A New Dawn (Episode 6)

‘I am not saying……’ Before she could finish her word she felt something on her face. She was dazed because he slapped her and she saw the surprise on his face. She knew he didn’t mean to do it but would she keep on giving him excuses.

This is the third time in a month he’d be hitting her, no woman in this 21st century would endure such things. She sat down and began to weep, her children who were looking at the drama their parents were unfolding which wasn’t new to them by the way went to meet their mum and were pacifying her.

Tayo left the room angrily. ‘He doesn’t know why he keeps losing it’, he didn’t mean to hit her’ ,he thought. He went out of their compound and watched as people passed and went on about their business, it was late already. He returned back to his room an hour later to meet his wife and kids asleep and met his food covered on the stool by their bed. ‘What has he done to deserve such a woman, what has he done?’ He asked no one in particular, yet he didn’t expect a reply. He would tell her sorry before she goes to work tomorrow morning.

Dorothy heard her husband come in, she watched as he ate in the dark with the flashlight of his phone. If she decides to leave him what would become of her and her kids. The only reason she is staying in the union is because of her kids. How could a love that was burning suddenly goes Off. She has prayed and prayed and still it seems the heavens decided to go on a long vacation of over ten years before they would answer her. She has been the perfect house wife, submissive to her head. She sniffed as tears threatened to come out of her eyes, she turned to face the wall. Her husband climbed the bed and slept off.

One would think the downpour of rain would stop people from going about their business. Lagos which was mainly known for its hustling and bustling lived its name on that day. You’d even see a raincoat seller who stood all wet as it rained cat and dog shouting to passersby to come buy the nylon raincoat she was selling. The whole street was flooded.

Dorothy was thankful because it all seems like an answered prayer,she felt extraordinarily happy on this coupled with the fact that they had no water to bath and the Lord provided them with one. She hastily woke her kids up and they did their morning routine devotion con chores.

They all left the house to their respective place of duties while Tayo her husband was left at home. She was broke so she couldn’t cook any food for the house, she gave her kids some money to buy food when they got to school.

At about one in the afternoon Dorothy got a call from her children’s school saying she was needed urgently. Her heart skipped a beat at the information she just received because she’s never been called in such a way in her kid’s school. She rushed the work she was doing and requested for permission from the schools H.R.

Deep within her heart she was scared and hoping nothing had happened. On her way out of the gate walking down to main road to board a bus to her kid’s school. She heard someone call her name and turned only to see Mr Ajenifuja walk towards her. She hissed and tried to stop the buses that were speeding pass.

He jogged towards her and asked where she was going since it wasn’t the closing hour yet. ‘Its none of your business’, she mumurs under her breath. ‘Pardon, you say what?’ He asked her. She told him about the call she received.He offered to take her there but she turned down his offer, she felt her phone vibrate and checked but found out it was her daughter’s class teacher again.

She accepted his offer and walked down to where his car was parked. They were silent throughout the ride and so many things was going through Dorothy’s mind.

Mr Ajenifuja wondered what would have really caused the anger. He’s never seen her so worked up, he looked at her again as he drove and wish she’d be his, he wished he could wipe away all her worries and make her happy. All he sees is a woman who’s a total package of virtues. She has been avoiding him all this while, at least this is and opportunity for him to state his intentions again.

‘You’re to turn left when we get to that junction’ Dorothy said as she cut through his thoughts. ‘OK ma’ he replied with a smile as they turned left at the junction and sees the gate of the school.

Story continues……….