MORE THAN A CARVING CHAPTER 11

MORE THAN A CARVING
CHAPTER 11
Iwalade couldn’t bring herself up to say it. “Hold on ma, I don’t get. Are you….are you….telling me……” “Yes, Iwalade, my husband died on the night of our honeymoon, he slept and never woke up.” “Jesus Christ! Haa…..trouble.” Iwalade exclaimed. “Real trouble my dear. How many people will believe that I had nothing to do with his death? A young man who is healthy and full of life, a lot of things were going through my head that day; I didn’t know what to do or who to call. I cried shaking him, I wailed, I begged him but he didn’t wake up.” “This is tragedy, a terrible one at that. Ah……” Iwalade exclaimed again, still in shock. “And guess what, my husband was the only child.” “My God!” “I finally summoned courage to call room service, they came and I explained everything to them. They called the police who came over to the hotel. I watched as my husband’s body was carried away in a body bag.” “What about you?” “You know the answer already, I was in police custody for days, and my husband’s family was contacted. They demanded for an autopsy, the results showed he died of heart attack and there was no trace of murder. It was when the result came out that I was released and sent back to Nigeria. My husband’s family also requested for the body to be sent to Nigeria, it was not an easy bargain but because of their wealth and influence the corpse was released and brought to Nigeria. At the airport here in Nigeria, crowds were already waiting for me including the press. My family members were there as well but I was moved to my parents in-laws’ house.” “You went to Paris with your newly wedded husband and returned with……” “I returned with a dead husband, I became a widow at 35.” “Hmm…….” Iwalade sighed heavily, and then Mrs. Williams continued. “After the burial, my husband’s family insisted I stay with them. My parents were scared at first but I told them not to worry, I know I’ll be fine. I know I messed up, God warned me, He even used my pastor for me but I didn’t listen but despite all I still believe that my God will not leave me.” “How was life alone in the family house?” Iwalade asked. “Tough, despite the autopsy result some still believe I killed him. My husband’s Uncle showed me pepper. My Father Inlaw was late; and according to history, he died a mysterious death as well. It was only my mother in law that stood by me, imagine, the person I thought will eat me raw when I returned to Nigeria was the same person that had my back.”“You have said it yourself; God will never leave His own children.” Iwalade said. “God used my mother inlaw for me so when the other family members realized that the one who birthed her son is not holding any grudges against me, they decided to let me be a little but they all hated me till date.” “Why?” “I got pregnant, an heir was born and it ruined their plans.” “You mean Imisi is your late husband’s son!” “Yes, I conceived that night.” “Wow! What a wonderful God!” Iwalade exclaimed. “I remembered you told me the the first time we met that his name sounds deep.” “True.” “That was the reason why I named him Imisioluwa because it was God’s breathe that formed him that night, my husband would have died without an offspring.” “Hmmmm.” “The day my pregnancy was confirmed, I cried so hard. I wish my husband was alive to see his seed grow in me. For days, I was not myself; it was still my mother inlaw that stood by me.” “God bless that woman. She is still alive right; Imisi spoke to one grandma on phone on our way to Lagos.” Iwalade pointed out “She is still very much alive.” “I’m glad she’s alive to see Imisioluwa grow.” “I’m happy too but…” “But what?” Iwalade asked. “I don’t know the fate of my son because they still all want him dead. I wish I could run away with him and leave everything behind but my mother inlaw won’t allow it.” “No evil will come upon him, just have faith ma.” “That’s what I have been doing all these years. Iwalade this is my story o.” “Hmm….. Who would have thought that you went through all this at that young age?” “I went through hell, I almost lost my mind because anytime I just remember that horrible night, I just lose it completely but I thank God who saw me through, but here I am today.” “All glory to God. He is a child of consolation.” “You are right. God used Imisi to console me and my mother in-law not only that,God use him to silence all my enemies. The Williams family went speechless when they heard the news.” “When did you now leave the family house?” Iwalade asked. “Hmm…. Before I answer that, something happened a month after I knew I was pregnant. My mother in-law came to my room and told me that I was free to leave if I want to. This was the same woman who insisted that I must stay in the family house after the burial. So I asked her why she wants to let me go and she said…” ‘I insisted you wait here because of this.’ she said pointing at my tummy. ‘I don’t get you ma.’ I said. ‘If you have left, who would have believed you? If you come back to tell us that you are pregnant, who will believe? They will call your child a bastard but now they all know that you landed straight here from Paris.’ She explained. ‘So you know I will get pregnant?’ I asked her. ‘I was only hoping and God made the only night you spent with my son fruitful.’ my mother in-law said and started crying. ‘So now, you are free to go.’ “But I told her I will stay and she allowed me. I was there in the family house till I put to bed. After I put to bed and weaned Imisioluwa, my mother in-law ensured I got a position to work in the family company and finally I was allowed to move into this house, it was built by my husband.” Mrs. Williams narrated. “I thank God, that God made you smile again.” Iwalade said. “In fact, if not for my mother in law, Imisioluwa won’t be made the CEO of the company; she stood by my son and me all through.” “Really.” “You can’t believe that some of these evil board members still claim that my son is not legitimate.” “They know he is. It’s just that they want to occupy that position.” Iwalade said. “You are right; they only drag the issue for their selfish reasons. In fact, that was the event we had when you went for your Mum’s burial. My son has been inaugurated.” Mrs. Williams said happily. “Wow! Congratulations ma.” “Thank you……” She said. “Now let’s come back to the present. Why are you still single? Or is there a man somewhere.” Iwalade asked. “Hmm…..that’s another story o, my dear.” “Really…..” “There is no man anywhere o. My husband family told me point blank to choose, it’s either I get married to another man and my son forfeits his father’s inheritance and also lose all the benefits and rights he ought to get from the family company or Istay unmarried and he gets everything. Remember his father did not leave a will. If I had remarried, he would have lost everything to them.” “So you mean this sacrifice was for your son?” Iwalade questioned. “My dear, what other choice do I have?” “Jesus! I only pray that you reap the fruit of your labour in Jesus name.” “Amen……” “Thanks for opening up to me. I really appreciate. No wonder, Imisioluwa was jealous when I came into the picture.” Iwalade said and Mrs. Williams laughed. “Don’t mind that boy o. And he will marry one day and leave me here and still he is jealous that I have a friend after many years.” Mrs. Williams called on Nike who just returned into the house and instructed her to serve them food, the two went to the dining to eat, and then Iwalade went back to her place later after spending the whole day with Mrs. Williams. Iwalade got home and started reminiscing on Mrs. Williams’ life story. This world is filled of terrible things; no wonder in the Bible, Jesus said ‘In this world we shall have tribulations but we should be of good cheer because He has overcome the world for us.’ Iwalade took her phone and gave Imisioluwa a call to congratulate him, since the mother had told her she can’t pretend not to know about the inauguration. The last time they spoke to each other on phone was the day he came to pick her up at her cousin’s house in Ife. She placed the call and he picked the call. “Hello.” She said. “Hello…..to what do I owe this surprise call.” Imisi said. “Are you saying I can’t call you?” “Classy ladies like you rarely do so.” He teased. “Come off it, which one is classy ladies. Anyway, I heard about the inauguration, I just want to congratulate you.” “Hmm….you and mum, anyway thanks so much.” “You are welcome.” “How’s my mum today?” “Are you seriously asking me that?” She laughed. “Shouldn’t I or you want to tell me you’ve not seen each other today?” “Anyway, I just left your place; your mum is doing great.” “I’m on my way home; can I stop at your place?” “Sure.” She said and ended the call. He sounded friendly and she was wondering when Imisi and herself turned friends.An hour later, Imisioluwa showed up at her place, she offered him a seat and he sat down making himself comfortable. “How was your day?” Iwalade asked. “Hectic, it was meeting upon meeting.” He replied. “Eyah, thank God is Friday, at least you will rest over the weekend.” “Reason why I stopped at your place to unwind.” “Unwind at my place!” She said amused. “Yeah, let me start by asking this.” He said and paused. “Can we be friends?” “Friends!” Iwalade said. “You can’t be friend with me because I’m younger!” Imisioluwa chipped in. “No, not that, it’s just sounded….I don’t know.” She said, still looking confused with the request. “Okay, let me come out straight, ever since the drive home from Ife, I kind of get connected with you, you are just so smart and mature and I wish to have someone like you close to me.” “Really…..” “I mean, I’m the youngest CEO in town, I may need your advice and counsel at times, don’t you think so.” “If that is the case, then I pray I’ll be useful when my help is needed.” “So, you are saying…..” “Friend request accepted.” Iwalade said. “Wow! Thanks. Talking about friend request, can we connect on social media platforms?” “Sure.” She replied and they exchanged their social media handles. “One more thing, how do you want me to address you, I can’t call you Aunty Iwalade.” He said bluntly. “Wow! Here comes the proud rich boy.” She smirked. “You and I know that I’m not a proud person.” “No wonder…… I observed you haven’t called my name for once, is that the reason why you always converse with me in English so you can avoid using the honorific.” “You got me but trust me I’m not rude or arrogant or anything you can think of me right now.” “If it’s not pride, then you are up to something Imisioluwa.” “I just don’t know why, I just want to flow with you and I don’t want that to be aconstraint.” “I don’t have a problem with you calling me by my first name anyway, I mean I have people younger than I who call me Iwalade and I don’t get upset, but you coming out straight to tell me to my face that you can’t call me Aunty Iwalade seems somehow.” “Seriously, that won’t stop me from respecting you but calling you Aunty Iwalade will drive a distance between us and I don’t want that. I want to be free with you.” “Fine, I understand. Feel free to call me Iwalade then.” “What am I even saying, I can’t call you Iwalade.” “But you just said so yourself.” “Call you Iwalade! My mum will have my head.” He said and they both laughed. “Okay, let’s do it this way, avoid calling my name in her presence.” “What if I slip one day?” Imisioluwa questioned. “Hmmm…….” She was thinking of what they can do then he cut in. “Let me call you IB.” “Which one is IB?” “Your name nau, Iwalade Badmus.” “Oh, okay. IB it is then.” “Good.” He said and stood up. “Let me take my leave now but henceforth you’ll be seeing more of me around.” “No problem, I’ve signed the deal nau.” She said and he smiled as she saw him off to the door. “Goodnight IB.” “Goodnight Imisi.” She replied and he left.