Varieties Star

Joshua 1:9
[9]Have not I commanded thee? Be strong and of a good courage; be not afraid, neither be thou dismayed: for the LORD thy God is with thee whithersoever thou goest.

Father, in line with your commandment, I am strong, I am courageous, I am not afraid, I am not dismayed. The strength and ability of the Lord is made manifest in me everywhere I go.

The Mad Man

Episode 7

“Why didn’t you tell me you were previously married?” Nzube asked Ndidi. He took her to the house where he kept the mad man. He made sure the mad man was in the inner room when they arrived.

“What are you talking about?” Ndidi asked. She sounded very defensive.

“You were married and you never told me about it. Why did you keep that from me?” Nzube asked again. This time around, he was shouting with a loud voice.

“I have no idea what you are talking about. I was never married. I have never been married to any man. It’s the truth! I didn’t lie to you Nzube.” Ndidi said with seriousness on her face. And even though she knew she was lying, she solidified her defense.

“Really? You are full of lies and treachery. How did I even fall in love with someone like you?” Nzube shouted.

“You are beginning to annoy me. What has come over you? Are you drunk or what? What is the matter with you today?” Ndidi asked. They were standing in the living room. Just then, the mad man walked into the scene from the inner room. He was standing behind Ndidi who was directly facing Nzube.

“Do you know this man?” Nzube asked Ndidi with a lot of emotions in his voice.

“Who? Which man?” Ndidi asked. She was yet to see the madman who was behind her.

“The man standing behind you. He is your husband. You were married to him before he ran mad. Weren’t you?” Nzube asked with an authoritative voice. Ndidi turned around and then saw the mad man standing behind her. She froze in shock. She almost fainted but she held herself.

Over the years, she had secretly yearned to meet her husband again despite falling in love with Nzube. Though she gave up on ever finding him, he was always in her heart. He was her first love and he was the one who took her virginity. She started thinking about him again when he resurfaced at Nzube’s house weeks ago. Even as she asked the gateman to throw him out, she struggled to believe that her husband was still alive. When she saw him weeks ago in tattered dress, she struggled to accept the fact that he just appeared from nowhere, trying to get back into her life and that of her daughter. It was a mixture of fear and confusion.

She has been feeling a lot of grief since then and has not found the courage to face her husband. She has also not found the courage to face all the lies she told to Nzube about her marital life, and about Lucy. That was why she asked the gateman to throw him out the other day, hoping that something magical would happen and the issue would disappear.. But now, everything seemed to have come into the open, no more hiding place. She lifted up her face with courage to face the music. She slapped the mad man three times. By that time, Nzube had left the room to give them some privacy.

“You left me. You left me to be killed by the armed robbers. You never looked back. You never returned. Where were you Ikechi?” Ndidi asked the mad man. She called him by his real name, Ikechi and as she spoke with emotions, she continued beating and hitting Ikechi’s chest until he held her tightly and she rested on his chest and was unable to move again. There were so many emotions in the air and she cried hot tears as she leaned on Ikechi’s chest in grief. Ikechi held her tightly like a hard won prize.

It was a special moment for Ikechi who has long yearned to touch his wife again even if for just a few minutes. When he was mad, deep in his heart, he knew that there was someone special that he left behind. When he saw her and their daughter weeks ago, it was like a big stone hit his head and he quickly came back to his senses.

“I’m sorry Ndidi.” Ikechi said. Tears were pouring from his eyes and he was steaming with a lot of emotions. He cried so much that his nose started running.

“I was not in my right senses. Seeing what they did to you that night made me mad. I’m sorry for leaving you and our unborn child. I have never forgotten about you, but I was unable to return to you. But I’m here for you now.” Ikechi said as Ndidi lifted up her face to look at Ikechi properly. He still looked essentially handsome as he was twenty years ago. The fire of love she had for him sparked again in her heart and she rushed with speed and started touching his face.

“I missed you so much. Your absence has made me do so many bad things. I have told a lot of lies. I have slept with another man because of loneliness. I needed some warmth. I looked for you everywhere. I love you so much and my heart has always yearned for you. Where were you?” Ndidi said with heavy breathing as her emotions stretched to a breaking point.

“I never knew where I was until I saw you with our daughter. I lost my mind, but I’m back for you, for us.” Ikechi said. Ndidi could no longer hold herself as she drew closer and started kissing Ikechi. They fell on one of the sofas in the living room. Their love making was very passionate and strong and they never really minded if anyone was watching. It was fire for fire. Ndidi was surprised that Ikechi was still as strong as he was before running mad.

At that time, Nzube peeped from the door and saw them. He walked away from the room and then left the compound. He then realized that Ndidi’s heart has always been with her husband Ikechi but she found solace in him because her husband ran mad and she needed a shoulder to lean on.

Now that he has succeeded in reuniting Ndidi and Ikechi, there is one more problem.
“How am I going to tell them that I have gotten Lucy, their daughter pregnant?” Nzube asked himself as he drove out of the compound.

Watch out for episode 8.

The Mad Man

Episode 6

A few days after Nzube became close to the mad man, the reality of what was going on became clear to him. He became worried after the true meaning of what the mad man was saying downed on him.

“So if Lucy is the mad man’s daughter and if Ndidi is Lucy’s mother, that means I have been making love to mother and daughter?” Nzube asked himself. He discovered that he has been entangled in an ugly web of terrible relationship. He has refused to go back home and instead stayed in the house where he kept the mad man. Nzube was trying desperately to figure out the whole truth before confronting the situation. He does not want to make any mistake.

“This also means that Ndidi lied to me about her past. She told me that she has never being married. And this also means she lied about Lucy. She told me that Lucy is a random girl she picked from the village, but she is actually her biological daughter. What a mess! So, I have been making love with a mother and her daughter all these while?” Nzube asked himself again. He was seated in the living room, sipping his wine and thinking about how to rescue himself from the terrible mess. Suddenly, the mad man entered the room.

“You didn’t go to work today?” The mad man asked. He took a seat close to Nzube. He took a cup and poured himself some wine.

“My brother, I’m resting. Also, there are some things I need to get off my chest. I’m really worried.” Nzube said.

“What is getting you worried my friend? Is it a business deal?” The mad man asked.

“It’s a relationship matter. I wanted to ask you. Do you have a proof that Ndidi is your wife?” Nzube asked. He has been thinking of how to tell the mad man that he is actually in a relationship with Ndidi.

“Just give me a moment.” The mad man said as he entered into another room and fetched a marriage certificate. He handed it over to Nzube who was surprised that he was able to keep such a document safe for many years. He also gave him an old photograph showing Ndidi when she was pregnant.

“These are the only things I took with me that night as I left my house after the armed robbery attack. Shocking that I remembered to take it after I lost my mind. Love is a beautiful thing isn’t it?” The mad man asked with emotions in his voice.

“Yes it is! Love is a great thing! Wow! This is impressive! And this must be very emotional for you.” Nzube said as he took a look at the marriage certificate and the old photograph.

“So if I tell you I’m in love with your wife, would that make you angry?” Nzube asked. He wanted to see the reaction of the mad man so he watched him closely. He made sure he did not tell him about Lucy yet, as the result could be disastrous.

“I know you are in love with my wife. And I know you have been making love to her too.” The mad man said. His face looked sad after he made the statement.

“But I know it is not your fault. I’m not angry. I forgive you for whatever is going on between the two of you. You did not know she was married. But I beg you, please, leave her for me now that I’m back to my senses. I want to reunite with my wife and daughter. Please, I know you are rich and I may not be able to fight you if I want to. But, I want to be with my family again even if this will be my last achievement on earth. Please, I beg you, take me to them.” The mad man pleaded. He was kneeling down.

“I have already promised you that I will help you get your family back. I will keep that promise. Just give me some time to fix things. It’s not that easy but I will do it for you. I wanted to marry Ndidi, but now that you are here with all these evidence, I will hands off.” Nzube said. He stood up and left the living room.

Nzube jumped into his car and headed to the house where Ndidi and Lucy have all waited for him to return all to no avail. When he entered the compound, he met Lucy watching television in the living room. Ndidi was not at home.

“My love, welcome. I have missed you so much. Why did you abandon me for so long? Where have you been?” Lucy asked as soon as Nzube walked into the living room.

“Lucy, I’m afraid we can’t keep doing this. I mean, our relationship has to end. I have to stop making love to you.” Nzube said with a serious face. He did not allow Lucy to kiss him as she brought forward her lips.

“Why are you saying that? Have I done something wrong? Why do you want to dump me? You are dumping me because of my madam?” Lucy asked sarcastically. She went back to the sofa where she was sitting and wedged her chin with her left hand. Nzube came to meet her. He wanted to tell her that he has confirmed that the mad man is indeed her father. He wanted to tell her it will be improper to be in a relationship with her and her mother at the same time. He wanted to tell Lucy the who truth.

“I have something very important to tell you and I want you to pay close attention.” Nzube said. It was difficult for him to speak, but he has decided to end things with Lucy and her mother and allow them reunite with the mad man.

“No! You will be the one to list to me. And I want you to pay close attention because I also have something important to tell you.” Lucy said with force in her voice. She sounded very serious.

“You abandoned me here for many days, without a phone call, you were not taking your calls and replying your text messages. But guess what? I was sick and I went to the hospital for a test. Here is the test result.” Lucy said as she hands over a white envelope to Nzube.

“What is this?” Nzube asked.

“Open it.” Lucy said. Nzube quickly opened the envelope and saw that Lucy is one month pregnant.

“You are pregnant?” Nzube asked. His voice was trembling and his hands were shaking as he clutched the pregnancy test result.

“Yes I’m! And you are responsible for it. You can’t get me pregnant and then tell me you want to end things with me. Don’t make me think you are coward.” Lucy said as she walked out of the room. Nzube knows that things just got more complicated than he expected.

Watch out for episode 7.

The Mad Man

Episode 5

Nzube drove the mad man to a salon where he was given a clean haircut. His face changed instantly. He took him to one of his houses in the city and kept him there. The mad man took his bath, cleaned up properly and ate a delicious meal bought from the restaurant. He was given new clothes. He looked very handsome and entirely different.

“I want to apologize for the way I spoke to you in the morning. It is not in my character to disrespect people in your kind of situation. I’m really sorry. And I want to say I’m ready to listen to you now.” Nzube said. He was sitting at the balcony of the one storey building when the mad man came to meet him after eating and cleaning up. There is a bottle of wine on the table before him.

“Please sit down.” Nzube tells the mad man. He was speaking to him with a measured tone, trying to know if his mood would change like that of someone whose senses are not complete, but the man remained stable and watched Nzube with close attention.

“I’m happy you want to listen to me. No one has ever given me the opportunity to explain myself. Also, thank you for taking care of me. I have not felt this good for the past 20 years. Today feels special. I feel so happy that someone cares for me.” The mad man said. He sat on the extra seat on the balcony, directly facing Nzube. He is not behaving as if he is mad and this made Nzube uncomfortable. The man’s reasoning seemed completely crystal clear.

“Pardon me for asking. But are you really mad? You sound very reasonable for someone who looked so dirty a while ago. Pardon me please, don’t be offended. I’m just curious. Would you want to talk about your life with me?” Nzube asked. He poured a cup of wine for the mad man who sipped it with so much dignity.

“I’m not offended.” The mad man said. He lowered the cup of wine from his mouth, placed it on the small table. The air was cool and the compound was calm. Nzube bought this house a year ago because of how it overlooks the streets. When he sits on the balcony, he takes a look at many parts of the street and it makes him feel good. The mad man too seemed to like it when he looked down and saw people going about their business in the streets nearby. Then he started talking.

“I was once mad. But I’m no longer mad. I stopped being mad when I saw my daughter and my wife walking into your house a few weeks ago.” The mad man said.

“Can you recall why you ran mad?” Nzube asked.

“My wife is the reason I ran mad.” The mad man said. He sipped his wine copiously as he talked and there was no atom of madness in his voice.

“What do you mean? Did she use charms? Is that what you mean?” Nzube asked. He has become more and more curious as the mad man continues to open up about his life.

“She did not use charms. As a matter of fact, she is a very good woman and my love for her was immeasurable.” The mad man paused and sipped some more wine. He looked away into the vacant space and returned his gaze at Nzube. Then he continued talking.

“Twenty years ago I used to live in Aba with my wife. We lived in a one room apartment but we were so happy. We loved each other so much and managed what we could afford. One day, when my wife was pregnant and close to delivery, armed robbers attacked our house. They f0rced themselves on my wife and made me watch it. They did not care that she was heavily pregnant, in fact, already nine months pregnant. There were eight men who took turns to do it one after the other until she fainted and became unconscious but they did not stop. They tied me with a rope and held a gun to my head.” The mad man was crying and tears poured from his eyes as he recounted the ugly experience. Nzube was so shocked that he dropped the glass cup in his hand and listened more attentively.

“When they left, I was no longer in my normal senses. At some points when I was watching what they did to my lovely wife, I stopped being a normal person. The trauma and sorrow in my heart turned my brain upside down and since then, I have never been my normal self. All I could remember was me leaving my house and running into the street and that was it.” The mad man said. He bent down as tears continued to pour from his eyes like tap water. Nzube gave him a white handkerchief to clean his eyes.

“And you never saw your wife again? After you left that room? And why did you leave? You could have taken her to the hospital. I’m not judging you but anyone in his normal senses would do that for his wife.” Nzube said.

“I just said I was not in my normal senses. When I saw what she went through and knowing that I could not help her broke me down. I lost it all. If I didn’t run mad, I would probably have done worse. It was too much for a man to take. I felt helpless. I lost my mind. But that madness was gone the moment I saw my wife entering your house with my daughter. Knowing that she made it out alive and even gave birth to the baby effectively cured my madness. I thought she and the baby died because that night was so bad. And that is why I’m fighting to stay with my daughter and also my wife once again. I was not able to help her that night. I was not there for the two of them. But now, I will give anything for them. I will give my all to get them back.” The mad man said. He was still crying. Even Nzube fought back tears as the moment became very emotional for him.

“Don’t worry, I assure you that you will get your daughter and wife back. I will help you get them back.” Nzube promised. From that day on, they became friends and really close. But deep down in his heart, Nzube wondered how he would handle the situation.

Watch out for episode 6.