TWO Late Entry: Of Saccharine And A Married Widow
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Now
Aigbe smiled callously as he watched Esosa tumble backwards onto the floor. He thought to himself that she quite looked like a fish out of water – flailing about, reaching for support that would not be forthcoming. His smile very quickly evolved into a cruel laugh as he watched the back of her head crash onto the cold, tiled floor with a sickening, wet sound. Leaping astride her semi-conscious body, he rained three solid blows onto her torso, working his way from her lower ribcage to her sternum. She yelped, shook and choked with each blow, unable to fight back.
“You are the one that will die, not me, Stupid Harlot!”
He spat into her face as the last blow landed and she choked violently, jerking with the impact of the blow and recoiling from the glob of projectile spittle that had hit her face.
“You! Are! A! Mad! Dirty! Prostitute!”
Each word was punctuated by a slap that sent waves of pain coursing through Esosa’s head. She could barely speak or shout or scream in protest, much less move. She felt herself start to slip into a numb blackness but she tried to hold on. Aigbe wrapped his hands around her neck and muttered.
“Witch! Harlot! Your plan has failed!”
Esosa closed her eyes and let the numbing darkness take her as her husband choked the remaining life from her, his wedding ring pressing against her carotid artery.
20 minutes ago:
He parked outside the gate. He didn’t plan to stay long; he’d just eat and take off to Stucci’s place. He would say hello to Adesuwa when he returned much later.
Adesuwa ran to meet her father at the door, pouting in the usual manner of a denied 6 year old.
“What is it, ‘Suwa, did Esosa beat you?”
“No, Daddy. But she refused to give me the tasty time she mixed. She even put extra sugar, but she said its only for you, Daddy. May I have some, pleaaaaasssseeee?”
Aigbe paused. Tasty time? Extra Sugar? He remembered issuing a strict warning against serving tasty time in his house. The saccharine it contained was not good for anyone’s health.
“Show me the tasty time”
Adesuwa pointed at the lone bottle of Merlot on the dining table and Aigbe’s eyes grew into two saucers as the blood drained from his face.
2 hours earlier
Esosa smiled to herself as she poured the brown powder into the bottle of Merlot. She re-corked it and shook it violently until the powder began to dissolve. She knew Aigbe was already on his way home because he had called to remind her to prepare his dinner.
Aigbe drove slowly, not bothering to concentrate on the road. Chioma’s last words at the airport kept playing in his head: “I’m telling you Ai, that girl looks fairer and acts all sluggish these past weeks. What if she’s pregnant? Are you sure you didn’t touch her? I no wan hear story ooo!”
2 days ago
She fiddled with the bottle of Spanish Fly Gold and shivered in anticipation. Bisi had assured her neither she nor Aigbe would die after taking it. She had even read the leaflet that came with the bottle, just to be certain.
Chioma’s voice startled her from just outside her bedroom door, “Esosa, I’m leaving. Ai is taking me to the airport. Take care of the house, I’ll see you in two weeks”
“Alright, have a safe trip”.
She closed her hand over the bottle. When Chioma returned, she’d ask Aigbe to return her to the village and ask for a divorce, but for now…she smiled. Yes, she would take special care of him.
2 weeks ago:
“I’m telling you, that thing works o! Its not like the usual ones that promise the world but deliver nothing. Charles and I have rediscovered the joy of marriage”
Esosa hoped what Bisi was telling her was true. She had never heard the term “Aphrodisiac” before, except in a song, and she hadn’t bothered to look it up. Now, Bisi was telling her that she could get it at Medplus?
She took an instant decision; “let’s go and buy it now. Chioma is travelling soon and Aigbe has to eat my food while she’s gone because he doesn’t eat out.”
2 Months Ago:
Esosa cringed as Aigbe shouted again, “I’ve told you. I only brought you here because Uncle Efosa begged me to. You have concluded the OND you wanted. You can even start the HND, I’ll still pay. Just stop referring to me as your husband or wearing those ridiculous rings. You are not my wife, Chioma is. I only eat the food you prepare once a while so you won’t say I hate you. Stop this foolishness, Haba!”
Esosa ran into her room and slammed the door, sobbing uncontrollably. She had actually believed that this time, Aigbe’s heart had softened. For two years, since Chief died, she had not felt the touch of a man. Her mother had warned her that the consequences of adultery would be dire, so she had never considered taking a lover.
2 Years Ago,
Aigbe nodded as another Chief patted his shoulder and murmured incoherent condolences. Most of the sympathisers made his location their first port of call upon entry into the spacious living room of his father’s village home.
He sensed, rather than saw his wife. She touched his back and whispered, “Ai, its time”. Yes, it was time. Time to know how much of his father’s estate each person got. He wondered how mother was faring. She had refused to eat or drink anything since Father died of a cardiac arrest a week ago. He shook his head in a feeble attempt to clear his mind as he heard Barr. Obaseki’s nasal voice reading, “This is the last will and testament of High Chief Aitalokhai Okhionokhai Obaseki…”. In a few seconds, he had drifted off again, replaying memories of his father and how they always disagreed over anything and everything.
“WHAT???” The sound of his wife’s shout brought him back to reality. He looked at Barr. Obaseki, who cocked his head at a condescending angle and said rather sharply, “Chioma, comport yourself, its our tradition! Aigbe, tell your wife to restrain her tongue or else…” “I’ll read the clause again:”
“To my first son, Aigbe Okhionokhai, I give my last and favourite wife, Esosa. He must accord her the same respect, love and privileges available to his first wife, Chioma”.
*****
You may be familiar with our TWO competition. This is based on that same story. It has proved quite popular, with many people accepting the challenge while it was on and several people sending in entries long after it has concluded. Although the entry acceptance for TWO is now obviously closed and this story will not be considered, Etok Omowho sent this in and pleaded with us to post it for your feedback. Kindly oblige. It’s unedited.
You can also send in your short stories or contribute in any way by sending an email to hello [at] thenakedconvos [dot] com. Please keep submissions between 1000-1500 words.
Also, don’t forget that THE WRITER competition (sponsored by First Bank Nigeria) is still accepting entries.
Click here for more information —> THE WRITER 2
Cheers.
*****
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Wow…this story is getting better
I love this one. A fresh twist to the story. Nice job @Etok.
I really like it. I thought it offered something quite distinctive from the others, with the inclusion of the child who wanted "tasty time", as well as the idea of another wife. Way to think in a different strand with a project that makes it very easy to be repetitive.
Not bad…
Good job! Different twist
Thanks to you all.
And thanks to you too, Tools, for putting it up.
This is certainly new, first of its kind i've seen. I just love the end