Rays of love and blood! (1)

Chioma loved Lekan with all her heart. Their love affair transcended tribal and cultural barriers. Chioma had vowed she would marry Lekan, despite the fact that he was a Yoruba man and she was an Igbo girl. They had been dating for the past five years. Chioma’s parents were not in support of the relationship, ditto Lekan’s parents, who had warned him of impending doom, if he ever put her in the family way. Lekan was lucky to get a good job after his graduation at the University of Lagos. He studied Sociology while Chioma studied International Relations. Their relationship started way back in their first year at the university. Lekan was a six-footer; he was handsome and light-skinned.

“Chioma,” her dad called, “if you ever get pregnant for that ‘Ngbati Ngbati’ man, I’ll disown you as my daughter! How can you fall in love with a Yoruba man? Are you out of your mind?” he questioned.

“But dad,” she pleaded, “I’m truly in love with him… I can’t do without Lekan. He is my man of men. He has all the qualities I want in a man, dad.”

“Shut up, Chioma,” her mum intervened, “if you ever say that again I’ll slap you! Among all the Igbo guys seeking your hand in marriage you can’t find any right suitor but that useless, good-for-nothing, irresponsible and worthless Yoruba man! He must have charmed you with juju! I really can’t understand all this! Tufiakwa, a Yoruba man! An abomination and taboo of the greatest magnitude!” she got up in anger.

“But mum, dad, you can’t do this to me…” she broke down in tears and wept, “you know Lekan loves me… you know he makes me happy… you know he has all I cherish and desire in a man…why mama? Why papa? Oh, God, I’m already pregnant for him!”

“You did what? Repeat what you’ve just said Chioma!” her dad interjected, standing up in fiery anger, “Pack your bag and baggage, everything you have in this house and leave immediately! I disown you as my daughter as from today! You won’t bring shame and disgrace on my family! This is disgusting and irritating! Love? Love my foot! To hell with you and the so-called Lekan! If you’re not marrying an Igbo man, then you’re not my daughter! Before the count of three I want you out of my house! Your so-called pregnancy is nothing but a maggot in the septic tank! You’ll regret your actions, Chioma! You’ll live to regret it, I swear!” he was livid with rage.

Chioma went inside her room in tears and painful sobs. She packed out of her parents’ house that fateful hot Saturday afternoon. ‘What more can I do, where would I go?’ she thought questioningly. She shook her head sorrowfully. Truly, she was two months pregnant for Lekan. Now that her parents had disowned her, she knew she had only one option – to see Lekan and tell him the mind-boggling and worrisome development. The scorching heat of the tropical sun pierced through her smooth and velvety skin. The lovely and pretty Chioma walked hurriedly; the pain and grief in her heart was too much to bear.

To be continued

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