Capítulo 6: CHAPTER 6
The next day was a hectic one for Mazi Egbelu and his wife. Before dawn, he set out for his maternal home while Eunice set for her maiden home – Nwamaka's maternal home. Both journeys were unsuccessful; none of the two families had seen Nwamaka. They made brief stops at friends' houses on their way back, subtly enquiring if any had seen Nwamaka. These also all came out negative. By the time they arrived home later that afternoon, they were already in panic mode.
"God, please protect my daughter," Mazi Egbelu intoned while the wife wailed in muffled sobs. The level of distress they were battling multiplied when Chukwuemeka informed them about the summon by the Parish Priest.
"So, the story is out already?" He hissed. "Oh, please, God, do not allow my family to be put to shame. Do not allow my enemies to mock me. Oh! Nwamaka, why?"
Madam Eunice was now wailing uncontrollably. Chukwuemeka looked on in confused sadness as his father tried in vain to console his mother. Why would God allow his parents to become this sad? He indeed loved them so much and knew they were good people. His parents were the most sincere and upright persons he had ever known. Always obedient to the Church teachings, they lived a truthful life. Why did God allow his elder sister, Nwamaka, to get pregnant, his sister that rarely talked to boys? His precious sister, loved by all and a reference of good character by other parents? That was indeed a mystery to him.
* * *
Meanwhile, the air was lively and gay at Madam Theresa's house. She went about her dinner preparation in high spirit.
"Jesus bigi man
Onye na amaghi ya kporo ya small boy
Jesus na big man o!
Who no know am call am small boy."
She sang boisterously. It was a Friday. Her husband, the principal, would be home later that evening. She could hardly wait to regale him with the news of the week. It was not because 'Principal' was much interested in her petty squabbles and superiority contest; she rather saw the opportunity to show him that she was a better wife and mother in the whole of Umunze. This naturally presupposes that the husband was maybe somewhat of a contrary opinion. Indeed, the principal had been critical of her, especially of late. He had reasons to feel suspicious of her but thought it best to bury such feelings. Not only was he lacking in evidence and her closeness to the Catechist and frequent absence from house understandable, but his feeling was also prevailed upon by the fact that she was the leader of the church's CWO and therefore might be believed to be above board by many.
Openly questioning her faithfulness might do more harm than good. The good reputation he had built over the years might suffer an irreparable dent. He concluded it was a case of a mosquito perched on the scrotum. "Wisdom, Principal," he cautioned.
"Di m oma, nnoo," she greeted cheerfully as the principal made his way into the compound, the shinny silvery parts of his Honda motorbike reflecting the last rays of the dying sunlight.
"Umm huh," he grumbled in response. "How is the Missus today?"
The principal was famed for his formal and indirect way of addressing people. In most instances, he addressed his wife by her title of 'President' of St. Pius CWO or simply as 'Missus'. It mattered not if he addressed the wife directly or mentioned her name while present. In a similar fashion, Fr. Jude was unwaveringly 'The Parish Priest'.
"The Parish Priest sent for the Principal, and he is here to answer the call," he would say while answering a summon by Father Jude. This method got so popular that, at a time, it became a fad in the community, employed by those looking to create hilarious moments.
He was barely through with dinner when Madam Theresa began.
"My husband, did you hear the latest?"
He gave her one of those common 'what again' looks.
"Wonders shall never end," She continued, pretending not to notice. "People can pretend in this world. Pretending to be good when, indeed, they are rotten inside out. They come to church every day and open their dirty mouths to receive Holy Communion when they know their hearts are unclean".
"So, are you ready or not to tell me what it is that has happened this time?" he said calmly.
"Despite the exemplary leadership I have been showing them," Madam Theresa continued. "Despite the numerous Bible studies we have been having, despite all….."
"What is it, woman?" the Principal snapped.
She was startled, unsure of how to continue. Finally, she blurted.
"Is it not Eunice, our secretary? Another of her daughter is pregnant again in her house. Can you imagine that? Remember, this was also what happened to her first daughter. How could such a person be the secretary of Christian women? A morally bankrupt woman who cannot train her children properly. Our children cannot be that wayward. Look at our only daughter, Ugomma, a paragon of beauty and epitome of intelligence. She is the most decent and best-behaved virgin in Umunze. As a Choir and Mary League society member, she is already a pillar and a worthy example in the church, just like her mother. Go and ask around, my husband. We are a source of pride to you in this Umunze."
He was scarcely listening to her now, worried and lost in deep thought. He had known Mazi Egbelu almost from childhood. Their relationship could be described as cordial, notwithstanding their parts scantily crossed in adult life due to their career paths. He believed Mazi was a decent man and fair in his dealings. The way he particularly handled the unfortunate pregnancy of his first daughter and supported the young man responsible impressed him. His people have a saying that 'Emergency defeats the brave; but then, it is with an emergency that the brave are born'. As far as the Principal was concerned, Mazi Egbelu proved his mettle with that incident. Why was fate trying to deal him another dirty hand? That would be unfair, he concluded.
"Missus, are you sure of what you are saying?" He found himself asking amidst his wandering thoughts.
"Who did they say is the man responsible? I hope he has already gone to pay the bride price?"
"Why are you asking such, my husband?" she feigned hurt. "When did I start lying to you? Anyway, we don't know yet who is responsible. We will find that out tomorrow when they report to the parish priest. But will it be any different from the first? This time around, it might even be a vagabond or an imbecile. Irresponsible lot! Tufiakwa!" She scoffed.
The Principal stole a look at his wife. What a woman, he inwardly sighed. Her self-righteousness was astounding. Her ability to totally become oblivious of the log in her eyes while noticing specks in those of others was troubling. Had she somehow managed to forget the mess Ikenna, their son, nearly landed them at Nnokwa, despite his strict discipline and close supervision? He had concluded she was responsible for the boy's waywardness. However, he privately accepted that his frequent absence from home during his formative childhood years might have contributed to the problem. But was his wife suffering amnesia or what? He could not help but wonder. Even their second son, Victor, was beginning to give him cause for worry. He had been getting rumors of his truancy of late.
What of Ugomma? 'Ahah,' he smiled inwardly.
Beautiful, pious and cool-headed, she did indeed attract good commendations. She is intelligent, too, yes. He remembered some time ago when he spoke to her teacher, John Bosco, when he had gone to register her for the final examination in Secondary school – The West African Examination Council (W.A.E.C) exams. The result of that examination, which had just been released, justified the teacher's assessment of her. She did not only pass all her papers, but she also came off with flying colors in most of them. Indeed, Ugomma brought his soul tremendous joy. For this reason alone, he was willing to forgive Missus any other of her shortcomings.
While her parents discussed, standing just by the door that led into the kitchen and given cover by the thick porcelain door blind, Ugomma listened with mixed feelings. She was enveloped with great sadness and anxiety. She was a good friend with Nwamaka, notwithstanding Nwamaka was slightly her elder. Their devotion to church activities facilitated their bonding, and they were indeed admired in the church.
"Pregnant?" she shivered.
Nwamaka had complained lately of fever and weakness, and they assumed it must be the ever-present Malaria. Ugomma had even escorted her to the medicine shop at the market square to buy the malaria drugs her parents had recommended.
"So, Nwamaka is pregnant?" she whispered to herself. She started feeling very uncomfortable. Her eyes turned a little in their sockets, and she felt a bit dizzy. She touched her neck with the back of her right palm; it was unusually warm. That news must be making her sick, she concluded.
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