Chapter 20: Chapter 20

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LAGOS, NIGERIA.

OCTOBER 2018.

The kids were playing with their father while I made dinner. I refused to talk about what happened in the hospital, the sheer fear on my daughter's face is not something I think I can forget soon.

How do I deal with all of this so it doesn’t affect my kids?

Dinner was a strained affair. The tension between Chris and I was so high that even our kids felt it. I didn't want this for them. I wanted a happy and secure home where my kids would grow with the love of both parents but what do I do when I don't know how to be happy and strong for their sakes? The least I can do is act- act strong before them and for them so I stole a piece of meat from his plate and used napkin to wipe some oil from his lips.

"Eat your greens babe" I smiled like everything was just peachy between us. I saw the look of puzzlement on his face when I met his eyes.

Just go along with it. I communicated through my stare.

"Thank you" He mouthed but his eyes were filled with gratitude as he grasped the reason for my strange actions.

We had our usual dinner time which had the twins relaxing and eventually playing with their food.

"Daniel, drop that game pad. Meet your dad to brush your teeth" I gave him a stern look to effectively pass the message. "Ella please pack up those dolls and go to bed" I directed.

"Mummy, I’m not sleepy" she whined.

"You have school tomorrow" I replied.

"Daddy, I'm not sleepy" she complained when she realized whatever she was doing, was not working on me.

"Baby! You know princesses need their beauty sleep. So let's go prepare for bed." He was good with her, he always has been. They were each other’s favorites.

Why would he throw all of this away?

The kids were finally in bed after much fuss. Twins were a handful really with their constant bickering and need for attention. It was hard work but today it served as a distraction from my hurt.

"Thank you, I know you did this for them. Its no news that you are the better person between us." Chris said when we were alone in our room.

"I’m going to the hospital for the night shift. Can you get the kids ready for school in the morning?"

"Yes sure, butTemi avoiding me doesn't solve our problems. Anyways, Daddy called so we are visiting my parent’s tomorrow."

"Okay." I walked off to the bathroom to have a shower and he stood there awkwardly before retiring to his study.

"Mama twins, you haven't been to see us for so long. Did we offend you?" my father in-law asked when we arrived his residence the next day.

"Ah no daddy. We have just been busy"

"Alright. I invited you here because I need your permission to send your husband abroad since you are the reason for the improved state of our relationship." A deep cough followed his statement.

"He can if he wants to. I have no problems with it." I smiled softly to suppress the bitterness in my tone. "I'll ask the driver to bring you to the clinic on Monday" I added.

"But I’m fine. It’s just a little cold and tiredness." Even though they refused to admit it, they were so alike. They had the same facial expressions. Chris usually had a tiny frown between his brows when he didn't want to do something and would jut his lips forward if he wanted to get away from doing it. This was the same expression currently on the older man.

The twins who were finally done eating, jumped on the old man with Ella pulling his beards roughly.

"Grandpa, let's play" Daniel said.

"Grandpa cawwi me" Ella demanded. She still slurs some words, making her cute and a little manipulative.

The soft footsteps that moved towards us and the aura that followed notified me of her presence: My mother in-law. Four years ago after big mummy died, Daddy married Chris’ mother who was divorced. She never approved of our marriage- she still hasn’t- in her words, I was too tacky for her sophisticated son.

"Pamela" she called with scorn.

"Good afternoon ma." After trying to make her like me in our first year of marriage, I gave up. Chris was the soft and kind one whereas, I was impatient and quick to anger so I couldn’t force her to like me while receiving insults. Maybe she hasn’t noticed, but that look on her face doesn’t faze me one bit.

"Hmm" She replied like she was forced. Chris winced, his hands snaking towards mine as a show of support which I didn't needso I pulled my hands away from where it lay on the sofa and folded it on my laps. He recoiled. She noticed our exchange and turned her attention to the son who could do no wrong in her eyes.

"Chris, what's wrong? Why do you look glum and sad?"

"Nothing mum." He smiled but it didn't reach his eyes. She didn't look convinced but decided to let it be as she shot daggers at me.

"So I got joyous news yesterday." She was beaming from ear to ear like she won the lottery. All of us looked at her, waiting to hear what it was.

"Ayomide, why didn't you tell us you and Nina were expecting? She is four months’ pregnant right? Just imagine we would have another grandchild"

The silence that followed her speech was deafening. Daddy had his mouth opened wide, while my cheating husband clenched his fist tightly. Hearing the news again, this time from the hateful woman seated before me, made it very realas the tears threatened to fall. The glee on my mother in-law’s face was insensitive as it was stupid. She was happy with her declaration, not taking into account what I was feeling. Why would a mother be happy that her child has an issue outside his marriage? Even if she hated me, common sense should have cautioned her that this was no situation to celebrate. The room was silent as we waited for confirmation from the culprit sitting beside me.

"Yes its true" he replied softly, as if his tone could reduce the gravity of what he did.