MY DAMN FATE
Chapter 1
My name is Rachel, am 23 years old, well I am from Africa, but relocated to Asia. I really love Asia countries.
Today is my 23rd birthday, I got calls and text messages from my friends and families, except from my dad. My dad, Mr. Ezekiel Johnson, is a businessman, he buys and sells farm products like Cocoa and Coffee from Africa countries, especially Nigeria, and sells it to white countries.
I went to take my bath and brush my teeth, I went to my room, dressed up for my birthday, then my phone beep it's my dad's text.
“Rachel, you have to come back to Nigeria” he said.
I was so surprised to see that, he didn't even say happy birthday, maybe he forgot that today was my birthday, but mom was the first to call me. I sat down at the front of my mirror and applied makeup on my face, then one of my Asia friends, Mira, came to pick me up. I really had a lot of fun and went back home. Not only that, but I got home a bit drunk though am not use alcoholic drinks, I took my bath and lay on my bed then my phone rang, it's my mom. “Why is she calling me this time, isn't it late?” I murmured.
“Rachel did you get the alert, I sent you a little amount of money.” She said, my mom has always been my role model even though she scolds me every time.
“Thank you mom.” I said, I was pleased to hear that because I spent all my savings on my birthday.
“Mom, why did dad tell me to come back to the country?” I asked because I was anxious if something bad had happened.
“It's a secret.” My mom replied.
Since it's a secret, I thought my dad wants to surprise me for my birthday, maybe he had something special for me. So I didn't ask again from my mom, we had some conversation and ended the call.
I set the alarm and slept, I was a bit drunk after a can of alcoholic drink, I never knew alcohol drink makes you sleep well.
My alarm rang the next day, but I was too tired to get up, I off the alarm and continued sleeping. I slept for 3 hours again then my rang, I sleepwalk to the shelf and took my phone even though my eyes are still unclear.
“No, it's my boss.” I said, I immediately got back to my right sense and checked the time, I couldn't believe it's 10:17 am, I picked her call.
“Rachel, why aren't you at work?” She asked.
“I sprained my ankle.” I couldn't help myself than to lie.
“Okay, have you visited the hospital?” She asked.
“Yes, am out of the hospital, I am coming to the company now.” I said without being remorseful.
I rushed into the bathroom, took my bath and brushed, dressed up and rushed to company, I didn't even have my cocoa tea, I really love cocoa tea a lot, sometimes my dad sends me manufactured cocoa powder.
I was surprised to see my crush in our company wearing the company t-shirt, “what?” I yelled. I heard people calling him Dae, we live in the same vicinity, I couldn't help myself than to stare at him.
“He is so cute.” I murmured, I really love Asia guys, my dream when I was young was to marry someone from Asia, when I got a scholarship to one of the Asia countries I was so happy. Then I felt a tap on my shoulder, I was so scared because I was carried away, it's Adeline, my colleagues, we both work in the same department.
“Rachel, the manager wants you in her office.” She said.
I quickly rushed to the manager's office immediately.
“Good morning ma” I said.
“Rachel are you okay?” She asked.
“Am okay?” I replied.
“I mean your ankle, your supervisor said you sprained your ankle.” She said, then I remembered what I told my supervisor and did as if I sprained my ankle, I knew my manager hates lies, so I put on the show.
“Okay, but you had a day off yesterday and your ankle wasn't sprained when you left. Is this how Africans behave, being lazy at work.” She said, I looked at her angrily and was cursing her in my mind, I really wished to hit her for insulting Africans. I did all their work, she isn't even grateful than to insult Africans.
“Rachel!” She hit the table, then I came back to my right sense.
“Am sorry ma.” I said, though I didn't mean the sorry, how could she insult Africans, we are best in our own way, we have good foods, different languages, different traditions and hardworking.
"Rachel, you can leave my office.” She said. I left her office, and went to my department, as I was opening the door of our department, I mistakenly hit the door on Dae, who was coming out of the office. This made him bleed on his nose.
“Am sorry Dae.” I said.
"It's okay, did you just say Dae?” He asked.
“Yes." I replied.
“How did you know am Dae, I haven't introduced myself to you, are you my stalker?” He asked.
I was so surprised to hear that from him.
“We live in the same vicinity.” I said.
“Then you are stalking me, for you to know my name, I don't think am safe.” He said.
All eyes are on me, calling me a stalker.
“Why would I be stalking someone like you? You are so ugly." I said, this makes people laugh. I was wrong about my thoughts that Dae was a cool guy and my spec, never knew he was just rude. That how my love for Dae ended. I went to my office did all my necessary work, then I receive a message from my dad again, he said I should come to Nigeria and resign where am working, I was so surprised to see that. I was started thinking through out that day, I sat down in the middle of the night and write my resignation letter, I submitted it the next day. My manager was surprised to see that, she even thought maybe because of what she said, she was regret scolding me.
I left the office earlier that day the next, and went to book my flight back to Nigeria, I have to wait for three days before I can go to Nigeria, still I was still surprised why my dad want me in the country, even if he wants to surprise me, he won't tell me to resign, Maybe it's something urgent. I was just thinking throughout.
CHAPTER 2
I got different emails from my work to considered working back in the company, but I can't disobey my dad as a respectful Yoruba lady.
I didn't even bother going to work today, since I will be going back to Nigeria in the next two days, I had to pack my things in order, to get ready for going back to Nigeria.
I called Bora in the evening to spend the evening with me, though Bora is still in college, we got to university same year, but I applied for the scholarship with my diploma certificate that why I was a year ahead of her and worked for one year, some says am too young to be a graduate, some says it my normal age to be a graduate, while some says they are some graduates younger than me.
I heard a knock on my door, it's Bora, though I called her, but I haven't changed my clothes, I rushed to change my cloth into a white, flare, short gown. I opened the door, but Bora was already leaving, I called her back and went to out with her. I couldn't imagine that I am leaving Korea for a while, I will miss Bora, I couldn't help myself than to look at her.
“Rachel, how long are you going to stay in Nigeria?” She asked.
I looked at her and smiled, she isn't happy that I am leaving the country, but she is trying to keep it.
“I will come back soon, it is unclear to me why my dad called me and how long I am going to stay, maybe two months.” I replied.
“But you already packed your things, I don't think it will be soon.” She said.
I couldn't help than to chuckled, Bora was like my twin sister, we are the same age, but she celebrated her birthday a day before mine. She didn't spend enough time with me that day because she got a call from her roommate, well, I don't know the reasons.
She pecked me before she left, I was just looking at her, I knew I was going to miss her for the two months than I imagined.
I didn't know my phone was on silent, I got calls from my supervisor, she has already called several times and sent me messages to reconsider the resignation letter, she is a kind woman, but I couldn't return her call because I was sad, I won't be able to see her for two months.
I went to the store in my area to buy bread on my way home, then I bumped into Dae, he was coming back from the company, he saw me and apologize what he said, I had no choice than to forgive him, am too soft-hearted. We chatted together until I got home, though my love for him had ended. I had my bread and tea then went to bed.
I woke up early on the day my flight was leaving Korea, I couldn't imagine leaving this Asia country, when I got to the airport, I looked everywhere then I remembered my first day in Korea, I didn't know what to do, I haven't travelled before. Then I met a roommate from another Asia country, India, then the two of us found our way to the school.
I left Korea that day and got to Nigeria. All my siblings were happy to see me, even my mom, she hugged me tightly. She has already changed. She looks older than the way I left her. The neighbors were looking at me surprisingly, they were saying I have changed a lot, though am from a black country, but I'm not dark, I'm fair just like my mom. I couldn't let go of my mom's hug for some minutes, then my dad came in with a man.
“Dad” I hugged him too.
His white hair is getting much. He sat down with the man and told me to sit with them, my mom and my siblings had to excuse us.
He introduced the man to me, he was his childhood friend.
“This is my daughter, she studied in one of the Asia countries.”
“Korea, Seoul” I cut in.
The man smiled at me, my dad continued his conversation.
“Rachel, you might be surprised why I called you home.”
I nodded to give him reply.
“You are getting married soon to this man ….”
“This man?” I cut in.
“How could you say I am getting married to this old man?” I said.
My dad stood up and slapped me, I was so surprised why he slapped me, he never did that before.
“Dad, I am gen z, how can you arrange my marriage, I have been listening to you since when I was young, people are envy of me to be your precious daughter, but they never knew how hurtful it is to obey everything you say, you took me as the only useful object who listens to you, you even planned my marriage behind my back and want me to marry this old man, during those years in Korea, you didn't call me for once, but now I came to Nigeria for you dad, I didn't know this is what you want to do.” I said, tears filled my eyes and it's uncontrollable. I ran to my mom's room.
“Mom, are you aware of all this?” I asked.
My mom nodded to give me replied.
I couldn't believe all this, it looked like a dream.
“Mom, am not dad's only daughter, he married three wives and had five daughters, am your only daughter mom.” I said and cried bitterly.
My mom moved closer to me, she felt sorry for me, I could see that in her, but she didn't know what to do.
“Rachel, there is nothing I can do about that.” She said.
I left my mom's room sadly, and called my elder brother, Anthony, he is my only older sibling. My parent first child, my mom only had the two of us. He moved from the house and rented an apartment, he told me to come to his house that day, when I got there he gave me my best Cocoa tea and calmed me down, my eyes were red and swollen.
“I never knew dad would do that, he told me about getting you married to that man's nephew and I disagree.”
“Not that man, but his nephew?” I cut in.
“Yes, he had a car accident with his parent seven years ago and lost them, since then, he has been on wheelchair.” He replied.
After hearing this, my heart melt, I felt pity for the person I haven't seen before.
“Will you agree to the marriage?” My brother asked, he was looking at me with curiosity.
“I don't know.” I replied my brother who was eager to know my reply, then he chuckled.
“Can you do that for mom?” He said.
I really loved my mom and will do anything to make her happy, I didn't give answer to my brother question, then he tapped me he took me to where he do play tennis.
I enjoy my day with my brother until evening that day, he boarded a car for me to go back home, he knew our parent will be worried that night because I didn't tell them I was leaving before I left the house.
CHAPTER 3
I got home that day, I saw my dad youngest wife in the sitting room, I didn't even bother to greet her. But my first step-mom called me and hugged me tightly, she said I should beg my mom and join the house for dinner later.
I went into my room, took my bath and changed my cloth, I went to my mom's room, she smiled at me.
She didn't even scold me for coming home late, she said she had nothing to do when she heard that, my dad listens to his last wife. I felt sorry for how I reacted to my mom and ask for her forgiveness.
I went to the dinning with my mom, my dad was already there with his wives and my siblings. We are thirteen in our family, including my elder brother, my dad has four sons and five daughters. They say cocoa dealer marries many wives.
I looked into my dad eyes, I knew he was angry for what happened earlier, I bow and ask for his forgiveness and I agreed to the marriage. All eyes were on me, they were all surprised to hear that, including my mom.
“Dad, I have a favor to ask from you.” I said.
“Okay.” He replied.
“My mom, I didn't like the way she is being treated this way. You have been too cold to her, her suggestions aren't even accepted by you.”
My mom held my hand to sit me down and shut up, but I didn't stop.
“You haven't for once considered her as your wife, even before I left Nigeria, I have been your loyal object not because I want to be your favorite daughter, I did that all because of my mom. And your youngest wife should always respect her and stop all her behavior, then I will accept the marriage.” I said.
My dad sigh after hearing this, he didn't even say anything and accept what I said, this isn't my dad, he is supposed to be against this.
The youngest wife was just looking at me with hatred throughout that night.
My dad took me with him to the man office, I beg for his forgiveness that day because I was too childish.
He smiled at me and told me to excuse them.
I overheard him saying.
“Is she capable of doing this thing.” And my dad nodded.
They called me back and took me to the owner office, he was the one on the wheelchair, they had tried setting him up with different ladies, but he refused and chased them off.
I was scared when his uncle introduce him to me, he was scary, but handsome. Throughout that conversation, he didn't even give me a face and didn't even call my name, he was just calling me “lady”.
Even after the two elder excuse us, he still behaves abnormal. He even asked me if I was capable of living with him, I will have to clean his mess, help him with his bath, cook his meal, do his laundry and tidy is room.
I was just wondering how he could say that to me, for him to be a rich guy isn't he supposed to have maids to do that. He knew my thoughts and said.
“Are you wondering am supposed to have maids to do that, I won't want any maid to do my things anymore than my wife, I need to have deep connections with my wife.” He said.
I looked at him and sigh, I accepted everything he said, he was so surprised to hear me. I did that for my mom, I said in my mind.
“Since you already accept to be my wife, can we have lunch together tomorrow?” He asked.
I nodded to reply.
My dad was surprised to see us chatting, he didn't even know what happened, he thought we are already getting along. I told my dad about him inviting me for lunch with him. That night, when we got home, my dad told his last wife to make me pounded yam and egusi soup. She murmured for some minutes, but had no choice, she prepared the meal for me, I had to return ten folds of how she used to treat my mom.
CHAPTER 4
Today, I'm having lunch with my setup fiancée, I put on a shiny pink mini gown with a sliver heel, I wore the wig Bora bought on my 22nd birthday and put on my best perfume. I got to the restaurant fifteen minutes late, my setup fiancée was already there, he was sitting on his wheelchair.
“You are fifteen minutes late, I hate when you don't keep to time.” He said.
I bow to begged him, I sat down and order from the menu.
“This is a big restaurant, he must be a wealthy guy.” I murmured.
He looked at me with a kind of eyes I couldn't imagine.
“You didn't even tell me your name.” I said.
“Am Olaoluwa Jerry.” He said.
“Olaoluwa or Jerry?” I asked.
“My last name is Olaoluwa, my first name is Jerry.” He replied.
“What your name again?” He asked.
I was so surprised to hear that from him after telling him my name several times yesterday, he still doesn't remember I think he isn't ready for marriage.
“Rachel.” I replied after some minutes and chuckled.
“Look at that beautiful lady, is she married to a cripple.” A lady said.
“Thank God am not crippled.” A man's voice was heard.
“She won't have time for herself, I pity her.” Another lady said.
“But the man looks rich, I bet, the lady wants to dump him.” Another lady said.
I stood up angrily and went to the middle of the restaurant, I couldn't control myself anymore.
“Is anything bad in being in a wheelchair, even when you didn't pray for that. There is nothing wrong with him, it isn't his fault and stop badmouthing him, this is the reason white doesn't like black because they are separating disabled people from them.
He is my fiancée and I love him like that, I didn't see him like one, stop spouting rubbish. You just spoil my day, we are leaving here.” I said.
Jerry looked at me surprisingly, he called the waitress to pay for the meal and I pushed his wheelchair out of the restaurant, we didn't even eat what we paid for. My eyes were red like hot coal.
“Rachel, are you sure you can cope with all this insult?” He asked.
I knew he had been planning on how to chase me off, that why he brought me there.
Only I and my families knew the reason I accepted to be his wife, so I didn't give him reply to that, I only smiled.
I went in the same car with him, then exchange contact, he dropped me at my house. And called my dad after some hours.
He already accepts to marry me, that night my dad was filled with joy, the family started planning on my wedding which is two weeks to go.
“Isn't it to early.” I murmured anytime I see people preparing for my wedding, so I started spending the remaining days to my wedding with my mom, we even went to the beach with my brother.
Jerry never missed a day without calling me in the morning and night, I started liking him within that two weeks, he even sends gifts to my dad sporadically. My dad and Jerry uncle were happy to learned what was happening to me and Jerry, sometimes I think Jerry is just putting up a show, but am already loving him. Is he worth loving? I don't know, but am all doing this just for my mom's sake.
I already told my Korea friends that I am getting married soon, they were all happy for me, but it isn't possible for them to come because the wedding is urgent.
CHAPTER 5
The pre-wedding event was so stressful, we had our introduction, traditional wedding, court wedding, bridal shower. Before the wedding day.
It was really stressful for me the bride, on my wedding day I was sleeping so soundly until one of my younger sisters came to wake me. I had to prepare for the wedding, my dad has already called my makeup artist, even my dress look good on me.
I look into the mirror and smiled to myself, I didn't expect that I would later get married to a Nigerian man, my dream of marrying an Asian man didn't come to pass, I was a little sad again for the planned wedding. I was like running away that wedding morning, then I said to myself.
“I can do this.”
As a Nigerian lady they did all the ceremony, called me out, did everything necessary. My mom couldn't hold her tears when I was told to kneel to receive her blessings, all my siblings became emotional. I had to hug my mom, my siblings.
My elder brother was the only one who doesn't seem to be emotional, I knew he is hiding it as a man. They took me to my husband families to receive their blessings, I couldn't hold my tears leaving my sweet mom.
After the event, I went with my man to his house, his room was decorated with red rose, I really love rose. I saw Lilly of valley on the table and a bottle of wine.
“Am I going to spend a night with this man together?” I said in my mind.
He touched me and say:
“Are you scared.”
I nodded to reply, then he smiled at me.
He said I should take him to the bathroom to bath, I was so surprised to hear that, does he want to start the punishment on our wedding day, I couldn't refuse, so I took him to the bathroom, I was so scared to bath him because I never did that before, I didn't know where to start from.
“Off your wedding gown and bath with me.” He said, I looked at him with hatred. How could he want me to bathe with him?
“Don't be surprised about that, you are my wife already.” He said.
I didn't have a choice than to do that, I accept this marriage just because of my mom and I remembered what my dad told me after the wedding event before I left the reception. He said,
“Don't ever think of divorcing, you have nowhere to go and remember you are doing this for your mom sake.”
I sigh heavily.
“Honey, are you okay? If you don't want to bathe with me is fine.” He said.
“You are my husband, why can't I do all this for you.” I said, meanwhile my I was so happy for him to say that.
“You must be exhausted from the wedding, tell one of the maid to bath me. You can bath downstairs or hold until am done.” He said.
I quickly rushed downstairs to call a maid to do that.
After taking our bath, we had dinner and sleep in same room together, all my mind was that the man is on wheelchair it isn't possible for him to get someone pregnant or been arouse. My husband didn't even touch me throughout the night.
I woke up the next day, for me to see my husband smiling on his wheelchair, waiting for me to wake up. He was holding a tray of bread and tea, it was so sweet of him, no one has ever done that to me.
“Good morning babe, did you have a wonderful night? Will you have your bread and tea now.” He said.
“Good morning, Thanks babe.” I said smiling at him, this really got my heart.
“Your brother told me you like Cocoa tea.” He said.
“Yeah, I do.” I was still smiling.
After I had my breakfast on bed, he took me out to a restaurant, I really enjoyed spending my day with him.
“He looks so responsible and caring.” I murmured.
He took me to boutique to buy me new dresses, I really enjoyed the second day of my wedding, I was treated like a baby, I love this.
CHAPTER 6
I started liking my husband, I cooked his meal like I promised, clean his mess-up and taking his bath, he was such a good man to me, that what we call a partner.
He can't do without calling me a day when he is at work, he opened a big boutique for me, he never came back from office without buying things for me, we go out on weekends together, I never took what people say about me and him seriously.
I can't have a call with my dad without saying thank you to him for this sweet partner, I can't pray to God without telling him thank you for giving me my own partner.
Today is Saturday, on a norm we are to go out, but my husband cousins are visiting.
I had to prepare my husband favorite jollof rice and turkey, so we can have that with his cousins.
They came at the exact time I finished cooking, my maid set the table while I went to take my bath because of the food aroma that is on me.
I joined the visitor and my husband in the dinner room, his cousins were already eating, while my husband was waiting for me to come. During our meals. Amera my husband female cousin was looking at me with hatred, she never loved me and my husband.
“Jerry I think high of you, I never knew someone like you will marry a dirt like her.” She said.
My husband smiled at her, while I'm angry. Her brother, (my husband's male cousin, Micheal) scold her for saying that, but she refused to keep quiet.
“Micheal if Jerry dies, you will take over all his properties.” Amera said.
I was so angry to hear that from them, wishing my husband dead, I couldn't hold it anymore, I fling my husband hand away, he placed his hand on my lap to calm me down.
“Are you wishing my husband dead? You came to my house for all this, I don't care if your dad is my dad friend.” I was really boiling, I took the spoon off their hands and chased them out of my house.
“I don't ever want to see you here again.” I said.
My husband rushed to meet me in the compound on his wheelchair, he was trying to calm me down, but I refused.
“No babe, I can't take that, how could they wish you dead.” I said.
I pushed my husband inside. I called his uncle to explain what his children said to my husband even my husband told me not to call him, but I still refused.
I never loved people maltreating or saying harsh words to who I like, after being stubborn I calm down, my husband smiled at me, I didn't understand this smile, so I smiled back.
My husband has been treating me like a baby, so I had to fight for him where possible.
My husband wasn't able to eat his meal that day, my hair stylist came over, and my husband went to the room. The hair stylist was half done with my hair, then I remembered promising Bora to calm her today.
I went to our matrimonial room to pick up my phone, I saw my phone on the bed, but my husband wasn't in the room, I checked the toilet I couldn't find him, I searched all the rooms for me to see him in one of the vacant room. He was crying, my husband has never cried before since the day we married, I was so surprised to see him in that state.
Then I remember what his cousins said, but he looks fine earlier, I hugged him.
Then his tears started becoming heavier.
“Am so lucky to have you.” He said.
I looked at him pitifully, he might have faced a lot after his parent death. He was living with his uncle before he got his mansion, he didn't even bother going to his parent house.
“It's fine.” I pat him, but he still doesn't stop crying.
“I don't want to lose you, anytime I see you, am always scared of losing you.” He said.
“Am here, and I will be.” I replied and continued patting him.
“Tomorrow is your parent remember, should we go together, you already said you will introduce me to them.” I said.
My husband smiled at me after hearing this and kissed me.
“We are.” He replied.
“Then come and help me with tomorrow dress.” I said, I pushed his wheelchair chair to the room and remember I was plaiting my hair.
“Babe, I forgot I was plaiting my hair and have to call Bora.” I ran down to meet the stylist.
CHAPTER 7
Today it was raining heavily, I left my boutique by 3pm, so I was stuck in traffic because an accident happened around third mainland bridge. I already had many miss calls from my husband. He was so worried after he came back from work and can't find me, it already 7:30pm. He called again, but I was nearby so I didn't pick the call.
By the time I got home it was already 7:49 pm, I opened the door to my surprise I was my husband wheelchair at the entrance, but he wasn't there, I was so surprised to see that, for me to notice blood stain on the floor.
“God!” I shout, I started calling his name and tracing the blood stain. I saw my husband lying on the floor, he struggled to the toilet.
“Babe, what happened?” He wasn't replying, I called our house help but no respond. So I quickly rushed to the gate to call the security man, he rushed in with me, he carried him to the car.
My mind isn't at ease, I was weeping bitterly on our way to the hospital, I can't imagine the life being a widow, few minutes after getting to the hospital my mom and my brother has already arrived.
“My husband must not die.” I was praying while people are also praying theirs. When the doctor came out, I rushed to him.
“Is my husband okay?” I asked.
“Ehmm, Mrs. Rachel am so sorry, we lost your husband. You brought him late, and he died due to food poisoning.” The doctor replied.
I couldn't imagine what I just heard, I believe he was joking. “How can my husband die? We are still a new couple.” I said.
“I can't be a widow.” I started murmuring. I was going crazy, everybody started consoling me.
“Mom the doctor said my husband is dead, is he joking?” I asked.
My mom didn't give me a reply and burst into tears, I asked my brother the same question, but he said I should just take it easy.
“What easy!” I yelled.
“He isn't an ant, who would poison him? I cook his meals.” I was blubbering when his families and my dad came. They went into the doctor office, so they can transfer him to mortuary.
“Get a hold of yourself!” My dad yelled at me.
They took me home, I was unable to eat, I was just regretting what happened.
“I should have picked his calls.” I was murmuring all over the house, some neighbors that came that night said, they should take me to psychiatrist after the burial.
My stepsister from my second stepmom, came to me with a letter from where I carried my husband, he even wrote a letter for me. I quickly rushed to open it.
“Dear wife,
I was having so many thorns in my heart, but you are the only one who heal me, we fight, laugh, and plan. I enjoyed spending my life with you, I really wished we can go to different countries together, visit your Korean friends, visit Paris, like you always wished. I really wished we could do all this. And I'm so sorry for how you will feel after I demise, I just want to remind you that I love you and will forever be in your heart.”
After reading this my tears became heavier than before, I couldn't imagine my life without him.
After some hours people who came are already leaving, I wasn't able to sleep, I was just walking alone in the house, I was just seeing him everywhere, he was smiling at me.
They didn't let his corpse stay for longer days, they had to dig the floor for him in the compound. The people were already digging hard, today we all had to wear black, I was on my black jalambia(cloth mostly wear by Muslims and northern Nigeria.) they invited pastor, he prayed and bless his corpse.
They already brought his corpse, he was in a white coffin, wrapped with white cloth. I couldn't hold my tears when they put the coffin in the dug ground, I fell into it with him. People dragged me out, they told me to pour sand on him, but I was unable to do that.
“My husband is still alive.” I was murmuring.
They covered him with the sand the dug.
“Jerry!” I screamed.
“He didn't answer.” I murmured. Tears and mucus were just rolling down from my face.
Different people came around to pay their condolences, his workers, neighbors, his families, and my families. Some even spent long hours with me.
CHAPTER 8
I started noticing my maid behavior after the death of my husband, she wasn't around when I lost my husband, she got calls at night sometimes, which she didn't use to receive before, she do leave the house without my permission.
So I told her not to prepare my meals anymore, the only person who employed her his dead. She was happy after I told her, as if she was waiting for me to say this.
I had to pay her one year salary, she wasn't even grateful like she was supposed to be, this made me start suspecting her. I put a trail on her when she left.
The agent working for me, do see her spending like a rich woman, she sleeps in different hotels. I thought it was because of the money I gave her.
In Yoruba land, you will have to spend forty days without seeing the sun or rain falling you as a widow, I don't step out. Today makes it six days I was observing that, then I got a call from my uncle in-law (my husband uncle). He asked me to move to their house since it will be lonely and my maid as gone.
I gladly move in with them since they offered me that, I didn't know me moving there is the real hell, I didn't face when my husband was still alive. My aunt in-law always treats me like one of her maid, this opportunity made Amera revenge on me for what I did to her when she visited us.
Their maids stop doing the chores, they even collect my phone, I had no assess to that, they treat me nicely anytime my uncle in-law is around, he wasn't aware of all this. I didn't even have that chance to talk to him about what they are doing to me.
I couldn't eat well, though I lost my appetite since my husband death. Not only that, but I started seeing my husband often, I sleep late and wake up early to do the house chore, I became their slave.
Sometimes they spat on me, I was waiting for the forty days, so I can return home. I started missing my family members and my husband, I always had the thought about my dad last wife being a wicked human, I never knew she was better than my aunt in-law.
Until a beautiful day, my mum couldn't get in touch with me, she went to my house and became worried, she told my dad about her not being able to reach me, they were afraid maybe I had became mad and left the house. My dad then call his friend that he was unable to get in touch with me, before they learnt I was in his house, my mom was so happy to hear that she rushed to the house. But my uncle in-law has already called his wife that my mom is visiting, but he has aware of how they maltreat me.
They made me change into another cloth, and told me I should tell my mom that my phone is faulty, I did as I was told because my aunt in-law was sitting with us throughout, as a Yoruba widow, I sleep and sit on mat.
