JUST A LITTLE SIN - Episode 10

I have gone looking for Juru to ask him twice if he was Oni’s baby’s father.
He denied having anything intimate with Oni, he began cursing and insulting me for coming to ask him such question.

I even told him that money will be given to whoever is the father of the baby.
Juru said he doesn’t need my money but if I want some of his own then he can help my wretched life with few coins.

He accused me of trying to bribe him into accepting a baby that isn’t his.
He said after getting Oni pregnant, I’m going about looking for who will father my child.

He wasn’t stupid and since Oni is my wife, the baby is obviously mine. I should try to carry my burden rather than looking for an escape route.

It was a total waste of time trying to talk to him but I didn’t fail to warn him about my sister.
Juru replied that it was because of my sister he haven’t called his dogs on me, next time I come asking him such a thing, he won’t hesitate to deal with me.

I will try to fulfil some of the things I can to avoid further harm on anyone but there are limit to things I can actually do.

The marriage was arranged, it was not something loud, just two families coming together and one will be going back with goodies which includes money, clothes, food and a whole lot of other things.
My father with mama made all the arrangements before inviting Oni’s father over.

Oni’s father and step mother rushed down immediately they got the news of Oni getting married.

“Is good as your family decided to have her and pay her bride price, I thought she was going to end up with a man for free because we were ready to give her out to any man that shows interest, without collecting anything in return. Really wanted to get rid of her because she was much of a burden to us…” Oni’s stepmother said to my mother

“That’s a cruel thing to say. Getting rid of her because she was a burden? How exactly is a beautiful and sweet girl like Oni a burden? That girl is strong, humble, kind and teachable. She might be rebellious because you did not hide the fact that you detest her and her father did not make it any easy too..”

Oni’s step mother waved off my mother’s words
“She’s a burden, I really don’t know how you managed to cope with her but Oni is a handful. She is just like her late mother, trying to dominate and overshadow everywhere, she was always acting like she was the most beautiful but not knowing her reign won’t be for long. She’s just as stubborn as her mother..”

I might not fancy Oni but that her step mother is very shrewd to say such.
She should atleast respect the dead.
Oni once told mama that they were besties. her mother was a good friend to her step mother. Oni’s mother stood by her after her husband drove her out and marry another.

Her step mother was living with Oni’s mother before her sudden illness which started after giving birth to Oni and she died few months after.
Her step mother has no child. Oni is the only legitimate child of her father and I guess that is why the shrewd woman seem pained.

Just then Oni rushed out of the room, picked up the nearest stick she saw and went straight to her step mother with so much rage.

Mama quickly blocked her immediately she saw her rushing towards her step mother
“,If you ever say anything about my mother again, I will hit you untill you’re confirmed dead, as cold as my mother was before she was buried. I’m ready to face the consequences of murder…”

My mother was still holding onto Oni as she pointed the stick towards her step mother.
The woman retreated back in fear.

She said while pointing back at Oni.
“This is exactly thing I was saying. We’re better off without her. Good riddance, getting rid of her is absolutely the best. How happy I was when I was told you refused to return back after following a man to wander off. I celebrated with my husband. Now, is going to be just me with my husband, nobody will come inbetween us. You will be forever forgotten just like your mother..,”

Oni charged towards her and before my mother could get hold of her she hit her step mother with the stick.
The woman fell to the ground screaming, Oni was about hitting her again when I rushed and try to collect the stick but she refused to release it, she hit me on the shoulder with the stick.
It was very painful but I have to be a man.

My mother was the only one she willingly gave the stick to.
Oni’s father rushed down with my father immediately Oni’s stepmother released a serious scream.

She began to narrate how Oni started hitting her when she came to drop a farewell wish, she said she only wanted to wish her a happy married life.
Oni’s father began to scold his daughter, asking why she will raise a hand on his wife.
My mother try to explain what happened but the man who obviously cared so much about his wife was not ready to hear it.
The whole act appears like he was under the influence of something or just being controlled by the wife.

“I’m very much happy that I’m no longer under your care or custody. i sometimes wish I was dead like mother because two of you makes life unbearable for me. It would have been better to be dead than to have a father like you..”
Oni said before turning to leave

“You can join your mother if you wish, you’re of no use to us…” The father said after her

The stepmother added ” what is your use to us? Your father is better off without a child like you. Is better to be childless than having one like you. Look at your shameless self, already pregnant out of wedlock and the young man here is being forced to marry you because he had no choice. Aren’t you supposed to be hiding your face in shame. Well, atleast we will still get a small token as your bride price. You’re not worth much, so your death will absolutely means nothing to us. Your mother must be waiting at the other side for you, say hi whenever you decide to go join her..”

My mother angrily cautioned her as she asked them to stay outside until Oni is ready for the bride price exchange
My father took Oni’s father outside to speak to him.
Oni’s stepped mother walked out to meet her husband.

Mother went in to speak to Oni.
I heard her scolding her
“You should never ever wish death upon yourself no matter what. Mother nature may take your words serious and decide to grant your wishes. Death shouldn’t be spoken around you, especially not in your condition. Is very bad Oni, in your quiet time reject every word you spoke out of anger, I will also do same on your behalf. if you’re not important to them, you’re very important to us Oni. I thank God for bringing you into our lives, you bring so much happiness and light to our home. You will always be my daughter and I will care for you like I do to the children from my womb. No harm must come to you or the child you carry Oni. You have to fulfil the destiny your mother couldn’t..due to her untimely death. I know that she will want you to excel and become a great woman. I’m not sure she will be happy if you fail or give more room for your step mother to rejoice over your defeat. Don’t ever speak of death the way you did today.. please. Listen to me, If you don’t feel ready doing any of this then don’t do it but if you really want to do it then let’s proceed. Don’t listen or take to heart whatever your father or step mother says..”

I stood by the door watching her held my mother, she actually needed that hug and my mother’s knows the exact suiting words to calm her down.

Oni was sobbing quietly as she began to say
“That woman was my mother’s friend, my mother accommodated her when she was driven out by her first husband. I was told that after my mother became pregnant, my father showered my mother with so much affection, my step mother became bitter and started acting cold towards my mother. After my mother had me, she became very ill but managed to nurse me for several months before her untimely death. A kind neighbor was always coming to care for me after then because my step mother says she was not very patient with kids. In no time after my mother’s passing, she became my father’s wife and they both made life miserable for me but I was a stubborn child and did not make it any easy for them. I thought of running away many times but there was nowhere to run to. Tomasi might have used a love spell on me but it works out for my good. It brought me to you and you gave me undiluted motherly care I never had. I should hate Tomasi for doing such but I seriously have no hate in me for him. You’re like the mother I never had, you’re the only one I love and respect so much and if it won’t offend you then I’m not ready for this forced marriage and I’m sure Tomasi isn’t ready for it either. I want my father and step mother to leave, they don’t deserve anything from me not even the bride price. Let them go please..”

My mother assured her that everything will be fine and her wishes are well respected.

Watching all of this unfold I felt a very soft spark for Oni and didn’t mind getting married to her. despite I wasn’t ready for this whole marriage thing and suppose to be rejoicing now that Oni want It cancelled, yet I was ready to do anything to make Oni happy. I felt a special spark that wasn’t there before for her.

I wish to go on with the marriage, maybe I was too stubborn to see that Oni was the woman for me all this while.

Marriage will brings lots of good emotions for us but since she wasn’t ready, then is totally fine.

Indeed her parent doesn’t deserve a sweet soul like Oni neither do they deserve all the bride price gift we were going to give out to them.
I will wait until Oni’s is ready, maybe after she put to bed.

Once she delivers of the baby then we can get married and live as husband and wife.

But for now let me focus on supporting Oni and becoming responsible for Oni and the baby sake.
Even though Oni refused to tell me who the father of her baby is and Juru also denied having anything with her, I will try to start practicing now how to be a good father to Oni’s baby. My baby.