DESTINY EXCHANGE

Growing up was so overwhelming for her as she sees her parents constantly quarreling over trivial matters. As the first child among five siblings, she took it upon herself to change the narrative so that her younger siblings will not see it as the right approach to marriage. She decided to teach them that marriage is not all about fights and misunderstandings, that there are also good sides to the marriage.

15 years later, the 3rd amongst the five of them got married first to a man who understands her and loves her notwithstanding the kind of family she grew up in. Everybody was happy that things are moving well and she Is getting along well in the whole process.

Two years down the line, the first daughter got married. The man she married was not initially the person she wanted to get married to but she just went further to marry him to escape the emotional stress, unbearable fights, and misunderstandings from her parents at home.

Second-year of her marriage, she started seeing red flags and signs of what is happening between her parents in her marriage. She became afraid that history might repeat itself. She is trying her best to see that constant quarrels and misunderstandings are at their barest minimum. What usually causes it are small issues that can be easily overlooked by the husband. The husband is the type that believes that it’s the woman’s fault in any wrong or mistake in the family. Nelly was not happy in her marriage though she is covering it and pretending to be happy. They have three lovely children- two boys and a girl. In order not to be bitter always and to prevent depression from setting in, she channeled all her love and energy into raising her children well. She decided to create a world of her happiness by surfing the net always because she is a sit-at-home mum. She sacrificed her entire time and life in bearing children without any job. Her job is home making and taking care of the husband and the children.

Nelly bumped into so many online jobs for sit at home mums, she joined groups of like minds. Though some of the online jobs are scams. She lost her savings in some but it didn’t stop her from searching for the genuine ones which might favor her. She started learning some skills through YouTube and online learning platforms. She couldn’t go further in learning some of the skills which are premium. Whenever Nelly asks her husband for money to pay for the premium courses online, the husband will discourage her, telling her that all online stuff is a scam that she should stop requesting money from him. Nelly did not know that her husband’s intention of not giving her money for the premium courses is just to limit her, he doesn’t want her to fulfill her dreams because he is insecure that the wife will be greater than him.

When Nelly realized that her husband is lying that he doesn’t have money to sponsor her to further her online courses, she stopped begging him for money. She started sourcing for funds from relations and friends but she didn’t realize much from them because they believe that her husband is well enough to provide for her. As she was searching further for help, she joined a WhatsApp group of like minds, and the admin of that group marked her special in the group.

The group admin picked a special interest in her. He started chatting with her regularly. Nelly started feeling special and happy that at least she has found a friend to talk to every day. No more boredom because there is no friendship between her and the husband. She developed an emotional attachment to Raymond, the group admin. Their chat is a more amorous and intimate discussion as the day goes by.

One day during their chat session, Raymond asked Nelly the last time she had intimacy with her husband. Nelly opened up and told Raymond that for three years since the birth of her third child, she have not had any intimacy. She narrated to Raymond how her husband is behaving toward her. That he comes to her for sex only when he wants another baby in the house and during those moments of sex, she doesn’t enjoy sex with the husband because the husband doesn’t allow her body to be ready before pounding on her. She always feels pain after intercourse. Raymond was speechless after knowing all that Nelly was passing through in her marriage.

The bond between Raymond and Nelly knew no bounds. Nelly started looking more beautiful, joyful and glowing with sparkles in her eyes that the husband was wondering what was going on with his wife. Peter, Nelly’s husband came back from work one day very late in the night around 2 am, and still saw the wife laughing and chatting with someone on the phone. Nelly was so engrossed with the chat that she didn’t notice her husband standing close beside her. Nelly! Nelly! The husband called, but Nelly didn’t hear her name though the husband was almost shouting beside her. When he touched her, she flinched and jumped in terror that the phone almost fell off her hand. She greeted the husband, and about to pass across Peter to go to the kitchen and warm his food, he grabbed her hand and asked her who she was chatting with and laughing that she was so engrossed not to hear him shouting her name.

Who are you chatting with and giggling? Shouted Peter. It is none of your business, Nelly replied. I can do whatever I like with my phone and you don’t have the right to question what am doing with my phone, blasted Nelly. Peter became furious and was about to snatch the phone from Nelly. The unexpected happened and Peter slipped and fell on the floor hitting his head so hard on the edge of the table. He passed out. Nelly was both confused and happy. Confused because her husband fell and passed out. Happy because her husband couldn’t overpower her as usual.

She rushed inside the kitchen, took a bowl of water, and sprinkle it on her husband to see whether she will revive him but no way, it didn’t work. As she was stepping out to alert neighbors for help, her husband’s phone rang. She looked and saw the name of the person calling. It’s a male name- Johnson. She was contemplating whether to pick up the call or not. She decided to pick. She picked it and didn’t utter a word. The person calling on the other end started talking saying, “good day honey, lollipop. You are so hot and dripping. Pls are you alone now so that I come over? Is your wife around? Hello! Hello! Peter my love are you there?” He hung up. Nelly was confused with rage. She was wondering what the person on the other end mean by those statements and it was a man’s voice. While she was battling with her confusion and thoughts, she noticed that her husband is about to wake up, he was turning his face, and stretching his hand. Nelly quickly hid her husband’s phone in her cloth pocket because she said she must see the end of that call she just heard. She quickly helped Peter to his feet, though he was still in pain with his head aching. He asked Nelly what happened to him and why his head is aching so much.

Nelly discovered he can’t remember what happened few minutes ago. She brought water and some pain relief tablets for him. Gave him some food which he took and slept off. Nelly now brought out the husband’s phone and start checking his WhatsApp chats, tex messages, pictures, videos. She broke down in tears finding out that her husband, the father of her children is a gay. He likes having fun with his fellow man. She started thinking back on how her husband doesn’t have any desire for her no matter how hard she tries to entice him. He just have sex with her only when they need another baby in the house that’s all. She also remembered how she set trap for her husband to know whether he is having affair with another woman but the trap didn’t yield any result. No wonder Peter rebuffs her and other females even when she visits him unannounced in his office. The way he treats his female staff quite unfriendly but is so friendly with the male staff, not knowing that he is a gay.

Nelly was heartbroken and a bit relieved at the same time. She quietly went and dropped back Peter’s phone on his dressing table in his room and went and locked herself up in her room lost in thought. The message notification alert tone jerked her back to reality. She checked her phone and saw that Raymond’s chat came in. She opened and read it. They started chatting. She poured out all her grief on him and in her vulnerable state of mind, she agreed to meet with Raymond in real life in a hotel. She has been refusing the offer because she doesn’t want to compromise in any way even though she has been hungry for intimacy, care, and love as a woman and the husband has been pushing her away. They both scheduled a date that will suit both of them. A special day even the children will not be a disturbance to them. Nelly was so elated and always reminiscing and imagining how it will be so much fun with Raymond. She is always daydreaming how it will be like in real life.

The day set apart for them to meet reached. Raymond entered the first available flight. Nelly on the other hand was filled with curiosity and anxiety and in high spirits anticipating his arrival at the hotel she booked a day before. She is in such a high spirit that she is singing sonorously after waking up that morning that her first daughter was wondering why her mum is such a high spirit. It’s been a long time since she saw such a joyful mood in her mum. She touched her mum’s cheek with a smile on her face and asked, ‘mum why are you so happy this morning? I cannot remember the last time I saw such a big grin on your face and we ve missed your sweet voice each time you are singing happily’. Nelly hugged her daughter and retorted, ‘my dear Angel you will not understand. Don’t worry you will get to understand when you grow much older. But mum why are you so happy? Did you get a new job or did you win something? No, my dear, the cause of the happiness is bigger than what you mentioned. They were interrupted by a beep on Nelly’s phone. She checked and saw a message notification by Raymond. He has alighted and waiting for her in the hotel room. She giggled and replied to him telling him that she will join him soon.

As soon as Nelly reached the entrance to the hotel room, she started hearing voices as if two people are discussing inside the hotel room. She checked the hotel room number given to her in her whatsap chat box to verify whether it’s the right one. It’s indeed the right one. She opened the door and the it opened. She entered inside but saw that Raymond is on a call. She felt relieved and was clarified of her confused state. She was just seeing his back and Raymond was not aware that she has already entered the room.

Nelly decided not to disturb him in his call but rather wait on the sofa there. She was busy scrolling her phone to pass time when her ear started engaging with Raymond’s call. She drew closer to hear the conversation more. She knows it was not the right thing to do but she became more curious when Raymond keep mentioning her name repeatedly. The next thing she heard shocked her to the bone marrow. The summary of what she understood from the call was that Raymond is a spiritualist and once he sleeps with her, her destiny will be exchanged. All the good favors surrounding her destiny will be transferred to Raymond. Raymond was laughing and giggling while talking with his fellow spiritualist.

Nelly was awestruck and frightened. She decided to run back home since Raymond was not aware that she is already present in the room. As she was making a way to escape through the front door she came in from, she noticed that the door is locked but there was no key in it. She became more afraid cos she is already trapped there. As she was pacing up and down to figure out her next line of action, Raymond held her waist at her back pulling her in for embrace. She was shocked but maintained her composure so that Raymond will not find out her fears. She turned and hugged him warmly hiding her frightful eyes. Raymond asked, ‘Hi sweetheart, why didn’t you tell me you are already here, has it been long you entered the room? ‘No dear, I just entered now’, Nelly lied.

Raymond carried her up and swung her about as if he is carrying a small girl. Nelly pretended as if she is enjoying the play while inside her head, she is planning on how to escape. Raymond noticed a slightly indifferent attitude and asked her whether she is okay. She replied, ‘yes am okay, just a bit tired from coming here. Raymond told her not to worry and that he will order some drinks and food so that they will eat and relax.

The full short story is listed here on Amazon kindle.