IMASUEN’S PLIGHT : CHAPTER 1 – THE END
Written by Temi Akintade
Chapter 6
I saw him, dressed in an Armani blue suit. But it wasn’t even that, that upset me. It was the fact that he was dancing with Sonia. How did they get to know each other so fast to the point of dancing with her? My heart began to beat widely and my head almost spun even in the air-conditioned hall.
What was he doing here? Did he come to my wedding to spit me? What would happen if Ebube knew that he was here? All these questions raced through my mind.
Soon, my dance with Ebube was over and he was supposed to dance with his mother. It was then, I took an excise to use the restroom. My sister the Chief bridesmaid, wanted to come with me but I told her not to. My heart was heavy and the moment I got to the restroom and shut the door, tears flooded my eyes and began to trickle down my face.
Disrupting my makeup. Just then I heard a slight knock. I quickly dabbed my face with the tissue on the wash hand basin and opened the door.
It was Busayo.
‘What are you doing here?”
“You don’t look too happy at your wedding. Why?” His lips were pressed into a thin line and I knew that he was angry.
“It’s not your business. This is my life!” I yelled at him and made to leave but he grabbed my hand and turned me to face him.
“Imasuen I loved you but you threw my love to the dogs!”
“Love is not enough! I had to help my family we can’t remain poor forever!” Tears began to fall from my face.
“You don’t get Imasuen. It’s not about you or them. It’s all about God and what he wants to do throughout your life. Do me a favour, find yourself first. Find out who you are in Christ.
You are not just a woman who should get married and have kids! You were made for something. It was the reason why I fell in love with you. You use to be purpose-driven but what happened?” He spoke in a voice that was like a whisper.
I allowed his words to sink into my head as I tried to understand what he had just said. He dabbed my face with his handkerchief and lifted my face to meet his. I could feel his eyes on my lips and my mind jolted back to the previous encounter I had with him. I wanted to be kssed by him and loved by him all of a sudden.
As if he sensed my urge, he released me and shook his head. “I won’t do this to God. You are another man’s wife now. Another man’s property. I wish you all the best in life.” When he lifted his head I could see his eyes had turned red. Then he walked away. And my heart shattered afresh.
After wiping my tears, I walked out of the restroom to the hall where everyone was still busy dancing. I smiled, it was a great thing that my absence was not noticed. I tried searching to see if I would still find Busayo in the hall but I realized that he had gone.
IMASUEN’S PLIGHT : CHAPTER 1 – THE END
Soon, it was time to go home with the groom. I had changed into one of the fancy silver dresses that I picked from the boutique a few weeks ago. I intended to put it on for our honeymoon.
Our bags were packed and soon, our flight was announced. All through our flight and journey to our hotel in Dubai, my husband kept taking selfies with me and all he kept talking about was how our wedding pictures had gotten to Bella Naija and how that the social media pages were already buzzing with our pictures and videos. By the time we got into our suite, my anxiety started.
Joy had told me about wedding nights and I had anticipated it but then, I wasn’t even sure if I was ready anymore but I followed Joy’s instruction. She had told me to wear red lingerie and put on some perfume and let down my hair. I did all that and waited for Ebube to come in. The first thing he said when he saw me was,
“Put on some clothes we will be having some visitors.” He threw me a towel and walked out of the room leaving me completely embarrassed.
That night we saw some of his friends and relatives who hadn’t come to the wedding. It was then that I met James.
He was Ebube’s long-time friend according to him they have been friends since childhood and up till when they went to school in England.
When Ebube excused himself to make some calls, he left me at the table with James, and the question he asked me threw me off balance.
“Excuse me what did you just say?”
“Have you guys had sex?” He asked carelessly.
“But that’s our private life!” I strongly wanted to tell him that it’s been a week since our wedding and we’ve not had an intimate time as couples but I kept mute.
He laughed. “Call me when you have any questions.” He gave me his card which I quickly hid before Ebube comes.
That night, I couldn’t sleep. I kept thinking about James’s questions.
I was still in deep thoughts when Ebube came in that night. Maybe, thought that I had already gone to sleep since I was lying down and my eyes were shut.
Soon, I heard him groaning and moaning almost as if he was having sleeping with someone in the restroom.
I rose to my feet and tiptoed to the restroom and that was when I caught my husband, watching pornography and masturbating at the same time.
“I can’t believe this Ebube.” I scoffed and went back to sit on the bed.
He came back a few minutes later. His face bore no regrets or remorse and what he said shattered my heart a million times.
“Look. The day we got married was the day you got ready to handle my weaknesses. So all you have seen today, I don’t ever want to hear it from anyone, and let me tell you why I married you.” He slid his hands into his pocket. “The reason why I married you is for you to bear my name. I don’t love you as a wife neither do I want kids. But we can talk about adoption later. You can work if you want and if you don’t want to.
You will always get an allowance of a million naira or even more every week. And I will also establish your family as well. These are the benefit that comes with getting married to me.”
I broke down in tears and rose to face him. “I never knew that our marriage was based on contract.”
He sighed and said. “Get ready, we are going to Madagascar for our second honeymoon.” He walked back to the restroom where he continued what he was doing.
I tried to break down in tears but I couldn’t. The tears wouldn’t even come. Then it dawned on me that I was married.
I was now, Mrs. Imasuen Ebube…..
IMASUEN’S PLIGHT : CHAPTER 1 – THE END
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