SACRED BETRAYAL - PART 3
Episode Five
Caught in the Act: Eavesdropping Consequences
Uncle Tayo's fabrications seemed to have taken a new turn this time, and it explained the large traveling bag he had brought with him. He had left his wife, Mama Kunle, after a fight, packing his clothes and traveling to our place without anyone knowing.
"You are going back tomorrow, you're not staying here," I heard Papa's firm voice telling Uncle Tayo.
"I'm going to marry a second wife. She doesn't respect me, and she also denies me my conjugal rights," Uncle Tayo's voice echoed out, revealing his troubled marriage.
Just as I tried to eavesdrop on their conversation, my leg accidentally hit one of the cabinets in the kitchen, causing a noise. Papa immediately called out, "Who is in there?"
With no escape, I had to answer truthfully. "It's me, Papa."
"Why are you in the kitchen? You should be in your room," Papa asked with disappointment evident in his voice.
I stuttered as I tried to come up with an explanation. "I wanted to check whether the kitchen louvers were locked."
Papa didn't seem pleased with my response. He accused me of eavesdropping on their conversation and expressed his disapproval. "This is totally wrong of you. A child of God doesn't lie, and you will surely be punished for this unruly behavior."
I had hoped that Uncle Tayo would support me or at least come to my rescue, but instead, he sided with Papa. "Booda, this girl really needs an iron hand," he commented, moving closer to me. He used his hands to pinch my ears firmly as I apologized.
This was indeed my punishment for eavesdropping, a habit I had strangely picked up even though I had never seen Mama or my elder siblings do it.
Episode Six
"Family Devotion and Farewell"
I woke up, feeling the pain in my ears where my uncle had pinched me. Yawning, I slowly got out of bed, still feeling a bit dizzy. It was already 5 am, and I could hear Mama's voice calling my name with her treble tone. It was time for our family devotion, so I sluggishly made my way to the sitting room, where Papa and the others were already seated. Mama led the devotion songs, singing, "Good morning Jesus, good morning Lord," and we all joined in, giving thanks to God for another day.
However, as Papa began to exhort us from the word of God, he glanced at Uncle Tayo, who was already fast asleep. "Baba Kunle, don't tell me you are sleeping," Papa remarked.
"Booda, I'm not sleeping," Uncle Tayo mumbled, his eyes heavy with sleep.
After the morning devotion, we had breakfast, and then I helped Papa carry his traveling bag and Uncle Tayo's into Papa's Lexus car trunk. I couldn't help but feel sad, knowing that Papa was leaving again. As the youngest in the house, I had grown accustomed to Papa's frequent travels for his ministerial work. Mama always filled the gap when he was away.
Papa was an anointed man of God who took his calling seriously, often ministering at big conferences. But I couldn't help but wonder when he'd have more time for his family, especially us kids. We really missed him.
Mama didn't look happy as she walked with Papa to his car. At least Uncle Tayo was going back to his family; I hoped Papa had resolved the misunderstanding between him and Aunt Mama Kunle. I thought to myself as I quickly opened the gate for Papa.
I wondered why Papa had given his driver, Mr. Peter, two days off, knowing he was traveling. It had also been two weeks since our gatekeeper, John, went to his hometown in Nassarawa, claiming his mother was sick.
"Kamiye, be a good girl and prepare well for your mock exams," Papa said to me as he and Uncle Tayo got into the car, and Papa drove away.
© 2023 Ogunsola Oluwasayo
Comments
Post a Comment