Tina got home early that Thursday evening and decided to go for her church’s evening service. She parked her car in the compound, got down and walked towards her apartment. She lived in Gbagada Phase I, Lagos and drove a Hyundai 2011 model. Her apartment was on the second floor of a 3-storey block of 2 bedroom flats. It was the nicest apartment she could get that was within her budget and in close proximity to her office. She hated the Lagos traffic and had made up her mind never to get a place that would be so far away from work. It wasn’t easy renting an office space in Ikoyi. It took her almost 3 years to make enough money to move her office from home. So far, her new office location had helped her business tremendously, especially in getting the right kind of customers.
At 27 years old, she had done pretty well for herself. She finished university at the age of 21 and decided she wanted to start her own business rather than join the bandwagon of hopeful jobless graduates. She interned (with very little pay) briefly with a popular Advertising Agency and left after a year and a half. With the help of her parents and the little money she had managed to save, she started her business at the age of 23. Four years down the line, she almost couldn’t believe how far she had come. Although it was really rough in the beginning, with lots of temptations to quit, she was happy with the progress she was making. Although she still had a long way to go, she knew she was towing the right path.
Tina climbed up to her apartment and went straight to the kitchen. She was hungry and needed to eat. Service was to start at 6pm and it was just 10minutes past 5. She quickly boiled an egg, cooked 2 packets of indomie noodles and settled down to eat. She finished eating, washed up and took a quick shower. By the time she was through, it was already 5.45pm. Her church was a mere 10minutes walk from home so she picked up her bag and was about to walk out when she saw this snake crawling towards her front door. Tina screamed as loud as she could and jumped on one of the single sofas in the living room area. She clutched her bag and watched transfixed as it made its way through a small hole near the door. She stood there for what seemed like forever and tentatively got down from the sofa. She looked around in fear half expecting to see the snake or another animal as her as she tentatively walked to the door. She opened it quickly and jumped out.
“Musa! Musa!!” She screamed when she got to the balcony.
“Aunty!” Musa answered as he came out of his cubicle holding a radio to his ears.
“Abeg, come.” Tina pleaded.
Musa dropped his radio in front of his cubicle and made the flight of stairs in no time.
“Aunty I dey here o. Aunty wharrapen?” Musa asked as he stood in front of her.
“Snake o!” Tina replied in fear. “Snake don enter my apartment and I no know wetin I fit do. E enter dis hole for here. I no know how e kom take enter o. Wetin I go do, abeg? U fit kill am?” She asked as she pointed to the hole at her front door and shivered unconsciously.
“Aunty, u sure say na snake u see?” Musa asked in disbelief “How snake go fit kom dis place? Bush no dey here na. And na upstairs u dey stay.” He continued looking at her strangely.
“U tink say I dey lie?” She asked angrily. “I tell u say I see snake for ma house, u dey ask me stupid question. I resemble pikin for una face? Or u tink say I no know wetin I see?” She continued angrily.
“Aunty, abeg no vex na” Musa said. “I just dey talk ma own o, cos na den I go look for am sotey I no go fin anytin. Last week na scorpion, two days ago na one kain big lizard u say dey inside and today, na snake. Me I no get dat kain power dey look for sumtin wey no dey. ” He continued offhandedly as he turned to go.
“Ehn ehn… So I be liar abi?” Tina asked angrily. “No be your fault ehn, na me wey call u here.” She hissed as she walked past him almost colliding with Jide, one of her neighbours.
“Hey Tina, what’s wrong?” asked Jide as he steadied her.
Tina recounted the whole incidence to him and told him she was really worried that the snake could go back into her house.
“Do you have kerosene” He asked.
“Yes, why?” She replied.
“Since we’re not sure if it’s still in there or if there’s another animal in there, I’m thinking we can pour a bit of kerosene down the hole and maybe block it with some newspapers.” He answered.
“Hhhmm… That’s not a a bad idea at all. But I’m scared of going back in” She said as she moved back.
“Don’t worry, I’ve got some” Jide said as he went into his apartment and got a bottle of kerosene and some old newspapers. Himself and Musa poured some kerosene down the hole and crumpled some newspapers which they stuck down the hole, hence blocking it.
“I think this should do” Jide said as he dusted his hands and smiled.
“Thanks so much.” She said as she smiled back. “Musa, thank you too. “
“Aunty, no problem” Musa replied as he went back downstairs.
“So, where are you going?” Jide asked.
“I’m going to church.” She replied.
“Can I come along” He asked.
Tina stared at him incredulously. Jide was an atheist. Everyone in the compound knew how much he openly lashed on people who believed in God. He was a banker, single and always had something sarcastic to say towards anyone who believed in a God. So, his sudden interest in going to church with her baffled and surprised her. They were not even friends for God’s sake, she thought.
“Of course, you can” Tina replied as she smiled. “It’s just 10 minutes away. I’m sure you know my church, it’s the one close to the junction over there.” She pointed.
“Alright, let’s go” Jide said as he walked beside her.
Unknown to them, someone was in a car parked not too far away from their apartment, watching as they strolled down the street. The person’s eyes followed them till they got to church. The person started the engine, drove to the church, parked and waited.
Meanwhile that same evening at Lekki, Motun was busy putting finishing touches to her plans. She just got off the phone after re-confirming her booking at a Chinese restaurant at Victoria Island. Saturday was Abayomi’s birthday and she planned to throw a surprise party for him inviting a few friends and family. She knew him too well and he wasn’t the kind of person one could spring a surprise on easily. Her original intention was for him to see her for the first time at the party but that wouldn’t work out anymore because he had already seen her earlier that day. She was sure her presence in Nigeria had piqued his curiosity especially since she didn’t disclose the purpose of this short visit. She therefore had to alter her plans slightly so that he didn’t suspect a thing. In fact, Abayomi had called her already, asking what her plans were for Saturday. She hadn’t given him an answer yet as she was thinking of what to say to him without lying. She picked up her phone and was about to put a call through to someone when her phone rang. It was her mum; again!
“Motunrola, how are you my dear? Have you eaten now?” Her mum asked.
“Good evening mum. Yes, I’m fine. And Yes, I have eaten” She replied blandly. She knew the main reason her mum called and was just waiting for the next question.
“So, how are your plans for Saturday coming along?” Her mum asked.
“Mum!” She answered exasperatedly “I’ve told you that I’ve got everything figured out! I’m handling it ma!” She continued almost losing her patience. Her mum had a way of monitoring everything to the last detail. She was really good at that. She had called like three times already asking the exact same question and she had reassured her repeatedly that things were going on fine. Yet, she asked this same question again for the fourth time in one day. Motun was fuming as she listened to her mother’s long lecture for the umpteenth time.
“Ha, omo mi, you better have everything figured out o. I can’t wait to see you married and carry your babies. You remember Chibuzo now? She just had a baby last week. In fact, Mama Chibuzo just travelled to America yesterday to care for the baby. And your younger cousin, Tutu, has brought a man home. Her introduction is next month, her mum just called me today.” She said. “You see, that your Abayomi is a fine young man o and a good Christian too. Since that day you told me about him, I just knew in my heart that he had to be the one. My daughter ehn, you must back up this plan with plenty prayers o because the forces of darkness may not want this to work out. Have you fasted about it? Me, I’ve been fasting since Tuesday that everything would go on well. I just feel pained when I think about all the advice I had given you then; if you had listened to me all these while, I’m sure you would have been married to him by now. You see, a Christian must not be complacent o, especially if you are a woman and it concerns your marital destiny. You have to take the bull by the horns and go for what is yours. The bible says that the kingdom of God suffers vi-o-le-nce and the vi-o-lent takes it by force! If Tai does not go to the mountain, the mountain must come to Tai now, abi?” She stressed as Motun listened quietly. “I even went to see Prophet Moses yesterday concerning this case just to confirm again and he said he is the one for you and that your future together is very bright. If you heard all the things he said ehn, ah! I just started thanking God for you. Remember I saw Pastor Jude last month too, and he said the exact same thing. And to crown it all, just today, I went to see Prophet Ezekiel and as we-”
“Mummy!” Motun cut in angrily. “I’ve told you that I don’t like this idea of taking my case to different prophets and pastors! I hate it! It’s my life, isn’t it? Why must everything we discuss end up in the ears of a prophet? Mum please…” She said angrily.
“Ehn ehn, so your mother should shut up abi? So, Prophet Moses, Pastor Jude and Prophet Ezekiel are false prophets, abi? I’m the troublesome mother who tells the whole world her problem, abi? Emi, Iya e (Me, your mother)? After everything I’ve done for you concerning this issue, is this how you would talk to me? Ti ti e naa ni mo n se o (I’m doing all these things because of you).” Her mum replied, her voice breaking slightly.
“Mum, you know that is not what I meant now. Okay, E ma binu (Please don’t be angry)” Motun answered exasperatedly. “We’ve had this conversation for the fourth time today and I’m tired of going over it again. The best you can do for me now is to pray that God would open Abayomi’s eyes to see my love for him. I want this party to make him view me differently.” She continued. “I know exactly what I want and I’m going for it. You don’t have to lecture me again over it. Agreed, I might not have heeded your advice earlier, but I’m older and a lot wiser now. Please mum, just keep praying” She said pleadingly.
“Motunrola mi, mo ti gbo e (I have heard you). Emi l’oro mi ye (I understand my own dilemma). Se ti ti e, e mi naa ma se ti temi (Do your duty, I would also do mine)” She said.
“Okay ma.” Motun said resignedly. “I’ve got to go now mummy, talk to you later.”
“Okay dear” Her mum replied.
“My love to Daddy and Somto. I will call dad tomorrow. Bye mum” She said
“Bye dear” Her mum replied as she cut the call.
Motun breathed a sigh of relief as she scrolled through her phone contacts and called Mike. She needed him to help her pull this off.
Tina and Jide walked out of the church as the service ended. The service ended a few minutes past 8pm. Tina greeted several church members as they made their way to the junction to begin the stroll back home. They didn’t notice that the person had gotten down from the parked car and was following them at a safe distance.
“So Jide, did you enjoy today’s service?” Tina asked as they strolled down the street.
“Well, I enjoyed the view.” Jide replied. “Your church has plenty fine girls o. I should visit more often.” He continued jokingly.
“That’s not good o” Tine replied slightly offended. “So, with all that the pastor said today, it was only the girls you noticed?”
She asked as she shook her head at him. She had been initially perplexed then really glad when he offered to follow her to church earlier. In fact, she hoped he was going to get saved today and had said a quick prayer to God for his salvation. Hearing him say this made her feel really disappointed. But since he seemed interested in coming again, though for the wrong reasons, she felt she shouldn’t discourage him. Perhaps, he could change down the line.
“Well, you’re always welcome to worship with us. I would keep you informed on all our special programs and-”
SLAP!
Tina felt the force of the slap as she reeled backwards. Before she knew what was happening, she felt another slap on her back.
POOH!!
“Asewo (Prostitute)! Olosi (Wretch)!! Ko ni daa fun e (It won’t be well with you)!” The person screamed as she pounced on Tina.
Tina was just too stunned to do anything as she caught a glimpse of her assailant just before she was pounced upon. Her assailant was a woman: very short, dark and stocky looking thirty-something year old woman. She looked well educated and was in fact well dressed in a trouser suit.
“I will teach you a lesson you will never forget you this witch” The woman continued as she raised her hand to hit Tina for the third time.
“Kayinsola, are you mad?!” Jide’s voice boomed angrily as he grabbed her hand, preventing her from hitting Tina again. For a moment, Tina had forgotten that he was standing next her. She quickly moved away as the woman’s grip loosened.
“Is something wrong with your head?!!” Jide continued angrily as he slapped her soundly on her cheeks with his other hand. Tina had never seen him like this before. In their compound, Jide had never quarreled with anyone, talk less of hitting a woman! Tina stood there shocked as she watched the scene unfold before her eyes.
“It is you that something is wrong with. Omo ale ni e (You’re a bastard child)! Ko ni daa fun baba baba e (It won’t be well with your grandfather)! Do you think you can treat me like trash and go scot-free?” The woman shouted as she locked Jide’s tee-shirt in her hands. “I married you, bore kids for you, fed you and clothed you, cared for your parents, suffered with you, worked my butts off to make ends meet, finally helped you get a job, and you think you can run away, abandon us and follow all these pankere Lagos girls about abi?” She shouted pointing at Tina angrily. “After spending 6 years of my life with you, I should just forget that you exist like you’ve forgotten that we exist abi? You are the mad one” She hissed loudly, turning and twisting her body angrily.
By this time, a small crowd had gathered to watch this free live action packed drama. Some of Tina’s church members were also part of the crowd as they stopped to see what was happening.
“Kayinsola, leave my shirt alone now!” Jide said with a deathly calm in his voice.
“Or what? Ehn? Or what?” The woman asked provocatively as she eyed him and butted her head into his chest. “What can you do? Ehn? What would you do??” She continued as she jerked him and twisted his shirt even tighter around her fists.
“I am prepared for you today o Jide! I have heard of all your escapades. You think I wouldn’t be able to find you abi? You think Lagos is too big to find tiny you?” She asked as she shook her head angrily and began to rain terrible curses on him. Jide lost it there and then and slapped his wife hard on the face.
“Ye! You slapped me again?” She said angrily as she slapped him in return. Before anybody could say anything, Jide and his wife began to fight. It was initially very scary seeing both of them fight yet nobody was bold enough to separate them. But as the fight progressed it became pretty hilarious. The woman would try to hit Jide, he would dodge her blows. At one point, she even fell down and got up again to continue. As the woman tried to grab Jide in the groin, Jide dodged again and pulled her hair. Her wig fell off revealing a head that looked like a map! The street was well lit, hence they could all see her clearly. Her head had different patches of sparse hair here and there. The on-lookers burst into laughter as they wondered what would happen next. She snatched back the wig and placed it back on her head. Since she didn’t use a mirror to place it back on, her look provoked more laughter as many other people on the street had gathered to watch what was happening. Jide started to laugh as well. Filled with shame and humiliation, she left Jide and walked back to the car. The crowd made way for her and some followed till she got to the car. There were snickers here and there with some asking others what happened. Some others felt pity for the woman and shot daggers at Jide.
“This is just the beginning o.” She shouted angrily as she got into her car. “I will be back” She threatened as she started the engine and drove away angrily, her tyres screeching in protest.
Jide eyed her mockingly as he bade her goodbye in a mock salute. The crowd laughed and jeered at his gestures hailing him as he walked back to his apartment alone.
Tina was in shock over the whole drama that had just played off. Everyone in the compound assumed that Jide was single because he didn’t wear a wedding band, he never spoke about having a family somewhere and he had different girls come over virtually every weekend to spend time with him. So discovering this about him coupled with the misconception and humiliation she just faced in the hands of his estranged wife caused Tina to feel very sad and suddenly helpless.
‘Why are all these things happening to me?’ She thought sadly as she opened the door to her apartment. She had left immediately because she had been so embarrassed and didn’t want to entertain any questions from anybody. All she wanted to do was to cry herself to sleep. This wasn’t the first time something like this was happening. In fact this month alone, this was the third time a supposed wife/girlfriend would attack her for trying to steal their man. She tried to cry, but the tears just refused to fall. She was too upset and weak to even pray. She was drained both emotionally and physically. After playing the events over and over in her mind, she made up her mind that the best thing she could do to protect herself from further pain, was to not entertain any male friendliness till further notice. Satisfied with her decision, she drifted off to sleep after a few minutes.