Forsaken

She stood, hands akimbo, mouth ajar, tears battling their way down her warm cheeks. How could this be, was she hallucinating or is this some sort of movie trick? Sandra, how did I get here, have I ruined my life by myself? she asked her friend.

This isn’t the man she knew, by far the man before her was a different being. Ice cold. Unbothered.

Although he has never been the outgoing type, he used to be more fun to warm up to. He’ll do things for her without her asking, strike up random conversations with her in his slow and husky voice. Quiet he was, yet, his presence ever loud but now…

Many suns ago, Olu would say to his wife “Look at what you’re doing, is it even right? You have seemed to make it your life’s purpose to do an awful thing daily, banking on my overlooking it. One day, you’ll return home and wonder what went wrong.” But as always, Mimi took his word with a pinch of salt because in her mind's eye, the Olu she knows, the man she married, not out of love per se, but as a means to get out of mother’s pressure and to stop being a prayer point every Sunday, she was certain, would die if he leaves her.

It started with the long working hours, and longer it went. Then came the withdrawal, and no more complaints. She would go out of her way to get a reaction from him, yet, nothing.

She wouldn’t make him breakfast, give unnecessary excuses as to why she can’t tend to his needs in the bedroom, once, twice and then he stopped asking.

She’d come home after a few weeks' absences to a much warmer Olu and said to her friend via phone, “I told you, I have this man wrapped around my finger and I know just what buttons to push. Just a few days of my absence and he’s acting much better, this one can’t do without me.”

In his little corner, he stifles a laugh, if only she knew…

As the days gave way to nights and many more to follow, she then realized that indeed, she wasn’t the reason for his warmth because he wouldn’t as much as look at her or say more than mere salutations to her every morning before leaving for work and at night time when he returns.

Amidst all these, Olu never neglected his duty to care for and provide for his family. He’d go ahead to increase the housekeeping allowance, do more gifting and spending time with the kids on weekends when he’s off work and gladly return to his phone when he was less busy.

“It’s the phone, Sandra, he’s definitely seeing someone else, I’m sure of it. He gives all his spare time to that phone like I don’t exist” Mimi said to her friend who told her to calm down and think things through for fear of making rash decisions.

A fourth night later, Mimi had a dream, which by her own interpretation was terrifying. She went to Olu saying she’d like to talk and he gave her a nod of approval to go ahead. “I had a terrifying dream last night Olu and it's really getting me worried.” She looked at him with so many questions in her eyes and continued to speak when he said nothing. “In my dream last night, you took a second wife for yourself. Even when I pleaded with you to bring her home so we can live peacefully, you refused and moved out instead. I don’t know what to make of the dream but please tell me you’re not planning to take another wife please, I beg you.”

Still maintaining his vow of silence, Olu gently resumed his humming, finished dressing up and left for work.

Mimi burst into tears, head in hand and wailed uncontrollably.

When she could find her voice and string a few words together, she picked up the phone and dialled Sandra’s number. “Sandra, I have lost my husband. I have pushed a good man away in my own foolishness because I couldn’t see past my nose. He’s gone Sandra, he’s gone…” she said amidst subs as the phone fell to the ground.