Thorn between episode 31 – 32

TITLE: TORN BETWEEN

WRITTEN BY OGECHI ALABI

TROUBLE 1

Eucharia was at home one morning when she heard a commotion in front of her house. Adim had just left for work so she wondered what could be happening outside but did not think much of it. Later, she drove out of the compound for the shop. She was in high spirits as she drove out when a neighbour stopped her and asked, “What happened between your husband and the lady that she almost destroyed his car? Who is she?”

Eucharia was confused. She asked the neighbour what she saw and she said she heard the commotion too and peeped from her bedroom window. A woman threatened to destroy Adim’s vehicle, but she eventually left with Adim after he carried her into his car crying. It sounded strange who was the woman?

Eucharia reversed the vehicle to the house and asked the security man what happened. He was reluctant to disclose what had happened. Eucharia became worried at this stage. She wanted to react but chose not to. She was tempted to go to Adim’s office to confront him, but did not want to create a scene. Instead she went to the shop to distract herself until later in the evening when Adim returned from work.

Adim came home, ate dinner and retired for the night. Eucharia ensured the kitchen was clean and the entire house properly locked up before she went to bed. She took her bath and joined Adim on the bed. She asked him what transpired that morning. He was surprised when she asked and it raised her suspicion.

“Nothing happened,” he replied, “I almost hit someone and had to take her to the hospital.”

“Is that so? That was not what I heard. Why did she want to destroy your vehicle? Why was she crying? She was not injured, so why did you carry her into your car at the back seat? Who is she, Adim?”

“I have told you what happened. But how did you know?”

“People saw you and saw what happened and wanted to know your relationship with the woman.”

“There is nothing.”

“Adim, you know I love you. If you are hiding anything from me, you should tell me now because if I find out myself; I will never forgive you. I do not need a soothsayer to tell me you are lying to me right now. I am asking for the last time, who is she and why did she come to my home?”

“Eucharia, what is the threat for? Why are you threatening me over a woman I helped and nothing more? Those filling your head with gossip are doing you a disservice. What do they stand to gain if this marriage disintegrates? I helped someone and that is all.”

“Okay. Di m, I wanted you to know I will investigate what happened this morning. I will find out who the lady is and ask her by myself why she was by my gate this morning….”

“Why all this? Eucharia, why don’t you believe me? Why are you making a mountain out of a molehill? Investigate all you want,” he replied in submission as he laid back on the bed and faced the wall. He wondered who must have told Eucharia about the incident because he defused it quickly before it escalated. Why people do not mind their business was baffling to him. He was very upset about it. And she did not sound as though she believed him and her threat was real. This was a mess he was not ready for.

Eucharia wanted to make good on her threat. The following morning, she went to the head of security of the estate and discussed the incident with him. She made him believe his boys were careless and allowed an incident to happen. It was from them she heard the whole story. The lady came into the estate with a car and driver. She parked the car opposite the house and waited for Adim to drive out of the house. As he drove out, she came out of her car and stopped his vehicle a few metres from the house. She banged on the bonnet of the vehicle severally, making noise and asking him to come down otherwise she would destroy his vehicle. To drive home her point, she picked up a stone and attempted to break the windscreen of the vehicle. That was when Adim came down and held her. She cried as he spoke to her and he carried her into his vehicle. Adim was lying to her.

That night, she told Adim the entire story. The security wrote down the plate number of the woman’s car in case she fled. She told Adim the plate number and how she would find the lady using the number and ask her what business she had with her husband to come to the house to harass him. Adim could not believe his ears. It dawned on him that Eucharia was adamant about this issue. She refused to rain insults on him, and when he refused to say anything, she turned away from him and slept.

The following morning, as he was preparing for work, she was also preparing to go out. He was surprised to see her getting dressed that early without her routine exercise. Adim wondered what she was up to but did not want to ask. After he ate breakfast, Flora came out of her room. She saw Eucharia well dressed to go out, so she asked where she was going so early.

“I am going to the Police station to report a crime that happened in front of the house. We need to fish out the culprit and ensure it never happens again,” Eucharia replied her.

“You mean the lady that created a scene near the house? It is a good thing you are taking this up. Why would she block your husband’s vehicle from leaving the estate? Or Adim do you know her?” Flora asked.

“He does not know her yet but he would before the end of today. I have called my friend to help expedite the whole process. I want to get to the root of this matter.”

Adim had heard enough; he stood up from the dining chair and grabbed Eucharia by her hand to their bedroom upstairs. When he got into the room, he asked her, “What is the meaning of all this? I am instructing you not to investigate anything. Why do you want to cause trouble between us.”

“Di m, you must confess the truth to me before I will let this matter die. I want to know my rival and size her up, what is wrong with that? Please allow me to do what is best for me. For her to come to my house to look for you, then it is not a fling but something serious, and I will find out what is happening.”

Adim stood aside and looked at Eucharia. He did not want her to pursue the matter further and find out who she was. He looked at her and asked if she wanted to hear the truth, and she nodded. “I had a brief affair with her when you travelled out; it lasted a week. She did not want to end it even though I told her you were back and I could not combine work, home and seeing her. She has been threatening to expose the relationship to you since then. This time she trailed me to the house and created that scene. I have warned her not to come to the house anymore. I had to settle her so she does not repeat this.”

Read – Thorn between episode 16 – 17

Eucharia was silent for a few minutes. Her heart raced as he spoke before it broke. She went away for two weeks and what Adim did was to sleep with another woman. She had never heard such a complaint from Njideka and Prisca, so where did Adim get this from? She felt she was not good enough for him that was why he sought refuge in other women. She took off her clothes and changed into something more casual. She carried her handbag and walked away. She decided not to fight it anymore and she had to learn how not to care. What she berated other men for doing to their wives was what she was experiencing. She knew he would beg her and she would accept; what was she to do? But this time she wanted to know what fuelled his desire for other women even when she was around. Two weeks apart and he found someone else, what did he do when they lived apart? She could not understand why he would seek others because she believed they had a healthy sex life and a good relationship.

Adim hated her silence. He knew she was hurt and angry at the same time. He did not want this to happen and wondered how he would make it up to her. He thought of what she might like so he could compensate her with it. He came downstairs to see her leaving. Flora was there watching both of them without saying a word. He did not want her to be there at all. He knew she would make a comment and make his day even worse. He wondered how she knew so much about him.

Eucharia left the house before him still giving him the silent treatment. He went back upstairs briefly and came downstairs to leave. Only to hear from Flora “Have you told her the bad news? Does she know her world is about to come to an end? She is an innocent bystander, but let me tell you that you will regret the actions you took because of tradition. Is she aware you have been offered a title? Are you receiving the title with her or with someone else?”

“You talk too much. If not that you hate Eucharia I would have sworn you are the one feeding her with information. Why are you like this?”

“I don’t hate Eucharia, I just pity her. She worshipped you as her demi-god and how do you repay her? I move around and I hear things. You cannot control me like you do Uk so I won’t stop. Why did you stop her from school? Is it not for her not to get wise? She played into your hands and soon both of you will regret it. The love she has for you will turn to hate. How do you intend to manage that? She is still beautiful, men will want her regardless of the number of children she has. Men talk about her in this estate and talk more outside. You will lose as much if not more than she would. Don’t say I did not warn you.”

Adim was not happy with the conversation. Flora seemed to be more on Eucharia’s side and had been warning him about her leaving him. He did not want Eucharia to leave him because he genuinely loved her. And he did not want to share her with anybody. He had dug himself in a hole and didn’t know how to get out of it.

Adim thought about what he could do to compensate Eucharia. She had always wanted to travel to Europe especially Spain to buy her goods. He had just made money from a transaction and he was now willing to spend some of it on Eucharia and also add to her business. He used the protocol department of his organization to help with the application and visa processing for both of them.

Adim had apologized to Eucharia and she readily accepted the apology but he could sense the relationship was no longer as it was before. She hardly spoke to him unless it had to do with the home, children or extended family. She served him food but it was no longer special as she had always done it for him. He felt the vacuum and he wanted it filled.

When the visas came out, he bought tickets to Spain and told her they would touch other European countries. Eucharia was so excited. She called her uncle and shared the news with him. He would also be in Spain at the time they were travelling. She knew she would have the time of her life.

The morning they were at the airport in Lagos it felt surreal to Eucharia. This was the second time she was travelling abroad and she looked forward to it. Adim was all over her without it being physical. He asked if she was okay several times and also asked if she was happy and excited which she was.

The trip brought them closer and they had the opportunity to discuss the issues. Adim had prepared himself for this. He confessed he acted childishly by having an affair just because she travelled. He apologised and promised her it would not happen again. Then he told her about the Chieftaincy title he had been offered and he asked her opinion. Eucharia felt it was an honour being bestowed on him and supported it if it was what he wanted to do. He was happy about it. On the trip, they also shopped for their Chieftaincy outfits. Before they left Europe after touring three countries and visiting family and friends there, Eucharia woke him up from sleep and asked him, “Is there any other thing I need to know? My spirit has been disturbed and I do not want to find out myself. Whatever it is, I will forgive you but I want it to come from you and we can manage it as a family.”

“Eucharia, you are too suspicious and it is not good for you. I have told you all I have done and asked your forgiveness. What more do you want from me?”

“Are you still seeing the girl?”

“No, I am not. I have settled her and she is no longer in the picture. I come home to you at the same time almost every night so what are you saying?”

“Okay. I believe you. I wish we could go back to the way we were before. When we were managing and loving each other. When we hardly had arguments or misunderstandings. When you stood by me and I supported and trusted you. I want it so badly.”

“I am still the same person. I want you to myself and I do not want any other man looking at you. This business you are doing, I wish you could stop it. I will pay you to just stay at home and make yourself pretty for me. I am earning well and I can take very good care of you and the children. Just stay home and take care of me, that’s all I want.”

“You want me to stop the business too?”

“Sell it off and let us start over. How much do you want monthly, I will provide it for you.”

“Hmmmm. Let me think about it. Will it include the boutique?”

“That will be the first to go.”

Eucharia thought about it for a long time even after they got back. It was difficult for her to give up her source of income and depend solely on Adim. He kept to the end of the bargain by paying her two months in advance while she considered.

Eucharia called her uncle and discussed Adim’s proposal to him. He was not in support of her selling off the business completely. According to him, “It is not everything you tell your husband. A wife should have secrets that can help the family. Your sister-in-law’s husband died and she is in your home now. If she had a business would she be there? Wouldn’t she be working and supporting herself and her children? This should be a lesson for you. Nobody knows tomorrow. After his gratuity finishes, what will you do? Your children will be left at the mercy of your in-laws from then on. Do not agree to live like that. I can help you by taking over the business and keeping it in my name. When the need arises you can have it back, what do you say?”

“That’s why I called you. If I have to sell it has to be to you. But if you can take charge of the place, including the boutique, I will appreciate it.”

Flora always eavesdrops on Eucharia’s conversations. She heard this one and was amazed at Eucharia’s vulnerability. It was so easy for Adim to get her to do his bidding. Chief never got her this subdued and he still treated her right. Adim on the other hand Flora could not trust.

When Eucharia came downstairs and Flora said to her, “Be wise when making decisions and always prepare for unforeseen circumstances. That’s all I have to say.” And she walked away.