CHAPTER 21
SWB: Akinsehinwa Oluwaseun.
I didn’t know when I slept off after I had wept uncontrollably.
It was the the noise that my phone made that woke me up.
I was still on the bare ground by the door of Richard’s new room.
I checked who was calling and it was my Pastor’s wife.
I was not eager to pick it but I knew I had to pick up the call
“Hello Mummy” I answered weakly.
“Hello my sister, how are you? I was expecting your call after the last time we spoke but you didn’t call.
I was also thinking we’ll see in church during the weekly service but you didn’t attend any of the program, it was just this morning when I was discussing with Daddy that I’m worried about you and that I’ve not seen you for days now that Clara, our house help told me you came on Sunday to our house.
She said she wanted to inform me that you were around, but you insisted that she let me finish up with my call because I was speaking to someone on the phone.
She said she later left to complete the work she was doing outside and few minutes later you rushed out claiming to have seen me.
She didn’t bother to tell me anything about it again since you said you and I have discussed.
What’s going on my sister because I can’t even remember I saw you in our house that day not to talk of we having any discussion at all”
I maintained my silence, I didn’t say a word.
“Sister Nifemi are you there?”
“Yes ma”
“Look I don’t want to get you scared if not I would have called you two days ago because I had another terrifying dream about you”
I was no longer afraid of any terrifying dream or vision, after all the worst has happened, my husband already knew about the affair and the pregnancy and now he doesn’t only want me out of his house but he wants me out of his life completely.
What else can the terrifying dream be about? Moreover I was never going to discuss the present situation of my marriage with my Pastor’s wife, lest she blows a trumpet.
“Look Sister we have to pray together with your husband. I have told Daddy that we will be joining your family in a three days fasting and prayers, whatever the devil wants to do with your marriage must not succeed”
“Okay ma, thanks. I’ll inform my husband when he comes back” I said, not even sure if I’ll inform Richard at all.
“Listen my sister I know when the Lord is trying to pass a message across.
For the past few weeks now, this will be the third time I’ll be getting a message concerning you and your marriage”
I just hope this woman is not trying to put leading words to me so that she can get to know what’s happening in my marriage and start using it as her gossiping topic with her gossip of a friend because I wonder why she didn’t get a message concerning Dunmininu so that her death can be averted, that was the thoughts going on in my heart but then I remembered that she said she usually pray when she has bad dreams , she prefers not to tell who it concerns so as not to scare them. I also remember that when I too had that terrifying dream about Dunmininu I didn’t tell her, I just prayed about it.
Maybe my Pastor’s wife had a pre- knowledge of what will happen to Dunmininu but just didn’t share with her to warn her ahead or probably God had already sent several warnings to Dunmininu already but she was just too deaf to listen.
It was as if my Pastor’s wife read my mind because she immediately said to me on the phone; Sister Nifemi, you are so dear to my heart that is why I can’t hide what the Lord has shown me. Under normal circumstance, I would have just prayed about it and let it go. Is there anything I need to know?
“No ma” I answered quickly and sharply.
“This last dream I had is terrifying. In that dream I saw you arguing with your husband, something led to another, you fell and you were in the pool of your own blood , you didn’t survive it in that dream, it was the tears that I was shedding in that dream that woke me up to life, there were real tears in my eyes when I woke up, that will never be your portion in Jesus name. If there’s anything I need to know now please tell me,so that we can know where to direct our prayers. This is a crucial matter and we must not take it lightly”
The fear has returned now, Richard and I having an argument? Pool of blood? My goodness, I have to take quick steps before it’s too late. That dream must not come to pass. I remember how Richard threatened me that if I insisted on waiting, though he didn’t complete his statement but I could draw several conclusion from his silence. But does Richard hates me that much now? Can Richard hurt me? Will he kill me because of this issue? Lord this family is derailing from you, please step in before it’s too late. I prayed silently. Maybe if Dunmininu were still alive she would have been the right person to confide in, she’s my friend she won’t condemn me.
It was as if my Pastor’s wife read my mind because she immediately said to me on the phone; Sister Nifemi, you are so dear to my heart that is why I can’t hide what the Lord has shown me. Under normal circumstance, I would have just prayed about it and let it go. Is there anything I need to know?
“No ma” I answered quickly and sharply.
“This last dream I had is terrifying. In that dream I saw you arguing with your husband, something led to another, you fell and you were in the pool of your own blood , you didn’t survive it in that dream, it was the tears that I was shedding in that dream that woke me up to life, there were real tears in my eyes when I woke up, that will never be your portion in Jesus name. If there’s anything I need to know now please tell me,so that we can know where to direct our prayers. This is a crucial matter and we must not take it lightly”
The fear has returned now, Richard and I having an argument? Pool of blood? My goodness, I have to take quick steps before it’s too late. That dream must not come to pass. I remember how Richard threatened me that if I insisted on waiting, though he didn’t complete his statement but I could draw several conclusion from his silence. But does Richard hates me that much now? Can Richard hurt me? Will he kill me because of this issue? Lord this family is derailing from you, please step in before it’s too late. I prayed silently. Maybe if Dunmininu were still alive she would have been the right person to confide in, she’s my friend she won’t condemn me.
“Okay in that case, let us pray. Father in Jesus name, Lord we commit this marriage unto your hands, please shield it away from the hands of the evil ones. Terminate every appointment with death by the precious blood of Jesus. Reverse every irreversible. Let there be testimony at the end. Let other families of the world be able to learn something good from this family. Give them glorious children that will become terror to the kingdom of darkness. Uproot every evil thing the enemies have sown in this marriage by fire. Let their tomorrow be alright. Wipe away their secret tears and let them reign with You at the end. In Jesus name we have prayed”
“Amen!!!” I echoed.
“It is well my sister, it is well. I’ll call you later to know if you have discussed with your husband so that we can know when to start the fasting and where our meeting point for prayers will be”
“Okay Mummy, thank you so much ma. I can’t thank you enough”
“We give all thanks to God who has revealed these things to us. We thank Him for not keeping the plans of the enemies away from us. Okay my dear sister, take good care of yourself and your sweetheart. Bye”
“Bye ma” I replied before she hung up. I made up my mind immediately that I’ll pack some of my things and go and stay with my parents. I’ll tell them I resigned from work because my husband asked me to, so as not to stress myself. I’ll also tell them he asked me to come and stay with them for some few days till he’ll be able to get us a house help. I know it’s a big lie but as it is now, I don’t have any option. Something in me told me when the devil’s lies appeared to be the only option it is because he wants to rob one of God’s plan and purpose. I concluded that while in my parents’ house I’ll be able to think of what next to do. Probably I’ll just travel out to another stare where no one knows me and begin a new life there. I can’t wait in this house, it’s too risky for me and my unborn child. I’m not going to abort the baby, it deserves to live. I just pray Richard forgives me and accept this child as his own, I know it’s not going to be easy though.
Richard came back in the evening and I welcomed him but he didn’t answer me. I set his dinner on the dinning table, he refused to go near the dinning set. In stead he sat in the living room, watching a football match, he brought out the meat pie he bought from one of the eateries and started eating it with a bottle of chilled maltina. I ate my own portion of food and waited until the match was over before going to the living room to discuss with him.
“Hey Love, your club won?” I was trying to create a friendly atmosphere for our discussion, though I knew it’s a mission impossible. He didn’t even look at my side, he pretended as if there was no one around. His eyes were focused on the TV set.
“Pastor’s wife called today” I started with the discussion expecting him to either walk away or ask me to get off his sight but he maintained his peace, though he was still not looking at me, so I continued.
“She said she had a terrifying dream about us and she want us to pray. She and her husband will be joining us in a three days fasting and prayer program. She wants to know where we’ll be meeting for joint prayers. Here, their house or the church?” I paused expecting a response but instead of getting any what I got was a dead silence.
“Richard you aren’t saying anything”
He picked up the remote and started changing from one channel to the other. He deliberately channeled all his attention towards the TV programs.
“Richard I said I am sorry, please forgive me” something told me to tell him I was going to abort this pregnancy , probably he will forgive me after the abortion. Maybe he can’t just stand the thought of another man’s baby growing in his wife’s womb. Probably aborting this baby will be the price I’ll have to pay to save my marriage. I know I have begun to derail from God and to sink deeper and deeper into sin but I just can’t watch my marriage go down the lane without doing anything.
I stood up and went before Richard, I knelt before him with my hands placed on his legs and my head bowed in shame.
“My crown, my love, my happiness, my heartbeat, my husband, I know I have really hurt you, I know there’s nothing I can do that can wipe away the terrible thing I did but I am begging you to please forgive me. Richard I have made up my mind, I’ll abort this pregnancy, please just give me another chance in your life, don’t send me out of this home, don’t send me out of your life. I love you so much, I don’t ever want to lose you. You are the one I want to spend the rest of my life with. Richard please forgive me”
He paused for a while and then gently pulled my hands away from his legs. He put his hand under my chin and gently raised my head making me to look straight into his eyes.
“Get ready for a divorce Nife! My lawyer is working on the divorce papers. You know what my prayer is? Eh, eh, eh!” He chuckled while I stared on in utmost shock.
“You just refuse to sign those papers. I pray you insist on staying in this house. Please Nife ensure you don’t sign the divorce papers oh!” He stood up, wore his slippers, took his maltina bottle and walked out of my sight into his room. Though my eyes were soaked in tears, I fought it back into the teary gland. This marriage is definitely over, there’s no need to cry for it anymore. I walked sluggishly into my room sat on my bed and started meditating on what next to do.
My mind went to Dolly, my husband’s sister, she has not come to visit us probably she’s angry I’ve been ignoring her calls. Can I talk to her? Can she help me talk to her brother, who knows he might change his mind. My phone rang, it was Jude calling, he had called me the last time with this number. I picked up the call to hear what he has to say, I just hope he’s not planning on coming here to claim ownership over this pregnancy.
“Hello Oluwanifemi. I’ve missed you”
“He wants me out of his life” I said hopelessly.
“Oh! Your husband? I’m sorry Nifemi”
“You are sorry? No you are not, you are only happy”
“I won’t deceive you that I’m not happy with his decision but I’m not happy because you are not happy. I want you to be happy. I don’t want you to…..”
“Jude thank you so much. Thank you for ruining my marriage. Thank you for ruining my life. Thank you for everything. Thank you for pretending as if you care about me when all you were after was your selfish desires. Thank you for sending me out of my husband’s house. Thank you so so so much!”
“Nifemi calm down, we can settle this issue. Okay let’s do it this way, I’ll come and help you to pack your things, just tell me when you want to move out. If you are not comfortable with staying in Abuja because of what people will say, we can relocate, we can travel to Canada, you know we have…..”
“Jude are you alright at all? What makes you think I’ll marry you? I don’t love you, I love my husband”
“But he doesn’t want you anymore. I love you more than he does, can’t you read the handwriting? Baby stop forcing yourself on him if he says it’s over, then let him be. Let’s start a new life together, after all we have a baby on the way already. Listen my mum has been complaining she said you don’t pick her calls. She also said she wants to meet you. She’s asking me why it’s taking forever”
“Jude, why are you so selfish?”
“Nifemi, okay tell me how do you want us to go about it?”
“Good bye Jude, please don’t call me again for now, I need to be left alone , okay?”
“Okay I promise not to disturb you again today but please think about it, let me know how you want us to go about this issue, I’ll do anything you want Baby. Good night Love, I love you so …..”
I hung up before he could complete his statement. I decided it will be wise to pack few of my things now and go to my parents’ house as planned before Jude will come here again to create another scene. I’ll leave tomorrow morning by God’s grace. I’ll not be going with any of the cars, I’ll take a cab instead.
As I packed few of my clothes, shoes, sandals, books and some other necessary things, I flashed back to how Richard and I had met. We met in the Sunday School class. Richard is a very nice and understanding man. During the course of our courtship, he showered me with a lot of gifts. One thing that made me felt proud to be with him was that he never made me jealous of any other lady, rather he made other ladies envious of me. Our love was the envy of people then but now things were beginning to take a drastic change. I just wish the hands of the clock could be turned backwards then I would have done better.
People normally say there are three ways by which someone can learn. The first is that, you can be told a story of someone else’s life and then learn from it . The second is that you can witness what happened to someone else and learn from it. The third one is that you can learn from what happened to you , you can learn from your own bitter experience. The last one is not always pleasant and that is what is happening to me now. Maybe if I have a chance in the future I’ll teach others so that they can learn from the story of my life. I’ll probably write a book which will be centered on my life and give it a title. The title is what I don’t know yet because I don’t even know if I’ll have a chance to write the story. I don’t know what tomorrow holds for me.
Throughout that night I kept on thinking of my life, how did I drift away from God? I have drifted so much, I’m too far away from home. I remembered Tracy’s words, she told me the essence of spiritual soundness in marriage. Right now the spiritual state of Richard and I is beginning to decay. Can anything good still come out of this marriage?
As early as six am, I had got dressed up , I was ready to move out of my matrimonial home for a while. I picked up the traveling bag in which my things were kept and a hand bag and sat in the living room, waiting for Richard to come out, so I may inform him I was leaving for my parents’ house, probably he will pity me and have a change of mind.
He came out at exactly 6:45 am, ready to step out to work.
“Good Morning Love” I greeted but he didn’t respond.
“I’m leaving, I’ll be staying with Dad and Mom for a while”
He paused and came closer to me.
“Get this straight girl! I didn’t ask you to leave for a while, I asked you to leave forever”
“Richard why?” I asked in a low tone.
“Because you stink!”
“What!” I exclaimed.
“Nife get out forever that’s what I said and I mean it”
“Why are you treating me this way Richard? After all you are at fault too. If you had performed your duty as the husband in this house would any man have been able to mess around with me? You deceived me too” Richard laughed sarcastically and frowned almost immediately.
“You dare blame me for this? I knew it, I knew you were never repentant. You aren’t sorry, you are just pretending, you enjoyed the sex with your boss. In fact I know you crave for more and that is why I am releasing you to go enjoy more from him. Open those laps of yours for him shamelessly like you’ve been doing. Isn’t that what you’ve ever wanted? Sex? Hmn to think that he was treating you like an harlot, who knows if he had to chain you down like a dog just so he can get maximum satisfaction, while I was pampering you like an egg. So disgusting! Let me ask how many times did he crack you open like a nut, ten times? Twenty? Thirty, you have even lost count. Harlot!”
I didn’t know when I landed a slap on Richard’s face. He had said more than I could bare. I had already slapped him before I came back to my senses. My heart almost jumped into my mouth.
“I’m…..I’m…. sorry…..I ….. didn’t….. know …..when……I……did that” I stuttered. He stared angrily at me, picked his car keys and started walking away without saying or doing anything. I ran after him.
“Richard please let’s not allow this thing escalate beyond this level. Find a place in your heart to forgive me. Let’s both go back to God, He can mend our broken pitcher”
I held his hand trying to plead with him to reason with me but in anger he pushed me away with his left hand without looking back. I staggered , somersaulted and hit my tommy on the center table before crashing to the ground. I let out a shrieked cry but Richard didn’t bother to wait. He slammed the door and drove away angrily.
My stomach was on fire, I struggled to stand but I couldn’t, I felt something cool running down my vagina to my laps. I dipped my hands between my laps by the time I brought it out, I saw blood.
“Argh!!!” I cried out.
I couldn’t move, my phone was some steps away. I crawled to my bag, the pains was unbearable. I managed to get my phone, I dialed Richard’s number thrice but he didn’t pick up. I dialed my Pastor’s wife number she didn’t pick up. I was already becoming weak, my vision were blurry. Just when I was about to dial my mum’s number, Jude’s call came in. I pressed the green light that signified accept.
“Hello Nifemi,how are you this morning?” That was the last thing I heard before I passed out.