BREAKTHROUGH

Chief Eze and son drove into the compound a few minutes to the family meeting that was to hold at 2pm.

As they rushed in and he proceeded to the bedroom, he met his wife making up by the mirror stand.

"Welcome daddy." She greeted.

"Thank you darling. Sorry we didn't return on time." He responded.

"Is that what you should be sorry for? You two should be sorry for where you went without informing me." She answered with a playful frown.

Chief Eze walked to her and placed hands on her shoulders.

"Sorry, guess what, I have some goodnews. infact this is more than goodnews." He said, causing Mrs Eze to become nervous.

"Goodnews, what could that be? What did you and your son discuss...tell me naw." She persisted as chief Eze seemed to delay.

"My dear, would you believe that all the drama that happened yesterday was a joke played by two individuals?"

"What joke could that be? Are you referring to Tabitha, she and who?" She asked curiously.

"Tabitha and Dike played a prank on all of us yesterday. You won't believe it that Tabitha faked fainting yesterday because ..." He paused, creating more tension for his wife.

"Daddy talk naw." She pleaded.

"Okay, I will tell you everything. Dike invited me out and disclosed all these to me during our discussion. He said he is in..." He stopped and observed her face.

"In what? Trouble? Wait, wait, are you telling me that Dike is in love with Tabitha?"

"Oh, so you are already aware?" Chief Dike asked.

"It's not just that Dike is in love with Tabitha. The two has fallen in love a long time." He broke the news.

Without waiting for him to complete his words, Mrs Eze stood to her feet and began to dance and sing in her local dialect.

Chief Dike watched her in bewilderment, wondering why she was dancing.

"Don't tell me you know about this earlier and has refused telling me. Or are you people playing a game I know nothing of?" He asked.

"Ah, ah, not at all. I am hearing this for the first time, but it has been my silent wish that Dike and Tabitha become married. But I have not known how wild I would be with that desire which is why I did not even make mention of it to you." She explained.

"Dear, I am so glad we are on the same page. It has been my silent desire too. This can only be God. Our son and Dike have been afraid of disclosing this to us too."

"So surprising daddy. All of us have been afraid of what we have both secretly desired and even prayed for." She said and started running out excitedly.

"Where is this boy? He must explain to me why he chose to disclose this to you first."

"Wait darling. I have a plan. Can we see Dike together?" He asked.

"I have to first know what the plan lies in." She established.

"Come on dear, I will disclose it when we get to Dike's apartment." He said and the both went out silently.

When they rang his door, Dike was surprised to see his both parents stoning him with tickling smiles.

"Dad! What's happening? Hope I'm safe?"

"Out of my way." Mrs Eze gave him a push and headed in.

"Something has been going on and you've refused letting me know. You called your dad and left me out of it."

"Dad!" Dike screamed on his father with a look of suspicion.

"Come on son. Your mom is happy about this. Please sit down. We don't want things delayed. We are here to strike a deal." Chief Eze Said as Dike sat down quietly, overcomed by their drama.

"You are rushing me daddy. I want to hear it from the horse's mouth. So son, my ears are opened. Please speak to me. What is happening?" She asked.

"Mom! I don't understand any of these."

"Come on son, you know what she is talking about. Go ahead and tell her." Chief Dike urged him as Mrs Eze frowned at him.

"Okay, I took daddy out today to tell him that I am in love with Tabitha, I mean we are in love." He said.

"Say it again. So, my son will be finally married. Come here..." She took Dike into his harms and hugged him.

"We all have been secretly desiring this and the Lord has made it happened. Tell me son, have you proposed to her?" She asked.

"Mom, you know I can't do that until I'm certain you and Dad are okay with it." He answered.

"That's more than okay son. More than okay. Now here's what I want us to do." Chief Eze said searching into his wife's and son's eyes. But, I know Tera will be mad at us if we live her out of this..."

"Dad, bringing Tera into this at this point will cause her to sing down this roof. You know how radical she could be about things like this." Dike complained.

"But she must be involved. Don't worry, I know how to handle my daughter. Let me go and fetch her." Mrs Eze said and stormed out of the house.

As she opened the door and made her way out, she sighted Tabitha coming from the other end as she busied to set the living room in place for the family meeting.

"Mom, I have been looking for you and Dad. Where have you all gone?" She asked.

"We have been with Dike in his apartment." She answered, placing a hand on her right shoulder.

"Okay Mom. I am just hurrying up to round up the settings for the meeting."

"That's good. Please where is Tera?" She asked.

"She is there with me." She answered.

"My children are doing a great job. Please fetch her for me. Tell her to meet us in her brother's room."

"Alright mom, I guess this isn't another surprise. Your daughter won't faint again." She smiled away

Mrs Eze stood for a little while and admired how she cat walked back to the living room and she was full of life. Butterflies flew in her stomach - she felt she was skydiving.

As she turned to walk back into the room, Joy heard her voice and ran to her. After a brief greeting, she let her away and sniffed back into the room.

Soon, Tera arrived staring at their faces and wondering what they were conspiring. As she sat down, the three had a private discussion and closed the meeting to join the rest of the family at the living room.

The meeting for that day was brief as Chief Dike Postponed it to the following day, announcing that there was an important issue to be brought before the family.

On the morrow, everything was going on normal as everyone was eating and rejoicing. Chief Dike addressed them about somethings that had happened in the passed few years of the family history and how they could move ahead as a better family.

On the adoption issue, he stated that Tabitha was given sometimes to get herself before it could be done, that is if she was okay with it. Then He asked everyone to make contribution.

Dike was the first to speak. Greeting everyone present, he continued;

"One of the best things that has ever happened to this family is the coming of Tabitha. She has brought in so much joy and happiness. We are revived spiritually and we have an industrial revolution in a glorious light.

Standing here today, I wish I could keep being a better man. It is a strong desire that I have. Well, I have some visitors here with me."

The security officer ran out and a car drove in quickly, a camera man walked in and began covering, soon, a saxophonist followed behind playing. Then a man and two maidens well suited came by Dike and handed him a ring.

Everyone was wondering what was happening except for Chief Eze, Mrs Eze, and Tera.

"For me to keep being that better man daily, there is just one woman in the whole world that I believe God has chosen to make that a reality."

Then he walked over to Tabitha, placing a knee forward.

"Tabitha, we are before our entire parents. Please, will you marry me?" He asked, staring into his eyes with passion.

Tabitha stood to her feet mesmerized, confused and discomforted at the same time. The only thing that helped was when she saw Chief Eze, Mrs Eze and Tera rose and were cheering, urging her to go ahead and accept the proposal.

It took a while before Tabitha could take a step.

Covering her eyes with her right palm, she stretched forth her finger and Dike hung the ring in with majesty to the Laudable rendition of the family and those who came for duty.

Well, I forgot to tell you that musicians also came. They played, and there was a party - it was a party of love.