“Lere oni, Ijoba Orun...” Lara was forcibly awakened from her snooze when her phone rang. She looked at her phone's screen, where all she could see
was the word 'Mummy.'“Hello?” she asked, her voice tired.
“What on earth is your problem, Iwo omo buru yen?” Her mother screamed into her ears, "Funke!"
“Is there anything wrong, Mummy?” She massaged her eyes and sighed.
Her mother retorted, "Nonsense!" “People use what they have to get what they want out of life; is there something wrong with me giving my only daughter to a wealthy family?” She sounded threatening.
Lara looked at her phone screen once more, terrified, before returning it to her ear.
“Mummy, just tell me if I done something wrong...” she began softly.
“Do I have to remind you of what you've done? Her mother questioned, "You've grown disrespectful, you don't cook for your spouse, and you're even threatening to leave your matrimonial house!"
“However, mum...”
“Sho gbo, no buts?” Rubbish! And, just so you know, don't come to my place if your husband divorces you because of your obstinacy.” Her mother screamed once again.
Lara nibbled the inside of her bottom lip.
The call went dead after the words "Mum..."
What kind of life is this, she wondered as she stared at her phone in silence? Tony had made up stories about her for her mother. How could her mother be so self-centered? She pondered the situation.
“Hello…” Behind her, Tony said something.
How did he get there? she wondered, her eyes widening.
“Are you prepared to turn over a fresh leaf?” He had a sly grin on his face.
She clenched her lips and fidgeted with her clothes.
He walked out of her room and said, "Make me a mug of cocoa."
Her heart split as she forced a firm swallow. She gently rubbed her fingertips across her chest.
She said to herself, fighting back tears, “It's all right, I'll survive, somehow, anyhow, one day, it'll be over.”
:::::::::****
Lara cleaned her hands on her apron before peeling some plantains and pushing the flask of food away from her.
Tony had contacted her earlier to ask her to prepare a lunch for two because he was having a visitor over.
Who was the visitor, whoever he or she was? She shook her head.
She was in the middle of preparing the table when the doorbell rang, and she dashed to answer it.
As Tony brushed by her, she replied, "Welcome."
When she turned to face the visitor, she almost confused him for a man.
Lara whispered softly, "Good day."
The visitor was dressed in a trouser suit, appeared masculine, and had her hair cropped short. She could pass for a man if it weren't for the earrings.
“Hello,” the visitor replied coldly.
Tony began, "Errm, Sophy, have a seat, make yourself comfy."
“Won't you introduce me to her?” says the narrator. with a quiet laugh, the guest said.
“Welll…
Sophy, meet my illiterate wife-Lara, uh, Lara, meet my beautiful pie-Sophia.” He laughed.
Sophia burst out laughing. “Well, I've heard a lot about you, Lara...” She extended her hand in greeting.
Lara shook her head in discomfort and refused to grasp Sophia's hand. She started counting the toes on her feet.
Tony led Sophia into the dining room, saying, "Errm, Sophy sweetheart, let us proceed to the dining area, I believe she should have set the table by now."
Lara burned her eyes as tears slid down her cheeks as she watched them from the corner of her eyelids.
“Hmm, she's a good cook...” Sophia stated that she was eating with a full mouth.
“Oh, yes!” says the speaker. And that's the major reason I'm still keeping her; else, she'd be living with her parents by now,” Tony exclaimed.
“Oh sweeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee Sophia burst out laughing.
Lara entered her room with a soft step and knelt. Is this true? She pondered. She felt compelled to speak with someone. Deji isn't in town right now, so her mother wasn't an option. She decides to pray, despite the fact that she is not a believer in prayers.
“God…” She raised her eyes to the sky.
“I know you can see all that is going on, but do I deserve such treatment?” She took a sniff.
“I don't know who to talk to, and I don't know where to go...
You're the only thing I have right now...
“My father is no longer with us...” she wailed.
“I heard you're a father to the fatherless; so don't abandon me, O'Lord....help me, dear father...” Sobs wracked her entire body.
She sat on the hard floor because she liked how chilly it was and how it made her feel.
Tony isn't a person, she reasoned. Either a beast or the devil himself, he is. He had the audacity to invite his mistress into their home... He was well aware that there was nothing she could do.