Episode 39

Last updated on May 15th, 2023 at 09:12 am

I had had sleepless nights since the day I spoke to Vic. I already considered her option before she even mentioned it. The doctor specifically called us last night saying I should start resting very well so we could have a smooth ride. Doctors were definitely trained to be oblivious in their practice. I had a feeling this could be the stage that drowned my six-month-old business. 

I was always in one fix or the other and it was laughable. I would probably laugh at myself only that I was in a very bad space now. It felt as if Jude used pregnancy to trap me and I knew it probably sounded weird, but I couldn’t shake that feeling off; the way he reacted at the hospital, the way he was quick to take me to the hospital when I told him I was tired for about three days.

I had not allowed him to touch me since the day we found out about the pregnancy. I felt contempt for him and it’s not healthy, but I couldn’t hide it. I was totally withdrawn in the house also. Once he noticed me wanting to live my life, he started trying different ways to sabotage it. Even though he still acted as a partner should at home, I knew it was only a matter of time before he went back to his typical self. I wouldn’t be surprised.

***

“Jude, I don’t want this baby.” He stopped rummaging through his wardrobe and looked at me as if I had grown horns.

“I don’t understand.”

“The agreement was not for us to have another baby. We did not plan for me to get pregnant again.”

“So, now that it has happened, what should we do?”

“I can get an abortion.”

“Lape, are you listening to yourself? Are you a prostitute or did you ever do it and I did not know before coming to pick you up from your house? A married woman is telling her husband this?”

“You know Jude it’s funny that you are not concerned or curious about me getting pregnant even though we used protection.”

“Madam, where are you getting at with all this? I have been a good man and I have been trying to be good a husband to you, but you don’t seem pleased. You always want more.”

“Jude,” I hesitated. He was trying to do his usual cover up and I was not having it. I felt a deep-seated anger and needed to vent and express myself. “Jude, did you tamper with the condom?”

“Woman, you are crazy.” He replied and continued what he was doing. This usually implied that he was done with the conversation and wouldn’t reply to me again. I went to him and shut the wardrobe.

“Jude Alaka! Convince me that you did not pierce the condom or even remove the condom during sex.” He was quiet. I raised my voice even more, this seemed to alarm him. “Tell me this was not deliberate.”

“Lape, stop screaming, we have neighbours. Our children are also in the next room.”

“Answer me, or I will scream down this house.” I shouted even louder.

“Lape, you are really becoming something o, stop shouting please.”

“Daniel’s time was deliberate, but I did not mind because having a second child felt like the normal thing to do at the time. But now, I told you what I wanted. We agreed!”

“I didn’t deliberately impregnate my wife. Do you know how ridiculous this sounds? Pregnancy is a gift from God, some people pay to find this.”

“Don’t!” I raise my voice again. It appeared to be working and I was ready to capitalize on it. “Don’t lie to me. I don’t want to be pregnant again. I want to get an abortion.”

“Lape, in my family, women that have been married into the family don’t try such.”

“You want hell, you would see hell. Don’t ask me for any pregnancy, because I told you what’s going to happen!” I stormed out of the room and went into the kitchen, I hit my big toe against the entrance and screamed. Then I started crying and retching like I wanted to pull out what was inside me. If only I had the money to just leave. This time around, the thought did not surprise me. I was sure I lived with the devil himself.

***

“Lape, Lape.” I slowly woke up but kept my eyes closed. Where am I and what happened? The events of last night came to my mind—now I was fully awake. The voice called me again, this time around with a tap, “Lape, wake up.” Mummy! I opened my eyes and saw her towering over me. I looked around, I was still in the kitchen. I had stopped picking up mummy’s calls as often as I used to ever since she tried convincing me to stop the business.

“Lape, get up, your daddy is here.” I got up, cleaned my face, and went into the sitting room, Jude was sitting and the kids were playing. They were dressed in new clothes; I think Jude bathed them. I greeted Daddy and went into the room to get my phone. It was almost nine o’clock. I went back to the sitting room, mentally preparing as I heard Jude telling Daddy, “For instance sir, this morning, I was the one that bathed them.”

He stopped for a bit when he saw me and continued, “What if I was not at home sir?” Daddy looked at me with irritation clear in his eyes. Mummy went to sit beside him. I sat down opposite them, far away from Jude as possible.

“Lape, what am I hearing that is happening?” Daddy started. I held my forehead as I felt a mild headache coming. I remained quiet.

“Lape, your father is talking to you na.” Mummy said.

“What do you want me to say?” I replied to them. They exchanged glances.

“Lape, do you realize it’s your father?”

“Jude, is this what you face?” Daddy asked Jude. Then to me, “Lape, with the authority vested in me as your father, kneel down and beg your husband.” I almost laughed. What did Jude tell these people?

“Lape, your father is talking to you.” Mummy said.

“What did he tell you people? When he called you to cry like a baby, what did he say I did?”

“I command you not to talk to your husband like that again!” Mummy screamed. 

“Lape, you must be very stupid. Who is giving you this boldness? See your children here.” Dimeji and Dan were looking, probably wondering what was happening. “Are you a role model for your kids like this?” Daddy asked.