The Marriage Battle

Read Story: SEASON 1 EPISODE 15

Ayo: ‘Mami I have heard and I will do as you say’ he said and left the sitting room. When he got to his room, he met Adaobi who was all tears, he rushed to her and asked ‘what is wrong and why are you crying?

Adaobi: Sweetheart, My father has been hospitalized.

Ayo: How and why? What happened to him and since when?

Adaobi: This morning sweetheart, My uncle called me that my father was seen unconscious in his room since they tired waking him up which was so unusual and he was rushed to the hospital where they are attending to him at the moment. It seems that I will have to go and be by his side.

Ayo: Thinking about what his mother just told him said ‘there is no point for you to go there now since it is already late and the helper who is to take care of things while you’re away, is she still there?

Adaobi: Yes she is still there and my brother is also with them in the hospital.

Ayo: Your Uncle, Brother and the helper are still with him, there is nothing you can do except pray on his behalf and let the doctors do their job.

Adaobi: But sweetheart, I am very sure my father will need me by his side, it is better that I go and stay with him.

Ayo: There is no point darling, Chigozie and his brother are there and if they need any food or anything, the helper will take care of that. You will do nothing when you go there, its best you stay here and be calling them from time to time.

Adaobi: I am his daughter Ayo, no daughter will be happy staying far from his father while he is ill and even if I stay here, I will not be myself for I do not want anything to happen to him.

Ayo: Nothing will happen to him, he will pull through, you do not need to worry and besides, Kunle and I need you here.

Adaobi: Looking at him with tear filled eyes said ‘Okay, I will do as you have said’.

Ayo: Good and tomorrow, I will write a check of 500,000 naira that you will send to them for his treatment.

Adaobi: Thanks Sweetheart, I don’t know what I would have done without you.

Ayo: ‘That’s what family is for and besides, he is my father too’ he said smiling.

The following morning, as Ayo was about to go to work, Mami came to him.

Mami: Errmm Ayo, is everything alright because I haven’t seen Adaobi leaving her room.

Ayo: Yes Mami, everything is alright except that my wife told me last night that her father has been admitted in the hospital and she has been worried sick since then. She hasn’t been herself.

Mami: Really! Did you call to confirm if it is true?

Ayo: Yes Mami, I did call and confirm the news and it is true. When I called Yesterday and early hours of this morning, they said they are still in the hospital and they needed some cash.

Mami: Who did you talk to?

Ayo: I spoke to chigozie my wife’s brother and their Uncle, Mr Emenike.

Mami: Are you sure that the man is really sick?

Ayo: Mami please don’t start, I thought I told you that he is admitted.

Mami: Okay, fine. How much do they need?

Ayo: They didn’t really state the amount but I wrote a cheque of 500,00 naira for my wife to send to them.

Mami: 500 What?

Ayo: 500,000 naira and why are you shouting?

Mami: Why won’t I shout Ayo, why won’t I shout? 500,000 naira for ordinary Malaria, have you gone mad?

Ayo: Mami please, I do not have time for this your talk this morning.

Mami: how would you have the time when they have given you igbo witch to chop? How will you have the time?

Ayo: Mami please, don’t start.

Mami: Will you shut up and listen to me. Since I came here, have you given me up to 300,000 naira not to talk of 500,000 naira?

Ayo: Mami, this one is health matter and he is my wife’s father.

Mami: and I am your mother, have you given us such an amount even when we were ill?

Ayo: Mami, you are always with me here and I look after you but she doesn’t have her father always with her.

Mami: and so, is that why you want to run dry because of them?

Ayo: I am not complaining Mami.

Mami: and I am. I wonder how much she will ask next time when you have given her so much amount already.

Ayo: Let me worry about that Mami please and stop already.

Mami: Be here and be doing osho free, She will soon ask for another money and before you know it, all her family members will come here and be living. They will eat your money and suck you dry. Don’t say I didn’t warn you ohhh. Use your tongue and count your teeth while you still can.

Ayo: ‘I have heard Mami’ he said, entered his car and drove off.

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Adaobi: ‘Hello Chigozie, how is Papa’ she asked as soon as he picked the call.

Chigozie: Papa is sleeping now.

Adaobi: Have they found out what is really wrong with him?

Chigozie: No sister Adaobi, they are still running some test.

Adaobi: Okay, am about to go to the bank to deposit some money into your bank account for his treatment.

Chigozie: Okay sister. I will be expecting the money then.

Adaobi: How is Papa health, is he okay, can he talk, walk, sit or stand? Do you think this thing has anything to do with his diabetes?

Chigozie: I don’t know sister, I can’t really tell until the doctor tells us what is wrong. When are you coming?

Adaobi: Ermm I don’t know for now, I will be calling you from time to time. Is Uncle Emenike there?

Chigozie: Yes.

Adaobi: Give him the phone and let me talk to him then ‘Hello Uncle, good morning’.

Emenike: Where is the money for there is nothing good about the morning if we don’t have it.

Adaobi: Uncle, I am on my way to the bank as I am speaking with you to deposit the money in Chigozie’s account.

Emenike: and what is wrong with Depositing the money in my own account? Do you know that I have been here since last night waiting and hoping for my brother to be treated and get better.

Adaobi: I was thinking it’s okay to send the money to his account and you can collect it from him from time to time.

Emenike: Bia Adaobi, are you trying to insult my personality here, your father, my brother is my responsibility and my concern. What do you mean you will send the money to chigozie a child and I will be collecting it when I need it?

Adaobi: ‘I am sorry Uncle; I didn’t mean to sound in a rude way. I will send the money to you immediately, just send me your account details’ she said and hung up the call.

Mami: Adaobi! Adaobi come now for I want to talk to you.

Adaobi: Good morning Mami.

Mami: Eh! Eh! Don’t Mami me, so you and your people have decided to suck my child dry abi?

Adaobi: What do you mean Mami and who is sucking who dry?

Mami: You and your entire family members have decided to suck my son dry abi?

Adaobi: Mami, please I am not ready for your drama this morning.

Mami: Will you shut up your mouth, so you think I don’t know that my son gave you 500,000 naira for ordinary malaria treatment abi?

Adaobi: Mami it is not for Malaria treatment and what is wrong with my husband giving me some money?

Mami: Everything is wrong with it Adaobi, everything. After this money he has given you, who knows how much he will give to you the next time.

Adaobi: There won’t be a next time Mami, I pray there won’t be.

Mami: And then you bring all your family members to come and live here?

Adaobi: Mami, you have your son with you always and I do not have my father with me here always, why do you hate my family so much?

Mami: ‘Because you and your people are going to be his downfall and I won’t let that happen even if it is the last thing I do on this earth’ she said and walked away.

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Evening

Ayo: What is going on here and whose bag are packed?

Adaobi: they are mine sweetheart, I am leaving first thing tomorrow morning to go and see my father and probably stay there for a couple of days.

Ayo: Really! And have you asked if I am okay with that decision you made?

Adaobi: He is my father Ayo, not some stranger.

Ayo: I know and I thought I gave you some money today for his treatment.

Adaobi: this isn’t about money, my father needs me with him and I am going to him tomorrow.

Ayo: I know he is your father and you have people to take care of him over there, why don’t you relax yourself and be patient?

Adaobi: There is no one or anybody that can take care of my father better than I do. Ayo, what is wrong with you and why are you so adamant on me not going to see my sick father?

Ayo: I know he is your father and I know that you love him so much but I don’t see any reason why you should go there tomorrow or anytime soon.

Adaobi: Why are you saying this?

Ayo: Live your father alone for he has people that will take care of him, you are not his only child.

Adaobi: I can’t believe you just said that to my face Ayo, what has come over you?

Ayo: Because you have a new family. I and our child should be your main priority not your father.

Adaobi: Ayo, my father is sick and this could be his last moment on earth, let me go and see him please.

Ayo: ‘You have a new family here and you should concentrate on us. After all, when I payed your bride price, I paid it in full’ he said and stormed out of the room leaving Adaobi Speechless.

Adaobi: ‘Mami please tell your son to let me go and see my father’ she said as she begged her on her knees.

Mami: Oh! After challenging and blabbing your mouth, you now need my help abi?

Adaobi: Mami please! It is only you that can talk to him for me and I really do not know why he doesn’t want me to go and visit the man who took care of me and made me what I am today.

Mami: I dont have anything to say to you Adaobi or whatever you call yourself, your tears will not move me to go and beg your husband to allow you visit your father for any reason.

Adaobi: Mami please, he is my father and what have you said to him for him to be this stubborn towards my plea with him?

Mami: Now you will know that I am his mother and he will listen to whatever I have to say.

Adaobi: Mami please I beg, punish me for anything but don’t involve my family to it, they are innocent.

Mami: you see Adaobi, I never liked you from day one for my son but you went ahead and got married to him , to top it all up, you even have the guts to get pregnant for him. As long as I am in this house, I will make sure that you never know no peace. This tears in your eyes is just the beginning of what I have in mind for you; I will make you suffer Adaobi, I will make you suffer.

Adaobi: Mami please, I will do whatever you want just allow me go to my father please.

Mami: Wo! He has spoken and I am in support of his decisions