Must Read: My Husband

Episode 7 years ago

Must Read: My Husband

Jane tried as much as she could to find grace in her husband’s
face,she usually returned home from work early so that he would
meet her at home,she was being extra sweet to him just to gain
his attention and love but Jacob looked the other side.Days
moved gradually into week and all her effort seem to be heading
down the drain.
It was a cold evening and she had just returned from the
store,her kids were asleep already,she showered and quietly
crept into bed.
She felt a warm hand across her b0s0m,and a simmering
s£nsat!on sauntered down her belly.she snuggled closer and she
felt those strongs hand again laying on her.she turned to see her
husband cuddled beside her,she opened her eyes.she was
Unclad and she knew what had happened.she wanted to wake
him but decided against it.she carefully got up,it was 2am by the
wall clock she was hungry.The food was cold so she made tea
and sat on the couch,a late night movie was showing so she sat
down to enjoy it.
She must have fallen asleep because when she opened her eyes
again,it was morning,and it was Jacob who tapped her.he was
off to work.”Breakfast?” She asked.
He nodded and took off.she stood up,her kids ran towards
her,they were dressed up and ready for school,she walked them
to the car and returned inside.



Her phone rang,she didn’t check the caller ID,but when Toye’s
voice echoed in ear she felt it was cool.he was asking her out to
dinner and without thinking she said yes.She dropped her phone
and went through her morning rituals she was getting ready for
work when Biola,her mother called that Hannah was on
admission.



She drove down to their part in Lagos and to the hospital where
her sister had been admitted,her mother was there already and
she jumped into her arms asking her what led to her
admission.Biola narrated to her first daughter how Hannah drove
herself and nearly killed herself in the process.
When they were allowed into her ward,she was sleeping and
Rekia sat by her.”Good afternoon Jane.” She said when they took
their seat.
“How ‘re you my dear,thanks for staying with her.” Biola said.
“What really happened?” Jane asked directing the question to
Rekia.



Rekia knew that she couldn’t tell them the truth as that lied in
Hannah’s hand.She and Detoun had accompanied her to the test
centre as promised.And it was confirmed that she was
positive.They were glad she took it in good faith without as much
as a tear drop from her eyes,she was calm and quite cool about
it.It came as a surprise when later in the day they received a call
that she involved in an accident.She had been admitted since
then.Although the doctor assured that she was fine and only
sustained bruises and a dislocated arm which could taken care
of.
“Well,I don’t know what happened.,we just received a call about
the accident.” Rekia said and hoped her voice sounded steady
enough.
They believed her and were now concerned about the girl on
bed.After two weeks she was discharged from the hospital.Biola
had asked her to come and stay in her husband’s house for a
while but she declined that she could take care of herself.



Jane had to call Toye to apologise for the dinner she
cancelled,she didn’t inform Jacob about Hannah’s accident.If he
wasn’t prepared to act like a man then she was prepared to act
like a woman.
……….
Hannah took on with life like nothing happened,she was putting
all her energy into work and being happy.she had made up her
mind to erase the word men from her life.It was one mouth since
the accident happened and the cast had been removed from her
hand.she moved about freely and promised to enjoy her life to
the fullest.
It didn’t come as a surprise when her performance for the month
improved and her boss congratulated her,the company’s
chairman was having a birthday party and everyone had been
invited.she was attending with some of their colleagues at the
offfice.
She had a good feeling about the party,and she had also invited
Toun and Rekia to tag along,it was going to be a big party.
Office closed early on friday so that workers could prepare for the
party tomorrow,she made a knew hair and dug out a very nice
outfit for the party.Her friends were coming too.Unfortunately for
them there was congested traffic,and time was moving fast.It
was easing up a bit and she sped up,she was crossing away
from the express when a car drove fast hitting her side mirror in
the process.She hurled a curse at the who drove past,the car
zoomed back and the driver stopped,he was a man and he was
just a little above her height.
“I’m sorry madam.” He said with a wide smile appearing on his
pink lips,he looked at her.
“You can go to hell.”. Hannah hissed at him as recognition hit
her in the face.He was Ade,he had changed,he looked quite
handsome too.She pushed back the flood of memories on seeing
him.
Rekia was not left out in the word hurling game,it was only
adetoun who remained calm and spoke gently,”Its alright mister.”
“Hannah Odenuga?” He asked again.
“Whatever!” Hannah hissed and got back into the car.
“Adetoun!” The man called this time in surprise.
Adetoun was taken back,”Ade….Ade? Is this you?” She shouted.
As she lounged into a warm embrace,he planted a peck on her
cheeks.
“Omg you look fabulous and Hannah,what’s wrong with her?” He
asked.
Hannah honked and moved the car forward a bit,signaling
Adetoun that she was wasting their time.
“We have to be on our way now.” Toun smiled,
“Can I have your contact?” He asked quickly,and brought out his
phone for her to type her number.
Rekia watched in amazement as they exchanged numbers,Toun
got into the car and Hannah zoomed off.
“Hannah that was Ade,pink lips…pink shirt.” Toun said surprised
at the way Hannah responded to her long time lover.



Rekia was lost,”What happened back there??” She was forced to
ask. Hannah and Addetoun maintained decorum.
“Hmm hmm” Adetoun cleared her throat and then explained that
the man who just left was Hannah’s lover,the one she whined
continuosly about when he suddenly disappeared off the surface
of the earth.This was the same man she dated till she finished
her university.


Rekia nodded in understanding,she could remember all of the
things Hannah had said about him. What was not clear was her
reaction.Hannah asked for the invitation card and checked the
address once more,they were almost at their destination,she
really hoped to have a nice time at the party.
…..
Adetoun sat in the car with Priye in her compound,she was trying
to be reasonable about this whole thing.Here was a man she had
left without a word,she tried to figure out how it must have been
for him.She sat in the passengers seat while he sat opposite her.
The way he stared at her made her loose her voice,she cleared
her throat and tried to look over his head,he was wearing a short
sleeve blue shirt with white blazer over a blue jean,his hair
looked neat and as much as she tried not to look in his face,she
was caught in the act.
“Priye you should go now.” Her voice sounded strange to her
hearing.
“Adetoun why do you want me to leave?” He asked quietly,”Don’t
I deserve to know whatever happened to you back then?”
“Its all over now,please forgive me.”
“I forgive you,but promise me you won’t marry my brother.”
Adetoun’s heart raced faster than usual,how would he say
such,it was impossible.there was a huge silence. In the car.
“Promise me now.”. What an unusual request Adetoun sighed.
There was a knock on the side mirror,Toun turned back to see
Kelvin standing outside the door arms folded across his
chest.Priye and Toun got down.”What are you doing here?” Priye
heard his brother’s voice loud and clear.
He held Toun’s hand,”Exactly what you’ve come to do bro.” He
sounded very confident in himself.
Kelvin fought within himself to control his words and
action,”Leave her hands.” He barked at him.Toun tried to pry his
hands off her but it was a futile effort.
“I’ve known her before you,and I know her very well.” His eyes
were tearing off Adetoun’s cloth.
“Priye please don’t do this.” Toun pleaded,by now Hannah and
Rekia had come to join tthem outside.
“You heard her Oga Priye,leave her alone.” Rekia said,it was
quite obvious she harboured hatred towards him.
Kelvin tapped his foot on the ground confused,”Let’s take things
gently,Kelvin you need to calm down.” Hannah tried to put things
in order.
“She’s my woman and I still love her.”Priye said letting his grip
fall from her wrist.he pecked her on the cheeks before getting
into his car.Toun opened the gate and he drove out.
There was an awkward silence in the compound.Kelvin cleared
his throat.”Adetoun we need to talk.”
“No way,you should speak with Priye first.” She said.”Don’t drive
me crazy please.” She ran inside the house with Hannah trailing
behind her.Kelvin folded his hands and looked at the woman
scurrying away,he made to follow her but Rekia stopped him.
“That won’t be necessary.” She said facing him.”I think you
should go home and settle things with your brother.Good day.”
She marched off into the house closely the door firmly behind
her.
…………
Jane opened the pot to check if the spag was boiling,steam rose
up and. She saw that it was almost cooked,she covered the pot
and walked back into the sitting room to enjoythe programme
she was watching.Her eyes strolled towards the wall clock,it
was some minutes past seven,her husband would be home any
seconds soon.
“Mummy i’m feeling cold.” Eve said coming to sit by her
mother,Jane checked her temperature by putting her hand to her
neck and chest.”You’ll be fine baby,I’ll ask Aisha to get you
some drugs now.
“Maybe I should see my doctor,I don’t want to come down with
fever.” Her voice was cool and sonorous for a kid.”You just like
seeing the doctor.” Adam laughed.
“Leave my baby alone.”Jane said picking the remote control.
“And I don’t think you should call me a baby anymore I’m more
than three years already.Daddy says I’m a big girl.” She said
frankly.
“You know what mummy,Eve is too girlish and you should stop
pampering her.”Adam said without mincng words he was just
like his father.
“Its okay kids,come with me to the kitchen,let’s finish up.” She
said and they all disappeared into the kitchen.In no time dinner
was ready and she set the table,the kids had gone to brush their
teeth when their father arrived.
Jane opened the door and collected his briefcase,he had his
shower and returned to the dinning.”Welcome home daddy.” Eve
said running to embrace.
Jacob lifted her up,”How are you dear,and how was school
today?” He asked lowering her into a seat. He shaked Adam who
had informed his parent that he didn’t want them carrying him as
he was now a big boy.



Jane served them Spag and sauce garnished with salad,she ate
while the kids chatted her up,she noticed that Jacob only picked
his food.”Are you okay?” She asked taking a sip from the fresh
orange juice Nnamdi extracted that evening.
Jacob nodded in response,”No dad doesn’t look fine,perhaps he’s
cold.” Eve said tugging at her mothers dress.
“Hey kid,I’m fine,daddy is just tired.” Jacob explained to his
children.When they finished eating Jane took them to bed.
She was getting bored of the cat and mouse relationship between
her and her husband of recent,she climbed into bed and waited
patiently for him to come to bed.After about an hour she went
down the stairs to find him studying some files.”Honey its late
come to bed.l” she stood beside him and stretched her hand to
pick one of the files.
“I have to attend to some things now.” He said without raising
his head.
“I know but work can wait till tomorrow,pls come to bed.” Jane
said,strapping the belt of her robe firmly.she was expecting him
to put up this kind of action.
“Ever since I raised the issue of having more kids,you’ve
changed Jacob,is it wrong of me to want more children?” She
asked.
“Jane…i’m really tired and I need to sleep.” Jacob got up and
arranged the files,packing them into his briefcase,he closed it
and walked to their bedroom leaving Janet to trail behind
him.Dropping the suitcase he disappeared into the shower before
climbing into bed.




Jane was playing calm and waited for him to settle in before
bringing up the conversation again.”Jacob” she called loud
enough for him to hear.
She went on and on about her insistence on having another child
while Jacob listened to her.After five minutes and her husband
didn’t utter a word.she felt anger in her.she tapped him only to
discover he was fast asleep.she woke him.”Jacob when did you
become like this? You should at least dignify me with an
answer.”
“Woman let me be.” He said turning to face the other side.
“I’m trying to solve whatever is on ground and you’re not
interested.”She let out a long hiss,switched off the bedside lamp
before pulling the duvet over her head.
…….
The nurses wheeled another patient into the emergency ward,and
scurried to and fro holding a tray or getting other items for
treatment.If there was one thing she disliked,it was the hospital
smell,it usually reeked of drugs and tablets,and it sometimes
affect people.
She glanced at her side,the snacks and drinks sat there,she
didn’t make a move to touch the nylon at all.Her spittle tasted
bitter and she wondered if the cause of her sleepless night would
put a smile to her face.she watched as the doctor beckoned to a
couple,a midddle aged man and his wife,the doctor looked
uneasy as he spoke and she watched as he mouth moved fast
and as he tried not to show too much emotion.The only word she
could make out was “We lost her.” The woman had let out a
scream falling to the fall and tearing her cloth,her husband look
too sad to hold nor comfort his wife,he found a seat and sat down
gazing vaguely in to the ceiling,he watched absent minded as
other people tried to hold his wife.
It was later she found out that those couple had just lost their
only son just at twenty five,she couldn’t help it as a tear trailed
down her cheeks.she sighed and stared at her phone,her limbs
felt heavy to press it.
It had happened last night,she had tossed and turn for about
thirty minutes before finally arrived,she must have been
dreaming that she heard the phone ring,but alas it was not a
dream,she sluggishly picked it and was surprised when Lucy’s
voice came on the line,she could feel the other lady’s distress
from her end.Lucy had called to inform her friend that she
needed help,as she was bleeding.
Jane woke her husband and rushed down to Lucy’s house,it was
some minutes past two when they arrived at the hospital,she
was bleeding but thanks to God they had been able to stabilize
her but the doctor were not saying anything.Jacob had left after
asking the nurse to get her some thing to eat.Jane knew it had
something to do with that of an husband she had.
But how could someone who professes to love you raise his
filthy hands to strike you,it just didn’t add up.she must have
dozed off because when she opened her eyes Nana Aisha sat by
her holding two flask of food and water with fruits in a basket.it
was morning already and her kids and husband had gone to
school and work respectively.
“Good morning ma.” Aisha greeeted as Jane yawned covering
her mouth with her hand.she looked around and asked if Aisha
has seen the doctor around.she cleaned her teeth and drank
some water.
“Good morning Mrs Smith.” Jane heard the doctor’s voice,she
turned around to see him standing by her,he was wearing a white
overall with stethoscope around his neck.
“Good morning Doc Kufre.” Jane tried a smile.
The doctor smiled back,”Your friend wants to speak with you
now,I’ll be leaving her in the hands of Doc Jumbo.” He said
leading the way to the ward.The door creaked open and she went
in,Lucy lay on the bed and water was being passed into her
body,and blood on the other side,she looked pale and bruised.
“How are you feeling now?” She asked sitting by the bed.
Lucy stared blankly at her friend and nodded,”I’ve called your
mum,she’s already on her way.” Jane said.
“What happened?”
Lucy nodded her head and twin tears rolled down her face,she
slowly explained to her how what started as a little argument
exaggerated into a big fight.Taliroyce had blown up when Lucy
made some negative remarks about the baby,and how she never
wanted the baby in the first place.That had gotten him angry,and
as usual a heavy slap sounded on her cheeks,and instantly
relying on Jane’s idea to stand up to her,she had hissed and
broken a vase and that was it,she was beaten blue black,all
thanks to the timely intervention of a neighbour,who Taliroyce
had dismissed and droven away in anger leaving Lucy and her
son to cry.
Lucy had cried all evening,it was when she couldn’t take it
anymore that she called Jane to help her to the hospital.
Jane sighed,her friend was going through a lot of physical and
emotional torture at the moment,”This is the time we can sue
him,your bruises are enough evidence,Lucy please permit me to
fight him.” She pleaded.
“No o,don’t hurt him,how do I tell my son that I sued his
father,ruined his career and sent him to jail,I pray I make it out of
this place.” Her voice was quiet and the strain appeared on her
face.
The door creaked open and an ederly woman came in,Jane
recognised Lucy’s mother,she embraced her and the other
woman had her mouth open as she listened to Jane and stared
at her daughter in bed,her prodigal daughter to be precise.It was
hard to believe that her daughter had a son and was even
carrying another one for a man who she was not married to.m
Lucy forced a smile when her mother with tear in her face
embraced her,”I can’t believe its you I’m seeing here.” She
sighed.” And like this too.”
“I’ll deal with any man who has made you a shadow of yourself.”
Lucy’s mother shouted bringing out her cell phone.
“Mother?” Lucy called quietly as her mother put the phone to her
ears.
“Mother? Jane?” This time her breath was laboured and her face
paler.
“Lucy!” Her mother screamed as Jane ran to get the doctor.
“Promise me you won’t sue my husband.”
“Impossible! I will deal with him,your brothers will see to it.”
Lucy’s mother’s voice took the air.
“Please….promise me..pleaseeeee.”
“I promise I won’t sue him just stay with us.” Her mother
cried.The doctor barged in with Jane and checked her
heartbeat,she was still breathing.He asked Jane and Lucy’s
mother to leave the ward to which they refused,and they watched
in awe as Lucy’s gasped for breath.The doctor tried to stabilise
her but it was a lost cause,poor Lucy breathed her last and bade
the world a goodbye.