Jumoke

Jumoke stood transfixed as she gazed at the gigantic crucifix when hung gracefully at the church’s altar. Maybe she was searching for a glint of approval or just a ‘go ahead’ sign from her maker. Her eyes would travel from the face of Jesus which hung at the crucifix, to the wounds by the side of his chest, to the ones on his feet.

She wondered if she was making a mistake leaving her husband Dami for good, or she should rather stay back and fight while enduring the pains just like Jesus did on his way to the cross. Staying back felt like the safest option because she thought about the stress of filing a divorce and ‘oh what will people say?’

Her eyes traveled around the church again and settled at the emblem of the three persons in one God. At least it made sense that Jesus suffered for a reason and was triumphant at the end of the day.

But in her case, she saw nothing worth fighting for. No feelings, no children, nothing.

Swallowing hard and adjusting her hair tie; she opened the book of psalms to find soothing scriptures, but tears blinded her and soaked the Bible in a space of minutes. She closed it and tried the Bible app on her phone, then she saw the text message. One that, although she was expecting, she dreaded to see.

“Jummy, I’ve filled the petition on your behalf. And I’d like you to come sign it, the earlier, the better so we can get this done.

Barr Tessa.”

It felt so unreal but thinking that\"s what\"s best even though she didn’t get the ‘go-ahead’ sign from the Crucifix. She grabbed her car keys and walked to her car. Legs wobbling, palms sweating,but mind almost made up.

While stuck in traffic, she took time to look at people. She saw the gala hawker who has rugged jeans on and a white singlet that hugged his body due to the scorching sun and the heat of Asaba. His eyes were everywhere, searching for a wave or any sign from customers to get his attention. He walked through the cars a couple of times, still no one craved gala. The boy went back under the tree by the side of the road and settled down to two wraps of gala and cold Pepsi.

Jumoke let out a slight smile and lowered the window of her car.

“Psst! Gala! Come see for me!” she said and seeing how he jumped with excitement, competing with the rest of the boys who sold gala in their tiger race. Jumoke didn’t care about who came first, all she cared was to see him happy and less frustrated.

Her journey continued, and she got to the law firm. Her face froze, and her heart skipped a beat when she saw the very familiar Black Venza car which brought back loads of memories, Dami’s car. She could still see her, seated at the front seat, romancing Dami’s full beards and feeding him ice cream.

She wasn’t the first, Jumoke knew all of his girlfriends. But that one hit different because she was in the hospital and healing from an Appendix removal survey which almost claimed her life. She remembered leaving in the hospital that night and running like a madwoman to their hang-out spot. Trust her amebo friends to always give her gist. Just as he was driving out, Jumoke stood in front of the car without the fear of being killed.

When the car halted and Dami scampered to her like a scared cat, all she did was push him away and took hold of the car keys.

It was his 41st birthday gift, and Jumoke regretted signs the receipt of that car she brought for him.

A phone call came in, snapping her out of her head to real life.

“Yes I’m here. I’m sure Tessa. I’ll be right there with you in a jiffy”.

She had to do this. Now or later and later, might be worse.

Her eyes focused on Barr Tessa’s face as she made for the second visitor’s seat. Completely ignoring the person in the other one. She tried to put on a smile, no matter how fake it was.

“Tessa, good day. How’s it going?”

“Quite well, Jummy. How are you?” Barr, Tessa answered, her eyes studying Jumoke for a short while. Her lips were smiling, but the eyes told a different story.

Jumoke nodded severally before adding, “I’m good” in a husky voice.

“Great! So let’s get to business. Like I said, one filled the…” Barr Tessa continued.

“Sorry, I need to say this,” Dami interrupted.

He turned to face who looked stone-faced and shook her head to Tessa in discomfort.

Tessa gave her the ‘calm down’ gesture by placing her hand on her chest, she wasn’t ready for a hassle in her office.

“Jummy. Do you really want to do this? Because I don’t. I cannot wrap my head around not having you in my life anymore. You want to throw away 7 years of marriage even while we\"re trying for a…”

And Jumoke blanked out. She could not hear anything else he was saying. Her mind wandered back to the church and how she was reminded that Jesus suffered and endured for a valid reason. She also remembered the gala boy, who when he didn’t see any sign of hope decided to take a break. Because sometimes, you cannot force things anymore.

“Give me a pen,” she mumbled.

Benecca’s Tales

2021

Author’s Note

Writing ‘Jumoke’ really put me in a tight spot because I could imagine what some marriages go through. Especially in this generation.

It\"s sad that, one thing that was created and made to be beautiful is one major source of people’s unhappiness. People dread marriages and many rush into it unprepared, I don\"t know much about being married; but one thing I know is this:

The worst thing to do is to fight without knowing what you are fighting for.

All characters of this story are virtual and inspired by the song, ‘Celia’s song’ by Nigerian Artiste, Tiwa Savage.

Photo credit: Unsplash

Written by, Anakor Vanessa for Benecca’s Tales