The Sword Called Divorce (Episode 7)

When it was 7pm and Marie wasn’t back in the house, her parents began to worry. She’d stormed out during breakfast and hadn’t returned since then.
Nike was getting worried but didn’t voice it out as she went for her women’s meeting that evening. Maybe Marie had gone to the church and decided to stay there.
She harboured that thought as she drove to the church premises for the meeting. The truth is, that day had been very hard for her. Marie’s words that morning had sliced through her and sent a chill down her spine.
Her daughter was only fourteen, how could she wish she’d never been born? Was she hurting that much?
As Nike parked her car, she leaned against the steering…and let the tears fall. It was too much for her. The jumbled feelings and the tension in her home had gotten to her.
Oh Lord, help me. She sobbed. I’m trying so hard to be strong.

She was still sniffling when there was a soft knock on her window. Nike looked up, it was Bro. Nelson, one of the church ushers.
Nike scrambled for her handkerchief and wiped her face;  removing all traces of tears.
Then she opened the door and stepped out with a plastic smile on her face and her glasses shielding her eyes.
“Hello, Bro. Nelson.” She greeted airily.
“Good evening ma. We saw your car arrive and when you didn’t come in, Pastor  asked me to check you.”  He explained.
“Oh. I was…uh…having a little eye trouble. I forgot to use my eye drops.” The lie came smoothly. “Er…did you by any chance see my daughter Marie here?”
“Uh…I don’t think so ma. The children are having rehearsals but she didn’t show up today.”
She nodded and they both walked into the church building.
Nike pulled herself together as she walked in, now was no time for weakness. She had a group of fifty women to attend to and needed to be strong for them. She’d deal with her family issues later.

While her parents worried about her, Marie was in her best friend Amina’s house. When she’d run out of the house in the morning, she’d no idea where she was going and she also had limited money on her. So, she’d just kept walking and walking, trying to let her anger at her family subside.
She was fourteen today. She was supposed to be ecstatic and over the moon…instead she felt like a deflated balloon, one whose air had just been taken out of her.
Truth was, she missed her family. She missed the love and togetherness they shared. She missed listening to her parents’ tease each other…she missed listening to her daddy’s bad jokes.
She missed being able to talk to her Mummy about anything…only two weeks ago, she’d seen her first period. She’d so much wanted to tell her Mummy, but the huge gap between them wouldn’t let her.
Instead, she’d borne it quietly and told Amina. It was Amina who’d given her the pads she used to take care of herself.
She’d known what to do because Sister Izie had taught her how to use a pad a few months ago. Sister Izie…oh how she missed her!
They’d formed a bond which was amazing. Marie had grown to love Sister Izie like her big sister. They talked about anything and everything, Marie had been very comfortable with her.
Why? Why did she betray her family like that?
So many questions Marie wanted to ask.
“Stop thinking about it.” Amina had said over and over again.
“Easy for you to say.” Marie retorted.
They were in Amina’s room, lying on her bed and talking. The time was 6pm and Marie knew she should be on her way home but she couldn’t seem to find the urge to go home.
“Mr Bambi said he’s giving a test on Tuesday.” Amina’s attempt at changing the subject.
Marie shrugged. “Whatever.”
Amina gave a frustrated sigh. Her friend’s mood was depressing.
“Let’s go out! It’s your birthday! I’ll tell Daddy to let Sambo drive us to Silverbird! We’ll get ice cream and snacks…and see a movie.”
Amina’s father was a wealthy business tycoon who pampered his children…and Sambo was the driver who Amina was allowed to use whenever she wanted.

“I’m really not in the mood.” Marie said.
“Ahn ahn…then what are you in the mood for? You’re so annoying right now.” Amina climbed down from the bed angrily. “I’m trying hard here to make you happy. Come on!”
Marie sighed. I’m sorry. I’ll leave.”
“No, no. I didn’t say you should leave.”
“I want to. I’m spoiling your mood. I need to go home anyway.”
Even as Marie left Amina’s house she knew she wasn’t ready to go home. Not yet.
She had only five hundred naira on her and she needed to go somewhere. Somewhere she could get answers.
She walked to the bus stop and got on a bus. Although it was almost 7pm, she wasn’t scared, she was used to Abuja. She’d grown up there all her life.
As the bus neared her destination, she felt the fear pounding in her heart. She was going where she shouldn’t be. She was going to confront the cancer that had eaten into her home.

The bus ride took little over thirty minutes and soon she was at her destination.
Her legs shook as she strolled into the street. As she knocked on the door, she felt a shiver go through her.
The door opened and she said with all the hardness she could muster: “Good evening Sister Izie.”

(To be continued…)

The Sword Called Divorce (Episode 7)

When it was 7pm and Marie wasn’t back in the house, her parents began to worry. She’d stormed out during breakfast and hadn’t returned since then.
Nike was getting worried but didn’t voice it out as she went for her women’s meeting that evening. Maybe Marie had gone to the church and decided to stay there.
She harboured that thought as she drove to the church premises for the meeting. The truth is, that day had been very hard for her. Marie’s words that morning had sliced through her and sent a chill down her spine.
Her daughter was only fourteen, how could she wish she’d never been born? Was she hurting that much?
As Nike parked her car, she leaned against the steering…and let the tears fall. It was too much for her. The jumbled feelings and the tension in her home had gotten to her.
Oh Lord, help me. She sobbed. I’m trying so hard to be strong.

She was still sniffling when there was a soft knock on her window. Nike looked up, it was Bro. Nelson, one of the church ushers.
Nike scrambled for her handkerchief and wiped her face;  removing all traces of tears.
Then she opened the door and stepped out with a plastic smile on her face and her glasses shielding her eyes.
“Hello, Bro. Nelson.” She greeted airily.
“Good evening ma. We saw your car arrive and when you didn’t come in, Pastor  asked me to check you.”  He explained.
“Oh. I was…uh…having a little eye trouble. I forgot to use my eye drops.” The lie came smoothly. “Er…did you by any chance see my daughter Marie here?”
“Uh…I don’t think so ma. The children are having rehearsals but she didn’t show up today.”
She nodded and they both walked into the church building.
Nike pulled herself together as she walked in, now was no time for weakness. She had a group of fifty women to attend to and needed to be strong for them. She’d deal with her family issues later.

While her parents worried about her, Marie was in her best friend Amina’s house. When she’d run out of the house in the morning, she’d no idea where she was going and she also had limited money on her. So, she’d just kept walking and walking, trying to let her anger at her family subside.
She was fourteen today. She was supposed to be ecstatic and over the moon…instead she felt like a deflated balloon, one whose air had just been taken out of her.
Truth was, she missed her family. She missed the love and togetherness they shared. She missed listening to her parents’ tease each other…she missed listening to her daddy’s bad jokes.
She missed being able to talk to her Mummy about anything…only two weeks ago, she’d seen her first period. She’d so much wanted to tell her Mummy, but the huge gap between them wouldn’t let her.
Instead, she’d borne it quietly and told Amina. It was Amina who’d given her the pads she used to take care of herself.
She’d known what to do because Sister Izie had taught her how to use a pad a few months ago. Sister Izie…oh how she missed her!
They’d formed a bond which was amazing. Marie had grown to love Sister Izie like her big sister. They talked about anything and everything, Marie had been very comfortable with her.
Why? Why did she betray her family like that?
So many questions Marie wanted to ask.
“Stop thinking about it.” Amina had said over and over again.
“Easy for you to say.” Marie retorted.
They were in Amina’s room, lying on her bed and talking. The time was 6pm and Marie knew she should be on her way home but she couldn’t seem to find the urge to go home.
“Mr Bambi said he’s giving a test on Tuesday.” Amina’s attempt at changing the subject.
Marie shrugged. “Whatever.”
Amina gave a frustrated sigh. Her friend’s mood was depressing.
“Let’s go out! It’s your birthday! I’ll tell Daddy to let Sambo drive us to Silverbird! We’ll get ice cream and snacks…and see a movie.”
Amina’s father was a wealthy business tycoon who pampered his children…and Sambo was the driver who Amina was allowed to use whenever she wanted.

“I’m really not in the mood.” Marie said.
“Ahn ahn…then what are you in the mood for? You’re so annoying right now.” Amina climbed down from the bed angrily. “I’m trying hard here to make you happy. Come on!”
Marie sighed. I’m sorry. I’ll leave.”
“No, no. I didn’t say you should leave.”
“I want to. I’m spoiling your mood. I need to go home anyway.”
Even as Marie left Amina’s house she knew she wasn’t ready to go home. Not yet.
She had only five hundred naira on her and she needed to go somewhere. Somewhere she could get answers.
She walked to the bus stop and got on a bus. Although it was almost 7pm, she wasn’t scared, she was used to Abuja. She’d grown up there all her life.
As the bus neared her destination, she felt the fear pounding in her heart. She was going where she shouldn’t be. She was going to confront the cancer that had eaten into her home.

The bus ride took little over thirty minutes and soon she was at her destination.
Her legs shook as she strolled into the street. As she knocked on the door, she felt a shiver go through her.
The door opened and she said with all the hardness she could muster: “Good evening Sister Izie.”

(To be continued…)

The Sword Called Divorce (Episode 7)

When it was 7pm and Marie wasn’t back in the house, her parents began to worry. She’d stormed out during breakfast and hadn’t returned since then.
Nike was getting worried but didn’t voice it out as she went for her women’s meeting that evening. Maybe Marie had gone to the church and decided to stay there.
She harboured that thought as she drove to the church premises for the meeting. The truth is, that day had been very hard for her. Marie’s words that morning had sliced through her and sent a chill down her spine.
Her daughter was only fourteen, how could she wish she’d never been born? Was she hurting that much?
As Nike parked her car, she leaned against the steering…and let the tears fall. It was too much for her. The jumbled feelings and the tension in her home had gotten to her.
Oh Lord, help me. She sobbed. I’m trying so hard to be strong.

She was still sniffling when there was a soft knock on her window. Nike looked up, it was Bro. Nelson, one of the church ushers.
Nike scrambled for her handkerchief and wiped her face;  removing all traces of tears.
Then she opened the door and stepped out with a plastic smile on her face and her glasses shielding her eyes.
“Hello, Bro. Nelson.” She greeted airily.
“Good evening ma. We saw your car arrive and when you didn’t come in, Pastor  asked me to check you.”  He explained.
“Oh. I was…uh…having a little eye trouble. I forgot to use my eye drops.” The lie came smoothly. “Er…did you by any chance see my daughter Marie here?”
“Uh…I don’t think so ma. The children are having rehearsals but she didn’t show up today.”
She nodded and they both walked into the church building.
Nike pulled herself together as she walked in, now was no time for weakness. She had a group of fifty women to attend to and needed to be strong for them. She’d deal with her family issues later.

While her parents worried about her, Marie was in her best friend Amina’s house. When she’d run out of the house in the morning, she’d no idea where she was going and she also had limited money on her. So, she’d just kept walking and walking, trying to let her anger at her family subside.
She was fourteen today. She was supposed to be ecstatic and over the moon…instead she felt like a deflated balloon, one whose air had just been taken out of her.
Truth was, she missed her family. She missed the love and togetherness they shared. She missed listening to her parents’ tease each other…she missed listening to her daddy’s bad jokes.
She missed being able to talk to her Mummy about anything…only two weeks ago, she’d seen her first period. She’d so much wanted to tell her Mummy, but the huge gap between them wouldn’t let her.
Instead, she’d borne it quietly and told Amina. It was Amina who’d given her the pads she used to take care of herself.
She’d known what to do because Sister Izie had taught her how to use a pad a few months ago. Sister Izie…oh how she missed her!
They’d formed a bond which was amazing. Marie had grown to love Sister Izie like her big sister. They talked about anything and everything, Marie had been very comfortable with her.
Why? Why did she betray her family like that?
So many questions Marie wanted to ask.
“Stop thinking about it.” Amina had said over and over again.
“Easy for you to say.” Marie retorted.
They were in Amina’s room, lying on her bed and talking. The time was 6pm and Marie knew she should be on her way home but she couldn’t seem to find the urge to go home.
“Mr Bambi said he’s giving a test on Tuesday.” Amina’s attempt at changing the subject.
Marie shrugged. “Whatever.”
Amina gave a frustrated sigh. Her friend’s mood was depressing.
“Let’s go out! It’s your birthday! I’ll tell Daddy to let Sambo drive us to Silverbird! We’ll get ice cream and snacks…and see a movie.”
Amina’s father was a wealthy business tycoon who pampered his children…and Sambo was the driver who Amina was allowed to use whenever she wanted.

“I’m really not in the mood.” Marie said.
“Ahn ahn…then what are you in the mood for? You’re so annoying right now.” Amina climbed down from the bed angrily. “I’m trying hard here to make you happy. Come on!”
Marie sighed. I’m sorry. I’ll leave.”
“No, no. I didn’t say you should leave.”
“I want to. I’m spoiling your mood. I need to go home anyway.”
Even as Marie left Amina’s house she knew she wasn’t ready to go home. Not yet.
She had only five hundred naira on her and she needed to go somewhere. Somewhere she could get answers.
She walked to the bus stop and got on a bus. Although it was almost 7pm, she wasn’t scared, she was used to Abuja. She’d grown up there all her life.
As the bus neared her destination, she felt the fear pounding in her heart. She was going where she shouldn’t be. She was going to confront the cancer that had eaten into her home.

The bus ride took little over thirty minutes and soon she was at her destination.
Her legs shook as she strolled into the street. As she knocked on the door, she felt a shiver go through her.
The door opened and she said with all the hardness she could muster: “Good evening Sister Izie.”

(To be continued…)

The Sword Called Divorce (Episode 6)

                 

She was grinning now, the sight of her teeth made a gruesome sight. There was nothing beautiful about her now.
Joe stood frozen to the spot. He couldn’t believe his eyes.
“Come to me.” She beckoned to him.
Her eyes were mesmerizing, two glinting stones in the darkness. Joe wanted to be anywhere but here.
“Come.” She said again, and lunged for him.
It was his scream that woke him up.

He was drenched in sweat. He was glad he was alone in the guest room.
The nightmare had been so real.
Yet it wasn’t the first.
He’d had the same nightmare twice since the affair with Izie had been made public. He seemed to be stuck in that moment when he’d discovered that Izie had confessed to Pastor.
To him, that was the moment that his life had fallen apart. Not the moment when he’d followed Izie to her house, or the moment when it had dawned on him that he was going to sleep with her.
None had caused him as much guilt as the moment of truth when Nike had found out.
He sighed as he pulled off his wet singlet and lay down again. He was so lonely. Nike had pushed him to the guest room a month ago, the moment she found out about the affair.
She’d claimed she couldn’t bear to look at him or even spend the night in the same bed with him. His sin was that big to her. She claimed.
As Joe lay there, he let his thoughts drift to that moment with Izie. It had been brief…the sex. But the six months he’d known her had been marvellous.
Even when he wasn’t close to her, he’d seen something different about her - that thing that had attracted Nike to her. It wasn’t her seeming helplessness…or her good looks.
It was that same thing that prevented Joe from having any sexual thoughts about her after their ‘mistake.’ It had been a onetime thing and he regretted it. He’d taken advantage of a young girl…someone who was just finding her way in her new faith.
He wished Nike could understand that he was sorry he’d ever slept with Izie. He wished for so many things. That his wife wasn’t divorcing him, that he could look his daughters in the face without feeling guilty.
But someone had once said if wishes were horses…

It was 3am when Joe managed to go back to sleep. And he didn’t get up till 9am when there was a knock on the door.
“Come in.”
It was his wife.
“Good morning.” She said, stiffly. “We need to talk.”
He sighed. He knew he was in for a rough morning. They’d barely spoken for the past month.
She sat on the bed, leaving a gaping space between them.
“Your daughter knows about Izie.” She said simply.
Joe sat up as though he’d been stung. “What did you say?”
“You heard me. And I didn’t tell her. I wouldn’t do that.”
“Then how…”
“She came home early and heard Izie and I talking.”
“Wait. Izie was here?”
“Yes. She came to plead on your behalf.”
“Oh.” He didn’t know what else to say.
“Well…I just thought you should know. So, you’d know what to say to her. I’m the enemy to her, now.”
He wanted to ask if they were still doing the right thing. Ask for another chance…but he knew it was useless.
“Okay. I’ll talk to her.”
“And Joe…please warm her up to the idea of…the divorce.” She hesitated. “Remember it’s her birthday today.” With that she stood and left him.

Marie! Oh God! Why!

If there was anything he cherished above his marriage, it was his daughters and the knowledge that he would rarely see them in the nearest future was tearing him apart.
Bella was his bundle of joy; the one who made him laugh, Marie was his pride. Strong willed and smart, she was also meek and kind. He knew how much they’d adored Izie.
He’d forgotten Marie’s birthday. His little girl was growing fast. Fourteen years so soon.
At breakfast that day, Joe led a happy birthday song for Marie; although it was only Bella and Nike who ended up singing along.
“Honey, let’s see a smile.” Joe urged with as much gusto as he could muster.
“Smile!” Bella repeated.
“Maybe this would make you smile.” Joe went on. “Since today is your day; your wish is my command. Pick a place you’d like me to treat you to. Just me and you.”
Marie had been silent all this while, picking at her food. The last thing on her mind was a birthday celebration.
“Baby girl…daddy’s waiting.” Joe prompted, his smile slipping.
“Marie…daddy is waiting.” Bella repeated.
“What are we celebrating? I don’t need a stupid birthday treat.” She said, coldly. “Stop pretending everything is fine when it’s not. I hate you both. I hate my life and I regret knowing you!” She hauled her spoon at the wall.
There was silence at the table as they all stared at her. Nike bristled while Joe felt a pang of hurt wash over him.
“It’s a bad word Marie. Don’t say a bad word.” Bella spoke several seconds later.
“You wanna know my birthday wish?” She was on her feet now, shaking with rage. “That I’d never been born!”
With that she stormed out of the house, leaving a graveyard silence in her wake.
Joe was stunned. His daughter had changed tremendously. This wasn’t the girl he knew.
“Daddy.” Bella whimpered and opened her arms to him.
He pulled her into his arms and his eyes met with his wife’s. He could see his pain mirrored in her eyes.
“Nike…don’t do this please.” He said quietly. “Can’t you see what it’s doing to us? We’re losing much more than we bargained for. We’re losing our daughter.”
His wife was silent, staring into space.


              (To be continued…)

The Sword Called Divorce (Episode 5)

His first instinct was to pretend he didn’t see her. He was tempted to change his mind about the suya and drive away. He already had enough trouble in his life and he didn’t need more.

His appetite for suya won over common sense and he found himself exiting the car and making his way to the suya stand. He walked without looking right or left, hoping that Izie would not look up and see him.
He was lucky. He bought the suya and just as he paid for it and was about to leave, he heard her call:
“Sir! Sir!”
Her voice was too loud to  ignore and he knew it was no use. He’d been caught.
He turned slowly with a fake smile on his face. She was still sitting on the bench close to the suya stand, only this time her face was illuminated by the light.

“Oh, Izie. I didn’t see you.” He lied, smiling thinly.
“I’m sorry sir. I know I’m the last person you want to see…” she began.
“Wait a minute.” Joe strolled towards her, not wanting to raise his voice. “Were you expecting me to come here? You were waiting for me?”
“No, no. I wasn’t. I just…I was passing by…I…” Without warning she burst into tears.
Joe stood looking at her; unsure what to do. He’d learned the hard way what comforting a crying woman could do. When he saw that she was still sobbing and he couldn’t keep standing there; he decided to sit.
Whatever compassion he had for her had melted the day he’d been summoned to the church office by their resident pastor, Pastor Briggs.
He’d walked into the office to see Izie sitting quietly in a corner, looking forlorn. By then, it had been a month since they had their affair and no one knew about it…or so he thought.
A little fear had leapt up in his heart when he saw Izie with Pastor. What had she done?

“Brother  Joe.” Pastor had begun in a grave voice.
“Yes sir.”
“You know the church appreciates the contributions you and your wife have made here…we are very happy to have people like you giving to the work of God.”
“Yes Pastor. It’s a pleasure. We love giving to God’s work. But you didn’t call me here to  talk about our donations to the church…or did you?”
Pastor Briggs cleared his throat. “You know Sis. Izie?”
Joe barely glanced at her. There was no need to stare his sin in the face. “Yes. She’s my wife’s convert.”
“Only that, Bro. Joe?” Pastor Briggs looked like he’d swallowed something bitter.
“I’m not sure what you’re referring to, Pastor.”
“Izie, please tell him what you told me.”
She sniffled. “Pastor, it’s not his fault, It’s the devil’s handwork.”
“Don’t give the devil a crime he didn’t commit, Izie. Tell him what you told me. Simple,”
“We… we…committed sin together.” She was obviously finding it difficult to speak.
Joe wished at that point, that the ground could pen up and swallow him. She’d reported to Pastor?! What kind of moron was this girl?!
Pastor Briggs sighed and turned Joe. “I think we understand what Sister Izie is trying to say but I’d like to hear your side of the story. I called you here because I respect you as a member of this church so if you have anything to say regarding what Izie has said then please let me know.”
Joe exhaled. “There’s no point denying it Pastor. It was a mistake that happened once. It never happened again. I’ve asked God to forgive me.”
“And your wife? Does she know about it?”
Joe’s eyes narrowed. “I think it’s best to let sleeping dogs lie. I have learned my lesson and I’m sure Izie has learned hers too.”
` “Well Bro. Joe, I do not doubt that you’ve settled with God. But there’s a need to confess to the party who you betrayed. The woman you made a vow to- your wife. She needs to know and until then, you will not be completely free of this.”
“Are you saying God has not forgiven me, Pastor?” Joe asked, trying to tamp down his rising temper.
“That’s between you and God. The question is;  are you sorry you did it or sorry you got caught?” Pastor Briggs wasn’t mincing words.
“Point of correction Pastor. I didn’t get caught. She…” He hesitated, not sure what he’d been about to say next. “Did she tell you she seduced me? Or did she come with a plausible sob story?”
“It was the devil’s hand work, sir. I swear. I am now a born again child of God. I couldn’t sleep in peace after it happened. I had to confess to clear my conscience.” Izie was addressing Joe who was looking at her with disdain. “Ma has been so good to me. I didn’t want her to find out.”
“Well, thanks to your conscience, she just did.” Joe said sharply. “Pastor, it seems there’s nothing I can do to change your mind about this. But my question is, won’t telling my wife do more harm than good?”
“Not if we tell her together. If we call her here and tell her. It won’t be easy but I’m sure she’d appreciate it more than being kept in the dark about it.”
Joe  shook his head. “Then you don’t know Nike. Please Pastor. Let me make this right. I will go back and re-confess to God. Beg for his forgiveness. But please, there’s no need to hurt Nike with my stupidity.”
Yes  Pastor. He’s right. Please I didn’t come here intending to break a home. I don’t  want Ma to be angry with me…or sir.” Izie added.
Pastor had insisted the right thing be done. What was the right thing in this case?

It was when the streetlight went off abruptly that Joe was jerked out of his reverie. He looked around; the next streetlight was up ahead.
Immediately he realised that Izie had her head resting on his shoulder. How it had gotten there, he had no idea. He pulled away sharply like he’d been stung.
“I have to go Izie. Sorry about your troubles.” He mumbled.
“Do I scare you?” She asked.
It wasn’t the question that caught Joe off  guard…it was the voice that spoke. It was no longer Izie’s. At least it didn’t sound like her.
“What did you say, Izie?” he asked, just to be sure he heard right.
“You heard me. Are you afraid of me?” Now, she threw her head back and looked up.
There was something different about her face. Something sinister and evil.
Then it struck him. It was her eyes. They were literally glowing in the darkness. They’d taken up a golden hue.
This wasn’t the Izie he knew, not the woman he’d been talking to a few minutes ago.
“Izie?” he called again, bewildered. It seemed the rest of the world around them had faded away. The suya man, his stand and his customers seemed in a world different from theirs.
“Why do you keep calling me that? You know I’m not Izie.” The golden-eyed woman said.
“You’re crazy. You’re Izie. What is wrong with you?” He was panicking now, unable to compute what he was seeing. How could he be looking at a woman who was and wasn’t Izie?

(To be continued…)

The Sword called Divorce (Episode 4)

                                              

“You need to stop eavesdropping, Marie.” Nike side stepped the question. “It’s a bad habit. If we wanted you to hear, we’d have invited you to join our discussion.”

                “And you need to leave me alone.” Marie’s voice was hard as she spoke. “Everyone in this world is a disappointment. All of you.”

                Nike’s first instinct was to give her daughter a good thrashing and teach her who was boss. But then again; she knew her daughter was going through a lot which she wouldn’t pretend to understand, because she’d after all never had to go through a divorce before. Her parents had stayed married till her mother died.

                Suddenly Nike felt helpless. She knew she was losing her daughter and she didn’t know what to do about it.

                “I want to help, Marie. Please don’t hurt me anymore than I’m hurting. Can’t you see I’m trying? I love you but please don’t stretch me to my limit.”

                “Where’s daddy?”

                “You know where he is. At work.”

                “He comes home later than usual these days.” Marie was now sitting up, staring daggers at her mother. “Did you tell him to?”

                Nike didn’t know what came over her at that moment. Maybe she was tired of playing devil’s advocate or being seen as the enemy or maybe it was the pressure of seeing Izie again and the pent up feelings she’d been holding back, but suddenly she didn’t care. She screamed:

                “Your father cheated on me! He had an affair with Izie, don’t you understand?!! How can you still take his side when you know all this?!! He broke our marriage vows; he betrayed you and Bella and me! For God’s sake Marie, the divorce is going to happen, so you might as well accept it now and begin to deal with it! This family is over!! You hear me? Over! Now, get off that bed and take off your uniform, we’re going to the market.”

                As soon as the words left her mouth, Nike regretted it. But she was still boiling with anger that she didn’t bother to explain herself. She marched out of the room, trembling.

               

                This time the tears didn’t come. For Mari;  it was just dawning on her that there was no hope for her family. Her mother’s words had proven that.

                Over. It’s over. The Babalolas were no more. The words echoed  in her head for the rest of that day.

                If the relationship between her and her mother had been strained before; now it was worse. They barely spoke to each other and this time it was the way they both wanted it.

                Nike couldn’t talk to her daughter because she was still ashamed of the words she’d said to her that day and each time she opened her mouth to try to connect with Marie again, the accusing look in her eyes was enough to put her off.

                Marie, on the other hand was still smarting from her mother’s outburst and each time she glanced at her, she saw the guilt written plainly on her face.

                Joe Babalola had escaped the strain in his home by going to work every day and being the last to report to bed. He couldn’t bear the thought of what his family had become.

                Every time he thought of the Izie saga; he went red with shame. How had it all started? When had Izie stopped being merely his wife’s pet and become a woman to him? When had the cordial relationship which existed between them suddenly transformed into something romantic?

                When had he suddenly decided to exchange his fifteen year marriage with one night of pleasure with a lady ten years younger?

                And each time he asked himself these questions, he knew the answer. The Bible had made it clear: As a man thinks in his heart; so is he.

                It had begun with the several lunches. Nike had asked Izie to help take lunch to him at the office every day. It was a small thing which Izie was glad to do. She’d been unemployed then and eager to work, so she’d agreed to run the errands for Nike.

                Her gestures had been pure and innocent, Joe was sure of that. So when had it changed?

                Was it the moment they’d shared that brief hug in his office when she’d been so sad and worried about her family? Had he, in his bid to comfort her, overstepped his bounds?

                As he drove home that night, Joe kept searching himself…did he deserve Nike’s forgiveness?   

                And just as he pulled over on the curb to buy suya, his eyes fell on a familiar form that was sitting on the park bench; her form illuminated by the streetlight above her. 

                Even though he’d known her for only six months; Joe would know that body anywhere.

                It was Izie.          

                                (To be continued…)