She is Gentle but Definitely Not Stupid

Chapter Eight: The story has just begun.

When Ken saw Abilam crying, he couldn't take it.

Ken: Ogeh, stop it!!! What's wrong with you? How can you lie against her to her face? She was just being polite and you insulted her so much that she is crying. What type of woman are you? Why can't you be friendly and polite? Must you show your attitude outside for people to see what I endure at home? Ogeh, it's like you are indeed a stupid cursed woman. I mean.... ...

( Hugging Abilam) darling, I am sorry. I caused this. Do not cry again. It is okay. Wipe your face...

Abilam: What have I done wrong? You know what? Ken, what you didn't know before, I will tell you today. I truly called her, but only to advise her to give you peace at home. I even told her I was ready to ask you not to see me again if she can promise me that she won't give you stress at home. But do you know what she said? She said you are an i***t, that you are lucky she married you and if you want to divorce her, she would gladly accept it, that she is fed up with you. I pleaded with her not to say such things about you but she said, she doesn't mind if you leave her for me,...that both of you do not have anything in common anyway. Ken, I didn't want to cause you pain, that was why I didn't tell you because I know how much you care for her. She really do not deserve your love. Someone that can lie face to face like this can do worse... Am I lying? I know you will say it is a lie....

Ogeh: (Screamed) what? Abo or what did you call yourself? You are a liar, a home breaker... Ken, you know me very well...I can never say such things about you.....you are my life, my joy, my.....

Ken: Just shut up!!!!..... Foolish woman. Wait, Ogeh, why on earth would she lie against you? What will be her gain for lying? Upon all I do for you, you still go about, saying bad things about me. Okay, since you said you don't mind divorce, I will give it to you. I don't even know what I am still doing with you. Stupid woman.

Ogeh: (Clearly annoyed) Abilam, you think you have won? I just pity you. As I have said before, no other man wants you, that is why you want to separate us so you can have him, but you know something, you can not. Why? He is mine, and that's why I call him MINE. You better ask your mother to go and wash your head in a river, so you can get a single man to marry you. No man....I repeat, no man will marry you with this nonsense attitude of yours...

Abilam: Ken, hear what she is saying.... Cursing me... And you are looking at her... You know I am not so gentle.... If not for the respect I have for you, I would have given her what she deserves... How can this rat be talking to me like that? Who are you? What are you? Useless stupid senseless wife....

Kelly: You are a bad auntie... Bad bad auntie

( Abilam moved to hit Kelly but Kelly ran behind her mother and Abilam slapped Ogeh instead. Ogeh retaliated with double and Abilam ran to Ken)

Abilam: ( held her cheek and started crying)... Ken, because my hand mistakenly hit Ogeh, she slapped me twice. Can you see that?

Ken was furious and did what he has never done before.

He slapped Ogeh, right in the presence of Abilam, Kelly, their daughter and those at the park at that moment.

Akin was taking his children to his car when he saw Abilam slap Ogeh. He was furious and was already going to meet them when he saw Ogeh slapped her back and he smiled, gave her a thumbs up and went back to put his children in his car. He was already in his car when he saw Ken slap Ogeh.

He was rooted in his car seat and was dumbfounded.

Ogeh was stunned and held her cheek. Kelly shouted " dadaaaaa..... why? Bad dada and bad auntie" and started crying.

Even Abilam was shocked.

Akin, who was in his car at the time, got out and started walking angrily towards them, then he stopped and went back to his car.

The gateman was perplexed and was rooted to a spot, even as he was about to open the gate for someone.

Ogeh eventually found her voice and whispered,

" Ken, you slapped me? You slapped me, Ken...over what? What did I do? What's my offense? You can see her tears but not mine... You can see her pain but not mine... You believed her than me, your wife? On top of all that, you now hit me because of her.... What did I do wrong? "

Kelly: Dada, I hate you, I hate you.

And she ran towards the gate, crying. Ken ran after her and brought her back. He put her inside the car, locked the door, got in and drove off, leaving Ogeh and Abilam.

Abilam: You see your life? How will you get home now? I definitely can not offer you a ride. Next time, you keep your mouth shut.

Ogeh: Thank you so very much. May it be done unto you double, as you did to me.

Abilam: ( hissed) I'm not as stupid as you are. See you...

And she got into her car and drove off too.

Ogeh remained standing and crying. Then she went back to the garden to sit. She took her phone to call Uber when Akin appeared.

Akin: I'm sorry for what happened the other time. I didn't mean...

Ogeh: Please, forget it. It's okay. And you must know that my husband is not usually like that. He's a good husband and father....

Akin: Stop defending him, Ogeh. I'm a man too and no matter what, I won't lay my hand on a woman, talkless of my wife. Are you blind? Can you not see what he is doing to you?

Ogeh: please, I won't have you say anything against my husband. And I am Mrs Ogeh Safure....

Akin: Forget that formality. You know what? You just amaze me every time. Your sincerity, gentility, are too hard to find in a woman. He is a fool for not knowing the treasure he has. Anyway, do you mind if I drop you off?

Ogeh: It's okay, I can manage. I will just call Uber. Won't your wife mind? Where is she?

Akin: She is not around and I insist. Please, so I can be rest assured that you get home safely. I don't want to leave you in this condition.

Where do you stay?

Ogeh: J-Lads Housing Estate, Victoria Island

Akin: Wow!! You don't say!!!

Ogeh: You know the place?

Akin: I....I .....I know the place. Is your place rented or bought?

Ogeh: It was bought, by my father for me, as birthday present.

They started walking towards his car.

Akin: Interesting....so you actually own the place, then...

Ogeh: sort of, but since I'm married, it belongs to my husband and I.

Akin: What's your father's name?

Ogeh: Chief Ufuoma Dalala

Akin: Dalala, of Dalala group of companies? The Emperor of Igando? You don't say.....

Ogeh: Yes, the one and only... But how did you know him?

Akin: Who will not know him? And I'm sorry about his death. He was a very nice man and a great and formidable leader. I was devastated when I heard about his death last year.

They got to his car, his children were already in it and he opened the door for her to get in. Then he introduced her to his children

Akin: Boys, this is Mrs Safure, a friend and Oge, these are the twins, Taiwo Tife and Kehinde Tiwi. And my main guy, Idowu Tiso.

Ogeh: I love their names. How are you guys? Trust you all had fun today?

Taiwo: Yes ma'am, we did.

Kehinde: Aren't you Kelly's mum?

Akin: How did you know Kelly?...oh....you must have met her at the play house

Taiwo: Yes we did. She was nice to us. Helped me solved my puzzle. And she joined our team and made us win....

Ogeh ( laughed) hh.. .ahhh.. .she is a master in that .... you guys definitely had a great time..

"Yes, we did", they chorused

And Akin drove out of the venue.

Ogeh: So, how did you know my father?

Akin: It's a long story. Will tell you someday. Tell me about yourself..

Ogeh: Nothing to tell. My life is boring. I am the only child of my parents and lost my mother when I was a little girl. Since then, my father had been taking care of me until I got married, though against his wishes, but what can the poor man do? He only wanted my happiness...so he supported me. I stopped working and became a full house wife then I got a shop to manage recently. Of course I have a daughter, a husband and a tiny angel on the way. ( She rubbed her tommy lovingly and smiled). No social life, nothing..so you can see my life is boring.

Akin did not say anything and

there was silence. The boys fell asleep on top of one another and Oge asked Femi to park so she could arrange them properly on the car seat, after which they got back on the road.

Soon after, Ogeh too slept off and she did not know when he adjusted her head on the head rest. She slept soundly. It was an hour drive to her place and eventually they got there.

Akin: Hey, sleeping beauty. ( He tapped her shoulder gently) Get up, we are here..

Ogeh: oh... We are home... ( Then she looked up to see Akin looking at her. She rubbed her eyes and opened her eyes wide)

I am so sorry.... I did not know when I slept off.... Wait,....you seem to know your way around this estate.... and I don't remember telling you our house number, yet, you are parking right in front of my house. How did you know? And you passed by the security without them calling me or my husband? How did you do it? You better tell me the truth..

Akin: How did I know? Let me say, the outside painting attracted me and I just knew it has to be here.( He smiled).. About the security, I only flashed my white and fine set of teeth and gave them my sweetest smile and they fell in love with me....booom.... They opened the gates wide for me to enter.

Ogeh: ( laughed)Hmmmm, Mr White teeth,...I find that difficult to believe. Anyway, thanks for the ride and for all you did for me today. I really appreciate it. You are God sent to me. ( And she opened the car door to get out)

Akin: Wait, your digits....

Ogeh: ( she collected his phone and typed in her digits)...by the way, you still haven't really answered my question

Akin: Which is?

Ogeh: Where is your wife? The mother of your boys..

Akin: Hmmm...will tell you when next we see

Ogeh: Which might never happen......where do you stay?

Akin: An estate on the Island

Ogeh: You are too evasive. Don't know what you are hiding. Anyway, let me go in. Goodnight and thanks once again

Akin: ( laughed) what do you think I'm hiding? Good night and hey, please, don't argue with your husband. Just apologise for whatever he says you did. Don't go through unnecessary stress, it's not good for you. Please. I will call you tomorrow. Go in...I will go after you are in and locked the gate after you.

Ogeh: No, you go. If you don't, I won't go in. And okay sir, I will not be stressed.

Akin: Women!!! Too stubborn...okay, bye.

And he drove off. Ogeh stood and watched his vehicle, until it's lights disappeared. Then a feeling of melancholy came over her. She walked slowly to the gate, relieved to find it unlocked, walked in and pressed the main door bell.

Ken: (Shouted from inside) What do you want? Just stay there... I'm helping you to pack your load in a bag.

Ogeh: Ken, please. Don't let us make a scene. Let me in.

Ken:(opened the door) come in.....these are the ones I have packed, just take them out. ... Divorce is what you want, divorce is what you get.

Ogeh: please, Ken, I'm sorry. For the sake of our daughter, forgive me.( Then she heard Kelly crying) Kelly, it's okay. There's no problem. It's just a prank.

Kelly: No, it's not a prank. Dada has packed your clothes.... Mama, please don't go.... please......take me with you if you must go......

Ken: Will you shut up? Go with who? Go to your room right now

Ogeh: Ken, please, don't let us drag Kelly into this. Let's settle it between us. It's just a little misunderstanding. That lady was lying. She said awful things to me, that was why I replied her. But I promise, I won't do that again.... please forgive me... I'm really sorry

Ken: Will you stop apologizing and get out? I have had enough. Go, pack your things and get out.

Ogeh: Think about our children for once, Ken.... please

Ken: Did you say children? I know Kelly, but the one coming, I know not. And for your information, I'm not interested in that one in your womb.

Ogeh kept on crying while Ken continued packing her things.

( All this led to what happened in Chapter 1. The story has just begun)