Rays Of Love And Blood! (4)

Continued from last penultimate Saturday

IT was the third day before Lekan’s parents heard that their son was in police cell. They were very worried and quickly made efforts to bail him out. Lekan had been beaten and assaulted by the inmates of the cell. He had a swollen nose and bleeding mouth.

“You see, Lekan, what we always tell you, this Igbo people are hard nuts to crack. See how they dealt with you!” Lekan’s dad said after he had secured his bail.

“It’s one of those things, dad,” Lekan replied, “I have to see Chioma quickly. I don’t mind losing my life in the process. She’s all I want in life.”

“You’re still talking about Chioma,” his dad said, “look at the mess you found yourself in because of the girl. You have not learnt your lessons.”

“I will dad, when I find her,” Lekan replied. That night when Lekan got home he couldn’t sleep. He was full of thoughts about Chioma. “Where could she go?” he thought. He remembered the only friend she always talked about who was close to her was Nkechi, who lived in Agege, on the outskirts of Lagos. They had both gone to her place during the naming ceremony of her (Nkechi’s) last child. He made up his mind to trace the house. That early morning, despite the heavy rain, he set out on his mission. About 9 :00.a.m when he was negotiating a bend he had a punctured tyre. He got down from his car to change it. It was still raining heavily. Lekan was soaked to his underpants in a matter of seconds while he was changing his punctured tyre. 

 When he was about entering his car some area boys robbed him of his money and mobile phone. He considered all he was going through as a price he had to pay for his sweetheart, who, God forbid, might be in serious trouble. For close to two hours Lekan could not locate the house. He was about giving up when he saw Nkechi alighting from a taxi-cab very close to where he parked his car.

“Hello, Nkechi!” he called excitedly, D’you remember me? Chioma’s fiance.”

Nkechi was dumfounded and surprised instantly as she remembered him. “Please, is Chioma with you?” he asked.

“Wow, I’m surprised you came looking for her after beating and driving her out of your house,” she replied.

“It is the devil’s handiwork, Nkechi,” he said, “I couldn’t have done that if I were my true self and in my right senses. I’m so sorry, please, is she okay?” he demanded.

“Yes,” she said, and he followed her closely behind. He was so worried and anxious.

A couple of minutes later Lekan and Chioma were face-to-face with each other. Lekan didn’t know what to say. He was lost, totally lost for words. He lowered his head in guilt and started crying. Chioma moved toward him and sobbed gently.

“Have you come to beat me, again?” she asked in tears.

“No my dear,” Lekan said in tears, “you know I was possessed by something inexplicable when I beat and drove you away. How’s the baby. Are you okay dear…I miss you so much…”

“I’m okay,” she replied softly, “how are your parents?”

“They are fine,” he said, “let me take you to your parents, they thought some bad thing had happened to you.”

Nkechi bade them farewell and they drove straight to Chioma’s parent’s house. On getting there, Chioma’s dad was already waiting with arms akimbo. When they got down and walked towards him she noticed that her dad was still angry with her.

She drew out a knife from her cloth and stabbed herself on the chest.

“No! Noo!! Nooo!!!” screamed Lekan, “Why do you have to do this, Chioma? Why? For Christ’s sake! God! Noooo!!!” he screamed.

Chioma’s dad turned and rushed towards his daughter, who was on the ground, drenched in her pool of blood. She was rushed immediately to the hospital. 

        “Please, don’t die, Chioma!” was all he (Mr.Okechukwu) could say. She was placed on danger list and taken to the emergency ward immediately. Her mum was also by her side, weeping and begging God to spare the life of her beautiful daughter. Drips were administered on her while everybody waited with bated breath for her to recover. Lekan’s parents, too, were at the hospital. They all prayed fervently to the Almighty God to save Chioma’s life.  

Gradually, a week later, she started responding to treatment. When she finally opened her eyes the first words that came from her mouth was, “Lekan, my dear, are you here?” 

“Yes, my love…” Lekan replied with tears of joy streaming down his face. And that was it. The two families became united with love. They were very happy at last. It was a matter of life and death. But they finally chose life. The two families buried their hatchet and agreed to let the two lovebirds marry each other two months later when she was discharged from Living Stone Hospital. They finally forgot their differences and filled their hearts with love. It was a grand wedding ceremony they had that eventful month.   

Chioma and Lekan had since been living together as husband and wife. The good Lord blessed the couple with a bouncing baby boy some months later. Love was definitely in the air as Lekan cooed these words in Chioma’s ears one Sunday evening:    

“Dearest Chioma, my soul thirsts for you. My heart longs for you. I can’t think of anything else but you. Oh, I love you! You are a darling! Say you love me too, dear.”

“I love you Lekan,” she replied, “with all my heart! Nothing can separate or part us…not even death. You’re my lovely cherub… ”

Concluded.