THIRD PARTY IN MARRIAGE
EPISODE 17
Richard got back home that day and noticed his wife was in a very good mood. She even hugged and kissed him welcome. She hummed a song as she prepared dinner. He could not believe his eyes, he was curious to know what caused her perky countenance, he went to the kitchen and pretended to be picking something from the fridge.
Ophelia: “I know you are not looking for anything in that fridge. So spill it out” she said smiling brightly revealing the two dimples adorning her soft cheeks.
Richard: “How much I missed seeing those two ladies on your cheeks”
Ophelia: “What ladies?”
Richard: “Your dimples, your smile. So what happened?” he went closer to her and leaned on the zinc.
Ophelia: “Nothing happened, you mean I can’t be happy except when something happens?”
Richard: “You can be just that you’ve been really cold lately and I really missed you. I am glad to have you back” he said and kissed her mildly on the lips.
Ophelia: “Well I am glad to be back” she said stirring the afang soup she was preparing.
Richard: “Where is Sammy?”
Ophelia: “He must be in his room, I have not seen him since he came back from school”
Richard: “Oh really? I will go check on him” he said and walked out of the kitchen down to the corridor adjoining to the rooms. He met Sammy’s door locked. He knocked and knocked but no reply came from the room. He tried again and this time the door knob turned and the door flung open. “Sammy…What happened to you?” he asked as soon as he entered inside the room and saw how bloodshot his son’s eyes were.
Sammy: “Nothing dad, I am fine” he said unable to look his dad in the eye.
Richard: “Then why does it look like you’ve been crying all day?”
Sammy: “I miss my mum daddy. I really really do miss my mum” he said bursting into fresh sobs.
Richard: “Your mum is gone son!”
Sammy: “Gone to where? Isn’t it high time she come back?”
Richard: “She is never coming back again because she is dead. She died that day in our presence but we thought she was asleep”
Sammy: “Well I know she is dead. I know she is never coming back but in order to be able to live, I am telling myself she went on a long journey and would be back someday. I am not daft not to know dad but I just miss my mum…why did she have to die, why?” he struggled to dab off the tears that were cascading down his cheeks unto his chest, he felt like his heart was on fire. He could not hold back all the emotions raging inside of him, the hatred, hurt and disgust he felt at the moment was more than he could bear.
Richard: “I miss her too son but what can we do? We have to let her go so she can rest in peace”
Sammy: “That is easy for you to say cos you have what you always wanted right? I remember when mum was alive and begging you for forgiveness, you kept doing things to hurt her. You even brought your abomination home. I just hate you dad, please don’t talk to me”
Richard: “How can you talk to me like that? I and your mum had our issues which you wouldn’t understand just yet but I am sorry though. I regret my action even till today”
Sammy: “If you really do regret your actions, then why did you marry her?”
Richard was speechless and just stood there looking at his son.
===
Some Years Later
Annie kept growing beautifully well among her three daddies. She called the three of them daddy. She was a blessing to them because with her there was no dull moments in their lives anymore. They became better people, even Paul who was a Casanova changed overnight just so he could have more time to spend with her.
Every weekend, they would take her out, have fun around the city and get back home early enough to prepare dinner. They stopped eating out in order for her not to grow up getting used to it. They even bought and read books on how to cope with single parenthood for men. She was their little angel.
That Sunday, they sat around Annie playing with her while she giggled and muttered unintelligibly to them.
Paul: “I cannot understand your language baby. Oya say daddy!” she just looked at him and removed her eyes while the other two laughed.
Ralph: “See elaa part one”
Dickson: “This girl ehn? She is going to use guys’ eyes to see shege. Imagine how haughty she is becoming?”
Paul: “Well you would have been worst if you were in her shoes. Imagine having three daddies doting on you? Kai when she grows ehn? If any guy messes with her I will kill him. I swear I will maim him first, then later bury him alive”
Ralph: “Take it easy na. Do you know how many girl you messed with?
Paul: “Well that is why I am saying this because I know as e dey go. If anyone messes with my daughter…”
Dickson: “Point of correction, our daughter not your…” he said tilting his head to one side and even Annie started laughing.
Ralph: “Oh baby!” he said, scooped her up and threw her to the air while she giggled and jiggled happily. But all of a sudden, her face became pale and she went stiff for a minute and then started convulsing violently.
Paul: “Oh my God! What is happening to her?” he said looking bewildered as Ralph tried containing her convulsion.
Dickson: “Annie! Baby what’s going on?” he said quivering frightfully.
Ralph: “Someone should get the car ready, we are going to the hospital now!” he ordered impatiently as her convulsion intensified.
On their way to the hospital, the convulsion stopped but she started running a temperature.
Paul: “Dickson aren’t we there yet? Her temperature is running wild” he said touching her forehead as she laid on Ralph’s laps.
On getting to Balm of Gilead Hospital, they were directed to a paediatrician who conducted some test on her as they waited at the reception. Some minutes later, a nurse came to call one of them to the doctor’s office…
Nurse: “Please who among you is the father of the girl?” she asked looking from one to another.
They all chorused “I am”.
Nurse: “I meant who among you gave birth to her? The doctor wants to talk to her dad” she said, looking confused.
==
Richard noticed that Sammy was not improving, months had gone by, and years yet he withdrew further into himself. He stopped doing the things he loved doing. He stopped talking to people much including his father. He had tried several times to talk him out of his bitterness but it had all proved abortive. It broke his heart to see his only son like that. And to crown it all, Ophelia was yet to take in after five years of marriage. He had covered up for her with his mum when she complained about it to him. He had told her they didn’t want any more children so they did family planning and that was just a lie. She remained as youthful and beautiful as she was the first time she met him.
Meanwhile Ophelia was radiating with health and happiness. She continued her sexcapade with Sammy who was too scared to open up to anyone because of her threats. Even when he slept at night, she would sneak into his room and have her way with him. The more energy and youthfulness she got the more drained Sammy became. His dad bought him different kind of drugs just to make gain little weight but none of it seemed to work. Ophelia seemed to be the only one enjoying herself in the house. To the other two, going back home every day after school or work was like a nightmare they wanted to wake up from.
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