Mama said to me “Come, let’s go home…
It is not too late my child,
Hopefully another lucky man will come for you,
You are too young to suffer with him,
Ike is a semi mad man,
You’re too beautiful to languish in grief my child,
He is fast asleep now, a golden opportunity to slip away,
Pack your things and come with me”.
I glanced at Mama with tear-filled eyes and shrugged. I knew she was right, but I love my husband Ike. This is the best time to show him my unalloyed support and care.
Mama was not discouraged. She moved closer to me and prop up my chin so that we can look directly into each other’s eyes, she said to me;
“Come, let’s go home my child…
Who knows why his seeds have refused to germinate inside you,
Is this not the seventh month of your marriage?
Your “chi” never approved of your marriage to him.
If not, I took in after three month of my marriage to your father,
Come, let’s go home my child.
It pierce my heart that you’re grievously suffering instead of enjoying your marriage,
Your mates are basking in the merriment of their honeymoon,
And here you are, my dear child,
Moving from one prayer house to the other,
It is too early to suffer, my child
Come, let’s go home.”
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Tears was pouring down my cheeks in torrents. I knew Ike will not survive alone if I listen to Mama’s entreaties. I cannot explain why I was determined to stay with him. A part of me wanted to go home with Mama but the other part was unwilling. Then I heard Mama speaking to me.
“Don’t you know his lineage is cursed?
Don’t you?
I’m your mother and I will never deceive you.
Enter into the house, pack your things, let’s go home.
He is sleeping inside, this is the best time to leave.
I warned you Ifenyinwa, I warned you not to marry him…
But you wouldn’t listen to me.
Since you accepted to be his wife, It has been from one problem to the other.
Have you forgotten so soon what happened on your wedding day?
He disappeared, only to appear in three days time,
Must you be daft?
If I step my feet out of this compound, I will never answer your call again.
Why did you find it so difficult to listen to your own mother?
Why are you so stubborn Ifenyinwa?
I stood, still. When Mama noticed that I had made up my mind already, she picked up her bag and angrily walk out of the compound. I held my throat so that my own tears won’t choke me. My head hurt as I sat on the pavement and weep my eyes out.
When I quietly entered into the house, I tiptoed inside the room where my husband lay.
He quickly stood up as soon as I entered.
“My Love, are you leaving me? he asked. I noticed he was crying too.
“No, not at all my Love”, I answered moving towards him. I wonder if he had overhead my discussion with Mama.
When I came closer to him. He hold me tightly to himself.
“Did you believe everything will be fine someday?, he asked.
“Yes my Love, me and you together, until death do us apart”, I answered.
I knew my heart was weak already but years later, I doubted so.
