LOVE AND LIES
( 26 and 27)
TWENTY-SIX
Kola had been doing fine and he had resumed work at his office while Nkiru was also happy that things had begun to change for good. She had found so much love in her teaching job. She would wake up early to make breakfast and before leaving for for work. Kola would take his time to dress and pack up a few things he would need at work.
He drove out and sailed down the street before looping up into the highway. The cool breeze of the morning enveloped him. He savoured it freshly, racing continuously up. He got to office and was informed a woman was waiting for him at the reception. He wondered who that could be.
“Is Nkiru trying to give him a surprise so early?” He asked himself. “But his secretary knows his wife quiet well.” A second thought told him.
Though since he resumed work people had complained about his emaciation. His huge chest had dropped while his pot belly had flattened. Most of his shirts had begun to dance freely on him. He didn’t care. He was happy that at least he learnt a good lesson from everything that happened to him. He had vowed to love his wife till death. But something seemed to be true. Adultery is a sin even when you put out yhe flames, the shadows of it would still show up to hunt you. Kola told himself.
He walked into the reception and found a woman in her fifties, seated on the couch. She was dressed in a flowered Ankara gown that blew out her shape. She had bleached. Her skin had the freckles that could tell anyone that. Kola sized her up after close examination. That was Lara’s mum. She had met her a few times in Ibadan.
“What does she want? Haven’t her daughter done enough harm to his life? Or does she think she knows nothing about all their lies? May be they want some money for the bastard they called his son.” Kola was thinking as she approached her.
“Hello ma!” Kola greeted with a grimace.
“Hello.” The woman suddenly stood shoulder up. Her countenance and persistent heaving showed she came for trouble.
“I have come to tell you that the good you sent me had been delivered in my house o. I will send it back to you soon.” She said and showed a dangerous smile.
“What goods?” Kola asked, confused. He frowned intensely at the woman. He was ready to throw her out if she had acted funny or made trouble in any way. As far as he concerned, the woman and her daughter had done enough harm in his life. He would not bend low to take any insult from them.
” You don’t know the goods you sent to me?” The woman asked and showed another dangerous laugh. She had a golden teeth she appeared to get from Mecca. But it made her looked weird than beautiful.
“See if it is that bastard you call my son, then I am out. I have found out the secret you both were keeping from me. I really thank God for what happened to me. It was an eye-opener.
” Who is talking about your son” the woman sneered at her and laughed again. Each laugh, she gave was meant to remind Kola she was very wicked or diabolic. ” I mean Lara herself. She is dead o. She died of strange illness and I was told you killed her to renew your wealth.” She bellowed loudly.
“Really, she is dead!” Kola glowed in astonishment.”And they told you I killed her to renew my wealth. You must be silly, old woman!”
” See don’t think I have come to play with you o. I haven’t come here for play. I have seen how you toyed with the life of my daughter and killed her eventually. But I have come to tell you it is not over. Woo, wa gba..” she bellowed and added in her native language.
“You must be crazy, you old witch. You and the person that told you I killed her are both crazy. If you don’t get out of my office, I will throw you out!”
“I am leaving.” She picked her bag. ” I came all the way from Ibadan to tell you to get ready. I will finish everything about you. You don’t know me. You have just touched the tail of a Python and I will so bite you. I will so bite you Kola. Haa!!”
She trudged out of Kola’s office with heavy footsteps. Kola watched her leave. He went into his office and flopped into his arm- chair. Dave wasn’t around. He was confused. He began to pant on the chair. All his plan for the day was shattered. Dave came in a few minutes later and Kola told him everything.
” That woman must be a joker.” Dave showed a smile. ” After all they did to you?”
” I am scared Dave.” Kola sighed in dejection. ” I know this woman. She is diabolic.”
” She can’t do anything.” Dave consoled and showed a smile to console. ” Just get your mind at rest!”
” I can’t. I can’t even concentrate.” Kola said and tapped the table, looking round in confusion.
” You know what, just go home.” Dave put in. Kola stared at him and nod.
He told Dave to fix everything he was supposed to do. He got his car key and drove back home. He ambled in and stretched out on the bed, waiting patiently for Nkiru to return.He laid in bed and began to think how much he would have to suffer for his lack of patience. He heaved almost crying. Of only he had known, he would have just lived his life after all is it compulsory to have a child. What about those abroad that marry and decide not to jave children. They have their reasons for that. Kola was thinking. Something told him this is that time he needs to get close to God.
TWENTY-SEVEN
Kola decided to make lunch for Nkiru just to get his mind of what happened earlier in the day. He turned on the gas cooker and put the pot on it. He filled it up with water. When it had boiled, he put some rice and went to sit in the couch. Few minutes later he return and saw it boiling thunderously. He added salt. When it was done, he dished it into a food flask to keep it warm. He brought out a bowl of stew from the freezer and also did the same. He fried some plantains and kept everything in food flask. He was happy that Nkiru would not have to worry to make lunch since she would have been famished. When he was done with everything, he took a shower and went to lay on the couch. He chatted Nkiru at midday and she told her she was in the bus, already on her way home. She chatted about how playful the kids were and how she was really enjoying their company.
Kola was happy for her. He didn’t tell her what transpired in office. He was waiting for her to return. Kola had slept off when there was a creak at the gate followed by a rattle at the door. That j**k him up. He went to the door and screeched it open. Nkiru dragged in tiredly with a pale look. She was also doing home lessons a distance away from her school after school hours. She loved the extra income but it really sapped her of strength.
Nkiru had a bag that was filled with textbooks and notebooks. She would often write lesson notes when she was free, probably late in the night. She loved it. Kola could see the zeal in her. She seemed to find rest compared to her bank job. But it wasn’t really lucrative like the former.
Kola smiled as she trudged in. He hugged her , after shutting the door, then planted a kiss on her head. Nkiru laid her head on his shoulder tiredly and smiled. He took the bag from her and they both strode into the house.
” Why are you back early?” ‘Nkiru asked as they walked “You didnt tell me on our chat.”
” You need some shower for now and lunch.” Kola told her. ” I will tell you when you have done all that.”
“Is it a good news?” Nkiru asked, worried.
“Just relax.” Kola told her and hugged her tightly. “I made lunch!”
“Really?” Nkiru smiled in surprise and stared lovingly into Kola’s eyes. It had been a long time Kola made her lunch. She was overjoyed. Kola held her by the hand
” You need to eat first before you take a shower. Right?” Kola asked.
“Yes.” Nkiru smiled. ” I am starving to death. Kola guarded her to the dining and settled her into a chair.
” You seat here while I serve my angel.” Kola told her jokingly and danced off. Nkiru broke into a short laugh, shaking her head. Kola set the table, dishing the rice, stew and plantain in different plates. Nkiru ate relishingly.
” So what do you want to talk to me about?” Nkiru asked between mouthful.
” I want you to finish your meal.” Kola told her with a pale look.
“Just tell me. I can’t wait.”
“It isn’t a good news baby. I am really scared and worried.”
Nkiru stopped eating abruptly and stared into Kola’s eyes.
“I need you to tell me what it is?” Nkiru asked with a glow of fear in her eyes.
“Just finish your meal please.”
“Please I am scared. I have lost my appetite. What is it?”Nkiru pestered.
Kola sighed dejectedly and sat up.
“Do you remember the lady I told you about that had a son for me but was lying for many years?
“Yes.” Nkiru said with a scowl on her face. She was waiting intently for more explanation.
“Her mum came to my office today that she is dead!”
“Oh my God!” Nkiru screamed. “How come?”
“I don’t know baby, but she said she died of a strange disease.”
” So how is that our problem?” Nkiru asked worriedly.
“She said I killed her. That I used her to renew my wealth. I wonder how much I have made that I need to renew with a human being?”
Nkiru burst into a short laugh and resumed her food.
” You don’t seem to be worried?” Kola asked.
” Why should I? I know quiet well you don’t do that.”
“She really threatened to deal with me. She was shouting angrily.” Kola sighed fearfully. “And I know that woman, she is very diabolical.”
“She can’t do anything. Greater is He that is in us that he that is on the world.” Nkiru barked with strength before she later tidied up the table after drinking enough water.
Kola didn’t really believe in that. It dawned on Nkiru that her husband would need to work on his Christian faith. Nkiru took the dishes to the sink and came back. He met Kola staring at the table in thought.
“You seem to be really worried about this?”
“Very worried baby.” Kola sighed down.
” That’s the result of not being faithful. But this is not the time for blames. We need to start praying hard and fasting.”
” Yes baby.” Kola agreed heartily and held Nkiru by the hand. ” I am sorry.”
Nkiru smiled and they both held hands. That night they prayed. Kola needs to get more closer to God. May be this is the time. Nkiru thought as she slept in bed that night.
To be continued…
ยฉ Emmanuel Erondu, 2019
