Story - PASTOR'S SECOND WIFE (Part 8)

I didn't sleep through out the night. How would I sleep when my mother is hanging between Gboko and Kabba. At about 8:12am my phone rang and I rushed to pick it. Hello, my name is inspector Tajudeen Adeyeye. I am calling from police divisional headquarters Gwagwalada, Abuja.... On hearing this I went blank and I couldn't explain what happened thereafter.

When I regained consciousness at the hospital, I saw a lot of people gathered around me with long faces. Where is my mother? I asked angrily. A nurse came close and held me firmly, madam you must take it easy, she whispered. Take what easy? Where is my mother? I removed all the drips on me and went for Deji's neck, Deji where is my mother? Everyone in the ward bursted into tears. My mother died in a ghastly accident that claimed four lives.

Another chapter of sorrow was opened for me. Everything I have been hiding must come to the open. My father is going to kill me for all I have done secretly and making my mother die for it.  Who is going to break the news to my father? This time was really difficult for me. The naming was postponed due to my mother's death. The family head in Deji's clan called an emergency family meeting to address the issue. It was so complicated because my father is not aware I was in Kabba, neither is he aware of my secret affair with Deji. Worst of all, my mother did not tell my father the true reason for her journey.  In fact she lied she was going to see me in Lagos and not in Kabba. How will my father take these sad news at the same time?

I haven't breastfed my baby for three days because of my grieve. Deji's mother seemed less concerned about the tragedy of my mother's death and more concerned about her grandson. Her attitude began to make me hate my own son. She wanted me to give the boy full attention without mourning my mother. This was so irritating and annoying. Those who came around took more time to celebrate the baby than mourning my mother. They will spend so much time playing with the baby but greet me casually on my mother's death. These people are wicked and heartless. I began to develop hatred for them.

After the family meeting, it was resolved that two elderly men will travel to Gboko to inform my father of all the tragedy. I insisted I will go with them but they refused. When they arrived Gboko, I was following up everything with calls. Series of meetings were held with my elders on what to do. On the third day, the two elders from Deji's clan came back with loads of news. Come with me to part nine for the family resolutions.

A Story By Ayodele Adeoye