He was your partner in everything and you two were completely inseparable" Adaugo's smile faded when she began to talk of her late brother, but her hands were strictly bound to the wrapper secured tightly on her body.

"It feels like I missed watching you become a woman. Didn't I leave too soon?"

Obanma shook her head gently, chuckling nervously as she hadn't quite figured out what her sister wanted.

"I shouldn't have left for Lagos when I did. I think I should have spent more time with you. I thought daa and uncle Nnamdi would be enough but it shouldn't have been that way. I just couldn't help feel burdened by all they've done for us. I had to find a way to help out too and getting a job was my best bet.

Now I feel I might have been too Hasty with decisions. "

Obanma stared at her elder sister who was clearly agitated from the way she spoke.

" You probably wouldn't have met him " Obanma declared with a smile

" Onye? " Adaugo asked quickly not certain who her little sister pointed to.

" Olumide... If you hadn't left when you did, you probably wouldn't have met him. Which means no marriage and no man"

Adaugo smiled sheepishly at the statement noting how lucky she always felt whenever she thought of marriage to her lover.

"He's an amazing man" Obanma declared turning to face the moon.

"What about your friends Eberechukwu and Co? Otela"

"We're all in different schools but we catch up occasionally. I wish we all got the same school though"

"Josh.. Joshua the stammerer, how is he? I can't forget the show he put on during your secondary school graduation. I felt so bad for the poor boy, he was so into you then"

"He's completely over it now and he's with Oluchi now" The words brought amusement to her sister's face.

"She always did get him better" Adaugo replied

"Mummy is still trying so hard to remember the past. We spoke earlier and she explained that she feels somewhat like an outsider to us. And I can't help but wonder how losing her memories feels like. She's been though quite a lot"

"Yes, she has been. I wish she could remember too. It must be difficult watching us with daa Agatha. Daa.... Did you want to discuss something with me?"

Adaugo taken off guard by the question inhaled deeply then took her little sister's hand.

"I know what it means to feel like an outsider looking in, hoping that you'd feel accepted. That's my current predicament with Olumide's family. Why do you think this relationship has taken so long to get here. Trust me I understand some of the reasons his parents are throwing at us.  Our father was convicted of murder and tribal sentiments has gone a long way to blind them. Still, I know how challenging it will be to bear all of their brunts by being joined in matrimony with their son. After all love endureth all

But you... You're just what.. 19? You're too young. You've got your whole life to live, time to figure out what you love and want. Marrying Onyedikachi implies marrying Chidiogo, Arinze. Look at how it is with me and my husband's parents were not even directly affected by the incident. How do you think Chidiogo or Arinze will treat you?  There will be no regard whatsoever for you and your kids would likely be raised in such hate.

We all have reacted negatively to a relationship between the two of you because we do truly love you and want the best for you. Onyedikachi might be a promising young man and yes he is a very attractive man but there are better ones out there. Those that their parents would readily hop in to fetch a beautiful girl like you as a bride.

I am speaking to you as an elder sister and as a friend. The last thing I'd want for you is heartbreak or maltreatment. Oba you have suffered enough already. "

The concern radiating from Adaugo's eyes met Obanma's teary ones.

" You don't have to tell me anything inu. Just think on what I've told you and truly deliberate on this situation. Is Onyedikachi really worth everything? "

Adaugo stood up and made her way into the house while Obanma was left in the company of the radiant moon and random thoughts.

*'***********

Onyedikachi tried not to ponder on the words his mother had spouted the night before when she spoke with him. She was infuriated with him and his action, her anger fueled by papa nnukwu's wholesome support while they spoke.

"Ina emegheri emegheri.... Ala o na apudi gị?"  You're misbehaving..... Are you mad?

"What sort of blatant disrespect on your father's memory is that? Let it be that what papa nnukwu said is not true because Onyedikachi I will never allow you marry that girl. I do not care about your stupid urge to be disrespectful or the spell the ignoramus has casted on you but if you bring that girl to my home Oo chịm!  Just don't dare. "

The phone call ended as it began with no words from his side aside the greeting.

Sleep completely evaded his eyes and he tossed warily on his bed, reflecting upon his mother's words. Who knew love could be so challenging?

On one side he was dealing with Obanma's mistrustful family and on the other hand was his mother. He was certain if Arinze had found out but he was certain that it would only mean worse for him and Obanma.

But was she truly worth all the troubles?

His mind whispered to him as he hugged one of his pillows. How did he fall in love with her? Was it not infatuation? Was it his manhood speaking volumes or his heart?

How certain was he that Chijioke wasn't right about his fairy tale? What if indeed they were truly siblings? Had he been ensnared by her beauty alone?

Onyedikachi aggressively attacked his pillows, punching them straight for minutes as questions that seemed rhetorical plagued his mind.

Why was his father corresponding with Ngozi?

He tried to remember his father and his demeanor when he often spoke of Obanma's family when he was alive. The fondness in his eyes when the twins come to play in their own compound.

How often he showered them with gifts before they happily scurried away. Nothing seemed straight anymore, Onyedikachi's thoughts further consumed him but a voice always reassured him of his father's innocence.

What on earth was he doing half naked with a married woman?

Another series of punches landed on his pillows before exhaustion and frustration squashed the energy in him.

He picked up his phone and unconsciously went to the pictures he had taken with Obanma at the village.

Papa nnukwu's teases had her laughing in almost all the pictures and even though the old man couldn't see what they looked like in the photos, he insisted to be included in the pictures.

A little smile crept to Onyedikachi's face but it did nothing to assuage his battered mind.

He quickly swiped past the pictures to locate the ones they had taken alone. Bunch of random selfies where they were smiling popped up and he dwelled on those.

Onyedikachi zoomed in and began to critically examine their facial features, starting from their eyes. Their complexion was contradictory as he was rich ebony black and she, almost as  light as a white woman. Their noses seemed to be of the same build in his eyes, both pointing straight to him. Somehow his eyes began to filter semblance in their smiles, the shape of their mouth,even their ears.

Other pictures received the same attention and it only worsened his self doubt.

What if Mma was truly his sister?

The thought of that seemed break his reserve and he helplessly forbade such from happening. How would he cope?

If would mean incest, wouldn't it? How would she be unloved by him? How would they cope with being siblings instead of what they've always been, lovers?

Onyedikachi took bouts of random deep breaths to calm himself, then slumped back on his bed. He needed to see Mma and quick for the sake of his sanity and he indeed needed to go home to sort things out with his own family. These latter  thoughts drove him to sleep with the phone still stuck in his hands.

Morning arrived ever so swiftly, with an alarm on his phone blaring recklessly. Onyedikachi had gotten very little sleep and had quickly swiped off the music after its sudden activity made him wake up with a shudder . With his face plastered on his pillow he fell back into slumber.

The sound of his ring tone drew him out of the sleep and his hand would have swiftly ended the call if not for the name displayed on the screen.

With his groggy voice he quickly answered, yawning simultaneously as greetings flew by.

"Wait.. What! Slow down please. Of course.. You can come or... I'd rather come pick you if that's okay."

Some of Mma's excitement almost melted away as she assumed the news didn't bring Onyedikachi joy.

"Mma I am excited... I'm sorry if I sounded otherwise, I... I had a rough night. I'll come pick you up immediately.. We need to celebrate my love.. That's if it is okay by them"

Onyedikachi didn't quite understand what was happening but he knew more clarification was to come from Mma. He knew grumpiness was one of his flaws attached to lack of sleep but even that had no chance with Obanma.

Breakfast was served cuisine style at the dining hall of the hotel and he had wolfed in enough quantity of their yam and egg sauce. His tummy had slept with him empty and desired satisfaction which he effortlessly offered.

The ride to Obanma's house left him with a lot to ponder on. What exactly Chijioke was playing at.

The young man had managed to sew doubts into his mind that made him question his  late father's fidelity and all of a sudden he was giving his blessings to his sister. He knew he should be pleased with the outcome but something about the whole thing was off.

He arrived Obanma's house a tad late due to traffic and raced into the house. He felt awful for doubting their love and needed a reassurance from a long embrace with her.

Onyedikachi met Obanma outside with a big smile on her face and only that assuaged his restlessness. He quickly picked her up as she raced into his arms with a smile and held on for a long while.

Kisses trailed from Obanma's hair which he noticed was back to its natural state , to her forehead and down to her cheek.

"I love you so so much, you know that right?" Onyedikachi declared with so much longing in his eyes. His hands cupping her cheeks and caressing them willfully

"I love you too Onyi" She replied excitedly. Onyedikachi could almost hear a squeal from her voice when she declared hers.

Onyedikachi chuckled as she rambled on about how the whole family had accepted him but his eyes could only see the beautiful bundle of joy standing in front of him.

Onyedikachi swooped in amidst her rambling and captured her lips in a heartfelt kiss. He let out all his troubles and embraced the beautiful fragrance of joy which she bore as he poured his very soul into the kiss.

Obanma was left dazed and mute when he finished and this time his laughter echoed in the compound.

"Onyi... Everyone is waiting" Obanma spoke immediately

"Yes I know in the house.. Right?" His answer met no words only gestures with her face that made him turn towards the direction of her family.

His mind quickly recalled how thoroughly he kissed her like a hungry man craving to be sated, his hands had even squeezed her derriere  occasionally.

He couldn't ignore the eyes fixated on his person and somehow wished to be swallowed up. This time he hoped his actions didn't make them retract their support.

Obanma managed to muster up a smile of encouragement as she led him to where they sat. Daa Agatha's mouth was still wide open from the shock of what she witnessed but her siblings seemed okay. They had seen them kiss before back in her school.

Onyedikachi cleared his throat and offered a greeting which finally drew daa Agatha's mouth shut. With his hands laced in Obanma's hands they ushered the pair in.

He couldn't help but note the amusement in Adaugo's eyes as they walked in. He also knew Obanma's uncle was going to address the issue because of the way he had stared at him. There was a subtle threat in the man's gaze one that made him swallow hard.

They all had barely made it into the living room before a cry broke out. It was mama's voice calling for help.

They rushed to mama's aid only to see Ngozi sprawled on the floor, convulsing so hard.

"She screamed and fell....She yelled Obinna's name" Mama opined as she raced into the kitchen in search of eloaku.

Mama wasn't the only one who left in search of the liquid, Onyedikachi had also ran to his car hoping that somehow he had safeguarded a bottle there for the sake of the poor woman's life.

Hello everyone!

How are we?

Hope we enjoyed the chapter!

Do you think things are better for our love birds now?