Episode 34

Last updated on May 11th, 2023 at 08:28 am

I couldn’t believe Jude had been throwing a tantrum every single day since he discovered my business. I was a bit scared because he seemed like he would do anything to truncate it. I thought this restrictive life was for older marriages and not a marriage between two young persons. It appeared that Jude really did not want me to work and I doubted it was because of the kids and the house; because none of them were suffering. This took me back to the other time I applied for a job and Jude caught me; it was not funny.

Usually, I rounded off everything when I went to the firm after dropping Dimeji off at school. Sometimes, I stayed back if I finished late so I could just pick up Dimeji, other times when I finished early; I went home. I considered explaining this to him then I remembered him spending so much to start a business for Faith, me explaining myself would be silly. Any moment from now, mummy would call. I needed to prepare for the replies I would give her.

***

“Hello, Lape.” Jude’s mum!

“Hello, maami.”

“How are you?” She said in her never-friendly tone.

“I am fine, ma.”

“What of my grandchildren, awon omo omo mi nko?” 

“They are fine, ma.”

“Where are they?”

“They are here playing.”

“Give it to Dimeji.” I was so anxious talking to Jude’s mother. I almost dragged Dimeji away from his toys to talk to his grandma.

“Oya say hello to grandma.” He kept looking at me and struggling to go back to his toys. I nudged him again, and this time, he started crying. This boy. All the while, Jude’s mother was quiet on the phone, probably waiting to see our foolishness. This was embarrassing.

“Hello maami, your boy refused o.”

“I am not deaf, I heard. Why won’t he cry? Doctor said you should rest, you came to drop him here, after one week you came back to pick your toy.” Ah, it was actually one month.

“Ma…” I stuttered. “It’s not like that, he did not want to stop playing with his toys that’s why.”

“Shio, o wa lara e. They said you are doing business.” I see, so Jude would go through his mother this time around. It was a statement, but we both knew she needed a reply.

“Yes, ma.”

“Is that the next thing for you? You don’t have a business self, ordinary pregnancy is giving you hypertension. I ask again, is that the next thing for you?” I felt like a kid, a naive kid being scolded.

“Ma, it is just to support Jude.”

“Is he complaining to you?”

“No, ma. I am just being considerate.”

“See, wo, ko kan mi, I don’t care. My grandsons must not suffer. My son must also be well cared for. Okay?”

“Yes, ma.” I was going to thank her when I noticed the line already went silent. So, she hung up on me. I released the breath I was holding. I did not anticipate this type of strategy from Jude, I expected him to behave weirdly for a while and things would go back to the usual way.

***

I went to the dining and was not surprised, Jude had left his meal untouched. For about two days now, that had been the trend. He did not eat his dinner and breakfast again. There was no need to ask him, I just kept serving his meals. But right now, I was probably going to try for dinner and forget it. I was still waiting for mum’s call and was ready for what I was going to tell her.

All of this tantrum made me angry. I already even blocked Jude’s mum on my phone—I was not some silly person that she could scold. For once, let everyone support me and tell Jude to calm down; he was the kid here, not me. He had stopped dropping our allowance which I had anticipated. I received a huge cash gift from Sam on my birthday last month and kept it for this type of situation. My business was also doing better than last month. I did not know how long I could shield my business, but I was doing my best.

All of this, I kept to myself and avoided spilling to Vic, including the fact that he was still asking for sex, even though he was not talking to me. It was beginning to feel like an insult, an entitlement —like he was trying to pass a message across to me. I was stupid to think I could make this marriage better. I would just show up every day, and face my life and kids.

***

I had just dropped Dimeji at school and was back at Sarah’s company when mummy called. Monday morning determination. I let it ring. And as expected, she called back immediately.

“Lape, when you asked me to give you tips to make your marriage better, I did not know you did not need it.” She said.

“Good morning, ma.”

“Don’t greet me,” She snapped and continued, “Was this the agreement? Is this the prayer?”

“What is it exactly, mummy?”

“Your husband said you are doing a business! He said he did not know where you even got the money from. He is insinuating that a man gave you and you are there acting like all is well.”

“Okay, so why are you shouting at me?” I had planned to be diplomatic and reasonable with mummy, but I knew I was not up for that. I was in the compound and had not entered the building yet. I dropped Daniel and went to a more private place. I did not want to traumatize my son.

“I am shouting. Lape, I am shouting!” This seemed to make mummy shout more. “You have not seen anything, I am shouting? I will shout. I will scream! I tried that stupid Sarah’s number, but it did not go through, it never goes through. That stupid girl!”

“How’s she involved in all this?”

“Jude said she is helping you with your business. Who sent her? Does she want to destroy your marriage?”

“Mummy, leave her out of this.”

“I won’t leave her. I would call her husband, I will call Sam, she has tucked his head under her armpit.” Mummy screamed with so much venom. The whole family had attributed Sam’s obstinate behaviour to him being charmed by his wife, Sarah.

“Okay.” I peeped and saw that Dan was already playing on the floor, there was nothing harmful in the compound, so I left him.

“Lape, you are getting stubborn abi? That’s what you want to teach your children. I want you to stop that business.” I started laughing. I kept laughing until I ended the call even though she was still talking. I silenced my phone and carried my son. We entered the building. I had to give Sarah a heads-up and I did. She did not seem fazed, all she said was, “It’s up to you, Lape.”

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