[Story] Too late – S01 E18

Read Story: SEASON 1 EPISODE 18

It’s been a long while Kam bought any gift for his wife Lily. He had vowed to deal with her for all the physical abuses and emotional trauma she had made him go through. He remembered their numerous quarrels and how she will raise her voice at him. Kam had, had to replace so many things she destroyed.

Lily was a bad tempered woman. Her attitude had driven his family and friends away from him. If anyone must visit him, it must not be in his absence, for Lily would never allow them in. He hated her for that. Lily was bad mouthed, sharper than razor blade. She would tell him things that would pain him and at the end he would find himself punching her.

Nine years of marriage. Nine years of abuse, nine years of anguish, sorrow and perseverance in marriage. A week doesn’t end successfully without arguments, quarrels and fight.

He had reported Lily to her parents and pastor but no visible change.

To completely avoid her, he would drive straight to a drinking bar after work. He would stay there until it’s late before returning home.

It was during one of his trip to the bar that he met Nnamdi, a man who was going through the same problem as he. After sharing their problems together, they decided to look in the direction of other women.

“I didn’t marry the right woman. Nnamdi said to Kam.

“I was told Lily is my wife. The bone of my bone. I was convinced she is the one. Now I see that I married the devil himself”

Nnamdi laughed.

“Mine is Lucifer oo. My wife is a tigress. She beats me oo. I didn’t know she has such strength until she placed my head under her armpit and dealt with me”

It was Kam’s turn to laugh and he laughed good.

“I am afraid of her. Anytime I complain, she beats me. I can’t say this to anyone I know. People will never believe me when I tell them she beats me. I am divorcing her oo. I will shine my eyes this time. Love will not rule this time, my head will.”

Such were their discussions until they decided to forget about their wives. Kam knew there was going to be fight with Lily if he brings Karen home and there was. All his electrical gadgets got destroyed. He was lucky Lily didn’t stab him.

Lily fought him tooth and nail because of his decision and he stood his ground. He told her the reason why he decided to bring in another woman.

“I have been advising you to work on your anger, but you refused. Nine years I keep complaining about certain traits but you took me for granted. You can’t even cook. You are abusive. You run your mouth like tap and saying so many hurtful things. You insult my family and friends. My relations can’t even visit me. The Lily I got married to is different. She is abusive and not lovely at that. Hmmm! You were so nice. What happened to you? You have turned into a monster. I am a patient man Lily, if not I would have since sent you out of my house because you have not given me a single child after all.

When Lily knew she would not win the battle, she stopped fighting him. She succumbed to fate.

Surprisingly, Kam had been noticing for months that Lily is making effort to change and he appreciates the change. To appreciate her, he promised to get her something special after the close of work.

Immediately after work, He drove to a big boutique. He entered and was confused. What will Lily like?

With the assistance of the sales woman, he was able to pick things for his wife. By the time he left the boutique, he was satisfied. He began to imagine Lily’s reaction.

Kam drove into the compound, but the scream coming out of his house made him rush out of his car. Karen was shouting at the top of her voice and abusing Lily.

“….I am here because I am better than you. If you were that good, I won’t be here. You are a good for nothing barren woman. Your womb is dead Lily, deeeaad!”

Surprised that Karen could alter such to her, Lily removed her slippers and held them.

“You called me barren?. You dare mock me?. I assure you Karen, you will go through this college of barrenness like I went. You will feel the pain, the hurt of being called barren” She said wiping tears from her eye.

As soon as Kam entered, Lily wore her slippers and marched to her room. Karen burst into tears and rushed into Kam’s arms.

“Didn’t you hear what she said to me? She just threatened me. She is a witch Kam, send her away. She can’t give you a child and she wants to stop me from giving you a child” She said sobbing.

“It’s alright Karen”

“I have been taking drugs to prevent pregnancy, since you have not officially married me. Now I am ready to get pregnant for you”

Kam held her and they walked to her room. He spoke softly to her but never scolded her for referring to Lily as barren.

While they were still talking, Lily knocked on the door and entered without their permission. She noticed how Karen sat in her husband’s leg and placed her head on his chest.

“What do you want?” Karen asked irritably. “Have you come to insult me again?”

“I came to apologize Karen for saying those hurtful things to you.”

Karen rose from Kam’s legs and backed Lily. She kept tapping her foot on the floor.

“You will never be barren. God will give you the number of children you desire” Lily continued trying to control herself from crying.

“Can you tell this thing to leave my sight?” Karen said turning to Kam.

Without waiting for Kam to anything, Lily opened the door and walked out in tears.

———————————-

Stanley was in the dinning room with his calculator, jotter and pen in his hand. He was making plans for the business he wants to open. He has been pressing the calculator for close to two hours.

From time to time, Rosa would peep him from the bedroom and smile. It was already afternoon, she went to the kitchen and served him lunch. It was his favourite meal of egusi and fufu.

Both of them ate together. Rosa washed her hand and left him in the dinning still eating. She went to the bedroom and brought out her handbag from the wardrobe. Baba Ifa had given her a charm wrapped in a black piece of clothe. The content was moulded in the shape of an egg. Baba Ifa had brought out a mortal where he threw a life chick, native chalk and other strange items that he pounded.

She brought out the ball like item close to her mouth and for the next five minutes, she began to talk in a strange language. Satisfied, she wrapped the item and returned it to her bag. When she returned to the dinning room, Stanley was washing his hands. She cleared the table, then returned to sit opposite him.

“You are a good cook” He complimented.

Rosa smiled and stretched her hands towards his.

“I am glad you love my cooking skills”

“Aaah!, I do”

She removed her hand and Stanley picked his pen beside him.

“You have been busy these days”

Stanley smiled.

“Yes. I need to tighten all lose ends” He said with his head bent over the jotter before him

Rosa watched him write, then press his calculator for a few minutes

“Look at me Stanley”

Taken aback, he raised his head to look at her. At that moment, it was like Stanley was drowning into the river or falling into a deep pit.

“I have the document of this house. There is a need and urgency to sell the house” She said looking at him unblinking

“Yes!, Yes!, We need to sell it” He said nodding frantically

Rosa smiled.

“Good. Please get a buyer. Sell the car also and handover the money to me.”

“It will not he difficult to do so” He grinned foolishly.

She stood up and went behind him

“You are wealthy Stanley”

He smiled and looked up to her

“I am a millionaire. I am worth nineteen million naira Rosa”

“Really?”

“Of course”

He picked his phone and showed his account balance. Rosa took the phone from him and stared at the figure for a while

“I need this money” She said tapping the phones screen.

“That is simple. We will go to the bank tomorrow and it will be sorted out”

She dropped the phone on the table and sat on his legs

“You’re an amazing man Stanley” She said kissing him

He responded stupendously to her kiss as he buried his tongue in hers.