MY HUSBAND AND I (Part 3)

Lara’s phone rang waking her up rudely from her nap. She squinted at
her phone’s screen-
‘Mummy’ was all she could see.
“Hello?” she said in a sleepy voice.
“Iwo omo buruku yi, what on earth is your problem?” Funke -her
mother screamed into her ears.
“Mummy, is anything the problem?” she rubbed her eyes.
“Nonsense!” came her mother’s reply.
“People use what they have to get what they want in life, is anything
wrong if I give my only daughter out to a rich family?” She sounded
aggressive.
Lara glanced at her phone screen again in terror, before placing it
back to her ear.
“Mummy, If I did something wrong, just tell me…” she began to say
softly.
“Do I need to remind you of your deeds? You’ve become disrespectful,
you no longer cook for your husband, you’re even threatening to leave
your matrimonial home!” her mother queried.
“But..mum…”
“No buts, so gbo? Rubbish! And let me remind you, don’t just come to
my house if your husband divorces you due to your stubbornness.” her
mother shouted again.
Lara bit her lower lip.
“Mum….”
the line went dead.
She stared at her phone in silence, what kind of life is this? Tony had
told her mother fake stories about her. How can her mother be this
selfish? She pondered.
“Hello…” Tony intoned behind her.
She turned sharply, her eyes widened, how did he get there?
“So are you ready to turn a new leaf?” he wore a mischievous smile.
She pursed her lips, fidgeting at her dress.
“Go make me a mug of choco.” he ordered walking out of her room.
She swallowed hard, she felt her heart split. She ran her fingers
gently on her chest.
“It’s well, I’ll survive, somehow, anyhow, one day, it’ll be over.” she
whispered to herself as she fought to keep back tears.
...
Lara wiped her hands on her apron, she pushed the flask of food
away from her, before proceeding to peel some plantains.
Tony had called her earlier, to make a meal for two, as he was
bringing a guest home.
Whoever the guest was? She shrugged.
She began setting the table when the door bell rang, she rushed to
open it.
“Welcome” she said as Tony brushed past her.
She turned to look at the guest, she almost mistook the guest to be a
male.
“Good day.” Lara said softly.
The guest was wearing a trouser suit, she was masculine, her hair cut
very low. If not for the earrings, she could be called a male.
“Hy,” the guest said coldly.
“Errm, Sophy, have a seat, make yourself comfortable..” Tony began to
say.
“Not so fast, won’t you introduce me to her?” the guest said with a
low laugh.
“Well…okay…, Sophy, meet my Illiterate wife- Lara, errrm, Lara meet
my cutie pie-Sophia.” he chuckled.
Sophia laughed out loud.
“Well Lara, I’ve heard a lot about you…” she extended her hand for a
shake.
Lara shook her head in pain, she didn’t take Sophia's hand. She began
counting her toes.
“Errm, Sophy darling, lets proceed to the dining area, I believe she
should have set the table by now .” Tony led Sophia towards the
dinning room..
Lara watched them from the corner of her eyes, her eyes stung her
as tears rolled down her cheeks.
“Hmm, she cooks well…” Sophia said eating in mouth fulls.
“Oh yes! And that’s the main reason I’m still keeping her, else, she
should be in her parents house by now” Tony said loudly.
“Oh Sweerie, that was too rude…” Sophia laughed.
Lara walked lightly into her room, she went on her knees. Is this
real? She thought.
She felt she needed to talk to somebody. Her mum was out of
question, Deji isn’t in town for now. She decide to pray, though she
doesn’t believe in prayers.
“God…” she looked towards heaven.
“I know you can see all that’s happening, do I deserve such
treatments?” she sniffed.
“I have no one to talk to, nowhere to go…you are all I have now…
my father is no more…” she sobbed.
“I heard you are a father to the fatherless, don’t forsake me
O'Lord….help me dear father….” her body shook with sobs.
She laid on the hard floor, she liked its coldness, it gave her some sort
of comfort.
Tony isn’t a human being…she thought. He is either a beast or the
devil himself. He dared bring his mistress into their home…he knew
there’s nothihng she could do.