WIDOWED
CHAPTER 4
However, having a second wife was close to being unthinkable for me. I was an elder in the church and having a second wife would be against my religious beliefs and church doctrines. I have always dreaded polygamy too. I wasn’t cut out to entertain all the daily troubles and uncertainties that come with a polygamous marriage. I also loved Enoma too much to allow her become another woman’s competition. In fact, I wasn’t a womanizer or a cheat. I was one of the very few men who don’t cheat.
However, I needed a male child. What was I going to do? My dad, who had heard my complaints, sent words that I come to the village. I suspected that he wanted to knock some sense into my head.
I went to the village a week later to see my dad. Enoma stayed back in the city to take care of her brood. When I got to our village home, my dad was all smiles seeing me. My mother was too, as well as my younger siblings. When I had eaten, bathed and rested, my dad called me into his room. When my dad calls you into his room, you have to know that there is something serious.
“My son” he began. “I have heard of the troubles you are having with your wife over a male child. ”
” Yes Dad. ”
” Please my son… ” He said as he sat up in his chair and looked at me straight into the eyes. “You needn’t worry about a male child. God has been good to you and given you six lovely female children. Female children are not useless. They too can be made to become great people in life. I am begging you. Let go of this thought of having a male child, that has festered your mind and brought enough suffering and unhappiness to your home.” He finished.
” Alright Dad” I said.
I didn’t want to argue with the old man. He was that kind of person who could still slap you in spite of your age. I also noticed that he was speaking in barely controlled anger and could explode at anytime. So I let the matter go.
Early the next morning. I drove back to the city. I avoided going to see Enoma’s parents. I knew the “wahala” that awaited me there. I got the city in the evening and my children ran out to greet me when they heard the sound of my approaching car. Before I went to the village, I would have completed rebuffed them or shouted at them to get back into the house. However, my dad’s words were still ringing in my mind. I welcomed them and we all moved into the house.
In the living room was Enoma, looking old and worn out but still my beautiful sweetheart. She gave me a tight hug and a kiss on the jaw. I responded positively and she smiled for the first time in a while. The smile completely took away all the age on her face.
“Welcome dear husband” she said.
“Thank you dear lovely wife” I responded.
“I prepared your favourite, Eru.”
“What? You are not serious, are you?” I asked happily.
” I am, come and see.” She said and dragged me to the dining section of my expensively furnished sitting room.
Dinner was over. I was supposed to go to sleep and have some rest when my phone rang. It was our pastor. He told me he would love to see me the next day. I could already guess what were his intentions.
The meeting with the pastor was brief. He sounded so much like my dad. He told me to embrace my kids and make sure they become good and God fearing children. I accepted everything he said and went back home.
Dear reader, for a whole year, I was at peace with myself. I learned to love my beautiful daughters with all my heart and soul. I showed extreme love and concern to Enoma my wife. I made sure I respected my father’s advice as well as that of my pastor and doctor. The doctor had warned me to avoid having unprotected s*x with Enoma so as to make sure she didn’t get pregnant again.
I was at peace with myself for more than a year, then the thought of having a male child once again took over my entire system. I started longing for a male child more than any other thing in life. I spent sleepless nights thinking of this. I could no longer hold myself and I started having, against everyone’s advice and expectations, unprotected s*x with Enoma. She was a very fertile woman and soon she got pregnant again. For the seventh time.
TO BE CONTINUED…
