She plans to kill me

The ex is back?

Danny climbed the bed, the edge where he usually perched precariously, while Her Majesty took the other part. He had arrived to meet her on the bed. He did not change into his pyjamas, but simply pulled off his clothes, and lay clad only in boxers.

He closed his eyes, and thought about the next day. It was inexorable and the idea got him jittery, but he had obliged, faute de mieux because he had no reason to object. If it was all hunky-dory, the idea would have been a humdinger, something of a real fun but with his gut-wrenching wife, he feared it was going to be a debacle, fiasco and embarrassing outing.

Why couldn't he divorce her? It was obvious she despised him, and she was proud to show it, then why let it go on?It was a month and few days after the wedding and he felt like one who had been in a connubial abyss of despair for two decades. He began to fear the word marriage but when he met people like those slap-happy couple, he felt hope.

Why did he have to fall in love with her? He had been very angry with himself for having those feelings, he felt                            he was hen-pecked, a doofus but he did not plan it. He remembered vowing not to fall in love again, staying away from women, and got his mom perturbed.

Denny was in love with Mina, and they had no reason to remain single. They were twenty-nine years old, done with school and all into business. But Danny had no fiancée and that was holding Denny back.

Hajiya Maria was their mother’s childhood friend even though they lost contact for many years. When they met and hooked up again, they became closer. And it all started from the names. Hajiya Maria was also known as Ummul Jasmine ,and Hajiya Sa’adat( Danny’s mother) said she had a son called Danny. They had laughed. When Hajiya Sa’adat saw ravishing Jasmine, she felt she would be a nice match for her son who had refused to bring any girl in.

Both parents did not force their children. It was not an arranged marriage, but recommended was a better word. And they sought the consent of both parties. They both gave positive responses. Danny was sure he also sought the consent of Jasmine, asking her if she was sure she did not feel bad about it, and she said she was happy over it.

Now he was living in hell. The untold, condescending, uncouth treatments she meted on him were things he could hardly imagine. She hardly greeted him and responded to his greetings with taciturnity.

What should he do? Was it not better to remain single and have peace of mind? He was just  thirty  years old and she was twenty –three. Was he not too young to get marriage induced hypertension?

“ I kept food on the table for you.” She said and brought him out of his thoughts. So she was awake! And she never even greeted him.

“Thank you.” He said softly without looking at her.

Ten minutes later, she said, “did you not hear what I told you? I said I cooked food and kept yours on the dining table.”

“ I heard you and thanked you.”

“ Then why are you still lying here like a sack of dusa?”

“ Because I was not expecting you to keep food for me so I had my dinner before coming back home as usual. I also have provisions because I can’t cook and would not take such a risk. I have an ulcer.”

“ What do you take me for? I used my hands to cook and you yap at me? You cannot waste my food,Mallam Jatau!”

Urggg! He hated it when she called him Mallam Jatau. He had no problem with the name but the way she made it sound so insulting and infuriating got him on edge.

“ If it’s about your gara(food brought by the bride) , tell me how much you spent and I will pay you but the food will not waste. There a lot of people out there that will devour of tomorrow insha God.”

She now sat up, pugnaciously panting, like a grim lioness, her youthful firm bosom heaving.

“ That your stupid preconceived mind-set. You think money is everything. You want to pay me, how wretched you are. You think your money means anything to me. I hate you and your money. You cannot buy me, you cannot buy my love, I am not for sale. You think I am not nice, it’s because I hate you. If I had married a man I love, a man that my heart yells for, I would have shown him the love of this world. But see what you got me into.

Just married and I know no marital bliss. This was not my dream, my anticipations. Cursed is the day you were born.” And she started crying.

Danny took in a deep breath. This was what he was avoiding. All he wanted was peace. He got off the bed, and went downstairs. He came back with a tray of food and sat on the floor.

“ If eating the food will bring peace, I will eat it. Wata rana sai labara(it will all be history someday) . Life is nothing. I may go out tomorrow and never come back. You don’t have to hate me so much. Let us pretend to be friends until God’s plans for us prevail. I may leave the world for you, to have all the space you want, and you will get that carte blanche. Just be patient, Jasmine.”

“ Don’t you dare touch my food. Your slots have fed you and you will not force my food on yourself. Mallam Jatau!”

“ Na’am Matan Mallam Jatau.” Danny said and smirked. “ Yar gaban goshin Mallam Jatau(Mallam Jatau's darling )”

“ I forbid you to say that!” She got off the bed ,forgetting she was only clad in lingerie.

“ I am sorry. If you don’t want me to eat the food, then let me return it.”

“ Leave my plates. Just go and sleep, I don’t want to see you.”

Danny got up and walked slowly towards her.

“ Why can’t you fear God and give me what rightly belongs to me? Do you know the consequences of your actions. At least we are married for now and should act as husband and wife.”

“ I wish you know how repulsive that sounds. Husband and wife! Can you do me a favour of not mentioning that again?”

“ I have a better idea.”

He held her hand. What? She tried to free herself cursing him. But he was adamant, he pulled her closer to him, his strong arms wound round her and she felt trapped, not just by the strength but the powerful radiation from his sapphire eyes, the cologne, and his breath.

Now she was angry at herself. She was trying to get away but something was holding her back. Now she hated him more, he was intimidating her. He was cute, she could not deny that, but why was he using it to pin her down ? 

She stopped fighting, capitulated and let him cuddle her. He was filled with libido, like an effect of over dosed aphrodisiac. He lay her on the bed and after a few minutes, he was almost there. Very close and the marriage is consummated when she grimaced and hissed.

“ What is wrong?” he asked after a pause.

“ Just do and leave me alone! You said I will be cursed if I refuse. Is that not what you want. That is my body, have it but you can never have my heart.”

Danny felt the urge drift out of him at once, his adrenaline deadened and the zeal to have her left. He did not want it this way. She would just lie like a log of wood, cursing and grimacing. He wanted someone who was willing, who wanted him.

It was not rape but he felt like it was. He got off her, disheartened and dejected.

“ You don’t have to be scared of been cursed. You did not stop me, I stopped myself because you don’t want me. Good night, Jasmine.”

She did not reply, she lay there, angry at herself for contemplating letting him have her. Why did she feel something at a point? Okay, maybe it was lust. She was human after all but definitely not love. Never!

Then her phone beeped. It was a message alert. She quickly checked and her heart skipped a beat as she saw the message from Hannah. Bright! Her heart skipped a beat. She had promised him to keep herself until she was out of here and she nearly let him have her. What would she have told him? That was the man she wanted to spend the rest of her life with.

He was the only man that made her feel love and happiness. Why did she have to end with Danny when all her life was centred around Bright? Why? But it was good she was out of the zugzwang situation. She now knew Danny’s weak point. His pride. He would not have her if she does not want him to and that means she did not need to say no. All she would do is hiss and grimace.

  She glanced and saw Danny asleep or pretending to be asleep. He lay at the far end on his side, backing her. She opened the message. What was wrong? Why sending a message this late?

We must see tomorrow, he texted.

See? How?

I don’t know how but you just have to see me.

But we talked about it.

It is not about s*x! Have you decided to remain there for life? Have you fallen in love with him?

 You know me better and this should be the last time you mention anything about love between me and him.

I am sorry. We need to talk. It is about you leaving. The die is cast. I have developed a perfect blueprint but we can’t talk over phone.

This is going to be difficult.

You are a woman and you should know a way out.

Where do you want us to meet?

Rabzzy Hotel

Hotel? What if someone sees me going into a hotel?

Nobody will see you.

I can’t. Think of my reputation, Bright. Think of what is at stake.

What do you suggest?

If all we have to do is talk, then I suggest Unguwan Agwagwa. There is a field there close to LEA  Primary school.

I know that place.

What time?

What time do you think you will be free?

It’s not about my free time but he does not have to know. Let us make it around eleven o’clock in the morning.

Good. I miss you. Hope my fruit is still safe.

It’s not yours yet. I am still married fa.

Why do you keep reminding me about that? Do you think I don’t know? If you want to stay there let me know!

I am sorry yallabai. I just don’t want us to cross the line. When this is over, then the line is obliterated.

That is why you must see me tomorrow.

Yes, sir. And for the record, nothing has happened and nothing will happen.

Oh, I love you bae

Na you get your mouth.

Say thank you at least even if you can’t say it back.

Good night Bright.