Shades of Marriage π₯°πππ₯Ίπ Part 6
“Hello Elizabeth”. Austin said enthusiastically.
“Hello Mr. Austin, good evening”. I replied a bit shy.
“Have you gotten home”. Austin inquired.
“Yes, I just did”. I replied back.
“I am glad to hear that. I can’t believe I finally got to speak with you today. I have always longed for this I am not going to lie. Thank you so much Lizbeth”. Austin said appreciatively.
“Thank you for your kindness Austin”. I said.
“So where do you base currently? I don’t mean to be rude or invade your privacy “. Austin asked.
“I am actually putting up at my friend’s house. She’s married with a kid. She came through for me. I can’t even imagine what would’ve happened if not for her”. I replied back.
“It’s good to know you have amazing people around you. Where is the place at?”. Austin asked.
“Hmmm…. I shouldn’t be disclosing my address to you since I don’t really know you that much….”.
“I thought we’ve gone past that? My intentions are genuine Lizbeth. I am not a kid, I know what I want. It’s okay if you don’t trust me enough…”
“I live with my friend faith at Number 19, Chief Jagbandi Street. It’s close to a Redeem church “. I blurted out.
“Thank you for trusting me Lizbeth. I promise you won’t regret this “. Austin promised.
“You haven’t told me much about yourself though”. I asked.
“Ohhh… My name is Austin..”.
“Obviously”
I cut in and we both started laughing.
“I am from Enugu, same village with your ex husband. I base in Abuja. I am a business man. This is me… A simple man who wants to enjoy his life “. Austin said.
“Are you married?”. I asked.
“Never been married. I almost got married seven years ago but I lost her in an accident a week to our marriage day. It was devastating… since then, I haven’t found a replacement until I met you “. Austin said.
“I am sorry about your loss'”. I said empathetically.
“I am good dear… You don’t need to be sorry for me. Let me let you rest. I will talk to you tomorrow”. Austin said.
“Thank you for today. Take care “.
I said and ended the call.
I sat still for a while. I jerked back to reality when I heard Faith clear her throat.
“Madam who was that “. Faith asked curiously.
“Abeg leave me jor. I dey hungry, wetin dey house?”. I tried to prevaricate from her questions.
“Stop jor… Who was that na”. Faith asked again.
“He is a friend… We just met. It’s nothing serious before you start planning asoebi and all that. I know you”. I said and we started laughing.
“Tell me na.. what does he do for a living? Is he fine? Hope he is wealthy? Is he igbo?”. Faith went on and on with different questions.
“Free me jor”. I said and ran out of the room.
Faith ran closely behind me still asking me series of questions about Austin.
She left me alone when her husband returned back from work. I was so happy. I don’t have strength for Faith and her questions.
I ate dinner and went straight to bed went I was done with the dishes.
I was about dozing off when my phone started ringing. It was my husband.
I just sat down frozen and watched my phone ring till it stopped ringing.
It rang again almost immediately. This time I picked it.
“Hello Elizabeth… Hello.. can you hear me”. My husband asked in his usual authoritative tone.
“Good evening”. I replied coldly.
“Where are you? So it has gotten to the point when you no longer care about your husband. How come you didn’t call to ask about your shop? Are you seeing another man?”. My husband went on and on ranting.
“I don’t have strength for your problem. Good night”. I said and ended the call.
He called back almost immediately. This time around, I just turned my phone off and went to bed.
To be continued
Judith Onyoyibo
