Tales of A Single Mum

Episode Eight

...And then I heard the judge say “I hereby dissolve the marriage between Margaret Onoh and Uzoma Onoh. Full custody remains with the mother”. and with those words it was all over. I was now officially a single woman again. I heaved a sigh of relief and gratitude as I shook hands with Barrister Obruche he drove me half way home as we chatted about the verdict. we were both happy that the judge had granted me full custody of my children. It was all I had wanted. Now I could put the horrors of my marriage behind me for good. I called Yomi Shaolin while I was still in transit.

“Yo Nigga, how far?” She asked me once the line connected.

“It’s finally over Yomi, I’m officially single again.” The word ‘’single’’ lingering on my tongue.

‘’ Oh jeez thank God babes. You can now move on with your life. Was your ex at the reading?”

“Oh he didn’t bother coming. Good for me I didn’t have to see him again.”

“ Well I hope he’s in a ditch somewhere covered in flies. Okay gotta go Nigga.”

“Jeez Shaolin, bye” I said laughing.

My mom and aunty Nwando were seated at the gate when I got home. I got down from the motorcycle and screamed.

“IT’S OVER!” My mom and aunty Nwando burst out in Igbo songs with my mom kneeling on the ground with her hands in the air and eyes to heaven. I couldn’t help but wonder if God was celebrating also, since I had always been told he hated divorce.

My children didn’t know what was going on and how much their lives would change because of the verdict but they joined their grandma in singing and dancing around as I laughed at the spectacle.

Later that evening, I went to Chicken Deli for a much needed platter of moimoi and some privacy. This time I actually saw someone get booted out of my seat. I thought about putting a stop to it but I was in the mood for some celebrity treatment. I settled down in my seat and looked over at the lady that had been asked to move. She was frowning and giving me a killer look, I “eyed” her in return for a good few seconds and laughed at my pettiness. I didn’t feel like anything could bring me down. I was on cloud euphoria.

My phone rang and I looked at the caller Id. It was my Bff Sally Balarabe’s father calling. I picked up and greeted him the Nigerian way.

“Daddy good evening sir.”

“Mags, I got a call from your ex-husband” he started without acknowledging my greeting. He is threatening to harm my family if I ever harbour you and your kids again. I don’t know how he found out you were all here for Christmas and new year but for now please don’t come over to the house. I don’t even know how he got my phone number.” He said sounding really angry.

“I’m sorry sir I don’t know what to say” I said shocked and totally deflated.

“Just don’t come over for now till it all blows over” and with that he hung up the phone. The happiness I had felt a few minutes earlier was gone in a flash. It was replaced by a deep frustration and fear. I instinctively looked around the restaurant searching for any suspicious faces. I wondered how Uzoma had got that phone number and if he was watching me. It scared me to think that he knew where we lived and that he would one day show up at my apartment. I got up and left for home immediately. My mom and aunt noticed a change in my mood when I got in. When I told them about the phone call, I could see anger well up in both of them. My aunt immediately picked up her phone and excused herself for a minute or two, before returning to the room.

“I have called the police chief here. I have also told the vigilantes. I know this is not Lagos but I have power here. If any strange face shows up on this street or at the school premises, they will immediately be arrested. That boy needs someone to teach him a lesson he will never forget. Mags don’t be afraid. He can’t get to you”

My aunt’s assurances did little to lift the sinking feeling in my stomach but I smiled and thanked her for everything. That night I went to bed listening to the frogs croaking, what was once a familiar and oddly calming sound to meat night time sounded eerie. I stared out of my window into the darkness for a long time Imagining Uzoma was standing on the other side watching us. As I hugged my kids closer searching for some comfort, the events of the day finally to their toll on me physically as I unwillingly fell into a deeply troubled sleep.

Namaste!