Episode 5

Last updated on May 19th, 2023 at 08:19 am

I stifled a yawn as I dished Jude’s food. I had barely slept, yet I had to get up to make his meal before he left for work. Hopefully, I could sleep a bit during the day, if Dimeji allowed me. I didn’t blame parents that sometimes used a little overdose of multivitamins for their kids so they could sleep. I didn’t have the mind to do it, if not, today was a perfect day for that. 

With Jude’s food on the tray, I carried it to the dining table and dropped it. I could hear him getting dressed and singing. He seemed to be in a better mood this morning. After we made love at midnight, I tried to sleep immediately, only for him to ask for another round. I was really dry and even now I hurt, but as I remembered that I needed to tell him about my need for a job, I allowed him to take his time.

***

“Babe, ehnehn. I need a job o. I have even edited my CV, so you can help me print it. I also wrote an application letter.”

Jude dropped his spoon and looked at me. “A job?”

“Yes. If you are worried about Dimeji, don’t bother. He is grown enough to stay in a daycare.”

“Is that boy even up to 5 months?”

“Yes na, he’s almost-”

“Almost what?!” Jude cut me off. “Almost what?” he asked again.

“He has started crawling na Jude.”

I noticed my heart was beating fast. I got anxious sometimes when I talked to Jude. Sometimes, it felt like I was talking to my father rather than my husband.

“And what do you need the job for exactly?”

“Jude. I am 24 years old, and most jobs actually demand ages 26 and below and I should seize the opportunity. That’s why I am asking you first instead of deciding on my own.”

He picked up his spoon and kept eating and then after a while, sounding calm as if he had not just screamed my head off, he said, “Woman, all this one is story. I asked: what do you need a job for?”

“Okay. I would love to make my own money.”

“That’s all?”

My breathing got easy again now that he seemed calm. Maybe he would agree after all, “Yes, babe, that’s all.”

“Ok. Send the CV and cover letter to my mail so I can print them.”

“Thank you, babe. Thank you!”

I was happy. My sleepless night worked. Even the pain doesn’t matter now.

He finished his meal and went to work. As he kissed my cheek, I felt warm with love. Obviously, I had panicked for nothing. 

“Bye, baby.” I said as I closed the door after him.

I heard Dimeji’s voice from the room. My second oga had woken up at last. 

***

I had just finished watching a soap opera. Dimeji was acting fussy like he wanted to sleep, but I was not going to allow him to sleep until around 10 pm. Should he sleep now, he would wake up again around twelve midnight and I didn’t want a repeat of last night. I couldn’t sleep all day because he was awake all through. I heard a car drive into the compound and got up to check if it was Jude. It was him. 

My heart gave a little jump. Carrying Dimeji on my hips, I opened the door for him.

“Welcome, baby. How was your day?”

“It was fine.” He replied, dropping a kiss on each of our cheeks. I took his bag from him and dropped it inside. He sat to watch the TV as he pulled his shoes and socks.

“Baby, did you remember to print those things?”

“What things?”

“The CV and cover letter. We talked about it this morning.”

“Ehn wait na, at least let me settle down first.”

“Oh! I’m sorry. Let me serve your food.”

Dropping Dimeji, I went into the kitchen and dished his meal.

***

“Lape, I am going to sleep o.” Jude called from the sitting room. I was washing the dishes in the kitchen. Dimeji had finally slept at some minutes to 10.

“Oh!” I wanted to ask him for my documents again, but I thought better of it. I would ask tomorrow jare. Instead, I said, “Good night, olowo ori mi.”