15 Episode 15

THE BrideGLOOM. Episode 15

MADAM NKECHI: where are you getting ready to go?

CHIOMA: I want to go see my children, mama.

MADAM NKECHI: why are you squeezing your face like That? Are you in pains?

CHIOMA: just a little headache.

MADAM NKECHI: I didn't know you were going to see them today. I had planned to take you to our local health centre to register you for ante-natal.

CHIOMA: tomorrow we can go. I couldn't sleep last night?. I miss my children.

MADAM NKECHI: I understand, my daughter. Let me get you some paracetamol.

CHIOMA: thanks, mama. Where do I get okada that would take me to town and how much do they charge? I can't remember the last time I used that mode of transportation. I'm so scared?

MADAM NKECHI: I will call the boy that takes me to the market . He is a very careful okada rider and he will drop you exactly where you will get a bus that stops in front of your husband's house. It will cost you one thousand five hundred thro and fro.

CHIOMA: oh really? And I only have five hundred naira.

MADAM NKECHI: not to worry. I'll give you some money so that you can also buy the kids some biscuits. No good going to see them empty handed.

CHIOMA: thank You, mama.

MADAM NKECHI: does Ambrose know that you are coming today?

CHIOMA: Yes, mama. I sent him a text and he said it's okay.

MADAM NKECHI: of course it's Okay! Here is three thousand naira, manage it and please make sure those children don't see you crying. Just be their usual mummy and don't tell them anything bad about their dad

CHIOMA: I'll do no such thing. I can't even get myself to speak ill of Ambrose. He is a good man and I won't deny it. The way he spoke to me this morning as if everything is fine between us?

I'm just tired of it all. I am!?

MADAM NKECHI: if you continue to cry, that headache is only going to get worse. You must help yourself. I know it's hard but learn how to cope. I'll be here for you all the way! I am your mother and my duty of care and love towards you, is a continuing one!

(Prior to the issues between Chioma and Ambrose, Chioma had seen some traditional men's outfit in a catalogue and asked Patrick if his brother who is a designer could make it for Ambrose as a surprise present.

Patrick told her his brother could make it and Chioma gave her the sum of thirty thousand to buy the fabric and promised to give him the rest on completion.

The outfit has now been completed and Patrick has been asking Ambrose of Chioma. Each time he asks, Ambrose would tell him that Chioma had gone to spend some time with her mother…)

CHIOMA: (knocks on the gate)

PATRICK: who be That!

CHIOMA: it's me, Patrick

PATRICK: Madam? Madam!!! Madam don come back! Oga! Madam don come back! (Runs to the gate and jumped on her)?‍♂️?‍♂️?‍♂️?‍♂️?‍♂️

CHIOMA: hahaha! Don't pull me down, You! I've only been away for 3 weeks! You are acting as if I've been away for years. How are you, Patrick.!

PATRICK: Madam, welcome o! I happy say you don come back. I don miss you well Well! Na only you dey come out come talk to me every day. That nanny na to dey watch TV she sabi. She no dey talk to anybody and she no dey give me food as you dey do.

I know say I suppose dey buy my own food but you be good woman!

CHIOMA: no worry, I go scold am! She suppose dey give you food.

PATRICK: Chai! Madam I don miss you well Well! Where your bag? And how your mama dey? Oga tell me say she nor well na him make you go dey look after her.

CHIOMA: Yes, she don dey get better but I'm not back yet. I'm just here to see the kids briefly and go back. But I'll be back soon.

PATRICK: Chai! Madam why not bring your mama here dey look after am the way you been dey do before? I nor like say you no dey for this house! This house nor dey sweet without you. And that thing don ready o!

CHIOMA: awwww! I understand. I'll be back soon. Tell your brother say make him give me some time and I'll give you the balance Okay?

PATRICK: Madam, I fit pay and when you come back you pay me back.

CHIOMA: keep your money, dear Patrick

(Chioma got to the door and knocked and Kate opened the door and jumped on her)

KATE: Tatiana! Mummy is here! Good to see you again madam!

CHIOMA: thanks darling. May I come in?

KATE: haba, Madam!!! How can you ask if you could come into your own house!

CHIOMA: thank you, darling.

(Chioma went inside and Mr Ambrose was seated in the sitting room in his pyjamas)

MR AMBROSE: good morning, Chy. How are you?

CHIOMA: I'm fine thanks. You?

MR AMBROSE: yea, I'm good.

CHIOMA: Is it okay to go upstairs and help Kate get the kids ready? I'm taking them out.

MR AMBROSE: of course it is. Why don't you eat some breakfast first?

CHIOMA: no, I'm good thanks.

(The kids were really excited to see their mum and as usual, Tatiana asked her a million questions in a second, including why she wasn't wearing any makeup and why she hasn't brought the baby she promised to bring soon.

After the exhausting session, they all came downstairs and ready to leave, including Kate)

MR AMBROSE: the driver is waiting outside

CHIOMA: oh! You shouldn't have bothered. We would have gone by public transport

MR AMBROSE: you already know my policy on that. My kids don't go on public transport. Kate please take the kids to the car. Chioma, can I have a minute with you.

TATIANA: daddy, why do you always like to talk to mummy in private. Every time, Tatiana I need to talk to mummy in private!

MR AMBROSE: because she is my wife.

TATIANA: Okay, daddy.

(Kate went to the car with the kids, leaving just Ambrose and Chioma in the living room)

MR AMBROSE: sit down, please

CHIOMA: (sits down without saying a word)

MR AMBROSE: it's never be the same without you here. I want you to know that I miss you, the children miss you. I don't sleep at night, I barely eat. I live my life daily answering Tatiana's endless questions.

Please give me some time to reconcile with the demons in my head. Will You?

CHIOMA: (amidst tears) can I go now?

MR AMBROSE: one more thing. I've replaced the three hundred thousand in your account. Altogether, there is 1.5 million naira in it right now. Here is the card, please take it so you could be taking care of yourself while we work on resolving this.

CHIOMA: thanks, but I don't need it. My mum is looking after me.?

MR AMBROSE: come on, Chy!!!

CHIOMA: sorry but I have to leave now (Walks out)

(Chioma took the kids to Lots Of Ice Cream. After they've had some ice cream, they paid for rides for the kids. As they enjoyed their rides and screamed on top of their voice, Kate noticed how hard Chioma was trying to fight her tears and decided to ask questions)

KATE: Madam, I'm really sorry to ask this question but I can't help it. Is everything alright between you and oga?

CHIOMA: Kate, everything is not alright at the moment but It will be????

KATE: stop crying, Madam please.

CHIOMA: that's true. The kids must not see me crying . Does Shasha cry at night?

KATE: a lot. They both sleep with their dad now

CHIOMA: my poor kids. Oh do they?

KATE: Yes. The first night, Shasha Cried from 11pm until morning and oga tied her on his back walking up and down the stairs singing to her. The next morning he took them both to his office and Tatiana saw a bundle of money, seven hundred thousand naira and before her dad could notice what she was doing, she had shredded up to five hundred thousand of it.

He came back looking so depressed.

It hasn't been easy on him. The other day I met him in the kitchen crying like a baby.

CHIOMA: Kate, my husband is accusing me of sleeping with another man and getting pregnant by him.

KATE: no way!!! What??? But oga trusts you so much! Satan is truly at work but he will never succeed! I will be praying for You, Madam (Starts crying)

CHIOMA: stop crying, Kate. The kids must not know about it. Under any circumstances!

(The kids enjoyed themselves and it was time to go home, Chioma put them in the car and as she was about to get into the car herself, Kate called her apart)

KATE: madam, please take this twenty thousand naira

CHIOMA: oh come on, Kate! Keep your money. And please whenever you cook, take some to Patrick Okay?

KATE: if you don't take this money from me, as soon as I get to that house, I will pack my things and leave?. I'll be giving Patrick lunch henceforth.

CHIOMA: (sighs and takes the money) Thanks, darling. Please look after them and never ever leave them. You are their second mum

KATE: I promise.

(Chioma managed to convince the kids that she needs to go look after poorly grandma Nkechi. After yet another questioning session from Tatiana, she agreed to let her go without them.

She got off the car half way and caught a bus back to her mother's house)