WIFE MATERIAL
Episode 13
Some minutes later, Amara got to the house. It was around 3 pm, so she was the only one in the house.
She removed her dress and entered the bathroom to freshen up. Later on, she came out, changed and left for the living room to have some rest.
She lay down on the couch and was pressing her phone. She suddenly remembered the local medicine that Sandra had given her to drink.
She went back to the bedroom, brought out the can from her handbag and went back to the living room.
She held the can and scrutinized it closely.
“What could this be, I’ve heard people say that natural medicine is good for childbirth but the nurses have never mentioned it during antenatal classes. Sandra said it was her mother who gave it to her, let me ask my mother whether she knows anything about this type of medicine.”
She then dialed her mother’s number and she picked up the call immediately. They exchanged pleasantries.
“Mummy, there’s something I want to enquire from you.”
“Ok what is it, my daughter?”
“Someone gave me a can of local medicine to drink. She said it was good for delivery, and that I wouldn’t have any complications during the process of childbirth. Did you take such a thing during your own time?”
“I did but you know things have changed. Then some of us don’t go for antenatal. Those local medicines were prepared by our mothers, at least we know the ingredients used for preparing them. As for you, you don’t miss antenatal classes and checkups. Hope you still take your routine medications.”
“Yes, mummy.”
“What about the scan?”
“Everything was fine the last time I checked.”
“Who is the person that gave you the medicine?”
“My husband’s female friend.”
“Don’t take it. It’s not even good to combine local medicine with your routine medicine. It’s not that people don’t take local medication during pregnancy but at least they know the ingredients used in preparing it. I didn’t have any complications when I gave birth to you and your siblings and I pray you will not.”
“Amen!”
“Remember, whenever you go for antenatal, always tell the doctor or nurse who attends to you how you feel.”
“Okay, mummy. Thank you for the advice, I’ll talk to you later.”
“Please, don’t take that local medicine.”
“Alright mummy,” She said and ended the call.
She then took the can into the kitchen, opened it and turned it into the sink. The liquid oozed out a strong offe.nsive smell.
“I wonder the type of ingredients used in preparing this one. Sti.nky!”
She then opened the tap and washed off the liquid substance.
Later on, she started preparing dinner.
Her husband came back later in the evening. They both ate dinner together and talked about how their day went. Amara was careful not to mention the part about collecting the can from Sandra. She purposely didn’t want to mention it.
The following day, Ikenna was in his office. He brought out his phone to make calls. He dialled Sandra’s personal number severally but it didn’t connect. He then called her shop line and a salesperson picked it up.
“Good day sir,” the salesperson said over the phone.
“Good day, give the phone to your madam.”
“She’s not here, she left for Dubai.”
“When?”
“This morning.”
“Okay,” he said and ended the call.
“Why so soon, she was supposed to leave next week. She did not even bother collecting the money for my wife’s dresses before leaving. And she never mentioned that she would be leaving today, I just hope everything is alright,” Ikenna thought.
A few days later, on a Saturday, Ikenna and his wife were together in the living room watching a television program. Amara sat in between his legs and rested her back on his chest.
Suddenly Ikenna’s phone rang and it was a foreign number, he picked it up.
“Hello.”
“Hello Ikenna, it’s Sandra.”
“Oh, Sandra.”
“How are you? I haven’t heard from you since.”
“But I tried your number severally but it didn’t go through, I wa..”
“Is it your wife? Sorry, how is your wife?” Sandra cut in.
“She’s here with me, should I give her the phone?”
“Ye-s, No! don’t give her the phone. Is she okay?”
“Yes, she’s fine.”
“Ok, I’ll talk to her soon. Bye.”
She then ended the call.
Amara heard all their conversation and was pondering over the way Sandra sounded over the phone.
Ikenna was calm for a little while before he switched the topic and they continued discussing.
TO BE CONTINUED
I am Ayogu Oluchi Eze
