Behind the Clouds by Ifeoma Okoye

Author:Ifeoma Okoye [Okoye, Ifeoma]
Language: eng
Format: epub
ISBN: 9781803288437
Publisher: Bloomsbury Publishing

*

A few minutes after Ije returned from the hospital, Beatrice called.

‘You’ve not been attending Apostle Joseph’s church for some time now, Ije,’ Beatrice remarked as she sat down. ‘Are you ill?’

Ije would have liked to lie but she was not accustomed to doing so and was afraid she would falter and betray herself. She therefore told Beatrice about the apostle’s advances, leaving nothing out.

‘Maybe you were luckier than I. I suppose he didn’t suggest such a thing to you,’ she concluded.

Beatrice remained silent for a while, then she said, ‘I’ll confide in you, Ije, for two reasons. You’re so good that I’m sure you’ll keep my secret. Moreover, if I confide in you, the guilt will be lifted off my chest and I’ll feel better. This baby is Apostle Joseph’s.’

Ije was shocked. ‘You don’t mean it, Beatrice!’ she protested.

‘I do, and I don’t regret my action. My infidelity has saved my marriage, for my husband was on the verge of sending me away and taking a new wife. If my marriage breaks down now at least I’ll have a child who will look after me in old age. A childless woman in our society does not realise the extent of her handicap until she grows old.’

As Ije remained silent, Beatrice continued, ‘I have ceased to be emotional about my baby. In the circumstances, it is better for me to be practical. I hope, Ije, you will keep my secret? I’d do anything to keep my husband from knowing the truth.’

Ije promised to tell no-one, not even her own husband, about Beatrice’s story. For hours afterwards she thought about this revelation. She tried to exculpate Beatrice, to understand the motives for her infidelity, and ended by saying to herself that she could never do such a thing. She had not lost all hope of having a baby for Dozie: a child that would have something from each of them and therefore bring them even closer.

Three days after Mama’s arrival, Dozie returned from Owerri. Ije welcomed him with an affectionate smile and a warm embrace.

‘D., you’ve been away so long,’ she said.

‘I’m very sorry I had to be. There was too much work for me there.’

‘Hush, Mama is asleep. You’ll wake her up,’ Ije whispered to Dozie as they approached the guest-room.

‘When did she arrive?’

‘Three days ago.’

‘Is she ill?’

‘No. She says she’s not ill.’

‘Anything wrong at home?’ There was a tinge of anxiety in his voice.

‘No,’ Ije reassured him. ‘Mama says all is well at home.’

They were now in the bedroom. Dozie yawned loudly.

‘Hungry or tired?’ Ije asked.

‘Both.’

Ije laughed. ‘I’ll soon cure you of both your illnesses.’

She did not consider it too late to cook her husband’s favourite dish for him, neither did she bother to go and fetch James or Teresa who had retired for the night.

In less than an hour after arriving home, Dozie sat down to a delicious plate of jollof rice. He ate with unconcealed relish while Ije told him about the work in the office, and some little bits of gossip that were circulating in the town.

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