POLYGAMY PART 4

This is close to Auntie Vivian’s experience but in her case she didn’t have a child. It was one of the best families I’ve ever seen. Her husband was a homely person. He seldom talks and accepts everything. A prayerful husband; respectful in all his doings and relationships. We all loved him until the cat was let out of the box. Uncle Henry had two families. One was with Auntie Vivian and the other was that useless lady called Salome. 

Auntie Salome was Auntie Vivian’s closest friend. All the way from primary school through university they were close. They shared everything they had to the point she started sharing her friends husband.  Immediately she gave birth to the first child she disappeared into thin line. It was the third child who was a boy that broke the camel’s back. Auntie Vivian was driven out of a home she built herself and her supposed best friend took over. I told myself this will not happen in Jesus name.

Nosa! I thought to myself. How on earth would Nosa be having an affair with my husband and I didn’t know. Could it be that Rotimi was under pressure somewhere to have a male child? Could it be that he never loved me and our daughters? It was unbearable in thought. I couldn’t hold it and the fear of an external person joining us in this house became scary. I held my peace a little, with tears rolling from both eyes but I had to call. I would make the call from the phone and check her response. I scrolled to baby and dialed the number. It rang all through with no response and then I knew Rotimi would have told her not to pick any call from that number. The number called back and I picked to hear her voice. 

Nosa: hello dear, I’m still sleeping. I didn’t hear from you again yesterday. I was about responding when the line went off. 

There is a problem and the earlier I solve it the better. I called Rotimi, his number was busy. I called Nosa, her number was busy also. It is obvious she is talking with my husband at the moment. The stay at home became agonizing to me. I picked up the car key and off to Rotimi’s office I went. It was the security man that told me I forgot my slippers. I walked back inside to get slippers. 

I sat inside a car and composed a message to Rotimi. I’m on my way to your office and please prepare an explanation for me on what you and Nosa my friend are doing. The delivery message popped up before I started the car. It was the point I was at the point I navigated into the express road that my phone rang. It was Rotimi and with a subtle voice he was asking me, what is the meaning of the text I sent to him? In all anger I shouted at him and lost concentration. The accident was recorded as one of the most fatal accidents in history and when I woke up three days later I saw Nosa and Rotimi standing beside my bed. I saw love in their faces and within me was hatred……..

POLYGAMY PART 3

The Ojekunle’s family accepted me with all happiness. There was always this look of heaven sent whenever I met an uncle or aunt. I thought I was the happy person; but I discovered the family was happier than me. They have always prayed for Rotimi into meting a good woman and suddenly I fell into that position. I loved them too and one thing I was sure of was; I was gone from that terror mansion I grew up from. 

With Lois starting crèche today I knew for the first time I would be having some relief. Even when Lena is in school; Lois wouldn’t let you sleep else she is sleeping. I thought I was going to build my home with domestic aids but Rotimi didn’t permit that. I had to do all the work myself. But he helps sometimes though. Now the bags were packed and all set for school. Their father was dropping them off but I would go and pick them when it’s time for closing. I kissed my daughters and wished them a lovely day in school as I helped them into the back seat. I could imagine the stress their dad would through this short while he was dropping them off. As I watched the car drive out of the gate I started feeling lonely. 

My daughters had become my life. I could see who they would become when they grow. I gave them all the love I never had. There was no exposure to hatred or tribalism inside the same house. They were best of sisters to themselves and lastly they were brought up in the way of the Lord. I walked into my room to arrange what the room always becomes after Rotimi dresses. A normal routine when my husband goes to work. From packing the clothes hung on the wardrobe to the arrangement of shoes etc. it was in the process that I discovered a phone in my husband’s suit pocket. I knew he would be coming back home. He can’t go to work leaving his phone at home but to my surprise it wasn’t his phone. Where did he get a phone from I wondered?

The phone beeped for low battery and at this moment I started scrutinizing the contents of the phone. From supposed trips that were lie to meetings that never existed. Many revelations came from the content of the phone. It was message twenty four that got me off the hook; the scan result is out and the doctor said he’s a boy. I know he’ll look exactly like you. 

I rushed to my phone to dial the number of the idiot that sent this message to my husband and start that war that will stop any other woman from joining me in this house. What I ran away from in my father’s house is becoming of me in my husband’s house. I won’t permit it. I was praying and cursing whoever was part of this. I suddenly could not locate my phone in the house. I always forget where I kept it based on the children. Most times I hide it and this time around it was in the kitchen. After a while I got to see it. 

Settling down in the sitting room I slowly got the number out and pressed the dial button on my phone and the name it showed was Nosa Ighiehon………………………………….. my best friend!!!