Episode 13

Last updated on March 11th, 2023 at 08:03 pm

It was my birthday. I was twenty-five. I felt so old and at the same time, so young. I turned on the bed but Jude wasn’t beside me. I looked at the wall clock in the room and saw it was six thirty already. Jude was probably cooking or sweeping. My husband. I knelt down to pray, thanking God for being so good to me. 

I entered the kitchen and Jude was rinsing the colander. I walked up to him and hugged him from behind, feeling extra mushy today. I wondered what surprise he had planned; he had been very quiet about today.

“Good morning, Oko mi.”

“My angel.” He replied, turning to face me and gave me a full hug. I was expecting him to say something but he did not say anything, so I kept quiet. Jude surely had something up his sleeves.

***

I laid awake in bed looking at the fan rolling, it was about ten pm and every other person in the house was asleep but me. Jude had actually forgotten that it was my birthday and our anniversary. When he got back from work in the evening, I gave him his gifts and wished him a happy anniversary. I could see that he had totally forgotten. 

“Wait, that means today is your birthday.” He said as he unwrapped his gifts.

“Yes, it is.” I said, almost in a whisper. He did not take note of my mood, if he did, he didn’t react. Not wanting to ruin the day and the plans I had, I went ahead with the dinner date, even though Dimeji kept disturbing us. Soon, I forgot that my husband did not remember the importance of the day, a day that meant so much in our marriage.

Jude stirred beside me and soon settled in again. The thing with feeling hurt was that the more committed you are to whatever it was, the easier it becomes for you to get hurt. Surprisingly, I got a birthday call from Sarah. Sam had told her today was my birthday. He was the next person that called after Vic. I was not expecting Vic’s call, so when her call came in, I was so excited I slid the red button instead of the green. 

In a panic, I dialed her back so she didn’t think I was avoiding her call. Apparently, she was also dialing me and so we could not connect to each other. After a few trials, she sent me a message saying she was trying to call me. So, I stopped dialing her number and waited for her call. As soon as I picked her call, I started apologizing and surprisingly, I started crying too. I guessed the pregnancy hormones had started their full job.

We talked for over an hour on the phone and fixed a day to see each other in the following week. Later in the day, a gift was delivered to me from Vic and almost immediately, an alert came in from Sam. I was elated. These people made my day, it was funny how the people that should show support didn’t exactly show support. I felt hurt, but I was sure it would go away. I still had to be grateful that my husband was even more present and caring.

***

It was the day after my anniversary. Jude had gone to hang out with his friends after he cooked and did some other chores. He also apologized for forgetting my birthday and our anniversary.

“I would make it up to you, baby.” He said, as he pecked me and went out.

Dimeji and I were watching his favourite cartoon and I was a bit tired today. I was really hoping for a smooth pregnancy. I wanted a caesarean section for my first child but mummy rebuked it, and I couldn’t describe the torture that I went through because I had to give birth like the “Hebrew” women.

It was a very quiet Saturday and I soon fell asleep on the chair.

***

I woke up as my phone beeped notifying me of two messages. I saw that Dimeji had slept off on his chair. I got up and carried him into the room. Then I picked up my phone to look at the messages. One was an apology and the other was an alert from the Jude. I got up and screamed. All my hurt dissipated at once.

Money really improved one’s mood, I couldn’t believe I felt this excited. But I knew that I was more excited because Jude actually remembered to make it up to me. I sat down and sent him a beautiful message. I should make tonight very sweet for him. After sending the message, I opened my browser and typed “how to satisfy your man’s need.” 

***

My alarm woke me up, it was six o’ clock in the morning. I didn’t really like Sundays. 

Last night was really fun and it was good that my libido was now making a comeback. Go libido! I should try more nights like that. Turning to face the ceiling, I throw my arm over my eyes. Jude and I had been at it last night and earlier this morning. We should not go anywhere today, but I knew he’d be angry if I did not wake him. Jude did not miss church on Sundays for anything.

After a while, I got up. We would be doing our anniversary thanksgiving today in church and Jude had ironed our clothes last night. It also happened to be the first Sunday of the month. I went to take my bath and started preparing something we could eat before going to church. I disliked being so hungry after church, it made me dizzy, especially now that I was pregnant.

I was putting the last round of bread into the sandwich maker when Jude came into the kitchen. We greeted each other in our sweet way, which still gave me butterflies. 

“Did you sleep well?” I asked him.

“Yes, I did. Let me go and wake that little man and prepare so we don’t go to church late.”

“Okay baby.” I filled the kettle and plugged it. 

***

Thanksgiving Sundays were usually very colourful. Everyone ensured to dress their best along with their family, and today, my family was not exempted. We were all in a peach and wine coloured outfit. Jude was wearing a peach Agbada and a wine cap, and Dimeji was wearing the same, only that he had removed his cap many times and flung it so that I was sure we would lose the cap today. 

I was wearing a peach lace that looked very beautiful on my dark skin, I must admit. Even Jude kept praising my beauty in the house and on our way to the church. I had my wine accessories on too, which really pronounced the peach. Sitting under the fan with my family in church as we listened to the pastor, I was very happy and relieved. I twirled my ring around on my finger and smiled to myself.

“In all things. All what?”

“All things.” The congregation responded.

“Give thanks.” The pastor continued. “In all things give thanks. Some people are worse than you. I went to a rural community during the week and I saw little children running around without clothes. They looked so unhealthy. I looked at myself and silently gave thanks to God.”

The pastor went on for the next thirty minutes and I was already dozing when the loud voice of the choir rang in my head. “Thank you so much Lord Jesus…” The chorister in pink shirt and navy-blue beret sang. That particular song signified that the Thanksgiving session was about to start. 

“Thank you so much Lord Jesus, thank you so much Lord Jesus, we thank you, we thank you, we thank you.”

I sat up and looked to my right, Jude and Dimeji were not beside me. Maybe Jude took Dimeji to the toilet. My sweet husband.