Episode 2

Eseosa always dreaded going back home on weekends to meet her mother. Mrs. Rahman was a widow whose dying wish was to see her grandchildren. She had diabetes and she was always afraid she would drop dead the next minute. It was because of this she piled the pressure on her 32-year-old daughter who worked with Phoenix bank to bring home a fiancée for her to assess.

“Eseosa, Eseosa, Eseosa! How many times did I call you?”

“Three times, Mama.”

“Why are you not in a serious relationship? You know you are not getting younger o.”

“I know that Mama.”

“Don’t you meet any men at the bank?” Eseosa was silent.

“Tell me, don’t you?”

“I do mama.”

“What’s the problem then? Do you want me to take you to see my pastor?”

“I don’t think that will be necessary Mama.”

“Hmmm… I will pray for you my daughter!”

“Thank you Mama.”

As Mrs. Rahman left the bedroom, Eseosa sighed sadly to herself. She was at her wit’s end on how to keep a man. Just last week, she went on a date with Tayo to Brown spice restaurant in Lekki, not far from where she lives. She was wondering why Tayo never called her again after dropping her off.

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“As you were saying, Mrs. Bewaji….” Jennifer Ninalowo said to the woman seated in front of her. Jennifer was a 28-year-old lawyer with No to Domestic Violence Foundation, an NGO specializing in fighting for women victims of domestic violence.

“I want you to please fight for my husband’s release. I have enough money to secure the bail.”

“What?” Jennifer could not believe her ears. This was a woman who had come seven months earlier, with bruises and burns all over her body from her husband’s abuse.

“It was the Devil that pushed him to do it. I know it deep in my heart that Oshoke does not have a violent bone in his body.”

“But you told me that he has been beating you for years now.”

“Yes, but I love him! You’ve got to understand me. He says I’m the one who pushes him to beat me.”

“Really?” Jennifer was incredulous.

“Yes. I want to secure his bail. And I need you to help me.”

“Do you realize just how awkward this is for me?” Jennifer said furiously. “Just listen to yourself. Seven months ago, you walked into my chambers, begging me to save you from your husband. Now that you have seen him looking dejected, you feel like taking him back. Just what has come over you, woman?”

“I…” Mrs. Bewaji was at a loss for words.

“Just let me think about it, ok?”

“Thank you Ms. Ninalowo.”

As the woman left her office, Jennifer let out a low hiss. Just what is wrong with these women? No wonder a famous author, What’s his name, said that Nigeria is a Paradise for masochists. I’m sure he had such women in mind when he said that, Jennifer mused to herself. Jeez, I’m disgusted! Her attention turned back to the file in front of her. She picked up a picture of Mrs. Bewaji with a blue-black bruise around her eyes and her lips swollen. How can I make her see reason? She thought sadly.

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On the set of Love wins, Jadesola was seated at the pool. It was actually a shallow depression dug in the ground into which water was pumped. There were other people at the pool chatting away but Jadesola was oblivious to it all as she was reading her script. The director was a perfectionist who always needed everything to be right. She was excited but nervous. Jadesola loved the script, as she loved the character Joanna who was a feisty young girl that defied her brother’s commands to marry her longtime lover, Akin.

“Now, remember you are no longer a child. You are Joanna, a young woman who sneaked out of her brother’s house to meet her lover.” The director said. Jadesola nodded with a smile playing around her lips.

“You walked to Akin’s house to beg him to give you a massage as you are missing his touch. When you get there, you scale the fence and run over to the window of Akin’s room. Do you understand?”

“Yes Sir.”

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Janet was very upset with her boyfriend, Dare. She was in her Mercedes convertible, headed for her date with him when he called to cancel.

“Baby, can I take a rain check? A client came up with some eish I need to attend to.”

“Why did you just have to do this now? I was looking forward to this date.”

“I know Baby, and I’m sorry.”

“Forget it.” She replied sweetly.

She sat in her car, thinking to herself. How do I get to spend quality time with Dare? It’s almost as if he is avoiding me of late. Oh, well! The struggle continues. Janet drove back to her Lekki apartment.

 

Till Next Week. See you guys...

xoxo,
Lush