™
HUNTED
An Mma Moses mindset.
2
After my wedding, I moved in with my husband and instantly turned a new leaf as promised.
My husband lived in his own house. A very beautiful duplex. He bought me a car to be cruising around town with and I couldn't be more thankful. My darling husband is very rich. Maybe not among the top 10 richest men in Uyo but we are living very comfortably.
I go to church often, I deleted all the numbers of my male acquaintances. Both those I've slept with and those I was planning to sleep with. It's time to get responsible and be a virtuous wife.
I and my husband lived in peace. Ours was a very happy home. I became godly and closer to Rita as our relationship will lead me closer to God.
3 months later I took in. God is indeed faithful. We celebrated my pregnancy and my husband began to pamper me. Rita was also very caring and close during this period.
I was 7 months gone when Rita got married to one pastor like that and they wedded in Porthacourt. I couldn't attend because of my condition but my husband went in my place and we sent a huge amount to her as wedding gift.
My joy was complete. Rita is off the market.
2 months later I gave birth to a beautiful baby girl and we named her Iniobong (God's time) few months later, we started trying to take in again, all to no avail. We really tried. The doctors certified us healthy and fertile but until I entered menopause at the age of 44 I didn't smell pregnancy again.
My husband was more understanding and calm in phase of all of these. Our love continued to blossom and we maintained peace and love in our home.
Before I got married, I called Mr. Uche and told him never to call me again because I won't be living that kind of lifestyle anymore. I also begged him to help me tell Mr. Francis, as I couldn't reach him which he said he will. I was surprised to receive a call from Mr. Francis, after 7years of our first and last meeting.
I had no idea that he would ever call. When that call came through. It was a Nigerian number. So I picked it. When I heard his voice my hands shook. He told me he was in Uyo and needed to see me in two days after he must have seen his brother living somewhere in uyo there. I told him I was married and no longer living that life. He told me he was willing to pay 200k per night. I laughed. Dear Mr. Francis, I'm not married to a beggar. We lack nothing materially and he is the sweetest man on earth. I have a very happy home and I have no plans of messing that up. So please, go find yourself some young girls that are still in the game. You can't be calling a 44years old woman to leave her home and come and satisfy you in bed. Who does that?
He apologized, wished me well and hung up.
That evening we were having dinner when our door bell rang. My house help went to get the door and guess who walked in... Mr. Francis. I didn't recognize him immediately. It was after he and Basey hugged and Basey introduced I and Ini to him, then when we shook hands my jaw dropped in surprise. He too looked surprised but there wasn't a particular facial expression or body language showing that he recognized me. Basey asked what was wrong and I lied that I felt a sharp pain in my abdomen.
Mr. Francis was gushing over I and Ini and congratulating Basey for picking such a beautiful wife. I felt a bit relaxed thinking that Mr. Francis didn't recognize me. I will just stay out of his way until he leaves. That was my thought until I got the shocker.
Mr. Francis is Basey's step and only brother. He had told me about his brother who lives abroad. He told me alot about him but that they weren't in talking terms because of their father's will that Mr. Francis thinks Basey manipulated before he got back to Nigeria after their father's demise.
Everything started playing back. I remembered how Basey complained bitterly that he will not forgive his brother for not responding to our wedding iv later that was sent to him. God! What am I going to do?
I served him food too and he joined us on the table. Throughout the meal, he addressed me as madam or Eka Ini (Mummy Ini) he spoke to me in a very lovely and respectful manner. I was convinced that he doesn't recognize me. Of course a lot has changed in 7years.
He and my husband sat to talk around 9pm. From the look of things, it seems he has come to trash out their differences. I just can't wait for this man to leave my house and never return. Infact, I wish they never get to settle their issue, I just want them to continue fighting so that my secret will not surface one day.
I will always go to the kitchen and pretend to be busy. But, I was only eavesdropping because the kitchen is the closest place to the corner they were seated, talking.
My heart was racing nevertheless, I was uneasy and uncomfortable. Dear lord, help me preserve this family. I rather die than loose it. If you let this cup pass over me peacefully ehhhn, I will worship you like a mad woman. I will praise you for the rest of my life. I prayed.
When my husband finally came in around 11pm. I first tried to read his countenance. But, he was calm. I thanked God. Of a truth, this man didn't recognize me.
"Ima mi. Please go and show bro Francis to the guest room and see if there's anything he may need"
My heart skipped. Is he staying the night here? Oh no! I then remembered he mentioned he will be staying for 2days in his brother's place when he called me earlier.
"Ima is he spending the night?" I asked impatiently
"yes, what's wrong? You don't seem to want him around... Baby, I know his visit was impromptu and we didn't plan for it but please try and understand. When he called to say he was coming to my place in the afternoon, he didn't say he was gonna sleep over. But, he's my older brother and we have settled our differences and I want him around because I've missed him and we have a lot to catch up on. Even you will like him, ahhh, he's a very funny man"
I didn't want to argue further. But, it's a good thing that I'm going to be left alone with him for few minutes in the guest room. It's an opportunity for me to find out what he knows.
"okay Ima mi. I understand and if you want him here, I too want him here" my husband kissed and thanked me for my understanding.
When I got to Mr. Francis in the parlor he smiled at me. I took him to the guest room and asked him if he needed anything else. He said no. He was being too polite and formal with me and that relaxed my mind completely. There's no need to panic. God has wiped my face off his memory. When I got into our room that night, I praised God in a different way.
By morning I decided to act as if nothing was wrong. But, at the sight of Mr. Francis I melted. Guilt set in, fear set in, uncertainty and the likes. It was obvious that I feel sick whenever I see him. I keep flashing back to all the shameless things I did for 5 whole days with Mr. Francis, the worst was that he passed me like a football to his wealthy friend Mr. Uche.
"Ima, I've been noticing that you don't like my brother. You don't feel comfortable whenever he's around you. What's going on?"
Ahhh, I'm a terrible actress ooo.. I can't even pretend convincingly. But I am not a bad liar at all but what reason can I possibly give to Basey now. I was still thinking of an excuse when Basey gave me one.
"is it because of all that I told you about him in the past? Look my darling, I have forgiven him. He has realised his mistake and has come back. You're the one who always preach forgiveness. So please stop feeling bad. Open your heart to him"
I simply nodded and apologized to my husband. God is just saving me. But, I need to do better. I need to relax.
After breakfast, Basey left for the office, he was supposed to go with Mr. Francis, but he claimed he was too tired from his trip yesterday. As always, Basey helped me drop Ini off to school. I wasn't gonna leave the house to work that day until 1am when my appointment was scheduled for. As soon as Basey and Ini left I instructed the house maid to attend to Mr. Francis needs, I ran inside my room and locked the door. I planed to stay away from Mr. Francis for as long as he will be staying.
Around 10am someone knocked on the door. It was Mr. Francis. I buckled up, exhaled thrice and opened the door for him. My heart pounced. I tried to guess what he was there for from his expression but failed.
He walked slowly towards me, I began to move backwards until I reached the wall. He leaned over, his forehead touching mine, using his body to cover the space between us. He grabbed my butt. I slapped his hands off and pushed him away.
There were so many questions in my head. Is this man usually like this or he recognized me?
He smiled sheepishly and stamped his feet twice on the floor as if angry.
"Enem. What a world. This world is such a global village. Enem"
My eyes flicked. My heart escaped through my mouth. I shaa thank God that he didn't say anything in presence of my husband. I will try and convince him now to leave quietly.
"Enem, my slut, Enem, public latrine. Enem, my 5days adventure. The sure sex plug. Enem, the fire dancer, the flexible girl who smoked and did all manner of drugs to feel okay. Enem, the... "
"that's enough Mr. Francis"
"I wanted to go on incase you would pretend not to know who I am. Oh, I see you think I don't recognize you. You think I'm a fool?... You really caught a big good fish this time. Basey has always been naive. I'm sure you would be sleeping around under his nose"
"I am not. Mr. Francis. Whatever happened between us was in the past"
"past? Do you not know that your past determines you present and your present determines your future. Young lady, Your actions of today impacts your reactions of tomorrow positively or negatively. So don't tell me past as if it's okay for you to misbehave today with the hope that once the day breaks into another everything will be wiped off as if it never happened"
"I am not proud of my actions. I didn't know any better then... I wish I could turn back the hands of time"
"that last line is the most ridiculous statement people make. Everyone in life knows he or she can't turn back the hands of time, which is why we should live right at every given moment. Atleats do what is morally right. Not after committing all kinds of irredeemable sins you now want to turn back the hands of time as if you didn't know it is impossible"
So what are you going to do now, destroy my marriage?"
"if I wanted to, I would have done that since yesterday. I didn't say anything because I needed to talk to you first to know if you've changed or not before I decide on what to do. That's why I tried to grab you here right now"
"I have changed. I can swear with my life that I've never cheated on your brother and will never do that"
"oh please Enem. You know what they say; once a slut is always a slut. You did many despicable things because of money. You even allowed yourself to be passed down to another man like an ancient stool all because of money. Mr. Uche told me how you rocked him real good"
"don't judge me Mr. Francis. Do you think I don't deserve to be happy because I lived a very wayward life style as a single girl. What about you? We did what we did together"
"yes, but I'm a man, and I wasn't the one who was passed down to another man like a sack of used clothes. You didn't even ask to meet Uche first before you jumped on the offer. I know someone must have advised you when you were jumping up and down but you refused to listen, I know you must have seen or heard or watched in a movie or even read in a book. But you people thinks that movies and books are mere stories that doesn't happen anywhere. Not knowing that no matter how fictitious a book or story line is, it's someone's reality and could be yours too. We don't know that every action we take, good or bad has a repercussion and look at ours before us. I just feel so bad for Basey for ending up with a woman like you"
"so because I'm a woman, I deserve to suffer for my past and my sins. While a man should go scut free. So the reward for sin is now gender based. Mr. Francis, after all these years abroad you still think in the box?" he just laughed and gazed at me in disbelief.
"Basey is happy. I've been a good wife to him and I will continually be. You being a man doesn't make you any less guilty in this situation"
"you can't fault me much young woman. No you can't. Don't think that I love Basey any less just because we are not often in agreement on so many matters. If I catch you, or if I hear, I will make sure you smell your anus. You better be telling the truth that you've changed, don't teach Ini that lifestyle"
"I have told you that I've changed. Did I not decline to come and service you even before you walked through that door. Mr. Francis don't put me in that box please. I am a good woman. Despite my waywardness in the past, I have made amends. Don't blackmail me emotionally"
"oh no, I won't do that. I was just warning you"
"please sit down"
He sat
"I am not proud of the kind of lifestyle that I lived. But I promise you, I have completely changed and I am a good Christian now. Please let this stay in the past. I love my husband so much and cannot loose him. So please spare my marriage. Let this stay in the past where it belongs. Please I beg you sir"
He exhaled.
"I have no plans of telling anyone. Like I said before, I was just concerned for my brother. But since you have assured me, I will forget that we ever acquainted. Thank God I don't live here in Nigeria. You too needs to relax. Your expression and body language around me is so suspicious"
Just then, the door opened and Basey walked in, I and Mr. Francis were so in shock that we didn't know when we held each others hand to support ourselves from falling.
Basey looked calm. But there was a fire of rage lit in his eyes.
My people, e don be for me oooo
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