His desperate remedy (II)

Sorry I dropped in almost unannounced.’ Kubra said, walking through the door as soon as I opened it for her. ‘I was already on my way home when I felt I just had to let you know the latest, so I quickly sent you that text, asking whether you were home.’ She explained.

‘No problem Kubra, you know you are welcome anytime. Let me get you some kunun zaqi to drink before we talk.’ I offered, when we reached the sitting room.

‘No Hajiya Bint, I’m alright actually. I just had a nice zobo juice at my husband’s uncle’s house. Just sit down, if you can, so I can tell you what happened there.’ She urged.

‘Yes, why not? So you had to involve his uncle in the end?’ I asked.

‘No it’s the other way round actually. The uncle dragged me in after Maikudi went and asked him for some venture capital. You know yesterday he promised to think over what I said and get back to me. Apparently convinced of the merit of my arguments, he decided to go and see his rich uncle this morning. When he went, he told him that he needed the money desperately because that was the only way he could get me back. Uncle Abdul was amazed at the suggestion that I had left and won’t be back until money was sourced from him. He demanded more explanation but Maikudi wasn’t forthcoming with it. I guess deep down he felt ashamed to admit that he had been living off me for so long.

In the end, his uncle decided to call and ask me why I left the house. I respectfully told him it was a long story but that I had no wish to go back at all. That was when he asked me to join them, if I was free to. Luckily, it is the weekend, so I got ready and went.’ She paused for breath and I chipped in:

‘It was nice of him to wish to know your side of the story.’

‘Yes it was. The moment I arrived he asked me why I left the house and even added “I thought you had no problem with him taking a second wife, because when he came to tell me about it, I asked Maikudi what your reaction was and he said you accepted it well. So why did you now decide to leave?” Uncle Abdul asked.

“I didn’t leave because of his new wife Uncle, I left because I couldn’t add her upkeep to the long list of responsibilities I take care of every day of my life.” I replied, then went ahead to tell him how we had been living in that house for the past 15 years. I briefly mentioned everything, including the day I caught him at my storeroom carting away our foodstuffs, which led to my packing out. I also told Uncle Abdul about the desperate remedy he suggested only the day before, which was that he will divorce his new wife if I will return to him with our kids.

Then I confessed that I turned him down and instead told him to start a job or a business that will enable him to take care of all of us. His uncle was so moved by my story, that all he could say, when I ended my narration was “Why didn’t you tell me? Why did you allow yourself to suffer so much, all alone?”

I lowered my gaze and replied that I’d always hoped he will change, but when the change didn’t come, I got used to providing everything that it didn’t matter any more.

For a long while he looked at Maikudi and shook his head. He seemed literally speechless and Maikudi too wasn’t helping matters by his own silence. Then Uncle Abdul spoke:

“I can’t tell you just how disappointed I am in you Maikudi. I never interfered in your family life because I thought you were doing so well. I had no idea you were a loafer who was busy having an easy life at the expense of your wife. But all that will change today, I won’t give you money but I will give you a job. You will come to work for me, so I can keep an eye on you and make sure you don’t idle about. I will pay you well so you can take care of both your families. And take note that I will personally make sure that one quarter of your salary goes to Kubra every month, as compensation for the fifteen years she spent being your breadwinner. You will have to use the three quarters to provide for the two houses and pay school fees. As for you Kubra, I support your decision to remain in your new home but you will have to let me pay the remaining amount due to the past owner. I won’t allow Maikudi to live with you in a house in which he contributed nothing. It isn’t fair on you.” He concluded. But I quickly told Uncle Abdul that he needed not worry about the balance of payment for the house because I had done that last night, when I got the alert for the sale of my inherited house.

I also said there was no need for Maikudi to pay back what I spent on the family in the past, if he will promise to take care of his responsibilities from now on. His uncle blessed me profusely and prayed that Almighty Allah will make my children dutiful and loyal so they will take care of me the way I deserve it. I also thanked him for his intervention. There and then, he instructed Maikudi to be at his company first thing tomorrow, Monday, so he can start work there. And this is what I couldn’t wait to tell you Hajia Bint.’ She concluded with a big smile.

‘Ma sha Allah, congrats Kubra. I hope all works well from now on.’  I answered patting her hand.