The ride was rough. Chika saw the simple life around her clearly now. Small farms, baskets of produce, goats, chickens, plain compounds, open land. Everything looked far from the life Kemi had fought for. By the time they reached the house, Chika already felt out of place. The house was small and simple.
Nothing about it looked impressive. Mama Grace noticed her expression and said gently, “It is not fancy, but it is home.” Chika quickly shook her head. “I understand, Ma.” Inside, the house was neat and clean. Mama Grace turned to look at her again. “You are too thin,” she said. “Did you eat before coming?” Chika shook her head.
“Ah-ah,” Mama Grace said with concern. “Sit down first. I will make something for you. You do not need to stress yourself. How can I not? My son’s wife cannot enter my house hungry.” Those words were simple, but they touched Chika. She sat down. As Mama Grace moved around, she spoke honestly. “Village life is not easy.
If later you truly feel you cannot cope, you can say it.” Chika looked up. There was no harshness in the woman’s voice, no pressure, just honesty. That honesty almost broke her. Quietly, she said, “I do not have anywhere to go back to.” Mama Grace stopped, then came to sit beside her. “My daughter,” she said gently, “from today, this is your home.
” Chika looked at her and felt something shift inside her. It was not happiness, not yet, but for the first time since leaving her father’s house, she felt a little warmth. And for that moment, it was enough. Chika was still sitting in the small sitting room when she heard footsteps outside. Then a man’s voice came from the doorway.
“Mom?” Mama Grace turned at once. “Obinna, you’re back.” Chika looked up and froze. The man who stepped inside was not what she had prepared herself for. He was tall and well-built, with calm eyes and a clean, handsome face. His shirt sleeves were folded slightly, and even though he had clearly come from work, there was nothing rough or careless about him.
He looked strong, neat, and self-controlled, not flashy, not loud, just quietly striking. For a second, Chika forgot to breathe. This was Obinna? This was the village farmer? Obinna’s eyes moved to her, and his expression softened immediately. “So, this is Chika,” he said. Mama Grace smiled. “Yes. She arrived not long ago.
” Obinna stepped closer. His voice was low and respectful. “I’m sorry I wasn’t there to receive you. Work held me back longer than I expected.” Chika quickly stood up. “It’s okay.” He gave a small nod. “Still, I should have been there.” There was no pride in his voice, no excuse, just simple apology. Then he reached into a small bag he had come in with.
“I got something for you,” he said. Chika blinked. A gift? She quickly prepared herself. In her mind, she expected something small and village-like. Maybe fabric, maybe sandals, maybe something she would have to pretend to like so she would not offend him. She accepted the box carefully. “Thank you,” she said.
“Open it,” Mama Grace said warmly. Chika opened it slowly. The moment she saw what was inside, her fingers paused. It was a gold bracelet. Not ordinary gold, real gold. Heavy, bright, expensive-looking. Her eyes lifted to Obinna’s face, then dropped back to the bracelet. This could not be cheap. Obinna noticed her silence and misunderstood it at once.
“You don’t like it?” he asked. “I thought the design was simple enough, but if it’s not your taste, that’s fine. I brought other options, too.” Other options? Chika repeated. He nodded as if it was normal. Mama Grace laughed softly and stood up. “I told him not to confuse the girl on her first day, but he would not listen.
” She went to a drawer, opened it, and brought out a smaller case. “Try this one, too,” he said. Chika collected it with even more confusion now. When she opened it, she almost dropped it. Inside was a pink diamond piece. Her breath caught. She did not know much about jewelry, but she knew enough to know this was no ordinary stone.
