Contract husband

“Her name is Ayanfe.” Omare replied her father.

” She is a beautiful one…. just like her mother.” He said.

Omar smiled.

He lifted his gaze at Omar once again and said.

” God is great…. God is so great Omare…. You know for the past ten years, your mom and I have been praying to God for you to come home…. And you finally did…. You didn’t only come, you brought your husband and your daughter to your family…..” He said and sighed.

” Thank you for forgiving me my dear daughter….. and as you have honored me today,…. May God also honor you and give you your heart desires…..” Mr Edeh went on and on, showering prayers on her.

After the prayers, Grace announced it was time to for lunch, and they all moved to the little dinning section.

” My son, ….. you said you have come to pay her bride price?” Mr Edeh asked Ife.

” Yes sir….. that’s the reason we came together…. To meet my wife’s family and to pay her bride price officially….. Omar and I are renewing our wedding vows in a few days from now…. That is why we came to do the right thing.” Ife replied.

” May The Almighty God bring it to pass.” Mr Edeh prayed.

Everyone chorused Amen.

***************

Rita opened the door and saw Richard at her doorstep.

” Hello brother.” She muttered dryly.

” Good evening Rita…. May I come in?” he asked calmly.

She opened the door wider and he came in.

” How are you Rita?” He inquired.

” Since when did you care about my well being?” she asked amidst a scuffle.

” Since now.” He replied soberly.

She nodded.

” How is dad?” She asked.

” He is still in the ICU…. The doctor said he has a 30% chance of survival….” He said and sighed.© 2024 Nôv/el/Dram/a.Org.

” you never bothered to visit him at the hospital….. despite the fact that you know he is in a critical condition.” Richard accused.

Rita scoffed.

” Since mom had been sick,….. have you and your father ever for once, came to visit her…. So please save me the pep talk and tell me why you are here?” Rita retorted.

Richard nodded and swallowed painfully.

” I went to the house yesterday but didn’t see mom…. Do you know where she is?” he asked her.

Rita scoffed, and ignored him.

” Rita please…. I really need to see mom…I know you know where she is….. please tell me?” Richard begged.

” Why now?…. Why are you just coming to look for her!!, after she had waited for you for years to come to her!!!…. you never came…. Instead you chose to join daddy in his evil schemes!!!….. I’m afraid it’s too late Richard.” Rita said with emotions.

” What do you mean by it’s too late Rita?” Richard asked impatiently.

She didn’t reply, instead she turned her back against him.

” Rita please I need to see mom!!!” Richard repeated.

” Mom is gone!!!…. She is dead…. She has gone to rest for good!!” Rita replied in agitation.

” What?…. How?….. when?….. Oh my God!!!” Richard groaned painfully, cupping his face with his palm. His eyes were evidently red, and in no time, tears poured out.

Rita’s sat on her chair sobbing profusely.

” She died this morning!!!…. She died calling your name!!!….. Richard how can you be so heartless as to abandon your mom just because of a slight misunderstanding that you refused to let go!!!….. How could you be so heartless as to ignore your mother when she needed you the most!!!!” Rita yelled as her sobs increased.

Richard ruffled his hair with his hands.

” No…. No Rita…. You must be playing a prank on me!!!…. Mom cannot be dead!!” He retorted loudly.

Rita looked at him and shook her head.

” I begged you Richard…. I begged you to go and see mom, but you refused!!!…. you were busy scheming evil with Dad instead, to collect properties that belonged to another!!!….” Rita accused her brother.

” I was the only one left to take care of her!!… Only me took care of our mom for two good years Richard!!…. While you and your dad frolicked around with women!!”

Richard sat on the floor and wept like a baby.

If only he could change the hand of time…

If only he had listened to his sister.

He bit his lower lip in regrets as memories of the times he spent with his mom poured in.

” Why didn’t you inform me?” he asked her.

She shrugged.

” Because you never cared if she lived or died!!” Rita replied.

” Oh Rita…. I cared…. I cared…. I was only stupid and insensitive…. I wish I had done better…. Oh mummy!! I’m so sorry!!!” Richard continued sobbing.

He sobbed till he had no more tears to shed.

Then turning to Rita, he asked.

” Where is she now?”

” Her body was deposited in the mortuary this morning….” Rita replied and sniffed.

” Please take me there.” He said.