Now, I hastily walked back to the kitchen to check the food without waiting for a response.
However, he stood there confused as he watched me walk back to the kitchen.
'Why would she bother to reheat the food under this circumstance? The food got cold as a result of my returning late. Yet, she took the pain to do that.'
He thought to himself. Meanwhile, the food was his favorite. Potatoes from Jos, Plateau State, North Central of Nigeria, which most Nigerians preferred to call Irish Potatoes. As for my husband, it was Jos Potatoes or, better still, Berom Potatoes. His first encounter with it was when his uncle, who lived in Jos, brought it to the village. The uncle was fondly called 'Uncle Jos' and as such the potato was named after him.
If only he knew the pains I took to get that, as it was not the season and not even sold in the neighborhood. In my opinion, no matter the situation, he needed to eat because he might be starving and would not joke with his precious 'Jos potatoes'. Then, as a man, he managed to walk to the bedroom. To his benumb, the bed was neatly dressed, and that shocked him more than slapping me. Now, he knew that I had been awake and patiently waiting for his return.
'What have I done to myself? She had been awake and just waiting for me.'
He thought. However, he was aware that it was not a crime if he claimed that he had the best family any man would wish for, judging from his polygamous background. Likewise, he was aware of the love that the children and I have for him and would do our best to make him happy. Now, the love was about to become a history if he did not keep his temper under control. Besides, it was nobody's fault that he had a problem in the office, at least, I did not contribute to that. Then he mumbled.
“Why am I…”
“Your food is ready. Do you want me to bring it to the room, or should I leave it on the dining table?”
I inquired as I interrupted his thought when I walked into the bedroom.
“I will prefer the dining table.”
He replied while rushing to the bathroom for a shower and to enable him to conceal the tears that were already gathering in his eyes.
Subsequently, he took a quick shower, came out of the bathroom and saw me sitting on the chair by the reading table. He hated the sight; seeing me sitting like a slave in my matrimonial home. Besides, the television was not on, and I was just sitting there like a moron. Incidentally, my husband was aware that I hardly eat nor sleep alone. When the kids were younger, I shared the bed with them whenever he was out of town.
'It is possible that she had not had her dinner either. Anyway, the children were around, so she must have eaten with them.'
He concluded to calm himself.
Then, he quickly dressed up and left for the dinning, while I sat wondering what to do next to restore the peace in our home by reassuring him that I still love him and bring him out of his shell.
Subsequently, he had his meal quietly, and before I walked to the parlor to keep him company, he was almost done with the food, an indication that he was starving. Thereupon, he muttered his appreciation after he ate the last piece of food but refused to spend a second on the dining table as he left for the bedroom, immediately. Then, I cleared the table and joined him in our room, which was the biggest room in the four bedroom duplex meant for every Management Staff of The Blue Sea Oil and Gas Group. Although, we slept in the same bed that night, but like two strangers.
Now, Saturdays were usually sexing, resting and happy day for the family. It was always fun, especially when we had to visit friends and relations. In most cases, the family often go out for shopping or visit the cinema, but that weekend was different because the family was not together. We did not even remember our love life, which was always rekindled on Saturdays with exciting love making.
Now, the children could feel the coldness in the atmosphere. It was not as lively as it used to be because daddy had been aloof.
After the breakfast that morning, I busied myself with the laundry. Then, the children, George 18 and Lilian 16, joined me in the kitchen. We were chatting and doing our house chores as we attempted to be as happy as possible. However, Lilian brought up the story of the New Senior Prefect who visited their class to pass information. On entering the classroom, as it was the custom, the Junior students were expected to rise to their feet and greet the Almighty Senior Prefect.
“Class Stand; greet.”
The Class Captain shouted.
“Good Afternoon Senior, Elvis.”
Chorused the students while standing.
To their astonishment, Senior Elvis, who was just appointed the School Captain the previous day and was beginning his first assignment with her class, was taken aback by the show of respect. Then, he ran out of the class at the speed of lightening.
“Amateur Senior Prefect.”
George teased.
We laughed aloud, ignoring the person, my husband, who chose to be aloof.
Now, Evans, who was alone in the big sitting room, was not doing anything in particular. He gazed at the television, but was not following the program. As a matter of fact, he could not tell what program was on air. All he knew was that he was sitting in the front of a big screen with motion pictures. Suddenly, he remembered that he left his handset in the bedroom after his call with his Estate Manager, and he went for it, hoping that he must have missed some calls.
'No one called.'
He wondered. Quite unlike before, his colleagues would have called to check on him.