Chapter 12 — Broken Trust

Life had not been easy for me ever since Ajoke told me about Judith Igwe, I couldn't believe her and I was really scared of asking Abdullah about it. I mean, what if he becomes angry with me? What if he turns back on his heels? Ah, that wouldn't be good. I don't want the stitched vacuum between us to be unstitched by some hypothesis. I can't really afford that! I really can't...

"Balqis told me you're returning back to your parents' house in Gombe, is that true?". Abdullah asked, staring at debilitated Safiyah. It was a visit to her domicile, a visit he insisted.

"Yes," She sniffed, she had a running nose. "I'm tired of hallucinating, tired of living here alo..."

"But you're not alone, your two kids are here with you". Abdullah intruded. "You just need to be strong, that's it".

"I need to return back to Gombe to regain my strength, I've already made up my mind and that's final". She said with an air of finality.

Abdullah glanced at me with a sigh before proceeding to ask her about her Banking job, "How about your job? You know, it's a great job and you're..."

"My brother has a school in Gombe, it's very close to our family house". She intruded. "I will teach there before getting another job". She added.

Thus, Abdullah decided to just let her be. Perhaps going back to Gombe would be the best for her, but we'd surely miss her. Ever since her husband became history we had been very close to her, sometimes she'd come to our house with her kids and stay for some days, and sometimes I'd be the one to go and stay with them. It's not easy to lose a husband, especially when there are children.

Abdullah and I stayed in the house for hours, we had decided not to leave until 5 O'clock in the evening. And when it was time for us to leave, Safiyah and her kids escorted us to our car. Thus, we drove away after biding them goodbye. She's lonely, how I wish I could tell Abdullah to marry her but I really can't do that. I've watched in films how this type of help usually ends up, but what if Safiyah is different? I pondered. Hence, the thought of Judith Igwe popped into my mind.

Should I ask Abdullah about her? Yes, I should! Perhaps that would give me peace of mind. But, what if he...? No, I have to ask him no matter what. I really have to! I concluded. Thus, I heaved a sigh and turned to him. "Habibi, I love you. Hope you won't get mad if I ask you something?".

"What's that?" He glanced at me. "Yes, you can ask me. I love you too". He said, concentrating on the road. "I'm all ears, my love". He added.

"Okey," I gulped and continued. "Do you know Judith Igwe?". I asked, so afraid.

And before I knew it he pulled over to the roadside and gave me a weird look, "Judith Igwe?". He asked.

"Yes", I repeatedly nodded. "Judith Igwe, the one in Zarumai Quarters". I added. You know, that was where Ajoke lived and she had told me that the lady is her neighbor... I just pray Abdullah doesn't get mad at me, but if he denies it then fine. I thought.

"I... I don't really understand". He stuttered with puzzlement allover his face, perhaps surprised of how I got to know her. "This is the first time I'm hearing such name. I know I've known someone with Judith, but her surname was Solomon. She was our class monitor back then in primary 4".

Now I've gotten what I needed... I already knew that it wasn't Abdullah but someone else Ajoke perceived that day! "So you don't know Judith Igwe?" I asked him again to be very sure.

"I already told you I've never heard of that name before, why are you even asking? Hope everything is okey?". He bespoke, staring at me interrogatively.

"No... nothing, It's just that I heard someone with that name is snatching people's husbands". I forged, heaving a sigh. "And seriously I'm scared of losing you Habibi, I don't really want to..."

"Oh come on, my love". He held my hand affectionately. "Stop believing in tales... And no one can snatch me away from you, okey?". He uttered.

"Okey". I nodded with a smile, hence he gave me a peck me and quickly ignited the car engine into action.

While on our way home, Abdullah decided to stop by the market to get us something for dinner. And just as he parked the car in the garage, a lady with a long wig began yelling his name. She was standing close to a very expensive car which appeared to be hers, and judging by her unseemly appearance; she was a profane Christian. And who is she by the way? I wondered, stepping out of the car.

"Wow, and wow". The lady clapped. "So this is your wife, Abdullah?". She shook her head. "But you never told us you have a wife, she's beautiful!".

"I... I don't really know what you're talking about, do I even know you?". He said, trembling perhaps in shock.

"Who's she?". I glared at him.

"I don't know," He replied quickly. "Please lets get back to the car and go home, we can manage spaghetti for dinner today my love". He implored.

"No," I stood firmly with my arms akimbo. "I want to know who she is first". I added, moving closer to her.

"Balqis, I'm warning you" Abdullah uttered angrily. "Come back here this instant, lets go home!".

I gulped, ignoring him. "Who are you Miss?". I asked the standing lady, and that made her hissed and turned her face away from me. Actually, she looked exactly like some of those actresses in Nigerian movies,

And could it be that she's the lady that Ajoke told me abou... The lady's loud voice interrupted my thoughts,

"Abdullah so this is who you are, huh? Fine, we shall wait for you. But know that I'm never going to allow Miss J to abort that pregnancy as you suggested, because the last time she did that she almost lost her life... This time around I won't let that happen to her again, is either you accept the child as yours or send her the 10milion naira she requested. Goodbye!"