She is Gentle but Definitely Not Stupid

Chapter Nine: Ogeh's story to Akin

Chapter Nine:

Ogeh slept in her daughter's room that night, after Ken eventually allowed her in, due to the begging and crying of Kelly their daughter.

The next day was a Sunday and since she couldn't sleep well throughout the night, she got up by 5am, did her normal house chores, cooked and took her bath. She was afraid to go and wake Ken up, so she left him still sleeping. Since Kelly too was still sleeping, she decided to eat something and rest. She slept off in the living room, on the couch and that was where Ken found her when he woke up.

Ken: What nonsense!! Are there no more beds in this house?( And he pulled her legs down from the couch) Will you get up? Stupid and lazy woman. You don't know more than to eat and sleep. Won't we eat? Have you tidied up the house? Useless and stupid house wife with no brains at all.

Ogeh: Good morning Ken. I have done all I am supposed to do. I didn't want to disturb you and Kelly, that was why I stayed here....I didn't even know when I slept off.... I'm sorry. I will go and lay the bed now. Go and take your bath, food is ready.

Ken didn't see anything to complain about again, so he left her to go and have his bath. Kelly got up too and she prayed with her mother, had her bath after tidying up her room. Then they sat down for brunch. Ogeh served them both and they were eating when there was a knock on the gate. Ogeh went to the gate and saw one of their pastors and two members of their church. They came for visitation.

Ogeh: Pastor Vincent, sister Joan and brother Andrew, what a pleasant surprise!! Good afternoon.....what brings you here? Please come in.

She ushered them in and after all pleasantries, they all went in and asked why the Safures were not in church that morning and Ken responded that they woke up late. The pastor prayed with them and after a while, they left. All the while they were there, Ken was holding his wife, smiling at her, giving the impression that all was well. After seeing them off to the gate, Ken pushed her away and went in. She went in and did the dishes with the help of Kelly. She tried to talk to him about yesterday, but he didn't want to listen. He went out without informing anyone and got back late, ate his dinner and went to bed. Ogeh slept in Kelly's room again.

She slept throughout the night and by the time she woke up, it was past seven. She was alarmed when she didn't see Kelly beside her on the bed. She rushed out of the room and saw her eating bread and butter. She smiled on seeing her daughter and asked, " have you prayed?". Kelly nodded, and said," good morning mama, I didn't want to disturb you, so I prepared breakfast for myself.....hope you are not mad at me? I know I made a mess and I tried to do it the way you used to but those plates refused to cooperate with me." ( She laughed and her mother laughed too)

Ogeh: Mad at my princess? Never....you did great and I'm sorry I couldn't get up on time to make you breakfast....let me quickly get your lunch before the school bus arrives"

Kelly: No mama..... I've packed sandwich with potato fries for lunch. I saw it in the freezer and put it in the microwave for 5 minutes. Just like you showed me the other time and see, I did it well. I left some for you."

Ogeh: I am so proud of my princess. You have grown to be an amazing big girl. By the way, where is your dada?

Kelly: ( frowned) I do not know mama. I just took my bath and made breakfast. I haven't seen him. Mama, see, I brushed my teeth very well today..( she opened her mouth for her mother to check her teeth)

Ogeh: my super girl.... give me an high five....good job..... but Kelly, don't be like that.... dada loves you sooo much.. he was just too angry that day..I really annoyed him..... please don't be angry with him....and I've taught you that hate is a strong word to use for anybody, not to talk of your own father.....my darling, you have to apologise to dada for what you said that day...it was a wrong thing to say to anyone, okay?

Kelly: This adult thing, I really do not understand it. With the way you were treated, you still defend him? Mama, if dada do not apologize to you, I will not. And if you say it was right for dada to slap you, I will start fighting too...both of you have always told me to talk more instead of using my fist. But I saw a different thing yesterday. Mama, the school bus has come, bye!!!

Adults and their wahala.... Tsk.."

Ogeh saw her off to the bus and waved till the bus moved out of sight. Then she went inside to check on Ken. She found him still sleeping. She quickly went to him, thinking that he was down with fever. She checked him and when she saw he was not running a fever, she gently woke him up.

Ken: What is it? Leave me alone and go away.

Ogeh: I am sorry to wake you.. I thought you overslept, that was why. I did not know that you are not going to work today. Continue sleeping...it is just 10 minutes to eight..

Ken jumped up," what? Why didn't you wake me earlier?and you know I have shareholders meeting at the office today. Stupid woman... I know your plan but it will not work."...he rushed to the bathroom, came out, wore the clothes Ogeh brought out for him, took a toast and rushed out.

Ogeh was feeling weak, but couldn't tell Ken. She thought after resting for a while, she will be okay. By 11am, she was in pain. There was no one around. Ken had f*******n her not to relate with neighbors. She took her phone and called Ken. He asked her to get herself to the clinic and he ended the call. She was about to call her doctor when a call came in. It was Akin.

Immediately she said hello, he knew something was wrong with her, so he asked where she was and drove down to her place, carried her to his car and took her to her clinic.

She was admitted immediately. The doctor said she was too stressed and her BP was too high. She called Ken again but he didn't pick. So she called Julius, his friend and asked if his wife could help her with Kelly after school and he agreed. Akin stayed with her while she slept. She woke up by 4pm and saw Akin watching business news on the television.

Ogeh: Akin, why are you still here? Didn't you go to work?

Akin: How are you feeling? I told you to rest and don't get worked up. Do you want to kill yourself? Your BP is too high....

Ogeh: Hey, Mr man....what is it? Take it easy..... anyway, thanks for coming to my rescue again. My debt to you is now much. Could I ever be able to repay you? ( she laughed)

Akin: This is not a laughing matter... don't you care about your health? Please, do take care of yourself, promise?

Ogeh: Promise. You have to answer my.....

The doctor walked in...

Doctor: Mrs Safure, how are you feeling now?

Ogeh: I am okay, thanks. When are you discharging me? I have to cook and my daughter is with a friend

Doctor: That's what I want to tell you. We are keeping you here for some days, and....

Ogeh: (cut in) days? Doctor, that's not possible. I have a lot of things to do, wash.....

Doctor: When you die, will you be able to do all that? Give yourself a break. I am keeping you here for some days and that is final. By the way, where is your husband?

Ogeh: he.....he....yes, he has an important meeting today, till evening....his phone is off too...you know, no disturbance during meeting.

Akin: Hmmmm

Doctor: Okay, let him see me anytime he comes back. Meanwhile, your food and d**g will be brought very soon. Thank you Mr Johnson, if you hadn't brought her in, on time, it would have been a different issue. See you later.

And the doctor left.

Ogeh: Why didn't you go to work?

Akin: Well, my work will be done even if I'm not there.

Ogeh: Meaning? And what is your work about?

Akin: Actually, I'm into lots of things. You can call me Jack of all trades

Ogeh: Master of none.( They both laughed). You better concentrate on one job or should I connect you with the HR in my father's company?

Akin: ( laughed) Don't bother, I'm okay, really.

Ogeh: I know you are... looking at your expensive suits, wristlets, wristwatches, shoes, and cars....you used a range rover on Saturday, on Monday, you used a Benz to bring me here. By the way, how did you know my clinic? I can't remember telling you.

Akin: You did, before passing out.

Ogeh: Oh...okay....now, I want to know about you.

Just then, a nurse walked in with her food and d**g and waited until she finished it all. Then she left.

Akin: Ogeh, call your husband to let him know where and how you are.

She took her phone and called his number.

Ken: You this woman has a big problem.. won't I come home? Can't it wait till I am back home?

Ogeh: I just want to let you know that I've been admitted into the hospital.

Ken: Why? For what? Are you having the baby at almost 8 months? Anyway, hope you have prepared our food and put out my suit for tomorrow? And what about my daughter?

Ogeh: She is with Julius.

And she ended the call. She was sad and heart broken but smiled at Akin to conceal her pain.

Ogeh: Let's continue...I want the truth. Where is your wife?

Akin: what did he say?

Ogeh: Nothing much, just that he will bring my favourite when coming from a Cold stone shop.

Akin: Are you lying to me or to your self?

Ogeh: Do you mind?, I really do not want to talk about it. Back to the question you have refused to answer since.... Where is your wife?

Akin: Hmmm.....she died while giving birth to Idowu, four years ago.

Ogeh: ( shocked) I'm so sorry. I didn't know. I should not have asked... please forgive me.

Akin: it's okay.....we got married 8 years ago and the following year, she gave birth to our twins....when they were 3, she gave birth to Idowu but then, started bleeding until she died. Her parents were in America and I do not want to be separated from my children. So I took in a nanny and a house keeper to help in raising them. That's it.

Ogeh: And your parents?

Akin: they are late

Ogeh: just like mine. My mother died when I was young and father didn't remarry. He pampered me and with the help of my nana, (my nanny)I was taught so many things, though father didn't want me to do any house chores but my nana insisted. I had everything money could buy but no real love. All the men I dated were gold diggers. I didn't take my car one day and that was the day I met Ken. He was so nice to me in the bus and it happened that we were going to the same place, the mall. We had fun together and I felt loved for who I was and not what I was. We dated for some months and when I saw he was serious about marrying me, I took him to my house. My father did not like him but I pleaded. Ken said he would like us to get married quickly but he didn't have the money. I told my father and he was against it but since he couldn't bear to see me sad, he agreed to sponsor our wedding but everything he bought was in my name. The houses, cars and the company. My nana also advised me not to marry him but I refused to listen. They say what an adult will see while sitting, a child can not see it even if he climb the tallest tree. They must have seen something that I did not see because of love. ( She sighed) After wedding, Ken was the best husband. Even when I had a delay in giving birth, he stood by me. He was so gentle and loving. He treated me like an egg,( she started crying). At the birth of our daughter, he was overjoyed. Everything was okay until dad became ill immediately after Kelly's 8th birthday. He changed. I do not know why, up till now. And it became worse after father died, a year later. Nana relocated to Ghana after dad died and Ken said he doesn't want her at our house. I was not used to any family member and that makes me an orphan now. Worst, no friends either.

Akin: It's okay, you are not alone. Don't get yourself worked up over it. It will be well again. There will be a silver lining at the end of the tunnel, you will see... Now smile and focus on getting better. But why do you not have at least a friend that you can talk to?

Ogeh: I used to have friends, go out and very sociable but all that stopped when I married Ken. He forbade me from having anyone come over to the house nor I go visit them. He said friends can break a home especially female friends and I stupidly agreed. I drew away from all my friends and even Janet, my best friend. I later looked for her but someone said she has gone to a country in Asia.

Akin: hmmm... Well... It is a pity but do not worry. You will laugh at last.

He then received a call and told Ogeh that he had to go and she should rest well.

And he left.

When Akin left Ogeh, he went to meet Abilam, Ken's lady friend.