Being taken care of by a single mother taught him many things. Not all
that glittered was gold. He was only eight years old when his rich father
walked out on him and his mother. He left them with nothing and took the nanny
away with him. No one had seen or heard about him. His mother changed her surname, never remarried
but suffered and worked day and night for her son to get a solid education and
upbringing. God answered their prayers and his mother became a successful
businesswoman. Years later, she owned the best and biggest shopping mall in
Abuja.
After
his secondary school, he went to Canada and finished his university education. He
read architecture, returned home and received huge amount of money to do
anything he wanted. He built his company and with the help of his mother’s influence,
he got contracts. After few years, he became a multi-millionaire.
His single mother, Socialite Deborah Muyiwa, was the woman he cherished. There was nothing
he wouldn’t do for her just to put a smile on her face. When she mentioned he
should date and marry her best friend’s daughter, he never objected or argued
he was not in love with her. He went ahead and obeyed her wish. His joy was see his mom happy and that was more than enough for him.
********
In
a polished mansion, a fair complexioned woman in her early thirties sat at the balcony close to her kitchen. She was dressed in a red gown. Her
Brazilian curly long hair fell to her wide shoulders. She had sharp eyes, pointed nose and there was
loud makeup on her oval face. Diana
inhaled the ciggy between her fingers. She was smoking weed like a professional.
She had received a text from someone and the message passed across to her made her nervous. After few minutes, she heard the sound of the gate. All the houses in Jones Estate had remote control for their gates. She quickly took a long drag into her system before she threw it on the floor, marched it and picked it up and threw it inside the waste bin. Diana ran into the kitchen, locked the door with the key, grabbed the air freshener she kept on the sink, and sprayed half the content into the air.
She had received a text from someone and the message passed across to her made her nervous. After few minutes, she heard the sound of the gate. All the houses in Jones Estate had remote control for their gates. She quickly took a long drag into her system before she threw it on the floor, marched it and picked it up and threw it inside the waste bin. Diana ran into the kitchen, locked the door with the key, grabbed the air freshener she kept on the sink, and sprayed half the content into the air.
She
went straight to her own bedroom upstairs, changed her gown, opened her Louis
Vuitton handbag, brought three different expensive perfumes, and squirted them all
over her body. She dropped the fragrances, motioned to her dressing table and
took a bubble gum. She went into the bathroom and hastily brushed her teeth
before throwing the gum into her mouth. Diana rushed downstairs to open the
door and waited for her husband at the doorstep.
Their
main living room was very big with exquisite furniture’s worth millions of
naira. The plasma television was huge! Instead of their wedding photos, they
decided to beautify the white walls with rare paintings of notable artists. The couple had
their own money but Diana chose to be a housewife. She had a rich immediate
elder brother who relocated abroad with his family eight years ago and her late
father’s inheritance she shared with her older sister and her monthly allowance
she got from her husband was more than enough to last her for a longtime. Her
mother Mrs. Ojo lived lavishly and travelled outside the country frequently.
Her favorite place was Paris.
“Hey
honey.” Jason said coming towards Diana. He pecked her on the forehead. “Did
you hear what happened?” He entered and dropped his leather briefcase on a long sofa.
She
closed the door and gave him an awkward look. “What happened?”
He
heaved an audible sigh and wore a worried expression. “Rume wants a divorce.”
“What!”
She exclaimed and rolled her big eyeballs.
“I
didn’t want to believe it but it’s true.” Jason stated and sat down.
“But
this could be a big scandal for his wife.”
“That’s
what I told him but he won’t listen to me. I am still surprised his wife has not told
you. Preye didn’t call you?”
“No.”
She said and shook her head. “Maybe she has her reasons.”
“There’s
more honey, Rume is divorcing Preye because he caught her with a woman.”
“That’s
impossible! Has he forgotten his wife is a pastor?”
“Well,
that is why we have to see them and talk about it.”
“What
about the others?” She asked.
“I
did not ask if they knew but we are going there together after we eat dinner.”
Jason replied.
Then
it occurred to her the food was not ready. The person she was expecting to bring stew was yet to arrive. “Must we go there today?”
“They
are our friends and you know Rume has been my childhood friend. I have to be
with him and do all I can to stop him from divorcing Preye. Their children are very
young.”
“I
know Mr. nicest guy.” She teased him and that made him smile a little. “They
need some space. I think it’s better if we see them tomorrow.”
“Is
that proper?”
“Yes.”
Diana replied. “You can call him later."
“Please
call Preye. I would also like to hear her side of the story.”
“But
how can Preye commit such a disgusting act?”
“Don’t
discriminate. You don’t know the truth.”
“I
do not think Rume is lying.”
Jason
rose on his feet and stared at her surprisingly. “You are supporting him now?”
“I
am not supporting anyone,” she said angrily. “Go to the room and have your
bath. I will call you when the food is ready.”
He
didn’t like the tone of her voice. He was annoyed she made such statement but
choose not to involve in an argument with her. He was hot tempered and he
always tried to control it. He swore he would never lay his hand on any woman.
He would rather leave the house and get drunk.
The
moment Diana watched him leave, she went to the kitchen to search for her IPhone7
and dialed her elder sister’s number who was a medical doctor.
“What?”
The answer she received from her sibling.
“The
person you sent to bring the stew is not here!” She said in a panicky tone.
“Is
that why you are calling me?” Her voice was harsh.
“Rita,
I know you are not happy with me but I need the stew now! Jason is back from
work!”
“Have
you prepared rice?”
“Yes!”
“That’s
the only thing you know how to cook.”
Diana
frowned. “I know how to boil water, fry egg, plantain and cook noodles…”
“Please
keep quiet! Gina called there was traffic but she should be close to your house
now.”
“I
will go to the gate and wait for her.”
“That’s
your business.” Rita sharply said. “A time will come when I will stop cooking
for you. Learn how to cook and take proper care of your husband. It is two
years of marriage, yet you don’t want to learn. Shame on you!”
“Mrs.
Adviser, send my regards to the family.” She ended the call.
********
Thirty
six years old Pastor Preye Damijo, a slender woman with fine features was on her
bended knees. She has been married to Rume Damijo for six years and they had five-year-old
twins, a boy and a girl. Preye went to a pastoral school and opened a church
before she met her husband. She became the owner of her own church at the age
of twenty-six.
Rume
worked as a consultant in a media firm. He was average in height, and good
looking. Despite she was older than him with a year, Preye’s simple lifestyle
attracted him when he met her. He dated her for a year without premarital sex
and married her.
Few
days ago, he travelled and came back home unexpected and found his wife with
another woman. He remained in the house because of his children and informed
her he wanted a divorce.
“Please Rume forgive me,” Preye begged and had tears in her eyes. “It is the handwork of the devil.”
“Please Rume forgive me,” Preye begged and had tears in her eyes. “It is the handwork of the devil.”
He
was seated on the bed and stamping his right foot. “You are not even ashamed of
yourself! Are you not the one preaching against same sex relationship to your
church members? You go at their backs to commit such sacrilege! Thank the fake
God you serve that I did not kill both of you yesterday! You should be lucky I
didn’t meet a man here, if not I would have committed murder!”
Tears
were all her face and neck. “Please forgive me! I was tempted by the devil. I
will never try it again. It was my first time!”
Sweat
creased his body. “And you want me to believe that? Lies from the pit of hell! Are you mad?”
“It
is the truth Rume! I am ready to do anything. Don’t bring shame upon me. What
will I tell people?”
“You
will tell them the truth! Ashawo! Prostitute! Lesbian! Fake pastor!”
“I
am finished!”
“You
have not seen anything yet! I will open your secret to your congregation.”
She
rolled her body on the floor and started crying loudly.
He
jagged a finger at her. “Don’t disturb the children with your noise or I will
expose you to them! Useless mother!”
She
closed her mouth and crawled to touch his feet. He pushed her on the stomach with
his leg. She gripped her chest and sobbed silently. “I know you have been
cheating on me. I believe there is another woman in your life but I never
accused you because I felt God will change you.”
“Shut
up! I am not cheating on you!”
“I
shouldn’t blame you for my unholy mistake but you pushed me to it. For some
months now, you no longer touch me, you come back home at any time and I dare
not question you. What have I done?”
Rume
hissed. “Just thank God I have not leaked your secret to our friends. Jason is
the only one that knows about this and if you continue to beg me, I will spill
it out to the rest.”
“Please
don’t! I know Jason can keep the secret without telling anyone except his wife.
I am ashamed of myself. I can’t face him!”
“Shameless
woman!” Rume yelled. “Don’t serve me anything for dinner otherwise I will pour
the food on your head. Get out of this room before I spit on your face!!”
Preye
simply obeyed him and went to the guest room, knelt down and began to pray for
forgiveness.
*******
In the midst of their friends and relatives, Mr. and Mrs. Diobi acted like a perfect couple. They had a son who was in a boarding school. Mr. Denzel Diobi aka DD was a Nollywood actor and producer. He acted only in his own movies after he became a super star with a large fan base. Denzel and his wife Hajiza were proud and rich. When they are in public, people envy them of their love but deep down, when they got home, things changed into abnormal.
In the midst of their friends and relatives, Mr. and Mrs. Diobi acted like a perfect couple. They had a son who was in a boarding school. Mr. Denzel Diobi aka DD was a Nollywood actor and producer. He acted only in his own movies after he became a super star with a large fan base. Denzel and his wife Hajiza were proud and rich. When they are in public, people envy them of their love but deep down, when they got home, things changed into abnormal.
Hajiza
always knew Denzel had a wealthy sponsor and they were romantically involved
but she kept her mouth sealed about it and planned to find out the person when
she was ready to confront the other woman. She had her own fault too. Getting
married to him exposed her to the good things of life. She met him while he was
an upcoming actor and she did everything to get close to him. Her hourglass
shape fascinated him. They dated for few months before getting married. She met
his close friends and got close to their wives.
Behind
closed doors, they acted like strangers. They hardly talk with each other and
when they spoke like a normal couple, it was in front of their son when he was
around. Hajiza had her flaws. Before she was pregnant, she started having an
affair with Denzel’s new personal assistant Kalu who was in the university at that
time. After he graduated, he was promoted as the manager. Hajida had no idea
who was the real father of her only child.
Hajiza
reading a fashion magazine looked up at the entrance door when she heard the sound of the handle. “Are you going out?”
“Yes.”
Denzel said with a frown. He was always frowning whenever she questioned his
movement.
“And
you couldn’t tell me?”
“You
are busy.”
“Busy
reading a magazine is not enough excuse.” She said and crossed her legs.
“How
much do you want?”
“This
is a routine now. It seems you are not coming home tonight.”
“No.
It might take four days.”
“I
will be all alone in the house again for the third time this month.”
“I
will tell Kalu to check up on you tomorrow or next.”
Hajiza
shook her head and glanced back at her magazine. “When should I receive a bank
alert?”
“Tomorrow
money,” Denzel replied. “I hope five hundred thousand naira is enough before I
come back?”
“Yes.
Safe journey and please come back in peace. DD always remember you have a son
in an expensive boarding school.”
Denzel
sneered. “I know!” He came out and shut the door. Few seconds later, she heard
the horn of his car.
“Fool.”
She muttered and threw the magazine on the floor. Hajiza carried her android
phone to check a shopping website. All the money given to her by Denzel was
spent on clothes, jewelries, Kalu and gadgets. She felt saving money was a total waste
of time.
*******
Eromosele
took a lump of pounded yam with okro soup into his mouth and spat it out on the plate. His
wife Meredith who sat closed to him at the dining table acted shocked. She knew
she was in deep trouble. He rose up and before she could ask him what the
matter was, he gave her a hot slap.
“Why
is this food tasteless like this?”
She
was holding her face and sobbing.
“Are
you deaf?”
“It’s
sweet to me!” She cried out.
“I
just don’t want to touch you this evening because if I do, I might break your
neck. Take the sacrifice you made and leave my presence now!”
She carried the food and ran to the kitchen. She dropped them on the table, sat on the floor, and wept.
Getting married to Eromosele was a mistake. Her parents had warned her never to leave her home. If she had a scar on her face, she would use makeup to cover it up and when anyone noticed and ask about it, she would lie to cover up what her husband usually do whenever he was angry with her. She had lost three pregnancies because of his constant beating. Recently it was difficult to get pregnant and was scared she might never be again. The only person that knew what she was going through was her pastor and friend Preye. She felt Hajiza would laugh at her and Diana would curse her. She didn’t want to be judged.
She carried the food and ran to the kitchen. She dropped them on the table, sat on the floor, and wept.
Getting married to Eromosele was a mistake. Her parents had warned her never to leave her home. If she had a scar on her face, she would use makeup to cover it up and when anyone noticed and ask about it, she would lie to cover up what her husband usually do whenever he was angry with her. She had lost three pregnancies because of his constant beating. Recently it was difficult to get pregnant and was scared she might never be again. The only person that knew what she was going through was her pastor and friend Preye. She felt Hajiza would laugh at her and Diana would curse her. She didn’t want to be judged.
Meredith
had a boutique. She was into shoes and bags. Eromosele was a manger in a telecommunication firm. They have been married for four years and dated for a year. She knew he was abusive but went ahead to marry him because of marriage
pressure. Meredith hated divorce and she hoped Eromosele would change one day
but every day, he got worst.
Eromosele
abused Meredith emotionally and physically. He would hit her and make mockery
of her body. He was always calling her a shapeless woman with K-legs.
*******
In
her one room apartment, Kemi eyes were focused on her seven-year-old son as he
ate his noodles and boiled egg. She had mixed emotions and was grateful to God
for not aborting him when she found out she was pregnant and the father denied
the pregnancy and lied he never touched her. She thought of committing suicide but she remembered how
her parents begged her never to give up on life on their hospital beds after a terrible accident. The drunk driver who had caused the accident walked freely
after settling the judge on the case. Young
Kemi swore to work hard, train herself to school and become a successful
Lawyer. Her desire was fight aganist murderers getting away with murder.
Things didn’t go as planned for her. Life was unfair. Her relatives called her a witch, threw her out and she was homeless. She lived in the streets, worked as a sales girl, cleaner, did petty jobs, hawked to feed herself and pay her school fees. One thing she never did or thought of was sleep with men even though they drooled over her glowing cholcolate skin, curvy body and pretty face. Kemi turned into a damsel. Her incandescent beauty never made her turn wayward or lust after rich men, she was a Christian and never missed church on a Sunday. She saved some money and shared a room with another girl Eniye.
Things didn’t go as planned for her. Life was unfair. Her relatives called her a witch, threw her out and she was homeless. She lived in the streets, worked as a sales girl, cleaner, did petty jobs, hawked to feed herself and pay her school fees. One thing she never did or thought of was sleep with men even though they drooled over her glowing cholcolate skin, curvy body and pretty face. Kemi turned into a damsel. Her incandescent beauty never made her turn wayward or lust after rich men, she was a Christian and never missed church on a Sunday. She saved some money and shared a room with another girl Eniye.
After
her secondary school, she got pregnant but that pushed her to stay focused on
what she wanted. Kemi named him Nathaniel Adebayo, her late father’s name. She
rented a small place to live, gave birth to a boy at the age of 21 and gained
admission to read law in a federal university two years later.
Kemi
was never shy to flaunt her child in school. Her son existence made people offer
her money without needing anything in return but that did not stop men from
asking her out. She entered into a relationship with a course mate but after a
year, when he suggested she should give her child for adoption, she broke up
with him. Whoever wasn’t ready to accept her and her child together, was not
the one God created for her.
Currently,
she was in her final year and was trying to save for law school. She had two
best friends. She was different from Tina and Eniye but loved two of them
equally. They always quarrel when they are together but settle before
departing. They made her laugh too. Tina was married to an old man because he
was rich. She was educated but lazy. Eniye and her husband loved each other but
were currently having financial problem. They had four children.
“Mom?”
Nate said as he noticed his mother’s eyes on him.
“Yes
baby.” She said and smiled.
“Why
are you not eating?”
“I’m
eating.” She dragged some noodles with her fork and shoved it into her mouth. “See.”
He
looked at her food. “Why don’t you have egg?”
The
money she had wasn’t enough to buy two. She could not tell him the truth that
she was sacked because she refused to sleep with her boss she worked for as a
house cleaner and cook. She was searching for another job.
“Don’t
you know too much intake of egg for adults like me is not good?”
“But
we have not been eating egg.”
“Nate
it is a bad habit to be talking while eating. Concentrate on your food so that
we can work on your school assignment before going to bed.”
“Okay
mom.” he said. He cut his egg into two and put the half into her
plate.
“Awww…
thanks Nate.” Kemi gestured her right cheek towards him. “Oya kiss mommy.”
“Muah!”
He gave her a thick peck and laughed.
*******
Diana
had landed a slap on Gina’s face before taking the food flask from her. It was not the first time hitting her. “I will give you another one if you don’t leave
right now!”
Gina
was sobbing. “My transport fare is not enough.”
She
hissed, dipped her hand into her pocket and brought out naira notes she threw on
the floor. She didn’t wait for her to pick them up. She entered into her compound
and closed the gate. Diana headed towards the kitchen to dish out the food. She
was setting the food on the table at the dining when Jason walked in.
“I
have been waiting for you to call me.” He said and sat down. “I couldn’t wait.”
“I
understand dear.” She said and dished the food into their plates and sat down
to eat.
“I
have called Rume to inform him that we will be coming to his place tomorrow morning
before I go to work. I have a project I am working on and it requires I go to work on Saturday.”
“Okay but I think its best you should go alone to see Rume and Preye.”
“Why?”
He asked in a surprised tone.
“He
told only you about it. It’s best you hear from them first before I talk with
Preye.”
He
knew if he insisted, they would quarrel. To avoid that, he agreed. “Your stew
always tastes like Aunty Rita’s own. I told her the last time she served us at
her place.”
Diana
felt insulted. She managed to smile. “We are sisters. We kind of cook the same
way.”
“Yeah.”
Jason said and paid attention to his food.
She
eyed him and began to eat.
********
********
Kemi
and her son were in their mini living room watching Jenifa’s diary. After it ended,
she took his book to assist him on his assignment.
After he finished, she received a call from her friend who was three years older than her. She grinned. “My friend my friend good evening.”
After he finished, she received a call from her friend who was three years older than her. She grinned. “My friend my friend good evening.”
“Good
evening K.” Eniye said. “How are you and Nathaniel?”
“We
are doing fine.” She said and quickly moved to the room.
“I
heard what happened. I’m so sorry!”
“Tina
didn’t allow me tell you myself.” She faintly smiled. “That’s life but don’t worry,
I will get another job. What about you? Have your husband been paid?”
“Not
at all.” she said in a saddened tone. “We are managing with the money I make
from my hair business. I won’t lie K, I am tired."
“Don’t
be. Remember when we lived together and swore never to give up. Don’t lose hope now. For the
sake of your children.”
“I
know and that is why I am working so hard and going to the shop every day.
Chibuzor is frustrated. His employee keeps promising them he would pay, yet
nothing! Five months’ salary is not a joke.”
“I
know but he shouldn’t stop going to work.”
“He
won’t.” Eniye said. “Are we still seeing on Sunday after church?”
“Yes.
We should meet in your shop. I will inform Tina.”
“Okay.
Take care of yourself.”
“I
will.” Kemi said with a smile on her lips. “Thanks for the call.”
********
Rita
called Diana on the phone in the kitchen. She rained curses on her for slapping her maid. The poor girl had called it quit. Diana never apologized but gave unnecessary
excuses. After the call, she joined Jason in their bedroom. He was tired and appeared sleepy.
“I
thought I heard you arguing on the phone.” He said to her.
“It’s
nothing. It's between my sis and I. Don't worry yourself.” She said and entered into the bathroom. After purposely taking her
time bathing, she came out and found Jason sleeping. “Better.” Diana whispered.
She wore her nightie, crawled gently on the bed and rested. She grabbed her
phone from the lamp table beside her and sent a text to Rume.
‘I saw your message about the divorce. We need to talk. I miss you.’
She
waited for a reply and got a message tone. She read it.
‘Okay my love. Let's meet tomorrow evening. I miss you too.’
**********
To
be continued on Sunday… please!
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