Chief Abacha's compound buzzed with quiet excitement, guests whispering about the elegant bride-to-be, Adaugo. She was the pride of her father, and of the village, being the first female medical doctor in the history of Ezifite.
The groom Ugunna was also a medical doctor and proudly sat with his people, patiently waiting for the commencement of the traditional wedding ceremony, the Igbankwu Nwanyi.
When Chief Osuji, an electrical merchant, a business mogul and one of the wealthiest sons of Ezifite arrived in his usual convoy of exotic automobiles, the crowd erupted into a tumult, shaking their heads at what they knew would culminate in a showdown.
His eyes filled with fury.
Adaugo, the young bride, who had come out to greet her in-laws, started to tremble as she was suddenly caught up between the past and the present; a sinking feeling settled in the pit of her stomach.
Osuji's voice thundered through the compound.
"What are you doing here?" In his rage, his quivering finger pointed at Ugunna.
Ugunna stiffened. "Isn't that what I should be asking you.. This is my traditional wedding and you are an uninvited guest."
Osuji laughed bitterly. "Wedding? To my bride? Didn't she tell you I paid her school fees through medical school, every coin from my sweat? Didn't she tell you I made her what she is today and that she owes me everything?"
Gasping came from the crowd.
Adaugo's eyes filled with tears. Her voice shook as she took a step forward.
“Chief, I will never forget all the sacrifices you made for me, how you believed in me when no one else did... For your kindness toward me and my family I will be eternally grateful. But my heart is with another”, glancing at Doctor Ugunna.
Chief Osuji's face hardened. “Grateful indeed! Did your parents not tell you about the agreement they had with me before I agreed to send you to school? Kindness you say? I may be involved in one form of philanthropy or the other, but I did all I did for you because I was promised your hand in marriage. What type of betrayal is this? You tossed me aside like a rag, after we have come this far, and secretly give my bride away to someone else?"
He turned to Adaugo's father, his face livid with anger.
Chief Abacha rose up from his chair and stood in front of him. His tone was calm, firm, and respectful.
“Chief Osuji, I appreciate you immensely for helping us when we needed it the most, especially my daughter whom you saw through school; and yes there was an agreement for her to become your wife....but....but you have two wives already!!! I wouldn't want Adaugo to become the third wife, times have changed too. You think about it please, I need you to understand."
Chief Osuji's sister shot up in protest, clutching her wrapper. “How can you say that? Are you just knowing that he has two wives? My brother lifted you when you were drowning and you think you can repay him like this. Adaugo is our wife and we are here to take what rightfully belongs to us."
The compound fell silent. Adaugo trembled under the weight of the choice she had to make, a choice between duty and love.
The crowd grew tense, everyone waited to hear her response. Osuji’s heavy breathing echoed in the silence as he repeated, voice breaking with rage and pain:
“Young man, get up and leave this place now before I loose it completely.”
The doctor stepped forward, his eyes defiant, “I am here to perform all the traditional marriage rites to make Adaugo my wife. We love each other. She belongs with me, not with you. Tell me how much you've spent on her, I'll repay you every dime.”
Adaugo's eyes, those beautiful eyes, was filled with tears as it darted between the men. The merchant stood like a rock, unbending, unyielding, the doctor, trembling but determined, stretched out his hand towards her. Her parents waited— in quiet hope.
Her heart was pounding like the drum's war cry as she walked slowly towards them. She thought of all the times her bank account swelled with money before ever she was in need, the comfort provided by the merchant's coins, the shame her family went through before he lifted them. She just knew without a doubt that she owed him everything.
Her father said, "My daughter, the choice is yours, but I wish you to follow your heart and choose your happiness."
Chief's sister hissed, "Do not be an ingrate! My brother made you! Think of all the years he was there for you. "
Adaugo's head throbbed as she slowly turned toward the doctor, whose eyes pleaded —eyes that had made her dream of a lovely future.
But duty wrapped around her like chains.
She dropped her eyes, walked right past the doctor who had extended his hand, and dropped on her knees before the merchant.
Gasps rippled through the compound as the doctor staggered backward, as if struck by lightning.
Her voice cracked as she spoke: “Ugunna… forgive me. My heart longs for you, but I cannot throw away the man who carried my burden when I was nothing. The love I've experienced with you, is wonderful, but duty… duty is heavier than the longings of the heart.”
The doctor’s face crumbled. He covered his eyes, unable to bear the sight. The merchant, stunned, looked down at her with pride swelling in his chest.
The father groaned in anguish. “Child… what have you done?”
Slowly, the doctor turned and along with all his family members, stormed out of Adaugo's compound, his shadow long and broken against the sunlit ground.
She watched him go, her tears blurring his figure until he disappeared. Something inside her cracked, but she forced herself still. She had lost out on love and a beautiful life beside the man of her dreams. She was numbed by the pain she felt inside.
The crowd sighed heavily.
Another date for 'Igbanku Nwanyi' was announced, between Chief Osuji and doctor Adaugo Abacha. For her, it was not joy that filled the air that day, but the heavy silence of a heart sacrificed on the altar of duty.
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