IMASUEN’S PLIGHT : CHAPTER 1 – THE END
By Temi Akintade
Chapter 9
My parent’s house in Gwagwalada was among the best houses. All thanks to Ebube who kept to his promise by establishing my parents and building them a befitting house.
My siblings had all gone to school when I came. Ebube had also used his connection to secure their admission to the university. My mother was so excited to see me.
“you look fat and fresh!” she said.
I knew she was exaggerating because I didn’t grow too fast but of course I looked fresh as the fresh oranges on the orange tree in the middle of the compound.
“The very next time you come visiting, you will come with your kids in Jesus’ name. God bless and keep Ebube for me.” She added before leaving for the kitchen.
I didn’t say amen to her prayers because I wasn’t even sure if I was going to ever get pregnant if I remained married to Ebube.
I pulled out my phone and dialed Joy’s line but it was switched off. I checked Whatsapp and realized that she wasn’t even online and she had not seen my message yet. Bored, I decided to stroll around. Just then, my phone rang. It was my husband. I glared at the phone screen briefly before picking it on the second ring.
“What exactly were you doing before you picked my call?” he asked.
I rolled my eyes. “Taking a stroll.”
“Okay,”
Some motorcyclist passed springing dust to my face. I covered my nose until the dust subsided.
“What was that?”
“a motorcycle.”
“What is a motorcycle doing in the estate?”
I paused. Somehow, he had caught me. There are usually no motorcycles in my estate.
“Where are you Imasuen?”
“My parent’s place.” I paused briefly, then continued, “Abuja.”
“You shouldn’t have gone without me. How dare you Ima?”
“It’s my life Ebube stop telling me what to do with it!”
He laughed. “You have forgotten that I own your life right? I will teach you a small lesson that you will never forget.” He ended the call.
I wondered what lesson he would teach me. Surely he wouldn’t lay his hands on me or would he?
I continued strolling until an Idea dropped into my mind. soon, I entered a taxi to Lugbe. It wouldn’t hurt to see Busayo or would it?
30 minutes, I got to Lugbe. His house was a bit difficult to find because new houses have been built in that area.
However, I got to their compound in no time. The compound was quiet as usual, and his door was slightly ajar.
I rubbed my wet hands on the gown I wore and tried to calm my racing heart as I knocked on his door.
The door opened to reveal a light-skinned lady. She was dressed casually, in a tight cream-colored gown. I almost wanted to pull off her false lashes to tell her that she couldn’t dress that way around Busayo. But what right do I have?
“Yes?” she eyed me.
“Is Busayo home?”
“So what? Who are you and why are you here?”
I was about to speak when Busayo came out of the house. His mouth dropped in shock when he saw me. “Imasuen?” I knew he had questions to ask but there was no way we could talk with the light-skinned lady there.
As if she noticed our discomfort, she hissed and left.
I entered his room. everywhere was still the same just the way I left it only that, there was a Panasonic air conditioner on the wall.
“What are you doing here?”
My eyes skimmed over his chest. Even with his black shirt on, I noticed that he had grown broader and more handsome too. “Nothing. I wanted to visit.” I pressed my lips into a smile. “Girlfriend?” I was referring to the false-lashes lady.
“None of your business. You are not supposed to be here with me, alone.”
Somehow, his last statement stung my heart. What did I expect? A welcome back kiss? Suddenly my eyes opened. What exactly was wrong with me? Why had I come to Busayo in the first place? For goodness sake, you are a married woman! I chided myself.
As I turned to leave, he said;
“She’s not my girlfriend. It’s been difficult loving another after you left. I spoke to God about it to heal me but- you aren’t helping matters coming here like this- showing up beautiful in my house, alone!” he whispered harshly. “For goodness sake, I am a man Imasuen.
A man who is striving to live for God. As much as I would have loved to have you in bed right now, I need you to please leave! I fear God too much to have sx outside marriage let alone, sleep with a married woman. Please leave and do not communicate with me anymore. Lose my contact if possible.”
His words kept ringing in my ears as I got home. I couldn’t sleep.
I was restless. My head kept pounding repeatedly and I couldn’t even eat my mother’s pounded yam and Egusi soup. Even though there were lots of tasty fish in the soup, they tasted like paper in my mouth.
And when my mother caught me picking at my food she had said, “Imasuen, it’s like you are pregnant this one you are not eating.”
She waited for my reaction. Maybe a smile or a laugh but I couldn’t bring myself to react.
That night, as I was watching a Youtube video, my data finished. I tried to buy data through my bank app but it wasn’t going through.
I tried to use the other bank app but it wasn’t going through as well. So I flung the phone to the bed and retired to sleep.
Just when I was about to shut my eyes, my phone rang. It was an international number. But I knew it wasn’t Ebube.
“Hello? Who is this please?”
“It’s James.”…..
IMASUEN’S PLIGHT : CHAPTER 1 – THE END
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