After the scenario downstairs, I could still hear grandma trying to calm dad down and Aunty Ebere had joined her. I didn't hear dad's voice again only that of grandma and Aunty Ebere but I had a feeling that dad keeping quiet was a trick . He would still get back at mum when they were alone. Grandma simply did not know the man she gave birth to. He was going to attack mum in private.
Thinking about the entire drama brought tears to my eyes as I couldn't help but wonder if dad was a wife beater, if he responsible for mum's miscarriages. I was aware my parents were not compatible in any way but then again, everything was scary. Sometimes I wondered if mum's decision to delay in filing for a divorce was wise but deep down , I knew a part of me still hoped and prayed that they would come together and settle their differences because I wanted to know how a happy home felt like.
I remembered my early years without dad. Grandpa was my dad. I never felt like I had an absent father because grandpa was there. He also told me countless times that I was his daughter. He would pick me up and tell me I was his baby girl. I always looked forward to the evenings with him when we would sit together and talk about everything and anything. I remember crying when I learnt that after mum and dad's marriage, I would not longer stay with grandpa and grandma. On the day mum and I moved out, I remember screaming and wailing and crying myself to sleep.
The early years of mum and dad's marriage seemed fair enough. They got along quite well and hardly had serious quarrels. Their relationship was not full of sparks and romance but at least we were okay , we were happy until dad began to stay away from us. Then mum and dad would quarrel and the tension that hung in the air was suffocating. They would reply themselves with monosyllabic words and hardly tolerated each other. Mum hardly fussed about it until dad began to pour his frustration on me. It was as if mum herself wanted to see otherwise. When I would tell her how strict and hard dad was she would say he wanted the best for me. She tried so hard to keep me out of their marital issues. It was like dad's change if attitude came as a shock to her and I knew how badly she wanted to resolve the issue so I could have a father figure. Sometimes she confronted dad about the way he behaved towards me but never in my presence but dad was having none of it. Gradually, things went from bad to worse. We encountered one issue after the other and mum still tried to make it work. But now, I guess she was done trying.
My thoughts were interrupted by the sound of a door opening forcefully and grandma and Aunty Ebere's screams and pleas.
Mum and dad launched into another argument and the entire house was filled with their shouts and I could hear grandma and Aunty Ebere trying to put an end to the fight.
It surprised me how they prevented dad from hitting mum . Since they didn't like her they were supposed to support him. Weren't they supposed to be happy that dad was threatening to bring down fire and brimstone on mum or were they just trying to show their hypocritical attributes?
"Michael go ahead and hit me again. Do it again " I heard mum shout
"Michael, don't try it" grandma's voice came and I could imagine the glare she gave mum as she spoke "You, shut up. We are holding him so he doesn't beat you up and you're busy running your mouth"
"I don't know o " Aunty Ebere said and surprisingly, mum laughed
"Can you both hear yourselves ? You're holding him so he doesn't beat me up. Aren't you ashamed that you have a wife beater in your family? Is a man supposed to lift a finger on his wife?"
"Mabel, you had better stop or else " dad growled
"Or else what? You will beat me? Instead of you to go and use this money you're flaunting to get a good psychiatric hospital for yourself. You're here threatening me. Michael let me be" Mum shouted "You and I know the only reason we are still Mr and Mrs is Jasmine and even in that regard, I don't see you as someone worthy to be a father and you also know you're not worthy to be called someone's father"
"Oh please, spare me that crap. If you wanted to leave this marriage you would have but just know you're not getting my daughter "
Ehn?!
Mum laughed "Which daughter? The pregnancy you denied? You know I'm now asking myself why then did you marry me because clearly you hate Jasmine and I so tell me why "
"Mabel stop trying to change the topic here " dad warned mum.
I tried to tune them out and focus my mind on other things. All I wanted to do was to enjoy my Friday night in peace but here we are.
My phone rang and I was grateful for the interruption.
I looked at the caller ID and a small smile formed on my lips.
Felicia.
"Hello, madam how far? "I asked trying to sound as cheerful as possible
"Jasmine are you okay? " Felicia's voice was laced with concern "You sound like you're crying and....who is that shouting in the background ?"
I was surprised that she could hear it but then mum and dad were screaming on top of their voices.
"So you can hear them?" I asked her
"Yes. Your parents? "
I nodded but remembering she couldn't see me, I whispered "Yes" choking on my own tears. I couldn't stop them from streaming down my cheeks. The dull ache I felt in my heart and the heaviness of my eyes didn't help in holding back the tears.
"Jasmine " Felicia's voice was gentle "Don't cry nau, it's not your fault"
"Sometimes, I feel it is like if I was not born all this wouldn't be happening now" I hated the fact that that was the truth
"Heii, Jasmine! Don't you ever say such. It's an abomination. Aru "
"But it's true. That's how I feel" I defended myself. This was happening because mum agreed to marry dad because of me. She only just confirmed it.
"Taa. Aru " Felicia said "See Jasmine, it's not your fault in any way. You didn't ask to be born but while you're grateful for the gift of life, you shouldn't forget that it was your mum's motherly instinct that pushed her into marrying your dad. Unfortunately, your dad doesn't appreciate the two wonderful ladies he has in his house not that it's your fault. Do you hear me?" She shouted the last part dramatically and I couldn't help a giggle
"Yes ma "
"Eh hen! Good girl. Now smile for the camera "
I laughed
"Camera oshi wo? Which useless camera?" I asked her
"Oh, now you're laughing. Ngwa say cheese "
"Felicia abeg there's no mumu camera here" I said laughing
Felicia joined me in laughing before speaking "At least now I've made you smile" She cleared her throat before continuing and faked a serious tone "Now for your assignment. You must smile throughout this weekend and beyond. Do not shed any tear except tears of joy. Am I clear?"
"Idiot " I muttered
"It's not your fault na. I'm here making you laugh that's why. " She said and we both laughed.
"But thank you for the talk. I'm grateful " I said and she laughed
"See, I should be the one thanking you because you made me laugh and forget my own issues. So thank you "
"That's what friends are for" I said singing in Jenifa's voice and she laughed
"Hello, my name is Jeniva " she said mimicking Jenifa's voice and we laughed again.
I smiled
Is this not the same Felicia that was crying earlier today? She put aside her own worries just to make me laugh.
It's like I should cry everyday so that she will not be moody
"Anyways, you called me. Is there gist?" I asked her playfully
"Jasmine, gist kill you there " she replied me and I laughed
"Actually , I just wanted to say thank you for your support so far" she said with a hint of seriousness in her voice.
"If I don't who will. After all, that's what friends are for" I sang the last sentence in Jenifa's voice again and we both laughed.
We spoke for few more minutes before ending the call and mum and dad's argument had reduced.
Thank God
************
Monday came soon enough and just like that my weekend was gone. Mum and dad both spent better part of their weekend away from the house and being alone with grandma and Aunty Ebere forced me to lock up myself inside my room so I was quite bored.
My Monday wasn't as great as I thought it would be when I saw Felicia. Her eyes were red and swollen from crying and she was worse than we had ever seen her. During break, she asked me to go with her to the old music room saying she wanted to talk to me and I readily agreed feeling relieved that she was willing to open up to me.
When we got to the music room, she sighed and wiped some tears furiously before speaking
"Please, I don't want anybody to know" she pleaded.
"Know what? Felicia please talk to me. Remember you were very happy on Friday night. So what is it?"
"Please, if anyone asks can you say I came to see you on Saturday?"
"Ah ahn! Why?" I asked .
Why would she lie about her whereabouts?
"Jasmine please "
"Felicia, I'm not going to unless you tell me why " I said hoping she would budge.
She looked away and clenched her fists then wiped her tears before speaking.
"I had an abortion on Saturday "
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Hello 😊
Don't forget to click that little star on your way out.😉
Aru is Igbo for abomination
Jenifa is the lead character in one of Nigeria's hit comedy series 'Jenifa's diary' and if you're a fan of Jenifa, you'll understand the voice
🎶Anything she want, she must get o, Oh Jenifa.....🎶