THE UNFAITHFUL HUSBAND ππ
Written by Henry Zibima
Episode 28
Jennifer’s POV
I was already taking breakfast when I picked up my phone and clicked on my WhatsApp. Behold a message popped up on my phone; I was instantly awestricken. A single tear rolled down my cheek and I felt my throat closing up. Just when I thought everything was alright; just when I thought everything will be okay. Immediately my appetite for food was lost. I couldn’t believe what I just saw; it was a photo sent from my elder brother.
I tapped on it and realized it was actually a screenshot; a screenshot of my husband’s WhatsApp status.
On the picture, I could see that he had just posted it 23 minutes ago.
It was a picture of Sonia, but it wasn’t the picture that made me weep; it was the caption he added.
“Happy birthday to my favorite damsel” I read out loud as if to someone nearby “you are indeed a blessing from God; the perfect one for me, you are my completion; my earnest desire and my heartbeat. Happy birthday my princess. Greater heights ahead”
There was an outpour of tears as soon as I was done reading, I could taste the saltiness as they strolled into my mouth and down to my food. My heart bled at the way he flattered and rained all sorts of praises on her, more than twenty years of marriage and never for once has he posted my picture during my birthday. Yet he went ahead to do such a thing for a girl he should be old enough to father.
The assurance Femi gave me, made me believe that he was a changed person and that he no longer had anything to do with that girl, but I found out the hard way that I was been played for a fool. Indeed a leopard can never change its skin.
My feelings were drifted to the edge; why would I be treated this way? Why me? I pushed my food aside and let out my emotions. I cried so much; I didn’t even know when my son came into the dining room.
“Mom?”
I raised my head up and immediately began cleaning my tears with my hands like a little child; I didn’t want my son to know that I had been shedding tears.
“Mom, what happened?” He asked with sheer concern.
“I’m fine, just go back inside”
“Mom, what happened to you?” Frank asked once again
“Nothing happened, I said I am fine. Just…”
“But your eyes tell a different story, you were crying. What is the matter” my over inquisitive son asked. I knew Frank very well; he wouldn’t want to leave until he finds out the reason behind my tears.
“Fine, you want to know what happened?”
“Yes, please” he answered.
I pressed my index finger against the finger print censor on my phone, clicked on my WhatsApp and showed him the screenshot my elder brother sent to me.
He took a keen look at the picture and few seconds later his mouth was wide agape.
“This is bad” Frank muttered.
“Yes, your father has refused to change. I can’t wait for him to come back tomorrow so that we’ll finalize everything.”
“Mom, what do you mean by finalize?”
“Isn’t it obvious?… that this marriage will come to an end.”
“No mom, don’t say that”
“You don’t know the kind of emotional damage I have received in just this few days, I’m tired and I believe walking out of this marriage will be the best step and even your words of sympathy can’t talk me out of it. I have my mind made up.” I said.
The pain was unbearable for me; I stood up from the dining table not minding that I had barely eaten anything and I went to my room to console myself.
I called my elder brother who sent the picture to me; so I could have a word with him.
“Hello sis”
“Hello, Good afternoon. I saw the message you sent me, thanks for looking out for me”
“It’s okay, I saw that on his status. Didn’t you view it?” My elder brother asked.
“No I didn’t, he must have blocked me from viewing his status updates”
“This Femi of a person doesn’t know who he is dealing with, if not that I’m not in town I would have confronted him and given him the humiliation of his life”
“It’s okay, brother calm down”
“Don’t worry, I will be back soon. You just take good care of yourself okay?”
“Yea, I’ll try”
“Ok, have a nice day. We’ll talk some other time.”
My elder brother was the ideal sibling anyone could ask for; his hands were always on deck whenever I needed him and he didn’t fail in letting me know Femi’s true colour.
Frank’s POV
How come I was born of a man this heartless, i said in a low voice. Despite everything happening he still went ahead to cause more pain to my mum. I almost broke down when I saw her in tears.
I thought everything was fine; I thought my parents were settled but it had become crystal clear that my parents will not be able to remain together. I had to accept fate; that maybe in a weeks time; everyone will go their separate ways. I and my siblings might be shared among my parents, definitely not equally because we are three in number.
I had already begun imagining life as a single-parented child. I felt very sorrowful; I wished to smile like my little ones who had no idea what was going on. There was no bit of happiness in me; just gloom.
*****
Jennifer’s POV
I moved further so I could get a clearer view; it still remained blurry but I was able to see Femi handcuffed. I began wondering what offence he had committed. Then I noticed it wasn’t his both hands; only one of his hands were handcuffed. But he was handcuffed to another lady sitting beside him. I shifted my gaze up to see the lady’s face; behold! It was Sonia.
*****
I immediately sat upright on the bed panting heavily as someone who ran an endurance race. I couldn’t even recall sleeping off, all I remembered was burying my head in my pillow to cry out my eyes.
Just a few minutes nap and I had such a terrible dream. Why would Sonia’s hands be handcuffed to my husband’s. From what I know, such a dream didn’t signify anything ordinary. Could it be that I have been going about this issue the wrong way.
Maybe it was time to try another means; something I should have done long ago. I decided to pray; I picked up my Bible and prayed for the first time concerning this issue. I prayed for almost an hour; asking God to intervene in my marriage. I didn’t even expect myself to last that long but to my surprise; I did. And when I was done; a huge feeling of relief encompassed me.
I glanced at the old wall clock, it was some minutes past two. The time moved like a creeping Myriapod to me. Since I took my annual leave to settle the issues in my family; I have remained idle and I end up thinking about all Femi had done to me. It would have even being better if I was going to work; at least it’ll will make me forget about Femi even though it’s for the moment.
My phone rang and it was Ijeoma calling, finally a call to break the boredom.
“Hello Ijy, how far” I said
“I’m fine o, how have you being”
“My dear, it’s God o” I said.
“How’s the family”
“Hmm… I don’t even know what to say”
“This one you’re sounding like this, I hope everything thing is okay”
“I won’t lie to you o; my friend everything is not fine”
“What happened again?’ she asked “I hoped it doesn’t have to do with your marriage?”
“Actually, it does” I said sadly
“I thought you and your husband have settled things out”
“We had but everything turned upside down this morning”
“What happened this time” Ijeoma asked with evident curiosity in her voice
“Hmm…. Femi has pushed me to the end of the cliff, can you believe he posted the girl I told you he wanted to get married to, on his WhatsApp status; calling her all sort of romantic names”
“I thought you said he has nothing to do with her na”
“I thought so too”
“But why would he even do such a thing, didn’t he know you will see it?”
“He blocked me; Femi blocked me from viewing his status. My elder brother was the one who sent the screenshot to me”
“Hmm… Nawa” Ijeoma exclaimed.
“I can’t continue living in this hell all in the name of marriage; Ijeoma the emotional trauma is too much for me to handle”
“Just endure” Ijeoma encouraged.
“Remember you were the one who always told me that pain is temporary while quiting is forever”
“It’s not easy” I told her and that was the painful reality.
“I’ve not been able to do anything since then… I’ve lost all form of happiness”
“You should try going out; maybe to a cinema, a resort or any site attraction”
“Ijeoma I don’t have any where mind to go to”
“Ok… here’s what you’ll do; I have something that would cheer you up; my friend’s daughter will be celebrating her birthday today. You could come along instead of staying at home all day long”
“But you know I’m not very fond of parties” I said
“Just try, if you remain at home; you’ll keep remembering Femi. When you’re ready, call me. I’ll meet you outside your gate then we can go together.”
“Okay, I’ll try”
“And please put on a smiling face” Ijeoma said
“Alright, I have heard you”
****
Ijeoma was right, I needed to leave the house, go out and forget my misery. I quickly changed into a very beautiful yet simple gown because I hated drawing attention. The purple coloured flowing gown I wore fit perfectly on my killer shaped body. Although I was already in my early forties; I still retained my broad hips and elegant feminine physique. I slipped into a black and white pair of heels, turning from side to side in front of my mirror; I was sure I looked fabulous. I immediately placed a call to Ijeoma and in no time we arrived the party.
****
The place was a paradise of beauty, everywhere looked amazing; from the floor to the furniture to the accessories screamed expensive. With the way everyone dressed and everything looked extravagant I even forgot it was just a birthday party.
We took a seat not too far away from the stage. I and Ijeoma talked, laughed and ate some of the snacks on the table. I was enjoying myself; having a good time so much that I forgot my problems.
“Here comes the celebrant” Ijeoma shouted joyously.
As she walked towards us I immediately knew that I had seen the supposed celebrant before but her makeup made it tough for me to recall.
It was when she got to our seats that puzzle in my head was solved. I instantly remembered who the lady before us was and I noticed she also acted uncomfortably like she knew me.
“Sonia??” I shouted dragging everyone’s attention to us. I tried holding myself back but I don’t even know when I landed a very hot slap on her face. Everyone was shocked including Ijeoma.
“Ah ah, Jenny what happened?? Why did you slap her.”
I kept hearing different chatter from the crowd. “Why did she slap her?” a certain lady asked
“Who is that woman?” Another said.
Sonia refused to remove her hand from her cheek; she gave me the stare of the devil. She knew who I was. Her eyes said it all.
Everyone had now gathered around to see what was going on. But someone came, pushing himself through the crowd. He finally got to us and went straight to hold Sonia’s hands.
“what happened here” he thundered. Slowly Sonia raised her right hand with her other hand still on her cheek; she pointed at me. The man then; in towering curiosity raised his head towards me. He froze at the point and I could tell his limbs lost their function.
“Femi!!” I screamed.
TBC
