The sun sets slowly, casting a dull glow over the city. The noises from traffic could be clearly heard; car horns blaring, hawkers calling out their wares to attract buyers and pedestrians talking as they walk to their various destinations. The traffic begins to move as the traffic light changed to color green. All these happenings didn’t matter to her as she continues her slow march, not paying attention to her surroundings. Her flowery gown slaps against her body as the wind blows.

She mumbles some words as she reaches to stroke her chin, coming out of her trance-like state. Her eyes darts to the right to check the traffic light, as she gets to the road intersection.

I’m almost there, she thinks.

She can’t help but recall the events that took place this morning.

She had been in the kitchen, clearing away the remnants of the breakfast they had earlier. She placed the rinsed plates in the dishwasher and began to wipe down the tiled counter-top with a soft kitchen towel. She smiled as she began to hum a favorite tune of hers. The microwave beeped, she turned and moved towards the right corner of the kitchen. She felt her phone vibrate in her skirt pocket, she paused in her movement to pull it out of her right pocket. She felt her heart skip when she saw the caller’s name displayed on the screen. She inhaled and exhaled before tapping the green icon on the screen to answer the call.

“Good morning ma,” she greeted, resting against the counter. She paused as her mother-in-law carried on without answering her greeting. Bosun stared down at her silver wedding ring on her ring finger, she sighed inwardly; it was just too early,

“Are you even listening to me?” The woman on the other end asked in disgust.

“Yes ma,” Bosun replied, her mother-in-law said a few more words and ended the call abruptly. Bosun pulled the phone away from her ear and gave a sigh, “Lord, I ask for strength” she prayed.

***

At exactly 10am, the doorbell rings, Bosun takes a deep breath and smoothed down her hair. Standing up from the black leather sofa, she walks the short distance to the door. She pastes a smile on her face as she turns the door handle and opens the door. A woman in her early sixties stands outside; she’s dark in complexion and of medium height. She is dressed in blue lace Iro and Buba, with its matching head tie carelessly tied on her head.She thrusts her black handbag at Bosun.

“Welcome Ma,” Bosun said, kneeling immediately, her Mother-in-law ignores her and walks through the opened door.

“Hmmm” the Mother-in-law replies nonchalantly, a dark-skinned lady follows behind and also walks through the door. Bosun stands up, shut the door and follows as the older lady leads the way to the sitting-room. Bosun drops the handbag carefully on the small table beside the sofa where her Mother-in-law is seated.

Mrs. Ogunleye stares at Bosun in annoyance as she mumbles an excuse to go get refreshment. Bosun hurriedly leaves the room, walks into the kitchen and closes the door behind her. She rests her head against the closed door and says a few words of prayers.

After praying, she pulls herself together and begin to arrange for refreshment for her guests. She gets chilled fresh juice in a glass jug from the refrigerator, clean drinking glasses from the cabinet and places them on a serving tray.

Taking a deep breath, she opens the door, picks the tray off the counter and leaves the kitchen. Two pairs of eyes tracks Bosun’s movement as she returns to the sitting-room. She set the tray on the small oval glass table and pours the juice into two drinking glasses. She kneels before her mother-in-law as she hands her the glass of juice.Mrs. Ogunleye gave her a venomous look.

To be continued....

Source:https://elegenceng.com/2019/06/the-trial-of-a-married-woman-ep-1/