Obanma watched excitedly as the quads unwrapped some of the gifts they had received. She had learnt their names to be Benjamin, Obinna, Nkechinyere and Virginia.

The boy who bore the same name as her late twin she developed a liking to. Her elder sister had called her earlier to invite her over to her new home after her exams and she had agreed. She also mentioned the invitation from the Ukaegbu's to Adaugo who didn't seem to pleased as she didn't know them.

Judith helped the quads with the task which they carried out impatiently while their parents spoke amongst themselves.

She had learnt that Obi's siblings were absent which made Obanma wonder how large the family used to be.

Mrs Obioma who was Mr Obiefune's mother was engrossed in a conversation with her daughter and Mrs Obiukwu which led to so much laughter.

The men were drawn aside too but she couldn't help but wonder how the man she had met earlier knew her even without any knowledge about him.

Chukwuemeka came to sit beside Obanma as her mind wandered about her encounter.

"How are you enjoying the family?" He enquired with a smile while Obanma gave a grin

"I am enjoying the family so much . It's so lively,the children and everyone"

"That's good to know. How are you feeling now? I hope you don't mind but I  made Kelechi tell me about what happened. "

Obanma turned to him ,her mouth hesitant to move.

"You are going to be fine, everything will be alright"

His words drew tears to her eyes but she quickly blinked them away and wiped her face.

The two of them sat in silence as Obanma began to think about Onyedikachi. Why had he just disappeared?

Mr. Obidike finally approached the pair after he had stared at the girl for a while.

"Chukwuemeka please fetch me a glass of water "

The boy quickly got to his feet and went to do his grandfather's bidding.

Mr. Obidike turned to Obanma who was anxious about the very man in front of her.

"How is your mother?" He finally spoke after staring intently at her .It made her uncomfortable how piercing his gaze seemed to be .

"O di mma She is okay"

"Have you left Umuikpo now? She always spoke about leaving"

"We left a long time ago. How do you know us if I may ask? " She could see how nervous the man had become even as he spoke to her.

"I was once posted to a health center in Umuikpo that was where I met your mother . The last time I saw you,you were just a child but you didn't change much "

"I don't think I know you but I'll tell my mother about you"

"It was a long time ago nne. You look so much like your mother , I couldn't quite believe my eyes when I saw you"

Obanma chuckled lightly because it was the same story with Mrs Obiukwu not long ago.

"I would love to see your mother"

"She's in Enugu now ,I'll tell her about you tonight "

"Please do.. We have a lot to discuss"

Mr Obidike stood to leave when Obanma's words halted him.

"Did you know my father too?" She found it strange that the man had only asked after her mother

"Yes I did , he is not the type you'd want to remember" With that he walked towards his son who was leading his mother away.

Chukwuemeka arrived with the cup of water and went in search of his grandfather.

Obanma walked to where the women stood discussing and laughing.

"I miss her too. She was a very strong woman . Mma just had a way of making people happy" Chioma opined

"Chukwudi once wet his shorts because of her stories . " The women laughed heartily and Obanma turned to stare at Mr . Chukwudi who they spoke about. What could have made him do such?

"She was quite crafty with her tales. The scarier they were the better for her . Now everything has changed. Children get these stories online ,there are ebooks of all sorts"

"True Obiukwu, I miss our childhood. There's little or no adventure for kids nowadays"

Obiukwu smiled at Obanma who couldn't help but reciprocate. She came to where Obanma stood and led her away .

"I hope you're enjoying your self , you seem quite moody " Obiukwu enquired concerned with the girl's demeanor. She was used to watching every member of her family ,it helped her notice little changes as such .

They walked into the kitchen and she handed over the grilled chicken Chukwudi had brought from home . It was something he often did as a hobby.

Obanma took the plate but Obiukwu led her into the bedroom.

"I sneak away to rest sometimes " Obiukwu declared as she sat on the bed and urged Obanma to do the same.

"The children are a lot to handle "

"I started at a young age you know, first with my siblings but trust me you're just never prepared enough "

They took bites of the chicken and Obiukwu laughed at Obanma moaning out of satisfaction.

"I don't know how Chukwudi does it but they are always this sweet and better everytime" Obanma nodded in acquiescence.

"Do you want to talk about anything? I'm a good listener" Obi suggested as they ate quietly.

Obanma shook her head hesitantly but finally decided to speak.

"I don't know if you would judge me"

"Judge you? Why ? Obanma didn't the boys tell you anything about this family? I am not God and I am not perfect so what right do I have to do such? What right does anyone have to do so? "

"My father is in prison, he killed a man the same day my twin died"

Obiukwu seemed genuinely concerned as she stared at the young girl.

"He claimed my mother was romantically involved with the man and threatened to kill him. There was a struggle and the gun went off taking my brother's life . My mother was devastated and in that instant father shot the man."

Obiukwu settled the piece of meat she held in her hand on the plate .

"Our families used to be close but that incident changed everything.

I had always liked one of the boys , Onyedikachi is his name . My father killed his father before his eyes. It didn't matter to us , he always saved me form harm and we fell in love . We were engaged to marry but last month he just disappeared. He wouldn't text or call and finally he texted to break up with me. I want to believe everything that happened was probably a plan to hurt me and my family but there's a part of me that believes Onyedikachi is not being completely honest with me. He is a good man ,he wouldn't just use me  "

Obiukwu seemed speechless for a while until she cleared her throat.

"This must have been traumatic for all of you especially you. It wasn't your fault what happened that day and falling in love with someone despite who they are or where they're from is not wrong . I never met this young man and I can't tell how good he is . But life has also taught me one of the most valuable lessons through my husband. Sometimes things are not really as they seem to be.

I once believed he had abandoned me to go to the states only to find out he had never left and was terribly wounded. If you are certain that this man loved you then you owe it to yourself to truly figure out what went wrong. "

Obanma nodded while Obiukwu reached out and held her hand .

"Don't be scared , no matter how ugly things get ,some how in the end ,it will get better and all the ugliness will be worth it"

"But what if he just came after me to bed me?" Obanma finally spoke after the thought kept racing through her mind.

Obiukwu could see how glossy her eyes had become and quickly wrapped her hands around her while Obanma sobbed.

"There's nothing to be ashamed of , if it turns out that his intentions were not pure then he is the greatest coward of the century. You have your whole life ahead of you ,men will flock around you and someday you'll find a man who loves for you ,loves everything about you. Then ,you'd realize that he was the one who lost out not you"

Obiukwu wiped the tears off her face and Obanma managed to force a smile to her face.

"I have four daughters and nothing terrifies more than them having their hearts broken. Sometimes it makes me wish they'd never grow up"

Obanma couldn't help but laugh at her words.

"You've had some practice with me " She opined as she smiled at the woman.

"Yes indeed"

Obanma took another bite out of her meat and moaned again causing Obiukwu to chuckle. A thought finally crossed Obiukwu's mind as she stared at the girl.

"How often were you protected when you two were intimate?"

She could see Obanma's face turn crimson red and the embarrassment that overwhelmed the poor girl caused her to stutter.

"I..I'm not sure"

"I got pregnant quite early and it was easy because my late husband helped. I am not going to judge but I always teach my girls abstinence because of this .  Obanma you'd have to get tested   "

Obanma nodded immediately her eyes fixated on the plate .

"There's nothing to be ashamed of inu, I'm just looking out for you . But I'd also advice that you speak to your mother or your elder sister"

"I don't think they'd understand. They never liked Onyedikachi and when they finally began to he disappeared"

' Still, you'd have to tell them "

"Thank you so much Mrs. Obiukwu,I'm very glad I came "

"And I am glad you came nne. This is also your home , feel free to drop by anytime you want inu"

Obiukwu turned to leave until a thought crossed her mind. She turned to Obanma who was seated on the bed.

"I saw my father in law talking to you today. You looked quite serious, was there any problem with the guests?"

"Mba oo, He was asking about my mom. He said he knows her and he knew my father too. I was surprised when he called me by my name and even called my mother's name"

"He did?" Obiukwu enquired stunned by the act .

"It's a small world "

"Yes indeed" She replied as she left the room.

Everyone helped clear the living room when all the guests dispersed. Only Chukwudi and his family stayed behind.

They retired for the night quite late and Obiukwu had to ensure all her children had eaten and showered including Obanma and Judith.

She saw Chukwudi and Chioma lurking around the living room and smiled at their cryptic ways. They had persuaded their daughter to sleep with the quads while she insisted on staying in their bedroom.

Obiukwu came into her bedroom to see her husband waiting excitedly for her .

She still couldn't sleep even after the intense love making with her husband.

Obiefune drew her to his side and caressed her urging her to speak which she hesitantly did.

"Obanma told me your father knew her mother. He called her by her name ,even her mother's name"

Obiefune sat up to face his wife quite offended by what she had insinuated .

"Are you suggesting that my father cheated on my mother ?"

"Well..not exactly but I can't help but feel..."

"Obiukwu you need to drop this thing seriously. I thought we had agreed on this being a coincidence. "

"I'm sorry ,it's just I couldn't help but think that way. "

"Please let's not ruin the night with this . It is a coincidence"

Obiukwu heeded to her husband's words as she lay back beckoning on sleep to claim her.

Obiefune couldn't help but think of the possibility of Obiukwu's words being true. What if truly his father had been involved with another woman?

Obanma helped prepare breakfast which they ate the next morning . Chioma and her family also prepared to leave for Onitsha while Obanma decided it was time to visit her family as well. Obiukwu prepared the younger children for school while the eldest help clean up the entire compound.

She spoke briefly to her aunt and uncle and then her mother . Kelechi had also called to know how things were with her. She was glad to know that leaving for the Ukaegbu's house was good for her.

Obanma promised to come back again when the little children were saddened by the news of her intending absence that morning before they left for school.

Mr. Obidike surprised everyone with an early morning visit and he was intent on seeing Obanma. He had asked for the address where they lived which she relayed to him while his son Obiefune stared in astonishment.

The driver left with Obanma as soon as everyone was done bidding their farewells.

Obiefune led his father away even as his wife and his sons stood to embrace Obanma .

"Is there any problem? " Mr. Obidike had asked when Obiefune led him away.

"I don't know,is there? Why did you come to see Obanma? Is there something I should know?"

Mr. Obidike seemed petulant as he stared at his curious son .

"It's her mother that I want to see"

"Why?"

"Because I'd like to know if she lied '

"Lied about what father?" Obiefune enquired

"Obanma not being my child"

Hello everyone

How are we?

A new chapter, please enjoy