WHEN THE BOUGH BREAKS

PROLOGUE

Have you ever felt pain piled up as a heavy stratum in your chest? The sudden fragility of your bones that leaves you clueless to the ferociousness of this world? Like a wounded lion, you lay in total obscurity, oblivious of the light... What's the worse that could happen to me now? I can't breathe... 
                                           
                                                                                                   
January 10th, 2012

We were having dinner... you know, the one where a group of people sit together to eat their last meal of the day *scoffs*... which by the way was going perfectly. My husband and our two beautiful kids, sat side by side me on our six-piece dining set, masticating their meal with utmost satisfaction.

Suddenly, I felt a slash of pain move through my spine... followed by an infliction of intense agitation that overwhelmed my entire being. I started to jerk uncontrollably...I couldn't control it, didn't know how to. It sent me sprawling to the floor. "Mummy, mummy", my kids screamed in terror as they both ran to where I laid and knelt beside me shedding tears. My husband who already had me in his arms looked down at me in utter confusion. "Baby, what's happening... oh God, please help us" he shook me vigorously. "Manuel, run, go upstairs to my room and get me the car keys", and that was all I heard. Blackout.

That was how the seizures started.

I woke up two days later with little or no memory of how I had ended up in the hospital. My head ached badly and I felt so frail. Well, for the past two years, this has been my unfortunate routine and it sucked so bad to the bone. I turned my head slowly and noticed my handsome husband, who I've been married to for six years now, sleeping uncomfortably on the brown sofa at the extreme end of the room. From my right hand ran a lot of wiring-like tubes down to a control machine I couldn't quite decipher. I was getting used to all this, the smell that wreaked from the hospital atmosphere, the cries of newly born babies heard from a distance, the ache I felt as I woke up, the unseemliness of the whole situation.

 Today marked like the hundredth time I've been rushed to the hospital due to a strange seizure that landed me in a coma and left no traces thereafter. It was so depressing to realize the hell I was putting my family through. Over and over again, the seizures kept reoccurring and silently, I watched as my family relieved every bit of fear and torture they had over losing me. Money had never been a barrier to get me the best help... there was more than enough. We had gone to every doctor in the country and had still gone overseas to find a solution to this never-ending disaster,  all to no avail. We prayed and prayed yet, God never revealed anything... not to us or our Pastor. Each and every one of the doctors we consulted had assured us that nothing was wrong with me, and that I was hale and hearty.  There were no traces of identifiable malignant cancer whatsoever or any reasonable explanation for the strange ailment. I was subjected to a lot of tests, X-rays, and checkups, I would literally refer to myself as a lab rat yet, nothing surfaced. Even the endless prayer, fasting, and deliverance still couldn't proffer a solution. I had done and tried everything... and now, I was completely exhausted. It was taking my life away, messing with my marriage, and ruining my kids' childhood. Samuel never complained instead, his love and affection for me grew. The funny part is, after I woke up from each coma, I felt extremely okay until I had another episode. My mum, God bless her soul, her efforts to get me the best treatment was applaudable but, where did that get me?


CHAPTER 1

Growing up, I had a fortified religious background. My parents were pastors at that time in our church, New Living Word of God. I was dished out every religious doctrine you could ever imagine and oh well, I was expected to swallow every bit of it. I loved God, I really did... so it was a pleasure for me to serve Him. Ushering in my church, provided me with a lot of opportunities... especially because of the smile and happiness that radiated through my face as I ushered people to their seats.

Twice, a member of our church who owned a radio station, had invited me to speak to fellow teens like me in one of his sessions. I was the example every parent used to correct their children... my parents were so proud of me. Being the only girl child amid two boys, I had a lot of protection that shielded me from boys my age. My parents had warned me countless times that all they wanted, was just to use and dump me. They'd always used an orange to describe the process of the boys using and dumping me... ' When you lick an orange, and suck out all the juice, do you keep it with you or do you throw it away'?... my mum would always say with that sarcastic look on her face. They never made me feel caged because I was an exemplary child and they expected me to make the right decisions... well, I always made the right choices.

My dad died when I was 16 and we all didn't take it so well obviously. He had died from the rupturing of his right kidney that later on led to a stroke. We all had expected his death I guess, so emotionally, we were prepared to see him leave us. It was a life-changing experience for my mum especially because she had watched him give up the ghost. Nothing would ever bring him back... we mourned him for weeks and eventually, life went on.

 My mum who was an entrepreneur and a  multi-millionaire, was successful in every sense of the word. She loved God and served Him with her whole heart... she was the perfect mum. After my dad died, she became an elder in the church, donating her time and finances whenever it was required from her. I wouldn't have asked for a better role model... she sparked a fire in me and inspired me to become everything I am today. She had two charity organizations, where she helped orphans and estranged children to find their purpose and reach their goals... she just loved helping people. She was a traveler, who always went on trips to countries like China, Turkey, Dubai, and others to purchase goods. She helped young men who just got married and didn't have enough income to establish a business. She went as far as paying for their flight to go overseas to buy goods. And honestly, God kept blessing her. Her humane character was profounding... I prayed to God to be like her.

I graduated from Covenant University with a first-class at age 21. Then, I worked my way into the world of Journalism. I was quite successful... joining in on radio sessions and television broadcasts. It was through this medium, I started to reach out to people who were depressed to help them out of their situation. So, I decided to start up my own radio station for that purpose. I met Samuel Johnson a year later, he was one of the people my mum had helped to start a business, and now, he was swimming in success.  My mum had introduced us on the day of the opening of her new charity organization, 'God's Own Orphanage' and we really had a good conversation. From that day onwards, we became good friends... helping each other in our different areas of business. He helped me start up my radio station... and in the process we fell in love. We dated for a year before we decided that it was time to make it official. He was smart, godly, caring and focused. His eyes was something I liked the most... they were intense and just beautiful. Honestly, it was hard not to love him. These days you don't really find men who are close to being 'perfect' as Samuel. It couldn't have been anyone else...


CHAPTER 2

June 10th, 2007 

'Miss Laura Okudhi... do you take this man, Samuel Johnson, to be your lawfully wedded husband, to have and to hold from this day forward for better, for worse, for richer, for poorer, in sickness and in health, to love and to cherish, till death do you part according to God's holy law as you make this your solemn vow'?  Yes, I do, I said and smiled as I looked into the eyes of the man who I was going to spend the rest of my life with. The same vows were repeated for him and as expected, he didn't waste a second before abruptly saying 'Yes, I do'. 'You may now kiss the bride',  the Pastor said as Samuel raised my veil up revealing my made-up face before taking me in his arms as he pressed a soft gentle kiss on my lips.

 Thereafter, we danced our way out of the Church and headed for the reception at Havilah Events Center, Ikoyi. It was the happiest day of my life... my mother supported us in every way and had even gifted us with a black SUV and two flight tickets to Beacon Island, a resort center in South Africa to spend our honeymoon, all expenses paid. It led me to tears... tears of joy, what would I have ever done without her. From my brothers, I got complete kitchen utensils and equipments... everything a standardized kitchen should have.

We arrived at Beacon Island and I couldn't help but love everything about it. Built on a rocky promontory jutting into the warm Indian Ocean, the Island's beauty remained unsurpassed. Right from the portico to our apartment, you could see the beachfront and feel the rushing wind that engaged the waters in a fit as they both exhilarated. Also, the sunset in the horizon from the east coast created a magical scenery that was beyond doubt, beautiful. As a bonus to our reservation, the management had provided tea light candles that were vertically arranged in the sitting area halfway across the bedroom and petals of roses that were scattered perfectly on the porcelain tiles right from the doorstep of the apartment down to our bedroom.

The bedroom turned out to be more than we had expected... on the satiny kingsize bed, petals of roses were arranged in a depicting love pattern and on the bedside stool, a Cabernet Sauvignon red wine and two glasses sat beautifully. On the left corner of the room, a high pitched tempered glass window opened up to a whole new mood that left our mouths wide open as we gazed. After filling us in on everything we needed to know, the room attendant turned around to leave as Samuel handed him a tip before seeing him to the door.

It was my first time with him so, I was willing to make it worthwhile. I quickly changed into my lingerie as Samuel saw the room attendant to the door... then, I stood in front of the bedroom with the wine in one hand and the two glasses in the other. I watched as he gaped as he turned and saw me standing there so beautiful in my red lingerie that had black bows tied on the straps and entailed every bit of my skin. His eyes followed the line in between my breasts down to the V shape just below my belly button like he was looking at a work of art.

"Are you just going to stand there or would you come get me instead'? I rolled my eyes and that somewhat gave him the push he needed at that point.

He sauntered towards me, taking off his shirt that revealed his well-structured physique and then his shoes before finally standing before me. He took me in his arms and kissed me slowly...  you know, the kind that unwittingly engulfs you in a world of passion. He took the wine and glasses from me and poured us a glass. We both sipped from the glass before he grabbed me by my waist and took me into the bedroom. He laid me gently on the bed before placing kisses all over me as his hands took a tour deep in between my thighs. He caressed my breasts and I reached for his neck and planted soft kisses there that left him gasping for air. I reached out for his shaft and stroked him gently making him go wild. He looked at me and his eyes were so intense now searching the deepest part of my soul... "you want it right," he asked with a smirk and I nodded in affirmation like a little child who was offered candy. Then, slowly, he unleashed a pleasurable pain on me as he thrust into me in a stable rhythm as we both reached our climax.

The rest of the honeymoon was well spent as we couldn't stay off from each other. We had made love on the beach, hot tub, pool, and in every corner of the apartment. Samuel was so amazing and caring and we shared an unbreakable bond. We had both memorized the scent and every detail of our skin. My mum had called Samuel in the middle of the night on three occasions to pray for him. Supposedly, she had bad dreams about him and they both had to pray to deter it from coming to pass. I didn't have a problem with it... she was worried and cared a lot to stay up at night praying for us. What a woman! After a fulfilling week on the Island, it was time for us to return to Nigeria... to Lagos where we'd begin our journey together as man and wife.


CHAPTER 3

'We were walking down an unknown road when suddenly, an unknown woman appeared and stood in between I and Samuel. She pushed me away from him and caressed his face with her hands as she kissed him like I wasn't even there. They turned around and looked at me as they both started to walk away'

'No no no! Where are you taking him? Come back Samuel... please leave him alone! Blood of Jesus! Blood of Jesus!' I was awakened by my husband who on seeing the terror in my eyes, drew me into his arms as he kissed my forehead. "It was just a dream baby, you had a nightmare... you'll be fine," he said as he rubbed my back tenderly.

Four years into our marriage, I began having strange dreams that were a cause for worry. My marriage was perfect. We had all we wanted... God, money, good jobs, everything! so when the dreams came, I panicked. I had prayer appointments with our Pastor who had indulged me into 7 days of prayer and fasting in which after that, God would reveal what had initiated the dreams. Samuel would never cheat on me... no, he wouldn't! It was the devil playing mind tricks on me I was sure... wanting to destroy the very complete life I had. After we had our first child Kimberly, his love for me had increased and  I loved him too.

 Once, I had come home quite early from work to rest a little before going to pick our two kids from school. I approached the kitchen desperately yearning for a glass of orange juice when I suddenly caught sight of a figure behind the glass door in the dining just opposite the walkway leading to the kitchen. I wasn't expecting to meet anyone at home so obviously I was a bit scared. 'Samuel, is that you'? As I got closer, I realized that it was actually two people standing behind the glass door standing so close to each other holding hands. I peered closer determined to find out who my husband was holding hands with...because it definitely had to be him with another woman. I opened the door slowly, careful not to make any sound. It turned out to be Samuel and my mum, praying. I felt so disappointed with myself to ever think or consider that he was with another woman. I stood there watching him say as he prayed 'oh Lord bless my Laura, give her all the strength she'd need to overcome these trying times'. You see! I told you those dreams were messing with me... making me think unimaginable things. I smiled and left for the kitchen to get me that orange juice I obviously needed so bad now.

The dreams became so frequent taking the same pattern most times and different patterns other times however, there was always the presence of the strange woman coming in between us. I always ached to see the woman's face but then, it was like I was blinded by a veil...  I could see every other part of her body except her face. As for Samuel, he was supportive especially because I was six months pregnant at that time for Manuel and the risks were imperative. The doctors had warned that if I was under a lot of stress and pressure I would have to deliver my baby prematurely.

After the seven days of fasting, I had gone to meet with our Pastor as we were supposed to pray together to round up the prayer and fasting. His office was a bungalow located at the rear end of the church premises. I had called to make an appointment earlier before arriving because, most times, he was immensely occupied with church work. On arrival, his personal assistant ushered me into his office after calling to inform him of my presence. In the right corner of his office were files piled up suggesting he'd been busy reviewing them.

'Good afternoon Pastor', I greeted as I strolled in... he responded with a nod ' God bless you, good day Sister Laura'. After we prayed, he sat me down to tell me what God had revealed to him. I couldn't believe what I heard. I just watched in utter silence as a gush of silent wind swept through my entire being... his lips twitching and saying things I couldn't accept, as everything around me suddenly went numb. I must have been hazed for a long time as Pastor Okoye had to tap me slightly on my arm before I returned to consciousness. 'Pastor honestly I thought you had God's anointing but clearly now, it's obvious you just want to ruin my home' I said as I looked up at him. I'm so disappointed because this must have been how you've misled many people who have come to you to seek God's face. Who put you up to this huh? I screamed at him as I banged my hands on his table... may God forgive you for this atrocity that just came out from your mouth, I said and stormed out of his office. 'Worse days are coming Sister Laura, I pray God gives you the strength you'd need to face them', he said after me as I walked away.


CHAPTER 4

Two years later, following the dreams, the seizures started. We all thought at first, that it was as a result of stress from working too much or probably some minor medical issue ... but then, when the seizures became frequent and it left no traces thereafter, we started to worry. I quit my job as was suggested by my mum and brothers to reduce the workload on me. Although I stopped working, my radio station wasn't left dormant as I still checked in every day to ensure things were in place and my workers were carrying out their jobs effectively. Hubby traveled often to buy goods... this time, even more, when he started importing cars into Nigeria. He was hardly ever around so, all the responsibilities fell on me. Even though my mum helped me with the kids sometimes, other times, she was out of the country doing business.

After the revelation from my Pastor concerning my dreams, It all felt like everyone was pointing fingers at me especially at the church. Once, I had approached a woman in the church who had marriage issues and was bent on divorcing her husband. All my efforts to make her understand and see reasons why divorcing her husband wouldn't do her any good seemed fruitless. I indulged her to pray and seek God's face concerning her marriage instead of giving up so easily... when suddenly she snapped at me, "you think your life and marriage is so perfect huh"? Wait till you realize you've just been living in a fantasy'.  I stood there, with my mouth agape, totally shocked and angry at the same time to understand what she meant as I watched her walk away from me. "Some people never want to hear the truth sha...you tell them, big problem," I hissed and walked the opposite direction from her.


August 2nd, 2015

The Lala's Hair Beauty salon was just 100 meters away from our four-bedroom duplex along Ago Palace way. Samuel was coming back by the weekend so, I had to go fix up my hair which now looked like a weed growing farm... especially because I was subjected to stay home a lot due to my ordeals. After dropping off the kids at school, I headed towards the salon.

It was a two-story building with a spa and a supermarket included in it. I climbed the stairs, up to the second floor where the salon was designated. Thirty minutes later, I was seated under the dryer attempting to get my wet retouched hair dry.

"Babe I get gist o", the madam of the salon said to another customer sitting close to me, also drying her hair. Supposedly they were friends. I couldn't help but listen... I mean they were barely sitting two inches from me. "You know that woman now... Regina Okudhi, the multi-millionaire that helps young men travel out of the country to start a business", the madam spoke again.

Did I just hear my mother's name? I wondered... well, I keened in to hear what she had to say without revealing my identity.

"I don forget o... show me her picture first I fit sabi am for face," the other woman said. 

The madam fondled with her phone in what seemed to be like forever as I was finding it hard to decipher what was going on. "Oya see am," she passed her phone to the other woman who immediately clasped the phone from her.

"Oh oh na this woman you dey talk so? I sabi am wella now... oya download the gist for me,"  the other woman said with a gush of excitement.

"Abeg chill jare...this thing wey I wan talk na gbedu wey dey burst brain," she tilted her body forward... like in an attempt to whisper.

"Babe that woman dey bang her daughter husband o." 


CHAPTER 5

 I froze. I was sure I heard wrong. Unimaginable scenes start to play in my head...  I laugh hysterically and it made both women turn in my direction. I hadn't seen the woman in the picture, so it might as well be another "Regina Okudhi' they were referring to. I took in a deep breath...

"Oh I know her too... can I see the picture?" I gestured my hands forward attempting to play along. The other woman passed the phone over at me. I gaped as I stared down into the 6.4-inch 'dynamic AMOLED display'  revealing someone I recognized, a middle-aged woman in a yellow playsuit with kids all around her. Above them was an inscription 'God's own orphanage.' My heart was beating so fast now... oh God it's really my mum!

"How do you know she's sleeping with her daughter's husband," I asked with an optimistic tone to hide the hurt that was deeply embedded in my soul and was threatening to tear me apart. I mean, I wasn't just going to let salon gossip ruin my home. "Did you see them in the act yourself?" I managed to fake a grin.

"My husband got reconnected with a former classmate of his university days who owed him a huge favor. The man in question is a businessman who imports cars and other goods into the country. It's been lingering on my husband's mind to start his own importation of cars too... so, when he started talking to his classmate again, he seized the opportunity to learn about the business, after all, he was indebted to him," the madam paused and smiled. "Your husband na sharp man now," her friend added with a wink. I stared in confusion but, I was determined to see this to the end.

She continued, "so, my husband pleaded to go with him on his next business trip just to see how the thing works before finally making up his mind on whether he was going to do the business and he agreed. They scheduled their travel and started making arrangements... and in a few weeks, they were off to the United States. When they got there, his mother-in-law arrived at the airport to pick them up. She took them for dinner thereafter and also paid for their separate rooms in the hotel they lodged in. After they had settled in, she said her goodbyes after saying a word of prayer to them... *laughs*, my husband 'thought' she was really nice. That was how he met Regina Okudhi."

"But my mum told me she was traveling to Germany, has she been lying to me all this while?" I thought as doubts suddenly begin to invade my subconscious.

"Hmm really nice indeed... she's supposed to be nice after all she's helping her daughter service her husband," her friend said with a disdainful look. "Well, my husband had scheduled with Samuel that at exactly 8:00 am the following day, they would head out for business. So early the next morning, as swift and excited my husband was, he got up early and was ready by 7:00 am. He decided to go to Samuel's room to wait for him while he got prepared. He eventually made his way to his room and knocked three times. No one answered. He held the door handle and it let open freely. He walked in and there they were 'doing the thing' without shame. He was on top of his mother in law thrusting into her while she moaned loudly. They didn't even realize he had come in because they were so engrossed in what they were doing. My husband had seen enough so, he quietly slipped out."

"Haa gbesere o... no be small palaba. And the man's wife would be somewhere now praying and thinking her husband has gone for business not knowing he's just on a fun trip to enjoy her mother. What an abomination!" her friend exclaimed.

I stared in awe. It was too much of a coincidence... she got my husband's name right too. There were certain details she mentioned that didn't seem farfetched. They obviously didn't who I was. I couldn't explain how I felt... my heart was beating in an unstable rhythm. God knows how I want this all to be untrue. I was going to find out things myself... then and only then would everything begin to make sense.


CHAPTER 6

Eventually, Samuel came back that weekend... nothing seemed out of place. I fought to hide my emotions as I welcomed him with a kiss and a fake smile. "How was your trip honey? I'm sure you had lots of fun," I said with a sarcastic tone and hoped he didn't realize it. "Well baby, you know how it always is, stressful and boring without you... I really missed you," he said and placed a kiss on my forehead. My heart burned, "you've been lying all this while to my face you bastard," I thought as I returned a smile to his comment. The kids, as usual, were all smiles to see their daddy back home... they rushed to hug him and he gifted each of them with toys and chocolate.
That night I let him make love to me... I was seething with anger yet I was determined to make sure he didn't realize what I had found out. I had to play along and I think so far, I was doing a great job.
A week later, my mum arrived in Nigeria... I offered to go pick her at the airport. I wanted to look the woman who had carried me for nine months in the face as she lies and pretends with no shame whatsoever. "Germany is so cold and stressful gosh, I couldn't just wait to come back. How's Samuel? I'm worried about him... I've been interceding on his behalf. The devil won't have his way in your family my dear... we'll keep praying to God." she said as she rubbed my right cheek slightly. "Whoever the devil is, may God punish him o," I said as gestured my hands up in the air.


August 20th, 2015


It's been two weeks since the incident at the salon and two weeks of emotional torture. I watched as they both prayed together for me... calling the name of God in total disrespect when indeed they were having sex behind my back. Through the corner of my eyes, I had seen them wink at each other whenever we were dining. Still, it wasn't enough... I needed to catch them in the act. So, I set my plan in motion.

"Honey you know you don't have to go... even if it's been a while since the seizures happened, it could come back and I won't want you to be alone. It could kill you, baby."

"God has healed me... it's not coming back. Besides, I'll be there with my workers and you know they take good care of me. It's just going to be a week at Abuja, I'll be fine." I said as I placed a kiss on his cheek.

I had enrolled the kids in a three-days camping vacation so as not to involve them in the whole chaos. I managed to convince my mum and Samuel that I was traveling for real... What they didn't know was that it was all a farce. I knew my mum would show up to the house to see my husband once she was sure that I had gone on a trip.

It had taken a while before Musa our gateman could understand everything I wanted him to do as I earnestly reminded him that, "after my husband drop me for airport, he go come back. My mama go waka come this house... make sure you go somewhere quiet, use your phone call me when she don come. When I come back you go open gate for me small small make person no hear say I don come back... Shey, you don hear? " I said as I placed my hands on my ear gesturing what I was saying by pulling them. "Ah madam you wan surprise your husband abi" he said as I smiled and walked away.

After my husband had dropped me off at the airport, he drove off after we said our goodbyes. Supposedly, he had a meeting with his business team. I acted like I bought his story and encouraged him to go on time so that he wouldn't miss the meeting. An hour later, my phone rang and it was Musa on the other end.
"Madam, your mama don come o... She just come now," he whispered into the phone.
"Okay, I dey come now... Remember to leave the gate open for me, " I said as I got up. I booked an Uber and in five minutes, I was on my way back home.

At approximately thirty minutes, we arrived at the estate. I made the driver park three blocks away from the house. After I paid him, I walked quietly into the compound. As instructed, Musa had left the gate open to allow me easy access to the house. I had a spare key to the house, so I unlocked the door quietly and walked in.

I scanned the sitting room first, then the dining area before heading upstairs. I heard weird noises from a distance and walked towards it. Okay, the noises were leading me to my bedroom. My heart starts beating... Somewhere within me, I wanted to wake up from this nightmare while a part of me wanted to face my unfortunate reality. I stood in front of the door contemplating whether I should push the door open or turn back and save myself from the misery of seeing the very two people I love betray me. I finally made up my mind and pushed the door open making them both jerk in the process.

There they were, both naked on our matrimonial bed...looking back at me in shock uttering no word. I wanted to cry but my tear duct seemed reluctant to play its role. "Why?" That was all I could muster the courage to say. No reply.

It was then everything started to make sense. My Pastor had told me, "Sister Laura, there's an abomination happening in the corners of your home. And that is the cause of your seizures. Sister Laura, this might be hard to take in but your mother is having an affair with your husband. The seizures are spiritual resulting from the fact that your husband has been sleeping with you and your mother at the same time. The woman in your dreams is your mother." His voice still echoed loudly in my head. I could feel it's intensity now. Oh God, what am I expected to do as a Christian wife and mother?

My kids, would I deprive them of the love of their father and grandmother? Am I expected to FORGIVE?


EPILOGUE

A month later, I was diagnosed with schizophrenia, 'a disorder that affects a person's ability to think, feel, or behave'. I had refused to see Samuel and Mrs. Regina. We were now estranged from each other...  Samuel moved out from our home leaving the house to me, the kids, and my private nurse. My mum later moved out of the country to 'only God knows where'.

I don't know but my heart is not in the right place. After apologizing to my Pastor, he kept appointments with me every now and then in my home. He always maintained his position of me forgiving them.


Would you FORGIVE?



THE END





Email: nitakelly010@gmail.
Your Ideal Writer
JUANITA'S