A Strange Land

Bukola checked her lingerie one more time, it was almost time for her husband’s nightly video calls and she wanted to look her best for him. At exactly 9pm, her phone started ringing, she eagerly picked the call and waited for it to connect. In a few seconds she saw her husband’s smiling face

“Olowo ri mi, oko mi, my love, how are you? I’ve missed you so much. How was your day? Hope you were not too stressed?

Femi laughed at her onslaught of questions, “Ife mii slow down, how can I answer all your questions if I can’t even get a word in? And can I say, you are looking ravishing tonight. Is that a new nightie? I haven’t seen it before

She blushed at his compliment and nodded, she had a mission that night and she needed him to be in a good mood. 

At 35 and having already given birth to one child, Bukola knew she was still a good looking woman, she took care of her body well and always looked her best. She looked at least ten years younger than her actual age.

“Look at you, a blushing bride. Anyway, you know I told you it’s winter here and it’s really cold. I have to work in this bitter cold while you stay in Nigeria enjoying the fruits of my labor.Everything I do is for my family, to have a comfortable life at home. I hope you’re praying hard because things are not easy over here. They’ve increased the rent and the woman over here too is continually demanding things….

Bukola internally rolled her eyes as her husband went on and on, it was always like this anytime he called. He’d start complaining about living conditions in Italy and his white wife and how much he was suffering to make their family comfortable and he’d continue like that till it was time to go. He was never concerned about her day or how she and his daughter were, it was always about him. She waited for his spiel to wind down before replying him, "Hmm….it is well". God knows I haven’t stopped praying and I know things will change for the better soon. My husband, I even have something I want to talk to you about”

“Hope it’s not money because I just told you things are tight here”

“No oh, this is more serious than money. My husband, it’s been 15years since you left Nigeria for Italy. Bidemi that was barely walking when you left is almost a graduate of higher institution. I know you already have your green card, what else are you waiting for? Today complain, tomorrow complain, you don’t even enjoy living there. Why don’t you divorce that white woman and come home to your family? Settle down, let your daughter know you. Bidemi barely recognizes you anymore, she doesn’t even remember the sound of your voice. Please, Femi.”

Femi was silent for a while, a contemplative look on his face and Bukola became hopeful. Maybe he was considering her suggestion, maybe she’d finally have her husband back after all these years. His reply was not what she was expecting

“Bukky, have you finally gone mad?”

“Ah…Femi”

“What is ah? Are you sure you’re okay? How is it my fault Bidemi doesn’t recognize me? Isn’t it your duty to be showing her pictures of her father and the provider of your family? Do you want to be unfortunate in life? How can you ask me to divorce Alex? And you this woman expects me to believe you want me to succeed. You must really be mad. Get off my phone. Nonsense.”

With this, Femi cut the call and Bukola burst into tears. How could her husband say that to her? All she wanted was for their family to be whole again. Her daughter had already developed a hatred for men due to her absentee father, Bukola herself hadn’t felt the touch of a man for the 15 years since her husband travelled and she knew he was definitely sleeping with the white woman he married and maybe even others. His excuse was always body no be firewood. Was her own body firewood?

How in love and foolish she had been then when her husband asked her to sign an agreement that she wasn’t married to him and they only had a child between them. He had sold her on the dreams of a better life and riches from the white man’s land. Look at her now, a married widow, with no legal claim on her own husband.

What would she do now? Should she get revenge on her husband by cheating on him too? It wasn’t like she didn’t get offers, she did but she wanted to be loyal to her husband. Now that same husband had no qualms over choosing a strange woman and a strange land over their marriage and family.

No, she would not accept defeat. Her family would not go up in flames like this. If everyone has abandoned her and her husband had turned a deaf ear to her pleas, there was one person who would not abandon her or ignore her pleas.

Bukola decided to go on a three days fast and pray for God to heal her family. It was time to tighten her girdle, she would not give in to temptation and her husband must come back home to her. She would not allow a strange land to take him away from her. They got married for better, for worse. They might not be married in the eyes of the law but they were married in the eyes of God and that was enough for her. She got her knees and started her prayer. This was war.

Tears fell from her eyes as she started praying, she reminded God of his promises concerning her home. Silently, her daughter came in and knelt down beside her. She held her hand and joined the fight for their family.

Tomiwa