Episode 35

Last updated on May 11th, 2023 at 08:27 am

“Where’s my food?”

I looked up and Jude was standing in a menacing posture. He just took his shower and was asking me for his dinner.

“Which food?”

“My dinner.”

“You have not eaten your meal in this house for how many days now, why are you suddenly expecting food?”

“And so? Is that why you stopped making my meals?” This man is insane. Anger flushed through me, but I kept quiet.

“Jude, if you don’t drop money to eat in this house, don’t ask me for food again.” This seemed to do the trick because he was quiet for a while before replying, “I would drop money tomorrow and I better meet food on this table.” He stormed into the room. I felt embarrassed on Jude’s behalf, all of this tantrum just because I started a business. I didn’t even understand again; it felt like there was more to it. I would not be stopping my business for whatever reason.

***

“Good morning, I have dropped money on the table and I expect my food tonight. Now I am going to work with nothing in my stomach.” Jude said, waiting for a reply. I considered not replying, but it was too early.

“Good morning. I will cook whatever I can.” Jude gave me an ‘I don’t believe this’ stare.

“I need something from the market and I want you to help me get it this afternoon.” He continued.

“What do you need and since when did this start?” He counted some money and gave it to me. I kept my hands folded.

“Take now.” I did not reply. Jude never let me in on any aspect of his life, him suddenly sending me on an errand meant he had something up his sleeve. He looked at me and I turned my face, “Lape, you are really growing wings o.”

“What errand are you sending me?”

“I want you to help me get my clothes from the tailor.”

“I don’t even know your tailor.” 

“I will give you his number and describe the place to you.”

***

Jude had been sending me on an errand almost every afternoon, I soon noticed that he just wanted me to have little time to sort out my business. Yesterday, after one of his dumb errands, I was only able to pick Dimeji up from school. I came home straight, totally exhausted. I couldn’t believe this was how low he would go. I made up my mind not to run any of his errands again.

He still wanted sex last night after the stress he put me through during the day. This morning, he was going to ask me to go and see a carpenter that was to fix new chairs for the house. He wanted me to go and check the designs and then send them to him. He was surprised when I refused. 

I felt crazy thinking he was doing this to sabotage my business. Yet another part of me felt like he is trying to be a better person because he seemed to be involving me in a few personal things. I was confused, sincerely. If he was trying to build our home again, then he should be more convincing, not just sending me on errands every day. He had also increased our feeding allowance to three thousand naira, and this made it even more confusing. But I was done with the errands. When I refused this morning, he looked hurt and dejected.

“Lape, our chairs are old. I told the carpenter my wife would be coming.” He said.

“Next time, ask your wife if she is free before booking her errands like a maid.”

“Okay, if that’s it, can you go tomorrow?”

“When I wake up tomorrow, my body will tell me.”

“Lape, this is new o.”

***

Jude now called to check up on me three times daily. I had a mix of emotions—hope and skepticism. But I still focused on my business and other things. When he called now and I was at the firm, I’d go to a private place to take his call. The other time, it was a video call, and I had to decline.

His birthday was close and I seriously had no plans for him. He never remembered mine, so the days of being the mature one were gone. I couldn’t even afford to go out of my tight budget right now. That settled it. 

***

I had sent out some orders yesterday, so I spent the period between dropping Dimeji at school and going back to pick him up at the firm. The fun aspect was my relating with the workers which also made my work easier. Sarah had traveled to Port Harcourt to see her husband so I wouldn’t be going today. Now, I was back home after dropping Dimeji off at school. The plan today was to eat and sleep. And the mere thoughts of this made me excited —the little joys of life. After taking care of Dan, I left him to play, I knew that after some minutes he would sleep off. I went into the kitchen to get my meal and sat to eat, watching the TV.

***

I heard the sound of the door. Someone was knocking. Who am I expecting?

“Lape.” Jude!  I flew up from the chair like I was caught stealing a piece of meat. What does this man want?

“Lape, open the door. What are you doing?” My phone started ringing almost immediately. I got up, yawning. I had slept off. I opened the door and Jude was there.

“Good afternoon,” I said, turning back to go inside. I picked up my phone and saw that I had to be out to pick up Dimeji in less than two hours. I slept though, that was satisfying. Now, what did Jude want?

“I have been knocking for over five minutes. Is this how you always sleep?”

“Is it a crime to sleep? Do you always come back this time?” I answered him.