Chapter 15: Chapter 15
This ain't right
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Anthony's pov
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I was angered by the way Elena's mother would not take my suggestions or accept my mother's help concerning the wedding planning even more angered when Elena found nothing wrong with it and waved my complaints aside.
I started having doubts about the marriage, I smelt doom as Elena didn't have a mind of her own and agreed to all her mom's demands even if they were against her wishes.
I began to lose interest in the whole wedding and wanted to call it off, I felt that even though we were expecting a child it wasn't a must that we got married. I already could see the long road ahead and knew Mrs. Badmus would always interfere with my marriage.
However, the more I thought about it, the more I decided to stick to the plan and get married. After all, I loved Elena so much and we would be living on our own after the wedding. I believed that once Elena and I started living together as husband and her; her mother wouldn't be able to intrude into our personal affairs.
The wedding day was surreal and the weather cooperated with us; It was sunny but not too hot to burn and the traffic on Lagos road was mild. Despite the arguments between me and Mrs. Badmus, I felt excited and proud as I stood at the altar waiting for my young bride.
Her little flower girls all dressed in lilac gowns and holding a small basket of the flower were the first to walk down the aisle followed by her maids of honor dressed in a shimmering red gown with a high slit. They were all holding a stick of white rose flower.
The tone from the piano in the background changed announcing the presence of the bride. Elena stood at the entrance of the church door beside her father who was wearing a
customary Nigerian male cloth known as agbada. He was wearing a smile as he held his daughter and walked her down the aisle towards me.
Elena looked breathtaking in her white wedding gown that flowed down her feet. I fell more in love with her as I watched her, every other thing became inconsequential.
We said our vows and the priest pronounced us man and wife. I held my wife closer to me and planted a kiss on her lips.
"I love you," I whispered to her
"I love you too." Her eyes sparkled as she replied.
I was convinced that everything would be okay, our love for each other would conquer whatever trial that came our way.
The reception ceremony that followed after was grand, the hall shone in bright gold and silver. I had to give it to Mrs. Badmus for a job well done. She was also a perfect host to those she cared about, I watched as she moved around ensuring that all the guests present were well taken care of, except for my own family which she ignored as though they didn't matter.
I wanted to be angry but after much thought, I waved it aside. I didn't want to spoil my mood on my wedding day. However, Elena's parents had more in store for me. I and Elena were expected to live with them after the wedding, in their own words they had prepared the left-wing of their home for us and would foot all the bills.
I had never felt so insulted in my life before, and without mincing a word I rejected their offer. To make matters worse Elena bought into the idea and refused to go home with me.
Days after the wedding, Elena still wouldn't come home. I called to make her see reasons why we couldn't stay with her parents but she only cried and pleaded with me. Her excuse was that she was pregnant and she spotted a day before the wedding and was afraid she might miscarry.
I couldn't imagine myself staying with my wife's parents so I continued to live alone in my house. For the next 3 months, I lived apart from my wife, I was miserable.
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4 months later.
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"Elena, how are you," I said into the phone without much enthusiasm, we had not seen each other since after the wedding; we only talked on the phone and her father had tried to cajole and even threaten me to come to live with them.
"I'm great Anthony, how are you."
This question jolted back to reality, and the anger I had been feeling since after our wedding flooded back, so I didn't reply. However, I noticed the excitement in her voice and wondered what must have happened to her. I guessed that it wouldn't be anything more than another material possession.
"I'm just coming from the hospital." She said
"Hope the baby is okay," I said, suddenly missing watching my baby grow inside her.
"Your babies are fine."
"Babies?" I said, trying not to jump to a conclusion.
"Yes Anthony, we are having twins."
"Oh my goodness, that's great news. I love you, Elena." I said without thinking.
"I love you too Anthony, please come and stay with us."
I hissed into the phone before replying to her "We could be together Elena, your place is beside me."
"I would still be beside you Anthony, it doesn't matter where we are staying. I need you now more than ever."
I shut my eyes momentarily, and with the tip of my index and thumb finger, I rubbed my eyes. Was I just being stubborn? No! I shook my head defiantly, Elena was supposed to live in the house I provided with my money.
I couldn't live off her father and I won't. "You are always welcome to come to stay with me," I said and cut off the call. It felt as though my heart had just been ripped off.
I couldn't concentrate at the office anymore, I quickly glanced at my watch and it was just 6:+45 pm. Just 15 minutes more before the closing of work.
Grabbing my car keys from my table I left for the bar after calling my friend Josh to join me.
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The bar
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I was on my third tequila shot when Josh walked into the bar. I saw him walk in; in his usual flamboyant manner but didn't acknowledge him till he stood beside me.
"What's going on Anthony, and don't say nothing this time."
I downed my drink in one swing and without looking at my friend the words leaped out of my mouth unfiltered "Elena called me some hours ago, we are expecting twins."
Josh slapped my back in his usual playful manner. "That's great news, isn't it?"
"What sort of marriage is this? I haven't set my eyes on my wife since, after the wedding, I have not shared the joy of watching our babies grow within her. I feel cheated." I could feel the strain in my voice, the emotions I had caged within me threatened to erupt. I wanted to laugh out loud and cry at the same time. Life was unfair.
"I will give you a piece of advice, my friend." Josh sounded so serious which was something that happened once in a while.
"I'm listening."
"Please consider what I am about to say seriously and do it for the sake of your twins, okay."
"Spill," I replied, sounding impatient and irritated.
"I want you to consider your in-law's offer and go live with them."
"Never," I shouted, drawing attention to us.
"The Badmus are powerful people, they have nothing to lose as Elena is easily controlled by them. If you continue this way you might not see your child even after their birth." I looked straight into my friend's eyes, and somehow understood where he was coming from.
"Elena called, we are having twins." I couldn't hide my joy as I said those words.
"That's great news, my friend, more reason for you to accept their offer."
"But!." I replied and wanted to take another shot at the tequila ordered by Josh for himself. However, he took the drink from me. "You have had enough already," he said and gulped the drink.
"I'm the husband, my wife is supposed to stay with me."
"I know that, but remember you won't be staying in the same house with them, you told me they offered the left-wing of the detached duplex to you and Elena."
"Yes, they did."
"Call Elena and tell her that you are moving in this weekend. Spend time and create memories with her; after the birth of your child; you can convince her to move out with you. "
"What if she refuses to go with me." All I wanted was to stay close to my family but my in-law's interference was costing me more than I bargained for. They were a thorn in my flesh.
"When we get to that point we will know the next step to take, as for now go and join your wife. Let's start from there first."
"I will think about it "
"I will take that, it's better than saying no outrightly," Josh replied, flashing me a toothy grin.
I felt more relieved than I was when I first came into the bar. Josh has always been there for me and I hoped to be able to return the favor someday.
That night half drunk and naked in bed, I couldn't sleep. My mind was in turmoil on what to do, especially concerning josh's suggestion.
It was almost dawn before I fell asleep.
I still had not made up my mind concerning staying with Elena and her family. Josh called me on the phone Saturday afternoon to ask me my decision but I still maintained my stance on staying in my flat.
My ego was hurt from all that was happening and I refused to give in.
At about 3:30 am on Sunday, I was sound asleep when the call came in, Elena was contracting and she was just 7 months pregnant. The drive to the hospital was the scariest I've ever felt in my entire life.