Chapter 6: Chapter 6

It was the dawn of a new day, but there were no birds in the sky to announce the break of the new dawn as usual. Theo’s compound was calm except for Monday's voice, which could be heard at the background. He was singing a native song in Calabar dialect. He walked into view with a chewing stick in his mouth. He had just showered. He sang on as he headed for his duty post.

Yawning, he stretched his limbs. “Na wa o, day quick break today. The sweet dream wey I dey enjoy say I don become rich man

”

He continued his singing, and disappeared into his small house.

Caro was in the kitchen washing the dishes. Her voice rattled like a nightingale's as she sang some Christian songs.

The two domestic staff in the house seemed to have woken up with bundles of joy. But it was not so with Nkiru. She came out of a nightmare, feeling nauseous. She cupped her hand over her mouth and ran into the bathroom where she threw up in the water closet. When the nausea subsided, she washed her face in the sink, after which she returned quietly to her bedroom and sat on her bed.

There was a knock at the door and Caro walked inside the room. “Good morning, madam.”

“Good morning,” Nkiru said.

Caro noticed her madam’s paleness. “Madam, you no look fine this morning.”

Nkiru cheered up with a smile. “I am—am fine.”

“Breakfast don ready, ma.”

“Okay, I am coming.”

Nkiru felt another urge of vomiting after Caro had left. She rushed to the bathroom and threw up again.

A car drove to the gate and kept honking. Monday hastily opened the gate, and the car made its way into the compound. Theo’s mother hopped out of the car. Monday gestured a greeting at her, but she ignored him and marched toward the door. She was not in the mood to entertain any greeting.

Nkiru was relaxing on the sofa in the living room when her mother-in-law walked inside without knocking at the door.

Startled, she sprang to her feet. “Good morning, mama.”

“Please, save your greetings," mama said sternly. "I am not on a friendly visit.”

Nkiru was shocked at mama’s attitude, but she held her peace.

“Nkiru, listen to me good," Mama said, and pulling her ears. "Produce my son or else, hell will be let loose. Good day!”

Nkiru watched her mother-in-law storm out of the house. Caro who had been eavesdropping by the kitchen door withdrew herself inside.

Nkiru called at Akintola’s place later in the day. He ushered her in after they had exchanged pleasantries. The house was quiet without the children; they'd gone to spend their mid-term break at their aunt's place. Lola was busy in the kitchen preparing breakfast. When she was done, she served the meal on the dining table.

”Breakfast is ready," Akin said to Nkiru. "Let’s move to the table.”

“Thank you," Nkiru said. "But I ate before coming.”

“No, you say it all the time,” Akin said. "Today you are eating in my house.”

Nkiru knew she could not turn down Akin’s offer because during her last visit, she had promised to join them for a meal when next she came.

Chuckling, she joined the couple at the table. “Okay, please I will eat just a little.”

Lola said the prayers, and they all said amen in one accord.

Once they began eating, Nkiru started a conversation. “I have come to discuss about Theo.”

Akin stared at her with keen interest. “Theo? Have you heard from him yet?”

“No. I have called to ask the same question.”

“I have not heard from him either.”

“Theo did something terrible. The man has frozen all our accounts—the family and joint accounts.”

Akin could not hide his displeasure. “You mean Theo did that?” He looked at Nkiru in the eye; wanting to be sure she was serious. “Theo is old enough to know the implications of his actions.”

“This is serious,” Lola said with a sigh. Her disapproval of Theo’s action was boldly written on her face.

“You can imagine what I have been through because of the man I call my husband.” Nkiru sought consolation from her female folk. She felt that as a woman, Lola understood the traumatic pains Theo’s absence had subjected her to.

“How is your job?” Lola cared to ask.

“I have stopped working.”

“But why?”

“Lola, I want him to know I am equally as crazy as he is.”

“Nkiru, but that is not a wise decision," Akin cautioned. "Two wrongs cannot make a right.”

Nkiru pondered over Akin's words and could not say a word. She felt bad, but the deed had been done. There was no point crying over spilled milk. Not many people—including her parents—knew about her resignation, but the few who did were not in support of it.

Nkiru arrived at the church premises. She walked into the auditorium and walked past the empty seats numbering up to a thousand, and headed straight to the altar. The altar was an elevated platform, with the centre a bit higher than both the minister’s side and the choristers’ corner. The altar floor was paved with marbles, with about six steps at the centre and four at both sides of the platform. Wallpaper was used on the altar wall. The altar front, in one word, could be described as magnificent.

Nkiru’s burden was too overwhelming that she did not consider the aesthetic architectural work at the auditorium as relevant. Nothing could be more beautiful for her than to carry her own baby. She knelt down before the altar and prayed for what seemed like an hour. When she was through with her prayer, she was already exhausted. She felt God was always far from her, and the only way she could bring Him closer was to spend a longer time in His presence. She picked up her Bible and flipped to first Samuel chapter one. She read about Hannah's barrenness and how she was provoked by Peninah her mate. Hannah went to Shiloh to pour out her heart to God in prayer, and God eventually blessed her with a son.

Nkiru wished her case would be like Hannah's, but she could only wish and nothing more. She often read that particular Bible page, and wondered for how long Hannah had waited before she conceived, because the Bible did not give such details. Her hope of conceiving hung on a balance, as the man who would make it possible was already at large. Hearing footsteps behind her, she turned and beheld her pastor advancing toward her.

“Good day, Sister Nkiru,” he greeted.

She rose to her feet. “Good day, pastor.”

“I'm surprised to see you,” the clergy admitted.

“I have come to seek your counsel, pastor.”

“Shall we go up to my office then?”

The pastor led the way to his office.

“I have not been seeing you in the church lately,” he said, ushering her into his office.

“You are right, sir.”

“I hope it is not because of the problem in the family.”

“It has something to do with it, pastor.” She sat down. “Also, I have been ill lately.”

“Oh sorry, have you seen the doctor?” He retrieved his Bible from where he had kept it on the shelf, and then he sat opposite Nkiru at his desk.

“Yes, I have.”

“I guess it is because of your health you did not go to the office.”

“Pastor, I have resigned my appointment.”

“Why? What was the reason?”

“Pastor, it’s my emotions. I lost focus on the job. I couldn’t concentrate anymore. I felt it was better I left in peace rather than being sacked for one error or the other.”

“Sister, I understand your plight," the pastor said emphatically. "It‘s so sad. However, I want you to believe all will be well.”

“Amen,” she said.

“Have you heard from your husband yet?” he asked. He was aware that her husband had left home. She had told him all that transpired the last time she called at the church office in one of his counselling meetings.

“Not at all," she said. "The worst he did was to freeze all our accounts.”

The strange revelation struck the pastor with shock. “You mean Theo could do that?”

“He wants me to die in penury.” She broke into a sob.

“Sister, wipe your tears," he consoled. “I want you to be courageous and not to give up under life's trial.”

“I am already fed up with life, pastor.”

“All will be well, my sister. Let us read the book of Psalms chapter thirty verse five to confirm this.” He flipped through his Bible and began reading, “Verse five. For his anger endureth but a moment; in his favour is life; weeping may endure for a night, but joy cometh in the morning.”

Done reading, he looked up at Nkiru. “Sister, these are trying times for you. Your husband may have left home with a wrong motive, but I assure you he will come back. He will apologize to you for his mistakes. You should be willing to forgive the same way God forgives man of his sins.”

Nkiru gazed at the pastor like he did not know the magnitude of Theo's offence. She sighed.

“Let us pray,” he said.

Heeding to the pastor’s call for prayer, Nkiru bowed her head. She felt prayer was an obligation she had to fulfil; she no longer believed God heard her prayers. For the past five years, she had been praying for a child, but there was no answer. Instead she was confronted with the problem caused by her runaway husband, and she had to pray for his return home. It was either God heard her prayers and kept adamant or He did not exist.

Paula called at Gemini Hotel later in the day. It rained heavily outside, and Paula was vibrating with rage at Theo in his lodge. He sat on the bed with his gaze fixated on the ceiling. Paula's rage reminded him of the same reason he had left home. He recalled how Nkiru used to yell at him when she was angry back at home. He had not left home to be confronted with such an embarrassing situation. He'd never bargained for it. However, he could not exonerate himself of blame for what had transpired.

“How dare you do this to me?” she cried. “How dare you?”

He stood up to plead with her. “Please, I can explain.”

“Explain what?” She hit him severally. “What is it to explain, you liar, you impostor?”

He held her, preventing her from hitting him any further. “It’s not what you think.”

“Get your hands off me!” She broke away from his grip.

“I can explain, please.”

Paula calmed down after a second thought. “Okay, tell me what exactly is there to explain

tell me.”

Theo could not say anything further. Paula walked to the window and looked out at the rain.

“I thought you wanted to explain.” She turned to him again. “You have ruined my life and you know it, so there is nothing to explain. But mind you, I will make sure you will never in your life forget this name—Paula.”

She wept.

The rain fell across the entire land—from Abuja to Lagos—as predicted by the meteorologists. There were reports of floods and erosions across a section of the country. Some farm produce were washed away, a couple of buildings collapsed, and lives were lost. It was a tale of tragedy everywhere. This had always been an indictment on the emergency response system in this part of the world.

Coping with loneliness, Nkiru looked through her bedroom window at the downpour. The outside environment was a total representation of gloom, wetness and darkness. Her thoughts drifted to her husband. Although she and her husband had a misunderstanding, she still missed him greatly and longed to be with him. The coldness of her loneliness overwhelmed her. Images of the past with her husband crossed her mind; they were images of the good times they'd had as newlyweds. She missed Theo's chummy personality and how he'd pampered her like a child. Back then, she'd often return from the office to find that Theo had already prepared dinner. He'd also take care of her laundry, most times without her knowledge. She recalled their countless calls at eateries and cinemas, and having a baby had never been an issue.

Theo was a naughty husband when it came to making love. They'd both enjoyed their sex lives and he always knew how to fulfil her emotional needs, even during sex. They'd had many adventures; Theo would always come up with crazy ideas that turned her on. If there was anything that kept their marriage bond together, it was their sex life, or so she thought. She’d had the best of Theo for the first two years of their marriage, but their marriage turned sour when her mother-in-law began pestering them about their childlessness.

Nkiru thought back to the last quarrel she'd had with Theo before his disappearance. It was indeed the straw that broke the camel's back for them...

Nkiru walked into the bedroom, followed by Theo, and an argument ensued between them.

“Nkiru, I have told you if you continue to act stubborn towards me I am going to leave this house for you!” Theo warned.

“Oh yeah.” Nkiru faced Theo.

“Yeah!”

“I think you should file for a divorce instead.”

Theo walked away from her so he could undress. “I think you heard the doctor say I was okay. So how do I get the blame for you not conceiving?”

“And I was the one the doctor said was not okay?” She sat at her cosmetics desk to tidy up for the night.

“Nkiru, I have done my part. Why are you refusing to conceive?”

“Sorry, you are the one who has not done enough. You are not man enough to father a child!"

Nkiru left the window to her cosmetics desk, with her mind still wandering down memory lane. With her hand unconsciously playing with a picture frame bearing her husband's image, her mind darted to the conversation she'd had with Sophia at the office, and how Sophia had scolded her about her choice of words toward her husband.

“Could it be I was responsible for Theo leaving the house?" she thought. "Could it be what I said that led to his disappearance?”

She'd listened to Sophia’s counsel and had been willing to apologize to Theo when she returned home, but that was the day he disappeared from the house. He'd made good his threat of leaving without a trace.

Feeling an urge to throw up, Nkiru dashed into the closet.

Monday met Caro in the kitchen so he could have his meal. The two ended up in a gossip.

Caro tapped Monday gently. “Some things dey happen for this house these few days o.”

“Caro, you know say na you dey inside Aso Rock,” Monday said. "Gist me the story.”

She heaved a sigh. “Kata-kata don begin happen for this house. You remember the last time our oga mama come inside this house?”

“Yes, yes.” He nodded. “I remember, na me open gate for the woman.”

“She accuses madam say she get hand for oga disappearance.”

“Shuo!” Monday exclaimed. “Which kind talk be that?”

“No be only that. She promise fire and brimstone if madam no produce our oga.”

“So like play this thing don dey become big kata-kata.”

Nkiru walked behind Caro and Monday. “What are the two of you gossiping about?”

The two domestic staffs were taken aback by her voice.

“Nothing, madam,” the duo said in unison.

“Ehen Caro, where the food,” Monday demanded.

“Carry am for table,” Caro said, pointing at the table.

The gatekeeper picked up his plate of food and hastened out of the kitchen.

Back at the hotel lodge in Abuja the rain had subsided. Theo and Paula were still in the room having a conversation. Theo sat in an armchair, while Paula stood by the window.

“Paula, I don’t want us to get into a fight," he said. "I am ready to give you a helping hand.”

Paula walked away from the window and moved closer to him. “And how do you intend to give me that helping hand?”

“I am going to rewrite the cheque I gave to you the last time.”

She broke into a chuckle. “What a ridiculous thing to do. So after I have received the cheque, you will tell me bye-bye.”

“I haven’t finished. In addition to that, I will open a boutique for you to compensate for the loss of your job.”

“What—what did you?” Paula could not hide her bewilderment at Theo’s offer. It sounded too good to be true. “Are you kidding me?”

Theo brought out his cheque booklet and rewrote the previous value on the cheque, right before her eyes. He handed it to her, and she held it to her chest as she felt her pulse quicken with excitement.

“Give me two weeks and your boutique will be ready,” Theo affirmed his commitment to her.

Paula could not believe her ears. All her pains had suddenly disappeared into thin air. She gaped at Theo, wondering what manner of man he was. In the space of a few weeks, he had touched many aspects of her life.

"Mama, I am sick and tired," Nkiru complained to her mother. She'd arrived at her parents' house a moment ago and had exited her car without even bothering to shut the door.

“I have been seeing the doctor over one complaint or the other because I got married to one Theophillus who has chosen to run away from his responsibility," she nagged on. "The domestic staff's salary will be due this week. Where will I get the money to pay them?”

Her mother could not handle her many complaints. She felt for her with the burden she had to handle in her husband’s absence. She wished Nkiru had kept her job. After all, she had not been doing badly in her office, considering what she earned. According to Nkiru, her entitlements would not come until the next six months.

The aging woman knew what her daughter wanted was for her to consent to her leaving her husband’s house. But she knew the temptation it would bring to her.

“Nkiru, I still advice you to exercise patience," mama said. "You know your husband is not this way. Remember you used to tell me how loving he was then.”

“Mama, that was then," Nkiru debunked. "Now things have changed.”

“Have you also considered the trauma he might be going through where he is?”

“Mama, are you speaking for Theo? My God.”

“Let me tell you my daughter, no man abandons his home and has it smoothly out there. Your husband is suffering out there and needs our prayers.”

“I don’t want to know, mama. That is what he brought upon himself, so let him face it. I am facing mine here too. His mother is the major headache I am facing now. She is doing everything possible to frustrate me and throw me out of the house.”

“My daughter, you know the reason why the woman is acting that way. She needs a grandchild.”

“Mama, are you justifying her actions?” Nkiru retorted.

“Not at all, but remember she consented to your marriage with her son. She was proud of you and was happy to introduce you to everybody as her daughter-in-law.”

“Mama, you know I can’t get pregnant on my own. The doctor said I have no fault, and that I am fertile.”

Her mother could not say anything further. All she wanted was that her daughter’s home would not be broken. Divorce was the last thing she wanted for her. She prayed things didn’t get any worse, but returned to normalcy. She was of the hope that Theo would return and they would have not only one child, but would be surrounded with beautiful angels as children. That had always been her dream for her lovely daughter.

"I think it's time to have a word with your mother-in-law," she said.

Alice and Paula still made time to see each other after Paula was relieved of her job. They met at an agreed spot and conversed as they walked alongside each other. It was a sunny afternoon and their skins were sapping with sweat. They spoke about the harsh weather of the Abuja metropolis. When it was cold, it was extremely cold, and when hot, it was extremely hot. Alice was thirsty and suggested that they stop by at an eatery. Paula consented to her suggestion.

“There is an eatery just around the corner of the street,” Alice said, pointing down the street.

They both hurried toward the eatery. They walked inside the place and sat at a table beside the large transparent window. They ordered for snacks and soft drinks. Their orders were brought, and they conversed while they ate.

“Alice," Paula started, "you won’t believe Chief Herbert promised to open a boutique for me within the next two weeks in addition to the two hundred and fifty thousand naira cheque he gave me as compensation.”

Alice was taken by surprise. “He gave you a cheque and promised to open a boutique for you? It’s too good to be true. How is he going to do that?”

"I myself I am waiting to see. I have my fingers crossed.”

“It will be another seven wonders if he does.”

“Alice, I am beginning to dream dreams.”

“This man seems amazing. He could be your new prince charming.”

“Alice, let’s not dive into that, please.”

The eatery was a relatively busy place. People trooped in and out, and a soft song played at the background. A plasma TV on the wall showed music videos of a popular Nigerian Artist on MTV. The two friends focused on their meal until Alice broke the silence.

Nkiru’s mother-in-law and her two children, Mary and Udoka, called at her house on a hot afternoon with the intention of throwing her out of the house. They broke into the living room like hoodlums. Caro was in the living room on their arrival. She was scared at the way they barged into the apartment, damaging the lock to the door.

“Where is that witch?” mama asked vehemently. “Nkiru! Where is she?”

She turned to Caro who was already melting in her standing position.

“She dey for her room, ma,” the frightened Caro said.

“Go and drag that witch out for me!” she shouted at the housemaid. "Go!"

But Nkiru walked on scene before Caro could go.

“What is it again, mama?” Nkiru asked, looking worried.

“You witch!" mama shouted. "You are leaving this house now. Go in and pack your things!”

“Mama, you know it is not possible to throw me out,” Nkiru reminded her mother-in-law. “I am legally married to your son.”

Mama broke into a chuckle. “Hear a barren woman talking. Udoka, Mary, go to that room and throw out her things!”

“You two should not touch any of my belongings,” Nkiru protested.

Udoka and Mary carried out their mother’s order, ignoring Nkiru. They brought out her luggage.

“Where are you taking my belongings?” she dragged her luggage with Udoka and Mary.

“Take them out!” Mama kept urging her children. "She is leaving!”

“Mama, enough is enough for you people in this house!” Nkiru pulled off her shoe and struck Udoka's head with the stiletto heel. The young man bled on his forehead. Mama withdrew her children after the humiliation by Nkiru.

“I will be back for you, witch.” The woman left with her children.

Nkiru sat on the sofa sobbing, and Caro helped to take her luggage back to her room.