Chapter 1: The Beginning of the End

After twelve years of marriage, my husband—wey dey cash out tens of millions—fall in love with the new receptionist for him company.

As I dey talk this kain matter, you go think say na only for Nollywood film e dey happen, but na so life fit shock person for Naija.

The woman dey almost forty, no even fine reach me, her body sef no match my own, but just within six months, she dey give am joy for soul, like prayer wey God answer quick.

Sometimes my chest go dey pain as I reason am, because for Naija, e no be beauty wey dey hold man—sometimes na the one wey sabi shine teeth, sabi find road to man heart with correct food or small gist.

Tunde just look me one day, tired for face, say:

“If we divorce, the house and car go be your own. Morayo, abeg, make you let me go?”

If no be say my heart don tire, I for don vex scatter plate that day. But instead, I just waka near window, look outside, see as night dey fall. Rain dey threaten for sky, my body just cold, my voice low as I answer am.

My hand dey tremble. I look Tunde face, dey search for old love, but I see only tiredness. My chest heavy, but I swallow the pain.

I lower my eyes, reply softly, “Okay.”

For that moment, I just remember how elders dey talk: person no fit force water wey wan pass gutter. Sometimes, if man don change, na only God fit hold am.

Na so I buy calendar, circle today.

Divorce countdown: 30 days.