Not because he had done anything wrong, but because everything was happening too fast. Mama Grace went to her room after a while, leaving the two of them in the sitting room again. Chika sat with her hands on her lap, not sure how to bring the matter up. Obinna noticed her uneasiness. “What is it?” he asked. Chika hesitated, then said quietly, “About tonight.
” He understood at once. His face softened. “I changed the bedsheets in my room for you,” he said. “You can sleep there.” Chika looked up quickly. He continued, “I’ll stay somewhere else until our proper wedding. Maybe at my cousin’s place or one of the other houses nearby. I don’t want you to feel uncomfortable.
” For a moment, Chika just stared at him. “You would leave your room for me?” Obinna looked surprised by the question. “Of course.” She did not know what to say. That answer touched her more than she expected. In her father’s house, so many things had been forced. People decided things for her and expected her to adjust.
But here, this man she had known for only some hours was giving her space without making her beg for it. “Thank you,” she said softly. He only nodded. “You should rest. Today was long.” A little later, Mama Grace came out again and heard the arrangement. At once, she frowned. “Which cousin’s place?” she asked.
Obinna answered calmly, “I said I’ll stay there tonight.” “At this hour?” she said. “And you want to start knocking on somebody’s door in the middle of the night?” “It’s fine.” “It is not fine.” Obinna tried to explain, but Mama Grace did not listen. The night had grown darker already, and one of the side roads had become muddy after a short evening rain.
She refused to let her son go wandering around because of sleeping arrangements. In the end, after too much back and forth, she solved it in her own way. “You two will use the room,” she said firmly. “It is your room. The bed is big enough. Nobody will die.” Chika nearly choked. Obinna looked helpless for the first time.
“Mom.” But Mama Grace had already turned away. “I am going to sleep. Figure it out like adults.” She left them there. For a few seconds, neither of them spoke. Then Chika looked down, trying not to laugh from pure embarrassment. Obinna rubbed the back of his neck. “I’m sorry.” That made her laugh a little. “No, it’s not your fault.
” He looked at her, and a faint smile touched his lips, too. The tension eased a little. When they finally entered the room, Chika’s heart began beating fast again. The room was neat and simple, just like the rest of the house. The bed was indeed wide enough for two people, but that did not stop the awkwardness.
Obinna stopped near the door and said, “You can take the inner side. I’ll stay at the edge.” Chika nodded quickly. He picked a pillow and placed it between them once they settled. That almost made her smile again. “You don’t trust yourself?” she asked before she could stop herself. The words slipped out so suddenly that she turned red at once.
Obinna looked at her. Then he gave a quiet laugh. “I trust myself,” he said. “I just don’t want you to think I’m trying anything.” Chika turned to face the ceiling. “I didn’t say you were.” “No,” he agreed. “But I know we just met.” Silence followed for a moment. Then he added in a lower voice, “And you are not exactly easy to ignore.
” Chika turned her head sharply toward him. Obinna was looking straight ahead now, as if he had not meant to say it out loud. She felt heat rise to her face. He cleared his throat. “I mean, you’re very beautiful, so I’d rather be careful.” Chika did not know whether to hide her face or laugh. In all the confusion of the last two days, nobody had said anything gentle enough to make her shy.
It had been pain, pressure, arguments, and change. Now this quiet man beside her was suddenly making her feel aware of herself in a different way. She spoke after a while, still facing away. “At least you’re honest.” It made him smile in the dark. “Yes,” he said. “I try to be.” They lay quietly again. The room was still.
After some minutes, Obinna spoke. “You don’t have to be afraid of me, Chika.” The words were simple, but they entered her softly. “I’m not afraid,” she replied. He was quiet for a moment, then asked, “Then what are you?” Chika thought about it. “Tired,” she said at last. “Confused. A little ashamed, too.” “Ashamed of what?” She swallowed.
“Everything happened in a bad way. It’s like I was pushed from one life into another.” Obinna turned slightly toward her, though he still kept his distance. “You were not the one who did anything wrong.” She let out a faint breath. “It doesn’t always feel like that.” He did not rush to answer. When he finally spoke, his voice was calm and steady.
