Jinke,
You are stealing the stars out of my eyes
with polished lies.
I have resolved to discipline my tongue
and accept the fate of my future but
still you break me
into shapes that resemble
nights awash with tears
&
days without sunlight.
Jinke, you are darkness
swallowing my life. 
how did you manage to own my body?

A few days later, as I made breakfast my mother-in-law called, I watched the phone ring. She has grown fond of calling me to help her shop for the wedding, she had called yesterday to tell me about the asoebi.

"Ekaro ma"

"How are you my dear, I actually thought you were far away from your phone". I smile.

"Maami, I was making breakfast".
She laughs and asks for Jinke, I tell her he's in the bathroom.

"Bami so fun pe ko ma gbagbe oni oo (tell him not to forget what we agreed on for today) ".

I drop my phone on the counter and continue cooking, I'm not going to let my mother-in-law spoil my morning. I hear the shower stop and hear footsteps coming towards me.

He appears at the kitchen door in a towel wrapped around his torso, I sigh inwardly, this man thinks I've forgiven him.

"Your mom just called, asked to tell you not to forget about today."

He slaps his hand against his forehead and stomps his left foot " I have a pre-wedding photoshoot with Kareema today, I completely forgot about it."

I whip my head around to look at him properly, but immediately hide my surprise, when did pre-wedding pictures start, "I thought you hated pictures? "

He sighs and walks more like stalks due to his height, he tried to hold me but I stopped him at the last moment citing the egg bowl in my hand.
"Àjíke, I hope you aren't jealous because as I said I could never love anyone other woman than you. It's completely impossible. Kareema just happened. "

Auzubillah minash shaitan rajeem (I seek refuge in Allah from the accursed one). Is this what Kareema thinks she's going into. Men are scum, and the scumbag of the worst kind is my husband.

"Have you told her about your Gonorrhea infection?"I arched a eyebrow at him, he stepped back and sat on one of the tables at the counter, signs that he's about to lie. Signs he's looking for a convincing lie to tell.

"Well, I haven't particularly told her, I just told her, we would talk after the wedding. "

And now I wonder how I fell in love.

I'm furious at myself for not seeing all these at first, is this some kind of test from Allah, but He wouldn't give his servant more burden than he can bear.

I manage to finish breakfast and trust me, I've lost my appetite for any type of food. Not after hearing that.

"I have to be in Abuja next week".

He looks up sharply from his plate of eggs and toast, surprised.

"Why? ". His voice came out sharper than he intended, I look at him carefully, I'd told him about this event long ago and he had approved of my going.

"It's the creative writers conference I told you about. I'm a panelist. I remember telling you a month ago so I could RSVP them".

"But, My introduction ceremony with Kareema is next Saturday, aren't you supposed to be there".

I smile to hide my breaking heart, my heart aches, my heart hurts. If I hadn't told him about the writes conference, would I have never known that his wedding process was starting on Saturday.

I will my tears back. I will not cry, at least not here. Oh you my tears, do not disgrace me now.

"You know, it will be a disaster if I don't attend the conference, I'm an editor of a prominent publishing company. It's not going to do well for my image. If you didn't approve, why did you say I could go? ".

He drops his napkin on the plate, signaling he's done eating. He is irritated already.

"Where are you going to stay?".

"At Nusaiba's".

He makes a shooing motion with his hand.
And I knew at that precise moment that I'd been living a lie. A strait up lie.

Dear All,

Ramadan Mubarak to my Muslim brothers and sisters out there, May Allah accept your Ibadah and my own prayers, May He grant all our heart desires. Pray for me and the rest of the world, keep us in your duas, the world needs it.

Today's chapter was sweet koh (lol, I'm learning Hausa).  Thank you for accepting my request to tag your friends, I saw all of your efforts. May God bless you richly.

This chapter is dedicated to Finest_Wine thank you for accepting on a whim to help me. This book could never have been begun without you. Daalu, Nne.

The poem at the beginning of this chapter was composed by a friend Michael Akuchie. Thank you dearie.

See you all next Sunday

                       Yours truly
                  Omoope1999