“Wallahi I am tired of this marriage; I can’t be with you any longer. Is having an affair not enough for you? Do you have to go to the extent of bringing a woman into our matrimonial home? My best friend, on our matrimonial bed?” Abu asked angrily. She had been tolerating him since forever. But this, she couldn’t take it. It was too much. It had scarred her heart. She was feeling like slapping him at that moment.

“What do you mean?” Usman asked giving her less of his attention though. He didn’t even understand what she meant with she was tired. What could he do about her tiredness?

She snapped. “I mean I can’t live with an adulterer anymore.” Abu muttered lest people from the neighborhood would hear her banter with her husband. She knew it so well that if by any chance anyone heard, her secret would be spread anyhow.

“Did you just call me adulterer?” Usman roared.

She pursed her lips. “Well, if you don’t want to be called an adulterer then why do you fornicate?” she said raucously. She didn’t ask him to get an answer. She just said that to make him more furious than he already was.

Usman laughed dryly before he marched some steps away from her. “Hmm, do you have proof? I bet you only saw us holding hands not fornicating.” He said looking at her with a dare. He was a very cunning man.

Abu felt defeated but she wouldn’t give up easily. She smiled. “Then what should I call seeing you two together naked? isn’t that Zina?” She asked, settling on one of the cushions of her parlor.

Despite that, she was trying to be strong. Her legs were becoming jelly with each passing second.

Usman looked at her for a few minutes. For the second time, he was clueless about what to tell her. “Whatever, I have no time for this please.” He said while walking towards the door.

“Yes, you may not have time for this but you have time to fornicate.” Abu fired back.

The man she called her husband was testing her patience and she was afraid to say that her patience had been exhausted.  “What?” He turned back angrily. He didn’t expect that type of answer from her. “Let me remind you something just because I am keeping quiet doesn’t mean I can’t do anything!” He said boisterously.

Abu stood up from where she was sitting. Her heart was slowly finding peace when she heard him say that. Maybe he would grant her, her greatest wish. To divorce her. So, she tried her luck.

“Oya please do it. Let’s end everything once and for all, I need a divorce.”

“Hmm,” he grinned. “Did you just say divorce?”

“Yes, I need it I am tired wallahi.” She answered pleading with him with her eyes.

“Well, if that’s what you want, let’s visit your parents tomorrow to discuss everything in their presence.” He answered and left the parlour.

Abu sat back with a heavy and sagged shoulder. She waited for night to come. She was so eager to sleep and wake up in the morning. She wanted the divorce so badly.

*****

The next morning, Abu woke up early in the morning and got ready. She didn’t even take any time to eat anything. All she wanted was to see her before her parents.  Like he knew she was waiting for him, he also got up early and finished everything on time.  She was in the sitting room when he came out wearing his watch. His perfume was heavenly in scent. The scent of his perfume used to make her crazy. But now, everything had stopped. She didn’t feel anything.  Like always she greeted him saying good morning. He answered delightedly as if nothing happened last night.

There was a smile plastered on his face. “I am going to work.” He informed plodding along the door.

“What do you mean by going to work? Have you forgotten our deal?” The happiness glow on her face was slowly vanishing into the thin air.

“A’a which deal are u talking about?” He asked, feigning ignorance. “The Divorce issues.” She replied shortly.

“Oh!” he grinned. “Please dear let bygone be bygone.” He besought pinning her with his eyes. “Please Abban Ummi let’s end this marriage wallahi I am already bleeding. My heart is bleeding.” She said, trying to hold her tears from dropping. Seeing that he had no intention of answering her, she rose to her feet and faltered to where he was standing.

“When I said I need a divorce, I mean divorce. You know better than anyone I always mean my words.” She deadpanned.

He pushed his head back. “Okay if that’s what you want, let’s go to your house.” Abu was taken by surprise. She felt her mood lifting. Without another thought, she draped her veil over her head and follow him to where he parked his her.