Destined Love: An Eternal Embrace

©. 2023 THEODORA KELECHI ANURUKEM. All Rights Reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted by any means without the written permission of the author.

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New York, United States.

Prologue

In the calm shadows of dusk, where the last whispers of daylight blend into the oncoming embrace of night, lies the heart of Owerri, a town wrapped in stories as old as the lands that cradle it. Here, history and modernity dance a slow, careful dance, one eye looking back, and the other gazing ahead.

Nze Chiedozie, a man of formidable stature and quiet dignity, found himself at the crossroads of past and present. The great banyan tree, standing sentinel at the entrance of his ancestral home, had been a silent witness to his family’s fortunes and misfortunes for generations. The roots of this tree, like the lines on Chiedozie’s palms, told stories of deep-rooted traditions, hard-earned successes, and the inevitable scars of time.

As a child, Chiedozie played under this banyan tree, its branches reaching out like the protective arms of his forefathers. As a man, he had returned here, seeking the solace and wisdom that only such a timeless sentinel could offer. The air around the tree was cooler, filled with the sweet fragrance of frangipanis mingling with the earthy scent of rain-soaked soil—a reminder that even the most arid moments could bloom with the promise of renewal.

Tonight, the tree seemed to whisper secrets carried on the wind—a prelude to the unwelcome change that was about to ripple through Chiedozie’s life. The serenity of his garden, where flowers bloomed with oblivion to the world’s chaos, was about to be disrupted. A letter had arrived, ornate yet ominous, sealed with the insignia of a past long buried, threatening to unravel the matrix of silence he had woven around his past.

As Chiedozie stood there, his shadow elongated by the setting sun, he knew the tranquility of his present was merely the calm before the storm. For in the heart of Owerri, under the watchful gaze of the ancient banyan tree, no secret remains buried forever. Tonight, the past was coming home, and it was coming swiftly, as relentless, and as inevitable as dusk itself.

CHAPTER 1

 With a few hours away from dusk, the evening breeze grew crisp and cool. You could feel it brush against the skin like a lover’s gentle touch, carrying with it the promise of a peaceful night. The sky was a canvas of pastel hues, with soft clouds resembling puffs of cotton, as if an impressionist painting had come to life. Nze Chiedozie relished this utopian ambiance, where he savored the tranquility of his perfectly manicured garden—a scenery that would make any lovebird swoon.

The Eastern Update Newspaper, his favorite news source, lay open on his thighs, its pages rustling softly. The words footed gracefully across the paper, revealing unbiased accounts of events in the southeastern part of the country. Nze Chiedozie lost himself in the reports, allowing his imagination to wander through the stories and headlines. This became a staple in his evening routine. As he read, he sipped on a glass of freshly tapped palm wine – tapped by none other than Dike; Chiedozie relished the sweet taste, that tangy burst on his tongue that erupts with each sip.

Dike, a popular man in the town, had dedicated over two decades mastering the art of tapping palm trees and producing the finest palm wine in the land. His admirers claimed he could climb tall palm trees with the agility of a monkey, and extract the sap with the precision of a surgeon, even with his eyes closed. As he savored the native beverage, a grin crept across Chiedozie’s face while he recalled the audacious claims. Suddenly, the calm was disrupted by a cacophony coming from the gate. Chukwueke, his security guard, was bellowing at an unknown guest, Chiedozie could sense the fear in his voice. He called out to Chukwueke, “Will you come over here!” yearning to decipher the cause of the commotion.

As if propelled by a force beyond his control, Chukwueke ran towards Chiedozie, his heart hammering against his ribcage with the intensity of his fear. Chiedozie watched with mild amusement as his security guard approached, one eyebrow raised in quiet curiosity. Before he could even utter a word, Chukwueke blurted out his report in a breathless rush: a man by the name Mr. Fidelis was at the gate, fuming with anger and brandishing a huge stone, threatening to crack Chukwueke’s skull if he didn’t let him in.

“Chukwueke, keep calm, take a deep breath, and explain to me what is chasing you from the gate. Is it my call or the guest at the gate?” Chiedozie asked.

Chukwueke couldn’t help but giggle at his boss’s inquiry. With a jarring sigh, he replied, “Oga, na your call wey save me. I for don chop punch for visitor hand, but as you intervene for the matter, my head still dey on top my neck. You be correct lifesaver, no be small!”

“Are you serious?” Chiedozie exclaimed, “Who is at the gate?” He asked shortly after.

“Ah, Oga, Na Wayback oh, sorry sir, Mr. Fidelis,” he quickly corrected himself after mentioning Fidelis Nickname, “e carry one big stone come, con threaten say e go break my head say I no gree am see you. Ehn, I try explain give am say you no dey around, but e no wan hear. Na so the man come dey para. Thank God say you dey around, e for don scatter my head with the stone.” Chukwueke said amusingly.

Chiedozie giggled gently, “Well, ensure you thank me later for coming to your prompt rescue.” He paused for a moment, then continued, “But let this be a lesson to you, Chukwueke. Always perform your duties without stepping on people’s toes. If you must be strict, be polite about it.”

As if in response to his words, a thunderous bang echoed through the gate interrupting his impromptu training with Chukwueke, both men leapt up out of shock.

“Fidelis will always be Fidelis!” Nze muttered under his breath as he shook his head in reaction to his friend’s mischievous antics. “But I do hope and pray he changes someday,” he continued, sighing mildly with a smile. “Please, go and let him in,” he said.

Chiedozie couldn’t help but smile to himself, knowing that he was in for an evening filled with laughter and merriment once Fidelis was around. “I suppose I could use a dose of his rib-cracking jokes to truly enjoy this cool evening,” he added, his eyes twinkling with anticipation.

Chukwueke retraced his steps toward the imposing gate, his movements were measured and deliberate as if he were performing a carefully choreographed dance. With a sense of relief and assurance of no threats from the visior, he swung the gate wide open for Fidelis to enter, revealing the splendor that lay beyond.

Fidelis strode into the compound, his piercing gaze sweeping over the grand surroundings with an air of aloofness. Chukwueke’s murmured greetings dissolved into the vastness of the courtyard, vanishing without a trace as Fidelis paid no heed to it. It was as though his salutation was nothing more than a mere whisper in the face of Fidelis’ stoic demeanor, which seemed to ooze an unfathomable aura of detachment.

Nze Chiedozie’s home was like heaven on earth – a masterpiece of a four-bedroom bungalow, each featuring its luxurious bathroom. The well-manicured lawn was adorned with an array of colorful flowers and strategically placed economic trees that only added to the magnificence of the massive compound. Fidelis was utterly spellbound by the sheer grandeur and remarkable attention to detail that had gone into creating such a peaceful and serene environment. Each time he visited, he felt as if he had been transported to a whole new world, one that was not only visually incredible but also revitalizing to all his senses – the rustling of leaves, the fragrance of flowers, and the cool, fresh breeze that swept through the compound.

Fidelis headed over to where his friend sat with a stern expression, perched on a seat directly opposite Nze Chiedozie. “Nze,” he greeted his friend with his traditional title, before continuing. “I must confess, your gate man is…” Chiedozie cut him off before he could finish his statement. Memories of their school days flooded back, Fidelis couldn’t help but smile as he recalled his old nickname. “Wayback,” Nze called him, a name that had clung to him over the years, even as they had grown and changed.

“My dear friend, please accept my apologies on his behalf,” Nze continued, his voice soft and conciliatory.

“Chukwueke is simply performing his duties, and I beg of you to forgive him.”

Fidelis, however, was not ready to let the matter go so easily. “I understand that he has his duties to attend to,” he replied, his voice firm but calm. “But surely he can attend to them without being rude.” Nze Chiedozie placed a reassuring hand on his friend’s shoulder, having sensed his frustration.

“Please, Wayback, let us not dwell on this matter. I am certain you came here for more important issues,” he said, gesturing towards the right side of the garden. His daughter, Enyinnaya, was seated there with their cook and housekeeper, Agness. “Enyinnaya, my dear, please come here,” Nze called out, beckoning her over to join them.

Fidelis’s face lit up like a bonfire as Enyinnaya sauntered towards them. “My future director, is that you?” he exclaimed with palpable relief in his voice. “I was so angry I didn’t even notice other people here,” he continued.

Nze Chiedozie’s eyes twinkled with amusement as he observed his friend’s elation. He felt so proud – his daughter’s mere presence could appease even the angriest of souls. After all, he had doted on her since she was a little girl.

“Fidelis, Kedu ka i melu?” Chiedozie queried with a gentle smile. “I have spoken to you on several occasions about the need to keep your emotions in check. Anger is a dangerous vice that can negatively impact your health. It could lead to heart problems, headaches, high blood pressure, digestive issues, and even skin disorders. In fact, some believe it can even dry up your skin!,” Chiedozie continued bursting into laughter as he landed.

“Nze, you are a jester, my skin no fit dry up na,” Fidelis responded, laughing at Chiedozie’s joke.

At that moment, Enyinnaya approached them and greeted Fidelis politely, “Nda Fidelis, good evening sir.” Fidelis, who had brightened up upon seeing her, responded with a grin, “Oh, my princess, good evening. You look beautiful as always.”

He couldn’t help but tease her a little, saying that she appeared more like a media executive than a student, which made Enyinnaya burst out laughing. She jokingly replied, “Uncle, you’re absolutely right. That’s the industry I plan to work in someday,” she said, her voice as smooth as silk.

As Enyinnaya expressed her enthusiasm for a career beyond the confines of her father’s pharmaceutical empire, his discomfort became noticeable. He shot her a disapproving glance, silently conveying his objection. Enyinnaya had grown a thick skin against her father’s objections. Unfettered by his disagreement, she met his gaze with a coy smile and blew a playful kiss in his direction, a subtle act of rebellion that spoke volumes about her determination to pursue her dreams – not his.

Fidelis interrupted the moment of familial affection, interjecting with a probing question directed at Chiedozie, “Are you really serious about all you said about anger and its health-related problems?” he inquired.

Chiedozie, amused at Fidelis’ inquiry, responded with a rhetorical question. “Oh, Don’t you know? Of course, if you ask me, I would say anger is a deadly disease, but a curable one,” laughter erupted from everyone around as he dropped.

Enyinnaya interjected, “I overheard part of your discussion with Dad, Nda Fidelis. If I may add, anger has also been linked to issues like crime, violent behavior, emotional and physical abuse. Chronic anger weakens the immune system and affects overall health, as experts say.” She concluded with a confident nod.

Chiedozie chuckled, “You see, losing your temper is not in any way profitable.”

“My princess, I have always said that you have your father’s brains and mother’s beauty,” Fidelis said with a fond smile.

Enyinnaya frowned and shook her head, asking, “What do I have then?”

Fidelis, in his comic nature, responded, “Beauty and brain! Dangerous combination, gbam!” This elicited a burst of laughter again from them, not exactly because the joke was a rib-cracking one, but the manner in which he said it.

As they tried relaxing from the merry atmosphere, Fidelis kept piling on jokes about his newfound knowledge on anger and its side effects, making it hard for them to stop laughing. “Thanks to my princess here, I now know where I lost my temper. I’ll gladly go and pick it back up like a lost wallet!” he quipped, eliciting another round of laughter from everyone in the garden.

Chiedozie was taken aback by Fidelis’ words and asked with genuine curiosity, “Where did you misplace your anger, wayback?” Fidelis responded in a childlike manner, pointing towards the entrance of the grand manse, “I believe it’s at your gate, sir Chukwueke, your gatekeeper, must have seen it. I’ll apologize to him and retrieve it.” The two friends erupted in laughter, amused by Fidelis’ witty joke.

Turning his attention to his daughter, Nze Chiedozie apologized for forgetting his original request. “My princess, please get a cup for Wayback and grab another two-liter can of palm wine from the fridge. And please tell Agness to prepare Ugba for us.” He then had a change of heart and playfully directed his daughter, “On second thought, prepare the Ugba yourself, so you can perfect your skills.” Chiedozie winked; Eyinnaya protested, “Dad! You know I’m very good at it. Just compliment my recipe!”

Ugba, a popular local dish made from oil beans, is a favorite among the locals, often served as an appetizer during occasions, and preferred by the wealthy. Chiedozie enjoyed having his palm wine with a generous serving of ugba, expertly garnished by his househelp, Agness, with stockfish, onions, ehuru spice, and utazi leaf. Agness’ innovative approach to each serving was impressive, and she had passed on her skills to Enyinnaya, who is determined to leave her mark, always experimenting with new ingredients and techniques in hopes of impressing Chiedozie. Even with their friendly competition, Chiedozie felt a sense of victory as he enjoyed the plentiful supply of delicious Ugba made available to him.

Enyinnaya returned, gracefully balancing a tray adorned with a chilled palm wine can, an enticing elixir ready for consumption. Accompanying it were glass tumblers reserved for Fidelis. Nze Chiedozie poured a generous portion into his cup and extended an unvoiced invitation for Fidelis to join him. Yielding to temptation, Fidelis savored a long, satisfying sip of the delectable nectar, his throat emitted a gentle murmur, a gentle prod to awake his childhood friend from his reverie. “Nze,” he softly called out, his voice a delicate melody that broke the prolonged silence between them, “have you heard the latest news going around in town?” Nze Chiedozie, still immersed in the labyrinth of his thoughts, simply shook his head in response, a gesture indicating his disconnection from the discourse.

Fidelis, with a sense of disappointment and disapproval evident in his tone, relayed the news.

“I heard Chief Michael Ejike, AKA, ‘Last-Last,’ has declared his intention to run for the forthcoming senate election. Wonder will never end!”

“I hope this isn’t another one of your jokes?” Nze asked, his face creased with a frown.

“That’s exactly what I asked when I heard it yesterday at Leg2Leg Bar and Restaurant,” Fidelis replied.

“Well, what do we expect when credible individuals like you vehemently refuse to step into the political arena?” he continued with his voice tinged with frustration.

“People of integrity, like yourself, should be held accountable for allowing aspirants like Chief Michael to harbor dreams of running for office. These charlatans in power, occupy the corridors of authority because men of character choose to shy away from politics in our society,” he concluded, His every word echoed with real hunger for good governance.

“Fidelis, I have no thoughts of going into such a sordid affair” Chiedozie countered.

“Politics in this country is an exceedingly murky enterprise. The politicians here perceive it as a high-stakes game – it’s a do-or-die affair! They reach extreme lengths to secure their coveted positions,” Chiedozie continued.

“Wait a moment, Nze,” Fidelis interjected, “these individuals of questionable character, who have seized control of the political system, are merely attempting to outsmart others. They intimidate principled individuals, dissuading them from participating in politics by resorting to violence at every turn. They are aware that under fair circumstances, they stand no chance. I have been pondering this deeply, Nze, and we cannot continue in this manner. If our nation must progress, people like Chief Michael must be shut out of the political arena. I am determined to see to it. In my own small way, I have resolved to initiate an awareness movement. This Nonsense must stop!” He fumed.