Dear Mr. Husband (Episode 12)

I apologised to everyone for bringing in new episode slowly these days. I can't say there would be a change soon because its getting busier and busier for me by the day but I'm working on making it faster.
Hope you'll understand?
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Dear Mr Husband (Episode 12)
'So I would love for you to help me advertise since I'm pretty new in town' Yusuf was saying

'Oh that would be great! it would really be a great honour to be part of daddy's day care this time around' she said a little shy.

'Great!, I'm glad you want to be part of it.

Yusuf was sitting directly opposite Clara and he wore a blue jean and a red t-shirt with a blue face cap. He was looking good and he smelled good too.

When he called earlier, he said he wanted to come see her but he wasn't sure he was at the right place. So Clara directed him to her office and since he was not too far away, it wasn't difficult for him to locate it.

When Clara ended the call, she moved into quick action to get her office tidy and herself ready.
First impression they say mattered a lot and although this wasn't their first time of seeing each other, it was the first time in a really long while.
She adjusted her hair again for the umpteen time that day and that was when she noticed she was really nervous about seeing him.

'What does he think of me now? Why does his opinion of me even matter?, why does he want to see me?' And many more questions were going through Clara's mind as she tried to steady her racing heart awaiting Yusuf's visit.

Soon there was a knock at the door and she knew it was him. She arranged her blouse again and stole a quick glance at the office mirror for the last time before opening the door.

She wasn't prepared for what she saw! She simply stood there motionless.

She didn't expect him to look this good. It was Yusuf quite alright but this look she hadn't seen. It was a whole new Yusuf, repackaged and rebranded.

Yusuf stood by the door waiting for her to let him in or turn him down. Instead all he got was a stare!

Her stare was enough to make him feel uncomfortable that he had to look around him to see if something was wrong with his outfit or hair or anything.

Heck! He felt a bit awkward.

He wondered if he over dressed for the occasion or something else was wrong.
he knew he had to say something.

'Hi! So can I come in?' He asked smiling in an attempt to bring her mind back from wherever it went and break the silence.

She didn't say a word. She couldn't! Instead she moved to hug him like a lost treasure she had finally found and he responded by hugging her in return.
His wore a nice cologne and it was really inviting.

'How are you Claire? That's the name he used to call her back in school and she felt endeared to him again.

'I'm good' she responded

'Please come in' she managed to say after releasing him from the long hug as she stepped aside allowing him to pass through the door

He walked in smiling and sat down on a seat Clara drew out for him while she sat on her seat opposite Yusuf.

She seemed to have lost her power of speech as she still sat looking at him. She still didn't know how to begin the conversation.

So many questions were going through her mind all out once. She needed to do something.

'So what can I offer you? She asked hoping it was a safe place to begin from

'I have juice, coke, water, malt and I could get something else if it not what you want' she offered

Yusuf smiled and asked for water only.

She knew that that would be his response. He always loved to drink water and Ada used to tease her those days in school by asking her how her fish was doing and by fish she met Yusuf. Her Yusuf!

She got a bottle of water from the mini fridge in her office and a glass cup and set it in front of him.

After he took his first glass, the conversation flowed between them and on and on they went until he told her his real reason for been in her office that day.

During the whole conversation, Clara could not help stealing glances at Yusuf especially as his 'Adam apple' went up and down as he spoke.

She was enjoying the conversation and wished he didn't stop. He always made her laugh and the way he talked about his dreams made her wish she could be part of it. He talked about his dreams like they were the only dreams available in the world. Even a doctor that had just saved a life couldn't be more happier than Yusuf was.

Her enjoyment was short lived as there was a tap on the door that brought a halt to their conversation.

Before she could say come in, the guest who turned out to be Ada walked in talking unaware that there was someone else in the office with Clara.

Then she saw him!

'Hey you! Ada called out to Yusuf smiling.

'A to the D to the A' Yusuf responded . That was how he always like to call her as her name was spelt in three letter words.

She smiled. 'You haven't changed much you know' she responded leaning on Clara's chair.

'Well, I can't help it' Yusuf responded smiling.

'So how's your husband doing and by the way, I'm really enjoying your story' he said in a matter of fact manner

'Really?' Ada asked giggling like a child
'Yeah, I am. Its teaching me more things than you can imagine' He said

'Hmmmm' Clara said talking for the first time since Ada walked in

'Things like?' She quizzed with her hands on her cheeks smiling at Yusuf.

Ada noticed how Clara was smiling whenever Yusuf talked.
She knew her friend and she knew what her smiling meant. She had to stop Clara before she did something she would regret.

'So what brings you to Clara's office' He asked

'Not like you can't badge in at anytime, I Know you guys are still like sisters'
Yusuf added sensing Clara's feigned frown on her face.

Ada laughed!
'I came to pick up more copies of Clara's Magazine. I have a Client itching to lay hold on the magazine so I thought to surprise her with it today' Ada responded.

'I guess, I'll just pick the magazine and head out then' she said walking to the pile of magazine Clara had in her office. she picked five copies from it.

'I took five Clara' she said turning to Clara and walking towards the door.

'I'll just go now'

Before she walked outside she turned to Yusuf and said

'Please Yusuf say me well to your lovely wife and two kids' Ada said with a smile and walked out of the door shutting it slightly.

Clara's eyes almost pulled out from her socket in shock.
She went dumb as the reality of Ada's statement hit her.

He was married afterall and there she was enjoying the conversation and thinking something good would come out from it for the two of them.

Yusuf sat back in his chair and watched the changes in Clara's mood as the bomb was dropped on her.

'She must really care a lot for him' he thought within himself.
'So it was true' she still liked him.

The smile on his face widened to Clara's surprise

'Why are you smiling?'She asked with a guarded look on her face trying as much as possible to conceal the emotions and the pain she was feeling knowing he belonged to someone else.

'No, nothing! Just watching you makes me smile and wish I could go out with you again.

'Yeah, save it for your wife and kids' she said underneath her breathe.

Someone badged into Clara's office and for the second time it was Ada.
She came in with a triumphant smile on her face.

'I told you! I told you!! You see I won and that lunch you promised for this must be bought with immediate effect' Ada announced raising her hands up in the air joyfully.

'Wait I don't understand! What's going on? a confused Clara asked looking from Yusuf to Ada and back to Yusuf.

'Uhmmmm...that I leave for my dear Yusufu to answer while I hit the road' Ada said sneaking out of the office before Clara could protest.

'I'm listening' she said turning and facing Yusuf with her hands folded.

'Ok! First of, There is no wife and kids'
He leaned against the table seperating him and said the next statement

'I care a lot about you Clara, but I wanted to be sure it was mutual so that I don't waste my emotions a second time.
So I contacted Ada first knowing she was still your best friend, please don't ask me how I knew, and then I told her about my feeling for you and how I still wasn't sure if I would be rejected a second time.
She then agreed to help me find out in an old fashion way so I would judge for myself if she was right by saying you still cared for me and I made a promise to buy her lunch if the she was right.'

'Yes, she didn't lie about coming to pick up the magazines, because there's actually a client of hers that needs them and also I didn't lie when I said I need your help to help advertise my work in you magazine. Let's just say I didn't tell you the whole truth about my coming to see you' he concluded.

'So does that explain everything now?
He asked with a guilty look.

Clara smiled! She made a mental note to scream at her friend another time. For now she let her mind savour the explanation Yusuf gave.

He was still available! That was a good start for her.

'So...' Yusuf began. But before he could continue.
Ada badged in again smiling.

'Please can we now go for that lunch now'

Those words sent the two of them to a round of laughter.

TO BE CONTINUED...

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Dear Mr Husband (Episode 11)

Dear Mr. Husband (episode 11)

It was a sunny friday morning and Clara knew the day was going to be more hectic than the previous one.

Running a magazine firm was not so easy like she had imagined. Worst still was having a weekly magazine at that Deadlines, promises and all.

Now she understood when some writers would say they were unable to meet a deadline because the pressure she got from people sometimes to perform and meet their demand was becoming increasingly impossible.

And now as if that was not enough, her editor resigned last week and the other column writer resigned a week before that. She had to put in extra hours to fill up the vacant space before she got someone else able to fit into their shoes.

Her time and her life was spent making sure that her dreams do not go with the wind.

Some days though, the joy she felt after a hard day's job and replies she got form some of her readers outweighed most of the stress accompanying it.

Nothing was truly fulfilling like doing what you loved to do and doing it well!

She looked at her office again and she sighed as her eyes scanned through its untidy state . The office was just the way she left it the day before filled with squeezed papers and what not.

She had hurried out of her office the previous day to escape the hunger and tiredness that was threatening to kill her and didn't bother to arrange anything.
Today, she couldn't escape it.

She set her bag on her table and took off her shoes. Her office needed tidying and heck her whole life too.

Ada's story and a few other things happening lately in her life has been giving her a change of heart as regards finding love again. Maybe she could give it a chance and drop all her defences.

She ran into Yusuf sometime last week and her heart pulse almost stopped. Yusuf was her one time crush way back in university who incidentally was crushing on her too. The day he finally decided to speak his mind she decided too to remind herself of what she read about once and that was not go out with anyone below a certain standard. And by standard she meant, profession or what he does for a living.

'He must either be a doctor or a lawyer or something prestigious' she had told Ada one time they had that discussion.

Ada's reply still rang in her head.
'Clara, a profession is not a person! The fact that someone had a prestigious career didn't mean that their life was going to be perfect. Chose someone with a great heart instead.

Maybe Ada was right.

Yusuf read marketing in school and one time when she asked him casually what he wanted to do after school he said he wanted to run a daddy's daycare as he had passion for children.

Hell no!

'How was she going to put up with that?' She had wondered.

That was all in the past. Now she understood how fulfilling it could be when you're doing something you love to do and making money from it too.

The beep from her phone brought her mind back to the office.
She sat down as she brought out her phone from her ash colour prada bag she carried that day.

She smiled when she saw who it was.
It was Ada. She had sent in the week's story.
She was surely having fun and Ada had no idea what her story was doing to her.
She sat properly on her chair and read Ada's newest entry.

Ada's story continues:

I know this episode is bound to make you laugh at me.
Well yeah! You're free to do that like you would when you remember either your most embarrassing moments or some foolish things you have done before. So sit back and enjoy

Uche and our baby were sited in the parlour playing and watching television together. Chisom can sit on her own now and crawl too. Uche made her sit on the floor and put some toys within her reach. I on the other hand had to make dinner so I was in the kitchen doing same. Dinner by the way was fried plantain and egg.

I cut the plantain and put the oil on fire ready to start frying when I heard a loud scream of
'Nooooooo'

I jumped! almost pouring the hot oil on my body.
I ran to the sitting room thinking the worst had happened instead I saw a disappointed look on Uche face still sitting and facing the tv.

And wait was that Chisom watching it too?
Yeah she was! from her giggling and smiles she was enjoying it too

It was a football match and obviously hubby's team wasn't winning.

Phew!!!!

I didn't know how to conceal my anger! 'A foot ball match ker? I asked pained.

'That's what your screaming was for and I almost poured hot oil on my body?' I asked disappointedly.

'Oh sorry but you need to see this crazy footballer he keeps wasting all the balls they pass to him and...'uche was trying to explain with so much interest and passion.

'See him again.. See see!! Oh my God' Uche said with eyes still glued to the Tv and trying to kick an invisible ball into the net.

'Calm down oh and please don't shout like that again' I said and walked away still angry.
I couldn't understand it. Why waste all that energy for a game. An ORDINARY game. I guess I was going to find out.

His phone rang and I heard him talk over the receiver.

Soon I heard him say
'I love you tyler I just love you'

I shook my head and continued frying my beloved plantain.

'Wait did he just say tyler?' I wondered out to my self dropping the knife in my hand and thinking with my brows knitted together.

Tyler was a guys name and why was he loving tyler. And wait why was he speaking in hush tone? Or was it all in my head.

With the plantain still frying I went to the parlour. He put down his phone as I walked in and faced the Tv.

Wait! Was he hiding something? And what's that guilty look on his face, or it was probably me just been paranoid.

I walked up to where he was siting and spoke softly

'Hey babe, are you ok?' I asked

He bearly turned to face me with his eyes still glued to the tv set as he reponded

'Huh? Me I'm fine' he said looking from the tv to me and back to the tv

'Is there something you want to tell me' I ask with concern written all over me.

He didn't understand what was going on so I decided to tell him plainly what was on my mind.

'Babe are you gay?'

'Huh? You said? He asked! Unsure of what I was saying.

'I mean are you gay like gay, man to man gay?'

'What? gay? Where is that coming even from? He asked. This time he faced me totally un distracted by the tv.

'Then who is tyler and why do you love him plus why were you talking with him in hush tone over the phone?'

Uche couldn't believe his ears. He simply busted out laughing. He laughed so hard that he fell on the floor with his hands on his stomach still laughing

The way he laughed ignited laughter inside of me too. I joined in too as he kept laughing.

I must have said something stupid for him to be laughing this hard

'Uche please stop laughing na and answer me' I managed to say as laughter was still playing in my inside.

The laughter must have gotten to his intestine because tears were rolling down his cheeks.

'Oh my wife, my wife.' He said managing to control his laughing episode.

'I have begged you to watched football with me but you refused. If you did, you would know who tyler is and you why I'm loving him'

'And for the records I'm not gay, and never will be. Its only your cistern I love to drink from. Its only you that makes my junior stand firm' he said this last one with his hands ponting to his groins.

I blushed!

'Ok come and sit down with me so I would show you tyler' he said taking my hands and forcing me to the sit on the chair with him.

I sat to watch the football match with him. It wasn't as bad as I thought. It was actually interesting except of cos my blood pressure kept rising and falling between intervals.

And oh by the way Tyler was the name of the footballer in my dear Uche's team.

I ended up enjoying the match and of course burning the dinner meal.

And I learnt a very valuable lesson that day and that is : NEVER WATCH A FOOTBALL MATCH WHEN FRYING PLANTAIN.

Phew! what a great lesson it was.

We ended up eating noodles that night with Chisom but I have also found a new way to bond with my man. FOOTBALL!

Clara put down her phone and laughed at her friend.
She was going to call her and laugh at her a little.

Just then her phone rang.

She smiled.

It was Yusuf!

TO BE CONTINUED...

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The Deacon's Daughter. By Thercee Murdee

I watched with sadness as she chewed the gum out loud, not caring the noise it made and where she was. And to think that this was not the first time.

'Felicia had sold her soul to rebellion', that was my conclusion.

I couldn't comprehend why a deacon's daughter would chose to defy all church authority and disgrace her father so much.
Deacon Okafor must have become too tired to be frustrated by it anymore.

'Why are you like this?' I summoned up courage to ask Felicia after service that day.

The whole time, I was distracted by her attitude. Today she not only came late as usual and occupied her regular spot, I mean the last seat at the last row, she as well dressed to seduce. It definitely was to seduce. I noticed the ushers trying to make her leave but seeing her sit comfortably at her normal spot was enough evidence to tell the outcome of their efforts.

She did well to eye me from up to down, hiss and walk past like I was a light poll obstructing her way.

'Who was to blame?' I thought within myself.

For as long as I have been in the church- 'Our Father's tabernacle', I've come to know her father as a Deacon and her mother as the women leader. They were very active in the church. It was even the duty of her father to make sure the church was open by 7am for the one hour prayers before sunday service began. I would watch him drive alone and leave his family to come on their own. His wife came when prayer was over while his children trooped in much later. Felicia's case was the worst but the rest of them didn't come early either.

'Was it a crime for him to come with his entire family at once?

What was going on in the home?' these and many more troubling questions settled on my mind whenever my thought strayed to the Deacon and his entire family. How tragic!
And yet this is happening everywhere.

I remember just two days ago when Ken my neighbour got back from drama rehearsals in his church with a gloomy face. He was looking so bad that I couldn't let him walk out of my sight even after he had tried to convince me that he was fine.

On seeing I wasn't bulging to his plea to be alone, he spilled out. Behold a similar issue, only in another location.

The daughter of his sunday school teacher, a member of the drama group, walked into their meeting as it was about ending, knowing fully well she had been given a role that she would take the next day been sunday. She didn't even feel any remorse, rather she told them she wasn't interested and was only there so they could tell her father she came. How pathetic!

I was so pissed!

'Why did they give her a role in the first place?' I asked Ken immediately.

He said their pastor had pleaded with the group to try and include her in it, hoping she would change.

'Really? how would that work?' I probed further but he didn't know what to say.
His own reason for been sad was because the drama was automatically cancelled.

Sarah their only female and consistent member was not around either.

'Its God's work', He'll have His way. That was all I could say. But my pain still remained.

These men, these women. Parents they are, leaders as well but not in their homes.

Somehow I'll say they have failed. Even if it doesn't entirely lie on them, they had a role to play. I try not to judge, believe me it has not been easy.

But my Father's words I must obey-'Judge not, lest you be judged'.

I must say this however that

'Whoever you are, be it first in your home. Set the example, create the standard, implement the rules. If they should ignore it, then you are guiltless, but if you never did anything and they turn sour and eventually bitter, believe me God would hold you responsible.

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Dear Mr. Husband (9)

Dear Mr. Husband (9)

Clara sat in her office reading Ada's newest story for her magazine and truly she was enjoying it.
She couldn't believe that marriage could be interesting the way Ada makes it feel except of course Ada wasn't telling the truth. She knew her friend so well to know that Ada would rather not say anything than lie about what she was saying. So it had to be the truth.

That means marriage was beautiful if the parties worked together to make it so. Her own idea of marriage on the other hand was a wacky one.
The one her parents handed over to her.

She got up from her seat and walked to her window at the office as she allowed her mind to go down memory lane. To the memories she had tried so hard to suppress.

***************
'Clara! Clara!! her mom called out to her from the kitchen were she was making dinner.

'Ma!' She answered as she ran to go to her mum in the kitchen. She recognised that tone and she knew what it meant.

'Men are evil and all the same, all they want is what's between your legs, but you my dear have to be smart.' Her mother said to clara who was going to turn 11 on her next birthday.

'Take your father for example' She continued

'if I'm not the kind of smart woman that I am you think I will be where I am today? If he makes perm, I will pack my load and leave him because I have my own secret plan. So nobody can take me for granted. No body! Clara's mum said waving her index finger in the air to drive her point home.

This had become a norm for some time back in their home
Clara had to seat through this sermon from her mom almost every other day and her young heart certainly couldn't contain everything she heard.

Her mother made everything about her relationship with her father open even down to their sex life. She was literally washing their dirty linen in public only this time she was the public.

Later that day, it would be the turn of her father and yet she had to listen but she loved her father more.
Maybe it was because he always bought things for her or maybe be cause he always told her he was proud of her no matter what she did.

She decided that if her parents ever had a divorce or split for any reason, she was sure going to move in with her father, her mother bitterness could choke you if you stay with it for one full week, that was not a better option. But moving in with her father never happened.

'Ibinabo! are you there? Her father called out to her from his room after he returned from work later in the evening. He always loved to call her by her native name, maybe that was another thing that endeared her to him.

'Papa, I'm coming' she replied. She was glad he had sent for her, that was the perfect escape she needed to leave her mum bitter talk.
She walked fast to her father's room heaved a sigh of relief before turning to face him with a smile.

'Papa how was work today she asked him as she sat on the chair in his room.

'Work was fine my dear' and how was school today? He asked his daughter.

'It was fine papa. She responded.

Her father smiled.

'Ibi! I know one day you will be a woman and a wife to somebody, please when that day comes' he continued. Don't become like your mother.

This was the part that Clara didn't like about her father too, bad talks about her mother. She knew her mum wasn't a saint and she too also avoided but he didn't have to dump all the info onto her. Her head almost always felt like exploding after each talks.

'Please don't be like her, she's evil' he continued
'She is wicked. All women are wicked actually only a few of them have a good heart. Please be among the few.

'How can my own wife disrespect me in public' he continued saying 'And even call me names in the presence of the whole neighbours?' He asked to nobody in particular

'I was going out was it last week or so when one little child came towards me smiling and calling me 'Uncle Idiot' thinking 'Idiot' was my name obviously because your mother always called me that when I'm leaving the house.

Clara felt sad and placed her hands on her kneels while her palm held her face.
What could she do than listen and listen again.

She often wondered what went wrong between her parents, how the love they once shared went sour. Though if she was honest the tension started maybe before she was even born because she grew knowing that there was no such thing as love between her parents.

The love they once had, turned into hatred and graduated into resentment and bitterness.

From that tender age, she vowed to stay single.
'What was the use of suffering so much torture, staying with someone that you obviously hate' she imagined.

She often went to bed in tears.
She couldn't let anyone into what was going on in her house and been an only child didn't make it easy.
*********************
She sighed again as she shook her head to make the memories go away. They just couldn't stop.

*****************
'Its time for me to finally leave your father Clara,' her mother was saying as she angrily stuffed her box with her clothes

'Mama, you can't leave me alone, please don't go, please mama don't go' a twelve year old Clara begged.

'My dear you won't understand' her mother said still taking down her belonging and folding them together.

'Your father is not a man, he can't even take care of me. My skin was glowing before I met him, I had all that I needed before I married that man, but look at me now, twelve years after and I can stand with my mates because of shame.'

'I will talk with Papa, mama I promise' she begged.

Her mother didn't listen to her.

'I just have to leave' I just have to.

'Mama, where will you go to?' Clara asked with tears soaked eyes.

'I am a smart woman Clara I told you that before. I have been secretly building a house for my self for a while back now. It is now complete so I will move in there with you.

'A house?' Clara asked with her eyes wide open from shock
She couldn't believe her ears. Her mum had a house unknown to her father and herself. What else was she doing secretly she wondered.

Just then they heard a knock at the door. They both stopped talking and wondered who it was. The knocks came more frequent.

'Go and see who is at the door' her mum ordered her out of the room as she continued arranging her belongings.

'Mummy, its police oh' she ran back to let her mum know

Clara watched her mother arrange her hair and straighten her clothes as she made to go out to the police waiting for her outside. She shut the door after her.

After a brief moment she heard a maddening shout come out from behind the door.

Clara ran to the door and ran as she saw her mother rolling on the ground. Something was not right.

'Mama what is it? She asked repeatedly
All she got from her mom was a continuous shout of
'Ewo ohhhhh, Ewo ohhhhh' as the neighbours surrounded their house.

'Mama Clara?' Different people were calling out to her trying to fathom what could have happened

Her response was more shouts and crying and then she dropped the bomb shell.

'E don die oh, e don die!'

At first Clara didn't understand what she meant until one of the women came and grabbed her too and said

'Oh my pikin sorry, sorry oh your papa don die.

She couldn't believe it. Her world crumbled with those words and she wondered if she would ever recover for the shock those words sent her into.
***************
TO BE CONTINUED...
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Dear Mr. Husband continues

Ada's story continues...

I loved to watch Chisom everyday as she grew. Been a mother really was beautiful. There were days I wondered if she really came out from me, she was simply lovely to behold.
Her adventures on the other hand were not as pretty as she was. They would fill a 60 leaves book from cover to cover if I were to write them all out.

One of those adventures was her selective sucking prowess.
Chisom was one hell of a sucker, I mean she can suck you till you're dry, but she chooses the kind of food she wants to show that side of herself.

I would eat a really nice meal say fried rice and beautifully fried chicken when I'm done she would smile at me licking her lips. Like she was saying

'My turn now mummy'
The days I didn't eat something nice to her standard say pap and akara she would be there forming sleep like she's saying

'Mummy no, I think I'll pass' and off she zooms to dreamland.

I mean who does that?

This baby sure knew what she was doing. They say children are born with a clean slate and life impresses things in their little mind my Chi Chi was the exception to that long standing theory. She was a smart ass right out from the womb.

Another example of her smart 'assness' was the night she was born. The hospital was brightly lit with NEPA light, soon there was power failure. Before the hospital could switch over to their generator, my dear Chi cried a storm. Immediately power was restored so was her quiet restored also.

Hmmm she was showing me signs that she was an upcoming 'ajebor'

Or was it the time I waited for her to poop all morning so I could change her diaper but oh she withheld that poop right until the moment I was just about to change her and out came the watery smelly poo right on my bare lap and she smiled afterwards.

Huh?
I was about to spank her buttocks from the bomb she released when she sent another missile and giggled afterwards.
I looked at her and couldn't help but smile back. Her cuteness washed my anger away and she knew she got to me with her smile.

Been a mother was truly a wonderful experience especially been a mother to a wonderful and mischievous child as Chisom was. Those experiences, I wouldn't want to exchange them for anything else. It comes with its challenges though well so does every other thing.

Initially, I thought I could win an award for been the neatest mother alive. You know keeping the house sparkling clean always, the chores done at the right time and all stuff, you know the feeling of been on top of your game. That feeling.

That was an illusion I had created and I knew doing that was going to wear me out sooner or later and I learnt that the hard way.

So I needed to place priority on what should be done and when it should be done and still be available for my man.
I mean what good would it do if Uche came home hungry and needy and all I could do will be to show him the super sparkly cleaned floor or the super shining laundry I did.
Would he eat the clothes Or kiss the ground till he was full?

I soon leant from some of my friends that had gone ahead of me. They told me how they manage to do theirs and after picking a thing or two from them, I found a system that worked for me and stuck to it.

I would fix Uche his breakfast for him to go to work, bath Chisom and put her in her rocker, check the other things that needed fixing. When Chisom finally falls asleep that was my cue to fall asleep too

In all I knew that if I wasn't in a good state of mind I would crumble under the change of lifestyle so after I took care of my two 'babies' I took a moment for me to breathe and relax with a bottle of non-alcoholic wine (I mean who would want Chisom to be high? Since she still sucks from my twin towers, if I take alcohol I'm sure she would punish me for that) and allow my mind to roam freely...

Been a mother was fun...

TO BE CONTINUED...
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Dear Mr. Husband (6)

Dear Mr. Husband (6)

September 15, 2002!

'Ahh haaaa!!! Its so painful! I can't take this anymore oh! I can't ! I can't! can't' I screamed in between breathe

I slapped Uche for the third time that morning and I knew he wasn't enjoying it. I was the one going through the pain and he had no idea what I was feeling. It was like all my bones were breaking at the same time.

'Ha!!! I screamed louder again! It was not getting easier at all and all Uche could do was hold my hands and say sorry baby, sorry!

I slapped him again, this time he wanted to protest, he looked at me and decided otherwise.

I was in real pain! Real labor pain. Our daughter was to arrive the next day but changed her mind and decided to come today, I had no idea she was such in a hurry to get here.

I had woken up in the middle of the night feeling restless and Uche had tried to calm me down,nothing was working. I decided to walk around a little and it happened.

My water broke!

Uche stood there speechless, starring at the water on the floor and looking at me.

I wanted to drag him to get up and do something, my pain made me just say muffle words.

I manage to scream out his name and ordered him to take me to the hospital.

I have never seen him this confused the way he was that night.

He suddenly didn't know where his shoes were or what he was to do altogether.

I laughed in my mind at the way he kept dancing around. I knew he couldn't do this alone, this was his first experience and been an only child he had never experienced any of it.

I had to call someone. I called his mom and she promised to be on her way any minute.

'Uche what are you doing?' I asked seeing him still going from place to place.

'Ada, to be honest eh, I don't even know what I'm doing'

I laughed out so loud that at first he was afraid, he soon joined in the laughter at himself.

Now I had something to use in teasing him back.

But the teasing may have to wait a while because our daughter was not waiting for anything.

Ah!!! I screamed holding my waist.

Soon his mom was around with a taxi she could get and I was rushed to the hospital were I registered for anti natal and was taken straight to the labor room.

It was a private hospital so Uche was allowed to stay with me for a while.
That's was when the whole slapping episode began.

Ok let me confess there was one time I slapped Uche intentionally ok let me be honest, more than once.
I would tell him that later, I'm sure he would forgive me afterall I gave him a wonderful daughter some time later.

'Madam' the nurse in charge of my case was saying 'how are you feeling?' She asked

'Its painful' very painful' was all I could reply

'I know' she said rubbing my back
'the doctor will soon be here.'
And almost immediately, a doctor probably in his mid-fifties walked through the door.

'I am doctor Ahmed' he said to me and my husband bringing his hands to shake my husband.

'I have to check how CM dilated she is' he explained

'Oh ok' my husband replied adjusting his seat a little so the doctor could attend to me.

The doctor wore his gloves and was about to put his hands in my virgina to check me when my husband shouted.

'Doctor what are you doing? Uche asked with all the seriousness and surprise he could muster

The doctor without show any surprise obviously used to handling such people smiled to calm uche's nerves and continued with his work

'I want to check how far dilated she is to know what to do next, there's no other way to find that out expect I inspect it with my hands and trust me, I don't find this part interesting either' he explained all the while turning his hand inside of me.

'I have a wife too you know, when she was about to be delivered of all our four children, I had to allow someone else do this, so I can understand your frustration' he said and that made Uche relax a bit.

'Madam, you're doing well' he said smiling at me 'you're almost there'

Another round of pain swept through my body and I could hardly think straight again, I just kept screaming and pulling my hair and shouting the words 'Ewo! Ewo!! Ewo oh!!!'

I made a mental note to flog this child after she was born because of the stress she was allowing me go through. I mean I knew she wanted to come out badly but why do all these gymnastics???

It didn't take long after that, I was delivered of a beautiful girl who came out smiling and we named her Chisom.

I can't remember seeing my husband ever crying, today I saw him cry as he held his first fruit in his arms and cuddled her.
I was completely exhausted but that sight before me made me smile and for a brief moment all was right with the world.

TO BE CONTINUED...

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Dear Mr. Husband(5)

Ada story continues

January 2002

'I met an old friend today that I haven't seen in a while.

I had gone to the market to buy things for the week so I was carrying so many bags all at once and was still trying to get an okada to take me home.

The loud horn that came from a moving car made me jump on my tracks with my bags

'Who horns that loudly and persistently' I thought angrily still struggling with my bags in both hands.
I walked further and tried to flag down another okada but the driver of the car packed in front of me and stopped.

I was in no mood to speak to any man or anybody for that matter. My destination was home and the shower because the 1pm sun was not friendly one bit.

'Hello excuse me' whoever it was said.

'Excuse yourself' I said within me still fuming with anger as I was unable to get any one to relief me of my load.

I was tired

'Hello Ada!' The caller called out again

Her voice sounded familiar. Only one person she knew had that kind of high pitched soprano voice. And that would be Amaka in her class back then in University, but what was she doing here' Ada wondered.

'Hello Ada its Amaka!'
I couldn't believe my ears or my eyes. Amaka, my study group partner in school?' Wow

I dropped my bags down and called out her name.

'Amaka! Wow so good to see you.

She attempted to hug me as we normally do, but I shielded myself from it. I was too sweaty from the hot sun to accept her hug.
She was looking really good and I envied her.

'Please let me help you with your bags and drop you home' she offered.

I stay in GRA oh' I said in the hope that I would dismiss her.

She wasn't moved.

'No problem I'll drop you home.

Though I stayed in the GRA of Enugu state, I wasn't exactly proud of the one room apartment I was living in so I didn't want her coming to visit.

Why my one room apartment suddenly became a problem, I couldn't fathom. It never bothered me up until that moment.

Was I secretly comparing myself with Amaka or was I getting envious. I needed to check those negative emotions subtly creeping into my head before they get the better part of me.

I got into her car and I was welcomed by the cool air coming out form the car's air condition.

For a brief moment, I wished I was her! I wish we swap places so I could have her life. I snapped out of that moment and soon enough she we started our usual chatter good enough to distract me from myself.

Our conversation drifted from old time friends back in school to our life now to our marriages and our future.

She dropped me off at my gate and we exchanged contacts in the hope of future communications.

I wasn't sure I was going to continue the friendship because I left her that day having mixed feelings.

When Uche came home from work, I was in no mood for a conversation. I was angry at life and was getting angry at him too unknown to him.

He had not seen me like this in a while. The last time this happened was when I lost a childhood friend some months ago.

This was not the Ada he knew. Something was definitely wrong and he didn't know how to ask me what it was

'What's the matter Ada' he asked obviously perplexed with my unusual silence.

'Nothing' I replied 'How was work today?' I manage to say hoping to take his attention away from me.

He didn't know what to do.
He tried to touch me, but I was irritated at his touch and the mere sight of him.

I knew I needed to snap out of that mood,but I felt helpless. The more I tried, the more I went down below.

'Was Amaka right?' I kept on pondering and turning the conversation we had over and over again in my head.

'What was I to do?' I felt so confused.

Uche tried so hard to get me to talk or at least be lively.
He tickled me. he made a cup of tea for me and even attempted to go outside and buy me my favorite snack. But I wasn't in the mood for any of those so I politely refused and told him I needed to be left alone.

He obliged and left me to my self$

I needed answers. I really admired Amaka's life so maybe I was just plain envious of where she was.

She offered some suggestions that looked valid, but I didn't know if to act on it because it worked for her.

I needed to talk with someone desperately before I act and regret that I did.

Exerting myself in something else always helps me to blow off steam and so I got up to do that.

My library had been in disarray for a while now, it needed to be put in order I got to work doing that.

The whole place was in a mess, my bad mood didn't make it look any better. I went to work putting things in their rightful places.

After about 30 minutes into my self induced task I saw a small magazine lying careless on the floor. I picked it up to find out if it was worth saving or throwing away.

It turned out to be the former.

The magazine was titled 'Couples issues and answer.

I put my cleaning towel aside and sat on a chair in the library as I flipped through the pages of the magazine.

I couldn't believe my luck as the first thing the author said was a story about a time in her Marriage life when she was angry at her husband and was secretly hating her marriage. She has been married for thirty years as at the time the magazine was written to the same man so I knew she had something to say.

I continued reading it. This really was going to be my answer afterall.

The author continued saying that she had to pause and ask her self what the root cause of her predicament was that made her feel that way.

And she discovered it was birthed out of envy. Seeing her 'mates' doing better than her and looking so successful while she was seemingly stock in one place.

Those words were like a light bulb to the state of my heart.

She was right! I was envious of Amaka and wanted to have what she had. This inturn made me feel like the things I had were not good enough.

I continued reading the author's story and she concluded by saying that no matter how much we envied other people's life, we could never be them.

We were all called to achieve separate things and the key to finding fulfillment did not lie in being somebody else or having what they possessed but finding your purpose and fulfilling it.

That was my answer!

Amaka had suggested that I put pressure on my husband to get me plenty fine things of life.
And that if I did that, he would look for ways to work harder and get me those things. That was what she claimed she did and her husband had no choice but to use whatever means he could to provide for her.
She didn't even know the source of all his income all she knew was she asked for things and her man gave it to her.

I wasn't Amaka! I had her own life so she wasn't going to do what she did. I had her answer now!
I knew what i would do.

First was to take Amaka's contact off her phone! She was obviously a going to be a bad influence in her life if she continued to keep her as a friend.

I continued reading the magazine and some other contributors said the marriage union was meant to have a united front and nothing or no one should be able to break that unity.

I had allowed my little episode to come between me and my Uche.

I needed to make amends. I needed to come out clean and let him know what transpired earlier on.
I needed to apologize.

Uche had already retired to the bedroom and was reading a novel.
I got down to my birthday suit and slid under the sheets with him.
I told him all that happened and the reason for my sad attitude earlier on!

We made up after that and I was determined that nothing was going to come in between us ever again. I didn't need to have what Amaka had to know that I was blessed beyond measure to be married to my very handsome Uche!

TO BE CONTINUED...
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