THE TATTOO

 Chapter 17 

When Silence Speaks

The house was filled with murmured voices, the scent of burning candles, and the quiet shuffle of visitors coming in to pay their respects. Uju sat beside her mother in the sitting room, her hands folded in her lap, nodding numbly as people offered their condolences.

Her father was gone. Already in the mortuary. The finality of it weighed on her chest, but she couldn't cry anymore. The tears had dried up, leaving only emptiness.

Her mother, surprisingly composed, responded to visitors with quiet dignity. Every now and then, she would reach over and squeeze Uju’s hand, a silent reminder that she was not alone.

The front door creaked open again. Uju barely looked up, expecting yet another visitor. But then she heard the familiar deep voice.

“Good afternoon, ma.”

Her head snapped up. Nnanna.

He stood there, tall and calm, dressed in a black polo and jeans, his presence somehow grounding.

Her mother glanced at him briefly. “Good afternoon, my dear.” She acknowledged him politely before turning back to the guests.

Uju rose from her seat, her body moving before her mind caught up. “Come,” she said quietly, leading him out of the crowded room.

They walked through the hallway, past the kitchen, and into a smaller, quieter sitting area. The moment they stepped in, Uju let out a breath she hadn’t realized she was holding.

She turned to face him, unsure of what to say.

Then, without thinking, she stepped into his arms.

Nnanna didn’t hesitate. He wrapped his arms around her, holding her close, his warmth seeping into her cold skin. They stood like that for a while, saying nothing. She didn’t fight it. She just melted into him, allowing herself to be held.

When she finally pulled back, she wiped at her face, though there were no tears.

They sat down.

For a moment, there was only silence. Then, she began speaking, her voice distant.

“My father disowned me when I got pregnant.”

Nnanna remained silent, listening.

“He was so disappointed. He couldn’t believe that his only daughter, a law student, had brought such shame to the family.” She gave a small, bitter laugh. “I begged him to forgive me. I told him it wasn’t my fault- he knew it wasn't my fault. But he didn’t listen. He said my future had been destroyed.”

Her fingers played with the hem of her dress. “He wanted me to abort it. Said I was too young, that I would ruin my life. I told him I couldn’t. That was the last straw.”

She exhaled sharply. “He threw me out of the house that night. It was so unexpected. How did somehow who loved, cherished and adored me, suddenly turned so cold? ”

Nnanna’s jaw clenched slightly, but he didn’t interrupt.

“I had nowhere to go. My mother… she wanted to help me, I know she did, but she couldn’t. She just stood there, crying, while my father dragged me out.”

Uju looked down at her hands. “I ran to my grandmother’s house—my father’s mother. I thought maybe she would let me stay, talk some sense into him. But before I could even settle, he came there. He made a scene. Called me a disgrace, a stain on his name as a Knight in the church.”

She swallowed hard. “My grandmother was helpless. She couldn’t go against her son. So I left.”

She blinked rapidly, trying to keep her voice steady. “I went to my maternal grandmother’s house next. She took me in, no questions asked. She didn’t judge me. She just… let me stay.” A small, sad smile touched her lips. “That’s where I gave birth.”

The room was quiet.

Then, slowly, Nnanna reached out and took her hand in his, his grip firm but gentle.

"But...", Uju continued "I wish he didn't die. I want him to still be here. Maybe meet Kasie. Maybe gain some closure. I know he felt guilty when we met in the hospital after all these years. We were supposed to have some conversations, some clarity. It will never be." 

Her face was wrinkled with sadness.

“You’re not alone, Uju,” Nnanna said softly. “And you didn’t destroy your future. You fought for it.”

He adjusted closer to her

"There's no point beating yourself up, the most important thing is that you came over to see him in his last days."

She looked at him, her throat tight.

For the first time that day, she felt seen.

And somehow, in that quiet room, she found a little bit of strength.

                   

                                  CHAPTER EIGHTEEN