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EPISODE 3

But it had happened. It is a fact and the action can never be reversed. She will forever have it in mind that Ikem hit her, she could never forget it in a million years; and the love between them is forever tainted as a result of tonight’s happenings.

She couldn’t fathom the reason behind his aberrant behavior tonight. He had never raised his hands to her before. Sometimes, when he was angry enough to hit her, he had walked away rather than go ahead with it. Recently though, he had been exhibiting some rather strange behavior, she had been baffled by the subtle change in him.

She fluffed her pillow as fresh tears fell down her face. Her heart was breaking into a million pieces. She couldn’t believe that Ikem, her prince in shining armor, her tall, dark, and handsome lover would raise his hands to her. It still is unbelievable.

She stiffened as she heard the turn of the doorknob. Ikem came in quietly and stood by the door for a few moments observing her. There was a look of chagrin on his face.

“Ugochi…” he whispered reverently.

Ugochi turned to face the wall. She did not want to hear any excuse or see that tortured look on his face. She needed him to suffer a little bit more.

“Ugochi,” he said again, this time a little more firm

Ugochi refused the answer. She wished he’ll just go away and leave her to grief the loss of her trust in peace. It’s not every day her boyfriend slaps her after all.

Ikem was not having that though. He shuffled closer to the bed, walked to the other side so he could see her face, and he sat on the bed beside her. Ugochi stiffened some more. Tension radiated from her body like sun rays.

“I’m so sorry baby,” Ikem began. “I don’t know what came over me. I promise it will never happen again.”

Ugochi stared at his face coldly. “You don’t know what came over you?” she asked angrily. “That is the lamest excuse in the book,” she spat.

“I know, I know,” he raised his palm up in surrender. “I know it sounds cliché but that is the truth.”

“It does not sound cliché, it is cliché.” She refused to look at him, she laid on her back, staring at the ceiling.

“I’m sorry Ugo. What else do you want me to say?””

“I want you to tell me why you think it was necessary to treat me that way tonight. And I don’t want to hear anything like ‘I don’t know what came over me’, because we both know that’s not true.”

Ikem refused to reply. He just kept staring at her. How could he tell her he reacted that way because of the information given to me by a man he does not even trust? He can never tell her what Donald told him. What if he was wrong? He needed to be absolutely sure first.

“But that was happened baby. Maybe I was angry because you stayed out so late, or maybe I was just feeling some residual stress. Either way, I’m sorry I hurt you.”

“I told you I would be out late, didn’t I? I distinctly remember telling you today was Dawn’s birthday, and that we were going for dinner at a plush restaurant on the island. Didn’t I?”

“Yeah, I think you did. Where were you this evening?”

“At work. Where else?”

“You didn’t go anywhere other than to work?”

“I went for Dawn’s birthday,” she threw up her hands in frustration. “Do I need to keep repeating myself?”

“Are you sure? No little lunch date with anyone?”

Ugochi narrowed her eyes at him speculatively. “No,” she replied. “Why the twenty questions?”

“I just want to be absolutely sure.”

Ugochi paused and looked at his face critically. She could see the confusion, and the faint anger, but there was something else lurking behind his eyes she couldn’t quite make out. There was something there that looks a lot like distrust.

“What is going on, Ikem?” she asked, baffled.

“Nothing. I’m sorry for hurting you, okay?” he caressed her abused cheeks. “Forgive me?” he stared into her eyes.

Ugochi wanted to ask more questions but she refrained. She decided to take the olive branch he was offering. Better keep the tentative peace.

“I forgive you darling. It was so out of character, it is easy to forgive. But please, control yourself better next time we have an argument.”

“I will. I love you.”

“Love you too.”

Few minutes later, they both lay in bed. They were not touching nor speaking with each other. Each was occupied with his own thoughts.

Ikem’s thoughts were whirling around his mind. So, who is lying? He thought. She claimed to be at work all day and Donald claimed he saw her having a drink with another man. Who is lying? I better get to the bottom of this, and fast.

Ugochi stared at the ceiling as the thoughts chased each other in her head. What did he mean by all those questions? Did he know something? Could he have spotted me with Fredrick this evening? Is that the reason for his aggressive and strange behavior? I better get to the bottom of this, and fast.

The next day Ugochi was in the office when Ijay’s call came through. She debated telling her about the happenings of last night for just a moment before making her decision. The matter was weighing so much on her mind, she needed to confide in someone.

“Hey girl,” she said into the receiver. “How are you?”

“I’m fine o. I called you last night to.

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EPISODE 2
Ugochi drove into her compound at exactly 10:30pm. She parked the car at the slot in front of her apartment, got out and locked the car.

She tried her door, found it locked and unlocked it with her keys. Ikem is probably asleep, she thought. He would have locked the door when he was going to bed; she didn’t think it was likely though. He rarely slept before she got home.

She went in, and saw him seated in front of the TV. He didn’t turn around, or acknowledge her entrance in any way. Ugochi skirted the small dining table with just two chairs, and narrowly avoided stumbling over a pair of shoes as she walked up to him.

“Hi dearie. You’ve been waiting for long?” she asked as she sat beside him. She saw he was playing with the DSTV remote in his hands.

He dropped the remote as he turned to her, and she was momentarily taken aback by the cold look in his eyes. “Where the heck have you been?” he demanded coldly.

She drew back, alarmed by the anger she felt emanating from him. “I told you I was going to have dinner with the girls now. Today is Dawn’s birthday.”

“I told you I was going to have dinner with the girls now.” He mimicked. “You were having dinner with the girls till this time? And you expect me to believe that?”

‘Why not? It is the truth.”

He stood up suddenly and leaned above her. “Don’t give me that bullshit. Who were you with tonight? You think I’m a fool? You think I don’t see what is going on here?”

Ugochi stood up too, alarmed. “What is wrong with you, Ikem? Please don’t start your crap with me tonight.” She made as if to move away.

“Crap? Did you say crap? Are you talking to me like that?” he grabbed her arm, swung her back, and before she could adjust her stance, gave her a resounding slap. The force of the slap knocked her back on her seat.

She sat there staring at him with a palm pressed to her stinging cheeks, too stunned to do anything other than stare, tears streaming down her face. He stood over her, still vibrating with anger.

“Ikem, did you just slap me?” Ugochi asked incredulously

“Yes, I did. And if you provoke me further, I’ll serve you the second round.”

She stood up, her palm still pressed to her cheek, staring at him, dumbfounded. “What has come over you? Where is all this coming from, Ikem?”

“Don’t ask me stupid questions. I am the one with the questions here. Which guy did you go out with this evening?”

“I don’t have to stand here and take this from you. Excuse me.” she sniffled as she walked past him.

He wanted to grab her again, but he refrained from doing so, and watched her go while a myriad of feelings passed over his face. The final one that settled in was guilt. He didn’t know what just came over him. He usually does not react with such anger, but this time around, he just couldn’t stop himself from hitting her.

The anger had started to build in him when his friend, Donald, called him this evening to tell him he spotted Ugochi in a small café with a man. Donald said they had looked very cozy together, and he just wanted to inform her as the good friend he was. Ikem didn’t believe that for a moment, he knew why Donald called, it was to rub it in his face, to throw his absolute faith in Ugochi back in his face. He had constantly bragged about how faithful Ugochi was, now for her to throw this in his face? It was intolerable.


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EPISODE 1

Ikemefuna sat on the couch in his living room, arms folded on his chest, eyes clouded with anger, lips stretched thin, and watched the hand of the clock move towards 9pm for the umpteenth time. He was fuming with anger but anyone looking at him would just see a handsome, well-built man, watching TV, with an impatient stretch to his lips. On closer inspection though, the anger in his eyes could not be missed.

He stared at the game showing on the TV. His favorite English club, Arsenal were playing against their arch nemesis, Chelsea and it seems Chelsea is going to get the glory once more. He watched the screen, at the same time listening for when the door will open to admit Ugochi, his girlfriend, whom he had been waiting for impatiently for the past two hours.

Why is this woman late? What does she take me for? How can she leave me here and go about frolicking with every Dick and Harry in the city? She’ll have a lot of explaining to do when she gets back here. These were the thoughts flowing through his mind as he sat, alternately watching the clock and the screen, grinding his teeth in an obvious sign of frustration.

Meanwhile, Ugochi was having a great time with her girlfriends at the birthday party of one of the gang. She laughed at something Dawn, the birthday girl said and gave Ijeoma a wink. The three girls have been rolling together since they were at the University, they were popularly known as the three musketeers back then. Now, all of them are settled into their respective careers but they still find time to get together once in a while.

It was Dawn’s birthday and they had opted for a quiet dinner together at the birthday girl’s favorite restaurant instead of the usual all-out party she throws every year. It had taken a lot of convincing on the part of Ugochi and Ijeoma before Dawn agreed to have a small party with just the girls. She was enjoying herself although she would never admit it to her friends. Turning twenty-five should be a lot of fun.

The women have a lot in common. Apart from been the same ages, they also graduated from the same department in the University. They all studied Microbiology, and each of them had their view of the course and how they want to use it to make the world a better place. Ugochi had opted for Food Microbiology and presently works with Fan Ice in Ibadan. Ijeoma, fondly called Ijay by her friends, had bent towards health presently working as a laboratory scientist at the University College Hospital, Ibadan. Dawn had decided on pursuing the beauty angle and currently owns a beauty spa in New Bodija, Ibadan.

Ugochi is the only one in a serious relationship of the three of them. She had been with Ikem for the past three years. Dawn prefers to play the field, she had like a dozen guys at her disposal, which is not surprising as she’s the most beautiful of them. Ijeoma, on the other hand, is on a break in between relationships; her last run hadn’t been so enjoyable.

“Guys, remember that time we all failed Professor Odi’s class? He insisted we wait after everyone had gone home for the holidays, study for a week and rewrite the test. I couldn’t believe it when he said it.” Ijay reminisced

“Yeah, yeah. It was the worst week of my life.” Dawn muttered

“You were just pissed because all your boyfriends were not available.” Ijay teased

“Yeah, well what’s a girl to do when all her useful guys were not available.” She grumbled

“At least you still had Dave. The guy was so in love with you, he didn’t mind staying back for a whole week even when you didn’t acknowledge his existence.” Ugochi chipped in.

Dawn covered her face with her hands. “Oh please don’t remind me of that guy.”

Ijay laughed. “But Dawn, you were so hard on the guy.”

“I just couldn’t see myself with him. He was so needy, you know. I could never be with a guy like that.”

“Yeah. We all know you like them tough.” Ugochi teased.

She laughed. “You got that right, baby.”

Ugochi checked her wristwatch, noted the time. “Girls, I’m sorry to break this up but I really must get going.”

“Hmmm, we understand girl. That hunk of yours must be waiting for you.” Dawn winked. “Lucky girl.” She sighed wistfully

“How is Ikem?” Ijay asked

Ugochi beamed. “He’s fine o.”

“Hmm, that your man is a real eye candy. I wish he were mine.” Dawn winked again

“Keep your thoughts away from my man abeg.” Ugochi laughed. “Don’t you have your hands full already?”

“You can never have enough now.”

Ugochi was about to answer when her phone beeped signaling an incoming call. She checked the caller ID and saw it was a video call from Ikem.

“Speak of the devil.” Ugochi gestured. “I need to take this.” She stepped out of the restaurant to give herself some....................

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This is so not happening the way I thought it would. This is not going according to plan at all. I muttered to myself as I crossed the road to where my car was parked. This LASTMA official has the audacity to attach my car to a tow truck? I’m not even parked illegally.

“Hey mister, what do you think you’re doing?” I asked impatiently as soon as I got to him.

“Is this your car, madam?”

“No, it’s my grandma’s car.” I answered sarcastically. I’ve so not got time for this. I’m already too late for my meeting. I don’t need the hassle of an overzealous government official.

“Well, tell your grandma to come to our office to get her car.” He gave me as good as he got.

I sighed impatiently. “Oga, what do you want?”

“Madam, is this your car?” he asked again.

“Yes, it’s mine. Why is it attached to your truck?”

“You parked illegally. This is a no-parking zone.”

“No, it’s not.”

“Madam, please check the sign above you.” He gestured to a battered sign with barely recognizable letters.

The sign must have seen centuries of sun and rain on its sorry self; the paint job was so chipped and worn, the letter ‘N’ was completely faded and the ‘ING’ part of the ‘PARKING’ was folded in on itself. It was no surprise I didn’t catch it before parking my car. And here I thought I had been so careful.

I decided to try reasoning with him since I was at fault. “Bros, I didn’t see the sign o. This sign has seen better days now. I thought I parked in a good space.”

“Well, you didn’t. You were not supposed to park here and anything could have happened to your car. Who would you have complained to then?”

“I understand, but nothing happened. I’m here now, so you can leave the car.”

“It doesn’t work that way, madam. The car is attached to the truck already so you have to come to our office with me and pay the fine to get your car released to you.”

“Haba bros, let’s settle this here now. No need to get to your office.”

“I’m sorry but I can’t help you. My hands are tied. That’s the procedure.”

“No, I can’t accept that.” I disagreed. “This sign is barely recognizable. You can’t hold me responsible for the neglect of the government to repair signs and what-not. You have to help me; I’m late for an appointment as it is.”

He didn’t even act as if he heard me. He just walked away and went to the passenger side of the tow truck. It was then I noticed the other officer in the driver’s seat. I quickly approached him; maybe he can talk some sense into his colleague.

“Oga, abeg help me talk to your friend now. I’m ready to do whatever it takes to settle this here once and for all.” I appealed to the stone-faced man.

He didn’t even deign to answer me. He just pointed to his stone-faced twin seated beside him and kept mute.

The bane of my existence turned to me tight-lipped. “Madam, I already told you. Come get your car at the office.”

I accepted my fate meekly. It was that or I come to blows with them. It was just my luck that I happened to be dealing with the least corrupt officials in this frustrating city. “Can I at least have the address?”

That surprised him. “You won’t be coming with us?”

“No. I told you earlier, I am late for a very important appointment.”

“Suit yourself.” He reeled off an address and I quickly typed it on my phone.

“Can I have your number, please? In case I get lost; I’m not so familiar with this city.”

He grudgingly gave me his number too and I typed it gratefully. At least, he didn’t deny me that.

“Thank you.” I said.

“We’ll be expecting you.” He replied and they drove off.

I watched my car being pulled away helplessly. There was nothing to be done about that now. I checked my watch and grimaced. I was running behind and I didn’t even know where the meeting was to take place specifically; one of the hazards of moving into a new and strange city.

I’ll have to try my luck with a taxi. Luckily, one drove by and I quickly hailed it. He parked beside the curb and I jumped in.

“Where to, madam?” the driver asked.

“Number 9, SME Street, Ikeja.” I replied.

“Okay.” He smiled and turned back to the road.

“How many minutes is it going to take to get there?”

“About twenty minutes if there’s no traffic.” His spoken English was very fluent.

“Okay, thanks. I’ll pay you double if you can get me there in half that time.”

He grinned at me through the rearview mirror and stamped on the accelerator.

I watched the scenery out of my window as we drove through the city, thinking back on the circumstances that brought me to this impasse. I just moved to Lagos city about two weeks ago, seeking greener pastures and a fresh start. If anyone absolutely needs a fresh start in their life, it’s definitely me, Ella Bendel.

These past five years of my life have not been funny, and I wouldn’t wish my experience on anyone. My village people think I am a witch and my family thinks I’m possessed. All because I have had the audacity to be divorced twice.

Is it my fault that the two men I married didn’t live up to expectations? One of them was a boy really, and the other was a man, a tough guy. The boy was just an immature baby that I got married to too early and the tough guy was so tough he battered me at every opportunity he had. My mum had the temerity to tell me I deserved whatever I got.

My two marriages were not the best there was. The first happened too soon and too early and the other was everything I wanted, until it was not.

I met Bayo (the boy), on campus. I was eighteen years old, in my third year in the university. We met at a friend’s party one night and we hit it off immediately. By the time that night was over, it was as if we had known each other for many years.

Our relationship developed and grew from that point. I couldn’t wait to be with him, he was everything I wanted in a man; tall, dark, handsome, classy, dresses well, and fulfills all the criteria girls give for choosing a man. We got engaged in our final year, and immediately after graduation, we got married. I was barely twenty-one.

It was after marriage that I discovered my TDH man was just a baby. Of course, I had some glimpses when we were still dating, instances when he insisted I have to pay for dinner because I was the one who invited him, or that one time when he was undressing another babe with his eyes right in front of me, and he insisted he was just reading the inscription on her t-shirt.

He was so insecure and didn’t know one thing about managing a home and a wife. He held four jobs in the course of two years and lost them all. Then, the cheating and drinking started. The lies and never-ending apologies. The constant parade of women in and out of our house, of course they were all his co-workers. The many nights he came back home, drunk out of his mind.

It got to a head when I caught him in our bed with another woman. I wasn’t about to take that and I filed for divorce immediately. We were married for just two years and it was the longest years of my life.

Naturally, I gravitated towards a man that was the complete opposite of my ex-husband. I met Tony at a barbecue organized by my company. The company had just acquired a struggling telecommunications company. Ours was a well-established one so we bought the other company. The directors wanted a level ground and a non-threatening environment for the amalgamation of the two company’s personnel, hence the barbecue.

Tony was a manager at the company we acquired. He was confident to the point of being arrogant, totally on his game, had a career to be proud of, had short-term goals and non-term goals, was not very handsome but handsome doesn’t do it for me anymore at that point. I was looking for a down-to-earth kind of guy, someone I can fully rely on, and someone that I know has got my back. Tony fits that ..............

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