Uju walked gracefully. Her children held her hands tightly, looking around with innocent curiosity. Finally, she reached where Chuka was standing.
He was still frozen, still unable to speak properly.
Trying to gather himself and save face in front of his guests, he forced a smile onto his face.
“Uju, you came. I am surprised to see you. And these… these children?”
“Yes, Chuka. I came as you invited me. These are my children, my triplets. This is Chiamanda, Chiaka, and Chinedu.”
The children greeted him politely, just as their mother had taught them.
Chuka’s mind was spinning. He did not know what to say. He wanted to ask questions, but could not find the words.
Finally, trying to maintain his pride, he said, “Well, congratulations to you. I hope you can finally see what you could not give me. God has blessed me too, as you can see.”
The crowd had gone quiet now, sensing the tension. This was no longer just a naming ceremony. This was a confrontation.
Uju smiled calmly.
“Congratulations to you too, Chuka. Your baby is beautiful. But before you boast too much, I have to ask you one question. Are you absolutely sure the child is yours?”
The compound went dead silent.
You could hear a pin drop.
Every guest turned to look at Chuka. His smile vanished instantly. His face turned red.
“What nonsense are you talking about, Uju? What kind of question is that?”
Uju’s voice remained calm but firm.
“It is a fair question, Chuka. For seven years, you called me barren. You mocked me. You threw me out of your house like trash. Yet here I stand today, a mother of not one, not two, but three children. You refused to go for medical tests because you were too proud. You insisted the problem was mine, but clearly, you were wrong about me. So I ask again: are you sure about this child?”
She paused and looked around at the crowd.
“Maybe today you should finally agree to the medical test you always refused. A simple DNA test would answer everything. Do you not think?”
The guests erupted in whispers.
Chuka’s face turned from red to pale. His hands clenched into fists. He looked like he wanted to say something, but the words would not come out.
All eyes turned to Nkechi.
She had been quiet the whole time, but now she was shaking visibly.
“A DNA test would be the perfect way to end this conversation and prove me wrong,” Uju added softly, her eyes on Nkechi.
That was the final push Nkechi needed.
She broke down completely. She fell to her knees right there on the ground. Loud sobs escaped her throat.
“Please, please,” she cried out.
Chuka rushed toward her, confused and angry.
“Nkechi, what are you doing? Get up. Stop this nonsense.”
But Nkechi could not stop. The guilt had been eating her alive for months, and now it was all coming out.
“I am sorry, Chuka. I am so sorry. I did not want to end up like her.”
She pointed at Uju.
“You refused to see a doctor. You kept saying you were fine. But month after month, nothing happened. I was so scared. Your mother kept pressuring me. Your sisters kept asking questions. I did not know what to do.”
The crowd leaned in closer, not wanting to miss a single word.
“I was desperate, Chuka. I did not want you to throw me out like you threw her out. So I… so I…”
She could barely get the words out.
