“Complicated”
Episode 4
The drive to Tola’s house was a silent journey, the air between them thick with unspoken thoughts. Ore looked out the window, watching the city pass by, a tangible representation of the distance she felt from the life she had once known. When they arrived, the house—a large, modern structure that spoke of wealth and success—felt cold and uninviting.
Adetola led her inside without a word, the spacious interior echoing with the emptiness of a home that lacked warmth. He showed her to her room, a beautifully appointed space that nonetheless felt like a gilded cage. “This will be your room,” he said, the first words he had spoken to her since the ceremony. “I expect we will both appreciate having our own spaces.”
With that, he turned and walked towards the door, pausing briefly to say, “We leave for the airport at 6 a.m. Be ready,” before exiting and leaving Ore alone, the echo of his footsteps fading down the hall. Ore sat on the edge of the bed, feeling the oppressive weight of her new reality. She was a stranger in her husband’s home, married yet profoundly alone. The future loomed before her with uncertainty. Despite this despair, Ore held onto her faith and the hope that somehow, things might work out.
Despite being in a new environment, Ore managed to sleep. Her alarm woke her up, and she prepared for the trip to the airport. They were heading on their honeymoon—a trip insisted upon by their parents. Ore smiled bitterly, wondering what they hoped would happen in some exotic hotel to change the fact that her husband could barely stand to look at her.
A few minutes before 6 a.m., she wheeled her suitcase downstairs and waited for Tola. Promptly at 6 am, he came down, and they departed for the airport. The drive was another silent journey, with no conversation between them. As they boarded the plane to their destination, Ore felt an overwhelming emptiness, the pervasive feeling of loneliness accompanying her. She tried to make herself comfortable in her seat, hoping to catch some sleep during the flight.
Upon arriving in Dubai and clearing immigration, Ore and Tola collected their luggage and headed towards the waiting area. There, a gentleman approached to assist with their bags. He took Ore’s suitcase, but when he reached for Tola’s, Tola declined his help and turned to Ore.
“This is where we part ways,” Tola said.
“How do you mean?” Ore asked, puzzled.
“I have other plans. He will take you to the hotel. I suggest you take advantage of this holiday and enjoy yourself. We will meet here again in a week to return home together.”
Before Ore could probe further, a woman, Tiwa his girlfriend approached Tola. They embraced and walked away hand in hand. Stunned and speechless, Ore watched them disappear into the crowd.
She was then escorted to her hotel by the gentleman. When she arrived, she was greeted by the sight of a honeymoon suite, complete with champagne and rose petals. The opulence only deepened the loneliness that washed over her, and she began to cry as she reflected on her life. She had never been close to her mother, and her father was always too preoccupied with his business empire. Her siblings shared a tighter bond than with her. Despite travelling so far from home, no family member had reached out to check if she had arrived safely. The realization of her profound isolation overwhelmed her as she settled into the unfamiliar, luxurious solitude.
After shedding tears, Ore resolved to return to Nigeria the next day and stay with her friend until it was time to return home. As she prepared to shower, her phone rang with a WhatsApp call—it was her friend, Temi.
“Hey Ore, hope you guys arrived safely,” Temi greeted.
“Yes, we did, thank you. And thank you for checking on me,” Ore replied.
“Is everything okay? Have you been crying?”
“It’s just a disaster.”
“What’s going on, Ore?”
Ore recounted the events that unfolded upon their arrival in Dubai.
“That’s inhumane! How can he treat you like that? What kind of person leaves to go off with another woman on their honeymoon? Some men are just evil. So what are you going to do now?”
“I’m going to try and find a flight back home tomorrow.”
“No way, you should stay there and enjoy yourself. Come on, just pretend you’re on vacation and have some fun.”
“I can’t. It’s not fun doing that alone.”
“Of course, you can! Don’t let the situation get to you. So please stay?”
“Fine, I’ll stay on one condition—you get yourself here as soon as possible.”
“Thanks for the offer, but I can’t afford a ticket right now.”
“Who’s asking you to pay for it? Tomorrow I will send you a ticket.”
“Well then, yeah, I’m going to Dubai!” Temi sang in excitement. “I’m so excited; we’re going to have so much fun.”
After more conversation, Ore had to let her go due to the time difference.
That night, as Ore lay in bed, she wrestled with the reality that had befallen her. She couldn’t hold her sister Dara responsible for pursuing her own happiness, for choosing love over obligation. However, Dara’s choice had fundamentally changed Ore’s own life. Amidst this turmoil, Ore clung to her faith, believing that God would bring her out of the predicament.
Thanks for reading,
Tbc
Jumie Naths
