Chapter 8: Bedside Apologies

Morayo call as the drink dey finish. I no pick till she call third time.

My phone dey vibrate, all my guy dey shout, "Pick am o! Trouble dey!" "Husband, NEPA don take light for house. Everywhere dark—I dey fear."

Morayo voice dey shake, almost cry. My heart just soft. All the wahala just disappear. I pay, rush go house. My guy laugh, "Quarrel for bed head, settle for bed foot."

True true, as I open door, Morayo jump enter my hand. She just wear one small silk nightie, eyes red from cry, she look pitiful. I carry her, no even look those plenty high heels for door.

She hold me, her body cold small from sweat and fear. "That day I follow friends go shop. Dem dey talk how their boyfriend dey treat them, so I buy all those things. I don call sales people to see if I fit return am. Husband, abeg no vex."

Morayo hold my cloth. The more she beg, the more my heart dey melt. All this money na for the woman I love to enjoy, abi? As I see tears for her face, I just feel like bad person. Morayo no be Amaka. I love this one.

I wipe her tears with my thumb, whisper, "Na my fault. Na my fault, wife."

That night, we waka from door to parlour, from bedroom to bathroom. Same house, but new woman—even quarrel dey sweet. The generator hum soft, but our laughter cover am.