Her Womb, Their lies

Episode Three

PART THREE

I couldn’t stop crying. I remembered everything clearly — I pushed my babies myself. How can he say I gave birth to just one child, and now she’s gone? I didn’t even get to hold her. What’s going on? Why do I always pass out immediately after childbirth? My chest was full, and my head was aching non-stop.

My husband gently patted my back and said it hurt him too — that I’d be fine.

He told me he needed to travel the next day to see his other wife and the kids. He asked if I needed anything.

I shook my head. I said I needed nothing.

I lay back on the bed, thoughts racing through my mind. I didn’t understand what was going wrong. Why do I keep losing my babies? But my co-wife — she always has hers safely. I thought about calling her, but for some reason, I wasn’t feeling okay.

Eventually, I picked up the phone and dialed her. She picked up on the second ring and said she had been in the shower.

I congratulated her — and then broke down in tears again. She told me I’d be fine, but that she needed to attend to her babies now. Then she ended the call.

I wanted to step outside for fresh air, but I couldn’t. I was just too weak.

My husband said he would only spend Six weeks with her and would be back to check on me. He warned me not to go anywhere, reminding me that everything I needed had been provided. If anything came up, I should call him.

I asked him, “Why are you caging me?”

He said, “I’m not. It’s for your own emotional healing.”

I told him I needed help — a maid or someone at least. He replied there was no need. After all, there was no baby to care for — I should be able to care for myself.

That hurt deeply.

I asked him why he was treating me differently. Why did my co-wife have so much freedom, while I was always under rules?

He told me to stop stressing him. He said, “Do you think it’s easy for me? I also lost a baby. Can’t you understand?”

I stayed quiet and just cried.

He left for the UK the following day. Throughout the first week, he didn’t call me. My co-wife didn’t either.

I decided to call him. I tried three times, no answer. On the fourth try, someone picked up — but it wasn’t him. It was her.

Me: Hello?

Co-wife: If you call someone twice and they don’t pick up, shouldn’t that tell you they’re busy?

I froze. She had never spoken to me like that before. She was older than me, yes, but she always treated me kindly and pampered me.

Me: I’m sorry, ma… I was just worried. I haven’t heard from him.

Co-wife: And so? He’s not a baby. Or is he not allowed to spend time with his kids just because you lost yours?

The words stung deeply. I couldn’t stop the tears.

Me: I’m sorry, ma…

She let out a sound of frustration and ended the call.

I cried again. Maybe I called at the wrong time… maybe she was just tired.

Still, I waited, hoping my husband would call me that evening. He didn’t.

Some weeks passed. He was supposed to be back. Still nothing. I called again.

He picked up and said he’d been busy. I asked when he was returning, and he said next week.

I asked if I could at least go outside.

He said no.

I couldn’t take it anymore. The silence. The loneliness. I was slowly falling into depression.

Three days later, I left the house without his permission. I just needed air. He wasn’t even in Nigeria. I went to a beachside restaurant. I needed to clear my head. I couldn’t shake the memory — I had given birth to healthy twins, but now I was told it was only one child… and she didn’t make it?

I came home around 6 p.m., only to find my husband already back.

The look on his face chilled me.

Him: Where are you coming from?

Me: I was bored… so I stepped out.

Him: Without my permission?

Me: I’m sorry.

Him: Sorry? You have no respect. How dare you leave this house without telling me?

I couldn’t hold it anymore. I burst out:

Me: What do you want from me? I’m all alone in this house! No one to talk to. Do you want me to drown in sadness? I just lost my babies!

Him: You’ve lost your mind. I must have been out of my mind to marry someone like you. You’re not even smart — you’ve failed JAMB over and over, and yet you talk about wanting to become a doctor? (he laughed coldly)

I was stunned.

Me: Did you just say that to me?

Him: Yes, and guess what? I think it’s time we end this. I’m done. Let’s go our separate ways.

Me: What?

Him: I said I release you.

To be continued...

Follow me so you don’t miss the next part.

Thank you so much for reading

Aisha Corner