When the going gets tough...

Chapter Fifteen

And that is how a strange woman took over my home, cooking for my husband and sleeping on my matrimonial bed.  To make things worse Abel gave her the right to insult me. One evening I was in the sitting room watching a movie when they both walked in. This so called Cooky girl asked me to stand up from my seat. I just stared at her, because there were other seats in the house yet she insisted on taking mine, After taking almost everything she still want to take my seat?! What effrontery.

"Cooky there are empty seats in this big sitting room, please sit on any one of them" I answered dismissively

"I saw them before I chose this one, so stand up I want to sit"

I took a look at my husband thinking and hoping he would say something. Of course he did say something.

"You heard the lady, please stand up and let her sit, we want to watch a program together"

And without arguing I stood up and went to the visitors room which had now become my new room. 

Few minutes later I heard my husband calling out for me, so I went to him.

"I want you to take this money, go to that shop opposite this house and get us cold drinks. My baby and I are very thirsty."

I took another look at Abel,openmouthed;  I still couldn't believe its the same man I married that was doing all of this. However I collected the money and I went out to buy the drinks for them—even though there are enough cold soft drinks inside. When I came back I gave them the drinks and went back into my new room, fuming.

The sound of their loud laughter did not even let me rest. Few minutes later I heard the sound of moaning and kissing. I had to press the pillow against my head. This was too much for me to bear. Abel was making love to that whore on our matrimonial bed.
I picked a bag and I  wanted to just pack my things and leave. But then I started remembering all that mummy told me on how to be a strong woman. I fell on my bed, picked up my Bible and started reading. I cried as I read through the book of Psalm 24.

''Lord how they've increased, that trouble me, many are those that rise up against me, many there be which say of my soul. There is no help for him in God, but thou oh Lord, art a shield for me, my glory. You lift my head''

(crying) "oh Lord enough of this pains, please lift my head. Lift my head from this pain, from this shame. Lift my head oh Lord.....

I was still crying and praying when I heard him calling out my name. I quickly stood up. Wiped my tears and ran to him. They were both up from the bed and she was tieing my wrapper to her chest. This is a new wrapper that mummy bought for me and she was tieing it on her body, My husband was in boxers. I looked at them, and refused to let my tears fall before them.

"Please dear, we messed up the sheets. Kindly pack them and wash it for us please. I want it dried up so that we can use it at night. Thank you so much."

He bent and gave me a kiss on my cheeks then held her on her waist and they both laughed out of the room. I turned and watched them walk away. I wanted to break down and cry, I wanted to end everything, I wanted to fall down. But I heard the small still voice telling me. ''Be strong'' I immediately turned and packed up the sheets and went into the bathroom to wash them.

I soon became a slave in my own house. My own husband turned me into a slave. Apart from washing and cleaning the house for them. He sometimes invites me into the room to watch as he makes love to that strange woman. In all of this I remained calm and faithful and a good wife.

One evening, I heard them fighting.

"Where do you think you are going? You think you will leave now because she is back?' She was screeching loudly at this point 'You go no where" she was pointing wildly and seem in a fit

"You are very stupid. I told you before all of this that my woman is not around and that once she is back our deal is over, didnt I tell you?"

"And so what if you told me that. Listen you go no where, our deal is supposed to last for one more week. So if you think you are gonna leave me for one crazy bitch then you obviously don't know who I am" at this point I was getting crazily confused, which woman is he talking about, what woman again, isn't this the real one, what is happening?!

"Listen I will pay you off. I never knew she would return this early. I thought she would return next month, she was supposed to be away for six months but now that things are like this we have to reschedule." He reasoned placatingly

"I don't even really care whether you go to her or not, but if you must go, you will pay me my full money as agreed. Don't you think because the deal ended you will cut my money, no way!"

"Is that all? Don't worry I will pay you. But please pack up and leave. I must hurry to my baby"

I just sat in my room and listened to all my husband was saying. Referring to another woman as baby. Then it dawned on me he was talking about Marvis. No wonder he came home, the other woman was not around,Marvis travelled. No wonder indeed. I came out of the room and sat on the dining chair. I watched as Cooky packed her things from my bedroom. I watched my husband gave a large sum of cash to the girl.

"I hope we are good now?"

(smiling) "of course we are"

As she was strutting away with her bags, she suddenly turn to face me.

"I apologise for everything that happened this last few months, you must understand that am only doing business, I need the money to survive and I  have younger ones to feed. So whatever I did do not take it to heart. It's part of the job, its cones with the job description. Sorry darling...' She shrugged and throw me a kiss; then she turned to Abel,

'I wonder what you saw in that girl, what's her name again, is it Marvis or Mara? You have a good wife, a very good one at that, you have a great family, but you are destroying it with your own hands. You better realize yourself fast and stop making this good woman suffer or you will loose her to..."

"Get out of my house Cooky before I disgrace you, have I not paid you? See this cheap stake wanting to advice me. Idiot"

"I have said my own,I am clean in this matter; nothing concerns me anymore, but a word is enough"

She turned and sashayed away. Not long, Abel picked some clothes and the car keys and also left.

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