Deadly Desire

Read Story: SEASON 1 EPISODE 31

It was just few weeks for Nicole’s traditional marriage to take place. Invitation cards have been sent out and all the necessary items she would need have been bought.

Nicole had calculated the money that would be involved in the traditional marriage based on the list handed to Nosa. She handed the money to him.

Though worried initially that no member of Nosa would attend the traditional marriage, Nosa had told her friends. They told her this may raise suspicion or alarm. They advised her to make arrangements with people who would stand in as his family.

“You don’t need his family” Osato told her.

“We will organize people that will represent his family. All you do is pay them. People are willing to do anything for money these days. And after the marriage, it’s between you and him. As long as he is well tied, he will never listen to his family, no matter what they say. Go back to Pastor Smart. Tell him to tie him again. The charm has to be renewed every now and then.

My husband’s family has no say in the affairs of my marriage. Today, I am enjoying. I bring in men to the house and he dare not cough. I throw party too. I control his money. He has written his will and all his properties belongs to me. When I am tired of the marriage, I can kill him and I become a widow for a while. Then I get married to another rich guy, who will listen to me” She said laughing “I am not in for love”

“Well you love Nosa. For you it’s love not money. So tie him very well. He must never locate the route to his family. You can eliminate his wife too, or do you want her to be an obstacle?” Mercy asked.

“God forbid!”

“Then do the needful” Mercy told her.

The two friends organized people that will represent Nosa’s family and Nicole paid them handsomely. Just few days and she will be a married woman like her friends. She was going to pull crowd and show her expensive traditional attire. She wants her marriage to be the talk of the city for a long time.

Nicole opened the boxes of clothes she bought and started admiring them. Just then Nosa walked into the room and sat on the chair. He watched as Nicole raised one of the gowns.

“Isn’t it beautiful?” She asked.

“It is!”

Nicole smiled but Nosa frowned.

“I am not going to marry you” He said “Where is Itohan? I want my wife. I have not seen them for long. You are not my wife”

Nicole was first shocked, then surprised with open mouth.

She dropped the gown and sat on the chair beside him.

“Now you are acting like a child” She told him “I want you to listen to me my darling. You belong to me. Itohan can never have you again. You are going through with this marriage. After my bride price has been paid we will return here for our court marriage. Have I made myself clear?”

Nosa nodded.

“One more thing. No more throwing of tantrum. Don’t ever mention Itohan’s name again”

Nosa nodded again.

“You can get out”

He stood up and left the room like a zombie. Nicole let out a breath of fresh air from her mouth.

“That was a close one” She whispered.

She stood up again, returned the boxes to their original positions and began to pace the room in a deep thought.

———————————–

Itohan was well received by Nosa’s parents. They were even more surprised that she has a baby without their knowledge. She apologized for not mentioning it to them.

That same evening, Itohan told them why she came all the way from Lagos to Benin.

“Enh!” Her father in law exclaimed.

“Iye mwen ooh!” Her mother inlaw shouted, placing her hands on her head.

“Na so I see am oo” Itohan told them.

“No wonder he doesn’t pick our calls. I have called several times” His father said.

“What kind of embarrassment is this?. My son would leave his marriage to elope with another woman” Nosa’s mother said.

“Have you ever come in contact with the said woman before?” Nosa’s father asked.

“You know her na. Nicole! The woman wey Nosa be wan marry before he marry me”

“That same Nicole?”

“Aaah!” Na she oo and I nor know where she dey stay oo ”

“It’s all right. We will handle it from here. We can’t go and fight the girls parent’s” her father in-law said shaking his bald head.

“It is my son I will call to order” he continued.

While Itohan settled in her room, Nosa’s parents dialled Nosa’s number, but it was switched off.

The next day, they told her Nosa has not been reached, but as soon as they get in touch, all will be well. Itohan thanked them and also headed for her parents house.

Nosa’s parents were worried that they could not reach their son. They took a unanimous decision to visit Nicole’s parents. The purpose was not to fight but to inform Nicole’s parents of the situation of things. They wanted to know where Nicole lives, so that Nosa could be contacted.

Unfortunately, Nicole’s father was not home. Her mother listened to them with disdain and she reacted negatively.

“Wetin dey wrong if your son sey he wan marry my daughter? Na love na! Your son love my daughter and he don tell us say he wan marry her. Why una come dey disturb una sef”

“It’s alright. We are not here to quarrel with you. We just want to know the whereabout of our son. We know he is with your daughter” Nosa’s father told her.

“Make una call Nosa with una phone na!”

“His phone is always switched off” Nosa’s father lamented.

“How that one take concern me. I no fit tell you where my daughter dey for Lagos oo”

Nosa’s mother who was already angry stood up suddenly.

“Pray that nothing bad happens to my son”

“Nothing go happen. Because them don fix the marriage and them must marry”

Nosa’s parents laughed.

“We shall see about that” They chorused.

“E no get wetin una fit do. You be wicked woman” She said “Na you make your son no marry my daughter that time”

Nosa’s father didn’t allow his wife to respond to that. He held his wife’s hand and they left the house.

They entered Itohan’s house which is the next compound and apologized to her parents. They told Itohan not to worry, that they will ensure that their marriage is restored.

Itohan spent two days with her parents before returning to Lagos.

———————————–

Nicole had been briefed by her mother about the visit of Nosa’s parents. She was provoked.

“It’s the handiwork of Itohan. She had told them bad things about me” She told her mother on the phone.

“Him parents fit spoil the marriage oo”

“Did you tell them the date”

“God forbid. I be mumu? Itohan don become problem oo. If you really wan enjoy your marriage with Nosa, you better comot her for road oo”

“Iye no worry. I know wetin I go do”

“I trust you my daughter”

After that conversation with her mother, she made up her mind to settle the issue of Itohan once and for all.

After breakfast with Nosa, she kissed him and hurriedly left the house. She drove without caution to Pastor Smart’s church. That particular day was opened for those who wants to see him.

She was ushered into his well furnished office. He received her with a warm smile.

“What can I do for you this time” He asked her “You know I will always be at your service”

Nicole smiled then told him the reason for the visit.

“You should have taken her out long ago” He told her.

“I delayed” Nicole confessed.

Pastor Smart opened his drawer and brought out a piece of paper.

“Write her name here”

Nicole took the paper and biro from him and wrote Itohan’s name. Then she handed the paper to him. He looked at the name then returned the paper to the drawer.

“N2million” He said.

“For what?”

Pastor Smart laughed hilariously.

“Is N2M too much to take a life?”

“Not at all”

“Good”

“I will send it”

“Good. When I am through everyone will forget that Itohan ever walked on the surface of this earth”

“And Pastor, I want you to tie Nosa again” she told him with a deep frown on her face.

“Settled” he said laughing hilariously.