The morning sun spread across the wide expanse of Mr. Badero's sprawling palm kernel farm as his sons prepared to harvest the palm fronds. Years ago, he had inherited the farm from his father. As the only son of a man consumed by the desperate quest for male heirs, Badero had grown up under the weight of expectations. His father had married three wives, hoping to produce more sons, but all bore him daughters except for Badero's mother, who gave birth to him and three girls. "Bade!" his mother would fondly call. "Promise me you'll treat your wives better than your father treats us." "Maami," Badero would reply solemnly, "I will marry only one wife, I assure you and I'll love her no matter what children she gives me." "thank you my son," she would say, patting his head.
Badero's father, however, never saw his wives or daughters as blessings. He called his three wives barren women. "What use are daughters?" he would shout at Mama Bade, mama Fola and mama Ibidun. "Only one son? What will I do with all these useless children?" He often lashed out at Badero, burdening him with both verbal abuse and the responsibility of running the plantation. "You think you'll inherit all this just because you're my only son?" I would rather give the government than leave them for you , he would say, eyes blazing with anger.
Fearful, and obedient, young Badero learned to avoid his father's gaze. Smiles were rare in their household, and even the workers feared the old man's wrath. Despite the harsh treatment, Badero worked hard for his father, side by side with his laborers.
When his father died from an unknown illness, the household finally felt a sense of relief. The wives separated, each taking her share of the family's property, everyone just knew it was right for Bade to take after his fathers farm since he was already working there.
Apart from farming, Mr. Badero was a part time hunter. However, he was known for giving away most of his hunts to those in need. One time, he killed an antelope, but on his way home, he came across a starving family. Without hesitation, he gave them the antelope, leaving his own family with nothing.
This act of kindness didn't sit well with his wife, Funmi , "You're not the only generous person in this town," she scolded him that evening. "Do you think people will respect you for this? They're just using you!" Mr. Badero smiled softly. Funmi, my kindness is part of who I am. Isn't that one of the reasons your family chose me to marry you, Kindness or not, you have seven mouths to feed, I would have used that meat to prepare something for the children, she snapped back. "Funmi! relax!" he responded as she walked out on him. Despite her anger, Badero stood firm in his values. He loved his family and treated everyone well. Jide, his youngest son, was his favorite.
Jides birth had brought a lot of blessings into Badero 's family. His arrival was met with an outpouring of love and generosity with gifts and financial support pouring from all directions and the family's luck improved significantly. However his arrival wasn't planned, there was a six year gap between Jide and the sixth son and when Funmi had told her husband they were expecting, he had been filled with worries. Seven children felt like too much, yet when Jide was born he became a source of joy especially for the father.
Jide was however different from his brothers, he wasn't strong like them and often struggled with hard labour on the farm. Whenever the work got too much and tough, he would complain and wished he was a girl. His brothers found every opportunity to laugh at him and bully him. The eldest Tunde was the ringleader. He was a known troublemaker feared not just by his siblings but also by the neighborhood kids, whom he often bullied .The second son, Kayode, was no different from Tunde. He hated Jide because, before Jide's birth, he had been their father's favorite. The third and fourth sons, Bayo and Bimi, followed Tunde's lead in tormenting their youngest brother. Folarin and Deolu would never hurt a fly but they would laugh and make jest at whoever is being tormented by their brothers. Mr. Bade, a kind and gentle man, was often baffled by the mischievous antics of his children, especially Tunde. Although they had inherited his strong work ethics and diligence, they seemed to possess a streak of wickedness that left Mr. Bade pondering its origin. "Perhaps I'm paying for my father's sins."
Mr. Bade had always believed that raising children was about creating a nurturing environment, free from harsh words and angry outbursts. He thought that as long as he provided for the family, cared for their mother, and maintained a calm demeanor, his children would grow up to be well adjusted and respectful. Among his seven sons, Folarin and Deolu were well behaved,Jide was very innocent, rarely causing him any trouble. But he couldn't understand why the others seemed to have it in for Jide, constantly bullying and belittling him. Whenever Jide complained, Bade would reassure him that his brothers didn't mean it, that they were just trying to toughen him up as a man.
Mr. Bade's friends, including Baba Ola, would occasionally suggest that he take a second wife, insisting that it would discipline his children and bring them to order . "Once you have another wife and she has kids, your boys will behave themselves, knowing they have rivals for your attention and most importantly your property, the farm," Baba Ola would advise after their farmers' meetings. But Mr. Bade would have none of it, refusing to emulate the polygamous ways of his neighbors or, worse still, his own father, whose cruelty and heartlessness had left a lasting scar. "At least my situation is better," Mr. Bade would say. "I have seven sons, and that's more than enough for me." He cherished his monogamous relationship with his wife and the idea of a single, unified family. His commitment to his wife and children made him a role model in the community, and other women would often cite him as an example when dealing with their own husbands' infidelity.
Mr. Badero will always have my respect," Shalewa said, with her voice shaking with rage. "Despite everything, he has never humiliated his wife by bringing another woman into their home, let alone getting someone pregnant. But you, Baba Ola, have brought shame to our family and disgraced yourself and not me! She glared at her husband, her eyes blazing with anger and hurt. "You've brought disgrace to this house!" Shalewa screamed at her husband, tears streaming down her face. "You'll never have peace in this home!.You'll never bring this woman and her child into this house, Never!! she spat,with her voice filled with fury and disdain. What did I do deserve this kind of treatment from you, as Shalewa's rained curses and tears filled the air, her husband and his pregnant mistress stood frozen, unsure of how to respond to her fury.
The anguish in Shalewas voice was palpable, a heart wrenching blend of shock, pain and betrayal. She had never suspected her husband of infidelity, and the revelation that he had impregnated another woman was a devastating blow. Men will be men, Shalewa's mum murmured as she tried to comfort her daughter.
For days, Shalewa's tears flowed relentlessly, her heart shattered by her husband's betrayal. The pain was compounded by her own pregnancy, a painful reminder that she was expecting their second child. As Shalewa's anguish intensified, Bolarinwa, the woman who had insinuated herself into Mr. Binde's affections, seemed to revel in her triumph. With each of Shalewa's outbursts, Bolarinwa would whisper a mocking "cry me a river" under her breath, her eyes flashing with smug satisfaction. It's truly surprising that Mr. Binde, despite being neighbors with Mr. Badero, who has consistently demonstrated what it means to be a devoted and faithful husband, didn't seem to take a cue from his example and instead chose a very different path for himself. A path that caused endless chaos in his household.
Shalewa's labour came early. The knocking on Mr Badero's door at the dead of the night startled the Baderos awake. Funmi! Funmi!. It was mama Ranti, a midwife and also a neighbour,her voice was laced with panic and her face was drenched with sweat.