Title: Torn Between Love and Hate
Episode 1: A House Without Peace
The large compound of Chief Obinna’s mansion in Enugu was always lively with the laughter of children. His three kids, Kamsi, Adaora, and little Chiemerie, ran across the garden, playing joyfully. Their father, Obinna, watched them from the veranda with a rare smile on his face.
He loved them deeply. They were his pride, his joy, and the only reason he found happiness. But as soon as his eyes shifted to the doorway, where his wife, Amaka, stood watching them, his face darkened.
His smile disappeared. His heart burned with resentment.
Amaka sighed, feeling the coldness of his gaze pierce through her. This was their routine—Obinna being a loving father but a bitter husband. She no longer recognized the man she married ten years ago.
“Dinner is ready,” she said softly.
Obinna stood, adjusting his agbada, and walked past her without a word. He did not acknowledge her presence, nor did he respond. He only turned to his children, calling them warmly, “Come, my darlings, let’s go inside.”
At the dining table, the children chattered excitedly, talking about their day at school, while Amaka quietly served the food. Obinna spoke to them gently, laughing at their jokes, but never once did he address his wife.
Adaora, the eldest at nine, noticed the tension. “Daddy, why don’t you ever talk to Mummy?” she asked innocently.
The table went silent.
Obinna dropped his spoon and pushed his chair back. “Eat your food,” he said sharply, his tone making Amaka flinch.
She lowered her gaze, swallowing the pain.
When the children went to bed, Amaka confronted him. “Obinna, how long will you continue like this? What have I done that is so unforgivable?”
He turned to her with cold eyes. “You really don’t know, do you?” He scoffed. “You ruined my life, Amaka. And I will never forgive you.”
Her heart pounded. What exactly had she done to deserve such hatred?
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Stay tuned for Episode 2!
Title: Torn Between Love and Hate
Episode 2: Buried Resentment
Amaka barely slept that night. Obinna’s words haunted her. You ruined my life, Amaka. And I will never forgive you.
She tossed and turned, searching for answers. What had she done to deserve such hatred from the man who once adored her?
The next morning, she prepared breakfast in silence, her mind clouded with thoughts. Obinna sat at the table, laughing with the children as though nothing had happened the night before. He helped Kamsi tie his school shoes, wiped Chiemerie’s mouth after she spilled her tea, and hugged Adaora before she left for school.
But not once did he look in Amaka’s direction.
As soon as the children were gone, she couldn’t hold it in anymore.
“Obinna,” she said softly.
He sighed, already irritated. “What now, Amaka?”
“Please, tell me what I did. I can’t keep living like this,” she pleaded, her voice trembling.
Obinna clenched his jaw, his hands tightening into fists. “You really don’t know?” he asked, his voice dripping with bitterness. “Or have you chosen to forget?”
“I don’t know!” Amaka’s voice cracked. “Obinna, whatever it is, let’s talk about it. You were not like this before! We were happy!”
Obinna stood abruptly, his chair screeching against the floor. “We were happy until you destroyed everything,” he said, his eyes dark with anger. “You are the reason I lost my mother!”
Amaka’s breath caught in her throat.
“W-what?” she whispered, confused.
Obinna laughed bitterly. “You think I don’t know? She warned me against marrying you, but I was blinded by love. And what happened? The stress you put her through, the disrespect, the arguments—you pushed her into an early grave!”
Tears welled up in Amaka’s eyes. “No… no, Obinna. That’s not true.”
“Isn’t it?” He stepped closer, towering over her. “Ever since she died, I have never known peace. And it’s all because of you.”
Amaka’s knees weakened. She had loved Mama Obinna like her own mother. Yes, they had their misunderstandings, but had she truly been the reason for her death?
She shook her head, tears falling freely. “I never meant to hurt her.”
Obinna scoffed. “Well, whether you meant it or not, she is gone. And I will never forgive you for that.”
He turned and stormed out of the house, leaving Amaka trembling, her heart shattered into pieces.
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Stay tuned for Episode 3!
