Maybe, You Will See Me Now

04

Ijeawele was on her way back from the warehouse when she received a text from her sister-in-law, Gift.

Your brother will call you. Answer him, he's not happy with you.

She stopped on her tracks and sighed. It seems so long ago that her brother was genuinely happy with her. But in reality, it was about five years ago, on her wedding day. She had recently turned eighteen when their mother, the last surviving parent, passed away from an illness. Ebenezer, her brother, far older than her in age, was already doing okay for himself in the city. He took it upon himself to take care of her and also sent her to the university. On the day of her wedding, he alone had the privilege of giving her away which she was grateful for.

Her phone started to ring and Ijeawele hesitated about answering it. The guilt on her conscience weighed on her. This was a man who'd spent all those years taking care of her. Although his words more often cut her like a dagger, it was hard for her to cut him off or stand against him. Perhaps, it was an entitlement he would forever have against her.

In the end, she gulped down, slid to answer on the screen and held the phone close to her ear.

"Awele, didn't you see any of my missed calls?" Her brother's deep voice, embellished with an authoritative and heavy sense of patriarchy pride came through.

Ijeawele has learnt over the years to be careful while speaking with him. It was her showing her respect for him.

"Good afternoon brother Ebe, I—I meant to call you back." Maybe it was a lie but a part of her always knew she would face the dance sooner than later.

"Hmm, I don't trust anything you say. In fact, I don't know or understand you anymore. You've changed so much and you don't listen to anything I say. It's like I'm nobody to you. You don't respect me."

"Brother Ebe, that's not true." Ijeawele quickly defended. He was the only one who held so much power on her. She knew, he knew it but pretends not to know that.

"Why did you go to disrupt the Amadi's ceremony?"

"That... I..." Ijeawele couldn't explain it. The truth is, she didn't have any words to explain how she felt that morning or why she eventually showed her face there. Obviously, she wouldn't be able to change anything.

Her brother on the other end, sighed. "Awele, do you remember? I warned you not to get a divorce. I told you to calm down and listen to your husband. But, still, you made your decision."

"Brother Ebe, you make it sound like you weren't aware of the reasons."

"He slapped you. Yes, many husbands do that. But you don't see or hear the wives asking for divorce."

Ijeawele's lips slightly parted and she felt the rush of anger surge through her body just as the memories became fresh in her mind once more. Her brother was doing it again. Setting aside her concerns and making little of what was actually a big issue. He had never let her talk and not once did he take her side. Even when he knew a slap wasn't the only and sole cause of her separation from her husband. She had never once during her married life, dreamt she would ever get a divorce. Now, the world, along with her brother, pin it all on her. She was done trying to clarify herself. After all, no one was ready to listen or console her.

Ebenezer cleared his throat. "Forget it. The deed has already been done. You have to go and apologize to the Amadi's"

"W-what?"

"Yes. This is for your own good. Remember we're from the same village. I don't want any further complaints from them. We've been embarrassed and humiliated enough. Go and ask them to forgive you and that you won't try such a thing ever again."