MARRIED TO VICTOR STEPHEN
✏EPISODE_9
________
Yewande Joseph✔
📝
The children were having fun, especially Emmanuella, and Emmanuel. I could see them jumping up and down with their cousins. They looked so happy being together with their cousins. They ran around in their Christmas clothes, and shoes. Showing, and boasting around with it.
Even the dustbin in the kitchen could feel that there was a celebr@tion going on, because every minute, empty nylon of caprisonne was gifted to her. And of course, they were kind enough to drop her their nylon of biscuits as well.
I saw Victoria strode into the kitchen. I knew exactly where she was heading to, so I decided to keep quiet, and let her found out herself. She opened the fridge only to close it back with a surprise look on her face. “Suzy what happened to the remaining cake?” She asked.
I couldn’t help smiling. “Someone has finished it. I really don’t know who took the remaining.” Someone definitely beat her to it. May be the guys pla-ying card at a corner.
“But that cake is mine. Who now took it?” she queried
I laughed. “You mean the cake that was meant for everyb©dy.”
She hissed, and smiled. “I’ve been targeting that remaining cake. Seriously, I’m amazed you made that cake. It’s really sweet. I thought you were joking about learning how to bake cake because of Victor.”
A teasing smile graced myl-ips. “Anything for my sweetheart.”
Victoria grinned at me. “He is lucky to have you. And I must commend you for the jollof and fried rice you cooked. It was as if you hired a caterer,” she smiled at me.
I grinned back gratefully. “Well, I decided to hire myself this
year. The woman taught me everything.”
Victoria laughed, and paused. “But Suzy, to be frank with you, do you know you can start ma-king money from this cake. No one would be able to resist it. Like.. This cake is… ” I laughed cutting her off. “Me sell cake? I just do it for fun. I don’t even have time for that.”
Victoria shook her head. “When you want something, you find a way, and not an excuse. Do you remember my landlady whom I introduced you?”
I nodded. I could remember vividly how the woman gave Emmanuel and Emmanuella a big balloon each, saying the children prefers it more than biscuit. I could not laugh. Would I say the woman is stingy or what? I agreed with Victoria who told me its just her style. And gratefully, my children accepted it, and pla-yed with it throu-gh the day before they unknowingly bur-st it.
I told Victoria I could remember the woman, as she continued.
“Do you know she has a big buka where she sells Amala, Pounded yam, and these popular swallows people eat?”
My mouth gaped open. “Matron!” I found it so surprising. “She’s a Matron. Besides, she has a very big shop where she sells pampers and baby’s clothes. That woman is ma-king money. And I’m very sure her things would be expensive, since she has the shop at lekki also.”
Victoria laughed. “Very, Very… She’s ma-king her money. She made me realize you don’t just make money and spend. Instead, you make money, and invest it on something else to make more money. But seriously, it’s not that easy, because she’s always busy.”
“But as a Matron…” I trailed off.
Victoria laughed. “Suzy I’m not asking you to start selling food. I just don’t want your cake skill to waste. I want to be able to eat it anytime I’m around.”
I laughed, and she joined me.
Now that everyone is loving my cake.
What’s next?
We were still laughing when a group of grown up guys ran into the kitchen. Guys who were now called Daddy, ran towards my fridge, and yanked it open, pushing themselves away. After a minute or two of searching and searching, they stared at one another, wondering what could have taken what they c@m£ for.
They were still searching the kitchen when the children in the house ran inside the kitchen as well. They were all smiling, and looking very happy, while Emmanuella who led them to me spoke up. “Mommy, everyb©dy loves your cake. Brother George and all of us want another one.”
“Yes!” The rest of them screamed, except from George who was not there with them. Victoria and I shared a look and started laughing. Our laughter increa-sed at the reaction we got from the men of the house.
“I’m so thirsty,” Yomi took a bottle of water.
“Yea, I’m thirsty too,” Victor took his own.
“Jimi are you not thirsty?” Their third friend asked the last one who was just looking.
He immediately got the scope. “Like seriously, this thirsty thing is affecting me too.” They all turned around with a bottle of water each.
Victoria walked to the fridge as well. “I think I will have to copy their style.” She grinned at me.
I chuckled lightly, throwing her one of my teasing smiles. “As if you know this thirsty thing is affecting me too,” I mimicked, and we both laughed at each other.
Thirsty thing on point…
___________________
I thought Victor wouldn’t allow the children and I to go to his parents house because of what happened. But I guess the children must have done a good job at reminding him about going to grandma and grandpa at Lekki. He permitted the children and I while he stayed at home.
The most reason why they love going is because of the gifts, and menu menu like their grandma always call it. They couldn’t miss it for anything in the world. I was sure if they didn’t go, Victor and I would not have a rest of mind, because they started reminding us immediately Christmas was gone.
I knew Victor haven’t told his parents about the pregnancy, which made me put on my oversized go-wn, that was free and was able to hide my little swollen. I knew someone couldn’t hide pregnancy for long, because it’s something everyone would see once it starts showing.
The go-wn must have done a great job, but my b©dy couldn’t deceive those who are expert at identifying pregnant women. Of course, not until they are expert, because there would always be a change in the b©dy. And as for me, I added a little weight. I was alre-ady four months pregnant. My morning sickness was gone, and has given me so much time to eat well and sleep a lot.
“Suzy, is that good? You are pregnant, and neither me nor his Dad was informed about it.” Victor’s mom sounded a bit disappointed. I knelt down for her to see how remorseful I was. I was not in the position to tell her. Her son who should have gladly shared the news was not pres£nt.
“Mommy, I’m sorry ma.” I apologized. “Victor didn’t say anything, and I didn’t want to go behind him to share the news.” I gave her my reason.
She hissed, and shook her head in pity. “I don’t know when your husband will grow up. I brou-ght him to this house to apologize to his Dad, but no… Both the father and son almost brou-ght down this house on me,” she said, expressing with her two hands. “And how is he doing?” She was calm again. Though she displa-yed how angry she was, yet she felt for her son. She was concerned about him.
I took back my seat next to her on the be-d. I didn’t know whether to share my burden with her or not. But I knew if I shared it with her, she would give me a very good advice like she used to despite the fact that I was married to her son.
“Mommy, Victor wants to sell the house?” I blurted out, waiting for her to reply. She stared at me trying to digest what I just said. “Wait… Has he bought a new house?”
“No,” I shook my head.
“Oh! So you guys are finally going to your new site at ikorodu?”
“No,” I shook my head again. We couldn’t go there because it was far from my place of work, and he didn’t want to leave banana island either. Victor’s mom gave me a look silently saying. ‘ I’m confused,
plea-se explain.’
I went ahead to share my thoughts with her, because I was confused too. “Mom, it’s not clear to me either. He just announced all of a sudden that he was selling the house. I hope you will be able to talk him out of it.”
Victor’s mom shook her head. “Ahh! He wants to put a hvge amount of money on a business he doesn’t know anything about. They will just dupe him and run away with his money.”
I couldn’t help the little smile that graced myl-ips. She chuckled a bit too, and held my two hands. “Now, I can’t decide for him. I will always tell him the truth as his mother and hope he listens. You’re all he’s got. I have been married for forty years, and I can tell you, marriage is not a be-d of roses. Men are so funny sometimes with the decisions they take. And that is why as his p@rtner, you’re there to guide him, call him to order, advice him, and be his confidant,” she said cautiously.
“All this didn’t emerge in a day. My husband’s Dad was not a rich man. May his soul rest in perfect peace. It is you and your husband now. You have a lot to do my dear,” she said. She went on and on to tell me more of her experience and how I could handle each situation. I was glad I knew her. Every wife prays for a good mother in-law.
••••
It was late at night, as we were about going to be-d. We had spent a week, and as usual the kids doesn’t want to leave yet. Victor’s mom c@m£ in to check on us as her usual routine. This time Emmanuel and Emmanuella were still awake.
“You both haven’t gone to be-d?” She asked.
Emmanuella tied her small scarf very well. “Grandma we want to pray.”
“Pray?” Victor’s mom smiled at them, and turned to look at me. I could see she was excited to hear that from her grandchild.
“You mean you pray every night before going to be-d?” She asked them again.
Emmanuel nodded. “Yes Grandma. Grandma at Abuja always tell my mommy to make sure we pray at night.” He mentioned my Mom who always tell them to pray everyday whenever they visit Abuja.
“Wow!” Victor’s mom was surprised. She gr@bb£d one of my clothes on her head. “So who’s going to pray for us?”
“Me!” Emmanuella raised her hand.. Victor’s mom was still smiling, beaming with joy over her grandchildren.
“Father in Jesus name,” Emmanuella began. “My mommy will not die. My Daddy will not die. Grandma and Grandpa will not die. Everyb©dy will not die.” Since I was not closing my eyes, a smile tugged myl-ips at the way their Grandma was using all her strength to say Amen.
I was glad I went for the church counsel programme that talked about raising a child. My mom would always tell me to pray with the children and teach them how to pray. But I thought they were too young, and there was nothing they could pray about. The day both of them prayed in my pres£nce.
I was shocked they knew people die, I was astonished they alre-ady knew so much about God. Since then, I would take my time to re-ad the bible to them and explain the lessons in the scripture to them.
“In Jesus name have prayed.”
“Amen!” We all chorused as Emmanuella finished her prayer. Victor’s mom turned to me and thanked me for the way I was training her grandchildren.
Train up a child in the way he should go, so that
when he is old, he would not dep@rt from it.
“Grandma, we have not finish praying. Me too I will pray.” Emmanuel reminded his Grandma who was about to leave.
Victor’s mom grinned. “Really. My babies have caught fire,” she joked, as she put back my cloth on her head again. “Prayer is never too much,” she muttered.
🎶 Father Abr@ham has many sons…
Many sons had father Abr@ham…
I am one of them…
And so are you…
So, let’s all praise the lord.
I couldn’t help grinning as Victor’s mom was dancing to the song. That was Emmanuel’s way of praying. He would sing, and later pray.
🎶 You are God… He began another song.
🎶 You are not just big o…
You are not just large o…
You are a great God.
You are big, big, big, big, big…
Large, large, large, large…
Great, great, great…
You are a great God.
He sang three more songs, and said his prayer. Victor’s mom was grinning from ear to ear. When Emmanuel was finally done, she praised them, and encouraged them to always pray, and go to church.
“Because you’ve both done well, Grandma would give you a carton of caprisonne tomorrow,” Victor’s mom said to them.
“Yeyyyy!!!!” They screamed happily. “Grandma let us pray again.” The two chorused.
Both their Grandma and I laughed. See their sweet
mouth.
After Victor’s mom was done, she left the room with one of the songs Emmanuel sang, as she danced to it.
🎶🎶 O Lord, we are hundred percent grateful… For
all that you have done for us.
🎶🎶O Lord, we are hundred percent grateful… We
say, thank you JESUS.
💞✏💞✒💞✒💞✒💞
Story_Continues💕