The Blue House S03 E02

“Hello ma.”
“Hello. It’s been a while, how is everything?... And how’s the family?”
“Everything is fine, we’re all fine. I hope there’s no problem?” Banke’s mother already knew what her in-law was calling her about but the preamble was part of the conversation between in-laws.

“Kunle called me and told me about some problems between himself and his wife but I told him that I would call to hear your own side of the story. What is going on?”
“I am very happy that you called me because I have been wondering what to do about the problem between them. The major issue here is that my husband is not helping matters, he believes his daughter should have everything she wants and she herself is not wise enough to see the error in that. I really don’t know what to do because even if I say she should return to her husband’s house, her father would counter it.”
“What if we call on the elders in the family to intervene in the situation?”
“That is not a bad idea, but Banke herself is not willing to return to her home. Would it not be a wasted effort?”
“Hmmn… maybe you should talk to her then. Try to reason with her again, if she budges then we can call the members of the family to intervene.”
“Alright… I will see what I can do.”
“Please…. So should I call you back?”
“No, I will call you back.”
**********
Finally they had brought her home and Ronke was relieved but stressed. She now had four children to care for, two stores, and no maid. Afraid of what might befall her, Peace had packed her bags and left the house after Ronke had been rushed to the hospital, taking the money from the store she managed with her too. Ronke had been too worried about the baby to care about Peace’s whereabouts but now that the baby was back home and she had settled into a daily routine she became angry at the whole situation. She dialed Iya Ibeji’s number.
“Hello” the woman answered gruffly.
“Iya Ibeji.”
“Yes, what else do you want?”
“What else do I want? Do you know what your niece did?” Ronke couldn’t believe how condescending the woman sounded, she should be on her knees pleading.
“I know what your son has done you shameless hypocrite! Look, just thank your stars that things are not worse than they are right now, I would have shown you my true colour! I brought a child to help you and you allowed your son to rape her continuously. God will judge between you and me.”
“What?...” Iya Ibeji had hung up. Ronke was utterly confused, did Peace tell her family that Ayodele had raped her? Was that the truth? What had really been going on in her home?
“Dear!” Dapo had come into the room and set his bag on the table.
“Welcome” Ronke said absent-mindedly
“What are you thinking about?”
“Nothing.” She rose up and gathered the baby’s things from the bed.
Dapo looked at her oddly, the woman was nonchalant about his presence. “What’s for dinner?”
“Spaghetti” Ronke replied simply dumping the dirty clothes in a small basket near the bathroom.
“Spaghetti? For me or the children?”
“For everybody.”
“I’m sure you know I can’t eat that. I’m very hungry so please make me something I can eat.”
“Everybody is eating spaghetti” Ronke replied walking out of the bedroom.
“And I said I’m not eating spaghetti! Are your ears aching you?”
Ronke did not respond, she went to the sitting room and sat down with her children thinking about her conversation with Iya Ibeji and darting glances at Ayodele.
**********
Banke knocked on her mother’s bedroom door with trepidation. She had brought her something from her trip to Paris even though she didn’t think her mother deserved it, but she didn’t want her to pick another fight with her because of that so here she was standing with a white nylon in her hands wondering what if her mother would even appreciate the gift.
“Yes, come in.”
“Good evening mummy.” Banke curtseyed.
“Oh, good evening dear!” Dear? Her mother called her dear? Perhaps her absence from the house from the house had done her some good.
“I brought you something from my trip.”
“You did? Thank you.” She collected the present and set it on the bed beside her.”Sit down, there’s something I want to discuss with you.”
Yes, she had been right. Some thing was up. “I’m sure you had time to do some thinking while you were vacationing. Have you decided to go back to your husband’s house?”
Banke inhaled. “No, Mummy. I’m not going back to him.”
Banke’s mother was on the verge of screaming at her but she decided to calm down, shouting at her had not produced any result so far. “Why don’t you want to go back? What exactly is the problem?”
Banke wondered if she could be truthful with her mother for once. “Mummy I feel free! I can do whatever I want without thinking I’ve done something wrong, that my husband wouldn’t approve. Kunle was suffocating me with rules, “don’t buy this, don’t buy that” I need my freedom. Besides, I realize that our backgrounds are very different and I really don’t think we are well suited for each other. He’s used to managing and I am not. I won’t manage. Why should I when the money is available? He’s an egotistical chauvinist that can’t provide and can’t stand the fact that someone else wants to. He just wants me to suffer so he can look good! Mummy can you imagine that Kunle wanted us to leave the house, he said he couldn’t afford the rent and that he would find somewhere else cheaper. Where else could he be taking us to if not some overcrowded place in Lagos!” Banke sighed. “We are not compatible, he’s a great guy but I can’t cope with him.”
Banke’s mother sighed, now she understood her daughter and it was painful. “You know there was a time when your father didn’t have as much as he did, he used to be poor too, but we struggled together, hustled together to get to where we are today. It will get better, don’t you realize that?”
“Mummy I’m not as strong as you are. I can’t endure.”
“What about Teniola? Can’t you reconsider because of your daughter? Do you realize what the impact of this would be on her?”
“She’ll be fine. There are other nice men out there you know.”
“And what if Kunle doesn’t give her to you?”
“He can’t win at court. He has no choice, the lawyer says he stands no chance.”
Banke’s mother exhaled. She and her daughter had had their first heart to heart talk and it pained her deeply because she now saw that there was nothing that could be done to save her marriage. “Alright Banke, I hope you’re right about this because if you’re not you’ll be very sorry.”
“Don’t worry Mummy. I know what I’m doing.” Banke said with a smile and hugged her mother, she was happy that they had talked.
**********
“But why the sudden change of plans? Did your mother say something to you?” Banke’s father questioned her relentlessly. She had just informed them that she was looking for a place of her own and would soon move out.
“Daddy I can make my own decisions…”
“I know your mother said something to you. What did you say to her?” he turned towards Banke’s mother who had not said a word and busied herself with a succulent roasted chicken.
“She’s here isn’t she? Ask her what I said.”
“Why would you say something to offend her? What is your problem woman? Must everyone be controlled by you?”
“You’re the one with a problem. You’re destroying your daughter’s life and you can’t see it.”
“Oh so now I’m destroying her life because she is miserable in her marriage? Did I throw her out of her house? Did I bring her here?”
“Look, don’t disturb me! Let me eat my food in peace, you and your daughter can do whatever you like with each other.”
“Mummy, Daddy, please don’t argue. I’ll be fine I promise. As soon as I get a place, I’ll file for sole custody of my daughter and focus on taking care of her and building my career.”
“But you can stay here.”
“Daddy really it’s fine, I’d rather be on my own.”
“Okay let my estate agent find you a nice place. I’ll bear the cost no matter what it is.”
“Really? Oh thank you Daddy!”
Banke’s mother lost her appetite at that point and got up from the dining table.
“Mummy…” Banke called out.
“Let her go. She’s just jealous.” Banke’s father laughed. He had won again.