From Housemaid to Oga’s Wife Episode 9
Martins sat alone in his car for over thirty minutes before he entered his parents’ house. His mind was made up. He couldn’t continue pretending. The moment he walked into the living room, his parents welcomed him with smiles, but his face remained serious. “Mummy, Daddy, I came to talk,” he said. His father lowered his newspaper and looked at him. “Hope there’s no problem?” Martins nodded slowly. “There is. I don’t want to continue living a lie. I don’t love Jessica. I never did. I have a girlfriend, and she’s pregnant for me.”
His mother stood up immediately. “Martins! What are you saying?” she shouted. “Do you know how long we waited to get you married? Jessica is a good girl. You should be thanking God you married her.”
Martins looked at her and replied calmly, “Mummy, you and Daddy chose her, not me. I only agreed to marry her because of you both. But I can’t do it anymore. I’m with someone I truly love. Her name is Nnenna. She’s carrying my baby and I won’t turn my back on her.”
His father dropped his newspaper and stood up too. “Martins, if you walk out of that marriage, you are on your own. We will disown you. Do you understand? You are bringing shame to this family.”
Martins looked at both of them and said, “If standing by the woman I love is shameful, then so be it. I’m sorry, but I can’t sacrifice my happiness anymore.” Without waiting for another word, he turned and left the house. His mother held her head, shouting, “What kind of child is this?”
Martins didn’t look back. He got into his car and drove straight to Nnenna’s place. The moment she opened the door and saw him, she smiled. “You came early today,” she said. But the smile disappeared when she saw the look on his face. “Is everything okay?” she asked. Martins walked in and sat down. “Nnenna, I told my parents the truth today. I told them I never loved Jessica. I told them about you and the baby.” Nnenna stared at him, shocked. “You told them?”
He nodded. “Yes. They were angry. They threatened to disown me. But I don’t care anymore. I’ve been lying to myself for too long. I want to be with you, Nnenna. You and our child.” Nnenna sat down quietly. Her hands rested on her thighs. “So… what happens now?” she asked. Martins looked up. “I’m going to tell Jessica too. She deserves to know the truth. She deserves to know I don’t want to continue pretending.” Nnenna swallowed and looked down. “I don’t even know what to say.”
Later that evening, Martins returned to the house and found Jessica in the living room, watching a movie. “Welcome,” she said without looking at him. Martins sat beside her and reached for the remote. He paused the movie.
“Jessica, we need to talk.” She turned and looked at him, confused.
“Talk about what?”
Martins took a deep breath. “There’s something I’ve been hiding. Something I should have told you a long time ago. I don’t love you. I never did. I only married you because of my parents.”
Jessica laughed. “That’s not funny, Martins. What kind of joke is this?” He shook his head. “It’s not a joke. There’s someone else. Her name is Nnenna. She’s the one I love. She’s pregnant for me.” Jessica stared at him. She didn’t speak for almost a full minute.
“So all this while, you’ve been cheating on me with our housemaid?”
Martins lowered his eyes. “Yes. I know it’s wrong. But I couldn’t continue lying. I’m sorry, Jessica. I really am.”
Jessica stood up slowly. “You’re sorry? After everything? After letting me think we were building something?” She walked to the bedroom without saying another word. Ten minutes later, she came out with a small travel bag. Martins stood up. “Jessica, where are you going?” She looked at him. “I can’t stay in this house, Martins. I need to leave. I feel like I don’t know who you are anymore.” She opened the door, pulled her bag outside, and left without looking back.
The house felt empty that night. Martins stayed in the living room, thinking about everything. It wasn’t easy, but he felt a strange kind of peace. He didn’t have to lie anymore. The next morning, he went to Nnenna’s place. She had been waiting, unsure of what had happened with Jessica.
“Did you tell her?” she asked.
Martins nodded. “Yes. She left. She took her bag and walked out.” Nnenna placed her hand on her stomach and looked away. “I don’t feel good about all this,” she said.
“I know,” Martins said. “But this was never going to end well. The truth had to come out.” He looked around the small apartment. “This place… it’s not good enough for you. For our child. I want to move you to somewhere better.” Nnenna shook her head. “That’s not what I need now. I need time. Everything is happening too fast. I feel guilty. I feel like I broke someone’s home.” Martins walked to her and sat beside her. “It wasn’t your fault. It was already broken before I met you.”
Nnenna looked at him. “But I helped you break it completely.” Martins didn’t know what to say. The room was quiet for a while. Then Nnenna stood up and began folding some clothes. “I want to leave this place for now. I want to go somewhere and stay alone. Maybe to my aunt’s place. I just need space.” Martins stood up. “You’re leaving?” She nodded. “Yes. Just for a while. I don’t hate you, Martins. I just need to clear my head.” Martins helped her fold the clothes.
By evening, she had packed a small bag. Martins offered to drop her off, but she refused. “I’ll be fine,” she said. “Don’t worry about me. Just try to fix things if you can.” He watched her walk out and close the door. He didn’t try to stop her. He just sat down in the chair and looked around the room. It felt cold and quiet. It was only now that he realised that nothing was going to be the same again.
To be continued
