“Jenifer you are going home with me this moment. We are going home” i said seriously, watching her keenly.
“i’m not going anywhere with you just leave” she cried.
“baby, the past we can’t change, but our future we can shape. C’mon let’s go home” i begged softly, drew close and held her hand.
“no you don’t understand anything. We can’t be happy together. Do you really think you can segregate yourself from your people because of me?. C’mon your feelings will change in no time. Just leave” she cried.
Her friend and Joe barged into the room that same moment, interrupting us.
“you better leave sir” her friend said angrily.
“i’m not leaving without her” i answered defiantly.
“let me be” Jenifer begged.
“it’s either you leave with me or i stay here with you” i replied seriously with a drawn face.
“fine let’s go but this is kidnapping” she finally murmured with resignation.
“you can’t be doing this” her friend protested while she shrugged.
“don’t worry dear, thanks for everything” she replied, forcing out a smile.
Ten minutes later, we were in my car, speeding back to my house. Joe drove the car, while Jenifer and I sat at the back seat.
“you were very rude to my friend. Your behaviour was uncalled for” she complained quietly. I smiled and caressed her palm.
“i had no choice my dear. I was very desperate. Your absence nearly made me mad” i confessed.
“you don’t understand. I’m a woman. I have only one life to live. I don’t want to make a mistake of choosing a wrong life partner. I don’t want to spend the rest of my life regretting marrying a wrong person. We are in Africa for Christ sake. Marriage isn’t just only between two people here, but equally between your family and mine. Yours won’t accept me and the stigma of Tony’s issue will forever be there to spoil things. Please understand” she pleaded desperately.
“you can’t convince me to leave you dear. Yes i’m the bad guy, but i have you to live for. I have only you” I said seriously, kissing her hand. My phone soon rang, interrupting our discussion.
The caller turned out to be no other person than the same kinsman who paid me a visit somedays back. The same man whose words sent Jenifer fleeing for dear life.
“we are having a meeting to deliberate on your problems with Tony tomorrow. All the town union members will be there. My house is the venue. Time is 4pm” he announced, chilling my heart with the information.
I truly wasn’t a strong member of the union but it was something like a family gathering which i had no choice than to respect. I knew they all had ganged up against me to side with Tony whose stand i couldn’t really figure out. He appeared to be playing the victim game with one hand, striking with the other hand and covering everything up like a saint.
“you see what i’m talking about” Jenifer slowly said as if she listened to my phone conversation or knew what was in my mind…
To be continued
