₦airaland Forum

alizenbohr:
Enoquin,
Your writing really captivates the reader; it feels just like watching a movie.
Following...

I am glad the words are doing exactly what I intend them to, it would have been terrible otherwise.

Thanks

Realgana:
You fine come get brain on top.If I see you for my dream na police I go report you to for attempting to steal my heart.lol.
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Good stories,more MB to your devices.

An attempt at theft is different from an actual theft

Thank you so much

“Yes Uncle Biyi, you called for me.” The bitch said coming in. I had insisted on the ‘uncle’ title.
“Why did you leave the dishes in the sink and go out?” My husband asked.
“Sir?” she replied in astonishment. I felt like laughing out loud.
“Did you expect Aunty Ronke to wash them for you especially now that Aunty Yemisi is in the hostel writing her exams?”
“Sorry Uncle Biyi, hi was tired after the hante-nata so hi went to rest…it won’t happen again sir. Please let me go and wash the plates Aunty Ronke.” I knew her eyes would be burning holes into the back of my head; I would have done the same if roles were reversed.
The bitchy creature must have wondered what I had done to make Biyi act so nice to me after these few months…I was not showing that much and since I was now always on loose gowns, the only people who would have noticed there was a difference were the ones who might have known me for long.
“It’s okay; I hope you are rested now?” I asked and turned to look at her. The look of hatred was so intense that my hands went to my stomach in a protective gesture.
Her eyes followed the gesture and giving a slight nod, she walked out.
…………………………………………………………………………………………………….
I talked to my stomach whenever I was alone. I couldn’t share all the joy with Biyi. I told my baby what different feelings I had and how I couldn’t wait to hold him/her. I did a scan but told the sonographer that I didn’t want to know my baby’s sex; I didn’t want to think too far out into the future. I wanted to take each day as they came.
…………………………………………………………………………………………………….
“You have a bit of high blood pressure Mrs. Adesanya; you should take things easy and not worry too much.” The doctor said looking at the chart he was holding.
“But doctor, I have heard of so many tales of things happening and then I heard that the older one was, the more the complications that should be expected.”
Laughing the doctor looked up from his chart; “Really, you should stop worrying. You are in an excellent state; stop reading only gloomy stories.”
“But what if my baby decides to come in the midnight, what will I do?”
“You will be in safe hands…remember that there will be warning contractions…a baby doesn’t just pop out and besides you are just in your 27th week, you really have nothing to worry about till you get to your 34th week”
“But my baby could come out now right? People have premature babies at my age.”
“I understand your worries but you are fine…If I had noticed any threat, I would have confined you to bed rest till the due date but you are okay and I am proud of your excellent state. Once again, take things easy, I am here for you; call me if you have any worries or any questions, okay?”
“Okay, thank you.”
“Don’t forget to take your drugs. Have a pleasant day ma.”

Nmeri17:
Lemmi guess: u grew in Gidi and can barely speak annang. I might even speak better than u do

Ette mbok sike na mmono usung. I can proudly speak and write annang even though the speaking might not be as fluent still...

Nmeri17:
eno I thought you're efik what's all this one

I am annang not efik, and to crown it all, I am a Nigerian and can use any lingua I see fit. This is yoruba though. This particular post had more yoruba, I had to edit to add more english

IV

“Babe, can Morenike use your car when going for check-ups?”
“Nobody is using my car for anything.”
“Then perhaps we should get her a car since she is becoming heavy and all that.”
“Really, we should get her a car because she has become heavy?” I asked sarcastically.
The bitchy creature had reported to the family that I was using her too much and even though the verdict had gone in my favor - probably because I was pregnant – we had been careful around each other since then.
“No babe, it was just an opinion.”
“Well, we are not spending our money on an unnecessary item; that is my own opinion.”
“Can she not go with you when you are going for check-ups?”
“No, she cannot. We both don’t go on the same days anyway. Whatever happened to taxis, have they suddenly gone extinct?”
“No, she complained of getting disoriented whenever she had to stand and look for one.”
“There are two options dear, she either continues using the taxi or you start driving her yourself.” That was a trap.
“No, I cannot; I’d rather drive you.”
“So, option one it is…Look, when the child arrives and we find out it’s yours, we can splash and spoil the child but for now I’d rather we remain prudent.”
“The family thinks…”
“Then the family should get her a car if they are so concerned.”
“It’s okay perhaps I could have Lanre drive her.”
“Okay,” whatever; “have you asked her who Emeka is?”
“Yes, but she claims not to know. There is something you are not telling me. What is it?
“Nothing…Aren’t you going to work?”
“Okay, I guess you need a ‘you’ time. Call me later okay? I love you. What about a kiss to keep me going?”
“I can’t, I feel nauseous as it is.” That was a lie.
“Take care and have a nice day.”

The house felt alive as I entered. Dropping my first set of groceries on the kitchen counter, I walked into the sitting room. My sister was not yet back from school and I had decided to come home early from the market, owning your business was definitely a good thing. I heard the laughter and stopped, it appeared Morenike was talking to someone on the phone.
“No, emi nikan ni mo wa n le,” laughing to what the other person was saying, she continued making half-hearted protestations.
“But what did you want me to do now? This is the first step o, hi pray everything works out well for me ore mi. No...mo sure now. Mo lo female condom now but he didn't know, he was a bit drunk with all these yama yama disease ehn Olorun yo mi pe hi went to that bachelor party kini ma ti se?”

She paused probably to hear what the other person had to say, and then,
“Iwo no ba mi ro now, that boy Hemeka has nothing. I have to use my brain. Ma se sime sime for a while especially for that stupid iyawo but let me just give birth first…"

I didn’t need to hear more, I had heard enough. I had thoroughly gone about everything the wrong way. I had been played by the creature – no, she was now a bitc.h, she had officially become one – and had nearly been won.
I now had a task and that was to save my marriage. No woman was going to bring another man’s child into my house and then chase me out as well. If only I knew how to get to Emeka.
Backing out slowly, I had forgotten about the frying pan I bought along with the groceries. As I watched it fall and make the loudest noise; it occurred to me that I was sneaking around in my own house…sneaking around because of a stranger.

“Aunty Ronke, please hi want to go to the market;” the ‘creature’ said in a bit to act nice.
“Okay,” Go to hell.
“Please hi won’t be long. Should hi get anything for you?”
Heaven forbid. “No, that’s okay. I am fine. Thank you.” Stupid creature, I’d prefer it if you never came back.
The thought made me smile and I was careful to make it look as if I was smiling at her. This probably made Bee think everything was alright because as soon as the ‘creature’ stepped out, he sidled over to my side.
“Hmm, I like your scent,” He whispered coming close and nibbling at my ear lobe.
I have always had this scent. “Thanks, Biyi please stop. Someone might come in.”
“So? You are my wife and we are in our house.”
“But Morenike could have forgotten something.”
“Morenike isn’t my wife, you are. Hmm…your breas.ts are full…are you on your period?”
The nibbling was getting to me but I just couldn’t. “Where were you at two this morning?”
The hands that were tweaking my nipples stopped. I wasn’t enjoying it anyway; my breas.ts had become heavy and more painful especially my nipples, so his touches bruised me more than they caressed.
“What are you trying to do babe, can I not have a little fun with you in peace?”
“What do you mean? I have always asked you questions tons of times during romance; how is this different? If my husband was not on our bed for an hour and a half, I deserve to know where he was.”
He sat up and shifted a bit putting some distance between us. The gesture brought about a sudden chill and a sense of foreboding.
“I got a beep from Morenike, she needed help.”
“And why didn’t she beep me or better still why didn’t you call me to go with you if you didn’t trust me to go alone?”
“Look, I don’t like your tone. Have I not answered your question?”
“And I don’t like yours as well, Biyi. Why should Morenike call you when we had agreed that she was to go through me if she wanted anything?”
“You wouldn’t have known what to do.”
“What is that supposed to mean and how exactly did you know what to do? Have you suddenly become a doctor? Is it because you have your family’s support?”
“’Our family’ babe, they are yours as well.” Even in anger, he knew not to differentiate.
“No, I doubt that. I doubt that my family would have allowed me to go through this whole drama; even your mother stood by and watched; have I done anything to her?”
“She is your mother as well.”
“No, she is yours. Mine if alive would never have been so callous.”
“Ronke, please leave ‘our’ mother out of this.”
“Ehen and if I don’t; will you throw me out?” I was behaving like a rogue no scratch that a local area mama, this wasn’t me. I hated those kind of women.
“I cannot throw you out of our house. We both own everything but I can leave the house for you, it’s getting obvious you want to be alone.”
“Don’t let me stop you. Please take your tramp as well and go have jolly fun with other tramps.” I had crossed the line.
“Listen to me, I am trying so hard to please you but I don’t know what else to do. I have tried to suppress my joy ever since I have had the news that I was going to have a child but because I knew you would be hurt; I have suppressed the feelings, but you cannot know how I want to shout from the tree-tops, you cannot know how saddening it is that I cannot share all of this with you. Ronke, is it not glaring that at least I am not the one with any fault?”
“You are the personification of a fool at forty.”
The slap that followed was stunning. I have never been hit by my husband before not even when I was 25, a new wife and a bit heady but then again we had never stooped this low.
I had stalked to the door when I stopped. No, I was also going to have my say but this time I was calm. The tears fell but I was calm. I read somewhere that tears and calm words had a greater effect.
“You are a silly bastard Biyi.”
“Ronke, listen to…”
“No, you listen to me. You are a silly bastard if you have the guts to refer to our childlessness in such a manner; yes, it’s ours as well not mine alone. If we both own everything, we both own the troubles as well. For the past ten years have I not gone through pain as well? What have the doctors said, Biyi?”
“Look I am sorry…”
“No, what have the doctors said? Say it out loud. What did you say to me on the night you tore my hymen after we had become one? Were they promises whispered on the spur of the moment or did you mean them?”
“Ronke, please I…”
“No, did you mean them or not? I want to know what to tell our child when he grows. Perhaps it’s for the best this happened. I wouldn’t want the child I am carrying to know that his father was a man that couldn’t keep to his words.” I shouldn’t have said the words that would haunt me later.
“Ronke what are you saying?” He was broken, I was watching my pillar crumble at the news he was hearing but I felt nothing.
This was not how I had wanted to deliver the news that we were having our first child.
“I am saying what I have been trying to say ever since you came back. The joy I have had to suppress so yours could be expressed; the fact that even though our dreams came true it had been turned to a nightmare because of your selfishness and impatience.”
The man was broken. “Ah Ronke, the wife of my youth; I have wronged you. Can you ever forgive me? ” He came close touching my belly as he spoke, his voice filled with sorrow, his eyes with unshed tears and I cringed, I couldn’t help it. “Can our child ever forgive me?”
I wanted to reassure him that everything was going to be alright but I couldn’t find the words. I didn’t think we would be alright.

Gracias Senor. On handling criticisms; as long as you put yourself or works forward, one has to be prepared to take positive criticisms

Otunbakay:
Lol, I dey with you Enoquin.
I'm watching you keenly from the sideline, savouring your never disappointing good works.

I appreciate your courage and effort at video making too. You are AMAZING! I appreciate those that gave useful criticism, and I salute you for handling them well.

You have a rare gift and ability.
Please believe in yourself more than anything else. You are on a mission and path that can only take/lead you to GREATNESS!

I can't wait to know how Ronke and Adebiyi's story would end, please keep it coming.
Another master piece!

III

“Oh shut it! You do not need to be vocal about every little thing that bothers you. Is she not here to help too? You have been busy and tired of late, your sister is ill and Morenike does our laundry and you complain? You did not even thank her all you could say was that she not enter our room. What is with you, Ronke?”
“Oh, should I go and kneel to thank her so that you would be satisfied? You talk as if she sat on a low stool to wash the clothes or as if I punished her or something. Did she not just throw the clothes into the machine? Why didn’t she leave the clothes in a basket in the laundry room or outside our door? If she had to come in because you wanted her to why didn’t she leave the clothes for me to sort out? So, opening the wardrobe and touching my clothes is very much allowed, right? Would you say the same if I was to do that in her room? What was the point of boundaries for heaven’s sake?”
“Look, you can yell all you want. I just don’t like your behavior these days.”
“So now I am the one yelling? E bi e ko?”
“Hey watch your mouth…”
“Or what Adebiyi? You want to beat me because of a tramp, go ahead. Let the whole world not only hear of what I have suffered, let them see the results as well.”
“I can see you want to push me into temptation but I won’t give you the satisfaction. Keep on playing the victim card…it suits you so well these days.” With that, he walked out slamming the door hard.
Oh God, what was happening to me?

@Otunbakay PING!

They all sat there…silly people, my God! I was really turning into an abusive monster but I just couldn’t help it.
“Ekaabo Daddy mi. Awon ara ile nko?” I greeted Bee’s uncle as he came in, filled with self-importance. Bastard! He probably was the one behind this.
“Eh Ronke, pele … how are you?”
“I am fine daddy.” Stupid man, he had kept us waiting for a full awkward hour but he was the head of the family and so the meeting couldn’t start without him.
After greeting everyone seated, he sat down and took time adjusting his entire frame.
“Daddy, should I get you something?”
“No…for later perhaps, I want to welcome everyone and apologize for my lateness; you know how tiring these grandchildren can be sometimes. Ehen… Adebiyi…Omoluabi…Omo Adesanya…”
“Baba Ekaabo…” Biyi replied, stiffling a smile.
Really? Interesting!
“Hmm…Adebiyi in as much as I can’t spank you for your act…I can see how you wanted to do a little confirmation to keep your mind at rest, not so?”
Thank goodness Bee had the good grace not to respond, we had come to a fragile agreement and that was to present a strong family front. I was going to remain supportive in the eye of the public and he was not going to gloat about his act but act contrite and remain supportive of me as well.
Not getting his answer, the old man continued to speak. I tuned out and instead settled my gaze on the creature perched on my couch. She dressed modestly - I guess she was aiming to score some points- and was careful to look down all throughout. I suppose I should feel some sort of pity for her but I couldn’t just bring myself to allow that kind of vulnerability into my heart. All the stories I had heard of mistresses, wicked second wives…God forbid, did I just think of having someone else call herself my second? Get thee behind me, Satan!
“…I hope you have heard Ronke?” Everyone’s gaze was on me. What was I supposed to have heard?
“Sir?”
“Where did your mind wander to? Or is this gathering not important enough for your esteemed self?”
“Sorry sir,” from the corner of my eyes, I saw the creature smile. Ha! Biyi…what have you done?
“I said and listen properly our culture and tradition is supreme. We do not throw away children and because Morenike is carrying one, we cannot throw her away too…or maybe for now. She has told us that she has nowhere to go, having been driven from home by her parents and because we would want someone to keep an eye on her, we would want her to stay here…”
“Ehn?” I couldn’t hold it in, it just came out.
“If not for the fact that I know how painful this whole thing is for you, you would have had to pay for that tone you just used.”
“How does anyone know what pain is? Why am I even here, since you all can take a decision without taking me into consideration? Have I demanded she abort the baby? No! Have I moved out of the house in annoyance? No! Have I wronged any of you? If I went to a party and came back pregnant, will you call me ‘omoluabi’? Will you tell Biyi to accept the pregnancy? So why do I have…” My voice had risen and I was rising as well, ready to walk out and leave the gathering.
Perhaps Biyi must have guessed my intention because he jumped from his seat, holding on to me and trying to whisper into my ears about my need to calm down and remember our agreement. Ayo also stood, perhaps feeling the need to remain in my good books and came to talk some sense into me. After I had calmed, I followed Biyi’s pull back to the couch.
“If my wife has offended you daddy, please take it out on me. She hasn’t been herself of late and neither have I…Ehn sir, can Morenike not stay in a rented apartment or even with you and mummy or even my own mother…at least till my wife and I can come to terms with the situation?”
“Rara o… stay with us ke? You slept with her, Biyi; I didn’t neither did your mother.”
“But sir…”
“Were you not aware – as we all were- of her pregnancy long before now? Why didn’t you inform your wife so that you both could carry out your adjustments? How do you think Morenike feels as well? And just because your wife is not comfortable doesn’t mean we all should be uncomfortable?” That last jab was meant to hurt me and it did. “No one is saying, you should marry her for now, if after you see that the child is yours, you want to have Morenike as a second wife then we would have no choice than to support you as well.”
Lanre had been quiet all through and was the only one who seemed aloof from it all. I had decided not to call my uncles - since I was an orphan - but I now saw that I should have. Someone should at least had fought on my behalf or made a pretense at doing so.
“Ehn… daddy, I think for peace sake. We should tread softly carrying everyone along.” Ayo said, speaking up. “As much as it isn’t easy for Ronke, I know as mature as she is once she is calm, she will see reason with what you have said. Sister Ronke, please just try and show that accommodating nature we know you to have. Nobody is happy with Biyi but short of killing him, what do you advise we do?”
They were wearing me down. This was so unfair. I nearly blurted out that I was pregnant too and deserved all the attention but I couldn’t. In the furor of the entire event, it must have slipped Ayo’s mind as well and I wanted it to remain that way; I was going to speak with him to that effect later.
“I am sorry if I have been so difficult, what woman won’t be? If she is to stay with us, fine; but I hope no one is saying that boundaries cannot be placed so that everyone respects them?”
“Rara o,” Bee’s Uncle replied. “I would have been too suspicious if you opened your arms wide to welcome her in, now that we have settled this little matter, I think you should bring us something to chew then we leave you, your husband and her to settle the house rules. As for you Morenike, do not think that any misbehavior would earn you any sympathy from us. Ronke is highly respected so don’t get any ideas into your head, s’ogbo?
“Beeni sir…e seun, modupe gan. Aunty Ronke, thank you very much. Uncle Ayo, Uncle Lanre…thank you.” The creature said kneeling.
Is it me or did I notice a glimmer of satisfaction in those eyes and why didn’t she greet Bee…oh my God! She couldn’t call him uncle because she was used to calling him Bee…
………………………………………………………………………………………………………
In the kitchen as I was stacking the used plates for my sister to wash later; the creature came in – calling her that is my own way of coming to terms with the whole matter – and opened the fridge, humming a little.
“Please Aunty Ronke, where his the bedroom? Bee said he wants to drink water.”

II
“Ronke please, just hear me out.”
“Hear what out?” I was feeling a bit nauseous but I forced down the rising bile. I had been weak once, I wasn’t going to be weak anymore.
“It was once and it was during Richard’s bachelor party, I swear I have never had any cause to cheat on you.”
“Forgive me for not giving you a standing ovation over that statement. Out of curiosity, how did she get your number since this was – according to you – a one night stand?”
“I don’t know I swear; must have been when I was drunk.”
“You got drunk?”
“No…tipsy I guess and…yes I remember, she claimed to have misplaced her phone so I had to ring her number and then we discovered it was in her bag all the while.”
“You fell for a cheap trick Bee.” I had to stop calling him that, it sounded distasteful not after someone else has been calling him that as well.
“Tell me something, did she know you were married?” I do not think I know this man, the man that got drunk and had a fling, perhaps this impostor stole my husband’s body; this was definitely not my husband.
Sighing, the man with my husband’s body shook his head before answering, “No, she didn’t. I couldn’t bear to look at the ring, so I slipped it off.”
“I didn’t know that slipping off a mere band made one less married or reverted the status, foolish me!” I was dripping sarcasm but I didn’t care.
“I know how hard this is for you but this is harder for me, I cannot concentrate at work.”
“Then get your Morenike to help you concentrate.”
“Damn it Ronke! This was a mistake; you don’t have to rub it in!”
Oh so he could yell and get angry? “And why can’t I rub it in?! Did you call her after then or not?! Did she just pick up her phone on Sunday and call you to remind you of who she was?! Did you fucking know about the damn pregnancy?!” I hope babies ears weren’t formed in six weeks; I wouldn’t want my baby picking up vile words.
“Stop using vulgar words Ronke, you know how we both hate it.”
“I will use any damn words I please. You don’t get to FUCKING tell me what to say and what not to say!” I really needed to calm down, I wasn’t helping matters. I took a deep breath and counted to ten before exhaling.
Apparently Biyi did the same because he came and knelt by my side speaking softly; “Nothing can excuse what I did, nothing. When I said for better or for worse, I meant it. Our childlessness didn’t bother me and I know I got careless but we all deserve redemption when we err. I don’t care if you ban me from our bed – even though it will hurt me bad – all I care for is that you at least forgive me. Yell at me - don’t curse – but eventually forgive me. Nothing else bothers me but you. How will my whole world look like if you cease to love me?”
“Don’t think you can use words to soften me.” I was softening up, this man was going to be the death of me but I couldn’t help it and yes, his scent had a hand in it.
“No, mere words can never be enough. I will do all that is within my power to make you forgive me.”
“Have you considered a paternity test?” I still hadn’t told him about my pregnancy, I couldn’t bring myself to, not now, perhaps later but not now.
“Yes, immediately after the baby is born.”
“And what if the baby is not yours?” He tried to hide the brief pain that flashed across his eyes, but I still caught it.
“Babe,” he said slowly standing and drawing me close to him; “let’s get to that bridge first.”