
08/07/2025
EPISODE 5
THE WRONG TURN
The road to Cotonou was long.
Frank sat by the bus window, clutching a bag with food, a wrapper, and a little money. His eyes didn’t blink much. He thought about Stella and how she left, how she cried that night before she left, how she kissed angels forehead gently.
She had said she was going to her auntie’s house.
But she never reached there.
Now he knew why.
---
Stella at the Shelter
Stella sat under a mango tree, staring at the brown sand. Her body was getting better, but her heart was still in pieces.
She heard footsteps.
A woman nurse walked up to her with a soft smile.
“Your husband is on the way.”
Stella looked up slowly.
“My husband?”
“Yes. He’s coming to take you home.”
Stella’s lips trembled.
She covered her face.
She wasn’t sure if she deserved to go home.
One lesson she have learned is that: sometimes running away from one trouble is running into a bigger problem.
If not that she had escape, they would have used her as a s*x toy. She would have lost her freedom and family.
---
Frank arrived just as the sun was setting.
He stepped into the shelter with trembling legs.
“Please… I’m looking for my wife, Stella .”
One of the nurses nodded. “She’s here. Come.”
They led him through a corridor into a quiet open yard.
Frank’s eyes searched…
And then—
There she was.
Sitting alone.
Barefoot.
Hair tied back.
Skin bruised but glowing under the sunset.
“Stella!…”
She turned slowly.
Her breath caught in her throat.
“Frank?”
He walked to her.
Neither of them spoke at first.
Then Stella fell to the ground, crying.
“I’m sorry… I’m sorry… I didn’t mean to leave like that…”
Frank knelt beside her and pulled her into his arms.
He was crying too.
“I thought you were gone forever.”
Stella shook her head. “I wanted a better life. I was tired of suffering. I didn’t know it would turn out like this. I was wrong…”
Frank nodded. “It’s okay. You’re alive. That’s all that matters.”
---
The Night Talk
That night, the shelter gave them a small room to rest.
Stella lay on the bed while Frank sat beside her, holding her hand.
“Frank,” she said softly, “why didn’t you hate me?”
“I did. For one day. Then I remembered how much you suffered with me. How you held us up when I lost my job. I knew something wasn’t right.”
“I thought about you and the children every night,”Stella whispered, eyes full of tears. “I thought I could send money home. I was foolish.”
Frank leaned closer. “We all make mistakes. What matters is what we do after them.”
---
Back at Home
The children sat with promise, drawing on papers. David had drawn their whole family.
With Mommy.
Angel hugged the paper.
“Promise , will Mommy come back with Daddy?”
Promise smiled. “Yes. She will.”
David looked serious. “Will she still remember how to fan porridge?”
They all laughed.
---
Journey Home
Two days later,Frank and Stella returned home.
Frank held her hand tightly throughout the journey.
When they arrived at the small house, the children ran out screaming.
“Mommy!”
Stella opened her arms and burst into tears as the children wrapped around her.
Angel touched her face and said, “You’re skinny, Mommy.”
Stella laughed through tears. “I missed you.”
David looked into her eyes. “You’re not allowed to go again.”
Frank smiled behind them.Stella turned to him and whispered, “I’ll never leave again.”
---
That Night
After the kids slept, Frank brought out a small bowl of warm porridge.
“I tried to make it the way you used to,” he said.
Stella laughed and tasted it.
“It needs more salt,” she teased.
Frank grinned. “Welcome home, Stella .”
She looked at him with tears in her eyes.
“No, Frank. Thank you… for not giving up on me.”
Quick Question
1. If you were Frank what would you do in this situation after finding out the whole story
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Written by Chief Obaego