Epic 6

It is no longer a story in the town that Dengel or Angel the late blind man's daughter got married to a wealthy man, who is working at Pine Valley company. Well, that is a 1997 story to behold. Benjamin gave me the best life I can ever imagine. He stuck to our marriage plan. Not only did he shower me with lots of love, but he also extended it to my sister and my foster parents. I thanked God for a life-changing opportunity like this. It is so painful that I happened not to see Leo after my wedding day, nobody seemed to know his whereabouts. Months passed, and I haven't taken in for Benjamin, it got him worried. I was worried as well, but it seemed to be a normal thing, lots of people stay years in their marriage, yet they end up conceiving,  ours is just a few months, and he is already worried this much. After a few more months, I started noticing some strange behavior, which Benjamin started developing.  He no longer eats my night food, always coming back with an already filled stomach.

“Babe, wake up, we need to discuss”. I said while tapping him up from sleep.

“Discuss what? Tomorrow is going to be a busy day at the office, I need to have enough rest please!”. He pleaded as he continued with his sleeping. This is the exact thing he keeps saying each time I bring up a discussion. Tomorrow always seems to be hectic at the office. I just don't know what triggered his sudden transformation.

“I know tomorrow is going to be hectic at the office, I am truly sorry for that, and I also assure you that I won't take much of your time, I just want to know why you have chosen to ignore me completely”. I complained as I tried waking him up again.

“Angel, can you please stop disturbing my little peace? Aren't you mature enough to know when is best for one to discuss family-related issues with the husband? Can't you see I need some peace? Or maybe I know what is best”. He said as carried his cell phone and went to the next room.

With tears in my heart, I cried bitterly, mama and papa had warned me earlier about this, and even Dinma also contributed to trying to help me abstain from Benjamin at the initial moment. I wish I had listened to them, this is the terror I always have known to come to meet me up. 

****

The next morning, I went up to apologize, but he ignored me, he didn't even eat the breakfast which I had prepared for him. I tried taking it to his office but he gave me the biggest embarrassment of my life. This was not what I signed up for. He shouted at me and asked me never to try such a silly attitude next time. He saw it as an embarrassment. I cried home, Leo wasn't here to confront me. I wish I had listened, maybe I should call mama and tell her what is going on. No! She might see me as a weak woman. She will say she did warn me on time Or probably say I can't handle a family. I kept wondering over every single thing that went on, starting from the caring Benjamin I knew and the nightmare which I am seeing now.

“I am sorry!". I apologized as he got home.

"Will the sorry, save me from the embarrassment which you have caused me today?". He questioned angrily.

I wondered while he kept seeing what I did as a bad thing. What is bad about taking your husband's food for him to his office?

“I am sorry”. I apologized just for peace to reign.

“just stop apologizing please, not like you mean it”. He said as he left me and walked into the room.

Wow! Guess this is the bitter part of marriage,  I went room to room to apologize again but he kept on ignoring me.

“What have I done? Is this how you have decided to maintain your car? What is going on? You barely talk to me or even eat my food. I decided to bring food for you to the office, because I didn't want you to get hungry, yet you made it seem like I committed a big sin. You have chosen to see my imperfection rather than the good side of me. Every little thing I did, seemed to irritate you. If you don't want to be with me anymore, why don't you just tell me, so that I can go back to my father's house”. I cried out.

“What father, if I may ask? Seems you have forgotten the gutter which you are coming out from?”. He asked while laughing at me, I felt like stabbing him at the moment.

“Same gutter which you met and decided to get married to someone who is coming from the gutters”. I said crying.

“Ow! My darling wife, wipe your tears okay? I picked you up because I thought I will be able to help you out see the brighter side of life, but that was a very big mistake,  you practically choose to act just like the pigs whom you grew up with, the gutters, I believe must have allowed some germs to live inside of you, which is not allowing you take in as a woman”. He said while still laughing. 

“Hold on! All this your attitude, is it all because I haven't taken in? You have decided to punish me because you believe I must have gotten some infection, which is preventing me from getting pregnant!!! How pathetic”. I said as I immediately hissed at him.

“Well, I never said something like that, except that, is the truth, and you are hiding it from me”. He said while trying to cover up his lies.

Yeah! All this is happening because of my poor family background. Benjamin wants to tamper with me.

Angel! You have seen enough, with his unbrushed mouth, he is saying that he picked me up from the gutters! I was pained by his words.

“It is quite obvious you don't love me anymore, I will do well to respect myself and my dirty body, and go back to my parent's house”. I said as I went to the wardrobe to pack my clothes. 

“Wow! Don't go back home, lying with my name, I didn't ask you to go, tell them the truth of the matter that you decided to come back home because you saw a finer version of me, someone who can take good care of you as I have proven to be repulsive as a husband, and guess what good parents would have asked?”. He said.

I was trying to understand where he was driving too.

“They will say, what did he do? And when they ask you such a question, what will be your responds”. He asked while coming toward me. I quickly slapped his hand from my body. 

"A man who has proven to be a boy, is not worthy to be called a husband, you claimed to love me, yet couldn't stand for me at the worst moment, what worst moment if I may ask? You decided to abandon our already built desire for nothing, a lot of people have survived in their marriage even while childless for years, in the few months we have stayed together, you allowed the devil to use you. What about Sarah in the bible?". I said as a little drop of tears dropped down from my eyes.

"Hello! Do I look like Abraham, please! I am not getting younger, or do you want me to reach 99 years of age before I can finally have a child who will call me father?". He asked, but he wasn't laughing anymore, he was a bit timid. 

“What kind of husband are you? You complain about my cramps, like what do you want me to do?”. I asked, crying.

“I thought if you were a Jewish woman, you would have prayed yourself out. You claim to know God yet he can't even help you when you are in need, where is your so-called God, the father to the fatherless, he praises him all day, yet he can't help you out with this little need”. He said while laughing at me.

“Do not mock me, else you want to see the wrath of the Lord ''. I cried out to him.

“Oh please! Spare me those fake tears, you have already mocked yourself, even with all the fasting and disturbing my night rest with that noise you call prayer, yet you are as bloated as a watermelon”. He said as he left the room, leaving me to cry.

God! Where are you? I thought this pain was already over. How can you give me a task I couldn't handle? Now he is mocking my belief, God he is not just mocking me, he is mocking you as well. Arise oh Lord of host and fight my battle! "I can't Lord! I can't do this on my own". I kept saying before he walked back into the room again.

“Ow! You are still crying and saying you can't, I didn't expect to meet you here ooh! What is still keeping you from going home? Why can't you just go and make room for others? Or, do you need transport fare? I am willing to offer you ooh!”. He said as he laughed after collecting something from the cupboard and left immediately. 

It is very much obvious that he doesn't like me, I guess he only used me. Seems he is working hand in hand with my main mother. They have both vowed to destroy me. I know it will soon be over, it is better I go back to papa and mama who will accept me with open arms than to stay here and die of pain and bitterness. I kept mumbling to myself as I folded my clothes inside my box, and I was ready to go face my fate.

Yeah! I know it will be a hard decision, I will get mocked by lots of people, even at the church. I know my devilish mother will be excited wherever she is now. Her evil plans are falling into place, I know she will want to frustrate me and make me become like her. I already know what awaits me, I am going back to grass, but I will be strong. It is just a matter of time. I wish I could see Leo now.

With my bag packed, I carried all my belongings and headed home.

I felt so embarrassed as I got so many stares from people, it wouldn't have been this much if Benjamin wasn't the popular type.

I got to the entrance of our home, which seemed changed, yet the same, the pain of walking back to life, hit me so hard that I fell. Luckily, mama had seen me earlier, and I was rushed down to the hospital immediately, where it was figured out that I was pregnant. I wanted to understand what the doctor meant by I was pregnant. Why should I be pregnant? For who? That Demon? Never! I can never be pregnant for the tout, that nonentity, will he even take responsibility for the baby? This is a big mistake, why now that I am back home? Who will groom the baby? This is going to be an extra load for mama. God, you gave me this child, please provide a means we can use and train him or her. God! I am finished, why should this be happening to me? I was still confused when my pain reminder called to notify me of the latest gist about my divorce.

“Yeah! What you heard is true, do you have any contribution to that?". I said I was very angry.

"Of course my Angel, I will always have a contribution, I just wanted to say congratulations". She said I became a bit scared, has she found out about the pregnancy already?

"thanks". I said and ended the call. 

Who could have told her, is she working with the doctors? I know she will laugh at me, God, please! I don't want to end up like my mother.

Just immediately, Dinma entered the room. I was so happy, my sister can walk properly, she wore a little make-up which made her glow, her figure still scintillating.

"I heard what happened sister, I'm proud of you,"  Dinma said while sitting down on the bed beside me.

"You are proud of me! What will the world think? I got pregnant out of wedlock? Can't you see how pathetic it is? I am finished with Dinma". I cried out while resting my chest on her body.

"Guess you meant I am finished! Because I will be an aunt soon! What a beautiful responsibility, I need to hurry up so that I won't end up becoming a boring and broke aunt". Dinma said while laughing.

I didn't utter a word, I just kept looking at her. I was shocked by her actions.

"mum called". I said slowly.

"mum! Why?". She exclaimed, surprised.

"guess she found out the truth, she called to congratulate me, I was really surprised and speechless, I had to end the cal". I said I was a bit scared.

"you mean she already found out about the pregnancy?". She questioned bewildered.

"I think so, she called to say congrats". I said while sobbing quietly.

"Wow! What a gamer, how did she find out? Are you sure she called to congratulate you on the pregnancy or the wedding?". Dinma asked.

I began to reason what she said, she could be congratulating me on the wedding or the pregnancy.

Whatever! Anyone it is, she will still find out. 

Just immediately a strange number called me. I wondered if she would be the one. Maybe she wants to finally make a mockery of me.

"pick up the call". Dinma said.

"What if she is the one?" I asked.

"What do you intend to do about it? If she is the one, Will you keep avoiding her forever?". Dinma said.

I shook my head and laid down on her chest.

“It is going to be over soonest, meanwhile, the church youth committee asked me to give you this' ' she said while giving me an envelope.

I opened it and saw a lot of money inside, I was shocked.

“So they know about my return?” I was surprised.

“No! They apologized for not coming during the wedding as it was fast and unexpected, and not allowing them to do the needful”. Dinma said while shuffling her hands on my hair.

“Wow! My regards to them, this is so touching” I muttered. 

Just immediately my phone started ringing again. I looked at Dinma, who gave me a go-ahead order by nodding her head. 

I sluggishly picked up the call. It was a male's voice. I became eager, I wanted to know who it was. I thought it was Benjamin calling with another number, maybe he must have had the news of the pregnancy. I am never going back to that house. He will have to beg me, which I won't agree to, because it is very much obvious that he doesn't like me.

Yeah! I kept grumbling to myself, but the most surprising part of the call was that the voice wasn't in any way familiar, it wasn't Benjamin, who could it be?

Dinma noticed my facial expression and in a low tone, she asked who the person was.

Widening my hand, I shook my head and said "I don't know ooh!".

"Sorry, but please who are you? I don't seem to recognize your mobile number or your voice". I asked while referring to the caller.

"Did my voice change this much, how is your husband"? The caller said while laughing over the phone.

"Sorry, who are you? And I can't tell you anything about my husband if you don't tell me who you are". I said harshly.

"wow! Guess my baby is still the strong woman I have always known. I heard what happened, my sincere apology, but it could be God, trying every way possible to bring us back together, it is good hearing your voice once more, please do take care of yourself, I would have loved to come back and do the necessary and officially make you my wife and so that my heart can be at peace, but, life hasn't been that easy, as I won't give you that life you have always desired, but I promise to double my hustles now that things are falling in place, what about Dinma, hope she is very much better and strong now?". The caller said in a suspicious tone.

Who could this be? I kept wondering till I remembered that, there is only one person who I have in mind and it is only that person that knows this much about me.

"Leo!!!". I called out, but the caller immediately ended the call. I tried calling back, but it said that the phone was already switched off. 

"Did you just say, Leo?". Dinma asked.

"yes! I think he is the one, it is only him that knows much about me, it is only him that has always cared and knows about your health, that is my male friend". I said.

"What did he say?". Dinma asked.

"seems he got me monitored, he was telling me about Benjamin". I said smiling.

"wow! You seem so excited hearing his voice. Why don't you call him back, so that I can greet him as well". Dinma said.

"Well, he already switched off his phone". I said while still smiling. Immediately, another call came on my phone, which made my mood instantly change.

What does this bastard want? I mumbled to myself.

Immediately Dinma gave me a disheartening look, it seems she heard what I said.

"Hello! What do you want?". I said while picking up the call.

"Sounding rude won't resolve the issue, I already heard what happened, you know I will always have my source. So, I believe you know the right thing to do, don't make me…". The call was still on, and I immediately ended it with anger.

"Who is that?". Dinma asked.