THE OTHER SIDE

“After trying to pacify you on several occasions to no avail. You, henceforth, have ceased to become husband and wife. I put an end to the Union between both of you from today in the interest of peace”

Those words echoed in Biodun’s mind as memories of how he had let a perfectly good woman go.

 22 years of his life, down the drain because of what he had thought was a better, exhilarating option in Annette.

“what are you still doing here old man” Annette strolled in from being out with “pals”, she called them.

It was almost 11pm.

She had been out all day and through most of the night.

“still waiting up for me when I’ve told you not to bother?” she chuckled as she walked by him into the guest room.

He caught a whiff of cigarette smoke and wrinkled his nose in disgust.

She had been using the guest room for a couple of weeks now. 

She had said that his snoring was becoming annoying and that she needed a good night’s rest as least once in a while.

His ex wife and mother of his 3 kids had never commented about his snoring.

She had definitely never smoked, not even tried a stick of cigarette in her life. He could testify to it. He thought as he stared after her.

Lately, he found himself comparing both women and he found himself longing for his ex wife more and more. What he would do to see and hold her, with her robust body, braids, low libido and the rest. Things that had seemed to repulse him then.

Ife had made some bad calls in her work place that had cost the company millions and in order to keep her job, she had had to rectify the problem. That meant working harder and for longer hours. The stress had kick started her menopause early, her symptoms had affected her seriously. Her emotions had been through the roof and he had been impatient.

Regrettably so.

Truth was, shortly after the problem at Ife’s work place, he had met Annette and she had been his constant companion whenever his wife wasn’t around. 

She had made him feel wanted again. Young. Full of life.

Annette had caught his attention at the restaurant where he ate whenever Ife called that she would be late.

He had been momentarily lost in thought when her “penny for your thoughts, old man” had broken through

He had looked at her and her smile had sent his heart pumping hard and fast.

The week after that day n the restaurant, Annette was embedded in his soul.

She had showed him things, made him do things he hadn't thought he was capable of. 

He had begun to enjoy his wife’s absences, begun to hope for more of them.

It had gone on and on until finally one day after one of their marvelous romps, he had asked her to marry him

She had told him “no” of course, that she wasn’t ready to play second fiddle to anyone and he had proceeded to divorce his wife of 22 years.

That was three years ago.

Annette emerged from the guest room dressed in one of the skimpiest outfits he had seen her wear.

“be back later hon” she was saying

“What is that!” he demanded

She paused and turned to him “what is what?”

“You are not going out like that” he said “in fact, you are not going out. period”

“And why not?” she gave him a patronizing smile “want mummy to stay with her whiny little boy tonight?”

She cat-walked to him in sky high heels and stroked his cheek “sorry baby boy. My girls need me tonight”

She planted a kiss on his forehead and walked away

                                       *    *    *

Ife looked at the man in her sitting room. 

She knew him once.

He'd made her laugh. He'd made her happy. He'd also made her sad and depressed. Once.

Now as she looked at him, she felt a rush of emotions that she thought she had done away with.

From ire, to hate, to disgust, to regret and finally, to pity. 

He had nearly broken her spirit. She had been shattered. Even their children had not been able to console her but in a way, she had picked herself up and rebuilt her life.

It had worked out in the end. 

Now as she looked at him all the hate she’s felt for him over the years turned to pity. She felt sorry for him. She didn’t really know why. 

Maybe it was because of how strained he looked or how much he seemed to have aged in the three years since she last saw him. She wasn’t really sure but she felt sorry for him

“come again?” she missed something that he said

“I’m asking if you would take me back Ife, life hasn’t been the same without you”

...to be continued