IMASUEN’S PLIGHT : CHAPTER 1 – THE END
Written by Temi Akintade
Chapter 3
I use to wonder how those who had leprosy use to feel when they are completely separated from the rest of the community.
Alone, downcast? Well, that was how I felt for the rest of my two weeks stay in Ebube’s home. The siblings hardly speak to me and when they do, it would be only the boys who would try to ask about my life and my family but their sister who happens to be the only girl, Sonia, saw me as a threat.
For instance, on one of those occasions I quarreled with Ebube, she would simply butt in and ask me not to speak to her brother rudely.
I waited for my fiancé to tell her off or draw the line between sibling relationship and our relationship but he didn’t. instead, he watched his sister talk down at me, and then he came back to apologize with gifts afterward.
His mother was also not left out in the whole charade. Her problem with me was that, she didn’t know who my parents were in society, and that I needed to get pregnant first before getting married to their son.
I wanted to ask her if I was the one who was supposed to get myself pregnant but then, I shut my big mouth up. Their father seemed to be the only jovial one.
The only one who would discuss political matters with me even when the others seem uninterested. Ebube one day voiced his hatred for politics.
“You should be interested in telenovelas like the Indian or philippine movies, not politics!” he lashed out one day when he was busy trying to attend an official meeting via the internet.
I simply ignored him and strolled out of the house. The balcony was where I always found solace. I would study my bible and speak to joy there until I was weary of the incredible estate sight.
IMASUEN’S PLIGHT : CHAPTER 1 – THE END
One cool afternoon, just a few days before I returned to Abuja with Ebube, I went to the balcony but on getting there, I found Sonia speaking to someone on phone she seemed worried and didn’t even notice that I had walked in.
“I have fallen deeply in love with you please consider this.” She said.
And I began to wonder, how a woman would be begging a man for love. It was disgusting and I felt like sIapping her beautiful head off her neck.
If she was that pretty then why was she so senseless? I wanted to ask but then, I choked on my question.
“Ayo, don’t do this to me. I don’t care if you are in love with another! Just spend one day with me without mentioning that lady’s name for goodness sakes! If she was so much in love with you then she wouldn’t have run away with another!” she yelled in frustration. It was then that she looked up and saw me.
I was moved, I felt like hugging her like I would have hugged my sisters but I could see the pride in her eyes. And she felt like a deer caught in red light.
As I stretched out my hand to hug her, she simply rose to her feet and walked out on me. Even though it wasn’t what I was expecting I knew that somehow, she was never going to like me.
I settled into one of the cane chairs and opened my bible to read the book of Ruth. I had already gone far in reading when I remembered that I had left my phone in the bedroom. On getting there, I found my phone on the bed. I picked it and turned to leave when Ebube came into my room. his face was slightly downcast.
“What’s wrong?” I asked.
“It seemed we would have to live in Lagos after our marriage. I need to take over my mother’s establishment.” He said with a tone of finality and strolled out of the room with his hands in his pockets.
I shook my head unable to understand what had just happened.
I wanted to run after Ebube and tell him that I didn’t like Lagos and that I didn’t want to be too far from my family and best friend, I also wanted to tell him that I wasn’t sure if I wanted to get married to him anymore.
But I stood there, tongue-tied, allowing him to get away with his mother’s opinion.
IMASUEN’S PLIGHT : CHAPTER 1 – THE END
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