CHAPTER THREE
CHAPTER THREE
Ikem rented a small shop from the money Amadi sent to him. He spent about one hundred thousand naira in setting up the barbing shop. He bought a few things that will be needed for his new business. On the day the shop was officially opened for business, Ikem threw a party that caused passers-by to ask, “Whose daughter is getting married?”
Ikem made sure he invited everyone that ever crossed path. He provided different kinds of drinks and served chicken, prepared by his girlfriend, Urunma, who was already living with him. He contracted an MC and a DJ, who made the occasion livelier. In fact, everyone that heard that such a huge party was thrown for just the opening of a barbing salon shakes his or her head in disbelief.
People that went into the one-room that was the barbing salon could not believe their eyes. They were expecting to see a modern day well furnished barber shop; but what they saw gave them a glimpse into Ikem’s way of life. Inside the shop was a carved mirror hanging on the wall and a long table that holds two clippers and a small tin of powder. Beside the table were two wooden stools, where customers can sit as they receive the service. Behind these wooden stools was a long wooden bench leaning on the wall. The bench was kept for visitors and customers that wished to wait for their turn. A small generator that will be used during power outage was kept near the door.
Ikem spent close to one hundred and twenty thousand naira in entertaining people at the occasion. This was just the amount that he could account for. He did not count in the money he sprayed on his girlfriend, the MC and the DJ, during the party. The party lasted till late into the night, after which many attendees drunkenly left for their homes.
The next day, Ikem put a notice in front of the shop, inviting applications from qualified barbers. Okonta, his best friend, advised him to assume the role of the barber instead of employing one. Ikem would not hear of that because he believed that he was too big to be a barber. He employed a younger man, who was very good at his job. However, Ikem formed the habit of collecting all the money the barber generated and spending them recklessly. He was always seen at different bars with Urunma and Okonta.
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One cool evening, Amadi was sitting alone in the sitting room watching television, when Olaedo walked in from the kitchen, carrying a tray of sliced carrots. She walked over to Amadi, sat on his laps and began to feed him.
“So what will you like to eat tonight?” she asked.
“My favourite. Guess what it is,” Amadi said.
Olaedo thought for a while and said, “Beans?”
“Not even close,” Amadi said and chuckled.
“What is it then?” she asked.
“Bitter leaf soup prepared with dry fish. If you have not tasted this delicacy, you are missing a lot,” Amadi teased.
“Not bad,” she stated.
“I used to enjoy the one my mother cooked. She knows just how to prepare it the way I like it,” Amadi said.
“But I don’t know if you will like mine,” Olaedo said, uncertainty trailing her voice.
Amadi carried the tray of sliced carrot from her hand and kept it on the side stool near his chair. He then held her two hands and looked into her eyes. “Whatever comes from you, I must like. You are the definition of like and love put together,” he confessed as and kissed the back of her left and right palms.
“Thank you” she said, beaming. “But I don’t think I have seen dry fish anywhere in the house, not to talk of bitter leaf. I will have to go to the market before it’s late?” she said.
“We will go together and do the cooking together,” he said and ran upstairs to change.
Later that night, after eating dinner, they both sat in the sitting room, discussing.
“Why is your boss being so hard on you?” Amadi asked.
“I’ve asked myself that question several times but I can’t find the right answer. Most times, he would deliberately send works that are not meant for me to my desk. And I would keep on doing them to avoid issues but yet, he is never satisfied with what I do,” she said exasperatedly.
“Could it be he has his eyes on you? Has he ever asked you out on a date?” Amadi asked reflectively.
“No, he dares not. He knows how much I hate married men being unfaithful to their wives. Although I have heard rumours of him making out with one of the female staff, I have never seen them together,” Olaedo said in defence of her boss.
“Just continue doing your best. See whatever he is putting you through as a training that will benefit us in the future,” Amadi advised.
“I hope so. When my father heard about it, he was so angry that he wanted to come and see him. But my mother persuaded him not to,” she said.
Amadi quickly sat up and said, “Speaking of your parents, tell me, have they finally agreed on our plans?”
“They haven’t said anything about it. But I have seen other couples who do the same. For me, I don’t think it’s a big deal. But still, I will put a call to them tomorrow.”
“Ok.”
“So, how is work in the factory?” she asked.
“It’s going well. My concern now is my younger brother in the village,” he said, looking worried.
“What about him?” Olaedo asked.
“Of all the businesses in the world, he said it’s only barbing salon that he wants. Who knows what people are saying about me? Perhaps they think that I left him in the village to suffer. It's giving me sleepless nights.”
“If that is what he really wants,” Olaedo spoke up, “you give him some time to do the business. If he is successful in it, you can get him a bigger shop here in Lagos.”
“That’s a good idea. I think that’s what I will do. Since I have given him money to start up a small one in Umuebe, I will give him like six months to see how he handles it,” Amadi concluded.
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Ikem sat in front of the house, carrying his jaw with his right hand. He was so deep in thought that he didn’t notice when Urunma came and stood beside him.
“Ikem, are you not the one I’m calling?” Urunma said.
Ikem jumped out of his chair, startled. When he saw that it was Urunma, he returned to his seat without uttering a word to her.
“What is it? What are you thinking of?” she asked. Ikem sighed and shook his head.
“What is it naa? Talk to me?” she asked again.
“Baby, I’m confused,” Ikem started. “I can’t explain what happened to the five hundred thousand my brother sent to me. Just two months, and the money is finished.”
“What kind of question is that? But you opened a barbing salon with it. Ehee, you should tell your brother the money has finished. Anyway, that is not even my concern now. I just want you to know that I am two months pregnant,” Urunma said and threw her face inside a nearby bush.
Ikem quickly stood up, facing her. “You are what?” he asked.
“What part of what I said did you not understand? I said that I am carrying your child. And please don’t look at me like that,” she fired at him.
Ikem became speechless. He turned away from her and looked into the distance, confused.
That night, Ikem and Urunma were eating Okro soup and eba when he observed that Urunma’s face showed resentment.
“What is it? Are you not enjoying the food?” he asked.
“Enjoying what? Okro Soup in the morning, Okro Soup in the afternoon and Okro Soup at night. I didn’t come to this world to eat only Okro Soup o. You better do something o! Anyway, when are you coming to pay my pride price?”
“I don’t have money,” se said feeling less concerned.
Urunma quickly dropped the balls of eba she was holding and jumped up, “Don’t even tell me that! What do you mean that you don’t have money? Are you not a man? You better do something o!”
Ikem ignored her and continued eating. Urunma grumbled and whined the rest of the night, but Ikem turned deaf ears to all her complaints.
The following morning, Ikem called his brother, Amadi. Urunman walked in as Amadi picked the call.
“Hello brother, good morning,” Ikem greeted.
“Good morning, Ikem. How are you?” Amadi responded.
“I’m not fine brother,” Ikem said.
“Are you sick?”
“No brother.”
“Then what is wrong with you?”
“Brother, I have found whom I want to marry. My problem now is that I want to go and pay her bride price before someone else takes her away from me. But my business is not strong enough to provide me with money to do that.”
“I am very happy to hear this. Is she from our village?” Amadi asked.
“Yes, she is from Umuebe.”
“That’s ok, I will support you. This is just happening at the right time. I have also finished all the preparations for my wedding, although I have not fixed the date yet. So how much do you need?”
“Any amount you sent brother, I will manage,” Ikem replied.
“Wow! This doesn’t sound like the Ikem I know. I am happy for you. You will hear from me soon.”
“Ok brother. Thank you. I really appreciate it.”
“It’s ok. Take care of yourself. Bye,” Amadi said and cut the call.
“What do you mean any amount?” Urunma asked. “What if he sends ten thousand naira, what will that do? Instead of telling him to send at least three million…”
“For what?” Ikem almost dropped his phone as he shouted.
“Won’t you do first traditional wedding and then second traditional wedding before a white wedding?” Urunma said, looking very serious.
“Which one is first and second traditional wedding?” Ikem asked.
“What kind of question is that? Everybody knows about it. The first traditional wedding is for the ancestors. While the second one is for me,” Urunma explained.
“Am I marrying your ancestors? You should be happy if I manage to pay your pride price, not to talk of first, second and third weddings.”
“What is that supposed to mean?” Urunma jumped up as if she was about to fight Ikem.
“Please, it’s too early for this kind of exchange of words. I am going to the salon.”
Urunma held his hand and asked, “You are going? What about money for food?”
“But the soup is still remaining naa,” Ikem answered.
“Again?” Urunma yelled at him. “For days now we have been eating only Okro Soup. And just now your brother asked you how much you need and you said any amount. What kind of thing is that?”
“Urunma, please leave me let me go. I don’t want to lose my customers.”
“You don’t want to lose your customers, eh? Am I the one that asked you to sack the man that was working for you? Please, I don’t have the energy to talk this morning. Ok, no problem. So, how much do you have in your pocket?”
“What kind of question is that?” Ikem asked.
Urunma quickly dipped her hand into Ikem’s pocket and brought out two hundred naira note. “Ok, now you can go,” she said.
“Give me back the money. That is the only money that I have right now. How do you expect me to go out without any money,” Ikem said as he reached to grab the money from her. But seeing that she was not ready to return it, he left in anger.