HE SAID NO
EPISODE 5
Mrs. Akinwale Grace made yam and was just about to fry her raw blended pepper. She suddenly started craving for yam and fried pepper, she even had to get to Balogun market, which was quite a distance from her house to get yam. But the moment the raw pepper hit the pot of hot oil, she suddenly became nostalgic and felt the need to throw up. Their son, Tobi was already asleep and tucked up in his bed.
She was on her way back from the toilet when her husband, Mr. Akinwale, came back from work,
“Welcome,” she greeted weakly, she didn’t even wait for a response, before making her way back to the kitchen,
“Uhn uhn,” he answered with his nose as he sat on their sleek sofa, and made to untie his shoes. They lived in a rented 3-bedroom apartment with a fairly large sitting room. The sitting room walls were coated with white paint and it hosted four single wine leathered sofas were arranged opposite each other while a three-seater sofa was at the other end, a 32 inches plasma television was hung close to the white-coated wall and white and wine flowery curtains graced the sitting room, making it a beautiful sight to behold. The other parts of the house were not left out either.
Back in the kitchen, Grace was already regretting that she made yam because the smell of the pepper was making her feel like throwing up. She dished out her husband’s food instead and arranged them on the dining table,
Akinwale headed to the dining after changing and freshening up,
“I have not seen Tobi today,” He said as Grace dropped a bottle of cold water and a cup, she was in her first trimester and her protruding belly was gradually becoming obvious in her oversized gown. Her hair was scattered and her clothes reeked of onion and pepper.
“He’s asleep,” she answered, as she poured him a glass,
“Come come come, what is this?” he asked disdainfully, as he uncovered the food,
“Food,”
“Yam? I told you I wanted pounded yam and vegetable,” he said, looking up at her, “I don’t know how you want to do it but that is what I am having for dinner tonight, ”
“I don’t have the strength to pound yam, I feel weak and tired. I had to go to Balogun market to get yam, and after I got back, I just used my last strength to prepare yam, please manage it. I would make pounded yam tomorrow with the remaining yam. “she pleaded,
“So, because you went to ordinary Balogun market, you are talking as if you trekked to Ghana, Uhm, woman, don’t get me angry! you know what I can do!”
“Abah now, pity my condition, ”
“What condition? Are you the first person that would get pregnant? So, because you are pregnant now, I should not eat?” he looked at her disgustfully as he hurled out more hurtful words on her, as usual.
“But this is food before you, why do you just like making issues out of noth…” She hit the tiled floor with a thud as a thunderous slap landed on her face before she could complete her sentence.
“I feed you and clothe you and just to make me dinner is your problem, it’s not your fault, useless and good for nothing old woman!” he stood up, pushing the dining chair backward as he angrily walked out on her.
Grace held her face in her hands as hot tears streamed down her face, she could not make any sound, but deep down inside her, her soul was in bitter pain and agony.
Grace, Mrs. Biodun’s daughter had been married to Akinwale for about 3 years and it has been hell on earth for her.
****************
Amifel slipped into her flat shoes and carried her bag before taking one last glance at the standing mirror she hung at the back of her wardrobe. It was Wednesday and she scheduled a meeting with a client who employed her services for his late mum’s burial.
“Mummy, I’m off. See you soon,” she said to her mum who was seated in front of the television, seeing a movie.
“Off to where, George?” she said, grinning from ear to ear,
“Mummy, you don’t know more than George, ” she remarked,
“That is the only name you have put in my mouth oh, give me another name whether I won’t switch, ” she laughed
“Okay oh, it’s not George, I need to attend to somethings and I also have a meeting,”
“You are going to plan other people’s wedding again without planning your own,” she hissed,
“Mum! It’s not a wedding, it’s a burial ceremony!”
“Ah, burial ke, Not in our own house oh,” Mrs. Robert said while swinging her hands backward to symbolize that she rejected it.
“Mummy, please not now, not now. You asked me to stick with George and that I have done. I have told you that if he proposes again, I would say yes,” she answered while turning to go. She was tired of her mum’s persistent naggings.
“Wait wait, Again? What do you mean by again? Has he proposed before?” her mum inquired,
Amifel forgot that she didn’t tell her mum about his initial proposal “Mummy please, we would talk about this when I get back,” she replied, trying to evade the question,
“You are not going anywhere until you answer me and if you lie to me, I would ask him myself,” Mrs. Robert insisted, Amifel knew that her mum won’t take no for an answer and that she meant every word she said. The last thing she wanted was for her mum to talk to George on her behalf,
“Erm, yes, he once did and I said I wasn’t ready,” she said, scratching her scalp,
Mrs. Robert became dramatic, as she stood up and lifted up her hands “Ah! God! Amifel will not kill me, so you rejected the answer to your prayers, ehn? They even presented it to you on a platter of gold, you are joking with menopause!”
“Did you listen to what I just said at all? I did not tell him I was not marrying him. I told him I wasn’t ready,” Amifel said in a bid to defend herself,
“What is the difference? Grace is there, happily married with one child on ground and one on the way while you are here rejecting proposals” Mrs. Robert said with her hands akimbo,
“That’s it mum, have a great day,” Amifel could not bear it any longer, she could still hear her mother’s shrill voice but she ignored it as she banged the gate angrily on her way out.
Mrs. Robert really is a drama queen!
To be continued…
Written by Sodamade Olamide Tolulope.
Gmail- [email protected]
@OlamideSodamade2020
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