Obanma was taught as a child to keep her tongue bridle and her opinions checked as her opinionated nature was often found too brazen for a young woman . Her father Iheanyi had taught her how to make requests with questions and she had taught herself tolerance but they never did play out well.

She was once quite scared to get the elders abreast of the thoughts that ran through her little head and always seemed petulant when cautioned . Rascality was snuffed out of her little version even though she rather considered her nature ,playful.

Aunt Agatha had groomed her to be better and quite reserved to an extent .Her uncle seemed freer and let her speak freely even though he corrected her expressions often.

She had been 10 years old when she told the couple in her words "Maybe if you two slept well enough,God will find the time to put the baby in Aunt Agatha's belly. Adam slept for Eve to be created. Do you always play in the night ?"

Agatha had wished for the earth to swallow her whole while her husband couldn't help but chuckle . She had feared that they had been doing a horrible job with being responsible adults around the children.

"She said we were playing ,Nne m you don't need to worry about anything" Nnamdi had insisted

"We will talk to her ,we have to "

The conversation had been awkward and they both managed to look stern,nervous and  worried at the same time that Obanma had feared she had committed an atrocious crime.

When they finally got her to explain what she meant they found out that she truly bore no negative meaning of what she implied.

"I always hear aunt Agatha scream when I go to take water from the refrigerator"

"You mean chocolate?" Nnamdi had corrected "I noticed more have been disappearing from the packet each day "

Obanma swallowed hard as she feared being reprimanded or flogged even though Nnamdi had told them to eat the chocolate bars.

"Chocolate and water "

"Take them before you go to bed and try to ask first inu "They had concluded the conversation with .

"Nne! Nne!" Obanma's eyes blinked rapidly as Agatha called out to her. The elders looked terrified and worried owing to her revelation which she was certain they had no inkling of her possessing the knowledge.

Nnamdi cleared his throat while Mr. Obidike's mouth openend and closed instantly.

Agatha still stunned settled her gaze on her niece in shock . Ngozi couldn't hold her tears as it streamed down her cheek.

"Obanma he claims he is your father" Nnamdi reiterated slowly

"Uncle I heard my mother said it. This man here is my father and I'd really like to speak to him alone "

Obanma seemed determined to get to the root of everything. Hesistantly, her mother ,Agatha and Nnamdi left the room leaving her alone with Mr. Obidike.

She turned to Obidike who tried his best to compose himself as he was still reeling from the shock of the revelation that had come from the girl. He had always suspected that she was his daughter but it was convenient for him to believe that she wasn't because of his family.

"Why are you here now?" Obanma had asked breaking the silence that engulfed them.

Obanma's composure came from the anger that had slowly began to bud in her heart. It seemed Mr. Obidike saw it convenient to lay claims on her after he had abandoned her . She had always known two fathers all her life and they were Iheanyi and Nnamdi.

" Your aunt contacted me and I had to come "

"So you came to see aunt Agatha"

"Obanma I know what you're thinking and to be honest I don't ..."

"What I am thinking? What I am thinking is how you deemed it fit show up after years to lay claims on a daughter you deliberately abandoned. What were you expecting? That i'd jump into your arms and thank God for bringing you here? Mr. Obidike I liked you better when you were just Mr. Obiefuna's father. You have a beautiful family and wonderful grandchildren.. I am not part of  that family, I have my own family here and I'd like  it to remain that way"

"Obanma please hear me out ... I didn't do right by you or your mother because I was a coward. And yes I admit I did run away because it was easier to , Ngozi was already in enough mess at the time , laying claims could have worsened everything for her. I came back six years later and she told me that I wasn't your father ,I had my doubts then too but like I said earlier I was a coward. When I saw you at the party .... It was different "

"So... am I supposed to be happy that you decided to the right thing this time? Tell me one good reason why I should be listening to what you're telling me "

"I don't have enough time anymore.......I am dying "

Obanma couldn't help the new found rage that led to an outburst she hadn't been expecting.

"How is that supposed to help right now ! All these years and now you come to tell me you're dying !"

"I didn't know...I I"

" I lose my first father to rage and stupidity then this!. I think you should leave now Mr Obidike,there's nothing more to discuss"

"Obanma please do think about this "

Mr Obidike left the room almost immediately as the tears she had held for long began to stream down her face.

Life was always cruel to her .

Ngozi approached her daughter slowly not certain of the words she was to expel. She loathed herself for being the reason for her daughter's pain.

"Oba ....." Her mouth opened but no words came but Obanma quickly wiped her tears and stormed out of the room.

Agatha approached Ngozi while Nnamdi went after Obanma.

"Just let her be for a while, she'll come around inu . Life has been hard on this little girl, she needs time to heal."

"I'm just afraid that she'll come to hate me completely Agatha"

Nnamdi met Obanma crying in her room sprawled across the bed . He sat on the bed while she ignored his presence.

"Obanma nothing is your fault, absolutely nothing. You have the right to be angry, disappointed. Take your time and think through each decision you decide to take. Your parents made so many wrong decisions but maybe one right one from you can change everything."

Nnamdi stepped out of the room wary that his words had done little or no good but was hopeful that everything would be resolved amicably.

Chijioke stared proudly at the structure that had begun to grow steadily on his land. The workers toiled night and day with the help of the loan he had acquired from his boss who was also a major stakeholder in his nascent business.

The fight to claim the land  had been tedious but it had been so exhilarating that Arinze decided to finally back down. Chijioke often felt it was a ploy as his mistrust for the bully Arinze ran deep in his soul.

His eyes always scampered around to fish out unknown elements which could be threats around him and he did well to point his guards in that direction.

The uneasiness he had been feeling for days slowly began to creep in but he fought the terrifying feeling of fright that once enveloped his being.

"Oga na tomorrow Dem go bring new sand and concrete for the other pillars ." One of the workers had declared as he approached Chijioke.

He watched as most of them washed their legs and bodies in preparation for their departure.

He paid the workers for their job and was surprised to see a young fellow amongst the men who came for a pay.

The boy looked like a teenager but something awfully dangerous lingered around his person.

Chijioke chalked his intuition to paranoia, he had never truly gotten over his attack.

Chijioke couldn't help staring at the boy as he approached and collected his own wage.

He looked down at the boy's features and began to appear strangely familiar.

"When did you start working here ?" Chijioke probed fishing out naira notes which he gave the boy.

"For two days now"

"Do I know you, have we met before?"

"Mba, I just came to this village recently"

Chijioke still reluctant to shake off his mistrust further stared hard at the boy before walking away.

He received a call from Onyedikachi which was quite unexpected but the information passed across left him speechless.

"I'll be coming to see you soon" Onyedikachi had ended the conversation with as he watched all the workers disperse one after the other till it was just him and the two guards he had hired.

They left the scene after locking up the gate and he proceeded to his hotel . It had been his routine for weeks especially after his recent face off with his demented uncle who had still requested the land to save himself. Osisioma had created a scene claiming that his life was at stake. The king shouldn't have ever released him from where he was detained.

It seemed quite fishy his uncle's interest in the land .

Chidiogo lay quietly on the couch while her daughter in law went on about her day at the market and how many beautiful items she had gathered for the child she was expecting.

Adannaya was grounded in her room because of her homework and Arinze was yet to arrive.

Thoughts of the man whom Osisioma had hired infiltrated her mind and she imagined him attacking her just as Osisioma had warned .

The man was a raving lunatic

What would Dozie think of her ? She thought within herself still repulsed by that one singular act of involving a savage to protect her family.

"And I got this one for you " Olivia had recounted twice as she reached out to Chidiogo who was lost in thoughts.

She tapped the woman who quickly sat up and stared bleakly at the piece of cloth in her daughter in law's hand.

"This one is for you"

Chidiogo gave a small smile as she received her gift thanking her daughter in law.

"What is the matter ?"

"Nne, nothing at all . I'm just tired that's all. When is Arinze coming back to the house ?"

"He's almost done at the shop, he'll be back soon. I've decided that from next week I'd be joining him there. I'm due next month and I believe staying where he can easily take me to the hospital will be better"

"Eziokwu ... I can't wait to meet my grandson! " Chidiogo offered with a huge smile which fell almost immediately. "If only Chukwudozie was here too"

Olivia reached out and held the woman who smiled weakly. Olivia knew she hadn't began well with her husband but she had come to love him so much that she couldn't fathom him leaving her in anyway. Chidiogo had been quite strong with the way she handled the loss of her husband, a husband she loved deeply.

A ring interrupted the two women and Olivia realized she had been the one that was being called .

"Hello Onyi kedu?"

Chidiogo seemed genuinely worried about her son who had refused to visit for months. She couldn't tell why Onyedikachi had become the stubborn child but suspected it to be her encounter with Obanma when he had been stabbed.

Chidiogo couldn't help the fear that crept up her skin as she remembered that they had been stabbed in her house and the thought of the criminal resurfaced once more.

"Your mother is here too" She had heard Olivia speak.

Her daughter in-law handed over her phone to her and she began to speak to her son. Onyedikachi reminded her so much of her late husband that she often heard his voice through his.

"Are you well?" He had asked countless times and she affirmed

"I'll be home next week , there's something important that I need to do "

Chidiogo was genuinely pleased with the news and she exhaled deeply.

"Please be careful nna m" She had warned and he promised to be . Chidiogo handed the phone to Olivia who rambled about so many things at once and decided to bring her own daughter into the conversation as well.

"Ah Onyi , you'd be surprised how slow my gait has become. There's nothing embarrassing as standing still on the road to catch your breath simply because of the result of being intimate with your husband"

Onyedikachi's deep laughter threw Olivia into a fit of laughter as well as she approached her daughter's room.

"So when will you start making your own babies? " She had asked with a grin

"Wow! That is so lovely! Finally Onyi ! I can't wait " Olivia had practically screamed into the phone drawing her daughter outside.

"Oh it's a secret,my lips are sealed. I really can't wait to see her . Oh Onyi ..I am so happy for you"

Adannaya began to tug at her mother's dress who quickly released her phone and the little girl began to harp endlessly to her uncle about so many things.

She instructed her to return her phone and walked away.

Obanma's fit of rage lasted for days as she spoke few words to her family but always left to be by her friend Oluchi's side . She had always left in the mornings and arrived during the early evening.

She revealed her intentions to her sister who seemed happy yet terrified for her but the decision to tell Chijioke together with Onyedikachi she had agreed upon.

The day to travel to the village drew nearer and she sought ways to resolve the issue she had been facing with her mother.

That night after dinner Obanma made sure to speak to her family about Onyedikachi's intentions.

"When I found out that his father wasn't mine , I told him and we decided that we'd continue with the wedding"

All but Ada were quiet just like she expected them to be.

"I have decided that I wouldn't tell my father Iheanyi about this new development with Mr. Obidike even if it means performing two fatherly rites, he deserves that bit . I will visit Mr. Obidike soon as well."

Obanma's mother was the first to speak. "Obanma I know this is all my fault but you can't be angry forever . "

" I'm not angry , I am disappointed that's all"

Agatha and Nnamdi seemed contented being silent and she assumed they both agreed with her decisions.

" Uncle ,daa ....you must know all this is really difficult for me but I need your support now more than ever."

Nnamdi nodded slowly same as her wife and began to make inquiries about preparations made so far.

"His people will come soon but we will need to inform the villagers and the king. "

"Chijioke can do that " Ngozi declared which they concurred to

" The list for the marriage rites will be retrieved by Ngozi and Chijioke too"

"Maybe the two of you should go to the village together so that you can make the necessary enquiry and sort certain things out "

Agatha suggested to Ngozi and her daughter and they both agreed.

"Onyedikachi will be coming tomorrow, we'll be going to the village."

"Obanma, please be very careful inu"

Night came upon the family quite early as they were drawn to sleep. All but Obanma stayed awake to recount the events that had happened .

She heard her windows squeak from the harsh wind that blew. Obanma stood up and gently bolted the windows to abate the sound it began to make.

She rested her back on her mattress and tried to force herself to sleep. She opened her eyes to see a shadow hovering over her and was forced to practically jump out of her bed.

Obanma raced to door only to be halted by a voice that sounded too familiar it grounded her legs.

"O..bi.. Obinna"

"Obanma" She had heard him say once more and she swallowed hard gently opening her eyes . Her hands trembled and her lips quivered but she tried to conceal her fear.

She always felt it was her dreams where she saw her dead brother but she wasn't asleep this time. Could it have been this real all those times she saw him as a child?

Obanma gave herself a slap on her chin but it did little for her as she was already conscious.

"Obanma" She heard him call out once more .

"Obinna what is it ? What do you want?"

"To rest " He had uttered in a coarse and sad voice . One that terrified her so badly.

"But you're dead "

"I can't sleep"

"Why? Is it because of me?"

"Yes" She heard him say and she felt her legs crumble.

The myth was really true, her twin brother did really want her dead.

"Obinna you can't take me , I won't go"

Obanma felt a presence close to the door where she sat .

"I don't want to take you , I want to save you"

"Death isn't saving Obinna and I am sorry I couldn't stop what happened to you"

Tears streamed from her eyes as memories from her childhood clouded her mind.

She felt little hands touch her face and when she opened her eyes she saw a figment of her brother smiling.

Obanma shut her eyes tightly out of fear but she could still feel his presence.

"Death isn't saving, sacrifice is . Without a life another won't come "

"So you want to sacrifice me ? " Obanma had questioned. She felt the wind across her face which rested on her stomach.

"You still don't understand, we were always meant to die . I have done my part so will..."

A loud knock sounded on the door which drew a loud scream from Obanma's lips .

"Who? Obinna who?"

"Obanma o gini?" A voice called out to her but her screaming still persisted .

Ngozi barged into the room to see her daughter sprawled across the floor yelling . Her face full of shock and her body racked with shivers.

"Obanma o gini?"

Her mother enquired as she embraced her daughter .

"Obinna ,it was Obinna"

Ngozi terrified by her daughter's revelation held her tightly while she sobbed .

"It was just a bad dream, breathe in.."

Neither mother and child slept that night as the unexpected visit of Obinna threw them in a state of unrest.

Morning came with Obanma narrating her ordeal to Agatha while they awaited Onyedikachi's arrival.

"We will all pray and cancel everything . There's nothing to be worried about it was just a bad dream inugo"

Obanma still couldn't help the worry that came with Obinna's words. Who was next to die? Was it her?

Onyedikachi's arrival lightened Obanma's mood as she gave him a long embrace.

He greeted her family and was told of the new development to travel with Obanma and her mother which he didn't oppose to .

"Thank you for saving my life " Ngozi had declared when they approached the vehicle and Onyedikachi nodded with a smile.

She watched him keenly as he stared at her daughter who played around with her little cousin as Agatha and Nnamdi filled the car with items that Obanma needed .

"Don't stop looking at her that way "

Startled Onyedikachi turned to Ngozi who gave him a small smile .

"You called her Mma when she was a baby and you looked at her like she was a treasure. I still see it now , don't ever stop"

Onyedikachi was stunned by the revelation, it really meant she had remembered him.

"You remember me " He blurted out

"Yes I do , Onyedikachi. You helped me realize on that day that my twins were not mistakes. They were my salvation and I owe you deeply for that" Her eyes were fixated on her daughter who had begun to approach the pair

Onyedikachi's smile was only short-lived as another question troubled his mind.

"Your father was faithful to your mother till his last breath. Let's go home Onyedikachi, I think it's high time that I met your mother again "

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