DIARY OF A PASTORS WIFE
EPISODE 6
Red glowing eyes stared back at me, and I tried to see clearly who it was. Metal claws closed over my forearm ti-ghtly, and I whimpered. Then I noticed he looked like David, the man with the red eye had his height and shape of his head. Then the strange being suddenly turned into my mother inlaw. The fear finally began to set in as my heart pumped.
“Ekomobong!” Her de-ep voice rumbled and echoed at the same time.
I woke up immediately sitting upright in shock, it was a dream. The be-d was soft un-der me, but the covers were thickly h0t. I was sweating throu-gh my pyjamas shi-t. I looked at the other be-d, Teye was slee-ping peacefully wra-pped in her pink mickey mouse duvet. My heart eased a bit, I kept repeating in my head that it was only a nightmare.
“Mummy are you okay?” Mfon asked, her voice was soft and tender, I held her into my arms.
“”yes, I am fine my love.” I said as I pu-ll-ed her un-der the sheet and covered her up.
The feeling that overc@m£ me was wondrous and terrifying.
I wanted to stay un-derneath the sheet, I wanted to sleep throu-gh the entire time, but when I checked the time, it was almost 6AM. I woke up hastily to pray, then made breakfast of fried plantain and eggs for the kids. when I heard the door bell ring my heart skipped, I wasn’t expecting anyone.
I didn’t hear the sound of any car horn or anyone knock at the gate. How did this person pas-s throu-gh the gate?
I ti-ptoed towards the window to see who it was, I slid the curtain a bit and my heart trembled at the mere sight of people I saw. Should I say they were in thirty, forty or fifty?
I thought they were arm robbers s£nt by Georgina to come attack me and the kids. I wanted to dial the police, but my instincts wasn’t sure.
Then I saw pastor Jerry, Pastor Ephraim, Akintola and the rest of them whom David mento-red.
“What do y’all want?” I asked in a loud Tone, but boldly.
“Good morning maama.” they all greeted in Unison. There was a murmur. Pastor Jerry stood out from the crowd.
“Mamaa plea-se pastor s£nt us to you.” Jerry said softly.
“I am re-ady for the divorce now, he doesn’t nee-d to s£nd the whole church to come beg me for a divorce.”
They began to murmur.
“No ma, he is asking for your forgiveness.” They all knelt in unison. But my heart bec@m£ ha-rd ened. I gently closed the curtains and walked back slowly to the kitchen.
“Forgive?” I repeated in a panic whisper, a tear falling down my cheek.
Mfon and Teye began to push their boxes to the center of the room, just as I ordered them to do. It was the easiest work their tiny hands could do.
“Mummy why are we packing?” Teye asked.
“The day after tomorrow, we will be leaving for the mainland.” I said, folding the clothes into a basket.
“but mummy our school is on the Island.” Mfon said.
I nodded silently.
“yes I know. no more questions, let’s start packing. you both should gather all your clothes, a truck will be here to start packing.”
They continued to push the drawers and their boxes with all their might.
After few moments, the kids paused.
“mommy we are tired.” Mfon said weakly, giving a childish attitude.
“me too mummy.” Teye said.
“Let’s all rest a bit.”
Teye laughed and blew an exaggerated k!ssback.
Mfon and I joined in the laugh, it was a meaningless laugh, Teye made us happy.
My laughter subsided, but a wistful smile was left on my face and then we started singing. And then we had dinner.
That evening, we piled up the corridor with packed properties that we were going to take to our new home at Surulere.
**
The next morning was hectic.
We woke up tired and stressed, I made breakfast for the kids and drove them quietly to school.
As they alighted from the car, I heard a car door close just by my side, my eyes snapped open.
A masculine scent of a familiar perfume hit me ha-rd on the nose, it was irritating as I felt like puking.
I had a feeling that it must be someone very familiar, but I was afraid to look, I was trying to hide my pregnancy.
“Baby.” He called out huskily.
I didn’t turn, I sat comfortably on my car seat and fastened the seat belt.
“plea-se wait! Ekom I beg you, just listen to me.” suddenly I looked up, our eyes connecting. He was right in front of the car, kneeling down. parents who c@m£ to drop their kids stood to watch, pas-sers by stood to watch.
I wanted to run him over. Kill him and bear the consequences.
“Just listen to me baby plea-se.” He lifted his hand waving at me, but I didn’t return the gesture.
“look at me Ekom, just look at me.” He yelled in a baritone voice.”
He looked like he had a lot to say to me. His eyes were red, he was sweating like a full bucket of water was thrown at him.
I was surprise he couldn’t feel the weight of my angry stare, he was still there, not afraid. But I started the car immediately and zoomed off speedily.
I wasn’t sure if he drove after me, but I drove straight to Surulere, where I rented my new house.
The kids looked out of the window as we drove into our new compound.
“Our new house is fine mommy.” Teye whispered faintly.
“yes it is.”
I loved that the house was far from the main road. I loved that it was far from all the bright lights and noise, far from anyone who knew David. The estate securities were excitedly sociable.
“Wehcome madam oh….yor shilren are too bitifu.” they said excitedly in different tones as they opened the main
“thank you.” I said calmly.
As we alighted from the car, the sight of our new house was peaceful and fascinating to look at.
The walls were made of brisks. And they were coconut trees flanking on the front yard.
The kids and I began to pack out our boxes and food stuffs from the car.
“mommy, this place is far from school.” Mfon broke the silence.
“You won’t be schooling there anymore. I will register you and your sister at a new school here on the mainland.” I said with a serious face. I didn’t look at their faces.
I knew that they were not happy to leave their former school, but it didn’t matter to me anymore. All I wanted was a pri-vate new life.
****
The next morning, I woke up with a headache, and a light fever.
The air conditioner was on but I felt warm and sticky, I was sweating terribly.
Switching on the be-dside lamp I looked at the other be-d, the kids were slee-ping.
I was about to go back to sleep when my phone buzz un-der the pillow.
I tried to ignore the call and get some more sleep. A sleepy sigh floating up to the ceiling of the be-droom, but the phone rang again, and when I reluctantly check who the caller was, it turned out to be Lizzy.
“Hello?” I said in low tone.
“Ekom, where have you been?”
” I left the Island last evening.”
” oh God. my nurses said you’ve not been coming to the hospital for your antenatal.”
“Well, I was never comfortable coming to your clinic for antenatal, I never want David or anyone who knows me to see me with my baby bu-mp.” I said girlishly.
Lizzy laughed out so loud over the phone.
“Talking of David. He walked into my office with some bunch of holy bishops yesterday and demanded to see you. I told him that I am not your keeper. but he didn’t believe me. He said that he went to the house, and discovered that everywhere was empty and locked up. I never knew you were planning to leave, are you leaving for America soon?
“not so soon. I will be planning for my visa tomorrow. I should be leaving before my third trimester.”
“I will see you before weekend then.”
” okay dear. But plea-se don’t come here with anyone.”
Lizzy laughed and hung up the call.
I couldn’t go back to sleep anymore. I thought of reporting David to the police for publicly haras-sing me, I wanted him to stay off my life forever.