Read Story: SEASON 1 EPISODE 5

The Arranged Marriage Episode 5

Throughout the night, Nnenna was not herself. She was sad and she did not sleep well.

"It's been long I got married to this man and he has refused to touch me. Am I firewood? I'm sure he is touching another woman outside. He can't just stay like that without touching a woman. I must stay here and wait for him. He will come back here and explain where she slept last night." Nnena said to herself.

She sat on the edge of the bed with her arms folded and her eyes fixed on the door like a bright torch light. As soon as she heard Ikenna's car outside, she stood up quickly and waited for him at the door. She was standing there like a soldier.

"Where did you sleep last night, Ikenna?" she asked as soon as he entered the house.

"My car broke down on my way back yesterday. I was in the middle of nowhere, and there was no mechanic around. I had to park the car somewhere safe and lodge in a hotel." Ikenna said. He knows what he said was a lie and he prayed Nnenna would be convinced.

"Really? Why didn't you call me?" Nnenna asked. Ikenna walked to the fridge and took a bottle of water. He opened it and started drinking.

"My phone battery died. I couldn't charge it in the car, and by the time I got to the hotel, I was too tired to look for another power source to charge. I'm sorry." Ikenna said.

"Okay," she said. She stood up and moved closer to him.

"I've missed you. Please, come to the bedroom. Let's spend some time together. Just me and you. I've waited long enough, Ikenna. I want it now so badly." Nnena said with a mischievous eye. But Ikenna stepped back and shook his head.

"Not now. I have to go to work. I have an early meeting. I'm already late as it is. I promise we'll spend time together when I get back this evening." Ikenna said. He has no urgent meeting. The truth is that he did not want to touch her. Nnena was disappointed.

"You always say that. You've been avoiding me since the wedding. Don't I deserve love too? Don't you want us to enjoy this marriage?" She asked. Ikenna walked past her and picked up his laptop bag.

"I said I'll come back in the evening and be with you." Ikenna responded.

Nnenna watched him walk out of the house without even a goodbye. She stood there for a few minutes, feeling cold and rejected. She walked slowly back to the bedroom and sat on the bed again. Her eyes were empty, her heart was tired. She looked at the wall for a long time before lying down. She stayed in that same position until the afternoon passed. When evening came, she got up and walked to the kitchen, but she wasn't hungry. Ikenna did not return home that night. She didn't call him. She just waited in vain.

"This boy is using my heart to play table tennis. Why is he avoiding me? When he comes back now, he will tell me another lie. I'm sure he is spending time with another woman out there. If not, why is he rejecting me? What have I done wrong?" Nnena asked herself tearfully.

Meanwhile, Ikenna was in Temidayo's house again to pass the night. The moment he entered, she welcomed him with open arms. They talked, they laughed, and they made love. The connection between them has returned. The fire has come back. They held each other like people who has finally found peace. Ikenna told her that he had no plans of going back to Nnenna's bed. Temidayo believed him. They stayed up late talking about their dreams and how they would escape the drama once everything calmed down. For the first time in weeks, Ikenna slept like a baby again.

"I don't ever want to leave you again. You are my queen." Ikenna said with a romantic voice.

"And you are my king." Temidayo responded.

The next morning, Ikenna drove back to his parents' house. He was expecting Nnenna to ask questions again. He was already trying to come up with lies to tell. As he opened the gate and entered the compound, Nnenna was already standing at the entrance, acting like a dutiful wife. She smiled and helped him carry his bag inside.

"Welcome, my husband," she said sweetly.

Ikenna nodded without responding. He walked towards the corridor leading to the bedroom.

But just as he passed the kitchen door, he heard a strange sound. It was like someone crying. He paused. He turned and walked slowly to the kitchen door.

"Please let me out of this place, I'm suffering." The voice said.

The cries grew louder. They were coming from the toilet beside the kitchen. Ikenna frowned. He opened the toilet door and stepped back in shock. His mother was sitting on the toilet floor, her wrapper untied, her hair scattered, and her face swollen from crying.

"Mama! What happened to you? Who did this?" His mother looked up at him with tears running down her face. She tried to stand but stumbled..

Ikenna rushed in and helped her up.

"Mama, what are you doing here? Who locked you up?" he asked again. Her lips were shaking as she spoke.

"She locked me here. It's Nnenna. Your wife. She said I was hiding you in my room. She said I helped you run away. She dragged me and locked me in here since morning. I begged her, but she didn't listen. Ikenna, what kind of woman did you marry? She is not a wife. She is a problem." His mother said tearfully. Ikenna looked furious. He held his mother's hand and walked her to the sitting room.

"Ikenna, you have to do something. This woman is not for you. You can't live with her. She will destroy this house. She already insulted your father. She has made our home a prison. Please, my son, listen to your mother. Send her away." His mother said while kneeling down.

Ikenna looked away in silence. He didn't know what to say. His mind was already far from Nnenna. He had only returned out of duty, not love. His heart was still with Temidayo. That's where he belonged.

"Ikenna, please, chase this woman away. Let her go. Bring Temidayo back. That is the woman I want. That is the woman who respects us. Temidayo is the one who will make you happy. Not this one that locks your mother in a toilet. What kind of wife does that? Please, my son. Don't let this continue. Bring Temidayo back before it is too late." She said. Her voice was shaking as she begged, still kneeling down.

Ikenna picked up his phone and called Temidayo.

"Please come to the house this evening for dinner." He said.

"What? What about your wife?" Temidayo asked.

"I said you should come. I have a plan." Ikenna said.

Episode 6 coming soon