Behind Dark Clouds

Copyright © 2015 by Chinelo Mgbeadichie.

This book is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, and incidents are either products of the author’s imagination or used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual events, locales, or persons, living or dead, is entirely coincidental.

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be used or reproduced by any means, graphic, electronic, or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, taping or by any information storage retrieval system without the written permission of the publisher except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical articles and reviews.

Because of the dynamic nature of the Internet, any web addresses or links contained in this book may have changed since publication and may no longer be valid. The views expressed in this work are solely those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of the publisher, and the publisher hereby disclaims any responsibility for them.

www.partridgepublishing.com/africa

Contents

Acknowledgement

Chapter 1

Chapter 2

Chapter 3

Chapter 4

Chapter 5

Chapter 6

Chapter 7

Chapter 8

Chapter 9

Chapter 10

Chapter 11

Chapter 12

Chapter 13

Chapter 14

Chapter 15

Chapter 16

Chapter 17

Chapter 18

Chapter 19

Chapter 20

Chapter 21

Chapter 22

Chapter 23

Chapter 24

Chapter 25

Chapter 26

Chapter 27

Chapter 28

Chapter 29

Chapter 30

Chapter 31

Chapter 32

DEDICATION

To all those who have lost loved ones to thoughtless acts of violence…

SHE IS THE AUTHOR OF MURDER AT DAWN

Acknowledgement

I would love to say a big thank you to Mrs Rita Mgbeadichie for believing in me and encouraging me always.

Every single member of my family for your unfailing support and words that keep me going, Mr Eugene Mgbeadichie, Chioma, Kenechukwu, and my sweet brothers, David and Daniel. Words are never sufficient to express my gratitude.

To my friends, Hope Okedele, Adaramola Morolake and Adewunmi Adenike you may never know how much I appreciate your love.

My Publishing Consultant, Mary Aguilar thank you for making me do this and to Rebecca Carter I am grateful.

Chapter 1

M onalisa stepped out of the plane with a wide grin as she took in a deep breath of home. The walk through the jet bridge at the Muritala Mohammed airport in Lagos seemed to her like a long journey from which she was eager to get off. Her joy was immeasurable despite the fact that there was no one at the airport waiting to welcome her.

This is home! She thought to herself. She had been away from the country for seven years becoming qualified as a doctor away from her home country. If only her parents were here to celebrate that success. She shrugged off the thought the moment it began to creep in and re-assured herself that all was going to be well. Now that she was back, she was going to ensure that the gruesome destruction of her family and the cutting short of her childhood would not count as nothing.

She joined the rest of the travelers who had returned with her from the United Kingdom through immigrations before heading to the baggage hall to pick up her luggage from the baggage carousel. It consisted of one large Echolac box and a medium sized Summit travelling bag, she struggled to keep both of them in line with her strides while she pulled at her hand luggage to ensure it didn’t fall off from the top of the summit drag bag. Two taxi drivers ran to her once she was out of the airport building asking where she was going. Their exuberance reminded her that she was in Nigeria. The younger of the two held on to her bag and gratefully she let him and followed him to his car. The car looked too new to be a taxi but then who cared as long as it got her safely to her destination. At least it was in the international airport and had to be amongst the registered taxis permitted to carry on business there. Her mind shifted to her plans immediately she was seated comfortably at the owner’s corner, now that she was financially independent she was first to see Mr. and Mrs. Madueke, her benefactors after which she would stand on her own feet. She hadn’t told anyone of them that she was returning for good not even Christopher, it had to be a surprise so that none of them would discourage her. She wasn’t going to let anyone talk her into staying in London anymore, she was done running.

Mrs. Madueke had been her teacher while in the secondary school, and being one of her best students the woman had readily welcomed her into her home after what would have been the end of her life. Her husband, Barrister Madueke and her children, Christopher and Munachimekwugo also welcomed Monalisa like she was a part of the family. They had ensured that she received the best education and all the love they could give her. The need to protect her was what prompted sending her abroad to complete her education. They sent her with Muna however Muna finished before she did and had long returned to the country.

She settled into the backseat of the vehicle while the driver kick-started the car. With little interest she took note of the changes on the road since she last visited. It occurred to her that she had missed quite a lot. Her thoughts settled on Cassandra and for a moment she considered for the first time that the girl was not likely to know who she was. The beautiful child she had abandoned to find her own life. Monalisa was pretty sure the girl would hate her very much for leaving her and God knows what lies her relatives would have filled her with. She quickly wiped off the tears that were rolling down her cheek; instead she took consolation in the fact that it hadn’t been her doing. She couldn’t have taken care of herself let alone a child at that age. Cassandra had been better off without her, her aunt Nnenna was in a better position to cater for her.

Her aunt had renamed Cassandra after she abandoned her. The last time Monalisa had set her eyes on her daughter was in December the year before the last, when she had returned for Christmas and then it was from afar. She brought out the only picture she had of her. It had been taken when she had begun to recover and love the child. She ran a fingertip across it smiling sadly. She lifted her head as she placed the picture on her chest only to notice that the driver had been watching her through the rear view mirror, she turned away and carefully returned the picture into her wallet.

Ashamed at being caught intruding, the cab driver quickly diverted his attention back to the road and asked again what he already knew.

"Sorry madam, but which side you talk sey you wan go?" he spoke the Pidgin English with a heavy Calabar accent.

I thought I told you that before. I am going to Festac, just read the address I gave to you, and take me there please she replied gently in her soft British tinted accent careful not to offend him even though she was offended. She had spent close to 9 years in the United Kingdom completing her college education and then her University Degree and a few years of active practice.

Monalisa looked away, not caring about what this man thought of her. She was sure he had seen the tears but didn’t care. She took another look at the picture of Cassandra in her wallet. The picture had been taken when she was only six months old, her beautiful baby. She had grown to love her over the years. At first she hated the little child because of the circumstances surrounding her birth but as the child grew in her arms day to day, the hatred developed into love and she saw in the girl a helpless little life asking to be loved and protected. The woman in her craved to break the limitations that surrounded her on account of having a child she couldn’t cater for, she stopped blaming God and accepted the challenge that was thrown at her. The picture of little Cassandra had been a stepping-stone for her, whenever she looked at it, it gave her the hope and strength she needed to move on. It gave her a reason to do her best, the picture reminded her that there was someone in the world hoping on her success and awaiting her return. She only hoped that her child was O.K. and safe, she wasn’t going to forgive herself or her aunt if anything had happened to her baby. Well if anything happened to her child she couldn’t blame them afterall they all must think that she is dead, no one knew what had become of her save her foster family. They didn’t even know she had run away or probably they suspected and didn’t bother looking for her.

The stopped movement of the car brought her back from her thought.

"Madam, we don reach the address" said the driver and at the same time coming out of the vehicle to open the trunk to take out her luggage. The lid of the trunk creaked loudly as the driver opened it. He pulled the heavy Ecolac box lazily before he could get it out of the trunk.

Monalisa sighed when she saw the box, it was already as dusty as a bag brought out of a dessert, she sighed again, only a few minutes ago had she put in the trunk a neat bag and within a drive of a few hours it’s this messy. She paid the driver his money without saying a word as to the condition of the car even though deep within her she wanted badly to comment. Just as she turned towards the house, Chris was standing in front of her, the sight of him caused her to swallow hard before composing herself and putting a quick smile in the place.

He stood for a few seconds that seemed like hours staring at her and trying to figure out what exactly was going on and if exactly it was whom he thought he was seeing.

Chris! she exclaimed like a little child. She was yet unsure of how to communicate with him now that she believed his status had changed from single to married. Gone were the days when she could throw herself into his arms with reckless abandon.

Lisa? he embraced her warmly I can’t believe this is you! Oh my God! You have grown more beautiful than the last time I saw you. When was that? he peered into her face like he was expecting the answer to pop out from somewhere there. She only smiled but remained silent that was about 2 years ago, wow! he answered his own question and released her to take a proper look at her, she was blushing.

They had been best of friends since she had come into their home; he was the only one who seemed to understand her perfectly. He had stood by her, giving her all the love and support she needed to go through her wilderness. She always did feel safe whenever she was with him; he was about the only man she hadn’t been scared of.

How come you are back and I wasn’t aware you were coming? he asked, pulling at her cheeks.

Am sorry she smiled, pouting her lips and he pulled her cheeks again. The old feelings returned I wanted it to be a surprise, where is mum, dad and Munachi? she asked tilting her head to look behind him towards the entrance of the house.

They are all inside, I was just heading home but because of you I am definitely staying back till you tell me all that I have missed he said still holding her.

She still felt that safety that his presence made her feel, but held herself back, it wasn’t right for her to feel that way anymore.

Hmm, if you had dared to leave, you would have known what I am capable of. You know well what I can do, let me get my box. I hope your wife wouldn’t mind that I am keeping her husband away from her this night? she teased slightly but before he could say anything she released herself from his hold and went to get her bags which were still on the floor where the taxi driver had left them. He collected both of them from her and helped her to the house.

I still cannot understand why you didn’t tell me you were coming back? he said more like a statement than a question.

She rolled her eyes behind him, it had hurt her so badly when she had read the mail he had sent her informing her that he was getting married but she had warned herself that he was her elder brother. It didn’t matter that they were from different parents. She had told herself that she had to be happy for him and not jealous and so instead she had written back a congratulatory mail giving excuses as to why she couldn’t attend… She smiled when he turned to look at her.

Lisa? What is it? he asked

She broadened the smile, nothing Chris, I told you I just wanted it to be a surprise that’s all. Am here now. She collected the smaller drag bag and made to walk past him into the house, he held her hand but they were interrupted when the door opened and Mrs. Madueke came out.

Jesus! Is that my baby, Lisa! she screamed and ran to her, Monalisa ran to her and they held each other in a tight embrace tears rolling from their eyes, it had been a really long time.

Christopher carried her box inside the house, when other family member saw the bag; it was jubilation all the way. Mrs. Madueke led her inside the house amidst all the joy.

Mr. Madueke opened a bottle of champagne for the mini celebration; it was a bottle he kept for special occasions. The return of Monalisa certainly called for the celebration. She explained that the rest of her luggage was being shipped allaying their worries that she was planning to settle in the United Kingdom.

"So you are finally through with your academics? That is to say that you are now a doctor! Hei! Chimu dalu!" Mrs. Madueke exclaimed raising her hands to the heaven, a sign of thanks and then making a little dramatic dance around the laughing Monalisa.

Within her she was sad yet she couldn’t but bless God for his help and support all the way because it hadn’t been easy for her. She had graduated as the second best student in the prestigious Oxford University, she had been tempted once in a while to drop out but whenever she picked up the picture of little Cassandra she felt hope surge within her and God telling her that her little daughter was waiting and depending on her success as well so was, the world.

Christopher was watching her, she was no longer that little girl he used to want to protect, still he knew within him that there was something hidden behind her outward laughter, if there was anyone who knew her well he was the one. He knew they had to talk but his problem was whether she was ever going to open up to him again, he knew very well that she had become withdrawn after he had told her that he wanted to get married, her frequent mails and calls stopped coming in and even her coming home during breaks became a thing of the past. At first he had thought it was just his imagination but then her coming home without telling him confirmed it. Anyway she was home now and they would have to talk about it, she was his best friend and that he was not going to let go just like that. In his deep thought he didn’t realize his father had been saying something, Munachi tapped him.

Christopher! Where are you? she exclaimed jabbing him in the rib.

Oh am sorry! I was just thinking he smiled turning to his sister.

Dad was asking if you would still go home today.

He scratched his head Oh, emm, I don’t know. It’s lonely at home, I guess I will be staying here tonight, he said looking at Monalisa but she avoided his eyes. She wondered what he meant by being lonely at home. Was he divorced already? Or did the wedding not hold? She chided herself for not knowing, well it wasn’t her fault she didn’t know keeping him out had been the best decision. There was no wedding band on his finger but that didn’t mean he wasn’t married, he couldn’t have divorced, he was a Christian and knew very well that God hated divorce, but she dared not ask instead she excused herself saying that she was tired and needed a bath. Mrs. Madueke pulled Muna to follow her to the kitchen to prepare dinner leaving father and son in the sitting room.

Christopher Mr. Madueke started I have known you since you were in your mother’s womb. You know what you want so why not go for it? with that he got up and went into his study.

Somehow he knew what his father was talking about but he was shocked to hear that from him. They had never had this kind of discussion, discussions between them was usually business or work. The closest they had had was when he had told his father of his intention to marry Mary and his father sat him down to give him some heart to heart.

He had actually wanted to get married to Mary but he realized that his heart was not with her, yes she was a wonderful person but he couldn’t get the thought of Monalisa out of his head. His father had supported him all the way and when he had told him that he wasn’t sure his heart was with Mary, his father only smiled and patted him on the back telling him to follow his heart and that was the end of his relationship with Mary. He had apologized profusely to her telling her that he did not deserve her although that did not help the matter but at least it had given her hope that someday she would meet the right person. Since that time he hadn’t told Monalisa that he didn’t get married to Mary. He had felt it wasn’t necessary since she hadn’t been making any plans to even attend the wedding.

Sitting down here now he wasn’t sure it was a good idea to bombard her with it, besides she may have someone else abroad, she was even more beautiful than when he saw her last. What did he expect? He was a man of patience and he would wait. He looked at his time, it was almost 8pm and he had to be at the office on time in the morning. He had a lot to do at home, it would take him at least an hour to get home he needed to iron his cloth for tomorrow and still had to put some of his work in order before morning besides it didn’t seem as if Lisa would talk to him again tonight. He had not failed to notice that immediately she left him she had avoided his eyes the rest of the evening.

He got up and went to the kitchen to tell Munachi he was leaving.

What?! she yelled I thought you said you would be staying over this night? Why the sudden change of mind? Chris, it’s not fair o, you hardly visit us and today you came only because Lisa was coming and you won’t even stay over she complained pouting.

He laughed, First, I didn’t know Lisa was coming home today. I came to see you, it’s only a coincidence….

Hmm, big brother! I don’t believe in coincidences. she replied stirring the soup she was cooking. Her mother had left her to complete dinner.

He smiled I know you won’t believe me, but at least believe that everything that happens on this earth happens for a reason, by the way how Is Alex? he asked changing the topic.

He is fine she responded with a broad smile. Alex was her fiancé whom she had been dating for 2 years and finally they were making plans to get married.

He was happy for her. He needed to see his father to find out what he meant exactly by his statement but most importantly to inform him that he was leaving but then he remembered that his father was in the study where no one was allowed except if the person was there to receive some punishment. When they were younger both of them had dreaded that study, whenever any of them was summoned there it was either to be punished or flogged. Their father never raised his voice when he was angry. He was a disciplinarian to the core, his family understood why he was so strict about procedures and formalities, afterall he was a Legal Practitioner.

Munachi left the food for a minute and came over to the door where he was standing Chris, what is it? You look really worried? she asked touching his face slightly.

He smiled at her It’s nothing dear, I was just thinking of telling dad I was leaving and then I remembered that he is in the study… he made a face and they both laughed.

The study? Hmm don’t even dare it or else you will receive a lash on your backside, remember he isn’t too old yet they laughed all the more. Their mother came in just then.

What is making both of you laugh, who are you people conspiring against? She asked jokingly wagging her finger at them both.

Christopher kissed his sister on her forehead and gave his mother a peck on the cheek. Nothing mum, we were just talking of dad’s study. I will be heading home now. I have got a lot to do

His mother pulled him back No way, Lisa just came back and you promised to stay so you are going nowhere.

Am sorry mum, maybe tomorrow, besides Lisa needs to rest. Am not sure she would appreciate my disturbing her.

What! You are like two peas in a pod! Moreover I think she wouldn’t be happy you are leaving already

Don’t worry mum we would settle, we always do. I’ll say goodnight to her before I leave with that he strode out of the kitchen into the hallway leaving his mother and sister smiling after him.

Mrs. Madueke was proud of all her children, she had trained them in a way that they loved each other, Christopher had only moved out when he had wanted to get married even though it hadn’t worked out. In truth, Mrs. Madueke had cried to God to only work out his will for her son, in her own opinion she didn’t think Mary was the right partner for her son, ever since Monalisa had come into her home she had wished for no better wife for her son than the little Lisa, a well brought up child from a respectable home, beautiful and very intelligent. Despite the fact that her father had been rich she was very hard working. Lisa was her best student in the secondary school; it was the terrible misfortune that befell her family that sent her running to her teacher for help. She couldn’t help but lend a helpful hand, it hadn’t been difficult convincing her husband to accept the girl too since they had only two kids. As at that time Christopher was already in the university while Munachi was in her final year in the secondary, Monalisa herself was in the second year of her senior secondary.

Christopher got to her room, he wanted to knock but wasn’t sure whether she was through with her bathing and he definitely didn’t want to bother her, he had noticed that she was distracted even when the whole family was happy and rejoicing about her arrival, that although she was smiling yet there was something behind the smile, it didn’t come from her heart. He had seen her like that before but he had thought it was only because of the death of her parents, now after about nine years…it couldn’t be. He changed his mind about seeing her, he was going to leave it till tomorrow after work by then she must have rested from the travel stress. With that decision made he left the house to his house.

Chapter 2

N nenna walked into her house sweaty and tired, none of her kids came out to welcome her and that made her a little upset.

Christabelle! Christabelle! She called.

She had just come in from the office and the house was turned upside down, it was one thing she always complained of whenever she got home but yet it kept repeating itself. Not even the threat of punishment would deter her children from repeating it.

Yes mum. Good evening ma. answered the nine-year-old girl. She was wondering what she had done again, mum never called her like that except when she had done something bad.

Christabelle why is this house upside down again? How many times do I have to say it, keep my house clean!

But mum, it was Kenneth who scattered the house, I told him to play in his room but he refused replied a sharp-mouthed Christabelle.

Then, why didn’t you force him into his room! Nnenna shouted getting angrier.

Well, that’s not my fault. If only you would call him and shout at him, the way you shout at me too she replied stubbornly.

Nnenna was dumbfounded; this girl was getting worse by the day. What was she going to do before she got terribly spoilt; she had refused to beat her since she was not the one who gave birth to her. She had taken over her welfare since her mother ran away. She sat down as she thought of Monalisa; she wondered what had become of her, that sweet girl, very respectful. She couldn’t blame her for abandoning the child; at that time she had only just turned fifteen. But still she shouldn’t have. Nnenna was Chijioke’s younger sister, that is Monalisa’s father and was working in a well paid job, it had been easy for her to accept the responsibility of taking care of the abandoned baby, besides she had been married for four years and was without an issue, the other members of the family had assured her that the presence of Cassandra in the house would attract children to herself and true to their words within a few months she was pregnant and had Maxwell, two years after she had Kenneth, two years passed again and she had her beautiful 3 years old daughter she had named Nkem. She loved girl babies and that was why she had named her first daughter Nkem. She had never told Cassandra that she wasn’t her true mother; she even changed her name so that she would be sure to clear all thoughts of the ghost of Monalisa from her mind. Everything within her power to avoid hurting the girl she did, she believed that it was the presence of Christabelle that had attracted her own children, the fear that if she ever hurt the girl her chi would collect back all her own children hung loudly in her mind.

The entire family believed that Monalisa was dead and her ghost may come back to hunt any who hurt her child. Nnenna remembered how much Monalisa had loved her daughter, at first she had hated her but after 2 months of holding the child in her arms and watching over her, Monalisa had grown so attached to her daughter, sometimes she wondered why Monalisa had left. It must have taken her a lot of guts to walk away. Of course Nnenna didn’t believe that she was kidnapped and killed like some family members had suggested, the way Cassandra was laid carefully and the house in proper order. It had been obvious to her that she left on her own. Anyway what would the girl have done she was only 15 and had seen her whole family killed, it had been too much for such a young child, she was a child herself how would she have been able to handle taking care of another child.

She got up and stretched herself.

Christy, one day I will cut off that your tongue with that she left the girl who was pouting and mumbling incoherent words.

Christabelle was furious, why would mum never blame her younger ones for anything that went wrong in the house, she would never call Maxwell when Maxwell did wrong neither would she call Kenneth even when she knew that he was the one who offended, every time Christabelle! Chrisabelle! She wanted to hiss but she dared not. When Maxwell had hissed at their mother he got marks all over his body together with the hot urine he had released when the 12 hot lashes creased his entire body. Nnenna called her again.

Christabelle, come, where are you? Nnenna called, this time it was softer more endearing.

What has Christabelle done again this time? she murmured before going to answer her yes mum she answered still angry.

Nnenna noticed it; she knew that Christabelle was offended. She loved this girl, she was very pretty and sharp, and it wasn’t just because she had attracted children to her. Aside her sharp mouth she had a character that was actually endearing, always trying to please as long as you didn’t get on her wrong side. She was sorry for always blaming her but the boys were too stubborn and there was nothing they ever did without force. Her husband wouldn’t help matters either, was always backing them up and giving excuses for whatever they did, if she punished or flogged them her husband would scold her in front of the boys and sometimes even slap her and then little Christabelle would come and stay beside her consoling her with her silence. She knew the girl was very compassionate and had her mother’s heart.

Come here she said to Christabelle. When the girl refused to move closer to her, she went to pull her to herself and held her am sorry O.K.? she stooped to level her face to the little girls’ Christabelle smiled naughtily, all was forgiven immediately. She felt important.

Children, Nnenna mused. It was so easy to reach their hearts.

How was work mummy? she asked in her small voice that sometimes one would wonder if she was an adult and that was why sometimes Nnenna always forgot that she was just a child and almost always saw her as a friend, she hoped that someday she would be able to talk to her Nkem that way too. Something in her told her that her time with this child was short.

Work was tiring but you can be sure mummy will always pull through she smiled and went to pick up little Nkem who was crying. Immediately she held her daughter the crying seized. She felt the warmth that flowed from her daughter, yes of course she was going to share the same bond with her own blood, she smiled to herself and Christabelle smiled back thinking the woman was smiling at her.

*     *     *

Monalisa finished taking her bath, she was still wondering what Christopher meant when he said home was lonely, "has he gotten a divorce already?" but he never mentioned it Why would he divorce his wife, it wasn’t even up to 2 years or was it three? All the while she had been in London she had forced herself to forget about him. More frequently she went back to her daughter’s picture and reminded herself that she still had a reason to live and she was going to stay away from him. Now that she was back and in the same home she wasn’t sure she could still live up to the promise she made to herself.

She hoped he wasn’t going to spend the night in the house; she couldn’t imagine how she would pretend that all was well when actually it wasn’t. The First thing she planned to do tomorrow morning would be to get back her baby. She ran her hand through her hair, what was she thinking? How was she going to get Christabelle back just like