I had just gotten married to Isabella
and was getting used to being a husband. It wasn't as difficult as I had
imagined. I still found myself wondering where and how other husbands who
divorced their wives got it wrong.
I drove into the garage and parked my
Audi 80 and then entered our home. I was an occupant of the house, so I didn't
knock. I noticed immediately that Isabella was unhappy and absorbed in her
thoughts as she sat at the dining table. NEPA had just taken out the light but
there was a Chinese rechargeable lantern on the table.
"Bella, what's wrong?" She
was mum. This was new to me so I was taken aback. I felt somewhat inadequate,
asking myself how I could handle whatever made her become the way she was.
"Honey, you know I love you dearly and if anything is wrong, I'll try to
make it right," I said. "I'm sick of my job!" She blurted out.
"It's stressing me too much. I
don't even have time for myself anymore."
"Why? The pay is great. How can
you find a better job than that?"
"I don't get it. You were the
one who complained to me two months ago that you were bored with just being a
housewife at home. You said you wanted to work and earn some money. And I saw
reasons with you, especially when you mentioned that you wanted to support me."
"There's this new lady at work.
She is sleeping with the boss." "So, how is that your problem? Why is
it affecting you?" "She orders him around. She makes him act foolish
sometimes." "I don't understand."
"She came in this month and
since she was new to office management, I was asked to train her. At first she
was friendly, but I then realized after a while that that wasn't her true
nature at all. She started flirting with the boss and after a while she left my
workstation. Sometimes she doesn't come to work and the boss is never bothered,
but if I arrive at my workstation a minute late I am criticized and humiliated
before my colleagues."
"That's how bosses are."
"No, mine is very different. His
case is extraordinary."
"Okay, I have heard you. I don't
want you to be distressed about your job. Why not quit? Just tender your
resignation letter to your boss."
"What! How can you suggest that?
You know you don't bring in enough money."
"You sound like my boss already.
I don't want you to tell me what to do."
"I'm confused here. Am I missing
something? Why would you remain in a situation that isn't making you happy
anymore?"
"Julius, I just wanted a
listening ear. You see, this is exactly why I hesitated before telling you
anything."
"But if you have a problem,
isn't it logical that you find a solution to it instead of letting it eat you
up?" "It's not eating me up." "But you are unhappy. Or are
you not?" "Oh, I see. You just want sympathy, not solutions?"
"Wait", I said. "I'm
sorry you feel this way. I has a stressful day myself. Can we just put this
behind us?"
"You know what? Just forget it.
I've warmed your food. It's in the kitchen. I have no appetite." Isabella
got up to leave.
It's okay. I know you are trying your
best, but sometimes it feels like we are disconnected somehow.
But you know say I love you na? Yes,
I know but...
I gave her a kiss and the remaining
part of the matter was concluded in the other room.
The writer, Aimiuwu Nosazeme Eseosa, is the author of The Vanilla Lodge Homicide.
Aside writing, he is a singer, song
writer, music producer, entrepreneur and financial adviser. His pseudonym, A.N.E, is an initialism for "Artistry Never Ends,"
He lives and writes from Benin-City, Edo State.
