THE MARRIAGE BATTLE
EPISODE 5
Adaobi: Here, Mami, dinner is served.
Mami: Where is it?
Adaobi: In the dining room.
Mami: stood and went to the dining to have her dinner while Kemi followed behind.
Kemi: ‘you prepared vegetable soup?’ she asked as soon as she opened the plate in front of her ‘and eba?’
Adaobi: Yes I did and I hope you will enjoy it.
Kemi: I pray oooo.
Mami: tasted the meal and was amazed for it was so delicious.
Adaobi: How is it Mami?
Mami: it’s okay, you tried.
Adaobi: Thank you.
Mami: have a seat and join us ‘you have to eat oooo’ .
Adaobi: Okay and she sat down to eat. When they were all done with the food, she carried the plates to the kitchen and washed them. After that, she joined them in the sitting room where they were watching a movie on African Magic and watched with them also.
Mami: Adaobi, Kemi will show you the guest room where you will pas-s the night.
Adaobi: Okay Ma.
Mami: Did you come with any clothes?
Adaobi: No I didn’t for I didn’t know you will want me to spend the night here.
Mami: Kemi will give you hers for you to use tonight, Sorry for the impromptu stay.
Adaobi: No problem.
Mami bid them goodnight and told Kemi what to do. They stayed up for a few hours before Adaobi told Kemi to show her to her room and she did, gave her clothes to change to and bid her goodnight.
The following morning, Adaobi woke up very early in the morning to clean the house and when she was done, she had her bath and made breakfast for them.
Adaobi: Good morning Mami.
Mami: how was your night, hope you sle-pt well?
Adaobi: I did Mami.
Mami: I can see my house is looking so clean, thanks for your effort.
Adaobi: your welcome.
Mami: Where is my daughter?
Adaobi: I don’t know, I haven’t seen her, she should probably be in her room slee-ping.
Mami: Alright.
Adaobi: Won’t you go to church today?
Mami: No not today. I am really tired.
Adaobi: Alright.
Mami: What about you?
Adaobi: I won’t for I didn’t come with any clothes except this one.
Mami: Have you had your bath?
Adaobi: Yes I did, I was also able to wash the clothes Kemi gave me last night.
Mami: Good, that’s very good. You know that I also have some clothes to wash right?
Adaobi: Really?
Mami: Yes.
Adaobi: Is the washing machine not working?
Mami: No it isn’t, it broke down three days ago and the person to repair it isn’t here yet. Maybe during the week he will make himself available.
Adaobi: okay, you can bring them and I will wash them for you.
Mami: You will?
Adaobi: Yes Mami, I will.
Mami: went into her room to bring both clean and dirty clothes for her to wash and dropped them on the floor in front of her ‘here they are, I hope they are not too much’.
Adaobi: seeing the clothes and knowing what Mami is up to picked them up, smiled and said ‘it wasn’t’. She went to the bathroom where they was alre-ady detergent waiting for her alre-ady and started washing the clothes.
Kemi woke up from be-d feeling very hungry, went to the dining and saw that breakfast was alre-ady set; she sat down, ate and asked her mother where Adaobi was if she is still slee-ping after eating.
Kemi: Mami, where is Adaobi?
Mami: so you don’t know how to greet again abi? You just woke up, you didn’t even ask who prepared the meal you are eating, you just dived into it and after that you are asking me of Adaobi.
Kemi: Mami, I am sorry, I was very hungry. The meal is delicious sha, you did well.
Mami: Adaobi prepared it.
Kemi: That is nice of her, where is she sef?
Mami: In the bathroom washing.
Kemi: ‘Okay’ she stood up and left saying ‘i nee-d to add my clothes too’. when she got to where she was, she dropped her clothes instructing her to wash them and iron them when she is done.
Adaobi: Kemi, you can’t possibly add your clothes to the ones I am washing, why don’t you come and join hands lets wash them together.
Kemi: I can’t, I am too tired, Can’t you wash my clothes?
Adaobi: I can if you were incapable but in this case, you are not.
Kemi: My mother told me to add my clothes so that you will wash them.
Adaobi: For what reason?
Kemi: Meaning.
Adaobi: Why would Mami say so? Why would she ask me to wash your clothes when there is nothing wrong with you?
Kemi: Maybe you should go and ask her.
Adaobi: ‘ Alright’ She said and went to ask Mami who was in the sitting room relaxing ‘Mami, did you say that I should also wash Kemi’s clothes when she is doing nothing?
Mami: Why can’t you or do you have a problem with that?
Adaobi: it is just a question Ma.
Mami: Wash it.
Adaobi: ‘ Okay Mami’ she said and left. When she was done, she hung the clothes and waited for Ayo to come pick her immediately for she alre-ady gave him a call. Few minutes later, Kemi went to check if her clothes were well washed and hung only to find out that they were all soa-ked in a bucket in the bathroom. She was angry and went to report to her mother.
Kemi: ‘Mami, do you know that Adaobi didn’t wash my clothes’ she fumed.
Mami: Are you sure?
Kemi: My clothes are soa-ked inside a bucket in the bathroom.
Mami: Ah Ah! But I instructed her to do so.
Kemi: She didn’t Mami.
Mami: go and call her for me.
Kemi: went to call Adaobi who was sitting on the be-d waiting for Ayo to come pick her for she couldn’t and didn’t want to spend another day there.
Adaobi: Kemi said you asked for me.
Mami: Yes I did, why didn’t you wash her clothes?
Adaobi: Pardon?
Mami: Why didn’t you wash my daughter’s clothes?
Adaobi: but what is wrong with Kemi washing her own clothes, why do I have to be the one to do it?
Mami: but I told you to, didn’t i?
Adaobi: But Mami….just then, Ayo entered the house.
Ayo: ‘Hello every one? How is my wifey doing’ he went and gave a pe-ck on her cheek saying are you re-ady? He turned to look at his mother and sister and turned to looked at Adaobi again ‘is everything all right?
Adaobi: Yes everything is fine.
Mami: says who?
Ayo: Mami, what’s wrong?
Kemi: the wifey or the woman you want to bring into our home is disrespectful, she disrespected Mami.
Adaobi: Ayo let me explain plea-se.
Ayo: Go to the car and wait for me plea-se.
Adaobi: But Ayo…..
Ayo: ‘I said go to the car and wait for me’ he ordered. As soon as she was gone he asked ‘Mami, what really happened?
Mami: she…..
Kemi: Mami gave her my clothes to wash but she refused, instead she soa-ked them for me to do it, can you imagine?
Mami: will you shut up your mouth before I shut it up for you? Turning to Ayo she said ‘I told her to wash some of Kemi’s clothes but she didn’t.
Ayo: Why will you give her Kemi’s clothes to wash, cant Kemi wash her own clothes again?
Mami: Is that what you will say to me Ayo? So I can’t give her simple instructions without she saying no? Now that she is not married to you she is showing her true characters, what if she is now married, I won’t say anything to her that she will do.
Ayo: I am not saying that and I am sorry if she didn’t do it but I still do not know why you will give her Kemi’s clothes to wash, I mean she is Kemi’s s£nior and as such respect should be accorded to her.
Mami: and what is wrong with me giving her my daughter’s clothes when she was washing my clothes?
Ayo: On her behalf I am or she is very sorry.
Mami: There is no point apologizing on her behalf, I do not like her. She is a pauper and from a poor family, she is not good for you.
.
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To ladies in the house, do you think Adaobi did well with that her actions or she over rude?
Remember, you must be respectful to your in-laws
THE MARRIAGE BATTLE
EPISODE 6
Ayo: On her behalf I am or she is very sorry.
Mami: There is no point apologizing on her behalf, I do not like her. She is a pauper and from a poor family, she is not good for you.
Ayo: Ah Mami, why are you saying this?
Mami: Didn’t you hear what I just said, she is not good for your social status, I do not want you to marry her.
Ayo: it won’t happen Mami because I have alre-ady made up my mind and there is nothing you or anyb©dy can do about it.
Mami: it is either me or her and so you choose.
Ayo: ‘I will talk to you when you are less angry’ he said and left the house. When he got to his car, he met Adaobi crying ‘Why are you crying’?
Adaobi: ‘Nothing’ she wiped away her tears.
Ayo: I am sorry for everything; you shouldn’t put anything to heart.
Adaobi: I tried Ayo, I really tried.
Ayo: ‘I know you did, let’s go home’ and together they went to his house.
Two weeks later, Ayo went with Adaobi to make his intentions known.
When he got there, he was welcomed by her father, siblings and Uncle.
Papa: My son, you are very welcome to our humble home.
Ayo: Thank you sir.
Papa: What did you say brings you here again?
Ayo: I c@m£ to ask for your daughter’s hand in marriage.
Papa: My only daughter?
Ayo: Yes sir, if you will permit me for I will like to make her my wife.
Emenike: Adaobi! Adaobi!
“Yes sir” she answered ‘Come here’ he said.
When Adaobi c@m£ he asked “is she the person you want to marry?”
Ayo: Yes sir, she is the one.
Emenike: Turning to Adaobi ‘do you know him’?.
Adaobi: Yes sir.
Emenike: He has come to ask for your hand in marriage, what do you have to say?
Adaobi: ‘ Okay sir’ she answered shyly.
Emenike: Okay is not an answer my child, will you like to marry him?
Adaobi: Yes sir.
Emenike : ‘You may go in Adaobi’ and she left.
Papa: Hmmm, She is my one and only daughter and since you have come to pluck the flower in my compound with our permission you are welcomed.
Ayo: Thank you.
Emenike: You will nee-d to come with your people for that is the only way we know you are serious and that your people are in support of it.
Ayo: That won’t be a problem and with your permission, we will be here in the next weekend if that is okay.
Papa: That is okay with us.
Ayo: ‘ Thank you sir and plea-se take this as a token of appreciation’ he gave them the wine he brou-ght.
Emenike: who collected marveled at the sight of the wine for it was imported ‘this is so nice and thank you.
Ayo: ‘You are welcome’ After a few minutes he left them and went to his place.
One week later, Ayo c@m£ with his people and the marriage agreement between Adaobi and Ayo was agreed upon. He was told that they will s£nd him the list in a few days.
Few days later Emenike who was with Papa called Adaobi to the sitting room.
Emenike: Ada Nwam, I want you to tell what is his name again?
Adaobi: Who sir?
Papa: Ayo.
Emenike: Ehen, Ayo, I want you to tell him to come and collect the list as soon as possible.
Adaobi: Okay Sir, I will inform him today and hopefully, he will come for it.
Emenike: That is okay, we will be available.
The following day, Ayo c@m£ in company of his uncle to collect the list, they were welcomed and Emenike pres£nted the list to them.
Ayo’s Uncle Opened the list to go throu-gh what was inside and gave it to Ayo to look at while Adaobi was in the room listening attentively to what was said.
Ayo: ‘Ah, Sir! Papa! This list is too much.
Emenike: What is too much about our list? Do you know how we suffered in training our only daughter to the university? How we moulded her image and character?
Ayo: Ermmm, I am sorry sir but from what I see here, I can see fathers list, Mothers list, brothers list, sisters list, family list, elders list and village list including Umu Ada list, If I sum up everything I see here, it’s going to cost me one million plus.
Emenike: And so? Aren’t you man enough to shoulder that responsibility?
Papa: ‘My son, plea-se let me have that list’ He collected it and went throu-gh it again.
Emenike: Don’t you know that you are taking our pride and joy away from us?
Ayo’s Uncle: plea-se our in-laws, it is throu-gh that we are coming to pluck a beautiful flower but don’t you think that this list pres£nted to us is too much for a young man?
Emenike: A young man you said, isn’t he the one that want to marry our daughter? His ability to provide for what is in that list will prove to us if he can really take care of her.
Ayo’s Uncle: I agree with you no doubt, but it is still too much.
Emenike: Bia my son, are you really capable of taking care of our daughter?
Ayo: Very well sir.
Emenike: Then that list on your hand is the only way to prove it.
Ayo’s Uncle: My in-law…he was interrupted by Ayo.
Ayo: Uncle don’t worry, I will provide everything necessary.
Ayo’s Uncle: But Ayo?
Ayo: Uncle, do not worry.
Emenike: Now you are talking, Provide all that is written there and our daughter is yours for life.
Ayo: ‘Yes sir’ after a few minutes, they stood, bid them farewell and left. As he was about to enter his car with his uncle, Adaobi st©pped them.
Adaobi: Ayo, don’t you want to see me before leaving? Can I see the list?
Adaobi: ‘Jesus Christ, this list is too much’ she said when it was handed to her.
Ayo’s Uncle: Very much. I told him but he said he can handle it.
Adaobi: Why didn’t you put up a fight?
Ayo: why should I, they are going to be my in-laws and putting up a fight will seem like I am rude or something.
Ayo’s Uncle: Why didn’t you let me in then?
Ayo: I didn’t want you to bother because I know that I can afford it.
Adaobi: That is not an excuse; you shouldn’t have accepted the list.
Ayo: and risk not ma-king you my wife? No way, Don’t bother yourself sweetheart, I can manage it.
Adaobi: ‘Alright if you say so’ She bid them goodbye and went to her house ‘Papa, I thought I told you to help me out?
Papa: I didn’t know what was inside that list, I thought I spoke to your uncle but he didn’t adhere to what I said.
Adaobi: Didn’t you go throu-gh the list?
Papa: I never did and I didn’t want to say anything while our guest was around so that it wouldn’t seem like I am disrespecting him.
Turning to his brother he said ‘are you satisfied?
Emenike: I am not until everything in the list is brou-ght.
Papa: The list is just too much, you should call the young man back and give him a new list.
Emenike: For what?
Papa: The list for the father, mother and sister should be scR@p£d; we won’t be in nee-d of them. The only thing that should be necessary in that list is that of the elders of the village and the Umu ada that’s all.
Emenike: Why should they?
Papa: because I am her father and it won’t be necessary.
Emenike: Well, I am also her father and she has sisters for my children are her sisters and brothers.
Adaobi: that is not necessary Uncle.
Emenike: well it is very, very important
Papa: that list should be scR@p£d out.
Emenike: What? Listen, you can scra-p yours but you cannot scra-p all others. you want to only give the elders of our village and Umu Ada something forgetting that you have a family.
Papa: I have said my own, I am not selling my daughter.
Emenike: What about that of your son’s, wont they have anything?
Papa: They won’t. I am sure all they will want is for their sister to be well taken care of and happy and even if they want something, it is not what is on that list. A simple wine will do.
Emenike: ‘Hmmm, isn’t he a rich man? Why do you want to bother yourself when he can afford it? Or you want to be the only one to enjoy him when you get married abi’ he said to Adaobi.
Adaobi: It is not that Uncle, I just feel it is not right to extort an innocent man like that.
Papa: Adaobi my daughter, when next you talk to him, tell him that we have agreed that all other items is not necessary except for the elders and Umu Ada If he cannot provide them.
Adaobi: Yes Papa, I will tell him about it.
Ayo drove straight to his parents’ house with his Uncle to tell them the good news and soon, wedding preparations will start.
Ayo: Mami, I have gone to collect the list.
Mami: Ehen! I didn’t even know that you have gone to see her people in the first place.
Ayo: I did that with Uncle today.
Mami: Are you alright?
Ayo: What do you mean Mami.
Mami: Didn’t I tell you and made it clear to you that I do not like that girl.
Ayo: Mami plea-se don’t start plea-se.
Ayo’s Uncle: But what is wrong with the girl he has chos£n for himself to marry?
Mami: Everything oooo, everything. My spirit does not accept her at all and she is an igbo girl. They too like money, They will drain him of all his resources.
Ayo Uncle: Hmmmm.
Mami: Yes ooooo. She is also disrespectful. Infact eh, I don’t want that girl near you anymore. Do you hear me?
Ayo: Mami, it won’t happen ooo that girl is the love of my life.
Mami: She doesn’t love you but your money, You see all the pretense that ladies do pretend? Wait till they get married and you will see their true colors. She doesn’t love you but your money and once you get married to her, her family, mother, father, brothers, sisters, all extended family will be your responsibility. They will svçkyou and keep su-cking you till they dry up your well.
Ayo Uncle: Hmmmm
Mami: Uncle Ayo, you won’t talk to him now abi? What is all this hmmm for?
Ayo Uncle: I am speechless because we have collected the list today and it seems what you are saying is true.
Mami: What do you mean?
Ayo: Uncle Ayo plea-se don’t go there.
Ayo Uncle: She is your mother Ayo and she has to know the truth.
Mami: ‘What truth? What do I have to know’ she asked as she looked at the both of them ‘will someb©dy tell me what is going on?’
Ayo Uncle: It is nothing serious oooo, it is just that the list they gave us is too much.
Mami: What list?
Ayo: The list we were given in preparation for the wedding?
Mami: Where is it? Let me see it. Ayo handed it to her ‘Egbami! Hey, what is all this? They want to finish all the money you have even before you get married, I told you didn’t i?
Ayo Uncle: We tried pleading with them that it was too much but they wouldn’t hear of it.
Mami: I said it, their extortion has just begun. Didn’t I warn you Ayo, didn’t i? This marriage whatever is cancelled.
WATCHOUT FOR EPISODE 7
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