CH 11|| Married at nineteen

At the end of my stay at Lagos, mother loaded our trunk with lots of foodstuffs for my family only, saying she wanted Chris to act responsible towards me.

We drove back to our state for hours, only the two of us. Throughout our stay in the car, we were as quiet as ever, not even a single word slipped out of our lips.

There were times I stared out of the window and saw something beautiful, I bit my lip if I tried opening my mouth to commend on how beautiful it was.

So I guess I'm also at fault. I took a slight look at Chris but he wasn't looking bothered by the silence. It was as if I wasn't even there. This guy really doesn't like my presence. Well I honestly don't like his either.

We drove straight to my parents' place once we arrived at the location.

My second (my brother after me) of about 17 years ran towards me first and hugged me immediately I stepped out of the car.

He also greeted Chris by giving him a manly handshake but Chris surprisingly gave him a hug.

Seriously I'm thinking, is this part of the plan.. pretence? Is Chris really doing his heart or pretending?

After that my whole family rushed out to greet us except for my father. He wasn't back yet from who knows where.

Thank God my mom wasn't on a night shift. I and Chris greeted mom and she gave us an effusive hug.

Honestly is it that only mothers of grown ups do that?

My siblings removed the goods from the trunk.

"I'm sorry Chris for not attending your convocation. No excuse can make me free from guilt " Mom apologized.

"No problem mother, no one is angry with anyone although mum was kinda disappointed but it's all okay now" Chris responded.

Normally my parents don't stay away from important occasions, perhaps something came up that's why they stayed.

My dad finally arrived, giving room for me and mother to talk while he and Chris talked.

Mum can be really funny, even after marriage she still wants to know about my private life. She asked how Chris treats me, whether I'm happy, whether he loves me and all that.

The questions were beginning to get annoying because I knew I had to lie. It was getting really late and we had to get back home as soon as possible. Mum and I went outside to see Chris and dad having an interesting conversation that even Chris was laughing for the first time. What could have made him laugh?

Majority of conversations with dad are just politics. And please don't tell me Chris is a politics person. I hate it.

But for some unknown reason, I felt strangely happy when I saw him laugh and I didn't want to spoil the moment but I had to. We said our goodbyes and set out on another journey but I wasn't going to the estate, I was alighting at my place.

Chris dropped me off and waved at me while smiling, then drove off.

"I don't understand you, " I said in a quite low tone.

I went inside my house, switched on the lights to see everything just as I left it. When I undressed, I looked at myself in the large dressing mirror.

I was nude, just standing in front of the mirror to examine myself.

I sighed as I looked at myself. My mother isn't slim, she is like Chris' mum, gorgeously plump. Just don't know why I'm the only one slim.

My younger sister is plump and really round around her hips and chest at just 16 years of age, adding to it, she looks mature than me on makeup actually. Good thing I'm taller than her.

People usually say they liked my figure, wished they were like me but I don't buy that. At least I like one thing on my body. I have a beautiful, big round backside, I got it from my mum.

I'm not really a good eater but I love cooking and my stomach protrudes a bit when I over eat then goes back to it's really flat position after an hour. I just don't know why I am not happy with my body. Am I the only one?

I remembered Jacklyn and Grace's presents because of the help they rendered me during my stay in Lagos. I quickly put them into my backpack lest I forget.

-----

After a few hours of sleep, I got up around my usual time, 12am so I could read.

Yawning, I stretched my hands high up in the air. Bringing it down with less force, I rubbed my eyes like a child, blurring my vision.

I dragged myself up lazily from my bed. Normally I don't always feel that way, maybe it's because of the long journey I had.

I shuffled towards my reading table where books were neatly arranged.

I sat in front of my laptop, opening it and then clicking on my WhatsApp to read the fresh notes sent to me by Grace.

The note was unusually too boring but I still read it anywhere. I am a reader who goes into detail reading so I finished around 3 o'clock in the morning.

I closed the laptop only to hear a beep sound coming from it.

"Who could it be now?" I thought out loud.

On seeing the sender, my heart pounded.

For the first time Chris sent me an email. It read: "Good morning Eddy, I know you are awake by now. It's your usual reading time.... "

"How'd he know? " I said with surprise, fluttering my eyelids. " I mean he was always sound asleep when I'm awake and I tried as much as possible not to wake him up."

"....if I'm not mistaken. I wanted to thank you for coming for my convoc but I was too shy to say it so I'm thanking you now. And one more thing, you looked amazingly splendid that day, I loved it " he finished.

I couldn't believe it. Is this real? Should I reply or not? He was looking good too. No I won't, he has to know I'm really not into this relationship.

----

Next morning, I was surprised to see Chris waiting outside for me.

This guy is so confusing. Argh no, has he started performing the nice husband duties since he's done with school. He can't be serious can he? Or maybe he's just being a good friend.

He came to pick me up for school, how childish I felt. He drove me to school in his car. Quiet but happy he looked.

I didn't watch him drive off after he dropped me in school instead I headed straight to the cafeteria before class.

Lectures never began yet because I was early enough so I took a seat close to Jacklyn and Grace. Our class was made up of only 39 students but we were divided into three groups mainly for practicals.

Anywhere today we are not having practicals but we are going to use the lab.

Both seemed excited to see me.

"Eddy? " called Grace, staring intensely at me.

"What? " I asked, looking at both of them as if they've seen something on my body.

"Sweetheart you are looking fine.. Like a freshman " said Grace, looking at me from my head down to my toes.

I sighed and smiled a bit, releasing the tension on my shoulders.

"What happened to you? You are not even on makeup but you are looking this good hmm? " said Jacklyn.

"Do you mind her, she hardly wears makeup. But Eddy what happe......" Grace was cut short by the cough that interrupted from the front of the class.

The lecturer arrived and lectures started immediately.

My friends and I sat close to the mini stadium at the center of our school. There we used an available Wi-Fi without permission.

Right there and then I asked a question which I horribly needed an answer.

"Girls, I heard of a girl who at 19 got married recently and she is still in college. How the heck does that sound? " I asked with curiosity which didn't show off in my voice.

"Who? " Asked Grace, turning her face to me with surprise written all over.

"You won't know her " I answered, pinching my cheek lightly because of nervousness.

Why was I nervous?

"Wow she must be crazy. How can you.. How can.. Ha, no please " Grace waved her hand dismissively in the air at neck level making me feel worse.

"Is he rich? I mean the guy she's married to? " asked Jacklyn.

"Y-yes he is " I stuttered.

"Ehn, good. If he's rich then she need not to worry because wealthy guys tend to understand their young wifes unlike some men who would dump a whole lot of responsibilities on her alone " said Jacklyn.

Her words made my heart soothe.

"So if a guy comes and proposes to you now, you would just accept his proposal right? " asked Grace, looking a little angry now.

"I would spare no time on a good guy " answered Jacklyn, shaking her shoulders excitedly ignoring the fact that Grace was kind of upset.

"You must be crazy then. Don't you know the stress behind marriage. Imagine you with a child coming to school everyday and many at times the baby disgraces you during lectures..."

"So? " asked Jacklyn, looking annoyed now.

"Not only that, your husband will leave all house chores for you alone while your mates are having lectures and then still wants you to fulfill his dreamy desires when you are about to read at night and all that. At the end you carry over your courses, you still want that right? " Grace mocked

"Hmm, Grace let me warn you. There will come a time when even your closest friend gets married, you'll get jealous"

She says, relaxing on a pole close to her, bringing out her lip in an angry pout as she glared at Grace.

"Guys that's enough, I brought the topic but you guys didn't even let me speak " I said, trying to bring down the tension between them instead of galvanising them.

I still wasn't satisfied with their answer.

"So Eddy, what about your crush, almost haven't seen you two talk, is anything wrong? "asked Grace.

I bit my lip not knowing what to say to them.

"He's not my crush anymore, no one else is and no use talking to him without reason " I said with no streak of emotion.

"wooow, you have the heart to do that to that poor guy " Grace winced.

"What heart? Save your heart for someone better, don't mind her. It's a good thing you have no feelings for that.. that waster." Jacklyn bloated out. "He claimed he likes you but I couldn't believe it when he actually tried kissing me, yuck! " she gagged

I found myself laughing alongside Grace.

"Why are you two laughing like that?" asked Jacklyn with furrowed eyebrows.

"I had already known he was a flirt, thank God my feelings for him had faded away " I smirked.

"The reason I'm laughing is, he's a flirt but how come he didn't see a better girl " she made a jest of Jacklyn but Jacklyn didn't seem to get the message.

The joke to me was terrible so I didn't find it funny. What if it was me in Jacklyn's place?

On a warm Friday evening I heard a knock on my door around 6pm when I was steaming meat for soup.

I immediately cleaned my hands on a kitchen towel then removed my apron, hanging it on its place.

The knock came again so I shouted in a calm voice: "coming "

I ran out of the kitchen to open the door for the unknown visitor. The door was shut with a key, I made that mistake but thankfully the key bunch was stuck in the key hole making it easier for me.

My blood went cold as I saw Chris standing outside my door and my head was spinning round and round in circles.

He was as handsome as ever.

"Eddy won't you let me in? " he asked, bringing me back to reality.

"Oh I'm so sorry, please come in " I said, opening the door wider and giving way for him to walk in after realizing my silly mistake.

Chris took a seat where he found most convenient. I really was nuts for being nervous around him like that.

"You've gotten your apartment well organised " he complimented, moving his eyes around.

"Thank you " I responded. " Is there anything you might want, I'll go get it for you " I said, trying to put on a smile.

"Yes thank you. The scent of good aroma spurred my appetite so I think I'm interested in your food " said Chris.

I was surprised at Chris' attitude towards me, I kept on asking myself why.

" It will take a little while to be done so are you still going to waait? " I asked, tilting my head to the left and lifting my left shoulder close to my head.

"I will, " he answered.

I continued cooking while he entertained himself with shows and news from my decoder. Too bad I subscribed for the lowest budget.

Cooking was done and food was served. Chris insisted I eat with him, I think he couldn't stand eating alone. I reluctantly joined him. Mind you, not on the same plate.

He ate the way I saw him eat in Lagos. I took all the dishes to the kitchen on my own then came back to the dinning to see him still seated. I joined him but didn't know how to start a conversation.

He started off with a smile. "I knew you were the one that cooked throughout our stay in Lagos. At least I know your cooking. So you can cook? " he said after thanking me for the meal.

"I-I do love cooking but I'm not a pro at it, my mom is, " I replied.

"Wow, then if yours is this good, I wonder how mother's tastes like" he said, placing his hand on the table.

I didn't know what to say other than to smile with closed lips.

"So about you, were you ready for this marriage? " he asked as if he didn't know the answer.

"Well no I wasn't. I wasn't ready because I didn't want it, I-I was forced into it by circumstance " I stared at the floor. " what about you? " I raised my head.

"Never, I was never ready at all. I had to obey my father, leaving behind what I shouldn't have " his voice remained the same even after the last statement.

"Your girlfriend? " I asked, peering deep into his eyes as if trying to catch a fact.

"She couldn't take it, she was feeling suicidal all because of me " his eyes stared at the table.

I felt bad but did she really love him that much to want to commit something horrible.

"I'm sorry for everything I've caused you and Amarachi " I apologized.

"No need to apologize, you're not at fault, no one is. You know? I can help you. I will help you pay off your debt to father so we can be free "

Did he just mean he wants to pursue me out of his life for good?. I want that too you know.

"No, absolutely not, I'm not doing that, don't bother. I will sum up just enough money in no time " I declined because I never like the idea of doing that.

"But N10 million is too much for you alone or is there an alternative? " he asked

"No. Look I'll be just fine Chris, I'll find a way " I said, making my palm face him while I talked.

"Okay, if you said so then no problem. I've always respected my parents wishes mostly my father's without compromising. I was terribly shocked when dad told me about my arranged marriage with someone I knew nothing about but thank God what I thought would be isn't what I expected it to be "

What did he mean by that?

"Why didn't at least refuse him? " I asked

"I tried, I didn't have the power to, he's my father. He is a strong man, one not to be joked with " he sounded serious.

"We can't even control our own lifes " I said

"If my sister was still around, well she might have helped me "

I gasped: "You have a sister? "

"I had a sister " his voice lowered as he looked down.

"But how come you never said a word about her? " my voice and eyes questioned.

"We all wanted to close that chapter forever, " he said, raising his head boldly.

"Why if I may ask? " I asked

"I wasn't usually close with my sister. She was an edgy time, kind of boyish,"

"Was she younger than you? "

"Na....She was my big sister but we were two very different beings "

"So is that why you were not close to her? " I asked.

"Yeah. She liked things her own way and there's nothing one can do about it " he said, shaking his head slightly.

"But where is she now? " I asked, trying as much as possible to be calm.

"An outcast " He said boldly

I gasped at the sound of that. Hate to say it but his family is terrible.

"Why? "

"Out of severe anger, she tried killing me, " his left eyebrow rose and his mouth slightly tightened, raising his face upwards a bit as he looked at me. That really made him more handsome.

"How? And what did you do? " I kinda sounded more concerned.

"She seriously tried choking me because I told on her for trying to break into dad's personal secret room as what I called it when we found out that so much money was put in there and i still wonder what she wanted large sums for even when dad usually gave her a lot "

Was she that bad?

"Father forgave her for trying to steal but planned on sending her to Australia to stay alone for a while only for her to take her anger on me and she was too strong for a girl. If not that dad saved me from her, I would have been dead so I owe dad my life"

"Was she an adult by then? " I asked

"Yeah, kinda. She was 20 by then while I was 15. Father got really angry because I almost died. He had to send her away to Australia for good and since then we haven't heard a word from her " he sighed.

I just couldn't believe my ears. I've never heard such a fight between siblings before, how terrific.

"I'm sorry " I said

"It's okay, you know you always have a thing with saying sorry even when you've done nothing wrong " said Chris.

I suddenly became free with him and he too spoke freely with me for the first time in history. He talked about my family, how free and friendly we were while I told him how I loved his mother most especially.

He asked me about my dreams and what I wished to become.

"A qualified dental surgeon. I wanna own my dentist's and also further my education, you know,I can't just stop at first degree. " I told him and he just sat, quietly listening to me.

I got to know more about him, really, that guy has a good sense of humor. At times we chortled at the hilarious things he said.

We both agreed on our to be good friends notwithstanding our circumstances.

Chris left around 9pm and I was astonished at how much time we spent chatting our nights away.