That morning, my husband David came to pick me at the airport. He was dry faced and tensed, very unusual. Other times, David would be so excited to come pick me, he would kiss me and hug me passionately, but now, everything became different. “You kept me waiting for hours in there.” I said, gazing angrily at him. “Don’t tell me it’s traffic honey, today is Saturday.” “I am sorry, I had to pick the kids from summer lessons, and then rush to church to counsel a few couples.”He said soothingly. “you now prepare the kids for school, What happened to Ifeoma? she is the kids nanny.” “And you are the Kids mom!” He Screamed suddenly. “you’ve been away from your family for 5months Ekom, the kids don’t even talk about you anymore.” David deliberately slowed his breathing in a bid to calm himself down. I was silent for a while. my lips quivered, but David ignored that he saw tears glistening in my eyes. Catching his eyes as he tried to look at me, I sensed a shiver of unease go through him. He was right, I was away from my family for four months or more, I had women’s conference and hundreds of women to mentor in Houston. It was a moment I didn’t want to miss. Then I broke the silence; “what of Ifeoma?” David looked uncertain. “she fell ill, so I asked her to go see Doctor Dennis.” We were both quiet until we got home. I sat on my bed now, I slipped off my slippers and sank my feet into rug and decided to keep them sunk in so that my toes would feel cushioned. So that a part of me would feel safe. “mummy!” my daughter screamed, breathing deeply. She smuggled into my arms and I grabbed her tight to myself. “where is your sister?” I whispered into her ears. “she is sleeping.” Not long I heard tiny foots running along the corridor that led to my room. “mummy, mummy…” She jumped on me and kissed me on my cheeks, leaving me in the sweet comfort of motherhood. They looked so healthy and chubby. “what has aunty Ifeoma and Daddy been feeding you with?” “Golden morn and banana porridge!” they chorused shrilly. “Mummy, Church people said that you are no longer daddy’s wife.” My first daughter Teye said, her eyes became sad. Deep and sad. “Aunty Ifeoma Now sleeps in daddy’s room.” Mfon the youngest said. My heart jumped, I knew at that moment, that there were stories In their eyes that I was yet to know. I was still devastated with the thoughts of Ifeoma and my husband David. After I watched the kids sleep, I strolled into the kitchen to make myself a cup of tea. Just after I poured the milk in a mug, I felt someone was in the kitchen too. I looked back, quickly surprised. “Welcome madam.” She said, almost stuttering. I slowly poured the hot water from the flask into the mug, stirred it a bit and sipped. Then I noticed a protruded stomach, she had tried to cover it with her handbag. “Are you pregnant Ifeoma? you look it.” I asked in a soft tone. Her expression was in earnest. “Yes madam, didn’t pastor tell you? I am pregnant for him, we are expecting a child.” Her voice had a tremor in it, even though her face was bold and firm. Her words were like the score of a sharpened blade across my heart. I sensed the wound gape open even before she’d finished speaking. “You were sleeping with my husband while I was away?” “I am sorry madam, I think pastor is in the best place to answer that question. it was an agreement.” She said calmly and walked out of the kitchen, making a flappy sound with her shoes. I stood there for moments like a mannequin, the tea cup in my hands, and then my eyes right at the door. The sound of my ringing tone, brought me back from the shock I had. “Hello Ekom?” “Yes Lizzy.” I responded with a sigh of relieve. “Thank God I have been able to reach you, I have been dialing your American lines but not going through.” she sounded a bit terrified. “well, I am back in Nigeria now. I came in this morning. Is everything fine?” “Not at all, pastor brought your girl for maternity scan at my clinic last weekend. What’s that her name again?” “Ifeoma?” “Iyaaa, Ifeoma. I was shocked to see her all over him like they were lovers. What is happening?” Tears rolled down my eyes as Lizzy went on talking about things that went on while I was away. Something flared deep in my eyes, but my lips remained sealed. I was stricken silent, but the thud of my heartbeat sounded like cannon fire in my ears.


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