Wives of the South Episodes 11 - 15
Here are the remaining episodes I would be sharing here.
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Thanks!
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WIVES OF THE SOUTH.
(EPISODE ELEVEN)
Ese bends over the baby’s Cot, rubbing her little arms and raises her head to smile at Belema who is lying on the hospital bed, tired. Belema's white cotton night gown sits comfortably on her skin while Aunty Ibiso sits next to her on the bed, wrapping her arms round hers.
Ese flashes a warm smile first at Bami who is standing next to his Aunty feeling mesmerised about his wife's delivery and next at aunty Ibiso and finally at Belema.
“I bet I’ll be taking my leave now I've got lots of things to attend to.”
“Is that so? Thanks for coming. I hope you recall your promise to take me round town this weekend!” Aunty Ibiso exclaims.
Ese ’s eyes throws wide open but she quickly recovers. How could she have forgotten so soon that she is to take her out. She flashes another warm smile at her and nods.
“Yes ma.”
“Let me escort her a little” Bamidele informs them.
Aunty Ibiso stares at him.
“Make sure you also ask the nurse again of her time of departure.”
“Ok” Bami responds advancing towards the door.
Belema weakly waves at her as she leaves.
“Ok bye Ese .”
Ese waves back at her.
“Yes bye. Congrats once again.” And she follows Bami out of the private ward.
***
The stacks of paper on the table appear to have been ransacked.
Ibitein and Miebi stand in front of Otonye with hands crossing behind their backs while Otonye is yelling from behind her desk.
"How do you think we make all the money we have in this company if we go on being careless about our work!"
Ibitein bends her head and speaks.
" Ma there must have been a mix up somewhere. We …"
Otonye interjects hitting her table and some light weight papers almost fly off onto the tiled floor.
"And I should be responsible for that mix up!"
Miebi shakes her head
"No ma!"
Otonye stares hard at them both while they bend their faces, gazing at the floor.
"And we need this file before our next business talk. Now how do I put this together before the meeting?"
Otonye's phone buzzes with Ese flashing across the screen.
" Alright, you both, out of my office!"
"Yes ma" They chorus and rush off like scared chickens.
Otonye lifts the phone to her ears. A smile appears on her face that smoothen out all traces of frowning .
" You’re here to see me? Come on into my office... Oh You’re in a hurry. Ok, let me meet you up at the reception. I got to have lunch myself."
Otonye adjusts her royal blue pencil skirt, while picking up her crisp beige bag that matches her ruffles.
People are streaming in and out through the heavy glass doors of Brittle Consulting Firm. Security guards station at the corners. Ese is sitting at the reception and gets to her feet as soon as she sights Otonye.
Otonye hails.
“White and Black Queen. I love your dress you’re looking sharp today. But what’s up with your face. You lost the case?”
“That would have even been better.” Ese suggests.
They walk out of the firm building to the car park. Ese gets into the car and they both drive off.
Otonye wheels the steering with one arm as they drive to the restaurant to get lunch.
“So, when do you intend taking her out and where?”
Ese shakes her head.
“Girl I really don’t know how I got myself into this!”
“And after Elebe’s Reaction. But come to think of it. I think I understand Elebe’s fears” Otonye turns the steering lightly.
Ese gives her the stare and sighs.
“What! I’m just trying to be realistic here. I mean have you tried putting yourself into his shoes, if you were to be the husband and you’re his wife… Never mind I can’t tell if I’m even helping out now.” Otonye chips in.
“Thank God you know you aren’t so please shut up!” Ese exclaims.
Otonye raises her hands briefly and gets hold of the steering again.
“Your wish is my command babe. It’s just that when I look at you, I see a troubled woman”
Ese nods and feigns a smile.
“Because behind our beautiful melanin and smiles we tend to hide our scars, don’t we?”
Otonye rubs her palm.
“Don’t worry. That’s why we have each other.” Otonye smiles.
Ese smiles in return and gazes straight at the road lining with cars in front of them.
“Oh, not again, Traffic! When would this ever end?” Otonye complains.
“Probably when your government realises that they are ruling humans not animals.” Ese adds.
“I don’t even want to talk about that now. That’s like adding more salt to the injury. I got to get back in time for my business meeting oh gosh!” Otonye hits her head lightly on the steering.
Ese jerks with laughter.
“Pele. We should have stayed back at the office and ordered for something to eat. I’m so sorry.”
WIVES OF THE SOUTH.
(EPISODE TWELVE)
On the tarmac, the air plane taxis northward and through a prominent loud speaker within the building , the airport employee is announcing arrival of flights.
Nkeni is in the midst of the masses, trooping in and out while wheeling her luggage behind her.
She swipes her phone open again to read Eno’s message.
‘Aunty when would you take me to stay with you. You promised yet failed me this time’ she shut her eyes now and bends back her head trying so hard not to miss her pretty teenage girl who has no idea the game her mother was playing with her.
She mistakenly bumps into a tall dark man in suit.
Damian apologies.
“I’m so sorry miss”
He bends to pick up her phone and a nice photo of Eno slips out from her diary. He stares at it briefly.
“Wow! Your pretty girl?” He inquires as he hands it over to her.
Nkeni pulls her belongings alongside the picture from his hands and yells.
“Yes!” She eventually sighs and walks away.
Damian's mouth go wide open with surprise.
“ Hey! I’m sorry!”
Then his voice reduces to a wispher.
“Wasn’t even my fault. She wasn’t looking at where she was going.” He shakes his head and walks the other way.
***
Club lights, blue, red and green reflections swirling around the clubhouse, half-filled bottles of alcohol on the table with the D.J playing low tones while few people are in sight. Some dancing in pairs and others talking softly.
Nkeni, Otonye, and Ese sit around a table feeling downcast.
Nkeni laments
"See what I got myself into. If I had known, I won’t have just left for that weekend shopping. But I needed to get new things for my salon. Chigem stumbled On the text Eno sent me and I just couldn't bring myself to lie to him about my daughter I had kept secret!"
Otonye stares at her.
"So what do you intend to do now?"
Nkeni shakes her head.
"Girl I don’t know." Nkeni wipes her face with her palm.
"My village people have remembered me."
Ese shakes her head.
"See you need to make Chigem believe that you aren’t cheating on him that Eno is a mistake from your past or are you? And to top it all. He also found Messages from your ex."
Nkeni nods.
"I’ve changed now. After that last time, I fell for Chigor. You know this thing with Exs'. I just couldn’t resist him then but this one…"
Otonye interjects
"Is not another mistake…"
Nkeni yells
"No!"
Damian steps onto the podium and starts playing the guitar. He’s sitting on a high stool and his mouth stations at the mic that is bent a little lower to capture his voice. Nkeni looks up and recognizes him.
Nkeni points in his direction.
"I recognize this guy. He knocked my things down, at the airport. I never knew he is a guitarist."
Otonye stares with delight, rubbing her palms together.
"And a nice one at that. He’s such a charmer!"
Ese stares at her with disgust.
" Otonye! We aren’t done with Nkeni’s case yet?"
Otonye frowns.
" What! Have I said I was going to cheat on my husband with him?"
"I won’t even let that happen. So, you won’t be in the same hot soup with me."Nkeni adds.
Ese gently closes her eyes and opens them again.
"He plays good tunes. But the lyrics aren’t so worldly."
Otonye concurs.
"They are almost evangelical. Wait, is he calling Jesus now. I thought clubs and bars aren’t the best places to mention Jesus!"
Nkeni stares at her surprised.
"See this babe. I’m waiting for him to be done."
Ese smiles.
"Yes, we can introduce ourselves"
Otonye nods
"Perfect idea!"
Nkeni snickers.
"See them… So, you two have forgotten why we came here."
Ese keeps staring at him, admiring his tall height and clipper head cut till his performance is over.
Nkeni alerts them.
"See he’s leaving to that table. Who goes first?"
"Or we should just forget about him" Otonye suggests.
Ese nods
" Yea" She stands up.
"And probably start thinking of going home. Elebe would be back any minute." Ese adjusts her tea-length gray skirt.
Otonye teases.
"You and this your husband that we would not hear word!"
Ese eyes her.
"I also have to get home on time too so Maxwell would have something to eat"
Otonye nods.
"Girls you all need to watch what’s happening at our Mr charmers table"
Nkeni and Ese turn in the direction of the scene and Nkeni's mouth throws wide open.
"Oh my God!" Nkeni exclaims.
"Our Charmer has got himself a hot babe," Otonye adds
Ese takes her seat gently with her eyes still fix on the scene alongside Otonye and Nkeni's.
Damian looks up from where he’s sitting and his eyes fill with shock.
"Caroline! What are you doing here?" His eyes rest on her curvy and slim body with disgust.
Caroline takes her seat opposite his at the two-seater table, smiling and adjusting her red body-con evening dress.
"What? Surprised to see me?"
Damian frowns.
" You haven’t answered my question!"
Caroline let's her head slant and she eyes him.
"I’ve missed you, Damian. When would you be coming back?"
Nkeni wisphers to them
"That might be his chick. Why isn’t he happy to see her?"
Ese adds
"She seems confident!"
"And saucy! I don’t think I like her!" Otonye sighs.
Nkeni laughs.
"See how you’re just being jealous!"
Ese alerts them.
"Look! Mr Chamer is about to leave!"
Damian stands and yells.
"I’ve told you to stop stalking me!"
Caroline stares him in the face.
"Well, I thought your Holy Book says Husbands and wives should remain together!"
"Since you’ve refused to leave your reckless life that won't be happening!" Damian storms out of the bar while Nkeni, Otonye, and Ese watch in shock.
WIVES OF THE SOUTH.
(EPISODE THRITEEN)
The Congregation at the First African Church, Sazo branch get thrilled by the Mass Choir Minsitration before Pastor Akuro steps on the gigantic podium. He drops his bible on the glassy artifact that is meant for that purpose and draws close to the little sized microphone on it.
"Church, Welcome to the First Sunday in the month of February. Our month of divine visitation! " He announces.
Nkeni, Ese and Otonye join the rest of the massive congregation to rise up and clap their hands declaring, "Hallelujah!"
Pastor Akuro nods his slightly bald head. He's a funky kind. His shoes always sparkling that you can almost see your face by merely starring into them. An average height and a dudu black skin with well-groomed side beards that maintains a distance between his mouth and ears.
"Let's make welcome our Guest Preacher, He's a Visting Pastor. All the way from Lekki Lagos, Pastor Damian!" Pastor Akuro roars and gives way to Pastor Damian who walks in from the congregation.
They both have a brief and warm embrace.
Pastor Damian stares right at the whole congregation.
Nkeni squints and nods.
"Was that not the guy strumming Christian tunes at that bar we last visited?" Otonye question as they settle into their seats with confused look on their faces.
Nkeni concurs.
"Definitely!"
"How could we have forgotten that his name is Damian when we saw it on the flex" Ese joins in.
"Oh gosh! He's having issues with his wife back at home and he's here to preach to us" Nkeni sighs
Otonye nods.
"He's a damn handsome man after all! I wonder why that lady at home would just give him any trouble"
Ese and Nkeni's mouths drop wide open.
"Otonye!" They chorus in a harsh wispher.
"What?" Otonye sighs as Aunty Ibiso stares in her direction.
Otonye pinches Ese a little on her lap and speaks without moving her lips.
" Ese , Bami's troublesome Aunty is starring at us. I know she would have lots to say to Bami about us when she gets home"
Ese sighs.
"Like I care"
"You do o! Is it not your Bami Love again!" Nkeni teases and giggles falling slightly on her body.
Ese pushes her away gently.
"You're not serious! Don't pray that God touches the heart of your husband!"
Nkeni stares at her and her mood becomes dull.
"I know. You don't have to remind me about it!"
Silence wraps around them like a cloak while Caroline stares at them from a distance and returns her gaze to her husband on the podium.
WIVES OF THE SOUTH.
(FOURTEEN)
At Brittle Consulting, during the board meeting, the General Manager introduces Caroline as the new board member that was selected to be on the board. Otonye's grip on her ball pointed pen tightens. She doesn't want to seem like an enemy of progress so she joins others and clap alongside.
Soon after the meeting and she's in the comfort of her own office, someone badges into her office with Ibitein running after her.
Her glittering red lips accentuates her fair skin. She's a perfect hottie for her supposed husband but had this stubborn arrogance.
Caroline puts out her hand offering to shake Otonye.
"Good Day Mrs Otonye Obong!"
Otonye frowns at her
"What is the meaning of this?"
Caroline smiles as she retreats her hands.
Otonye stares at Ibitein.
"Ibitein, you can leave us at once!"
"Yes ma" She replies and dashes out.
The air seems like two lionesses are about to war.
"Where you come from, I suppose you also exhibit the same behaviour of not respecting other people's privacy " Otonye folds her arms and stares at her.
"Otonye, calm down. I'm not the enemy you should be fighting. I'm even here to help you out!" Caroline strokes the side of her left cheek with her tongue and chuckles.
"I don't need your help Caroline. You weren't able to help yourself with your husband, how then can you help me!" Otonye blasts.
Caroline holds her tummy and her whole body vibrates to the rhythm of her deep bellied laughter.
"You must think that would get to me. Poor you. I know you already are crushing on my husband! "
Otonye begins to feel the heat of her own sweat even in the A.C.
"I beg your pardon?" Otonye yells.
Caroline paces to the other side of the office where there is a little picture portrait of Otonye and Obong resting on a medium square sized mahogany table. She picks up the portrait, smiles at it before returning it.
"Calm down Otonye." She turns around and her wide shaped eyes fall on Otonye's
"I understand. Why won't you crave for him when you are barely satisfied with what you have at home."
Caroline grins.
Otonye tries to speak but finds her mouth trembling.
Caroline places her hands on the waist of her high waist black skirt that tucks her pinstripe white and black blouse.
"You don't have to struggle to explain. Obong is a motivational speaker to everyone but you. That's the package we meet in marriage, right? You expect one thing and later run into another thing." Caroline sighs.
"And the painful part being you got to live with the rubbish for the rest of your live, damn!" Caroline frees her hands and draws out a seat to sit on.
"Why are you here, Caroline! It's obvious we aren't friends. Not in the board room and not in our marriages!" Otonye yells.
"I'm here because we share the same passion and this is to your advantage. I have observed all your jobs done for Brittle Consulting and I've got something different to offer. Something that would make them woo me and do away with you." Caroline stands to her feet and draws closer to her.
"I thought it wise that I hint you" Caroline wisphers into Otonyes ears while she freezes watching her. A frown however lingers as she watches Caroline leave her office. She feels like strangling her to death.
WIVES OF THE SOUTH.
(EPISODE FIFTEEN )
Behind the gigantic church building, are other quarters among which are resident pastors offices.
Caroline is swaying like a bumble bee down the aisle leading to Damian's office.
Damian has his head down while sitting in his swivel chair. He reminisces about the time he was married.
They shared beautiful memories.
She was his beautiful bride and they had dreams. He smiles a bit as he recalls them sitting on the grass outdoors. She's infront of him resting her back on his chest while they cuddle. More flashes of them at home, in the kitchen cooking meals before the days when he would come home from church and meet a mad woman.
He can hear her persistent naggings play out in his head and then the scene of the day he finds her at a corner kissing another man.
His confrontation at her was what pulled out the whole stunt.
The rapid knocks on the outer door and his secretary negotiating with someone who seems adamant announces her arrival.
"This lady would pester me all my life. What happens to the part where she's supposed to do me good all the days of my life!" He sighs.
He doesn't raise his head quickly once the door throws open.
He fixes his eyes on her clean feet still admiring when he had the opportunity of doing her pedicure.
"Damian, good day, how's serving the Lord going?" Her crisp clear voice forces him to stare at her fair glowing face.
"What do you want this time?"
Caroline laughs as she stares into his weak eyes.
"You're not going to give the lawyer any trouble! We both want this divorce!"
"I wanted this but only to make you come to your senses. You feel no remorse! No sense of guilt for how badly you've treated me!" Damian's deep voice cracks.
Caroline takes a deep breath.
The air freshener on the air conditioner makes the room give off a nice apricot smell as she breathes it in.
Damian watches how she takes off her fancy transparent shades and sit opposite him.
He still loves the shiny lustre of her natural hair patted and combed out. He use to enjoy running his fingers through them and much more He longs to complement her today.
That she's looking exceptionally beautiful today but he can't bring himself to.
"Well, you lose out on what you don't appreciate!"
"Caroline I was doing it for the both of us!"
Caroline hits the table. Her breathing intensifies.
"Dame, stop playing the victim here. I was the one who kept begging for your attention while you were out there pursuing your dreams of being one holier than thou pastor. You always have time for other things but your wife. Did God tell you to abandon your family while chasing after him? Doesn't he teach you to strike a balance? But no! You're off to another church program before I even say Jack. I couldn't stand it anymore! You pushed us to this and I'll forever blame you!"
"I'm sorry!"
"Sorry won't bring back all those nights I stayed alone in the cold, praying that my husband comes back to his senses"
"But I'm ready to make amends!"
"Too late. Besides you've got a new opportunity "
Damian's face goes sour.
"And she's a big time Career lady, Otonye. Also information I gathered reveals she's even from your place unlike me"
She fiddles with her hair while having a sharp gaze at him. She can tell from his lost look at her hair that he's dying to run his fingers through them.
Damian looks away, forcefully. His breathing fires up.
"You're unbelievable! She's married!"
Caroline raises her eye brow.
"Who says she can't be a divorcee as yourself. Besides, it seems her marriage isn't in order too!" She chuckles
"Fortunately, we happen to work in the same company now so I'll get to know how you're going to be treating her better than her husband"
His eyes widens with surprise
"You have gone nuts! Caroline I won't be joining you in this adultery. You just want to shame all I stand for."
She stands to her feet on her wedges and claps her hands.
"Preach on Pastor. Thou shall not divorce. Preach on! Well, for your information. I'm here to remind you that you would have to live with this guilt for the rest of your life. You won't forget me in a hurry. I loved you Dame but I'm enjoying living out of your love and taunting you more."
She has a good laugh while he's watching at her with disgust.
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