Must Read: My Husband

Episode 7 years ago

Must Read: My Husband

Hannah dropped her spoon and propped her elbow on the dinning
table,she starred at her friends in surprise.”I’m afraid to tell him
please.” She pleaded.


“You make it sound like you have an option,whereas you’re left
with none.Just tell him.”Rekia said cleaning her mouth with A????
serviette.she cleared the table and got up.Hannah glanced at
Adetoun who was busy with her phone.”Are you not going to say
anything?” She asked.Adetoun sighed then dropped her
phone,”Rekia just gave you the best advice in the world.Tell it to
Dagger,no big deal,you both cooked the stew get ready to enjoy it”
She said with A???? note of finalty in her voice.
Hannah bent her head in thought,she was truly left with no choice
than to inform Damola.
……..
Jacob adjusted his wife’s head on his knee,they had just watched
A???? home video where A???? man discoverd that of the four sons his wife
bore for him,none was his.It broke the man’s heart and led to his
untimely death.”Are youU????? alseep?” He asked peering in her
face.Jane nodded her head and smiled.She knew her husband
was about to make A???? comment on the movie they had just
seen.Jacob yawned noiselessly.”I can bet my head on it that you
can never do such,women of our generation are really desperate
but you oyindunmade are A???? rare gem.” He said kissing her on the
forehead.



Jane held his hands and relaxed,”Trust is A???? very important
element in every relationship.” She added,Jacob smiled,”And
that’s something we have in excess.”
“What would you have done if you were in that man’s shoe.”She
asked raising her head,she sat properly and looked at him.Jacob
thought for A???? minute,he smiled.”I’m lucky,i married A???? faithful
woman,no need to bother my head about that.”He placed his
hands on her stomach.”That beautiful girl in there is mine for
real.” Jane flung her arms around his neck.
“That handsome bouncing baby boy you mean?” Jacob winked at
her,”That’s why i love you.” She kissed his cheeks.There was A????
cough behind them,they turned instantly to see Nnamdi who had
been standing for more than five minutes,he overheard all that they
discussed in fact,they pratically watched the movie together.He
had been surprised when his madam had asked his oga that
question,and even held his breath as he listened to Jacob’s
answer.
He prayed in his mind for A??? woman like this whenever it was time
for him to marry.”Nnamdi.” Jacob called for the third time.



“Em em..sorry sir..food is ready.” He said and turned to
leave.Jane asked if the dinnng was set and they got up to
eat.They had barely settled down to eat when they received A????
knock.
Nnamdi opened the door and Jaiye walked in,”Good evening.” He
greeted making for the couch.”Good evening Jaiye,you came at
the right time,join us.” Jacob called his friend who needed no
second invitation to join them.Jane pulled out A???? chair and he sat
down,she dished him some food and listened as they conversed
about what brought him,after what seemed like eternity they
reached an agreement.
“I hope you’re taking good care of my sweetheart.” Jaiye
laughed,taking A???? glance at Jane.Jacob gave A???? satisfactory
smile.”You can judge that for yourself.”



Jaiye asked her to get up and turn around for him,which she
did.”She looks well fed and well hmm hmm hmmm.” He smiled at
his friend.The adults laughed.Jaiye stayed A???? while discussing
before leaving.They saw him off to the car.
“The document.” He reminded Jacob who returned inside to get
it.There was an awkward silence between the two adult.Jane
turned to leave but Jaiye caught her by the arm.”How is the
baby?”
Jane looked towards the door before answering,”Fine.” She took A????
step back.
Silence again.
“And your husband?”
“We’re both fine,thank you.”
“Here it is.” Jacob said coming to join them,Jaiye collected the
package from him,entered into his car.”Bye.” He waved at both
husband and wife.”Our regards to Cynthia and Adora.” Jacob said
as Jaiye drove out.
………………………
Jane wrapped A???? towel around her bossom,they were tight now and
bigger.Every morning she would lift them and smile at herself in
the mirror.It was very evident that she was with child.she would
have left for the store earlier but it was A???? Thursday and shops
opened by 10am.



Nana Aisha had just prepared the bath,she brushed her teeth and
had A???? clean bath,she had just stepped foot in the bedroom when
her phone rang.It was her mother on the line.she picked the call
and sat on the bed.
“Hello Bibi this is not fair and you know it.” She said into the
mouth piece,she had asked her mother to come vist her since
Jacob had instructed her not to drive for more than two hours A????
day,and no travellng too.
Her mother comforted her and explained to her why she had been
unavailable,mother and daughter discussed on the phone for more
than thirty minutes,she even spoke with her step father who
promised to sue Jacob for keeping her away from her family.she
felt happy speaking with him again and longed to see their
faces,she had barely dropped her phone when there was A???? knock
on the door.”Come in.”


Nana Aisha trottled in,the girl was just eighteen but A???? secondary
school dropout,Jacob had hired her from an agency to help around
the house.The girl was quite brilliant and loved to sing.anytime
Jane was bored,she would summon her to sing to sooth her soul
and so far she had been of good behaviour and served as A????
companion to Nnamdi,who was usually alone all day.
“What do you want?” Jane asked rubbing lotion on her flawless
skin.The girl kept mute for some seconds before speaking.”Second
oga that calls me angel is here.” She said.
“Jaiye?”
“Yes,he’s here.”
Jane stood still for A???? moment,”Serve him some juice and tell him
i’ll come down shortly.” Aisha left and she quickly dressed up and
went down stairs to attend to Jaiye.
………
Hannah felt someone move by her,she didn’t open her eyes
though.She must have slept for quite sometime,only A???? white towel
hung loosely over her body,her dress was no where to be
found.she got up from the big bed and wondered how she ended
up being here.
She had left the house last night with A???? thought in mind,how she
ended up in his bed was what she didn’t understand.she got up to
use
the bath.she dressed up and combed her hair.Damola must be
downstairs she knew.
She couldn’t find him in the sitting room,she proceeded to check
the gym but the aroma from the kitchen stopped her,she retraced
her step to find him i?? there cooking.”Hey honey you’re up.” He
said lifting her up,he kissed her softly on the lips,before placing
her on the dinnng table.”I’m hungry.” He whispered softly.
“No..no. ” Hannah struggled to get down,but his hands were
stronger and before she could argue further,he had stripped her
and right there they had s*x.Half of the rice was burnt by the time
they were through.Hannah returned upstairs to freshen up,Damola
joined her and they ended up doing it again.
“We need to talk.” She said while they had breakfast.Damola lifted
hs head,those were no ordinary words.”We’ll talk after breakfast.”
He said trying to figure out what he had done wrong or had she
found out about her advances towards herrp friends.That couldn’t
be he thought.The rest of the food was done in silence he had tried
to start up conversation with her but she answered in mono
syllables.


After breakfast while she cleared the plate,he disappeared to the
balcony his favorite part of the house.”DD we need to talk.” He
heard her voice just as she came towards him.”Can’t it wait?” He
asked trying to figure it out.
“It can’t wait honey.” Her voice was calm and that seemed to calm
him A???? bit.he patted the space by his sides and she joined
him.Damola avoided her face,he was trying to be A???? man.
For the first time that morning,she realised how paralysed her
tongue had grown.”I didn’t plan for this to happen,but it happened
anyway.”She said looking at her hand.
“You’re creating fear in me again,what happened?” He asked
looking at her.
“Damola i’m carrying our baby.” Hannah dropped the bombshell
staring into his eyes.The piercing scream that followed almost
rendered her deaf.



“What?” He screamed as he got on his feet,and his once calm eyes
blazed hot with anger.”Are you joking or what!” He asked shaking
her vigorously on her seat.Hannah was scared to her teeth.
“I was never careless with you,i use protection all the time.” Was
all he could say.Hannah laughed out loud.”Like this morning
right?in the kitchen and the bathroom and so many other times
that i can’t even count it.”She screamed back at him.
He sat down dejected,”You can’t be pregnant baby,you can’t.” He
said.”Well i’ll need your signature when i register for anti natal
care,goodday!” Hannah got up but he was faster,hitting her on the
leg she fell back in her seat.”Anti what did you just say?” He
asked furiously.



Hannah couldn’t speak,because he was holdng her down,and for
the second time she realised she had just put herself in trouble.
Hannah placed the pillow to her chest,making herself
comfortable her eyes were fixed on the ceiling fan as tiny drops of
water formed A???? pool on her cheeks.Her mind kept going back to
the things Damola said to her.And how he had looked her in the
eye and strangled her by the throat.A???? huge feeling of warmth
desceended upon her once again.”Hey babe.” Adetoun badged
in.”How do i look?” She asked turning around for Hannah to
examine her in the blue floor length gown that pooled at her
feet.A???? tiny white belt held the gown firmly to her waist.She
clutched A???? white purse and her neck was adorned with A???? tiny
brooch.


Hannah turned her head sideways and A???? tear slid down her
face,”I thought we had settled this issue now.” Toun sighed
coming to sit by her on the bed.With her right palm she wiped the
tears away.”Look you should be happy not moody,there’s
absolutely no reason for you to be unhappy dear.”
Hannah was quiet for A???? while,”Its just too had for me to
comprehend,i thought he was for real,he was too caring,my soul
mate and life partner.he was damn perfect,that damn
bastard.”She paused to get her breath.”Until this came up,i feel
so devastated,he merely deceived me taking away my
innocence,i’m A???? perfect example of the word S T U????? P I D”
“No you’re not.Just count yourself lucky,i have never liked him
from the very first time,but you know…If truly you had been
pregnant,he would have acted in the same way,i’m glad you
followed our advice.” Detoun said.Hannah flashed back to the
day they had that discussion,the idea had come from Rekia,she
had screamed fire and brimstone at her friend,although she had
this positive feeling that Damola would accept responsibility,it
was A???? big blow when he denied the imaginary baby and ordered
her to get an abortion as soon as possible.It seemed the peels
had been removed from her eyes and she saw him for what he
truly was.


“C’mon cheer up and move on with your life jo.” Detoun said
smiling as she adjusted her dress.Hannah cleaned her face and
sat up in bed.”You look fabulous,please enjoy yourself.” She
waved as Detoun flashed her A???? cute smile and dashed off.
Maybe meeting and dating Damola happened for A???? reason,she
was gleeful when she dumped the bastard but her heart was truly
in hurt.She got down from the bed and walked towards the
window,she pulled the blind just in time to see Kelvin walk out
hand in hand with Detoun.”Two happy people” she muttered,she
heard his car zoom off and she pulled back the blind,she had
wasted A???? whole lot of time with Damola,there won’t be A???? next
time,at least not any time soon.
She was hell bored at home doing nothing but sulk,Rekia had
gone out to God knows where and she was stuck with the flat
screen tv on the wall.she ruminated the kitchen and found some
boiled yam,she fried two eggs and was set to eat,when her phone
beeped.”Heavens knows i’m not going to pick that damn call,i
know its that on the line.” She hissed ignoring her phone.



The caller was persistent,she had almost finished her food,she
eyed her phone and proceeded to silence it.One quick glance on
the screen and her heart lept in A???? quick race.It wasn’t
Damola,her mother had been the one calling.She touched the
screen and slide it open picking the call.
…….
“What happened to you honey.” Jacob badged in banging the
door,the doctor had called him to inform him about his wife’s fall
from the stairs.
“Shhh….she’s sleeping and the doctor said she needs some
rest.”Bibi,Jane’s mother answered,carefully adjusting her
daughter’s hand on the couch.she took turn in explaining to
Jacob how his wife rolled off the stairs,”it was Nana Aisha that
called me and i had to rush down here,Nnamdi called the doctor
and he came here to attend to her,she’s stable now.” Bibi
landed.
Jacob knelt beside his wife,she was sleeping peacefully and her
face was calm.”Thank you mama,i was at the office,i needed to
tidy up some things before monday,and my phone was off
because i didn’t want to be disturbed,but i have warned Oyin not
to stress herself that’s why we have domestic servants around
the house.” He sighed getting up,”Mama have you had anything
to eat.?”
Bibi shook her head,”I’m fine my dear.”
Jacob asked Nnamdi to get his mother-in-law something to
eat,before going to the bedroom to change.
All through the night,he constantly watched over her
movement,feeling her temperature and touching her bulging
stomach.In the morning he spoke to the doctor who said she was
fine and needed rest.As it was A???? weekend,he decided to stay at
home with his wife and her mother.
They were getting ready to have breakfast and he helped her to
the dining.Everyone was settled in when the door bell rang.It
was Hannah,Rekia and Adetoun.There was so much noise as
they all exchanged pleasantries.Jane’s face lit up in happiness.



Jacob embraced Adetoun for two full minutes,”I have missed you
so much.” He grinned whirling her around before embracing her
again.
“Me?” Hannah asked laughing.
“Hey girls i miss you all,and you’re not looking bad at all.” He
smiled hugging her sister in law.”We have A???? full house.” He said
inviting them to join the table.The atmosphere gained some
laughter,and even Jane was chatting happily in no time.The
Smiths felt sad when the others were leaving later in the day.
The couple lay quiet on the patio gazing at the beautiful blue
sky,the air was cool and she felt at peace staring at the serene
environment.”I saw you staring at her.” Jane said not looking at
him.Jacob sat up and pushed the glass of juice to A????
side.”Staring at who?” He asked,if. he was angry he didn’t show
it.
Jane picked her drink and took A???? sip,she waited for Nnamdi to
pack the empty tray away before answering.”You were staring so
hard all through breakfast.”She said.
“What are you talking about?”
Jane sat up and leaned against her husband,”Adetoun.” At the
mention of that name,he sighed in relief.”For A???? seconds i was
jealous as you smiled at her across the table,but i relaxed
knowing the kind of relationship between the two of you.”
Jacob was amazed at how much she had changed,she radiated
with happiness and her smile weakened his legs,and each time
he remembered her sitting down by the gate weeping,he felt good
that she had grown into A???? beautiful woman,educated and
confident.He wondered what would have happened if she hadn’t
helped her and her family too?,she didn’t mention A???? word about
her family while they talked in the balcony.
Jacob tickled his wife,”You’re crazy….there’s only one woman
i’ll love again,and that’s the baby you’re carrying”. He laughed
before explaining to her why he felt so happy to see her
again.They remained there,laughing and chatting and in no
time,she slept off in his arms A???? beautiful smile adorned her
face.He carried her in his arms into the bedroom and covered her
up.He was feeling sleepy too,he had so much to do at the office.
He had just showered and he changed into his pyjamas,his wife’s
phone had been ringing while he showered.He dropped it only for
the call to come through again,it was Jaiye’s name that was
displayed on the screen.He picked it at once,Cynthia was the one
calling with her husband’s phone,she was calling to check up on
Jane,he dropped the call but not after speaking with Adora who
had taken to him like glue to paper.He knew very soon,he would
have A???? child of his own,A???? beautiful girl just like her mother.This
thought filled his mind till he was carried away by the gentle
hands of sweet dream.
……..
Jane wobbled to the balcony,her flowing gown looked beautiful
on her as she supported her waist with her hands,Aisha helped
her at the other side.she was in her third trimester already.she
had just passed the nursery,she and Jacob had redecorated it
and added new toys and baby things.
They had celebrated their third anniversary in grand style,just the
two of them and the unborn child.Jacob had stopped her from
going to the store,and Jacob made himself available to keep her
company and take her out.Funmi would come down once in A????



while to play with her,so did Bibi and her sisters,preparation
were in earnest for Jackie’s wedding,A???? date had been fixed
already.Jane asked Nana Aisha to get her A???? bottle of orange
juice,she poured it in A???? glass and added garlic to it.she took A????
long drink and listened as Aisha sang for her.The girl’s voice
was soft and sonorous.she was dozing already.
She got up and strolled around the spacious
compound,exercising while laughing with Aisha and telling her
some of her childhood stories.Nnamdi ran towards her,holding
her phone.


“Madam you have A???? call o.” He said handing her the phone.Jane
collected the phone it was her husband calling.Wearing A????
beautiful smile and picked the call putting the phone to her
ear.”Hello dear.”. She said into the mouthpiece. A???? matured
female voice answered her at the other end asking if she was Mrs
J Smith,to which she said yes.
“Accident?” She shouted as the voice at the other end rambled
on.”What happened to my husband?” She screamed,her voice
was loud and shaking.Nnamdi and Aisha were beginning to get
scared.
Slowly the phone dropped from her hand and she began to
scream,Aisha was at A???? loss on what to do,while Nnamdi picked
the phone and spoke to the caller.
“Yehhhh…….” Jane lent out another loud scream,as she fell to
the ground with A???? thud,holding her sides she screamed again
pointing towards her leg,water trickled down her leg,her water
bag had just broken and the baby was on its way into the world.