11/01/2020
T-H-E W-E-B (EPISODE 1)
I am the only surviving child of my mother. Her children were always dying at birth or as toddlers. I was named Remilekun just because she had gone through so many cry and agony over the death of five children.
My father had three wives and my mother was the last wife. It was believed that my mother's predicament was from her husband's wives so when I was a year old, she packed her things and took to her heels, taking me along with her. She went to rent a room from the money she had saved and we were struggling for life.
I became the apple of my mother's eyes. I was everything she had. She would do any kind of job to make sure I eat. In fact she could lay her life for mine.
My Mum was determined to see me succeed in life. We did everything we could to make sure I had education. We fought together to for me to get a University certificate and I did.
While in the University, I met Wuraola, the lady I loved so much. Our love for each other was strong and past finding. We were two love birds and people marvel at the kind of affection that existed between us.
After my graduation from the University, Wura was in her final year, we decided to visit our parents. I took Wura to my mum and she welcomed her warmly. Everything was fine as they both got talking but I suddenly noticed a coldness in my mother's attitude. She seemed not to be interested with talking with Wura anymore. She could not hide her disapproval in our relationship even in Wura's presence.
I saw Wura off and on getting back home, I asked my mum why she behaved the way she did and what I heard was
"Remilekun, you have not found a wife"
"What! M...m....ma....mami....what....what did you just say" I stammered.
"You heard me right son, I will not accept her as my daughter-in-law, so go and look out for your own wife." She said with shaky voice.
"maami.....I love Wuraola so much and she loves me much more......she is a good girl, she comes from a good home, well trained, well mannered.....she is a lady any mother would pray to have as her daughter-in-law......Maami, give her some time and I'm sure you would love her..... " I said calmly.
"Oluwaremilekun.....if I was the one that carried you inside of me for nine months....if I was the one poured blood on you, if I fed you with these my two breasts.....if I suffered so much to make sure you become somebody in life, you will not marry that girl." She said sternly.
Whenever my mother talked to that level, I already knew nothing can make her change her mind. A hot tear rolled down my eye. I almost gave up but I was ready to fight for my love for Wuraola, I couldn't think of what to do.
The next day, I went to see Wura to relate the ugly news to her. She was the first to talk about my mother's attitude.
"Oluwaremilekun, I noticed your mum does not like me"
"Wuraolami, my Mum did not approve of our coming together as husband and wife" I tried to hide my tears.
She was broken, I could see that glaringly. She knew the kind of relationship that existed between my mother and I, and I had always told her she's all I got and I would do anything to please her all my life.
"But why? Did I do anything wrong, I greeted her on my two knees.....didn't I comport myself as a well trained girl enough? Was I rude to her? Why would she say that when she is yet to know who I am?" She burst into tears.
"I don't know myself....she didn't give me any reason.....all I knew was that she is so determined to see us go our separate ways." I tried to be man and not cry.
"So, it is over between us, right? Wura asked amidst tears.
"I've come here for us to think of what to do.... I can't just let it go like that....I have to fight for you Wura....." I told her.
"Don't you have anyone that can speak to her on your behalf?"
"I've thought about that too.....she has a brother that she respects very well, I just hope she would listen to him.....Wurami, you don't have to worry, I believe she will succomb" I managed to convince her.
I went to my mother's brother and he came to our house to plead with my mother on our behalf. Without my mum giving any reason, she was bent on separating us. She would not listen to any plea whatsoever. At a point, she was talking amidst tears, saying she would never see us get married.
At that point, I told myself there was no more hope. I just had to forget about Wuraola for the sake of my mother. We had to go our separate ways but I knew it would be so difficult for Wura to absorb. We had played love together severally and there had been a soul tie between us.
To be continued.
©Writer's Pen
