Marriage is A Private Affair

The story opens in the city of Lagos with Nene and Nnaemeka
talking over the issue of their recent engagement. Nene wants him
to write a letter to his father and inform him about it but Nnaemeka
wants to do it personally when he goes to his village during the
vacation because he is sure that his father will not like this news.
Nene has lived in Lagos since her childhood and so she doesn’t
know much about people in remote parts of the country. Nnaemeka
is aware of the fact that just like elsewhere, in his village also a
person’s tribe determines whom he marries that too only with the
consent of his parents. He tries to explain things to Nene but she
doesn’t understand and leaves it to Nnaemeka.

On his way back, Nnaemeka again reads out the letter he has
recently received from his father stating that he had chosen a girl
Ugoye Nweke for him. Nnaemeka has known this girl since
childhood and he smiled as he thought of this naughty girl Ugoye
Nweke who used to beat boys in the school. His father was happy
with his choice because Ugoye had a proper Christian upbringing
and good character.

The story then takes a leap as Nnaemeka has come to his native
village during the vacation. He asks for forgiveness from his father
as it is impossible for him to marry Ugoye. He discloses to his father
his relationship with Nene Atang with whom he plans to marry. His
father is so shocked by this news that instead of bursting out in
anger as is his nature he becomes absolutely silent.

The next day the father tries to make him understand the ill effects
of marriage outside one’s tribe calling it devil’s work. Nnaemeka
comes back with a sad heart hoping that one day his father’s
traditional views will change. Nnaemeka was the first in his village
to marry a girl from a different tribe and that is why his father gets
concerned even though he himself doesn’t believe in the
superstitious beliefs like other villagers.

All the villagers gathered around Okeke and expressed concern over
this strange act of his son, which they considered ‘the beginning of
the end’. They were sure that the boy’s mind was diseased and
must be treated by a herbalist. But Okeke did not believe in the
superstitions prevalent in the village. The villagers discussed their
local herbalist who was killed by his own medicine.
Despite all this Nnaemeka and Nene got married. The story moves
further six months and they receive a letter from Okeke in which he
shows his annoyance and anger by cutting the wedding picture sent
by his son. He declares his rejection of Nene also. This letter hurts
them terribly but Nnaemeka is still hopeful that his father’s basic
good nature will change his views one day.

As time passes by the Ibo friends of Nnaemeka realize that their

married life is very good. They now understand that for marriage,
love and understanding are required and not the same tribe. News
of their being one of the happiest couple’s reaches the village also.
But no one dares to talk to Okeke about it. He had made great
efforts to forget Nnaemeka although it had been very painful for
him.

Then one day Okeke received a letter from Nene. Unwillingly he

reads it. Nene informs him that he has two grandsons and both are
now grown-up. Every day they ask for their grandfather and Nene
writes that she doesn’t know what reply she must give to them. She
earnestly requests him to allow them to meet him along with
Nnaemeka during the coming vacation and that she herself would
not come.

This letter greatly moves Okeke. All these years he had hardened
himself but today at the thought of his grandsons his heart melts.
He feels that he had done great injustice to them and now he must
open the door of his house for them, in a way open his heart for
them.