07/10/2026
I CHOSE HIM OVER ME
PART 17
The door opened quietly and standing there,was a woman in her mid-thirties.
She is fair, slightly plump in a soft way that reflects in her long flowing gown.
And she was smiling at me. Flashing her teeth. Too much teeth for a stranger at someone's door by 10am.
"Good morning, Madam" she greeted "Please, is your husband around? I am here to see Alhaji Ahmad"
Alhaji Ahmad.
My hand tightened on the door handle. Inside my chest, something shifted. Not jealousy though. Just that way your stomach turns when another woman says your husband's name with familiarity.
I did not even answer finish when I heard the sound of his footsteps behind me.
He popped out so fast with a speed of light. This same Ahmad that when I asked him to help me with the chores,he screamed at the top of his voice that "he is watching the football match" and will not stand up until it is over.
He really surprised me this time
"Ah! Hajia Memunah!" He chuckled "You are welcome, you are welcome. How are you? How was your trip to Minna?"
I stood there, still holding the door, looking at both of them.
I was expecting him to say, "My wife, meet Hajia, she is..." I was expecting him to do the formal introduction
Instead, he waved at me dismissively
"Go inside, Morufah. Go and finish the food. I need to attend to her privately. It is very important" he snapped
The woman smiled at me again, that teeth-flashing smile that now looked like mockery.
"It's okay, Madam. Don't worry, I won't take much of his time," she grinned
I swallowed everything. I swallowed the insult.
I turned and went inside. My slippers dragged louder this time.
I went to the kitchen. Labeebah was still playing with her toys.She passed one to me and I let out a sigh
"My Love,I have to prepare the meal on time.I will be right back" I said as I placed a kiss on her forehead and left.
The food was ready in no time
I waited for him to come in so we could serve the food
My husband prefer to take it hot and I know that quite well
So,I waited
It was getting late
My heart started beating hard.
I tiptoed to the curtain. I shifted it small, just small, to check on them but there was nobody there
Nobody.
The frontage was empty. The small bench where they were standing was empty. The gate was slightly open.
They were not there any longer.
I rushed outside.My slippers were slapping against the ground. I needed to see with my own two eyes. Maybe they just stepped to the corner to buy pure water.
One of our neighbours,Mama Kelechi was outside, as usual, washing clothes in a big basin
"Mama Kelechi, well-done ma. Please... did you see my husband? He was standing here with a woman wearing yellow gown a while ago?"
She looked up, used her shoulder to wipe sweat off her face, and answered like it was nothing,
"Ah, Daddy Labeebah? He left now now. He entered keke with the woman. They went that side"
She pointed towards the main road.
I was stuck. Dumbfounded. My feet refused to move
He left with that strange WOMAN.
Hmm! I just said, "Thank you, ma," and went inside
The food was still there. I dished for myself and for Labeebah.
We ate. We waited.
One hour. Two hours
Three hours
The food on the dining table became too cold. The oil on top settled and turned white. Flies came and had their own lunch.
It was until the evening time that he came back home.
I was boiling with anger but I tried to compose myself
"Ahmad, welcome. We waited for you since morning .What really happened? Why did you follow the woman? I was so worried..."
I was saying when he roared at me
"What is your problem,Woman! Must you spy on me in my own house Who gave you the right to ask me where I go!You think you can do as you wish? You are jobless, that is why you are peeping through curtain! Useless woman! I went for business, is it your business!"
Business? What business does a man do on Saturday with a strange woman?
The thought hit me hard and I began to raise my voice at him
In the process,Labeebah je**ed up from sleep.She got down from the couch and hold my left leg tightly
"Mummy! Mummy!! Mummy !!!" she burst into a big round of tears
Something broke in me. My daughter..
I did not want my daughter to see both of us fighting.
So,I carried her in my arms and went to the balcony to receive fresh air
*******************************
Few days later, my phone rang
It was Suliyat,the daughter of our house help
Alhamdulillah! After three weeks of long waiting,she finally remember me
"Mummy, Good evening,ma.Rohmah delivered your message.I am sorry it is coming in late.Network is very bad here in the hostel"
And then she added, with gratitude in her voice.
"Mummy, I need to thank Oga very well. He really did well. Last week,I saw the alert of fifty thousand naira in my account. He sent it to me directly. My mother said I should call you and tell you to help me appreciate him very well. Fifty thousand is huge, ma. God bless Oga for me. He really tried"
Fifty thousand.
My husband sent Suliyat fifty thousand naira.
I was shocked to marrow. The phone almost fell from my hand. Fifty thousand from where? When did he become Good Samaritan to other people when Labeebah's school fees wasn't cleared yet.
Subhanallah.
That night, after Labeebah slept,I went to ask him in the room
"Ahmad, Suliyat called me this evening.She said you sent her 50k. May Allah reward you, but you did not tell me anything about it..I..I...."
He shunned me. He did not even let me land
"Are you in your right senses, Morufah! Must I tell you everything I do with my money! Is it your own money? what exactly is your problem there? Will you keep quiet and leave my presence!"
He lashed out words that I cannot write here. Words that made me feel miserable in my own husband's house.
I did not want his trouble. So I kept quiet and watched the drama in full
*********************
Since that day onwards, he refused to talk to me
He changed again.
He began to leave home for days. He'd just disappear around Thursday, return Saturday night, with no explanation.
At times,he rarely comes home in the weekend
I dare not ask about his whereabouts. If I ask, we can turn it to serious fight that the whole street hears.
Mama Kelechi called me one evening while I was hanging Labeebah's clothes.
She held my hand and said, "Mama Labeebah, It is everywhere.Those women you see out there are just trying to manage their home.please,I beg I dey beg you..Take things easy with your husband o. Marriage is patience. After patience is patience.Don't be rude to him"
Take it easy? How easy do they want me to take it when my husband is becoming something else in the house
Sighs*I am tired. I am that kind of tired that sleep does not cure.
There seemed to be fire on the rooftop.I am scared..I am really scared..
What would you do if you are in my shoe?
To be continued 🙏 🙏
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Sanni Barakatullah
Jazzakumullahu khayran for reading 🥰✨
Loads of Love 💜🤍💞
