The Enemy Within

Read Story: SEASON 1 EPISODE 2

The Enemy Within, Episode Two

The time is 2pm and Clara, Uche’s fiancée just arrived at the airport in Abuja. She had flown in from the United States for their introduction ceremony. Uche was on ground at the airport to receive Clara.

“This is a very beautiful lady. I guese my

parents know what I like. She looks delectable,

elegant and confident. But the question is, will

her character be as beautiful as her face? I hope

she has a good character.” Uche said to himself

as he approached Clara. Before their first

meeting at the airport, they had seen each other

in pictures exchanged by both parents. Just as

Uche’s parents were obsessed with preserving

wealthy family ties, so were Clara’s.

“Hi, my name is Uche and I’m here to pick you up. I’m guessing you must have seen me in many pictures. Of course, I have seen you in pictures too, and I must confess you are more beautiful physically than you are in the photos I have seen. As I have learned from my parents, we are supposed to get married in a few weeks’ time.” Uche said, extending his hand for a handshake with Clara. Uche was disappointed when Clara ignored his hand of fellowship.

“Where is your car? I’m feeling very hot and I cannot stand under this scorching sun and talk. Please can you show me your car? And I hope there is a good airconditioner in your car? Because won’t ride in a shabby jalopy. Take me to your car at once. Please, be fast about it. If you don’t have a car, you can quickly let me know so can call my driver to come pick me up.” Clara spoke to Uche so harshly like a child. Uche was sad and he wondered if that was how she would continue talking to him when they get married. He chose to keep calm. After all, he was the man and must present himself as caring and as romantic as possible.

“Of course, I have a car. An expensive one at that. You don’t have to worry, because I have brought a Prado Jeep specially to pick you up. Please, let’s just walk to the parking lot so I can drive you home with all pleasure.” Uche said, bowing just like a chef do when serving a queen. However, Clara still maintained a stoned face, refusing to smile or betray any iota of likeness for Uche.

“I cannot walk under the sun. You have to drive the car to this place and pick me up. Why are you asking me to walk? Do you not have respect? Do you want the hot sun to damage my skin? I don’t walk under the sun.

Go right now and drive the car to this place. If you waste

one more minute I will call my driver. I’m tired of

this dirty airport. Everyone here is smelling and I

can’t wait to leave.” Clara was now shouting

with a loud voice. Many people turned to look,

with some of them thinking Uche was her son or

younger brother. Uche was left surprised at the

behavior of the woman he was supposed to

marry. He wanted to shout back at Clara or even

give her a dirty slap, but that was not

gentlemanly.

“Calm down Uche, you can handle this as the gentle man you are. You have never hit a woman and you cannot start now. You have never shouted at a woman and you cannot start now. You are a gentleman and it is not good to raise your voice at a woman in a public place. Calm down Uche and go to the parking lot and drive the car to where Clara is.” Uche said in his heart. He took a deep breath as he finished talking to himself and walked quickly to the car park and drove the Prado Jeep to the VIP area of the airport. He came down from the jeep and beckoned at Clara to join him.

“I cannot ride in that car.” Clara said angrily. She was behaving as if she slept that day and woke up on the wrong side of the bed. Uche wondered if he had done anything wrong to have come to the airport by himself to pick his fiancée. He also wondered if Clara was putting him to a test, but the whole thing was getting out of hand. But he still maintained his calmness and sought to know why Clara rejected the Prado Jeep.

“Why don’t you want to ride home in this car? Is there anything wrong? Have I offended you? I mean, we are just meeting for the first time and I can’t think of any reason why you would refuse to ride in my car. What is the matter?” Uche asked with a low tone, trying to calm the already tensed situation. He was feeling highly embarrassed because travellers at the airport were watching him and Clara like television.

“The car is dirty, cheap and of low quality. I only use Ferrari. If you don’t have a Ferrari, I’m sorry I cannot ride with you. I will call my driver to bring my Ferrari and pick me up. You don’t have to worry, I will join you in your father’s house and the introduction will still happen as planned, but you see that Prado, I’m not using it.” Clara said with a sarcastic smile meant to make Uche more angry.

“The Prado you are calling dirty is brand new. I

just bought it last week and it cost me a lot of

money. It’s not cheap. Please, hop into the car

let’s go home together. I mean, I have come here

to pick you up. There is no point calling your

driver to the airport while I’m here for the same

purpose.” Uche was still pleading with Clara to

use the Prado when suddenly, a beautiful Ferrari

drove into the VIP area and Clara hopped in

within a twinkling of an eye and the car drove

off.

As Uche was driving home alone, he wondered if that was the kind of woman that his parents wanted him to marry.

“I will die early if this woman becomes my wife. “Uche said to himself as he drove into his father’s compound. Clara was already there, sleeping in the guest room and waiting for the introduction ceremony. Her parents were expected to arrive later in the evening. It promises to be an interesting day. Chizi, Uche’s girlfriend and the housemaid has been instructed to prepare special food for the introduction event. She plans to ruin the event out of jealousy.

Watch out for episode 3.