The unfaithful husband - S01 E29

1 year ago

The unfaithful husband - S01 E29

Read Story: SEASON 1 EPISODE 29

Jennifer’s POV

I was already taking breakfast when I picked up my phone and clicked on my WhatsApp. Behold a message popped up on my phone; I was instantly awestricken. A single tear rolled down my cheek and I felt my throat closing up. Just when I thought everything was alright; just when I thought everything will be okay. Immediately my appetite for food was lost. I couldn’t believe what I just saw; it was a photo sent from my elder brother.

I tapped on it and realized it was actually a screenshot; a screenshot of my husband’s WhatsApp status.

On the picture, I could see that he had just posted it 23 minutes ago.

It was a picture of Sonia, but it wasn’t the picture that made me weep; it was the caption he added.

“Happy birthday to my favorite damsel” I read out loud as if to someone nearby “you are indeed a blessing from God; the perfect one for me, you are my completion; my earnest desire and my heartbeat. Happy birthday my princess. Greater heights ahead”

There was an outpour of tears as soon as I was done reading, I could taste the saltiness as they strolled into my mouth and down to my food. My heart bled at the way he flattered and rained all sorts of praises on her, more than twenty years of marriage and never for once has he posted my picture during my birthday. Yet he went ahead to do such a thing for a girl he should be old enough to father.

The assurance Femi gave me, made me believe that he was a changed person and that he no longer had anything to do with that girl, but I found out the hard way that I was been played for a fool. Indeed a leopard can never change its skin.

My feelings were drifted to the edge; why would I be treated this way? Why me? I pushed my food aside and let out my emotions. I cried so much; I didn’t even know when my son came into the dining room.

“Mom?”

I raised my head up and immediately began cleaning my tears with my hands like a little child; I didn’t want my son to know that I had been shedding tears.

“Mom, what happened?” He asked with sheer concern.

“I’m fine, just go back inside”

“Mom, what happened to you?” Frank asked once again

“Nothing happened, I said I am fine. Just…”

“But your eyes tell a different story, you were crying. What is the matter” my over inquisitive son asked. I knew Frank very well; he wouldn’t want to leave until he finds out the reason behind my tears.

“Fine, you want to know what happened?”

“Yes, please” he answered.

I pressed my index finger against the finger print censor on my phone, clicked on my WhatsApp and showed him the screenshot my elder brother sent to me.

He took a keen look at the picture and few seconds later his mouth was wide agape.

“This is bad” Frank muttered.

“Yes, your father has refused to change. I can’t wait for him to come back tomorrow so that we’ll finalize everything.”

“Mom, what do you mean by finalize?”

“Isn’t it obvious?… that this marriage will come to an end.”

“No mom, don’t say that”

“You don’t know the kind of emotional damage I have received in just this few days, I’m tired and I believe walking out of this marriage will be the best step and even your words of sympathy can’t talk me out of it. I have my mind made up.” I said.

The pain was unbearable for me; I stood up from the dining table not minding that I had barely eaten anything and I went to my room to console myself.

I called my elder brother who sent the picture to me; so I could have a word with him.

“Hello sis”

“Hello, Good afternoon. I saw the message you sent me, thanks for looking out for me”

“It’s okay, I saw that on his status. Didn’t you view it?” My elder brother asked.

“No I didn’t, he must have blocked me from viewing his status updates”

“This Femi of a person doesn’t know who he is dealing with, if not that I’m not in town I would have confronted him and given him the humiliation of his life”

“It’s okay, brother calm down”

“Don’t worry, I will be back soon. You just take good care of yourself okay?”

“Yea, I’ll try”

“Ok, have a nice day. We’ll talk some other time.”

My elder brother was the ideal sibling anyone could ask for; his hands were always on deck whenever I needed him and he didn’t fail in letting me know Femi’s true colour.

Frank’s POV

How come I was born of a man this heartless, i said in a low voice. Despite everything happening he still went ahead to cause more pain to my mum. I almost broke down when I saw her in tears.

I thought everything was fine; I thought my parents were settled but it had become crystal clear that my parents will not be able to remain together. I had to accept fate; that maybe in a weeks time; everyone will go their separate ways. I and my siblings might be shared among my parents, definitely not equally because we are three in number.

I had already begun imagining life as a single-parented child. I felt very sorrowful; I wished to smile like my little ones who had no idea what was going on. There was no bit of happiness in me; just gloom.

*****

Jennifer’s POV

I moved further so I could get a clearer view; it still remained blurry but I was able to see Femi handcuffed. I began wondering what offence he had committed. Then I noticed it wasn’t his both hands; only one of his hands were handcuffed. But he was handcuffed to another lady sitting beside him. I shifted my gaze up to see the lady’s face; behold! It was Sonia.

*****

I immediately sat upright on the bed panting heavily as someone who ran an endurance race. I couldn’t even recall sleeping off, all I remembered was burying my head in my pillow to cry out my eyes.

Just a few minutes nap and I had such a terrible dream. Why would Sonia’s hands be handcuffed to my husband’s. From what I know, such a dream didn’t signify anything ordinary. Could it be that I have been going about this issue the wrong way.

Maybe it was time to try another means; something I should have done long ago. I decided to pray; I picked up my Bible and prayed for the first time concerning this issue. I prayed for almost an hour; asking God to intervene in my marriage. I didn’t even expect myself to last that long but to my surprise; I did. And when I was done; a huge feeling of relief encompassed me.

I glanced at the old wall clock, it was some minutes past two. The time moved like a creeping Myriapod to me. Since I took my annual leave to settle the issues in my family; I have remained idle and I end up thinking about all Femi had done to me. It would have even being better if I was going to work; at least it’ll will make me forget about Femi even though it’s for the moment.

My phone rang and it was Ijeoma calling, finally a call to break the boredom.

“Hello Ijy, how far” I said

“I’m fine o, how have you being”

“My dear, it’s God o” I said.

“How’s the family”

“Hmm… I don’t even know what to say”

“This one you’re sounding like this, I hope everything thing is okay”

“I won’t lie to you o; my friend everything is not fine”

“What happened again?’ she asked “I hoped it doesn’t have to do with your marriage?”

“Actually, it does” I said sadly

“I thought you and your husband have settled things out”

“We had but everything turned upside down this morning”

“What happened this time” Ijeoma asked with evident curiosity in her voice

“Hmm…. Femi has pushed me to the end of the cliff, can you believe he posted the girl I told you he wanted to get married to, on his WhatsApp status; calling her all sort of romantic names”

“I thought you said he has nothing to do with her na”

“I thought so too”

“But why would he even do such a thing, didn’t he know you will see it?”

“He blocked me; Femi blocked me from viewing his status. My elder brother was the one who sent the screenshot to me”

“Hmm… Nawa” Ijeoma exclaimed.

“I can’t continue living in this hell all in the name of marriage; Ijeoma the emotional trauma is too much for me to handle”

“Just endure” Ijeoma encouraged.

“Remember you were the one who always told me that pain is temporary while quiting is forever”

“It’s not easy” I told her and that was the painful reality.

“I’ve not been able to do anything since then… I’ve lost all form of happiness”

“You should try going out; maybe to a cinema, a resort or any site attraction”

“Ijeoma I don’t have any where mind to go to”

“Ok… here’s what you’ll do; I have something that would cheer you up; my friend’s daughter will be celebrating her birthday today. You could come along instead of staying at home all day long”

“But you know I’m not very fond of parties” I said

“Just try, if you remain at home; you’ll keep remembering Femi. When you’re ready, call me. I’ll meet you outside your gate then we can go together.”

“Okay, I’ll try”

“And please put on a smiling face” Ijeoma said

“Alright, I have heard you”

****

Ijeoma was right, I needed to leave the house, go out and forget my misery. I quickly changed into a very beautiful yet simple gown because I hated drawing attention. The purple coloured flowing gown I wore fit perfectly on my killer shaped body. Although I was already in my early forties; I still retained my broad hips and elegant feminine physique. I slipped into a black and white pair of heels, turning from side to side in front of my mirror; I was sure I looked fabulous. I immediately placed a call to Ijeoma and in no time we arrived the party.

****

The place was a paradise of beauty, everywhere looked amazing; from the floor to the furniture to the accessories screamed expensive. With the way everyone dressed and everything looked extravagant I even forgot it was just a birthday party.

We took a seat not too far away from the stage. I and Ijeoma talked, laughed and ate some of the snacks on the table. I was enjoying myself; having a good time so much that I forgot my problems.

“Here comes the celebrant” Ijeoma shouted joyously.

As she walked towards us I immediately knew that I had seen the supposed celebrant before but her makeup made it tough for me to recall.

It was when she got to our seats that puzzle in my head was solved. I instantly remembered who the lady before us was and I noticed she also acted uncomfortably like she knew me.

“Sonia??” I shouted dragging everyone’s attention to us. I tried holding myself back but I don’t even know when I landed a very hot slap on her face. Everyone was shocked including Ijeoma.

“Ah ah, Jenny what happened?? Why did you slap her.”

I kept hearing different chatter from the crowd. “Why did she slap her?” a certain lady asked

“Who is that woman?” Another said.

Sonia refused to remove her hand from her cheek; she gave me the stare of the devil. She knew who I was. Her eyes said it all.

Everyone had now gathered around to see what was going on. But someone came, pushing himself through the crowd. He finally got to us and went straight to hold Sonia’s hands.

“what happened here” he thundered. Slowly Sonia raised her right hand with her other hand still on her cheek; she pointed at me. The man then; in towering curiosity raised his head towards me. He froze at the point and I could tell his limbs lost their function.

“Femi!!” I screamed.

Everyone had now gathered around to see what was going on. But someone came, pushing himself through the crowd. He finally got to us and went straight to hold Sonia’s hands.

“Femi!!” I screamed.

*****

“Femi!!” I screamed. He was overwhelmed with shock and his legs quaked vehemently.

“Je…je… Jennifer, what are you doing here?”

“I should be asking you that, is this the Abuja you travelled to??” I said with so much quaver in my voice

“Honey, it’s not what it looks like”

“What then does it look like; so you take me for a fool or for a newly born child. Something that is so visible for even the blind to see” I said weakly.

“Jennifer please it’s not as it seems” Femi pleaded with his kneels on the tiled floor.

The place was now packed as everyone wanted to see what was going on; a scene had already been created and the party was turned upside down.

“Jennifer, please I’m sorry. Please forgive me; I’m begging you from the depth of my heart” Femi said with his both hands in a praying posture.

“Why are you begging her?” Sonia asked arrogantly “can’t you see she slapped me??” Femi paid no attention to her but kept on pleading with me. I felt tears well up my eyes; threatening to spill out but I held them back. I can’t cry here. No! Not in front of this girl, I said within myself.

“Femi, so you are still cheating on me with this girl, you are not worthy of being a husband. Femi you are heartless” I said weakly.

“Wait! Jennifer, don’t tell me Sonia is your the lady you’ve been telling me about” Ijeoma asked; her eyes wide open.

“Jennifer please” Femi said leaning towards me” I couldn’t hold it back any longer; slowly, a single tear trickled down my cheek. “I don’t even know why I’m still here” I said as more tears poured out from my eyes.

“Chei, this life” one woman said with her hands folded in each other. Everyone kept muttering in the crowd; some expressed pity, others; anger.

“All men are the same, that is why I have refused to marry” came the voice of a lady who should be in her late fifties.

“Jennifer, please let’s go somewhere private and talk things out… please”

Femi continued begging while Sonia kept pulling back his hands to divert his attention. The pain in me was too much for a single person; my hormones were at their peak. I couldn’t stand the sight of my husband, I picked up my bag from the table and immediately walked out as fast as I could. Femi got up and chased after me while the typical “aproko people” ran after us to see what would play out between I and Femi.

*****

The clicking sound of my sharp heels echoed as I walked speedily towards the exit. “Jennifer please wait, just give me a listening ear” came Femi’s voice from close behind. He had almost gotten to me, I added more pace because I never wanted to have any conversation with him. It only took a short while for Femi to catch up with me, he placed his hand on my shoulder and brought me to a halt. “Jennifer, please hear me out. I never intended to hurt you; I don’t even know what pushed me. Please let’s not rush into decisions; let’s go somewhere calm and talk things out.”

All the while he talked, I refused turning back to face him; I didn’t even want to see his face. I remained silent and walked towards my car which was just a short distance away; before I knew it, I was drawn back by a strong pull. Femi dragged me back to himself.

“Jennifer, please forg…”

I mustered every bit of energy and pulled away from his grip.

“Let me warn you now” I said pointing directly at his face “I don’t ever want to see you in my life again, don’t ever try to come near me or anyone around me…if not; I will get you arrested” I said boldly.

“Jennifer!” Femi called dragging my hands. I immediately turned and gave him a slap I’ve been holding back for eternity; it was a very painful one. I could tell from how red his cheek became. A lot of people were gathered outside the building including passersby, market women and even people who had no idea what was going on. I felt better after slapping him in front of this many people. He deserved it. Femi stood at the spot, he refused to retaliate because he knew he had really messed up. I walked majestically; like a model on a runway, swaying my hips from side to side till I entered my car.

All eyes were on Femi and I

“Madam forgive am na” one man selling electrical appliances said to me.

“Oga Emeka leave that thing; you know wetin the man done do? You go just dey support am because you sef be man” said the lady beside him.

I had no concern for what people had to say, I had taken too much of Femi’s excesses. I ignited my engine; pushed my foot against the accelerator and sped off.

Ijeoma’s POV

Fear gripped me immediately I understood what was going on; I forced myself not to believe that Sonia was the sidechick I had been hearing about. I couldn’t help it as my conscience judged and punished me.

“Wait! Jennifer don’t tell me Sonia is the lady you’ve been telling me about” I blurted out. Jennifer didn’t respond, probably because it was as obvious as the clouds in the sky.

“Chei, Ijeoma what have you done?” I questioned myself rhetorically. So I’ve being one of the major reasons behind Jennifer’s pains.

My younger sister- Agatha told me about what she and her daughter were up to. I remember our discussion like it was an hour ago. She explained to me how her daughter- Sonia had salvaged their family from poverty by dating a married man. She even told me about the man’s brutality to female students as a lecturer. According to her; she jokingly said; they were just an instrument God was using to teach him a lesson.

I encouraged her, spurred her; even gave her the idea of going further to use diabolical means, since it was a common thing in our place. I urged my sister to do anything possible to make sure they extort money from the man. There were a lot of justifiable reasons to me at the time; my sister was uneducated but her husband was and he was dead, they struggled to make ends meet. Her daughter – Sonia was in the university and there were no funds to complete her education.

All these were the reasons for my action, little did I know that I was hurting my own. Jennifer would never forgive me for this, I whispered under my breath. I made a terrible mistake of which I regretted so much but it wouldn’t make any difference if I didn’t amend it.

As soon as Jennifer walked out from the hall, I went straight to Sonia who kept murmuring and uttering indistinct words to herself.

“Why didn’t you tell me he was my friend’s husband” I asked

“I was supposed to introduce him to you today, how do you even expect me to know he is your friend’s husband”

“Sonia you have to stay away from that man” I said

“Stay away from which man?” Came Agatha’s voice. She had just arrived and must have been informed of what happened.

“I heard that useless woman slapped my daughter and Ijeoma you were here but you did nothing about it”

“Look Agatha, I just found out that that man your daughter has being dating is my friend’s husband”

“And so?” Agatha asked rudely.

“Sonia has to do away with him”

“Oh! So this is what you want to do? You suddenly want my daughter to get rid of the relationship because he is your friend’s husband? Ijeoma have you suddenly forgotten how you advised me to make sure Sonia holds on tight to him. Let me just let you know something; Ijeoma, we took your advice and followed every bit of it. That Femi you see so; he is our zombie; he’s fully under our control and there’s nothing anyone can do about it. Shebi the wife has sabotaged my daughter’s party, she will hear from me.” Agatha hissed.

Now I was sure that I had messed up.

Femi’s POV

What have I done to myself? how did this happen? Sometimes I don’t even see why I keep on going back to Sonia. Since I became a post adolescent Casanova, I had come in contact with lots of ladies but I never took any seriously; I only wanted ’em for the s*x, nothing more. But since I met Sonia; I’ve been unable to let her go. I became attached to her and no matter how hard I tried; I always found myself pulled back to her like a magnet.

Now it has resulted into something disastrous. I needed to trace my wife to wherever she was; I tried calling her but it appeared she had blocked my line already. I quickly started my car, if Jennifer is really done with our marriage; then she would probably go back to my house to pack her things. I drove as quick as I could to ensure I meet her at home. I had to talk to my wife even though she didn’t want to see me.

I noticed a sky blue Sienna driving behind me like it was following me. I increased my speed and the car appeared to do same, the movement was becoming fishy and I immediately became alert.

Soon we got to a lonely, bushy part close to my area and the Sienna was still behind me. I was taken unawares as another car intercepted me. Immediately four armed men came down holding different kinds of guns wearing hoods over their heads. The Sienna also halted behind my car, it was at that point I realized what was really happening.

They pointed their guns at me and signalled at me to alight from my vehicle. I was submerged in terror and I could hear the audible sound of my heart thumping against my chest. Slowly, I opened my door and alighted from my car with my hands in the air like a criminal.

“What is it you want? Is it money? Whatever it is, please I will give it to you, just let me go” I begged.

“Will you shut up before I blow off your head” came the thick baritone voice of the one in front who appeared to be their leader. I immediately sealed my lips for the fear of death. They snatched my car keys from me, took me into the Sienna and blindfolded me.

All these they did in a giffy, how they did it that no one passed the road during their operation; I have no idea. Although I was blindfolded; I could feel the car moving at a very high speed. A great fear overtook me; who are these people? And where are they taking me to?