WHAT DOES MY HUSBAND WANT?
Episode 6.
By Amah’s Heart.
Salami came around today, when I saw her I frowned. Ever since she tries to sow discord in my heart against my husband I started detesting her.
She noticed my countenance and withdraw herself from me.
Is been two weeks I saw her and she coming today, I hope is not another petty gossip she brought to share because I will not take it lightly with her.
“Miwa, how are you and the family…and also business?
She asked trying to sound nice, I replied her and asked her about hers and she also replied affirmatively.
“I know why you decided to keep your distance Miwa, just because of what I said that day about seeing Ladi with a woman and child? I meant no harm, I just wanted you to be aware of what I saw and to probably ask Ladi about the woman. But if it was a big offense then I’m sorry. It has not gotten to the extent you are taking it. Even though I saw Ladi again at…
I did not allow her to land, I interrupted her immediately.
“You saw my husband where again Salami? Wait let me guess, you probably went to greet your pepper seller and saw Ladi hugging another woman with two children? The last time was your children’s tailor that you went to see and saw Ladi with a woman and a baby girl. Listen Salami, I don’t know what you have against Ladi or I but it doesn’t even matter all I want you to do is to face your own family and mind the business that pays you. Ladi is my husband and I did not employ you to be snitching around him. Ladi cannot even be seen anywhere around this state because he travelled and he is not yet back from his business trip. Do you understand? If you are the type of friend that doesn’t want to see other people’s happiness or progress please kindly stay away from me. I don’t need your type around me…
I was not going to lay low and watch Salami fill my head with some useless idea. No, I won’t let that happen.
She stood to leave after apologizing again and later said.
“I’m your friend Miwa and I cannot lie or do any harm to you. God forbids such. I will do anything possible within my power to save your home when I see fire because your heart is pure and you deserve better. You cherish your family and most especially your husband and I try to make sure your home is not invaded by hooligans. My wish is for you to be happy at all time and to do what is pleasing to your husband so that your home will be at peace but I just realize you may be the only one on the ship because Ladi may not be all he claims to be. And presently he is within this state. I have seen him twice. Last week and also this week when I visited my mother inlaw that lives in a different local government. I took my eldest daughter there and we decided to stop in a fast food eatery, she wanted ice cream and chicken. I was sitting with my head bent on my phone, with a donut and pineapple drink in front of me when my daughter who was enjoying her ice cream and chicken tapped me and pointed at a man on the queue who came to buy food. My daughter said “mummy, is that not uncle Ladi? I looked up and there he was. i watch him buy different packs of food and took it to a table at another far end where the same lady with her baby was seated. They ate and even took some away. He did not see me but I saw him. Miwa, you need to confront your husband with what I just told you and see if he will deny it. I know one day the truth will surface….
I asked her to leave my shop and she did.
How can she come up with such lies again? What is Salami’s problem and why is she forming stories that does not sound real.
Ladi was on a journey far away in another state. He is far away from this town or the next town. Is probably a ghost or somebody else that Salami saw and mistake him for my husband.
Ladi hardly eat out, he doesn’t even like all this fast food or restaurant. I make food for him and package in his food flask most time if he is going to work and he comes home to meet home made fresh food. He enjoys eating at home rather than eating out. Only on few occasion he will ask me not to worry or when I’m not too strong to wake up early to make his food.
Salami is a liar and I will never believe anything she says ever again. How can she see Ladi who was out of the state in a fast food, buying food and eating with a woman?
She better get something doing instead of poke nosing into other people’s affair.
It was after a week that Ladi returned from his trip and as usual I made his favourite meal and he ate to his fill.
After two days I decided to tell him what the big mouth Salami said that she saw him in a restaurant.
Ladi looked at away and did not say anything. He did not deny it neither did he agreed to it. He was just quiet.
I continued talking.
“…I did not believe her, I cautioned her and warned her never to come to my shop again. As far as I’m concern she has cease to be my friend.
All Ladi said was “Good”.
I assumed he doesn’t want to talk about things that does not make sense so I let the topic to slide.
Few days later, I heard a dream about a strange woman chasing me with a big stick. I was running and saw Ladi standing, he was carrying a baby in his arm. I ran to him to save me from the woman but instead he pushed me away and hugged the woman instead. The strange woman laughed out before lifting the stick to hit me and I awaken. I sat up from the bed, looking round.
Ladi was lying awake. He asked me what the problem is, he said I disturbed him with my restlessness and finally woke him up and I told him I had a bad dream.
He said nothing, no sign of care, he turned to the other side and remain still.
When morning came, I couldn’t get the dream out of my mind. Throughout that day the dream of how my husband couldn’t save me but instead cared for another woman and her child more, who was about to kill me with a heavy stick before I wake up occupied my mind.
Ladi was no more the man I married, he has changed or am i over reacting because of a common night mare?
How can I even be thinking negatively because of a mere dream?
I waved it all off and refused to think about it. I love my husband and he loves me and will never do anything that will hurt me. He will chose me over any woman. Ladi usually say that to me and I will also chose him over any man.
He is my better half and I still thank God the day I met him working as a servant to his wicked master that does not care about him.
I remember how I stole for him and was punished by my parents. No man has ever caught my attention like the way Ladi did. Even when his master’s son was doing everything to have me, Ladi was afraid and thought I will leave him because of his master’s son. He was crying like a baby, I consoled and assured him that I will never leave him and I kept my promise till date.
During his birthday, I bought him expensive phone. He was happy and thanked me. I made different dishes. It was not a big celebration just family thing. I always wanted to make his day special.
I thought we are indeed meant to be for life until one day, Ladi was preparing to leave for work, sometimes he takes his phone to the bathroom or drop it with a password on the table. That is his new method and did not argue over whatever he chose to do with his private phone. I don’t go through his phone.
I found out he changed his big and expensive phone which I bought for him on his birthday, a month ago.
He was using another smaller phone, I was surprise and wonder what happened to the phone I bought for him.
The small phone was ringing while Ladi was in the bathroom that morning. He shouted for somebody to get him the phone immediately.
My husband do not like me or the kids mingling with his things, I don’t get close to his private things. I respect him on every side. But with the phone’s continues ring, I began to wonder why Ladi did not take his phone to the bathroom as usual.
Is probably his business associate that was calling him. I took the phone and saw the name on it which was in an abbreviation. I was about taking the phone to my husband when my hands mistaken clicked on the answer button.
I tried to rush and give the phone to Ladi but the voice coming from the background stopped me. I gently lifted the phone to my ears.
“…the baby was crying throughout last night. I told you to get me a nanny because I can’t be doing this all by myself. Taking care of a baby is stressful. Whenever you are coming over remember to buy more food from that fast food because the one here has finished and I can’t be taking care of a baby and be stressing myself again to the kitchen. She is running temperature this morning and I need you to drive down here as soon as possible. I guess Ziza want to be with her daddy. Your daughter needs you and I also need you. I don’t understand or care how you want to do it but I’m no more comfortable with this shift. I’m also your wife Ladi. You are here today and over to your maid of a wife tomorrow. I want to be with you at all time…I and Zazi want you here or you take us to your big house. Your maid of a wife is not the only one that deserve the good things….i also want to live in that big house with my daughter. Ladi… Hello Ladi…why are you not talking? Why are you not saying anything…you just kept quiet…hello….hello…
I quickly ended the call and dropped the phone when I heard Ladi coming out.
Water dried off from my mouth, my leg shakes. I must have heard wrongly or could this be a dream, was it a wrong number? Is the woman insane to have mistaken Ladi for someone else?
What is happening? Could this be real?
Questions crowded my mind. Ladi was in the room in no time.
“Miwa, I thought my phone was ringing? I asked somebody to get me the phone…why didn’t you bring it since you are close to it?
He asked authoritatively while drying off his body.
I try to sound calm and collected.
“I’m sorry! I was about doing that when the caller ended the call. I was waiting for it to ring again so that I can get it to you…
I was still talking and was about to ask him where he kept the big phone I bought for him when his phone began to ring again.
It was the same abbreviation name that makes no meaning to me.
He picked it and told the person to calm down he will call her back. He apologies for something and answered yes to so many things the caller was saying before the call ended.
Ladi got dressed and left the room and out to his car in a hurry. He told me that some customers were waiting for him and he needs to go and see them.
He did not even eat the breakfast I left for him on the table.
As he was about driving out of the compound, the only idea that came to my head was to follow him and know where he is really heading.
I quickly changed over to something less suspicious. Picked up a taxi instead of using my car and asked the cab man to speed after my husband’s car.
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