Amarachi became unsure..Did she not see the glare? She knew what she saw ke? To make matters worse , when she told Segun about it, he blew up! “ How can you even suggest such evil about my mother? There was no way her husband will see reason. She cried so much that night …all of a sudden she remembered her parents;

“Papa the bulldog”, as her siblings called him, would have brought out his Machete to defend his “daughter in distress “. She chuckled at that thought. A few minutes later, she got up to wash her face and went back to bed.

This time, though, as soon as her head hit the pillows, she was off to lala land, unperturbed by the drowning sound of Segun’s snores.

Amarachi woke up with a headache, well, that’s expected; but what she couldn’t understand was the fatigue and light-headedness. She would have stayed back in bed, but there were meetings with some foreign investors that she couldn’t take a rain check on. She therefore dragged herself out of bed and into the bathroom, took a quick bath and sauntered down the stairs to grab a sandwich.

Segun had left for the Office , but not without making breakfast and leaving a vase of fresh garden rose flowers on the table. “ I am sorry and I love you too, “ she muttered under her breath as she grabbed a few bites.

At the office Ama was a bit sluggish, or at least, so she felt. However , she was determined and ready to make her presentation. Not long after it commenced, “the lights went out”.

When she opened her eyes, she was in the hospital, and sitting by her side was her mother in law. Ma’ami immediately pressed the call bell and started talking to Ama. “Eh my wife, are you alright? Any fever? Can you see me? “Pele ehn , abi will you eat amala (yam flour ) and ewedu (jute leaves soup) ?” .

Amarachi was confused. What is going on? Why was she asking questions without expecting answers? It was difficult for her to reconcile the face of the Mother in law with that of the Monster in law. Half an hour later she understood why mama was in a good mood.

It turns out that her premonition was right, Ama, was expecting her grand child.

She stayed under observation at the hospital until the next day, but the doctor also recommended bed rest for at least two weeks. As expected , Segun came to take her home .

When she arrived, she was shocked to realize that ma’ami had moved in, to take care of “ my wife and my grand son “. What shocked her further was the fact that it was not discussed with her and Segun appeared oblivious of any wrong doing.

Ma’ami had made lunch for the house. Amala and Ewedu with locust bean at a ratio of 1 to 2. The kitchen stunk to the high heavens; Amarachi was upset at the sight of her “Kinox Pots “ baptized by amala.

As she stared at the food, Amarachi became nauseous; this worsened watching Segun gobble down the food as he licked his fingers. She knew that she needed the bathroom and quickly excused herself; but not before she caught that look again, the look she will have to get familiar with. The look of the Monster in law.

Written by Auntyb

Bo Adesoye is a Pharmacist turned Children’s Counselor and Educationist. She writes blogs on “issues of concern “ and runs the Auntyb Facebook page and a website auntybspeaks.com.