The ride to Obanma's place seemed longer than she had expected. The Ukaegbu's had insisted that they get into town to purchase food at a restaurant.

Obanma enjoyed every bit of it because she had been saved from being practically roasted under the sun and finally got to meet the couple like she had always wanted to .

They seemed genuinely interesting and spoke freely about things to their sons.

After each person had made their order, Obanma watched as Mrs. Ukaegbu sat patiently while her husband cut her chicken wings into tiny pieces before they began to eat .

The boys had already dug into their food and Obanma could hardly tell If Chukwuemeka was even chewing  before he swallowed because it all seemed so fast.

"Mom , I think she wants to know when you two got married"

"Or probably how old your mother and I are " Obiefune replied with a smile

Obanma couldn't help but grin at the accuracy. She had been dying to know how old they were because they seemed too young to be the actual parents of twins.

" I gave birth to the boys when I was 19 years old , got pregnant at 18" Obiukwu stated as she grabbed her spoon and began to scoop the rice .

" That was ... You were very young . That means you got married at 18 then" Obanma enquired still amazed by the couple. She did admit, seeing them made her think of marriage to Onyedikachi.

Obiefune let out a soft laugh and continued eating while Obiukwu attended to Obanma's question.

"No .. I got pregnant but I didn't marry Obiefune then. I thought he hàd left Nigeria for good "

"The story we told before"Chukwuebuka reminded Obanma and she practically left her mouth hung open.

" You have eight children ma , how are you still this ...."

"Our children don't let her sleep, trust me that's easiest way to keep fit . Running around the house chasing after quadruplets and twins"

Chukwuemeka and Chukwuebuka fell into a fit of laughter when their father spoke . They knew how difficult it was for them to handle the quads .

A loud ring interrupted their conversation and Obiukwu quickly answered the phone, mouthing words to her husband.

" Ben.... You all can take turns to watch whatever it is you want to watch on TV. Stop bullying your sisters! I said take turns or no gifts from us . Okay good , we'll be home soon . Don't you want to speak to your brothers?"

Mrs. Ukaegbu handed the phone over to her sons who took turns to speak to their younger siblings. A lot of yelling was going in the background which Obanma noted quietly, too many children.

"Do you have any siblings?" Mrs. Ukaegbu enquired suddenly drawing Obanma from her thoughts .

"Yes I do , I have two siblings now" She replied with a smile.

"She lost her twin mom" Chukwuebuka quickly added

Obiukwu couldn't help the sadness that overcame her as she got to discover that. She couldn't imagine losing any of her children.

"I'm so sorry about that , it must be hard for you "

"I miss him a lot ,but it was a long time ago " Obanma knew it was better to dwell on talks that didn't reflect on the death of Obinna.

"So where are you from ? " Obiefune enquired still puzzled by the semblance the girl bore to his sons .

"Umuikpo " Obanma replied promptly "Have you been there before?"

"No but we grew up in a village not too far from there. That's where I met my wife " Obiefune couldn't help but smile at Obiukwu who still nibbled on the meat he had sliced for her. He hadn't gotten over the queasy feeling he got everytime he called her his wife .

"It's a small world. The quads will be celebrating their birthday in three weeks ,we'd all love for you to come . " 
Obiukwu began with a smile " The boys have told us so much about you and we appreciate you looking out for them here"

Stunned by the offer Obanma couldn't speak ,she only stared at the woman with her husband and the boys who seemed to be grinning

"With the permission of your parents of course . We will send our driver to pick you up with the boys and you get to be the first person who reads my husband's new book"

"You don't make deals with another man's work tata ,seems you haven't learned anything after all these years " Obiefune declared eyeing his wife playfully.

Obanma was merely intrigued by the way the couple connected with each other. They would speak quietly, stare at each other with smiles and often touch themselves .  Her eyes often went to Mr. Obiefune's hand gently carressing his wife's own while she spoke. He seemed to be used to doing that because it appeared to be an unconscious act.

"You know for a girl with a.."

"Jesus christ ! Daddy please not now " Chukwuemeka cut in ,interrupting his amused father .

"I feel like my ear is going melt if I hear him finish that line" Chukwuebuka added

Obiukwu burst into laughter seeing how disgusted her sons appeared.
"Some things for never get old "

Obanma was the only one who didn't understand what was going on still she had a smile plastered on her face.

”When you come ,I'll tell you the whole story . Obanma we will be expecting you inu"

Obanma only smiled at the lady and dug into her food. She wanted to really get to know the family well. She felt so at peace with them and appreciated the way they all related with each other. She loved seeing how in love the couple were and she prayed silently that her union with Onyedikachi would be the same .

They all made a quick stop at a supermarket where the couple got things for their children. Obanma was not left out and she was practically forced into accepting the ones they bought for her .

"I assume grandpa will be coming for their birthday" Chukwuebuka spoke , fishing out one of the snacks his mother had gotten for his younger siblings. They meant Mr. Igwe who had aged quite well but never missed his grandchildren's birthdays.

"Yes he will be , he hardly ever misses it . Chukwuebuka stop eating those biscuits they're for your siblings" Obiukwu replied with a stern warning while Chukwuemeka laughed .

The ride to Obanma's hostel took little time and when she bade the couple farewell she couldn't help but feel a tinge of loss.

Kelechi quickly grabbed one of the times she brought and began to eat as he made her way into their room while she narrated her adventure to her .

Adaugo's marriage day finally came and all were engaged in various activities. Obanma being part of her sister's bridal train together with her two friends, Eberechukwu and Oluchi.

Kelechi did help out with chores that daa Agatha and their mother requested for.

The snickers at the woman didn't deter her from enjoying her daughter's traditional marriage as gossips about infidelity buzzed around.

Nnamdi did well to look after his two children while Chijioke carried out rites which were supposed to be done by his father together with his uncles whom he had begun to despise.

Olumide's people arrived for the ceremony to begin proper . The marriage was very successful with the highlight of events being the entrance of king Obiora.

People hadn't expected the king to grace such event and it did shush some of the women who had already begun to incite talks about the past .

The king still couldn't help the attraction he budded for Obanma and would always spray money on her while she danced with her mates .

The end of the ceremony was marked with a vote of thanks rendered by Chijioke. His elder sister and his mother with Adaugo all in tears as she was led into her husband's vehicle with some of her belongings to symbolize her handover to her husband and his people. Obanma couldn't help but cry at the picture displayed in front of her.

Everyone wished them well as they drove off . Olumide had really fought well for his bride .

Obanma had not expected Onyedikachi to come for the event even though he made his appearance when the event was over. She had been exhausted from the dancing and decided to rest briefly before their voyage to the hotel where her family stayed with their friends.

Daa Agatha had warned sternly against sleeping in their house as they all feared for their lives . A gentle tap woke her as she sat sleeping under the canopy where guests had sat earlier.

"Mma " He whispered gently carressing her face

Obanma's smile was radiant and she practically jumped into his arms.

"I've missed you" She whispered back. They hadn't seen for few weeks but it felt like years to her .

"You're so beautiful ...now I wish I had been here early to watch you outshine
everyother lady present .  My love you glitter even in the dark "

"Thank you "She managed to mutter amidst chuckles and blushes.

"Daa Agatha told me to search for you here , I've met the others . I just had to come see you, I have been dying to "

Obanma couldn't resist kissing him longingly even as her senses kicked against it. His words died in his mouth as he pulled her closer

"Not here ... Come" He declared dragging her to her feet . They snuck to the backyard through the bushes closer to the gate that connected both compounds.

Obanma's muffled giggles could be heard as they ran like children playing in the night .

"If any insect stings you here , I'm going to feel bad about it "

"Why don't we sneak into your compound and pay your mother a visit?"

Onyedikachi couldn't help but laugh at the sarcasm laced in her suggestion.

"I need you like Oxygen..like water ..like food. You don't know what seeing you has done for me. I am going through ...I can't even explain it!"

"Is everything okay Onyi ?" She enquired puzzled by his declaration. It didn't sound like he was proclaiming his love.

"Obanma I don't want to lose you! The closer we become the more terrified I am that you will be ripped away by what I can't battle. "

"Onyi ano m ebe a, I'm not going anywhere. We're engaged remember? You're scaring me with all this talk of losing me . Why would you lose me? Have you done something that I should know?"

"Mma ..I ..I ... it's just that work has been so stressful and my boss has been on my neck . I'm so sorry I got you worried " Onyedikachi reached out and pulled an even more confused Obanma into his arms. The more the date drew near for the paternity test results the more nervous he grew.

Obanma reached out to cradle his face as the moon danced around the sky.
"Onyedikachi I love you . I do love you and we are going to be together because we are meant to be . We're engaged don't you see how victorious we've become ? Despite these feud between our families we are getting married. We told ourselves that they were at war and we weren't and see what it has led us to. I don't know what it is that you can't share with me and I know it is not about work . But you have to try and share your problems with me, that's how we'll progress . With trust... whenever you're ready to talk I'll be willing to listen.

I love you and I'm not going anywhere, I am your destiny remember?"

Onyedikachi nodded slowly then placed a kiss on her lips."I'll tell you about it soon enough"he whispered into her ears as they were locked in an embrace .

"I Love you too Mma , so much "

"This place was a wrong idea "Obanma declared as she slapped her legs,fending of the little creatures that had come feast.

"Let's go to my house "Onyedikachi declared making his way to a ledge close to the fence.

"I don't want to die before we actually get to marry Onyi,your mother ..."

"She's at Arinze's ,she won't be back for long and we'll be gone before she arrives" He opined hoisting himself above the fence.

"You don't expect me to scale the fence with what I'm wearing "

Onyedikachi chuckled so hard that he almost lost balance sending Obanma's pulse to the moon.

"Onyi be careful!"

"I'm opening the gate for you "

Obanma waited patiently till she heard the gate creak. and quickly marched to where it was . She was pulled inside leaving behind as a gasp as Onyedikachi practically threw her into his arms.

He kissed her with fervor, barely containing the hunger he felt while she giggled as a child returning each kiss with equal longing .

Onyedikachi stopped briefly to search for the spare key they always hid at the back yard and was practically joyous when he saw that his mother had left things the same.

Obanma stood for a moment staring into the darkness, thinking of the times when the gate was free for her brother and her to frolick about .The times she would gladly chase Onyedikachi around every nook and cranny of the compound. How things had changed?

"I knew it would be here "Onyedikachi whispered as he claimed her mouth in a sensual kiss .

He noticed her hesitancy and lifted her chin with his thumb.

"What is it ?"

"Nothing ... I just remembered how much we used to play here when we were little. Things were much different then "

"Yes .. You always found a way to get me involved in all your activities with Obinna" Onyedikachi replied chuckling

"I miss him "

Onyedikachi pulled Obanma into his arms in an embrace that let her pain fade momentarily.

"I thought you were carrying me into your bedroom" She whispered into his ears.

"Yes...but only if I'm certain that you're okay . We can't have your brother making a dramatic appearance with a permanent scowl on his face and the urge to kill me "

Obanma held her mouth as the sounds threatened to escape her mouth.

"He liked you a lot too. I think he will be pleased that you're here"

"Well we haven't resolved out conflict. He did try to take you away from me once . And please can we stop talking about him before he actually does appear"

Obanma laughed heartily as he swept her off her feet and led her into his bedroom.

They made love through out the night , whispering ,teasing and planning for a future. Fortunately for the couple Chidiogo had decided to spend the night at her son's home. Obanma had decided to stay back after Onyedikachi convinced her uncle that she was safe with him. They spoke about the future as though they had made it through the hurdle that threatened them with a  familiar spectator watching just like Onyedikachi had assumed.

The winds blew effortlessly and the moon shined brighter ,their hearts sated from being encumbered in each other's arms while their spirited ally watched and waited expectantly .

They had barely slept an hour until the rains began to fall . The thunder threatening the skies with its echoes . Onyedikachi held Obanma's hand as she drifted off to sleep.

The sound of the thunder pried his eyes apart ,but he made no move as he imagined a figure looming over Obanma.

The lightening revealed a blade which dove into the side where she lay and his heart froze. He launched at the figure like a mad man and they both struggled. Onyedikachi yelled as the man's blade managed to sink into his arm.

The struggle seemed far from over as the man seemed to want Onyedikachi dead. Onyedikachi pulled out the blade and launched at him ,only succeeding in giving him a cut on the shoulder.

A muffled scream came from the man and he fled the house ,leaving Onyedikachi disconcerted and heart broken.

"He crawled around the room in search of his phone all the while pleading for Obanma to be alive.

Tears clouded his eyes when he finally found the item with his blood dropping all of the room. He turned on the torchlight and quickly three the duvet aside only to find his pillows carefully placed in a human form.

Onyedikachi raced out of the room in search of her. The panic in his voice as he yelled her name would have awoken even a dead man. He had always feared losing her to blood ties now even he hoped for that if it meant her being alive .

Onyedikachi paid no heed to the blood oozing out of his hand as he searched the rooms . The splatter on the roof resumed shortly and he ran outside. He searched their front yard but saw no signs of Obanma, he continued to the backyard where he saw a figure kneeling below the guava tree where they used to play as children.

Onyedikachi raced to the spot that instant to find Obanma barely conscious. Relief flocked over him as he gathered her into his arms weeping like a child . What would he have done if she had been stabbed to death ?

"Onyi why are we under the rain ?What happened?"

Onyedikachi placed a kiss on her lips still battling to hold her steady with his trembling hands. "You weren't in the room ,you ...you didn't die"

"I left the room ? I was sleeping and I dreamt of Obinna calling me . He said he needed me to fetch guava for him"

Obiefune tossed restlessly on the bed beside his wife whom he tasked with reading his latest work.

They had sent the children to bed yet barely gotten any sleep of their own.
He couldn't stop thinking about Obanma and her semblance to his sons .

"Why did you tell her to visit?" Obiefune enquired from his wife who seemed quite engrossed in what she read .

Obiukwu turned to her husband with a smile .

"Well I'd like to know if she's your child too"

"My child? You can't be serious!"

"Obiefune this family has taught me too much about coincidences. You know very well that there might be chances . You yourself told me you were at one point in your life too careless to care .."

"Obiukwu I only tried when I thought I was rendered impotent . When I thought I couldn't even make love . I never got anyone pregnant?"

"So why are you so worried about having her here? Mmmm " She enquired tossing her book aside .

"What if Benjamin cheated on you ? Or maybe he had a child out of wedlock that he had no idea about "

Obiukwu laughed at her husband's insinuation but further at their poor investigative methods.

"This could merely be just a coincidence . This is ridiculous , thinking of someone else's daughter like this "

"Nne m what do you suggest we do ? You can never be too sure about these things. Our sons have taught me that much "

"Your father can help , let's invite him over too. I believe he can help us unravel this mysterious semblance . " Obiukwu declared to her husband who reached out to place a kiss on her forehead.

"I didn't have any child and I barely had women back then.Yes I did try but it was torture . No body was like you and I didn't want to burden anyone with my condition or what I thought I lost"

"I'm sorry , I just .. got a little worried .
Benjamin was a good man too , if he had fathered a child ,he wouldn't have kept it secret. It would be totally unfair for him to have lived without the knowledge of his child . Let's just hope this is just a mere coincidence and please bring back the character you killed in chapter 40"

Soon the discussion dangled towards Obiefune's book and finally sleep engulfed the pair .

Hello everyone!

Is it safe to say happy Valentine's day today?😂

This was meant to be my val gift but I couldn't finish it on time. I hope you do enjoy.