“My love, I can’t wait to come to your place with my people”, Ray said holding Maureen hands and looking deep into her beautiful eyes.
“Ray, you are the one my heart skips for, heaven bless the day I met you”, Maureen said smiling.
“My Angel, where have you been?, I blame my self for meeting you two years ago. I have been wasting my time here, wandering in this lonely world”.
“I am just here waiting for the right man, and along you came ” Maureen said with a shy smile.
They hugged again.
“In three days time, I will be coming with my people, please look nice for me, no matter what it takes, I will take care of it. I have boasted to my family and friends that I have found an angel on earth, don’t let me down”, Ray pleaded.
“I won’t darling, you know I will never let you down”, Maureen answered smiling.
“Thanks my queen, come here”, Ray said playfully and they hugged.
They entered into his car, and Ray dropped her off.
It was all celebration in the house of the Okigwes. Ngozi, Maureen’s mother was busy running helter-skelter to put things in order with respect to cooking and other entertainment while her husband, John Okigwe was putting the chairs and drinks in order.
The bride was in her room with her sisters dressing up.
“Maureen, put on this yellow gown, it will match with your new footwear and your jewelries too, Edna her immediate younger sister said bringing out a mini yellow gown from the wardrobe.
“No, Ray is not a fan of yellow dresses and besides I need to look decent in front of his people,”, Maureen said.
“Sister Maureen, who is talking about decency here?, You ought to look nice, It’s your marriage Introduction for goodness sake” Vera snapped, she is the third daughter and apparently the last child of the family.
“Alright, I am going for the gown Maureen said smiling. “Hope my sisters can allow me to rest now”, she asked laughing.
“Not yet Vera said, “Until you pack your hair into ponytail”. The three sisters burst into laughter. Their mother entered into the room.
“Maureen, hasten up, our In-laws are here already she said dashing out of the room.
Few minutes later, Maureen was called to greet her husband and his people.
She majestically walked into where they are all seated.
“Wow, what a beauty!, Mike, Ray’s bosom friend exclaimed.
” You are yet to see my queen”, Ray proudly said.
All of a sudden, Maureen stopped midway and turned to the guests, pointing at them she said…”
“Hungry bunch of people, what are you all doing here?, Isn’t it obvious that you all lack food in your various houses”.
The guests were all shocked and begin to murmur to themselves.
“My Angel, what is wrong with you? Ray said moving close to Maureen but she stopped him.
“Don’t move an inch close to me young man, I am not your angel. Wait a second, have you met me before?, Oh, this is what you do right?, Going to peoples’ house and claiming their daughters you shameless fool. Now listen to me, If you don’t take this miserable people out of this place this moment, you will regret the day you were born”.
Ray bent down his head in shame while his father stood up in anger.
“Ray, I would have cursed you right away but on a second thought, you have been a good son to me. What offence have I committed that you brought me here to receive such expensive insults from this young lady, an Ozor title holder”.
“Maureen, will you stop it, will you?, for how long will you keep disgracing your family this way? Ngozi said dragging her daughter out of the place. Her eyes was misty with tears.
John Okigwe rushed to Akubueze, Ray’s father, in a pleading tone he said…
“I am sorry my In-law, my daughter.”, but he was interrupted by him.
“Okigwe, you are a good man, I don’t want us to have any issues, please put your house in order.”, Turning to Ray he said… “Meet me in the house “, he turned and stormed out of the compound.
At the corner of the compound were Maureen was standing akimbo, Ray’s gaze met hers, but she hissed and entered into the house.
The guests were gradually leaving the place in twos and threes until they all left, all the tactics employed by Ngozi to stop them from leaving proved abortive.
Turning to Ray, Okigwe pleaded.
“I am sorry for the embarrassment my daughter caused you, please forgive her”.
Tears has clouded his eyes but he resisted the urge to shed tears like a child, he did not say a word but turned and left the compound with his friend Mike.
“You should be ashamed of your self, I cursed the day I gave birth to you “, Ngozi shouted.
Maureen was lying on her bed weeping bitterly
“Mum, if no one else believe me, you should. I can’t remember insulting Ray or his people. I don’t know what is happening to me, this seem to me all like a dream” she said sobbing.
“Maureen, how will you know what is wrong with you, when you keep insulting and rejecting your suitors. Ray is your seventh suitor, did you want me to die before my time? Why are you bent on disgracing your family this way? Ngozi asked sobbing.
“How did you expect your little sisters to get married with this devilish behavior of yours, people hardly associate with us these days. You better make hay while the sun shines instead of laying here shedding crocodile tears, nonsense! Ngozi thundered and angrily left the room.
“Maureen, everything will be fine”, Edna said, wiping her sister’s tears. She was crying too.
“Believe me, Edna, I don’t know what came over me, I can’t just explain, it seems like a dream to me”, Maureen said”.
“I understand you Sis, but have you tried calling Ray”? she asked.
“Yes, but he was not picking up, what did you expect him to do? he did not deserve such embarrassment from me”.
“Sister Maureen, I want to get married ooh, stop this silly behavior of yours, it is really getting out of hand. What else did you want in a man? Ray is young and very wealthy, handsome and the perfect description of what you have always wanted in a man, you better sit up or else someone else will take him away from you” Vera said frowning.
“Will you shut up your mouth if you don’t know what to say Vera, accord some respect to your elder sister. Instead of consoling her you are doing otherwise, In fact go to your room now Edna chided, pointing at the door.
“I don’t want to go yet”, Vera answered.
“I said get out, besides It’s time for your Jamb lesson Edna said pointing at the clock, “Go and prepare”.
Vera hissed and left the room, slamming the door behind her.
“Silly girl”, Edna called after her.
Maureen was still lying on her bed, sobbing. She knew Vera was right.
“Maureen, you have not eaten for the past two days now, did you want to kill yourself? Even if Ray decides to leave, another man who deserves a queen like you will definitely come for you Edna said.
“Edna, you won’t understand. I am tired of men coming into my life and leaving, am I cursed?. I am not getting younger either, I’m twenty seven. I really love Ray, I don’t want him to leave Maureen said weeping.
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“Sis, if he is the real one for you, he is not leaving. He will definitely fight for you. Mother said she will be going to another prayer house with you this evening”.
“I am tired of moving from one prayer house to another”, I am not going anywhere again, people should say whatever they want” Maureen said yawning and wiping her tears. Her face was swollen as a result of constant crying.
“Sis, can I get you something to eat now, Edna asked with a pleading look”.
No Sis, I don’t feel like eating anything now” Maureen said but Edna was already close to the door.
“I will feed you then”, Edna said and quickly left the room. She did not want to hear a contrary answer from her sister.
Immediately she left the room, Maureen stood up and locked the door.
She opened her drawer and brought out an old book and pen and begin to scribble.
“So, what is your next plan?, Mike asked his friend sipping a glass of wine.
“I don’t know Mike, I am just confused”, Ray answered. “I really love Maureen, I don’t think I have ever loved a woman the way I loved her. I strongly believe that something propelled her to act the way she did that day. I have dated her for two years now and I know to an extent what she is capable of doing. I know Maureen is a stubborn lady but she has never insulted me or my people. For days now, I keep wondering what must have pushed her to act the way she did”, Ray said.
“Ray, this life is mysterious. You have to be very careful before making a choice of life partner. The behaviour she displayed that day shows she might be from the marine kingdom or something similar to that, Mike said dropping the glass of wine on the glass table before him and looking intently at his friend.
Ray laughed and shook his head.
“Mike, don’t tell me you believe in those superstitions nonsense. I have dated this girl for two years now. I told you how we met at the airport, and since then our relationship has been all bliss”.
“Fine, Mike said “What are your people saying about what happened?, I mean do you want to go ahead with the marriage”.
“Leaving Maureen is not an option Mike, but my parents wouldn’t hear that. Nevertheless, I am determined to go ahead with the marriage, I just need time to think of what to do”, Ray said.
“Have she spent the night in your house before?” Mike asked.
Ray seems to be taken aback by the question, but Mike is not someone he cannot afford to tell the truth.
“No”, Ray answered. “Though, she always come to visit me during the day, she had always rejected the idea of spending the night here even if it warrant her going home late”.
“Have you bothered to ask her why she always insist on going home even when it was already late in the night? “Mike asked.
“Mike, I don’t really understand the direction your question is moving to” Ray said. ” Maureen is not wayward, isn’t it obvious?.
“I understand you Ray, I know she is not wayward and your relationship with her has been platonic, what I mean is that, you might just persuade her to spend the night so that you can observe her actions throughout the night”, Mike said pouring a fresh wine into the glass.
“Mike, you are getting me confused, Ray said looking perplexed.
“Calm down Ray, when are you traveling back to America, he asked.
“In two weeks time,” Ray answered still looking confused.
“I have a plan,” Mike said moving closer to his friend. My cousin brother has similar experience and I am going to tell you what he did.
“Ray was looking at his friend, impatiently waiting for him to speak up.
He gulped down the wine he was carrying and dropped the glass.
“Ray, he called clearing his throat.
“Mike,” he answered.
“Invite her to your house and…” , Mike laid down in details what his friend Ray should do before leaving for his house late in the evening.
“So what should I serve you my queen? Ray asked
Smiling and propping Maureen chin closer to his.
For the past few days, she has been visiting Ray
and they have been making plans with respect to their marriage, however Ray has something in mind and he has decide to strike today.
“You, Maureen said laughing. ” Serve me you”, she has been filled with inexplicable joy when Ray called and told her that he had forgiven her and that they should continue their marriage plans.
“My utmost pleasure, Ray said laughing and pouncing on her.
“Help!, Maureen shouted playfully.
“Who did you think will save you, My gateman? Ray asked laughing boisterously.
“Sweetheart please serve me food, I’m hungry Maureen said yawning.
“I have stew in the freezer, let me quickly microwave it, Ray said standing up.
Few minutes later, Maureen was served with her favourite dish of rice and stew.
“Taste so nice”, Maureen said smiling.
“Thank you, my Angel”, Ray answered. He was glad Maureen loved the food, but greater was his happiness that his plan was gradually falling in place.
“I am feeling sleepy darling”, Maureen said chewing slowly.
“I knew you were tired, let me take you to the room where you can sleep comfortably, while I take care of that Ray said pointing at the tray of food but before he could finish his statement, Maureen was already lying down on the sofa.
He prayed the plan work. He glanced at the clock and it was 5pm, he nodded. He kept himself busy, working with his laptop while watching over Maureen sleeping peacefully on the sofa. He wonder why he love her so much.
It ticked 11:30pm and just like a flash Maureen woke up.
“Ray, you didn’t wake me up”? she asked glancing at the clock with a bewildered look.
“I did not want to disturb you” Ray said.
“Damn it!, You and I agreed that I will not be spending the night in your place,” Maureen said raising her voice, beads of perspiration had gathered on her forehead and Ray wondered why.
“Yes we agreed on that, but today was beyond our control Maureen and we can’t do anything about it Ray said. Maureen noticed he was on his pyjamas.
“I am going back home now, I can’t sleep here “she said picking up her purse from the sofa.
” It is almost midnight and you want to go back home did you want to end up in danger? or did you want to put me in trouble? It is not a crime to sleep in my house, tomorrow morning I will take you home, Ray said with a note of finality.
“Take me home Ray, I don’t want to get angry with you”? Maureen thundered.
“I won’t”, Ray answered back. “I don’t want to argue with you Maureen, as you can see it is almost midnight, meet me in the room or if you don’t want to share my room with me you can choose any of the room and make yourself comfortable, he said, turning to the stairs.
“I will call the police right now if you don’t take me home”, Maureen threatened.
Ray was surprised, he can’t believe that Maureen just threatened him, he turned to her.
“Maureen, are you threatening me? he asked.
“You can go ahead and call the police if you want, but I am not going to allow you leave this place by this time of the night. You and I know that I am not going to hurt you. I have instructed the gateman to lock the gate, besides you are the one who overslept, so kindly do yourself a favour and stay here” Ray said. He wonder why Maureen was looking worried and restless.
It clocked 11:45pm.
When Maureen found out that Ray wouldn’t change his mind. She knelt down and begin to beg him.
“My love, ” please take me home, please I need to be at home now, she said sweating heavily. This surprised Ray because the house was properly ventilated.
“My love, Why are you stressing yourself over an unnecessary issue? , stay here for the night, nothing is going to happen Ray said.
“Can’t you get it, did you want me to die? Maureen shouted, tears was running down her cheeks.
Ray froze. He rejected the idea of calling Mike at that time of the night.
“I don’t understand, are you hiding anything from me? Ray asked. He has started sweating too.
“No, nothing, ” she answered avoiding his gaze.
“Tell me the truth, Ray said moving closer to her but she moved backwards.
“Don’t come near me you son of a bitch, you planned all this!, Maureen shouted.
“Yes I did”, Ray said. Right now, Mike words begin to make meaning to him.
“I will kill you, if you don’t open your gate and let me out of here Maureen thundered.
It clocked 11:50pm.
Ray was scared but he laughed out loud.
“Go ahead and kill me Maureen, he said.
“I will die if I don’t leave here before 12am, can’t you get it ? Like I have 8 minutes to live, Maureen said crying and moving towards the door.
Ray stood transfixed to a spot, he knew he was in for a trouble, but he really loved the lady before him and he is determined to help her.
“How?, he asked. “Maureen, you need to speak up, let me know how to help you before it’s too late Ray asked bravely.
“The diary”, She whispered enough to Ray’s hearing. “I need to write on it before 12am, she threatened me, she… Maureen burst into tears.
“I am tired of living Ray”, she said.
Ray was confused and scared but he mustered courage like a man and moved closer to her.
“Tell me all you know, my love”, you are not going to die. I am here for you he said holding Maureen. She was trembling.
It clocked 11:55pm.
“When I was twelve, I stole a book from a book store because of my love for books. When I took it from the store, it was titled, “The old woman and the pretty girl”, but when I took it home it turned out to be a red diary oozing out blood and all my plans to discard it proved abortive. I was scared to tell my parents because I stole the book. That same night, a toothless old woman visited me physically and directed me on how to use the diary. She said that any day I failed to scribble on it , I will be a dead person. She said I must scribble on it twice a day, twelve in the afternoon and twelve in the early hours of morning and each time I scribble on it, I feel great pain all over my body.
“You mean you have been going through this since you were twelve? Ray asked bewildered.
“Yes, Maureen answered trembling, she tightened her hold on Ray. “She always visit me every three years to renew her vow and to remind me of the consequences that will befell me if I disobeyed.
I know that if I stay over in your house, I cannot scribble on the book and even if I bring it along with me and surreptitiously scribble on it, the pain that comes with it will call your attention that something is truly wrong with me Maureen said trembling.
“Why did you hid this from me , Maureen? Ray asked thinking of what next to do.
“I am sorry Ray, I don’t want to die yet Maureen said sobbing. she glanced at the clock and quickly leaned on Ray shoulder crossing her hands around him in tight embrace.
“Does this has anything to do with your sudden change of attitude on our marriage Introduction day?,” Ray asked raising her face to met his. He noticed the texture of her face has changed.
“I… Maureen begin to speak but was interrupted by the crashing of the wall clock.
It was 12am.
