I saw another vision. This time it was clear. The year was 2025. The calendar hanging on my wall was my source. I knew I was married but there was no child in the picture. Maybe they’re in the womb or sleeping, whichever. I was seated on my couch reading a book when the curtains parted in my sitting room.
I looked up. There she stood, a woman in a skirt and blouse. She dared not wear wrappers in the early stages otherwise there’d be a problem. She held up a glass and sipped, revealing a silver ring on her fourth finger as she walked towards me.
“Hey, Darling! You credited my account? What’s the occasion? Shopping? A gift?” she said, taking a sip of whatever she was drinking.
“Ah-ah Honey! How can you say you don’t know what that money is meant for? Today is Saturday, remember?”
“Yes. I remember, which is why I needed to clear things out. What is the money meant for?”
Taken aback by her staunch resolve, I heaved. “Okay. It’s next week’s feeding allowance.”
“Huh? When did it become ten thousand Naira? I thought we made decisions concerning this home together. Why did you decide to change the price without consulting me?” she snarled. She was vibrating and it beats me to know what was eating her up.
“Honey…”
“Don’t honey me please, answer my question.”
“See Ehn. When I do drop twenty thousand Naira, that’s when there’s no foodstuffs, nothing in the house. But in that kitchen right now,” I pointed sideways and squinted, “we have a bag of rice, a bag of beans, a bag of garri, twenty-five liters of groundnut oil, and two cartons of Noodles. All these I bought to ease you off some stress. How have I done any wrong?”
“You did wrong by reducing the money. You shouldn’t have. Twenty thousand is our agreement. Let’s stick to it”
“Or else what?” I flared, “Are you not supposed to even tell me to reduce the money as a good and virtuous wife? Here you are complaining. I should have even given you five thousand. What exactly are you buying sef?” I searched her face for clues but her white face had turned red.
“It’s twenty thousand or no food for you in this house!” she stormed off the living room.
“On top my money?”
“Which money? That shikini change?” she replied with her back facing me.
PS; Right now, I’m wondering how a good thing and favor as described by the Bible became a thorn and a scammer.
© Stephen Toochi
#StephStories
