The Marriage Battle

Read Story: SEASON 1 EPISODE 19

Kemi: ‘brother Ayo, how is Mami’ she asked as soon as she sighted him in the hospital.

Ayo: She is fine and is asleep.

Kemi: What happened to her?

Ayo: She slipped and hit her head badly.

Kemi: is she really okay?

Ayo: yes she is.

Kemi: can I see her now?

Ayo: yes you can but she is sleeping at the moment.

Kemi: breathe a sigh of relief ‘how come you are here and didn’t you go to work today’.

Ayo: no I didn’t.

Kemi: What about your wife, why isn’t she here?

Ayo: She just got a job and it will be bad if she misses work today.

Kemi: Job! is work more important than our mother?

Ayo: No it isn’t but she started work yesterday and she can’t just skip work when she just resumed.

Kemi: Hmmm okay. That means she will be here in the evening abi, after work?

Ayo: I hope so. Ermmm Kemi since Mami is still sleeping, why don’t you go home and prepare something for Mami?

Kemi: you mean your wife didn’t prepare anything for her before leaving for work?

Ayo: ‘Kemi please, I am not ready for any question and answer segment. Take this money, go to the market, buy whatever you need and prepare something for her. Make it quick and fast’ he said as he handed her the money.

Kemi: collected the money and went to the market bought all she needed and went home to prepare the food. When she finished, she dished it and went to the hospital where Mami was waiting for her.

Mami: ‘Kemi’

Kemi: Hello Mami, how are you feeling and how is your head?

Mami: My head is fine just a little headache from time to time.

Kemi: Your healed in Jesus name

Mami: Amen.

Kemi: where is brother, I left him here.

Mami: Yes, he left for work. He said there are a lot of things he has to do which he hasn’t been done and that you will bring me something to eat.

Kemi: Okay but work this evening? By the way Mami, has Adaobi called you?

Mami: No! why?

Kemi: she should have called you atleast or ……

Mami: Or what?

Kemi: I don’t know, showed that she worries about you and your health. It seems brother Ayo is trying to cover up for her inability to be here.

Mami: You shouldn’t stress yourself about that especially now that she just buried her father few weeks back.

Kemi: You mean her dad died?

Mami: Yes!

Kemi: Wow! Hope the burial was successful?

Mami: Yes it was.

Kemi: and hope brother stood by her side when she needed him the most.

Mami: Errmmm… Yes he did.

Kemi: Mom whats wrong, whats errmm he did which means he didn’t abi?

Mami: he didn’t because she didn’t let him. She went through all the process alone and I am to be blamed for all that happened.

Kemi: Are they having problems Mami?

Mami: Yes they are.

Kemi: Hmmm. Mami, I know that you never liked Adaobi right from day one but don’t you think you should let her be?

Mami: What do you mean?

Kemi: Mami, brother Ayo is married and has a family of his own, don’t you think its time you let him be and let him make his own decision concerning himself and family alone.

Mami: Are you trying to say that I have not been a good mother?

Kemi: No you haven’t. Listen Mami, when I went to school, I sat down and really taught about them and you,I realized that you have been the main person in their relationship instead of them. Mami, I know you never liked Adaobi but please, she doesn’t mean any harm, I see the way she loves and care for my brother and I know that he is happy with the decision he made concerning settling down with her. You should let them be and let them enjoy their marriage.

Mami: Why are you telling me all this?

Kemi: Because I see the way you treat her and I see how you try as much as possible to make her be the bad person when you two have a misunderstanding. I am going to get married oneday and Mami please be sincere with me, would you want my mother-inlaw to treat me the way you treat her?

Mami: she dare not try it.

Kemi: You see! You have answered the question already. Just please Let her breathe and you know what?

Mami: What?

Kemi: That’s one of the reason I haven’t been home because I feel guilty about it all.

Mami: You should have told me earlier.

Kemi: ‘You wouldn’t have listened, you would have told me to shut up’ she said smiling.

Mami: Seems I have been a very bad person.

Kemi: I didn’t say so and your still my mother no matter what happens but let your son get the happiness he desires is all I ask.

Mami: Are you saying that Ayo isn’t happy?

Kemi: No man will be happy when home doesn’t feel like home anymore.

==

Later in the evening, Ayo came back home very late while his wife and child were fast asleep. He didn’t bother with dinner for he has already eaten while at work. He got dressed and went to sleep immediately.

The following day when he woke up, he didn’t meet his child and wife and dialed their number for it was switched off again. He got ready, got dressed, had his breakfast and went to the hospital.

Ayo: Hi Mami, how are you doing and where is Kemi?

Mami: I am fine and Kemi went to school very early. You know she has exams to write by ten in the morning.

Ayo: Okay. Wow! Who brought this food here he looked at the food that was placed by her bedside ‘hmmm it’s your favorite, did Kemi bring this here?’

Mami: No she didn’t. I thought it was you?

Ayo: No! I am just entering here today.

Mami: Then it’s Adaobi, she may have come in and saw me sleeping.

Ayo: are you sure it’s my wife?

Mami: Yes she is. Kemi couldn have gone home when she slept here and that’s our flask.

Ayo: ‘Yes it is’ he said smiling.

Mami: can I ask you a question?

Ayo: You can ask me anything.

Mami: Are you really happy?

Ayo: Yes of course and why would you be asking me that?

Mami: are you happy Ayo?

Ayo: Mami I said I am very happy.

Mami: Have you been happy lately?

Ayo: Ermm, I guess so.

Mami: The truth Ayo.

Ayo: No Mami I haven’t been happy. My wife barely say one or two words to me and this days, the house seems to be uncomfortable to come to. I just wish there is something I could do to her to bring back that spark in our marriage and I can’t,I am helpless.

Mami: don’t worry, you will get back the joy in your home again.

Ayo: how Mami, my wife and I seems to be moving further away each day.

Mami: just let it be, she will come around.

Ayo: You think so?

Mami: I know so.

Later in the evening, after close of work Adaobi decided to go straight to the hospital.

Kemi: ‘Hello Sister Adaobi, I wasn’t expecting you to come over today’ she said smiling.

Adaobi: Good day Mami and how are you feeling today?

Mami: I am doing better by the day and thanks for the food you dropped by.

Adaobi: Oh Mami, its nothing.

Mami: it is to me. Errmmm Kemi, can you give us a few minutes alone?

Kemi: ‘Sure Mami’ she said as she carried Kunle from Adaobi’s hands and left them alone.

Mami: I have been wanting to talk to you this morning and I am glad I will do that now. Please sit down she instructed her.

Adaobi: Sat by her side and said ‘hope everything is okay?’

Mami: Yes, everything is fine. Its just that as soon as I get home, I will like to start making arrangement to go to my own home, its been empty for a long while.

Adaobi: stared at her with confusion ‘what happened, why the change of heart?

Mami: I have thought about you and my son and I think it is time I let you live your lives. Listen Adaobi, I know you are still angry with me and your husband but that should end now.

Whatever he may have done wrong was because he was following my instructions and if there is anyone who deserves any punishment, it is me for your husband needs you. You need to make your house a home again.

Adaobi: Why are you telling me all this?

Mami: Because I want my son to be happy and it seems he is always happy with you.

Adaobi: Why do you hate me so much?

Mami: Because I never liked igbo people but that is not the reason I asked you here. If you are waiting for an apology from me, you won’t get it, the least you can get is me leaving your house as soon as possible.

Adaobi: Looking at her mother in-law and realizing that they may never get along but she deciding to live her house was for everyone peace of mind and for her son’s happiness smiled ‘I don’t need your apology, I just want my husband back and if you saying you are leaving us, that to me is fine’.

After Mami was discharged from the hospital, she moves back to her home and Ayo live happily with Adaobi…

THE END