SEE FINISH BY TREASURE EZURUIKE EPISODE 5

SEE FINISH EPISODE 5

(NNENNA’S POV)

Ikenna yelled on the phone, where are you and why is my dinner not served? It looks like you want me to beat you again. When did you start going out without my permission?

My brother said nwokem you must be mad. Ikenna said who is this? it’s your worst nightmare, Dubem said.

You and your family are not afraid to hit my sister? You are not afraid to lay a finger on her. Are you mad or what? Dubem screamed. 

Ikenna seemed thrown off balance by Dubem’s voice. He ended the call and called back again, this time more diplomatic, asking me why I left without his consent.

Dubem answered because you hit her, stupid. You dare to hit my sister and torture her with your family?

Ikenna said, I didn’t hit her, I was just correcting her and training her to be a submissive wife.

Dubem said you are mad, you are correcting her and training her. Who is training you?

Look at my sister that was chubby before marriage looking like a skeleton. You made her resign her job. You let your sister beat your wife because of gifts from my family.

I don’t need training, Ikenna said. I hope you know you are interfering in my marriage.

Dubem said, “marriage kill you there”. Do you think we sold her to you? I don’t blame you; I blame my sister who hid it from us.

By now you would have been cooling off in prison. You know my father won’t take that trash from you.

Look at my sister that was chubby before marriage looking like a skeleton. You made her resign her job. You let your sister beat your wife because of gifts from my family.

Ikenna, Dubem said you are not fit to be a man let alone a husband. Speak for yourself, Ikenna said. Get married and lead by example.

Dubem said married or single I don’t hit women, only beasts do. I doubt you know what is about to happen, if you do, you won’t be running your mouth. You would never see my sister again.

Consider this marriage over, we’ll be coming to pack my sister’s belongings. Ikenna said Nnenna, are you going to let an outsider come between us?

I told Ikenna he had forgotten I came from a family, so I needed to remind him I didn’t fall from the sky.

Ikenna resorted to name-calling, calling me barren, I called him impotent, and he told me I’ll return to the house, and he’ll teach me a lesson. Dubem told Ikenna he’ll never get the chance again and ended the call.

Dubem was so furious, he was ranting when my sister-in-law Oluchi called. Her number was not saved on my phone, so my brother didn’t know she was the one.

I recognized her number and refused to answer the call. Dubem answered it and Oluchi said, “you low life”, you think your family can save you from me.

Dubem asked who is this lunatic? Oluchi said who is this? Dubem said who are you too?

My sister-in-law said I’m Oluchi and what are you doing with Nnenna’s phone? Are you, her boyfriend? Dubem said you need medical attention.

Oluchi Dubem called; Do you think I don’t know your story? It’s not my sister’s fault that you are unmarried. You had men at your beck and call, but you didn’t do the needful.

Now you don’t want my sister to drink water and keep down the cup. Oluchi kept quiet.

Aww, I’ve touched a sensitive nerve, Dubem said. Do you think I don’t know who you are and the kind of life you have lived?

Then he changed his tone and said now listen very carefully. You’ll pay dearly for beating my sister.

You are after the items we gifted her. Why didn’t you take advantage of all the men flocking around you? You could have garnered enough property, but you did not.

You were after all the frivolities now you want to loot my sister’s belongings. I don’t blame you; I blame her for not beating you up.

Your time is over, Oluchi, my brother barked. I’m not Ifeanyi and those other guys you messed with. 

When I found out you were related to Ikenna I feared for my sister, and I was right. Don’t call this number again. Dubem hissed, looking so furious.

I was surprised by how quiet Oluchi was as my brother spoke. I had no idea Dubem knew who she was. She ended the call shortly after.

(KIRA’S POV)

If I didn’t hear from Kenny in a day my whole day would be ruined. If I called him and he didn’t pick up, I’ll be so aggressive to everyone I meet that day. 

I think he noticed that I was falling for him, but it surprised me that he didn’t use it against me; he channeled energy into something beautiful and positive. 

When my service year was over. Kenny showed up a day before my passing out parade. He took me shopping and to dinner.

After the passing out parade. Kenny helped me park and drove me back home. I returned home to my family. He threw a welcome party for me, something no one has ever done for me. 

It was such a fun event it was so loving. Everyone dispersed after having a great time. He took me back home and as I was about to get out of his car, he pulled me back and said can I ask you a question. 

I said of course he could then he shocked me with the question would you marry me? I wasn’t expecting that question. I loved him. 

I was so sure, but I didn’t know he had the intention of popping the question because he didn’t give out a hint. He was acting so normal and calm, unlike most men who will be jittery and incoherent. 

I asked him if he was playing a game on me, probably trying to get back at me because of the hard time I had given him before I fell in love with him. 

He laughed and said I’m better than that. I didn’t take all those things you did to heart because I knew you were not playing hard to get you needed me to convince you and I was ready to convince you.

Look, I don’t have a hidden agenda. I love you and would want nothing more than for you to say yes.

I loved him no doubt, but I was still scared he wanted to get back at me because of the ways I discharged him in the past. Some of them were so cruel.

He looked at me smiling, so full of composure. What would your answer be? he asked.

Yes, I said, there was no need to pretend and waste any time thinking about it. I was so crazy about him. He had managed to break down all my defenses.

I had never been in a relationship. He was the first man I fell in love with. I used to boast that I didn’t need men until I met Kenny.

He humbled me with patience and tolerance. I fell flat on my face.

I said Yes to his proposal. He heaved a sigh of relief, pulled me close, and kissed me. It sent shivers down my spine and confused me.

I didn’t know what I was doing anymore. He laughed and asked me for my left hand.

I handed it to him like a sheep being led to the slaughter. He slipped my hand into the engagement ring.

I stared at it confused and looked up at him. Somehow, I felt embarrassed.

He pulled me out of the car, hugged me, and said thank you. He held me for a while and said I love you. I couldn’t respond to him, but my eyes gave me away.

What is it with you, he asked? I smiled sheepishly and said I wasn’t expecting a marriage proposal.

Why do you love me so much? Kenny smiled and said for so many reasons.

Just know I love you genuinely. You need to get over all the negative thoughts in your head. I’m not going to set you up.

He kissed me on my forehead and said good night to me. While he drove off, I stood in the same spot staring at my fingers.

What just happened? No one expected me to get married anytime soon. I didn’t expect to get married anytime soon.

I barely went out so people told me no man would see me. How Kenny found me remains a mystery to me.

I had no idea Kenny had not driven off but parked and was watching me. He called me on my phone and asked why are you still standing outside?

Is everything okay? Please go inside, it’s late. Okay, I said looking back to see him still parked with the car engine steaming.

He sounded the car horn, waved at me, and sped off. I got inside and went straight to my bedroom. I managed to have a bath and fell asleep.

The next morning, I still had the engagement ring unknown to me. I went to have breakfast when my elder brother asked are you engaged?

Everyone’s attention was shifted to me. My Dad said sweetheart we are waiting for your response.

Yes, Dad, I am. You are engaged and you didn’t tell us? My mum asked. It happened last night, I am still taking it all in.

Are you okay sweetheart my dad asked? I’m fine Dad. You don’t look happy, my brother said. Don’t you love the guy?

I’m happy I said, I just wasn’t expecting a marriage proposal because of the way I frustrated him. I’m just scared he may be setting me up.

Relax, my father said I doubt Kenny has such intentions. He doesn’t come across as the kind of guy who takes things to heart. 

You should enjoy your engagement. Congratulations sweetheart, he said. My mother and my brother congratulated me as well. 

Throughout the day I was lost in thought wondering what married life will look like thinking about how my life was about to change. 

Kenny stopped by in the afternoon to take me out. My father teased him telling him that he had good taste. We went out together and talked about our expectations. 

A few weeks later his family met my family and marriage plans were concluded. We got married with all the fanfare and happiness. We moved in together and a few days later my nightmare began.

(NICOLE’S POV)

It was your idea that we switch roles for a month, and we will do that, hopefully, when one month is over, we will begin to appreciate each other for what we do. 

I did not make dinner for you to eat today because you ought to make dinner for us based on the arrangement we currently have. 

If you cannot make dinner fine but I won’t be making dinner for you or doing any chores for you until one month is over. 

If within that one month you never do any chores in this house or do the things, I usually do then we’ll continue on this path you started us on.

Bernard roared and reminded me if I had forgotten he was a man and the head of the family. 

Sweetheart I said, this is not a matter of who the man is, or the woman is. You suggested we switch roles so you can prove to me that I do nothing in the house.

Just on the first day, you’ve not done one nor have you provided money. 

I will not cook for you to eat until you do my job for one month and I do yours, then we can return to regular programming. 

Until that time I won’t be doing anything and whenever you want to get upset, I would like you to remember that it was your idea, not mine. 

I wouldn’t know who has put this idea into your head and I wouldn’t ask you because I do not care. 

All the time I get people telling me how I’m over pampering you by doing all the chores. I do all the laundry and iron your clothes, they suggest I should wash while you iron, which is right. 

If you look at most of your friends, their wives wash and they take their clothes to the dry cleaner to iron them since they can’t iron but, in my case, I do your laundry and I also iron, yet you do not appreciate anything. 

You never do anything in this house, all you do is bring money. You cannot even boil your bathing water or boil your water for tea.

You can’t make yourself a cup of tea, you sit down and cross your legs and say honey please make me tea. 

Something as simple as making a cup of tea is so difficult for you to do. Yet you say I do nothing in this house.

My simple advice is this, better get to work. We have chores to do in this house. Usually, I set aside the clothes the children will take to school tomorrow. 

I suggest you go do that if you know what they’re wearing to school tomorrow and know what you are supposed to bring out. 

I also pack their lunch boxes to a certain extent at night so it can be easy in the morning to get them done. Instead of sitting down there and asking me to serve you dinner, I suggest you get up and do those chores.

We traveled from Lagos by road and once we got back to the house you started telling me how you’re hungry, you’re tired and you are this and you are that.

You forgot that I sat in the same vehicle with you and I’m also tired, but you expected me to walk straight into the door, straight into the kitchen and make dinner or lunch or whatever it is so you can eat you, don’t think I need to rest. 

The same thing happens when I go to the market and the sun is so scorching hot. I walk into this house and you’re all watching TV under the AC enjoying the fan.

When I go to sit down to catch my breath you complain that you’re hungry asking me why I’m sitting down.

You remind me that I should be in the kitchen cooking and yet you say I do nothing in this house. 

I guess that’s all for this evening. I also want to remind you that you should buy food items during the weekend.

Usually, we go to the market so you better start writing out the list of the things we will need in this house this weekend so I can provide the money.

So, you can go to the market and shop for the items and come back and cook for the week like I usually do. 

These are the things I usually do even though you say it is nothing. I’m telling you now so you would not say you do not know the things I do or pretend not to know the things I do and for that reason, you will not do it.

Make a list of the items we need for the weekend so I can provide the money, I said. 

While you are making the list. I suggest you go make dinner because that is exactly what I would do if I got back from somewhere this late.

You will still expect that I make dinner for you to eat, and I will still go to do other things that make this family functional. I suggest that you get going. 

I think you are mad Bernard barked, expecting me to make a list of the items we will need for the weekend and accept money from you to go to market and make purchases and come back and make dinner. 

Well, let me just tell you that you will all die of hunger. Then you should have thought about it before you made that reckless comment of yours that I don’t do anything in this house, I said. 

You said I just sit down and watch TV and eat food that you provide, you should have thought about it thoroughly before saying we should switch roles.

You opened your mouth and said we will switch roles so we will switch roles. For the record, we have switched roles. 

I will only provide money for this house. I will not do a single chore. If I’m doing chores for anyone, it is for the children, not for you.

You will do chores all by yourself or probably pay someone to do it. 

Maybe when you spend the money which I have been saving you from all these years or you do it yourself and run out of energy you will begin to appreciate what it is that I do. 

Bernard stormed out of the house that night to a restaurant to have dinner. He returned to the house the following morning and met the children already dressed and I was about to take them to school. 

He walked into the house and there was no electricity, he asked me why there was no electricity. 

I told him that I was usually the one who recharges the electricity. 

I had always been the one recharging the electricity since we moved into that house and since we got married. 

I told him it was his responsibility now to recharge the electricity because he was playing my role as we had switched roles. 

I hope you boiled my bathing water with the gas he asked. I didn’t boil any water or get out your clothes or fix your breakfast. 

I did none of that because that’s your job now, my job is to get dressed and go out like you always do every morning. 

At least the gas is not yet finished, you can switch on the gas burner, open the tap, put the kettle there when it fills, place it on top of the gas, and then wait for it to boil.

When it boils you can switch off the gas. Pour the water into the bucket. Take it to the bathroom. Open the tap and mix the water to your taste and have a bath. 

When you’re done with that you can go to the wardrobe and pick out the outfit that you want to wear to work and after that, you can head back to the kitchen and fix yourself breakfast.

As for now, I’m going to drop the children off at school and I’m headed somewhere else. 

Are you mad? Have you forgotten that I married you? I have not forgotten that you married me, I responded.

I can remember that perfectly. It’s just that right now our roles have been switched so you are to do what I’m supposed to do, and I am to do what you are supposed to do.

That is how it is playing out for another month and let me tell you the earlier you cooperate with this switching of roles the better for you.

Two days are gone, and you have done nothing. I’m still going to add two more days back.

With each passing day, if you fail to do your job it is going to be added back to the days. I will keep going until this year ends if you never cooperate.

I just want you to know that I’m ready for you and whatever it is you plan to achieve by insisting that we switch roles. 

I left with the children and my husband stood confused wondering what just happened. 

To be continued

© Treasure Ezuruike

Please leave a comment