" I'm so sorry for what my mother said. Don't take it to heart. I'm your husband and I still have the final decision to take if I would get married to another woman or not. " Femi said trying to console his wife.
" Then get married to Olamma. I don't want a foreign woman in my home. I trust Olamma and she's the one I want as my co-wife. She doesn't even call me by my name. She respects me a lot. I had to plead with her before she accepted to think about it. Please do this for my sake " Odera said in tears.
" It's okay, wipe your tears. I'll speak to Olamma. If she agrees then I'll go and see her parents and get married to her traditionally "
" Thank you so much " Odera said and the tears kept streaming down her cheeks. She wasn't just pained by her mother in-law's words. She was also pained that she was going to share her husband soon. She wondered what her crime was and why she lost her womb.
Femi tried cheering his wife up but she wasn't in the mood. She just needed to cry her eyes out.
The next day, Femi asked for Olamma's contact. He needed to speak with her and know if she was going to accept to be his second wife.
When Femi got to his work place, he called and invited Olamma over. Olamma got there about one hour later. Femi spoke to Olamma about being his second wife. She hesitated but accepted the proposal.
That evening, Femi came back and broke the news to Odera. She was quite happy that finally someone was going to lift the burden of bearing a child from her shoulders.
Days rolled by turning into weeks. Femi traditionally got married to Olamma. Olamma and Odera would sit together and talk peacefully. Olamma literally did all the house chores and she respected Odera like her elder sister. Odera was happy it was Olamma her husband brought into her home.
Femi spends most of his time in the room with Odera and just a few moments with Olamma but Olamma never complained. The house was peaceful and everyone was waiting for when Olamma was going to take in.
Just three weeks after marriage and Olamma started showing signs of pregnancy. Odera took her to the hospital to confirm if she was really pregnant. When they got there, the doctor confirmed that Olamma was a few weeks pregnant.
Odera was so happy and couldn't wait to relate the news to her husband.
In the evening, Femi got home, Odera handed the test results to him. Femi was so happy that he couldn't contain his joy. He lifted Olamma up and kîssed her.
All the happiness on Odera's face disappeared. She tried forcing herself to look happy.
Odera didn't know that the new pregnancy which was suppose to lighten her mood was going to add to her pains.
As the day rolled by, all the care that Femi showed her when she was pregnant, he transferred and even doubled it on Olamma. He would pet Olamma and even spend most nights in her room. Even though Odera was pained, she tried not to show it. After all, Olamma was still a good girl and never disrespected her. She still called her aunty and did some of the house chores except she asked her not to.
At a point, Odera wished she had listened to her husband and went for surrogacy. At least no one was going to share her husband with her or make her feel jealous. Sometimes, she would need her husband but he would be with Olamma.
Days turned into weeks which turned into months. Olamma's stomach had protruded. She went for an ecography with Femi and it was confirmed that she was carrying a male child. Femi drove Olamma back to the house. He didn't enter into the house, he drove off.
Olamma walked into the house chewing gum. Odera came out of the room to meet her.
" What is the gender of our incoming baby? " Odera asked smiling.
" Our? This baby is mine and Femi's " Olamma said chewing her gum loud.
" What is wrong with you Ola? Why would you speak to me in that tone? Have you forgotten who brought you into this house? " Odera asked picking offense immediately.
" Odera, better watch your mouth before I throw you out of this house " Olamma said in a harsh tone.
Odera couldn't believe her ears. She opened her eyes in total bewilderment. For the first time, Ola didn't just call her by her name, she also threatened to throw her out of her own husband's house.
EPISODE 2 coming soon