EPISODE 24
OLUCHI’S POV
After bathing the three kids i had with Kenneth that morning, I too got prepared for work.
Before I left home for work that morning, I and the children had garri and groundnut for breakfast.
I was hoping to cook something nice when I close from school, because we were to be paid our salaries that day.
Kenneth didn’t join us to eat the garri, he was gloomy and sad because of our present condition.
When I tried to wake him up to join us eat the garri and ground nut, he simply told me to eat the garri and groundnut with the children, that he would be fine, then he layed back on the mat and continued his sleep.
That was why I love him so much, Kenneth was always ready to sacrifice for i and the children, and i never cease to pray for him, for things to turn around for good.
Since I have known Kenneth, and got married to him, he has never been a happy man.
He was always gloomy and sad, most times i try to cheer him up, having the belief that things would soon fall in place for us.
But he was still always sad, and never listens to my words of encouragement.
Each time he wents out, it’s either he comes back home with little or nothing, his income barely feed’s us, we were living from hand to mouth.
Kenneth was always mentioning the name of his step brother called alex, he told me everything he did to alex in the past, and he wished he could see him, and ask for his forgiveness, so he would be at peace.
Though i don’t know the alex he was talking about, but if I saw him, i would definitely plead with him on behalf of Kenneth, to forgive and let go.
After i finished eating with the kids, i assured them of a good meal when I come back, and they were happy.
Before I finally left, i walked up to meet Kenneth on the mat where he layed at a corner in our small room, and then I tapped him gently.
“Obim”……..I called.
He turned to look at me, then he sat up, stretching out his body and yawning loudly.
You are off to school?…….he asked gently.
Yes obim, what dish do you want me to prepare today?……..I asked, with a gentle smile on my face.
Prepare anyone of your choice my love, you know i don’t select…….he replied waving me off.
Okay obim, am off to work, i will be back soon, please help me look after the kids………I said, giving him a slight kiss on his lips.
Kenneth stood up and walked me to the door as he normally does whenever I am going to work.
My kids also waved at me, and I left heaving a long sigh because it was another day to hustle again.
I was in a hurry to get to school on time because I was a bit late, i wouldn’t want to go late to school as a teacher, so that my salary won’t be reduced.
When I was mile’s away from the house, i heard a whistle and then i looked towards the high lander beside me and saw a young man beckoning on me to come close.
I innocently thought he was looking for his way around the area, or looking for someone so I gave him audience.
But to my disappointment, he was one of those men who was always asking me out.
I simply turned him down, and left in a hurry without looking back, to avoid further irritating talks from him.
I was naturally beautiful, despite not using any beauty products, and I was well endowed too.
No one will believe I had given birth to three children, because my hourglass figure was still intact.
Even our landlord, despite his old age was shamelessly asking me out to warm his bed, because we couldn’t pay our rent.
He even told me he would allow us live in the house for free if i could give in to his foolish demands
Well I still refused, and reported him to Kenneth, who didn’t waist time in confronting him.
Even my headmistress husband wanted to have an affair with me too, he promised to double my salary if I had agreed, but I turned him down too.
Seeing that I wasn’t giving in to his demands, he started turning the mind of the headmistress against me.
But fortunately for me my headmistress love me so much, even most pupils in the school love’s me a lot, and they told their parents about me, and their parents in turn gives me gift occasionally.
I got to school that morning, and after the assembly was over, i went to my class to teach my students.
When I was about to start teaching, my headmistress quickly rushed into my class like she was being chased by someone.
Mrs oluchi Kenneth here’s your pay for the month, i want you to package whatever you brought to school today, and please Go home……. she said, placing the money in my hands.
But ma, please what was my offence, why are you suddenly chasing me out?………I asked worriedly.
No my dear, you didn’t do anything wrong, i want to employ a relative of mine, to teach this class…….. she said nonchalantly.
I instantly went on my knees, pleading with my headmistress to reconsider her decision, but her mind was made up.
Ma please don’t do this to me, my family depends on this job, please don’t take away my only hope of survival……..I said crying uncontrollably.
Now you are making me look bad, are you trying to tell me you are more important than my relatives?
Please hurry up and leave this minutes, your service here isn’t needed anymore…….she replied angrily.
After she left i started wailing in agony and pain, like i lost someone dear to me.
Then my headmistress husband came to my class to add more salt to my wounds.
When I asked for a little taste of you, just small oh, you were feeling on top of the world, now look at you, back to square one in the street………..he said laughing scornfully at me.
I couldn’t bear the taunt from him anymore, i simply took my small worn out bag and then i left the school.
On my way home I started crying uncontrollably not minding the people looking at me.
I wailed bitterly until i got home, and when I got home I told alex the sad news, and he pulled me into a hug, consoling me, he assured me that every disappointment, is a blessing in disguise.
Later in the day Kenneth went to the market with the money i was payed, then he made food for us.
I couldn’t even eat, because of how heartbroken i was, over the loss of my job.
Kenneth tried his best to make me eat by spoon feeding me, I managed to take few spoons from him, then i layed back on the mat.
That night i made up my mind to start joining my mother to sell corn, pending when I would get another job.
To be continued…………
Written ✍️ by Martha