She is Gentle but Definitely Not Stupid

Chapter Four: The Storm Starts

Oge: Dear, is it Uber you are calling to come pick you up early tomorrow morning or taxify? So I can help you book it down....

Ken: why would I call them when my car is there? Hope you told Dad Abigail that he must be here as early as possible tomorrow? I wouldn't want to be late and you know Lagos traffic... I'm off to bed.....

Oge: wait, Ken, (puzzled) which car? The last time I called him, he said its too late to start working on the car as you haven't even arrived to give him the car keys.

Ken:(pushed her away from his side, where she was sitting) what? What do you mean? Didn't you give him the keys?

Later you will say I'm shouting... didn't I ask you to give him the keys? You see now... simple instruction, you can't follow... why won't I shout? Just tell me you are joking....

Oge: oh God!!! What is all these again? when I thought peace has finally come to our home. Ken, I searched everywhere for it but didn't see it, that was when I called your number and Abilam picked it to say you were busy.

I told her to give you the phone but she said you were busy and i did not want to trouble you again...

Ken: will you shut up? When did you call? My phone has been with me through out and Abilam cannot pick my call. She respects me unlike you. Just say you disobeyed me and do not lie against my Abilam.

Oge: please lower your voice and do not attract our daughter but I did call you. She told me you asked her to pick any call that comes in, that you were busy. Did she not tell you?

Ken: you know what? I know you are stupid but now I know you are also a big liar. Abilam can never do that. To prove how big a liar you are, I will call her now and will put it on speaker.

He called Abilam and put it on speaker.

Abilam: hello

Ken: hello, it's Ken

Abilam: do you want to come back to me? I know you can't stay away from me. Get a life away from your boring wife....

Ken: cut it out, Abil, I need to ask you something.

Abilam: I'm listening K. I don't like the way your voice is. Why are you shouting? Calm down and tell me what happened or what is happening...

Ken: did you by any chance pick any of my calls today? Did you speak with my wife?

Abilam: yes and no

Ken: meaning?

Abilam: yeah, I spoke with her....

Oge: you see, I told you. I'm not a liar. You just accuse me without hearing my side. You don't trust me at all....

Ken: keep quiet woman. Ogeh, if I hear a word from you again, I will do what you do not expect. I'm talking on phone now. Abil, why did you pick my call?

Abilam: pick your call? When ? How? Where?

Ken: you just said you spoke with my wife.....

Abilam: yeah, I spoke with her when she picked my call to you this morning and no Ken, I didn't pick your call at all when you were with me. You know I always obey you and would not want to have a fight with you. Why would I pick a call not meant for me? This is an insult. What do you take me for? Oh! what have I gotten myself into?

Ken: exactly, I know you can't do that. I just want you to confirm to my wife that said you told her I was too busy to pick calls. I know she is lying. I am sorry to have called you but if I had not called you to prove how big a liar she is, she will still be insisting... I am so sorry.. please do not be offended and I promise to make it up to you. okay?

Abilam: Okay, my dear....but( crying) me? When did I tell her that? You know me well K, I can't do anything that will hurt you. Why is she lying against me? What have I done to her? ( Continue crying)

Ken: it's okay baby, I'm sorry to have bothered you. She just doesn't want to see me happy. It's okay, I will see you after work tomorrow. Sleep well dear.

All the while, Oge just stood there, tears rolling down her eyes, not able to say anything. Ken then turned around to face her

Ken: why did you lie? If you want to punish me, face me alone, don't drag an innocent lady into this. You didn't call to inform me that you were not able to find the keys, you didn't call Dad Abigail to get in touch with me and my car was not done. Where did you search? What do you search for and see! Nothing. Just useless. The keys can't disappear..... They don't have legs to walk, so they will be in this house. And maybe you hid it so I don't get to meet my appointment.

You are just so annoying. What kind of insensitive woman is this? A good wife would have tried all ways to get her husband's car fixed. Nonsense. Very stupid woman... irresponsible woman......and Who are you calling now?

While he was talking, Oge called Dad Abigail and put it on speaker..

Oge: hello, I'm sorry for disturbing you so late but I need you to talk to my husband

Dad Abigail: talk to Mr Ken? For what again? Madam, you have tried your best to get in touch with him but you could not. Since you couldn't get him, is it me that will get him? Madam, I have told you, go and rest. You have done what a good wife supposed to do. Maybe Mr Ken has made arrangements to transport himself tomorrow and you do not know but kept on worrying your self. You searched for key, you didn't see it, you called him, another woman picked and said he was busy, what else can you do. Madam, sorry, I can not call and talk to him tonight again. Even if I do, I can not come to do anything tonight on the car again. So, madam. go sleep and don't worry yourself. When he comes back, tell him I can come early tomorrow morning to fix the car.

Oge: He is back, thanks so much Dad Abigail, see you tomorrow. Good night rest

Dad Abigail: So he is back.... Why did you allow me to be talking since? I hope he did not hear me.... Anyway, I did not say something bad... I only spoke the truth... Goodnight madam... my regards to him.

And he hung up..

Ken heard all Dad Abigail said and didn't know what to say. He was just walking around the living room.

Then Oge said,

" Ken, you trust an outsider more than you trust your wife. Have I ever lied to you? Have I given you cause to doubt me in the past? What have I done to you? what have I not done for you? what really do you want from me? Tell me!!!! No problem. There's no probs. Thank you so much for everything and thanks for the insult, I'm off to bed.

She left her husband still standing and went to check on their daughter, who appeared to be sleeping, but was actually listening to them and was crying. She then went inside.

She saw her husband's clothes that he wore out on the bed, picked them up to put in the laundry basket, and something fell from the pocket.

Oge: what?.......