With Sunmola Olowookere
|
Why would a beautiful woman live a reclusive life? Every one wonders why she lives. She does not fraternize with anyone in our neighbourhood. Though she is polite, but her reservation is very obvious. She comes home from work and stay indoor till the next morning.

What residents don’t know is that she is an unhappy woman. Therefore, this edition is about the sad ending to a union that started with love and affection. Why do love go sour in relationships? Why do people who vowed to love and cherish one another till death separate them turn around to be bitter enemies?

It can only be the devil…… one will be forced to conclude.

Omolayo is a fair complexioned beautiful and young lady in her early thirties. Her beauty drew men to her like moths to a flame.

Coupled with her beauty, she was also charming and engaging before her fall from  grace. At her place of work, her male coworkers were her best buddies while the most of the female employees stay aloof as they declare her too full of herself ànd flirty.

However, she doesn’t allow any of this to discourage her as unknown to those envying her, she was already down and she was determined not to allow anything or anyone pull her down more than she was already.

She had been separated from her husbànd for two years now. Though she would be the last person to admit it but she was lonely.

She lived in her parents’ house and her mother did everything to make her happy but underneath her gaiety, she was dreadfully unhappy.

Her husband whom she had loved ànd given her youth to had thrust her aside like a used rag over mere rumour and suspicion.

She met her husband, Olumide when she was in the Federal Polytechnic, Ado-Ekiti, Ekiti state. He was a bit older than she was. He was mature and he was working then so he was able to properly take care of her. It was a heady one year as he wooed her and won over her heart.

It was not just the money that attracted her to him, she was quick to point out to those among her coursemates that teased her that she loved him not only for his money.

Olumide was a total departure from her male school mates who were bumbling, immature boys compared to his immaculate, cool, calm personality.

Immediately after her National Diploma at the polytechnic, they began to prepare for their wedding for the end of the year. The two families were happy at the union and the wedding was planned to be an elaborate one as the husband was a prince.

They got married in an elaborate ceremony amidst much funfare. It was a lovely ceremony that had her friends a little bit teary eyed and green with envy.

Down to smallest details, the expensive event planner that was engaged for the event paid the utmost attention. It was a huge success.

For a long time afterwards, people still talked about the wedding program.

They started their married life. As soon as they got married, Olumide changed. He became less understanding than he was during courtship. Now when he saw her with a man, he began to feel uneasy and querulous. It was a frightening development for Omolayo as she discovered that her gentleman husband could turn to a hot headed brute when he was riled.

she stopped seeing most of her friends as she believed that her husband possessiveness stems from feelings of inadequacy.

He felt that he was too lucky to have authorityover such a pretty girl and at the slightest feeling that his winsome prize is slipping out of his fingers, he becomes violent.

One day, it got to a head. One of her colleagues at work was having a baby christening so she went.

After the program, there was a slight drizzle which persisted for hours. This made one of her colleagues to offer her a ride in his car so she would not be drenched. She was engulfed with mixed feelings. On one hand, she was grateful for the offer because her husband had earlier informed her that he would be busy and would not be able to pick her from the christening.

On the other hand, she felt uneasy as her husband had earlier warned her not to allow any man give her a ride. She thought within herself he would understand the situation as it was raining and she consoled herself that he might not be back yet.

However, he was already home as she alighted from her colleagues’ car. Though they both greeted him, he did not acknowledge their greetings.

He turned to his wife and asked brusquely “I have been calling you for some time now, why are you not picking your calls and who is this that brought you home?”

She was flustered at the attack and she faced her husband in irritation ” you are embarrassing me now. This is my colleague who brought me home. You could have let us discuss this later “

Before she could finish her words, a resounding slap landed on her cheeks. Her colleague gasped in shock while she recoiled in disbelief.

Her colleague tried to intervene “please, gentleman, take it easy. It has not come to that now”.

The husband turned his angry eyes on him ” please, mind your business. I will also appreciate it if you will leave my house this minute.”

The man looked at the poor wife who was still holding her cheek in her palms. At her mute appeal that he should let things be, he reluctantly left.

She went inside without another word. Her husband’s anger now seemed to have abated and he made a poor stab at an apology. Omolayo’s mind was whirling and churning with different kind of thought. “Am I not in trouble now?”

“Have I not married wrongly?”

“Is this how we will continue?”