I WANT MY WIFE: A CHASING BACK

Things fall apart

I stood motionless, imagining the ground to open and swallow me up. All the energy in me vanished into thin air in seconds, I could hear them talk, but their words weren't making any sense. I tried to say something; nothing could proceed out of my mouth.

Mrs Rose bent me down to a seat.

“Do you know her?" I nodded in affirmation and buried my head down again.

At this moment I have lost hope in staying with them. I don't know how to face Jessica, if she could be that stubborn in school fighting me for no reason, her house wouldn't be safe to live in. I got weakened now they inside, hopefully Jessica would tell her the version of the issue. After some minutes, they resurfaced, it was written on their faces and I know indeed things had fallen apart. That night, the meal that was prepared was something Mrs Rose told me won't be cooking since I don't eat it.

“Baylee, food is ready, go get yours from the kitchen when you want to eat." This is her first time to speak to me in a distant manner. She makes me eat when they are eating and doesn't accept when I say I will eat later, all that had changed

For the benefit of doubt, I went to the kitchen. It was what I supposed it to be. I covered it and went into my room.

Very early in the morning, a knock on the door woke me from sleep.

“Who's there?" I asked; cleaning the sweat on my face with my towel. There was not enough ventilation in the house.

“You are asking who's there in another man's house?" Jessica looked at her disdainfully.

“What do you want?"

“Why did you let the food get spoiled?"

“I…" she cut me off. “I don't need any explanation from you, come and wash that rubbish it's given that kitchen unpleasant smell.” she said aggressively and I quietly went back into the room.

Later in the day, Mrs Rose brought out some clothes including Jessica’s, “Baylee wash these clothes: make it sparkle, remember you have to learn domestic work” I was speechless and reverie.

“Baylee!" Someone called me out at my door. “Who's there?"

“It's me, Stain." I opened the door.

“Why have you been indoors all day? I'm aware that my mom asked you to wash our clothes, sorry about that, Jessica has been instigating my mom lately. She's a nice person, please everything will be alright.” "Everything will be alright you said? My parents are no more, my family house and company taken and here I'm living a life I didn't prepare for. I wish I could join my parents and rest," I said with tears.

"Don't say that Baylee, we are here for you.”

“And I'm washing all your family clothes? Your sister wouldn't let me rest.”

“If they are not, I am, and I will do my best to make you not regret coming to stay with us.”

“Will you bring back my parents? If it won't, I don't care.”

"Please Baylee, take it easy, you are hurting yourself and it isn't funny.”

“Please leave me alone!" I cried louder and he shifted closer.

"I said, leave me alone! Please.”

He stood up and left the room. After some hours I decided to go out and get some fresh air. I heard voices in the sitting room and I decided to listen to their discussion from the corridor.

“Stain you better listen to me and leave all this rubbish you are saying, you must be very careful of the relationship you keep with that witch. Who knows, she could be the reason her parents died in a plane crash.” It was Jessica’s voice in the background.

"Stop that, why will you say a thing like that about her?"

“Are you raising your voice at me, Stain? Because of nobody, mom can you imagine."

“I don't like the way you guys are treating her in this house. Mom you have known her from childhood as you said, why will you allow Jessica to treat the innocent girl like a bastard knowing what had befalling her. I'm disappointed, I wish I could help her personally.”

"Thank God you couldn't, there is no peace for the wicked.” I couldn't endure listening to them, I quietly walked past them and Mrs Rose called me back.

“Sit down." I sat reluctantly. She said, “Economy is not friendly, I want you to go find a job to be supportive in the family upkeep, and to yourself. We have provided all you want since you came to stay with us, things might not continue that way.” She said with hatred weaved under her voice. Is this Mrs Rose that I know or something else had taken over her. I kept looking at them quietly as they gave their advice.

“Mom! What are you saying? This is not fair.”

"Will you shut up your mouth?" Jessica attacked her brother. I was speechless and silent till she turned to me.

“Did you hear what I said?" “Yes ma," I answered and left the sitting room.

Few weeks later, I saw an opening in a consulting firm requesting for the position of an office assistant, accountant and an office cleaner. I applied for a job as a cleaner and was called after four days to come for an interview.

I went and was employed alongside three other cleaners and the other positions filled. We resumed work the next week, but, yet to see the MD; he was out of town.

I was getting ready for one morning. Mrs Rose came to my room with spaghetti in her hand. “Baylee, please prepare this for breakfast before leaving the house, there's nothing in the house to eat." She said it like I have a choice, but it's an order. I was confused on how I could prepare it considering the time she informed me about it. I was to clean the MD’s office before he resumed work today.

It's better I lose the job than disobey Mrs Rose’s order, the house will be hell for me to stay in.

When I got to work people were looking at me pitifully, I could see resentment on their faces, maybe the MD will fire me.

One of the staff came to meet me at the dressing room. “The MD wants to see you.” My heart began to beat for fear of the unknown, I encouraged myself in case I'm asked to stop working.

I knocked at the door and he bid me come in.

“Good morning MD"

“Good morning, he said with his head buried in the file before him.

“Are you the one that refused to tidy up my office?” His voice was husky, different from his gentle look.

“I am sorry MD I didn't refuse, I only came late to work, It won't happen again”

"Where will you have the opportunity for such insolent behavior.” he said and looked away from his file to face me. “Baylee!"

Hanzel"

“Omg!” I ran and jumped on him. “Really, Is this you?” I was breathing like an athlete. “Yes, I am,” I answered him with great excitement

“Why are you

looking this way? You don't seem good. You are a cleaner? How come?"