By Tobore Ovuorie
Her husband walked out on her in 2012. He moved on to another waist, I hear, in Abuja. He didn’t leave a pin for her and their five children.
She phoned his mother.
“You just have to manage and train them. That’s what I did when his father too walked out on us when your husband and siblings were still babies. I singlehandedly raised them” her mother-in-law advised.
PROBLEM: She was a sit at home mum. He never allowed her to use her university degree to work.
She was my neighbour. I hate seeing women being maltreated. Don’t get me wrong, I’m not voltron- defender of the universe, I’ve been maltreated too.
So, I called on other ladies let’s help this sister. They agreed. And the journey began that 2012.
We donated food, rent money, school fees for the kids and everything. Then, helped her get a job. But the help continued for her pay wasn’t enough to solely train five kids.
I had told her to come collect additional items for Christmas. I direly need money myself for I’ve tender mouths to feed, shelter, etc but shouldn’t stop me from reaching out.
She has FIVE daughters. I’m always scared of what deprivation could do to girls. So, she was to come take stuffs from my house before moving to the houses of the other ladies in our group.
She woke me few minutes ago. After exchanging the initial compliments, I told her to proceed to the guest room where the a-little-above-quarter bag of rice and clothes are, then check the kitchen for whatever she wanted.
I left for my room.
Few minutes later, she came to me smiling one kain (somehow )
“Aunty Tobore, can I take extra rice?”
I wondered what she meant. She’s never asked such funny question. “The rice is there naa mummy Joyce” I answered.
“I don’t mean the usual amount. If I take the extra for my husband which will last all of us until January, nothing will be left for you. Thought I should first tell you”.
Her taking the extra isn’t my problem. I’ve not eaten rice at home in a very long time. I even planned giving her the stew in my fridge.
The husband was the problem.
“Husband?!” I removed my eyeglasses, sat up in bed, eyes popping out of my sockets already irritated while reducing the volume of the TV.
“Yes Aunty”
“But???” My mouth opened and nothing came out.
“Yes, Aunty. He came back last month”
“Haaa! Last month?!”
“Yes. That’s why our last month food and money didn’t last. He ate out of it. Since he eats breakfast, lunch and dinner, the food doesn’t last. And he collects money from me to go out”.
I was boiling. Now, I’m a furnace.
I’m angered to know I sponsored an irresponsible idiot while I had nothing and was dying in the hospital last month.
I’m disgusted to know a woman with such gory maltreatment could accept the goat back as if nothing happened.
I’m not voltron, but when a man maltreats me and the kids, he must never return, for he’s lost every right. Even picture of the kids, he won’t see.
I’m irritated for too many reasons.
I phoned the other ladies.
They all screamed in disbelief.
They are on their way to my house.
An emergency meeting will hold soon.
My hangout at the pool with Dammie Ojekunle and Emeka ‘Emeka Anozie MIGHT be affected.
I’m boiling.
But wondering why many women are so brainless?