My Husband And I (Season 2)

(Episode 8)
...

Tony knotted his tie whilst sipping some coffee. The
night had been terrible, different night mares taunting
him, he was awake 75 percent of the night.
He ignited his car, and Lara crossed his mind. Her
beautiful eyes that widens when she’s scared was all he
could see. He’s been just wicked to her, only God knows
the story she’s telling his father now about him.
He changed his gear and sped on the highway.
He knew his father won’t spare him, he would take the
company off his hand, collect all he has and worst of all
disown him.
“Oh poo!” he rubbed his eyes.
He opened them lazily at first, then they popped out.
A madman was standing on the road before him, just a
few yards away. He couldn’t stop the car cos he was
moving at a high speed.
He expertly turned the steering wheel moving the car
off the road.
The car swerved beyond control, he muttered some quick
prayers, he was sure he would die.
The car somersaulted throwing him out through the
window…
...
Lara giggled as she bit into her roasted chicken, she
was having lunch with her in-laws. She felt joy surge
through her veins, what more could she ask for? She
felt loved by them. They were doting on her, most-
especiallyher father in-law Chief Ifiora.
“I taught your mother in-law how to cook o.” Ifiora
chuckled at her.
“well I taught him how to eat!” Amara said and they all
burst out laughing.
Lara watched them as they laughed, they looked so much
alike; happy couples she thought as she smiled.
“When I was a boy, I helped my mother in the kitchen.”
Ifiora said with pride.
“well that’s cos you liked it.” Amara replied.
“Not at all! I was an only child that’s why!” he defended
himself.
“Hmm…Tony Is an only child too, but can’t make himself
a mug of coffee.” Amara chirped cleaning her mouth
with a napkin.
Lara felt shivers run down her spine at the mention fo
‘Tony’, she saw her father-in-law cringe too.
“Talking about Tony…” Ifiora’s voice became coarse.
“He couldn’t even call or do something…he’s expecting
me to call him right?” he shook his head.
“I guess so!” Amara made a face.
“Hmm, I’m going to teach him a lesson he’ll never
forget!” he basked like a lizard in the sun.
“Lesson? That boy is soooooo stubborn!” Amara said
with disgust.
Chief Ifiora’s phone rang loudly.
“A strange number…” Amara said giving the phone to
him.
“Hello?” he listened for a while.
“Yes you’re speaking with Chief Ifiora…”
he listened again.
“What?!” he rose to his feet.
Lara stopped eating, she wanted to know what was
happening.
“Okay, okay, I’m coming right away!” He ended the call.
“Darling get me my Jacket!” he told Amara.
“What happened?” Lara asked quitely.
“Oh, nothing really, just eat your food.” he forced a
smile.
“Ogini? What going on?” Amara appeared holding his
jacket.
He whispered something to her in Igbo, for once Lara
wished she understood Igbo.
“We need to go now! Lara take care!” Amara said
throwing a scarf round her head.
“Can I come with you?” Lara rose to her feet.
“No..you just take care, okay? We’ll be back soon.”
Amara said as she and her husband left through the
exit.
Lara sighed deeply as she heard them drive out of the
compound.
Definitely something is wrong some where….she
fidgeted nervously.
"You guys need to see what happened next"

...

(Episode 9)

...
Lara folded her arms round her chest as she watched her
mother in-law pack some fruits into a basket.
“You’re going out” she said rather than asked.
“Yes, but I’ll be back soon.” Amara replied covering the
basket with a table cloth.
“I’m coming with you…” Lara began to say.
“No…”
“I’m coming with you!” she said firmly.
“Lara, you can’t come with me, okay?” Amara tried to
soothe her.
“Is there anything wrong? You’ve been going out now
for the past one week, and…and… Or is there anything
you’re hiding from me?” Lara said with a frown.
“Now, Lara relax your nerves, okay. Stay back, I’l buy
you something when I’m coming back.” Amara patted her.
“Okay then…I’l be going back to my place.” Lara pouted.
“Lara! You can’t…”
“I can’t stay here all alone!” Lara began to cry.
Amara sighed, she knew her game is up. She need to tell
Lara the truth. But how would she start? Tony would be discharged that night.
“Errm..Lara, Tony had an accident, he’ll be discharged today.” she said slowly.
“Accident? Tony?” Lara held her chest firmly.
“Yes, he’l be discharged today.” Amara sighed again.
“I’m coming with you to see him!” Lara said huskily.
“No…I’l drop you at your place instead, you'll see him later in the day, when he’s been discharged.” Amara told her.
Lara felt her knee go weak, she prayed the accident isn’t that bad.
...
Lara toyed with her cornrows out of boredom, her
mother-in-law had called to tell her they were on their
way.
She tried to imagine what Tony would look like, maybe he
would wear a scowl, or perhaps bark at her.
She heard the front door open, she stood up sharply, expectantly.
“Welco…” what she saw made her Tongue stick to the roof of her mouth…
Tony sat in a wheel chair, he looked so pale. Chief Ifiora
pushed the wheel chair into the room.
Lara looked on, she tried to speak, but couldn’t. Tony
looked up at her, he held her gaze, his eyes full of
regrets, sorrow and pains.
Lara looked away, tears stung her eyelids, was it real?
She asked herself.
“Don’t cry.” Amara hugged her.
Lara wept on her shoulder, she watched her father-in-
law push Tony in his wheel chair towards his room.
Tears blurred her vision. Was this the same Tony she
saw few days ago? Now he is in a wheel-chair?
She hugged her mother-inlaw and they both wept
holding each other tightly.
“Breakfast is ready…” Lara cooed as she helped Tony
sit-up on his bed.
He was watching her closely, she’s been supportive ever since he came back from the hospital.
He had always imagined her paying him back his evils now that he’s defenceless, but she proved his imaginations wrong.
He wondered if she had forgiven him, cos he’s not even asked for her forgiveness yet.
“Hope you don’t mind me putting too much milk in your
tea…the doctor said you should drink a lot of milk o.”
Lara smiled as she offered him a cup of tea in a saucer.
“Thank you.” he said almost in a whisper.
“Your toast is here, your boiled eggs, your potato chips,
your fried plantains, your ….” Lara listed as she pushed a tray full of food towards him.
“for only me?” Tony’s eyes widened.
“Yes o! The doctor said you need a balanced diet!” Lara said
Tony laughed, he never knew she had a sense of humour.
“Eat up, while I get your bath water ready…” she quipped.
“Errrm..Lara?” he searched her eyes.
“yes?” she turned to look at him.
“I…errm…I…just…wanted to say I’m sorry..for..for..all I did to you…I’m…” he stammered.
“Oh please, don’t start! Stop those I’m sorry stuff!”
Lara frowned.
“I don’t..know….Its..just that…just that…I feel I’m
not worth your kindness….” he continued.
“Now, don’t talk like that, I hold no grudges against
you..okay? Now eat up and take your bathe, you know
your father would be here soon…remember you’re
seeing the doctor today…huh?” she said sweetly.
Tony held her gaze for a while before she looked away.
She walked gently towards his bathroom.
...

(Episode 10)

“Good morning sir!” Lara greeted her father in-law as
she wheeled Tony towards the waiting car.
“Hope you slept well?” Ifiora said as he helped Tony into
the car.
“Fine sir.” Lara smiled.
“Errm…I’l be going to see my mother, she asked me to
come over.” Lara told Tony.
“Okay, then, see ya later.” he waved at her.
She waved and watch them drive away. She suddenly
wished Tony won’t ever get on his feet, atleast, so that
he would continue to be nice.
...
“Mum you asked to see me.” Lara said with a frown, she
was getting irritated by her mother’s silence.
“Yes Lara, my daughter. Hmm.” funke said with a sigh.
“So?” Lara’s frown grew deeper.
“hmm, Lara omo mi, you know I love you, you are my only
child…” Funke began meditatively.
Lara laughed quietly, this woman didn’t call her over to
tell her that.
“Meanwhile, how’s Tony’s health?” Funke didn’t look
happy.
“They just left for the hospital this morning, he’ll be
better soon, he'll be flown to Cairo next three months.”
Lara explained.
“Shey you know, his spinal cord was affected during the
accident?”
Funke said in a faint voice.
“yes I know, that’s why he’s on a wheel chair, and he’ll
be better soon..” Lara said impatience creeping into her
voice.
“Let me talk Lara and stop trying to defend Tony’s
illness!” her mother shot at her.
Lara fell silent, was she defending Tony..
“Lara you have to end this marriage.” Funke said
carelessly.
“Which marriage?” Lara’s eyebrow creased
“Tony is not worth you! You shold file a divorce, you
can’t hook yourself with a disabled for life…” Funke
explained.
Lara rolled her eyes.
“Mummy what did you drink this morning?” she laughed.
“Are trying to insult me?” Funke’s voice rose.
“Noo…just that, Tony used to be your favourite.” Lara
explained still laughing.
“What I’m saying is that you must divorce Tony, you
can’t saddle yourself with such a burden, this was a man
who was maltreating you…”
“ehen! Mum you are so incredible!” Lara interrupted
her.
“Where were you when he maltreated me? What did you
do when he turned me into a punching bag? Aren’t the
same person who rocked the boat of the marriage cos of
money? You made me go through hell!” Lara said anger
creeping into her voice.
“Hold on! And let me talk!” Lara rose up when her
mother tried to speak up.
“Do I look like some commodity you can use to trade?
Now that Tony is ill, you feel he can no longer fulfill your
selfish needs, you want me to divorce him right?
Perhaps you want to marry me off to someone else again
abi?”
“No Lara! I’m only concerned about you and myself! You
must divorce Tony. I need a grandchild!” funke shot at
her.
“What has a grandchild got to do with Tony’s illness?”
Lara fired back.
“Tony isn’t only crippled, he’s impotent! The accident
rendered him impotent!” Funke screamed.
Lara stoped momentarily, what’s her mother trying to
say.
“I beg your pardon…what did you just say?” her voice
was low.
“oh yes! The affected spinal cord did not only affect his
legs, it affected his manhood! Your husband can’t
perform anymore!” Funke shrilled.
“Perform as in how?” Lara couldn’t help asking.
“He can’t make love to you! Can you go on like this? No
se-x, no child bearing…no…..no…. Lara, try to
understand me!” Funke explained.
“Mum…you mean..you mean…” her voice trailed off.
She felt sweat trickling down her face.
“You see, my daughter, you can’t go on like that. Even
if he gets on his feet again, there’s no possibility that
he would be able to perform anymore.” Funke said
triumphantly.
Lara thought for a while, she began pacing up and down
the room sweating profusely. She stoped abruptly facing
her mother.
“Well, Tony had never made love to me, so even this
isn’t a new development..” she began to say.
“Haaa! Lara please don’t do this o! I need a grandchild!
You want your father’s name to be wiped off the
earth?” Funke held her daughter.
Lara smiled mischievously, she had wanted an
opportunity to get back at her mother, this was a
chance.
“Well, mum, I don’t think you need a grandchild, if you
did, you wouldn’t have made me suffer all I suffered.
This is what you want, you must live with it. Continue to
enjoy more money!” Lara sneered.
“I need to leave now!” Lara picked her bag.
“Lara please..” funke tried to hold her.
“Take you hands off me!” Lara pushed her away.
“I hate you!” Lara told her, tears streaming down her
cheeks.
“You hear me? I said I hate you! I would never forgive
you! You ruined my life…” Lara sniffed, before storming
out of the house.
...
Tony watched Lara as she tucked him bed. She’ve not
been herself ever since she went to see her mother two
weeks ago. No more the cheerful-smiling Lara, the old
Lara seem to be creeping back in place.
“Good night.” she whispered turning to leave.
“Lara?” he called out, just as she held the door knob.
“Yes?” she didn’t look back.
“Can we talk?” his voice was low.
“Can’t wait till morning?” she asked irritated.
“Please…” he sounded desperate.
With a sigh, lara turned and walked up to him.
“so?” she said crawling up the bed beside him.
“Lara…” he began, taking her hands.
She pulled away, he expected that too.
“Errm, I just wanna ask if you’re alright? Ever since
you came from your mother’s place You’ve been moody….errrmm, is anything wrong?” he said in a cool
voice.
Lara looked away. Why’s he asking her that? He cares?
“I’m fine.” she sighed.
“I know you are, but deep within you are troubled, talk to me
Lara…” He said soothingly.
She looked at him briefly, he doesn’t sound like Tony at
all, did the illness change him?
“Is there anything the doctor said about your health
apart from your legs?” she asked.
Tony felt his heart beat increase.
“Your mother told you right?” his voice was faint.
“she did, and I wonder why you never told me that…”
she replied getting off the bed.
“Lara…I just felt you shouldn’t know, I know it’l hurt
you..”
“It hurts more that I heard it from someone else…” her
voice was rising.
“I’m sorry, its just that….errmm…
Lara please, understand me….” he looked confused.
“Understand you? Of course you know Lara is daft! An
Illiterate can never understand!” her voice became
harsh.
“No Lara…what I mean is that, I would be treated, and
everything would become fine…” he tried to explain.
Lara shook her head slowly.
“Your legs will be treated not your ….your…your…Imp
otency!” she replied angrily.
Tony’s eyes narrowed, he looked hurt. He wore a painful
look that made Lara regret her words.
“That’s not true Lara..its just that…that…some things
got complicated…once my spinal cord gets back in place,
I’ll normal again…” his voice was shaky.
“Normal again? Were you normal before?” Lara made a
face.
“When you were busy sleeping around Sophia…have…
have …you ever thought if…if…if…I’m human with
needs?” tears filled her eyes.
“This marriage is almost two years now..and…and…”
sobs choked her.
“Lara please, I know I’ve wronged you…but please…”
he was crying too.
“I guess you want me stay right? But how am I sure you
aint trying to be nice just because you’re ill! I’m sure
when you get back on your feet again; you’l become the
real Tony, and I’ll no longer be Lara but a daft-
illiterategirl!” Lara said angrily, before turning to
leave the room.
“Lara please wait” he called after her.
But she left banging the door behind her.
Tony stared at the door in horror. He knew he was
doomed, should Lara decide to end the marriage.
He was at her mercy.
“God help me!” he clasped his palms in prayer.
Maybe she was right, that if he gets on his feet, he
might not regain his manhood! Perhaps the doctor lied to
him? The doctor told him, all would be well…
“Tony you are in deep mess:” he muttered fighting back
tears.
If Lara should leave him, he won’t survive it. He might
lose his life, cos he was madly in love with her

...
(Episode 11)
...

Tony winced a little, he felt like easing himself, he had
pressed the beeper for more than twenty times now but
Lara is yet to show up.
He wondered if she was trying to punish him, because on
a normal day, she’d have cleaned him up and served him
his food..
He pressed the beeper five more times but she didn’t
come.
He decided to help himself into the wheel-chair standing
by his bed side. He pushed himself towards the bed’s
edge, he took hold of the wheel chair and attempted to
hop in. He lost his balance and almost toppled over…
“Hey! What are doing?”
It was Lara, he didn’t look back, he wasn’t sure if the
scowl he saw yesterday was still there.
“Errrm…” he tried to speak as she balanced him on the
wheel.
“Morning to you Tony…” she wheeeled him towards the
Loo.
“I was answering a call when I heard the beeper…”
“Here…steady…sorry…easy…” were her words a she
helped him into the the bath tub.
“I’l be back in a jiffy” Lara said looking away, she could
bear to see him unclad.
Tony smiled, she’s too shy he thought.
“I want you to stay…” he smiled revealing his teeth.
“No thank you.” lara left the bathroom.
.......
“hmn Deji na wa for you ooo, that’s how you are ehn?
Deji what’s there in life that you should forget me na!”
Lara queried.
“Nooo, bestie, its not like that na!” Deji laughed as she
sipped her glass of juice.
“Eh is like what? Tell me! Deji toh bad!” Lara laughed
again flopping beside her friend.
“Girlie, yan me, I heard Tony is sick?” Deji began to say
in a mocking tone.
“yes, he’s been ill.” Lara said carefully.
“I heard the only snake in his forest is dead?” Deji
asked again.
“Now Deji, don’t start! That’s so cruel…”
“So cruel?” Deji mimicked her.
“You don’t know how happy I was when I heard the
news! I danced ehn!” she looked excited.
“Deji!” Lara gave her a reprimanding look.
“What? Isn’t it worth celebration?” Deji laughed
“This isn’t fuuny” Lara frowned.
“You’re happy at the misfortune that has befallen my
marriage?”
“Which misfortune? When that man was fraternizing
with all the women in town, isn’t that a misfortune!”
Deji made a face.
“Deji please!” Lara looked offended.
Just then the beeper made a shrill sound.
“Excuse me bestie, Tony needs me now!” she got to her
feet in a hurry.
“come o!” Deji held her dress.
“so you don turn dog wey na beeper dem dey use call you
shey?”
the shrill sound came again, louder this time.
Lara pushed her friend’s hands away, rushing towards
Tony’s room.
Deji watched go, she clapped her hands in gossip
fashion. She quickly tip-toed after her friend.
“I’m just tired of being in here, can you take me
outside please?” Tony pleaded peering at Lara.
Lara wished she wouldn’t take him outside, she feared
Deji’s razor tongue.
“Lara? Anything wrong?” Tony patted her arm.
“Errrm, yea…no ” Lara helped him into the wheel chair.
“okay…” Tony smiled as she wheeled him out of the
room.
They were at the hall way when they met Deji’s mocking
gaze.
“Good afternoon o, Mr Tony!” Deji made sure her voice
was loud and clear.
“Af’noon Deji, its been a long time.” Tony smiled.
“Yes o! I heard about your illness…errm…I mean the
paralysis of your legs and ….and…..your…” Deji replied
a mischievously smile playing on her lips.
Tony didn’t miss the message she was trying to pass
across to him.
“lets go!” Lara whispered as she wheeled him out
trhought the back door.
“I’m sorry about Deji’s attitude…” she apologised as
she balanced him on the grass in the mini-garden.
He simply nodded.
“You need a snack or something?”
“No, I’m okay.” he was reading some invisible things on
his palm.
“you don’t need anythin, anything atall?” Lara
searched his eyes.
“Yes, you can go now, your friend is waiting.” he waved
her off.
“Okay!” She sighed walking on the balls of her feet out
of the garden.
“welcome back! Iya Tony!” Deji quipped as her friend
walked in..
“Seriously what you did Deji was really bad! Do you have
to remind him of his problems?” Lara feigned anger.
“Atleast he got the message!” Deji bit into her
meatpie.
“Deji…do you know you are too bad?” Lara squeezed
beside her.
“Oh yea! You need not remind me! Anyways, we’ve gotta
enjoy our lives o.” she quipped and they laughed in
unision
Lara combed her hair and oiled it properly. She had
earlier on called her hair stylist that she’d be coming
that morning.
She wondered what hair style she’ll plait, she loosed
shuku yeterday, maybe this week she’d use two-step or
sade…
“Lara?” Tony called out interrupting her thoughts.
She rolled he eyes
“oooooh, pesin won’t rest again ni?” she hissed.
“Lara….”
she hissed again, she was beginning to get sick and
tired of Tony.
“Always Lara,Lara,Lara…na wetin sef!” she frowned.
“Lara are you there?” Tony called out again.
“Ooooh, free me jor!” she whispered.
“Yes? I’m coming!” she put in a lot of effort for her
voice to become polite.
“Here am I.” she forced a smile.
“I can see…just wanted you around me.” he was smiling
too.
See this one o! When did that one start? Lara thought.
“are you going out?” he asked.
“Erm, yes, I’m going to make my hair.” she explained
“Hmmm, I’d be alone then…” he said in despair.
“Well, I need to go now.” she started walking away.
“Okay.” he sighed.
He was sure going to miss her.
....
Tony looked from Funke his mother in-law to his
parents, he wished Lara was at home; maybe she might
defend him some how…
“Thank God your wife is out, so we can discuss
properly.” Ifiora began to say.
“Yes, her absence is very essential.” Funke chirped in,
she personally thanked God Lara was absent, she
couldn’t bear those looks on her face.
“Errrm..Tony, what has your wife got to say about your
illness?” Ifiora asked.
Tony looked away, what does he want him to say…
“Tony, your father just asked you a question.” Amara
said impatiently
“Nothing.” Tony replied.
“What do you mean by nothing?” Funke asked eyeing
him.
“I think she should be in the best positin to answer
that.” he frowned. He had never had an atom of respect
for his mother in-law.
“Tony, you’l be travelling out of the country next two
weeks for your treatment…”
“I know that already.” Tony cut his father short. He
wondered why they all gathered a meeting without
informing him earlier.
“Good! What matters now is Lara, we can’t keep her like
this, she has a future.” Ifiora ignored his son’s
rudeness.
“What’s your point?” Tony asked grithing his teeth, he
was losing his temper.
“The point is you should divorce Lara, you fool!” Amara
shot at him.
Tony held her cold gaze for a while, he wondered when
he and his beloved mother became enemies.
“I can’t divorce her!” he spat out.
“Why?” Funke sneered
“She is my wife, and I love her, our marriage is sealed.
Gerrit!” He glared at Funke.
“listen to me Tony! Love or no love, seal or no seal, you
must divorce lara! You can’t saddle her with your
disability! How far do you think she can cope?!” Amara
said menacingly.
“That’s none of your business! I wonder if anyone has
ever asked you to divorce your husband!” Tony shot at
her.
“You dare talk to me that way?” Amara made to slap him
but for the timely intervention of her husband.
“No darling, you can’t do that, look at his condition”
Ifiora forced his wife back into her seat.
“We’re here to rule out some case, not to fight. Tony,
Lara’s mum came to us, she wants you to divorce her
daughter…” Ifiora gestured towards Funke.
“Yes o! Be ni! You must to divorce my daughter o! My
daughter can’t marry an impotent man o! Lai lai!” Funke
started to rant.
Amara exchanged looks with her husband.
“I meant it o! Its me Funke that talk it! I need grand
children, and they don’t fall from heaven shey you know
that! A man must to perform ni, and when you can’t
perform, we’ll look elsewhere.” Funke’s body shook as
she ranted, her gold bangles making chiping sounds.
Tony bit his lower lips. Life could be cruel sometimes.
“that’s so rude! We are not quarelling here!” Amara
tried to pacify Funke.
“Robb ke! Mentholatum ni! The quarell has just begun
niye o! Tell your impotent son to divorce my daughter o!”
Funke turned to face Amara agressively.
“Please calm down.” Ifiora told her.
“See who is talking! Like father like son! Who knows
maybe you too is an impotenti?…”
“You don’t dare insult my husband!” Amara shot back at
her.
“How can you become this lousy? Is it how you yoruba’s
behave?”
“Behave ke! You will soon see behaviour! Let me go and
tell her fathers people that’s when you’ll see the real
Yoruba behaviour.
Oshi!” Funke yelled at her before stamping out the
room.
Amara gaped at her. People change so easily, could this
be the same woman whom they lavished so much money
on?
...

(Episode 12)

...
Good day!” Lara smiled as walked into the sitting room.
“Welcome.” Tony replied, he didn’t return her smile.
“How have you been? Hope I didn’t stay for too long?”
she squatted beside him.
“Fine.” he looked away.
“Are you okay?” lara noticed the worried look on his
face.
“I’m okay.”
Lara watched him for a while, she knew definitely this
bad mood wasn’t cos of her, perhaps something went
wrong.
“I heard your parents came alongside my mother while I
was away…” she tried again.
“Yes.”
“What did they come to do? I mean what did they say?”
she asked.
“Nothing…theyjust came to say hi to us!” Tony was still
avoidng her eyes.
“thats not true!” Lara knew he was lying.
Tony bit his lower lip.
“please tell me what happened.” she pleaded patting his
arm.
“your mum wants this marriage to be dissolved.” he
blurted out.
She laughed quitely
“So is that why you’re moody?”
“yes…she called me names…even my parents got their
share of the insults!” the words seem to come out
through his teeth.
Lara rubbed her forehead…her mother was impossible.
“Don’t mind her! Okay?” she tried to sound calm.
“Lara…its just that…I errm….don’t..don’t want you
to leave me, you’re all I have now…please…” he
squeezed her palms.
“I’m not leaving” she assured him.
Their gaze locked for what seemed like eternity, till
Lara looked away.
“Lemme get you something to eat, care for some fish
peppersoup? I bought fresh fish from the water side…”
she tried to sound cheerful.
“I’m already salivating.” Tony rubbed his stomach.
“Now you’re joining me in the kitchen…” Lara laughed
as she wheeled him towards the kitchen
Tony’s eyes followed Lara, as she walked up and down
the room, trying to get his things ready for the
journey.
His father would be there in no time to accompany him.
He sighed and sipped his heavily creamed coffee. The
night had been a tough one, he was thinking all through.
He had imagined what it’ll be like if he got treated well-
how life would be with Lara then.
He thought of the probability that he didn’t get well,
would Lara continue to stay that way…
“What are you thinking?” Lara jolted him back from his
thoughts.
“Ehn?” he smiled, he had learnt that word from her.
“Your mug have been hanging halfway to your lips for a
while now.” she said zipping his bag.
“Nothing.”
“Hmm.” she looked up.
“When are you coming back?” she walked to the bed
side.
“I guess three weeks minimum.” he replied.
“minimum three weeks? Maximum should be one year
then.” Lara’s eyes ogled out.
“No…not more than a month.” Tony laughed.
“I can’t stay here all alone…” she made a face.
Tony sighed, what was going to tell her? His worries?
“now c’mon, its just for a little while, okay? My mum
would come to check on you regularly, you can even call
your friend Deji to come and stay with you.” he petted
her.
“Okay…” Lara sighed.
They heard a car honked!
“Your dad is here…” she helped him into his wheel
chair.
“G’morning sir.” she said as her father in-law took over
the wheel chair.
“How are you?”
“Fine.” she followed them closely with Tony’s bags.
“bye and take care.” she said as they were about to
drive away.
“Lara?” tony said gently.
Their eyes locked. Tears filled his eyes.
“Pray for me.” he whispered.
“I will.” her voice was weak too.
“I love you Lara, and I’ll miss you.” he sniffed, before
the car moved.
Lara waved at them as they left the compound, tears
streaming down her face.
...
Lara sat, her eyes glued to the Tv. She watched the
indian girls dance, she knew she was addicted to
Bollywood.
There was a knock on the door, she felt reluctant to
open it. The knock came again sharply.
She hissed, put the Tv off, before sauntering towards
the door.
“Who’s there?” she asked opening the door.
“Can we come in?” Funke asked coldly.
Lara stood barring the door, her mother wasn’t alone,
she came with an old man and three young men.
“Lara can’t you see people are waiting? Let us in na!”
her mother said again.
Lara shifted for them to get in.
“So mum who are they? And how may I help them?” she
asked closing the door behind her.
“ehen/ the old man is ermm…the younger brother to
your paternal grandfather, his name is Baba Lagbaja…”
Funke began her introduction
“These ones are you father’s cousins…errm..yes…
beni, this one is Soji,..this one is Dele, this one is errm
Tunde…they are all from your father’s village.” Funke
continued.
“So what are they doing in my house?” Lara asked
sternly.
“Ah ahn! Lara ki lo de! Shey an ja ni! Are we quarelling?
Serve them drinks first now.”
Lara obliged.
“What’s your mission” she asked the Baba Lagbaja as
she served him.
“They have come to take you!” Funke announced.
“Take me? How?” Lara laughed as she sat on a settee.
“Omolara my grand daughter…” the old man began.
“you are the only female child in our family, we value
you alot.”.
“Yes!” tunde, soji and Dele chorused.
“You are the only one left to continue your father’s
lineage, you can’t let your father’s name die like that.”
baba Lagbaja said coughing at intervals.
“So?” Lara frowned.
“We have come to take you out of this marriage, we
need children to bear Popoola’s name.” he further
explained.
Lara laughed uncontrollably.
“You don’t laugh when an elder is talking.” Tunde yelled
at her.
“She’s stubborn o.!” Funke chirped
Lara ignored her mum and faced Tunde.
“You don’t yell at me, else I’l throw you out of my
house.!”  
“Baba…”she turned to face the old man
“I’l go with you if only you can do something for me.”
she said politely.
“Name it omo mi.” Baba Lagbaja said
“If you can return all you’ve collected from Tony and his
parents, then I’l follow you.” Lara assured him.
“What are those things?”
“To start with, my mother must return the one million
naira she collected for bride price, then all the
jewelries and ornaments, then all the clothes, the
house they bought for her, all the gifts they showered
on her…alll..the…”
“Ehn!” The old man screamed interrupting her,not
believing his ears.
...still continues

(Episode 13)

...“Ehn!” Baba Lagbaja exclaimed again.
“Yes o! Including the two jeeps Tony’s Father gave her,
and the…”
“Wait!” he stoped her, turning to Funke.
“Funke! N gbo? You collected all that? Are you trying to
sell your daughter? You’ve sold her already I rather
say!” he yelled at her.
Funke shifted uneasily on her seat.
“My daughter, sorry to have troubled you o. ” Baba
Lagbaja told the smiling Lara.
“Young men let’s go!” he said angrily and they rose to
leave.
“Wait wait! I’ll pay!” Funke was desperate.
“I’l pay in installments, little by little.”
“When you sold your daughter to them, did you give her
to them in installments?” Baba Lagbara shrieked at her.
“Don’t ever come to me again o! If you do Sango would
strike you dead! ” he cursed before leaving the house
with his group.
Funke was confused! How could her daughter become so
mean.
“hey mum! You’ve got another plan?” Lara laughed at
her dejected mother.
“Well, I’m afraid, you’ll have to die without a grandchild
o. As for me, I can easily adopt as many children as I
want o!” she jeered.
Funke threw her handbag at her in anger.
“Ouch!” Lara winced as the bag hit her belly.
“Please o! Be careful, Tony’s Babies are in there!” she
laughed some more.
“Lara, you’re doing this to me your mother! What’s your
gain?” Funke asked tears staining her eyes.
“My gain?” Lara looked sobber.
“My gain, is that, I can make you feel bad after all you
did to me!” Tears welled up her eyes too.
“Omolara! I’m leaving you! Continue to ruin your life!”
“Yea! I’ll continue from where you stoped” Lara spat
out.
“Don’t ever come to look for me! I’m no longer your
mother.” Funke fumed heading towards the exit.
“And I’m no longer your daughter!” Lara shot back.
Funke turned round astonished.
“Lara?” she whispered.
Lara walked into her room, leaving her to stand there
like an undecided ghost.
Funke tossed and turned on her bed. She had suffered
from chronic fever ever since her last encounter with
Lara.
“What have I done to deserve such treatment from my
daughter?” she asked herself.
“The child I bore for nine months, brought up at my own
expense, decides to turn against me.” she gazed at the
ceiling.
She counted the ceiling for a long time.
“Hmn!” she chuckled wickedly.
“So far I’m her biological mother, she must leave that
marriage! Whether Tony gets well or not!” she said
firmly.
She brazed up a plan, she pulled her cellphone towards
her and dialled a number.
“Hello, Deji ?” she said into the phone.
“Hello, eka le ma! Good evening.” Deji said in a sleepy
voice.
“Deji please, come over to my place tomorrow morning.
We have something to discuss.” Funke told her softly.
“okay ma.” Deji said cautiously before ending the call.
...
“Deji eat and drink now, its your home o.” Funke said as
Deji sipped her drink shyly.
“Deji there’s something I’ll want us to discuss.” she
said after Deji finished her snacks.
“I heard of a girl back then…the girl that used to be
Tony’s mistress…I mean Sophia…” she continued.
“uhum!” Deji grunted giving her suspicious look.
“Errm..Deji, I know you and your exploits, you have this
city under your finger tips…” Funke appraised her.
“So?” she grimaced.
“So I want you to tell me where she is! I know you
monitor her movements! Please let me have her
address.” Funke explained.
“just like that? What do you want with her?” she asked.
“I’ve got some business plans, and I heard she’s good in
such business…”
“Of all the business women in this city?” Deji
interrupted her.
“Common Deji, just give it to me! I’ll pay any amount
you need.” funke said this because she knew Deji is a
sucker for money.
“hmmn, I just hope this ‘business’ won’t affect Lara
o!” Deji cautioned.
“Nooo…not at all! You forget Lara is my daughter!”
Funke laughed.
“Okay!” Deji said scribbling Sophia’s address on a note
pad.
“Thank you, name your pay!” Funke smiled
satisfactorily.
“no need for that! Meanwhile, I must go and see Lara
now, I promised her I’m going over.” Deji made to go.
“Okay bye, and please don’t tell her about this o.”
Funke saw her off.
She waved as Deji drove away, a donkey smile playing on
her face.
First mission accomplished, next target on point!
Lara smiled absent mindedly at herself, its been a month
since Tony left, he’l be back soon.
“Can’t wait!” she said aloud to the empty room. She
decided to call him…
“Hello Baby?” Tony’s voice said from the other end.
“Good morning to you.”
“morning how do you do? Hope you slept well?” Tony
asked.
“Not that well, and you?” she made a face as she spoke.
“same here, missing ya loads.” he laughed.
“So you’re coming back this weekend?”
“Nooo, the doctor said I should for two weeks more.”
Tony explained.
“Oooh” she groaned.
“hey hey hey! Two weeks is just like two days, no need
for that okay? I’ll be back soon. There are many thing
I’d like to show you!” he said soothingly.
“Many things? Like?” she laughed
and on and on, their conversation went till the door bell
rang.
“Hey hold on! I’ll call ya later.” Lara said before ending
the call.
Deji was at the door.
“ah! Ore mi atata, my friend, welcome!” she hugged
Deji.
“This one you are looking fresh ehn?” Deji teased.
“You can say that again.” Lara giggled as she served
her friend.
“When is the hubby coming back now?” Deji asked
gently.
Lara was taken aback, Deji never referred to Tony as
‘the hubby’ before,
“Errrm, i just called him on phone, he said next two
weeks..” she explained.
“Next two weeks!” Deji echoed after her, she looked
pleased by the information.
“Yea!” lara felt a strange feeling, she knew Deji very
well, that look on her face isn’t for nothing.
“Excuse me!” deji said as she made a call.
“Hello, Lady?” she said.
“The client should be in town in the next fourteen days,
yea, business should be cool!” she smiled mischievously.
“Okay, bye, get all arrangements ready please.” she
ended the call.
“The client? Next fourteen days?” Lara asked quitely.
“Yea, just some sort of business.” Deji avoided her
eyes.
“Business? What type?”
“Oooh, Lara please! I didn’t come here for an interview
na!” she laughed.
“Okay” Lara sighed. Deji has been acting strangely for
some time now. She hope there won’t be troubles.
“So tell me girlie! How’s Tony? His health?” Deji shoved
her playfully.
Lara laughed, some how she felt more relaxed
(Episode 14)
...
Lara was at the breakfast Table, when the gateman
came in to tell her, that a letter was delivered for her.
She opened the envelope gingerly, she read it aloud.
‘ peace of the most high God be upon you.
How’s your husbands health? I hope all is well.
I saw a revelation last night about you, I don’t know if
its a mere dream, or its a warning.
You just have to be careful about the way you do things,
you are surrounded by unfriendly friends.
There is danger lurking ahead.
May the good Lord see you through. Amen.
Pastor Wilson’
she read and re-read it again, what message is he
trying to pass across.
Danger? Unfriendly friends?
She felt shivers run down her spine.
“God see me through o.” she clasped her hands in
prayers.
Unfriendly friends? She thought. She’ve got a few
friends, just Deji.
Could it be Deji? No it can’t be!
“But Deji had been acting strangely now!” she argued
aloud.
She’ve been asking suspicious questions about Tony!
“Hmm!” she sighed aloud.
Just then her phone beeped. A text from Deji.
‘ hy bestie,
I’ll be travelling out of town, sorry I won’t be around
for the dinner with Tony as planned.
I’m really sorry.
My regards to Tony when he comes back.”
“Talk of the devil!” Lara exclaimed as she read the
text.
She shook her head in suspicion.
Truly Deji is up to something, why would she travel when
she knew Tony is coming back that evening.
...
Lara dressed and redressed her dress for the twentieth
time as she leaned aaginst the car that brought them.
She wore make up for that occasion, courtesy of her
mother-in-law.
She glanced her saphire wrist-watch, and shook her
head.
She wondered what’s keeping Tony, their plane landed
twenty minutes ago.
“Why is it taking Tony so long to come na!” Amara
complained as she shuffled from one foot to another.
“Maybe something important.” Lara quipped.
“Hmm” came the grunt
“or maybe he’s shy!” she suggested again with a playful
smile
“Shy? Tony lacks that characteristic o!” Amara laughed.
They both feel silent, as their eyes surveyed the airport
environment.
Just then….
“Holly Majolly!” Amara exclaimed.
“What?” Lara asked.
“Don’t look back!” Amara tried to hold her.
But it was too late, Lara’s eyes swung left and
right,then she spun round, everything around her
froze…
Tony was at a far end, locked in Sophia’s arm as they
kissed ‘passionately’
Lara shut her eyes momentarily, then re-opened them,
what she saw was real!
Her vision began to get blurred, she was inhaling and
exhaling sharply.
Tony saw them, pushed Sophia away and ran hapilly
towards them.
Lara saw him coming, on his own legs, no longer on the
wheel chair.
She wished, she wished he never got well.
She wished… She began to slump slowly.
“Lara…” Amara said nervously as she tried to hold her.
But she passed out.
Tony stole glances at Lara as they ate breakfast, she
seemed interested only in the choco she drank, her toast
was still intact.
“Madam, you are not eating…” he said without looking
up.
“anything wrong?” he asked again, since she kept mute.
“What i’m thinking…doesit matter?” Lara toyed with
her scambled eggs.
“It does, it matters to me…tell me.” Tony urged
“Do you have to go to work every morning?”
Tony smiled, he was expecting that.
“I stay at home-alone everyday, till you come back by
evening, and.. And…” Lara complained.
Tony laughed.
“You are laughing? If you laugh again, you won’t go
work today!” she pouted
“you see..that’s why I said you start following me to
the office, there’s a chair for you! You could sit and
gaze at me all day!” Tony said smiling.
“No thank you.” Lara laughed.
“you said you’d be going out today.” he stated rather
than asked.
“Yes, yes, I’d be going to see my mother, its been long
since I saw her.” Lara explained.
“aiit! But…be very careful.” Tony intoned picking up his
jacket.
“bye baby..” he gave her a peck.
“bye…” she laughed.
...
“hehn! Omolara, so you remember me today.” Funke said
as her daughter flopped on a settee beside her.
“Mummy, don’t start o! I’m too tired!”
“so you won’t even eat in my house, ehn?” Funke
gestured at the tray she placed on a stool.
“Mum, not like that! I don’t have appetite…” Lara said
slowly.
“hehen!” Funke clapped and looked her all over.
“you are looking so fresh! Enjoyment right?”
“Enjoyment ke! Mum I came to discuss something serious
o” Lara sat up.
“hmm, go on”
“Mum, I think there’s something wrong with my body,
I’m becoming fairer, changes everywhere…mybosom, my
hips…my…mum you won’t believe I now have a protuding
navel…” Lara explained.
“Hmmm.”
“Seriously mum, I’ve lost taste for food, even Tony is
becoming worried.” Lara concluded.
“Wonderful!” Funke said absentmindedly.
“When last did you menstruate?”
“Errmm, I think Two months ago.” Lara informed her.
“Wow! How did you become pregnant? I thought your
husband was impo…”
“Mum please! Lets not talk about Tony!” Lara stopped
her.
“I have a doctor friend, we shall go and see him.” Funke
said giving her a searching look.
“okay..”
“I’ll call to tell him we’re coming.” Funke walked into
her room, to make a phone call.
Lara watched her closely, she wasn’t expecting such
kindness from her troublesome mother.
...
“Thank you Doctor.” Funke smiled as Olakija walked into
the office carrying some papers.
“Omolara right?”Olakija asked Lara who nodded.
“From our test, you are seven weeks pregnant.” he
informed her.
“Wow! Oh my God!” Lara jumped happily, hugging her
mother.
“Thank you Almighty God! I’m so happy! Mum I’m
pregnant! You’l have a grandchild!” she shook her
mother excitedly.
“Oh my! I need to call Tony…” her hands scrambbled
through her bag for her phone.
“Errm…there’sno need for that.” Olakija said quitely.
“Oops! Its prohibited to make calls in your hospital?”
Lara quipped.
“No…its..its just that..that..there is a complicative
issue.” Olakija sighed.
Lara’s face dropped.
“The foetus is not formed properly…”
“Yekpa! My grandchild! Haaa!” Funke threw her hands
over her head.
Lara kept a straight face.
“I…I..don’t understand…this..this..” she stammered.
“Well…” Olakija exhaled sharply
“For your safety, you need to abort it, else it might get
more complicated and ..worst of all, cost you your life.”
Funke began to sob.
“what have I done to deserve this ehn? Can’t I have a
grandchild ehn? Awon Aje! Those witches are
responsible.”
“I…errm…doctor…let me go home, and inform my
husband.” Lara said quitely.
“Noo…we can’t let you go now! We have to do it now,
since your mother is here. We can call your husband
later. If we let the baby stay anylonger, it might cost
your life.” Olakija protested.
“Noo…” Lara began to say.
“omolara, I prefer your life to a million grandchildren o!
Doctor please help us, if possible remove her womb so
that she won’t have complicated issues again o!” Funke
said holding her daughter.
Lara sensed trouble.
“but doctor…why the hurry? What if I’d not even see
you today.” her voice wavered.
....
Are you guys perceiving that funny smell? hehe.. Fasten
your seat belts.. the story has just begun!....

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