Stories

 

 

 

Wule loves Sule

Another mindless fight in two weeks. This time around Sule will have to manage two kids who won't stop asking for their mom. No matter how much a man tries, the gap created by the absence of a woman leaves a gaping hole no amount of biceps can fill. Its been two days since he sent Wule packing. Their fight was over a completely dumb issue. It was an argument on how and where to press the toothpaste. In no time, the neighbors now used to the incessant fights were on hand to rescue Wule from the jaws of Sule. Their fight has become a predictable drama and their nuisance status a common fixture in the neighborhood. Inspite of being the most educated in their locality, their marriage needed urgent fixing and such fixing would have to go beyond dictations and sums. Sule, a man given to the fields can't seem to establish a distinction between the field and one's woman. He deploys his arsenal of tools at will. His anger dwarfs that of the god of thunder. When he is angry, he throws anything in sight. He is like an active volcano whose eruption melts everything along its way.

Sule woke up early as occasion demanded; with the absence of Wule, he would have to get the kids ready for school. The younger one, often sickly wouldn't stop demanding for her mom. "Your Mummy is coming back soon" Sule retorted in frustration. The thought of going to beg again caused him anguish. He knew this time, he would have to do more to appeal to Wule's aged father. Chief Emiloju; a retired nurse whose kind-hearted philosophy and deeds earned him the admiration of both young and old in the town had grown tired of the incessant fights. He was worried for his daughter who had become a punching bag in the hands of Sule the pugilist. If they continued in this manner, he feared a major calamity may befall him. He bounced the idea of an amicable separation; a respectful way to describe divorce but Wule even though frustrated didn't want to become a single mother at 27. The idea of dumping her children to the foster care of strangers was not something she could ever stomach. It was also clear that Sule would fight to the end to retain custody. His pride was never going to allow him to let the children go with their mom. 

Sule was on the ground. In the last few days, he had gone through a mountain of challenges to keep things together. He had been stretched to his very limit. His pride had sunk and he knew he couldn't manage things. He had considered the option of taking the kids to his mom back in the village; 30 minutes away from where they live but the old woman was not going to have any of such. Sule was left with no option than to go and beg Chief Emiloju. Sule knew where to find Wule. Chief's home provided her a safe haven away from him. He dressed the kids up and off to Chief Emiloju. The kids were full of bursting energy when he announced they were going to see Big Daddy. They were really fond of their Grandpa. His domineering size and voluptuous figure provided them a succulent pillow. Sule knew what he was in from the onset. It wasn't going to be a walk in the garden for him.

To be continued...