MY MARRIAGE, MY PAIN
Mercy Michael@mercymichael686000
2 months ago
Chapter 1
" Please, take this money. It's for the upkeep of the house. I know that it's small but please, manage it. I will increase it once my salary is raised," my husband, Dare said while giving me a wad of cash.
" Ifemi, thank you so much for this. It's true that things are expensive in the market but I will manage it. I love you so much," I told my husband sincerely and gave him a kiss. My husband took his leave. The children rushed out of the dining room and ran after their father. I laughed silently. These kids will never change. Their father normally take them to school and bring them back.
My husband, Dare, has been doing his best to see that I and his children are fine and comfortable. I got married to Dare ten years ago and our marriage is blessed with three wonderful kids, two boys and a girl. I would say that my husband is the best man any woman could ever wish for. He is God-fearing, kind, loving and understanding. I don't regret getting married to Dare.
I need to quickly have my bath and go to the market so that I can prepare food before my husband and kids come back.
In no time, I was done with everything. Just as I was about to step out of the house, my phone rang. I smiled when I saw the name of the caller, Rita, my best friend.
" Hello, Rita. Let's meet up at the main gate of the market. I'm already leaving the house," I told Rita as soon as I answered the call.
" So, you are actually going to leave without informing me, right?" Rita said at the other end of the phone. She sounded angry.
" I'm sorry, Rita. I just wanted to rush to the market and quickly come back to prepare lunch before my husband and kids get back. You know today is Friday," I said apologetically.
" It's okay. We will meet up at the main gate of the market. Make sure that you wait for me there," Rita said from the other end of the phone.
" Of course, I will," I said sincerely and ended the call.
* This girl will never change, * I thought and quickly left the house. Rita and I have this routine of going to the market together every month to shop. This has kept our friendship intact for many years despite the fact that we are both married with children. Rita got married a few months after my wedding and the marriage is blessed with three children, three boys.
I got to the market and I had to wait for almost an hour before Rita joined me.
" You should have told me that you were busy instead of keeping me here for almost an hour," I lashed at Rita as soon as she came.
" I'm sorry dear. My car broke down in the middle of nowhere. I had to wait for a long time before I got a cab. Once again, I'm sorry," Rita said apologetically.
" It's okay. Let's go. My husband and children will soon be back," I told her while I briskly made my way into the market.
" Hey, girl, slow down," Rita yelled after me while trying to catch up with me.
" How much did your husband give you for shopping?" Rita asked curiously.
" He gave me a hundred thousand naira. He said that I should manage it," I replied with a shrug.
" What? Is he crazy or something? How did he expect you to manage that chicken change knowing how expensive things are in the market now?" Rita yelled.
" Hey, calm down. He said that he will increase it as soon as he receives a raise in his salary," I told Rita wondering why she was getting all worked up over the amount my husband gave me.
" And you stupidly believe him? I can't believe that you are this daft," Rita said still fuming.
" What were you expecting me to do? Make trouble with him?" I asked in confusion.
" Yes. Make trouble with him until he gives you enough money for shopping. Just look at yourself. You haven't bought anything for yourself for the past two years because the money your husband gives you is not even enough to buy food items let alone clothes and shoes," Rita said angrily.
" I'm not complaining. By the way, how much did your husband give you? I asked curiously.
" Well, if you must know, my dearest husband gave me four hundred thousand naira for food items and a hundred thousand naira to buy myself anything I want," Rita replied with pride.
" Did you just say that your husband gave you five hundred thousand naira for shopping for one month?" I asked curiously.
" How is that possible? Your husband and my husband work in the same company. My husband is even ahead of your husband in the office. How comes he can afford five hundred thousand naira for monthly shopping? I asked, dazed.
" That is what I'm trying to tell you. You can never trust men. They are very deceitful," Rita said angrily.
" Oh my God! What am I going to do now?" I asked, still shocked that Rita's husband who is a junior staff could afford to give her five hundred thousand naira for shopping. If Rita's husband can do that, what about my husband who is a senior staff? I asked myself silently.
" Are you still asking me. If you go home, make sure that you make trouble with him until he gives you enough money for shopping," Rita advised me.
" Thank you for making me know the truth. I will do as you have said," I told Rita. We entered the market to buy the things we need. Throughout the shopping, I was unhappy and angry. How can Dare be this wicked to me?
I watched in jealousy while Rita bought lots of stuffs. From food items to clothes, shoes, and bags. I silently wished that I was in her position. I can't remember the last time I bought clothes, shoes or bags for myself.
After shopping, we both went out separate ways.
By the time I got home, I met Dare and the children in the sitting room watching a program on the television.
" Welcome, dear," my husband said I soon as I entered the sitting room. But I ignored him and called the children to come and assist me to get the things I bought out of the cab and take them into the house.
I decided to give my husband the silent treatment. Whenever he talks to me, I either give him a short response or use the parts of my body to respond.
" Dear, what's the problem. Please, talk to me. Tell me what I have done to you and I will apologize immediately," Dare said as soon as I joined him in bed.
" Dare, what do you take me for? A fool?" I asked angrily.
" Please, I don't understand. what do you mean?" Dare asked in confusion.
" What is the meaning of the peanut you gave me for shopping? " I asked my husband angrily. Dare looked at me in shock. I understand his expression. After all, I had joyfully received the money and even thanked him.
" I thought you said that you understood my situation," Dare said calmly. I flared up immediately.
" Of course, I have to be the understanding wife. That's why you always give me peanut as monthly allowance for the upkeep of the house. I can't remember the last time I bought anything for myself because of the peanut you give me monthly," I yelled angrily.
" But I told you that I will increase it as soon as I get a raise in my salary," Dare replied calmly.
" And when is that going to be?" I asked angrily.
" I can't say but I know that it will be soon," Dare replied calmly. His response made me angrier than I was.
" So you expect me to wait till eternity?" I asked him angrily.
" It's either you give me more money or I will make this house uncomfortable for you," I told Dare and angrily left the bedroom.
To Be Continued
© Mercy Martey Michael
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