story : The Nigerian Graduate – Episode 7

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It was Bola. I was confused, she was followed by Diamond, I didn’t know her real name.

“Here you are, husband snatcher!” I was confused, why would they gang up against me. “Wanna-be!!” Diamond clapped .

“What soap did u used? You used your village juju on my fiancée abi? I looked up,it was Bola who spoke.

[b]

” fiancée? “I asked looking shocked, I returned my gaze towards Fiwa, she was shocked also.

” I know you too well, Aderin. You purposely snatched my man. I’m not hear to listen to some craps.. I knew you lied, you think Shina can marry you. You’re no saint, my dear.”she said sitting on the stool.

“Riri, I know Shina is not aware of your past life, mine was better yet he left… So, get a life, sis. We’ve been together for over 15 years” “I’m giving you two good days. Leave my man!” She said as they stormed out. I was confused. I knew Amber Rose too well, Dummy was dangerous, Diamond was cunning. I knew my end is near, I smelt doom.

“Are you going to sit there all day” I heard Fiwa speak, it sounded like “are you going to die today?”

“Fiwa, what will happen to my relationship?” I asked

“Just get home and tell Shina about it. I warned you earlier… I do!” I was close to tears, I picked my bag and left her shop without any other words.

I got home and locked myself in the guest’s room.I left a note on table telling Shina not to look for me, I told him I went to see my parents. I heard him reading it aloud,he called which I refused to pick. I was in the room for two good days trying to figure out what next to do, I was confused, shattered,tired and restless. I could not eat. I came out the third day fully prepared for the worst, I was going to tell Shina, I went to our bedroom, packed my clothes, showered and cooked. I was eating when Shina came in, he was surprised to see me and I could not conceal my sadness. 

“Baby, what happened?” He asked.

“Just a slight headache,honey” I wanted to tell him about Bola but my tongue was tied. We ate together, and he suggested we see a movie, we sat on the couch but my mind was not there.

I wanted to tell him but I was scared, scared of losing the man I loved, scared of breaking his heart. We sat for hours when we heard a car horned and the gateman opened the door. I was alert. Diamond and Bola came in without knocking, I froze.

“Whoa! Lovely apartment” Amber Rose commented as they took their seat. My heartbeat increased, I wished I could disappear or die.

“What are you doing here, Bola?” Shina asked silently.

“To see my fiancé and his drama queen” she replied grinning.

“I knew trouble was looping around when Dominique came. I knew she was a devil!” He shouted.

“Ayomi, we’ve been together for over fifteen years, why would you leave me for a cheap w—e you met barely two months ago?”

“You know the answer, hoe. Moreover, watch your tongue!”He barked.

” you left me because I had two abortion while you were away? Ask her if she’s a saint” shina and I exchanged glances.

“Hey miss, this is my woman. I know her quite well, she is not what she claimed she is”

“Shut your mouth, you dummy” I screamed!

“I knew of four times you committed abortions at Kibwas hospital in school, Riri. We met once” she said laughing wickedly. I froze, Shina froze, even the breeze froze. Shina stood up and went into the bedroom.

“Is that all? Are you done? Are you through? Homewrecker!” I barked.

“Oh! This is just the tip of the iceberg. Lowlifer!” She stood up and they left. I knew right there that it was over. I lost Shina, I lost the man who loved me. I went to the room but he had locked himself in the bathroom, so I picked my bag and left. I could not look into his eyes.I knew I betrayed him. I left without a goodbye. The only thing on my mind was suicide. I wanted to be crushed by a running trailer. I left his house that day and went back to my old house.

I got to my former house quite late and everyone in their rooms. I went straight to our caretaker’s room,when he saw the state I am in, he was surprised.

He asked me what went wrong and I opened up to him, I told him what happened and about my fake lifestyle.

I told him my parents are from Ilawe and that they were farmers,he and his wife listened to me keenly and comforted me.

He told me someone else had occupied my room but the guy was yet to pack in and I could use the room for a week.

I thanked in and went into my former room, they offered me food but I rejected. I retired in bed thinking about my life, I had a rough and fake upbringing. I vowed that night never to lie again even if it was at the point of death. I was in the room for three days doing nothing, I made few suicidal attempts but I was scared, I don’t wanna die. My caretaker and his wife would visit my room occasionally and the wife brought food which I would either eat or reject. On the third day, I heard a knock, I thought it was Fiwa because she called me earlier and promised to check On me the following day. I opened the door and surprisingly it was Diamond, Dummy and Amber Rose, they dragged me out immediately I opened the door.

They took turn raining insults on me as my neighbours were watching, they told them about my fake life in school, my head was buried in shame.

“I heard you told your neighbours you are working in Access Bank, abeg which of the branches because I’m working in its branch at Bankroad.?” Diamond asked. All my neighbours kept murmuring.

“Alasewo wannabe.” Dummy added.

“Aba me na!” Onome shouted in her native dialect.

“You lied to them you are a banker when you go around servicing men” Amber Rose said. The three of them took turn hiting me and Dummy tore my yellow gown, I was stark naked except the pant and bra I was putiing on. I covered myself with my tattered clothes and then, our caretaker’s wife came to drag me to their apartment. They left when She threatened to call the police. I felt humiliated, I was devasted and my quench for death increased. She advised me to leave our lodge and go and squat with a friend till in able to get over it. I was in her house till evening and when I told everyone would be asleep, I thanked her and on returning to my apartment, everybody was outside, immediately they saw me, they started murmuring, laughing and pointing at me. I buried my head as I walked into my apartment. The following morning around 5am, I was out of our lodge with my boxes, my handbag and my makeup box. I stood at the junction confused about where to go, I sighted an “akoto” bus and immediately I missed my parents. I waved and opted in telling him our street address… ILAWE, here I come.