Must Read: My Husband

Episode 7 years ago

Must Read: My Husband

In the evening Jacob called to ask,if she would like to attend
Jaiye’s party,a party organised for him by friends and colleagues
for his move from bachelorhood to marriage life.As his wedding
was just in a weeks time.He was getting married to the only
daughter of the minister of finance,Cynthia Brown.
It would be fun,Jacob said to entice her along,but her spirit didn’t
feel like it.And moreover,her mother and kenneth were having a
night out and their househelp had travelled,so she wanted to
enjoy the solitude in the house.
Jacob informed her that he’ll be leaving for the party anytime
soon before ending the call.
Jane prepared herself a warm bath,she showered relieving the
tension in her,she had just got out of the bath,the towel hung
loosely on her body and water drizzled from her now fresher
skin,curtesy of mummy funmi,who took her to a beauty spa
barely three days ago,when her bedroom door flung open in a
haste,she froze in fright as her eyes stayed glued to the door.


‘Now that you’ve decided to move in with me,l’m happy
again.’Detoun said holding Hannah’s hands.
They had become soul sisters overnight,with one watching over
the other.
Thanks to Kelvin,her stalker turned friend who assisted them in
carting her bags and boxes from the school hostel to her new
abode off campus with his car.
Though,Hannah was two levels ahead of her,she didn’t feel
bad.They left the house together in the morning and headed to
their various department in the school.
Her ex roommates were sad to see her leave,even pink shirt had
pretended to be sad too,it was later when they were alone that he
confided in her that he was most happy when he heard she was
leaving the hostel.
This is because,Rukayat had clung to him like a scorpion
refusing to be detached,but now that the girls no longer stayed
together,he would be able to come visit her regularly.
Hannah had chided him for thinking like that,but at the same
time she was more than glad.
Academic work had began again,this was the second
semester.She was doing well in her studies,she had been most
surprised,that Detoun came third place in her faculty,she was an
academic guru.
Jacob and Jane had been very excited when she informed
them,Jacob called them regularly and often sent Bash,to deliver
money and goodies to them.For that they were grateful.
She was glad that,Rukayat was yet to find out about her and
Ade,but come to think of it,they were not really dating,just
enjoying each others company,and that didn’t sound like a
criminal act.
She cherished each moment,she spent with him,encouraging him
to do more.
Three weeks gone from the academic calendar already.
Detoun seemed too serious with her studies,no time for extra
curricular activities,little wonder her result was that
good.Hannah didn’t see anything getting serious between her
and her stalker friend,Kelvin who visited regularly,perhaps
Detoun was hiding her feelings she couldn’t tell.
It was a beautiful saturday afternoon,the girls had just had a
superlucnh of Amala and egusi soup after scrubbing and
washing all morning.

They were relaxing in their mini sitting room watching a movie
over two cans of coke.

Detoun’s phone rang,and she checked the caller id,showing the
screen to Hannah,the two girls burst into laughter.
Detoun picked the call,and had a long chat with Mitchell.
He had been constantly on her neck,ever since he got her
number,even though Detoun had politely declined his
request.But he was being adamant.He’d even asked for her
address in school.
As Detoun dropped her cell phone on the chair,Hannah took a
long look at her.
‘You don’t like him?’ she asked.
Well,its not like that,who wouldn’t like him,he’s
tall,handsome,s*xy** and the way he smiles is just heavenly,i just
can’t bring myself to care in that special way for any man again.
‘Yes’ Detoun said.
‘You sure?’ she asked again.
‘Ofcourse.’Toun said,turning up the volume of the Tv set.
The girls continued to watch their movie.
Hannah wondered if Detoun was pushing away every man on
purpose,if that was the case,she needs to see a psychologist
soon.
When it was evening,she dressed up,Ade had asked to meet with
her at the school club.Detoun refused to tag along,saying she
had work to do.
Hannah had been sitting for five minutes before Ade finally
showed up.
Pulling out a seat by her,he pecked her on the cheeks.
‘Hey sweet,sorry i kept you waiting.’Ade said,calling the waiter
to order for drinks.
Please,kiss me again,she blushed lightly,Who else should keep
me waiting,other than you,Hannah thought.
‘I just wanted to have a look at your pretty face.’Ade smiled.
Me too,if not do you think,i’ld be here.
‘Thats cool’Hannah said.’
The waiter served their drinks,and Ade filled their glass.
They’d been sitting,for over an hour,they had nothing of
importance to say to each other,Ade had just brought her here to
feast his eyes on her.
After another one hour of smiling and breathing in and out,he saw
her out.Taking a bike after one of his friends called him on the
phone.
Hannah wondered,if she should take a bike,or trek as it was a
cool evening.

She decided on the latter.she had almost gotten to the school
gate,when she saw Rukayat on the bike,she had just gotten down
and was paying the man.
Hannah greeted her,even though her body shook in wary,what if
Rukayat had seen her with Ade?she would have been in cool
trouble.
‘Where are you off to?’Hannah asked.
‘To the school club.’Rukayat answered.
Jesus,i thank you o,Hannah sang in her mind.
[b]’You have a date with someone?’Hannah asked.
‘No,a friend just called me that he saw Ade there with a lady,but
she couldn’t recognise the lady,as she didn’t see her face very
well.’
May God punish the silly girl who called you,that was a narrow
escape,she sighed.
‘I wish you good luck,on your mission.’ Hannah said.
‘Let me hurry up,before they leave,i swear i will deal with
whoever is frustrating my effort with Ade.’Rukayat swore.
After waving each other bye,Hannah let out a big sigh,thanks to
her stars,she waved down a bike man and left for home.
The front door was closed,whenn she arrived home,so she let
herself in with her key,it was a bit dark,you could still see,but not
too clearly.
She was dazed with what she saw,her eyes were about to pop off
its socket.
Jane had never seen Lucy in this manner before,she looked
rough and shaken,fright embedded in her two beautiful eyes that
were now red from crying.
She tightened the towel on her body,as she allowed Lucy to sit
on her bed.
‘What happened to you?’ Jane asked.
Rather than answer,Lucy burst into fresh tears.Jane stood
up,offering her a pack of Klenex,and giving her time to cry,within
that time,she had changed into a more decent cloth,a white polo
on black shorts.
‘Can you talk now.’Jane asked.
‘Yes.’ Lucy answered.


What ever happened to her must be terrible,for her to be in this
state of mind.
‘Whats the problem?’ Jane asked again.
‘I’m pregnant.’
‘What?’Jane was surprised.’You mean,you’re …..i mean…’Jane
stammered,she relaxed her jaunting nerves.
‘Yes,….i’m pregnant.’Lucy confirmed.
‘What happened to………condom?’
Lucy was quiet.
Little wonder,she was about to cry off her head.
‘How many months?’
‘I’m 17 weeks gone.’She said quietly.
‘Oh no!’
‘When did you find out?’
‘Just this afternoon.’Lucy sneezed.’I’ve been having a regular
menstrual cycle,i noticed some changes in my body,thats why i
did a home test,and it was positive.’
‘You just have three months to your final exams,there’s nothing
to worry about?’
‘There is everything to worry about.’Lucy sighed.
‘I just hope you’re not considering murder,because i’ll not be a
party to it.’
‘Murder?’
‘Yes,its the same as abortion.’
‘What do i do?’
‘Tell your boyfriend.’
Jane had never seen such fright before,Lucys’ eyes sparkled,and
water poured down in torrent.Lucy looked afraid and terror
stricken.

‘I can’t tell him.’
‘Why?’
‘I love him so much Jane.’
‘Is that why you can’t tell him.’
‘No,you can’t understand.’
Jane sighed,Lucy looked confused than ever.
‘Inform him that you’re carrying his child,or….don’t tell me you
don’t know who is responsible for this.’
‘I can’t tell him.’
‘Why.’
Lucy began to cry again,and then she explained to Jane that,he
is an artist from a wealthy home just as hers,she was afraid that
he would punch out the baby,the guy was a terrorist from what
Jane could deduce.He had been beating her since the first month
of their relationship,but Lucy loved him too much to leave
him.How was she to tell him,she was carrying a baby they didn’t
plan.
Jane was perplexed.
‘He beats you?’
‘Regularly.’
‘Your boyfriend beats you’.Jane said over and over,she was
finding it hard to register that part of the confession in her brain.
‘I love him so much.’Lucy said.
That sentence irritated her,is love an excuse to batter a
woman.Is love a license to beat her?So behind a lousy Lucy,lay
a fragile young heart.
This was not something,they could discuss in a hurry,she wiped
off Lucys’ tears,washed her face,before seeing her into their
house,promising to come see her tomorrow for a better talk.
Jane was closing the sitting room door,when her mother
arrived.The older woman smiled in content gisting her daughter
about her date with her husband to be.
It was late when Jane retired to her bedroom,she wondered why
Jacob hadn’t call,probably he was still at Jaiyes party.
She tried his number,after it rang twice,he picked it.



She placed the phone to her ears and listened for Jacob’s rich
baritone voice,rather it was a lady who answered,telling her he
was busy and should not be bothered with calls.
That was definitely not Jackie,nor Funmi,the lady sounded rude
on the conversation.


Her eyes to the wall clock,it was quarter past ten,where was
Jacob?
Like a woman who has just just seen a group of oro cultist,she
turned back and tiptoed carefully back to the door.Closing the
door gently but firm.What she had just seen had better be reality.
Hannah sat on a bench in the quiet compound,enjoying a field
day with her phone,smiling to herself.
Soon afterwards,Kelvin came out with Detoun trotting behind
him like a shy bride.Detoun was probably wondering why
Hannah chose to sit outside than come in,it was pitch dark
already.
Hannah decided not mention a word about what she saw,when
she went in,it was late after dinner that she brought up the issue.
The rain had threatened to pour down,but it didn’t,the lightening
was rumbling and the weather was cold.Hannah wore her nightie
while Detoun wore a singlet and shorts.
Hannah explained in details all that happened in the
evening,while Detoun opened her mouth surprised and at the
same time happy that Rukayat hadn’t suspected a thing.
‘I have never liked this idea of yours.’She complained to Hannah.
‘It could get dangerous you know.’
Hannah sighed, ‘Its not like i’m really dating him.’ Yeah,i’m not
dating him,i just enjoy his company and the feel of his hands
over my hand.And i love staring into his blue eyeballs till i can
stare no more.



‘So what do we call that?a mini dating or a micro love?’ Detoun
laughed.
‘Whatever…..,its not like i was caught kissing or wriggling over a
man i confess not to be interested in.’Hannah said
Detoun choked on nothing,she rushed to the kitchen to have a
drink of cold water.Was that to say Hannah saw them on the
couch this evening?it had better not be.
[b]’What happened to you?’Hannah asked innocently.
‘It was nothing.’ she replied.
‘What were we saying?’Hannah asked.
‘Nothing,i want to catch some sleep.’
‘Not so fast swirie,i was talking about kissing and cuddling on a
couch.’Hannah pretended to have just remembered their last
chat.
‘Oh,is that?’ Detoun yawned noisily.
‘Yes.’
‘Did you come into the house this evening?’Detoun asked
expecting a no.


‘Ofcourse,i did,and i saw what i was not supposed to
see.’Hannah said giggling like a baby.
Oh,she caught us,what do i say happened,i better be honest.
‘You did see us then.’
‘Yes,i did.’Hannah smiled.
‘Actually,it….’
‘You don’t have to say anything,you’re mature enough to make
your decisions.’
‘I can’t really explain or rather,i don’t know how to put
it.’Okay,its like this,i get dizzy around him,my stomach churns
each time,our body,hands or eyes contact,he’s always busy but
he still finds time to be with me.And damn,i’m beginning to like
him.Today was our first kiss,slow but satisfying,hot but
fulfilling.and it was so sweet.you know that taste,when you put
vanilla iced cream in your mouth.I can’t explain the funny things
that kiss did to me.How his hand came to rest on my b0s0m is
what i can’t explain though.And while i’m thinking of him,my
body craves for his touch,and its about to rain too.
‘I’m listening.’Hannah said.
‘We got talking this evening,and the next thing he kissed me and i
kissed him back.’
‘How was the kiss?’
‘Great and….hot too.’
Great? Hot? Don’t get me thinking,i wish i was with Ade now.And
how would it feel like to be kissed with those s*xy** lips,i mean
kissing not pecking,something deep and ….whatever.
‘Interesting! And the cuddling?’
‘I don’t know about that.’ Detoun said.




The two girls adviced each other,on how to deal with men.
Detoun and Kelvin seemed to be getting closer as each day
passed by,once he arrived from work,he would come hang
around with them.He seemed to be the serious type anyway.And
that made Hannah relax her guard.


After the episode,Hannah began to feel her bones jumping each
time she was with him.She just couldn’t say it.And she was
being careful not to allow herself get seen with him.They met at
angles,and discreet places.The fewer people who saw them
together,the better for them.


But as they say everyday is for the thief and one day is for the
owner.
It was as if,that one day was near,when what she had been
dreading happened a week later.
Jacob had called her in the morning to explain that,he left the
party late,he drove himself,so he checked into an hotel to pass
the night.

Jane decided not to bring up the issue of last nights’
call,charging it to network inconsistency.She had probably heard
wrong.She got up but it was still early,she got back into
bed,ruminating over her previous discussion with Jacob.
She felt so happy within her,that he cared so much about her.She
had always wanted to work in an office but here he was,not
wanting her to work under anyone’s employ-especially Jaiye.
A bit of Jealousy is healthy in a relationship,she knew,she only
prayed he didn’t get overprotective of her.She would soon
become her own boss,she would have to sign other people’s pay
slip.God bless Jacob’s heart for her.
After sometime,she got up to take her bath,cleaned up the
kitchen and the sitting room before preparing breakfast.Bibi ate
before leaving for work.
Jane also had breakfast,she was trying to remember what
happened to her last night..oh she remembered now.It was
Lucy.Her lousy lucy was pregnant for a woman crusher.
She dressed up and went over to Lucy’s house,there was no one
at home save her.As she entered her room,she saw her trying to
hid something behind her.

Jane noticed her dishevelled room,and Lucy looked sad than
ever,she wondered what was going through her mind right now
and if someone else was aware of her state.
Knowing she had been caught,Lucy flung the picture away,Jane
picked it.It was just the picture of an artist,one of Jane’s favorite
too.
‘You like him too.’ Jane asked.
‘I love TaliRoyce.’She saiid flatly.
‘He’s my favorite artist too,his music are genuie and heart
touching.There’s a style to his songs that makes you want to fall
in love over and over again’
‘Yes,his love music are so real.’
‘He does inspirational musics too,he’s one of my top ten most
preferred artist.’ Jane said admiring the young man in the
picture.
‘Have you watched any of his mucisal videos?’
‘Ofcourse,i have a couple of them on my phone,he’s so real and
gifted,handsome too.’
Lucy gave a short laught that did not reach her heart.
‘I’ll give anything to have a date with him.’
‘You’re saying his girlfriend must be lucky then.’She asked
Hannah.
‘Ofcourse,he’s an artist with local and international recognition.’
‘And he’s worth million’s of naira.’Lucy stated.
‘I can see you’re feeling better today.’
‘Yes,whenever i talk about him,it lightens my mood.’Lucy smiled
through her eyes.
‘You must be an apt fan of his.’
‘Yes.’
‘I do love his music.’Jane said.
‘But,i love the man in him.’
‘Have you ever met him?’
‘TaliRoyce?’
‘Yes.’Jane answered.
‘He’s the father of the child i’m carrying.’ Lucy said breaking into
tears.
Jane was at loss of what to say,as she kept her calm and
remained silent watching as water drops formed a pool on Lucy’s
face.



To say she was shocked was the least,she was trying to
comprehend it all but it seemed diffficult.
TaliRoyce was an artist who portrayed the human feeling of love
as indispensable to people of opposite s*x.He sang about love
with a rare geniuty that made you want to fall in love over and
over again.
Why was it that he knew little or nothing of a word he had made
his personal anthem.If Lucy was right then Tali was a failure
where matters of the heart were conncerned.
Jane dropped the picture and wiped away Lucy’s tear.Lucy got
up from the bed and brought out,an album of beautiful memories
captured on paper.
‘You’ve been seeing him for how many months now?’she asked
Lucy.
‘Twelve months and still counting.’
‘Is the only one you’re seeing?’
‘No.’
‘I mean intimately?’
‘No’
‘So,how sure are you?’
‘I and Greg have not…..’


‘Greg,thats the one i was trying to remember,he’s the one you
told me about.’Jane said.
‘Yes,we’ve not been on good terms for over four months now.’
‘Apart from those two,any other person?’
‘None.’
‘This is a calamity that could have been avoided,if you two had
protected yourself.’Jane sighed,taking a glance at the album.
‘He hates the mere mention of condom.’
‘Now,he’ll love the mere mention of kids then.’
‘Kids?’
‘What if they are two or three in there?’
Lucy laughed,’Then will i know,that this is a punishment from
God.’
‘Children are God gifts not punishment.’
‘How about we change body for the next five months.’Lucy said.
‘Is that to saying you’re keeping it?’
‘Yes.’ Jane embraced her.
‘Is anyone else aware?’
‘Yes,i informed my mother this morning.’
‘And?’
‘She asked me to get rid of it,because father would not want to
hear about this.’
‘Thats insane!’Jane exclaimed.
‘My mother is insane?’
‘That idea is insane.’ Jane stated as a matter of fact.
Lucy looked at her for a long time,
‘I have made up my mind not to inform him.’
‘What if he finds out?’
‘Thats like denying him knowledge and existence of his child.’

‘I can’t tell him.’
‘Why’
‘He going to be mad at me and…. ….. …’
‘Beat you up? In this condition?’
Jane shook her head,Lucy agreed to register for ante-natal,the
next day she arrived at school.As she still had her final papers to
write,probably three months.
Jane helped her arrange the room,while she took her bath.They
had lucnh in the sitting room and Lucy ate well.By the time she
was leaving,Lucy looked better than when she arrived.
She saw Jacob’s car parked outside the gate.But he was not in
it.she entered into the compound as he was about coming
out,and so they collided,Jacob was fast to grab Jane.Each
laughing at the accident.
They exchanged pleasantries as Jane led him in,unlocking the
door to the sitting room.He sat down while she poured him a
glass of cold water.




‘So what brings you this evening.’She asked,sitting by him.
‘I came to have a look at your pretty face.’he said placing his
hands on her cheeks.he excused himself for a minute.
He came in minutes later holding a shopping bag.
‘What do you have in there?’
‘The brides’ friends attire.’
‘What attire?’ Jane said getting the bag from him,she brought out
a pink dress sealed in another bag among other clothes,a set of
jewellry,a pair of statement heels and a bowl of ice cream and
hamburger.
Jacob picked the pink dress,
‘The bride’s friends are to wear this.’ he said.
‘How come i made that list?’
‘You’re Jacob Smith fiancee,the best man to the groom.’
‘But,we’ve only met once.’
‘You talk too much sweetheart,do you like the dress?’
‘Ofcourse i do,its lovely and my size too.’
‘I stopped at a store to get the other items to go along,i hope i
made some good choices.’He asked smiling.
‘You did better.’
‘The shopkeeper helped me anyway.’
‘I thought as much.’
‘I brought this because,i’ll be very busy,come tomorrow and
friday,Bash will come to pick you Saturday morning.’
‘Thanks sweetheart.’
‘I’m missing you already.’He said pulling her into his
embrace,Jane’s head to his chest.The two lovers remained quiet
for some minute,it seemed like eternity,before Jacob kissed her
cheeks.
‘I’ll miss you more.’ Jane said.
‘I love you.’ They spoke at the same time laughing as she walked
him to his car.
She watched him drive off before going in,saturday on her
mind.Jaiye would be tieing the knot with Cynthia………All things
equal she would be walking down the aisle with Jacob in a
matter of months.



Well,he is handsome as you and i know,and he’s a runner on the
bed too……..And each time i remember his bedmatics,i’m drawn
to him all over………KaTHeriNe
Sleep had defiled her beautiful but now tired face and body,the
time must be around 10pm,she was still in the brides’ friends
wear,the pink body fitted gown looked hot on her today.
As she hadn’t missed the numerous glances of appreciation she
received at the wedding.Jacob looked the best man he was
supposed,she loved his looks too.Needless to say,she caught
the eyes of ladies sending him warm invites with their face and
body.
She sighed,this was one man she had to hold on tight.With much
effort she dragged her tired body from the bed,and pulled off the
satin lacy material before taking a shower.She opened her
wardrobe,and picked her nightie.
Her stomach rumbled from hunger,she had only taken a bottle of
drink at the party,she went off to the kitchen to make a glass of
tea,there was bread in the frigde.she sat on the couch,switching
on the plasma tv for company to push the food down her throat.
She remembered the bride’s smiling face when she made her
vows with her husband.Jane smiled too,and she felt good from
within.as she placed the cup to her mouth,something flashed in
her memory,she was trying hard to remember what it was.
Oh,Katherine…..Jacob introduced her at the party,the lady was
one hell of a beauty with her glowing skin,her smile could light a
candle and as she spoke,her voice was beautiful,she had it
all.The lady made her comfortable,not until she was set to
leave,she made a remark that got her on her feet.The words
sounded heavy in her heart,she gulped the tea and returned to
her bedroom.
Calling Jay was the first idea that came to mind,she thought
against doing that.Katherine made it sound like,she was still
seeing Jay when she wanted to.Or is she aware that Jacob and
her had not… ..? No,how would she know that.
For a split seconds,she doubted Jacob’s sincerity to her,he was
a man afterall with blood in his veins,he’d been sexually active
before she hit him with her,no-s*x-until-marriage-
nonsense.Probably he was getting his satisfaction somewhere
else.Never! She would give him the benefit of doubt.