CHOICE

36

The door bell goes the second time and Stella runs down the stairs putting on a purple body hug gown and barefooted. She moves towards the door and opens it wide before screaming in excitement as she sights the person at the door.
   She closes the door after her as she urshers a plum looking lady who has the same facial features as herself into the living room. She points at a green couch, "Please take your seat. I really have missed you so much." She gushes.
  "Thanks sis. I have missed you too. Where's your husband?"
The color suddenly drains from her face as her expression turns sour.
"He went to their house."
"He didn't take you along?"
  "If he had would you have met me at home?"
  "That's true anyways." Jessica replies her eyes tracing Stella who is now at the entrance of the kitchen. She turns her head back to face the dead television.
"Your skin is glowing oo." She compliments as Stella returns with a pack of orange juice and two cups.
"Is that a joke?" Stella asks laughing out loud.
"I'm serious oo."
"Hmm. Keep on deceiving me."
    "Why should I do that?"
"I should ask you that question. Why should you deceive me? She takes a seat beside her.
  "You know I'm not deceiving you na. How does it feel to be married?"
  "I used to think marriage was heavenly feeling. This stuff is...... I don't even know." She let's out a sigh.
"Sis..... Stop lying to yourself. What else do you want? I'm happy, you're rich and comfortable."
   "I didn't get married for those. Despite his attitude during the courtship period I still had this hope that all will be well and I kept on keeping on. Do you think it's easy to be with someone that doesn't even care about you?"
  "Ah! That one is a big lie. Do you lack anything?"
"Well I'm not lacking anything."
"So why are you complaining about lack of care?"
"Is that your definition of care?"
   "Well, what else do you need as it's definition?"
"Really? Jessica? When our parents were alive did you feel comfortable around them?"
"Of course. They're our parents after all. They looked after us well, showered us with love even though they had limited, they give it all to us."
  "Exactly! That's what I'm driving at. They showered us with love and affection. They had time for us." She starts.
  "I have none of that here. I'm just trying my best to hold on. For your sake actually. That's it. If not for you, do you think I can keep keeping on here?"
  "I'm sorry sis. But my education is important."
"I know it is. But I'm not a lazy person. Who said I can't afford it? I can go out into the streets and work for your education. I can do it. But no, Zephaniah doesn't even want me to work. This stuff is feeling like a cage. He wants to impress his mother but he doesn't care about my own feelings."
  "I don't know what to say."
   "Just tell me to go ahead and do something that makes me happy. That's all I need from you. It's not easy Jessy. Since about two weeks now, he has been going to his parents' place to eat dinner. The only thing I cook and he eats is breakfast. Why? He only takes melon seed vegetables and I can't cook them."
  "Learn them then."
   "Will you teach me?"
"How? We both know I can't do a lot of cooking."
   "Then just stick with the fact that I'm putting up with this for just two months more and pulling out if there's no improvement. You had better relay that to him as usual."
   "Stella?"
"Yes Jessica. I'm tired of doing things to hurt myself in the name of pleasing people. If you love me like I do, you will let me make myself happy. Thanks sis. When are you staying till?"
  "I'm leaving now." Jessica rises up to her feet and picks up her bag.
     "Are you annoyed?"
  "It's not like you care."
"Well I do. Take care of yourself dear." Stella wishes escorting her to the door.
    "Yeah." The younger lady mutters and opens the door.
   "Bye!" Stella shouts and locks the door after her.
She slumps on a nearby chair and groans.
"I have to learn to do things for myself. Zephaniah isn't ready to learn."

Will Mrs Chuks allow this dissolve? But wait, is it just me or Zephaniah actually has no interest in his home. He's just concerned with pleasing his mother. And isn't Mrs Chuks supposed to query him for coming around to eat at their home for two weeks when he has a wife?? Some mothers actually encourage this and it's totally wrong oo. Let's be sincere with ourselves. Your son is married and you still expect him to tell you certain things. Are you his wife???? It is well sha. I can hear someone ask after bro Zechariah. He's doing well jare. I just wanted us to have a peek into Zephaniah's marriage ni oo. For every woman out there living in a loveless marriage may the Lord intervene. It is well in Jesus mighty name 🙏🙏. Here in Nigeria, gubernatorial election is going on. For Nigerians how's it going over there?? This place is peaceful. I hope it's peaceful till the end of today. Security is extra tight and they're serious with movement restrictions. I'm writing from Ogun State. Where do you stay? How's it there?
This chapter is dedicated to gracious-writes thanks for the follow 🤗

Yours in Ink; Bethel ™