Episode 16

Last updated on March 18th, 2023 at 11:55 am

I was sitting at the dining table with a bowl of cornflakes before me. Vic had promised to video-call me this morning. I couldn’t explain how glad I was to have my friend back, her presence in my life was very comforting and fun. Jude and Dimeji had gone to Ibadan as early as six this morning. I could barely open my eyes to wish them a safe journey having eventually slept off at about three am. Vic’s call came in and I slid the green button as I took a spoonful of cereal.

“Madam,” she said, although it was more like a scream. “How are you?”

“I’m fine o. How are you?”

“I am okay. A bit tired but it’s a Saturday and I am free this weekend.”

“No party?”

“Party ke, I am tired madam. Have they gone?”

“Who?”

“Dimeji and his dad.”

“Ah, yes. Sorry jare. They have gone.”

“Okay. I hope you are not too worried about your boy?”

“No o. He would cope. Hopefully things get better so I can go and get him.”

“Surely things will get better. You’ll be fine.”

“I sha know this one o is the last one. Two is okay. I have tried.” Vic burst into laughter.

“It won’t be bad o. Two is actually okay. You have done well.”

“Abi.”

“Lape, wait. Let me check the food I am cooking. I ordered some plates of food that should last me for a while, so I have to cook until the food is delivered tomorrow.” She got up and went into the kitchen. When we stayed together in Lagos, we lived in a self-contained apartment, but Vic had moved away last year as she said. She now stayed in a two-bedroom apartment and the place was beautiful. She did a house tour for me in one of our previous calls and I felt a bit jealous. She didn’t do too much, but she made sure the space was hers.

I had always loved the idea of my personal space, somewhere I could call my home. Somewhere I could always come back to after a hard day and just feel at ease, bot having to answer to anyone. I had a home, in Jude’s house, but it didn’t really feel like mine. Speaking of Jude.

“Lape ooo. What are you thinking of? Doctor said you should not think o.”

“Jude is cheating.” I blurted out before I could even think twice.

“Wait. I didn’t get you.” Vic said, looking so serious all of a sudden.

“My husband, Jude. He is cheating.”

Now it was my turn to ask if Vic was still around.

“Vic.”

“How did you know? She said in a barely audible voice.

“I saw things.”

“Are you sure?”

“Yes. I saw things on his phone.”

“Hold on. How are you? You know your health-”

“I am fine. I am a bit indifferent to it and I am surprised. Maybe it’s a coping mechanism, I don’t know.” I really couldn’t understand how I felt so calm. I sensed that it was too good to be true. After I checked Jude’s gallery and saw nudes that were taken that night as well as lots of pictures of a lady and him, I went to his Whatsapp.

“So, what did you see?”

“I checked his messages and saw that the first day he took me to the hospital and I got the news about my blood pressure he was supposed to see her that day. She was pissed at him and threatened to return back to Ibadan. I think she is based there.”

“Really?”

“He rented a room for her in a hotel. He went to see her the next day and then yesterday after he dropped me home, they went for lunch.”

“Jude went to meet his side chic after the scary news from the Doctor?”

“They had lunch and I saw his messages to her last night saying how he really disliked the way the week went. Apparently, they both went back to Ibadan today. He sent a message to her last night saying he would lodge her in a hotel first then drop his son at his parents’ place and come back to meet her at the hotel.”

“Ahnahn.”

“Yes.”

I had actually seen more, but I could not tell Vic because the last time we saw I told lies just so she could believe that I was enjoying my marriage. Well, at the time, I was. Jude’s lover—Faith was asking in one of their messages if he truly loved her. I read a poem of love that my husband sent to her. He told her he wanted a child from her and she replied, ‘but your wife is pregnant, what else?’

‘Babe, you know it was you I wanted this baby from.’ Jude had replied.

‘But you were so excited when she got pregnant that you almost broke things off with me.’

‘That hurts baby. Why would you say such? I was excited, yes and that’s because the pregnancy would ensure that she stays in her place. She was starting to get bold.’

‘So, you trapped her? That’s how you want to trap me.’

‘Trapped her? She’s my wife o, don’t forget. It’s her obligation to bear my kids.’

At that point, it got too much for me and I closed the Application and dropped his phone. I knew it was too good to be true.

“Lape, I am sorry about this. Is there anything you want to do?”

“Do? Yes na, to give birth as safely as I can.”

“That’s true, baby girl. It’s true. But you know what I mean.”

“I don’t know o.” This Vic girl is crazy o, I know what she means.

“Lape. I am supposed to keep quiet; you know I support whatever decision you make. But you don’t have to be scared. If you had the inclination to search your husband’s phone then I doubt you really trust him. If I searched my partner’s phone then it means I want to affirm my suspicion and I intend to work on whatever I see.”

I was silent. I hope this network scatters self.

“But I am not you, Lape. I don’t know what it takes to be married, with almost two kids and finding out my husband is cheating. It’s not easy. I respect that.”

“Thank you.” I whispered looking down even though it was only a video call. Why does this girl have to get me so much?

“So,” she said, obviously changing the mood, “hospital tomorrow?”

“Yes o.”

“Okay then, did I even tell you that mummy’s toaster called me?”

“What?! This baba is unto something o.” 

“I tell you.”