My husband became a criminal because of my greed for wealth (3)

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About a week later, I brought up the matter of the trip abroad to my husband again but he made it abundantly clear that there was no money to embark on it at that time. He said we could wait till a few years time when his two younger brothers that he was sponsoring at the university graduated and the financial burden on him was reduced.

"Just be patient, dear. We will travel at the appropriate time. God's time is the best," he said reassuringly.

But I was not ready to listen to his sermon about being patient. I so much wanted to travel; and I felt it was his responsibility as my husband to do things to make me happy so what was all this talk about being patient?

'Afterall, my name is not Patience. Or am I Jonathan's wife*?' I thought to myself one day as I was mulling over the matter. 'My mates are out there having fun and he says I should be patient! Till when?'

So, one Saturday evening, on his return from an engagement, I drew his attention to a company's website on the computer that organised trips to different locations in the world with a nice discount for family bookings.

 "Honey, it will be less expensive if we book online. Maybe we should try them," I said, my eyes fixed on the screen.

"Annette, what's the matter with you? I've told you before that we can't afford this vacation right now. I just don't have the money for it," said Hilary.

"That's what you say all the time- you never have money for anything to do with me. But if it's your relatives, money will miraculously appear from nowhere!" 

 That did not go well with my husband and he made that clear.

"And what's that supposed to mean?" he demanded angrily. "Are you saying I don't take enough care of you? Or the children? Are you now saying I'm a bad husband just because I refused to sponsor your frivolous holiday abroad?" he queried.

"Call it whatever you like. All my friends are going off to exotic places this period while am stuck here in Nigeria. Why should I be different? Do they have two heads?" I countered.

"Can you just hear yourself? So, you want to be like your friends now, abi? Has it entered that mind of yours that our situation, money wise is different? In case you have forgotten, let me remind you that I'm just an ordinary employee where I work and not the owner of the business. We are not multi-millionaires or rich like your friends," he stated firmly.

"That's your problem. All I know is that I'm travelling this year whether you like it or not," I told him.

"This your new found attitude of wanting to live beyond your means, live a flamboyant lifestyle like your friends will get you nowhere. You have to learn to cut your coat according to your size. Stop imitating what others are doing. You should be satisfied with what we've been blessed with," he maintained.

 I did not answer him, but simply left the room and went to the kitchen to start preparing dinner.

If my husband thought that I had given up, he was in for a surprise. I kept on nagging him about the issue for days. 

When he still did not budge, I began denying him sex and any intimacy. 

It was either, "I have my period," or "I have a stomach upset," whenever he made moves to have sex.

 I even moved to the children's room and refused to return to our bedroom despite his pleadings. Not just that, I started going out more frequently and returned home late. We had a house maid who did most of the housework and also took care of the children so I had a lot of time on my hands.

  The fight

One evening, I returned home very late at about 10 pm to meet my husband standing in front of our apartment, his hands on his chest. He looked really angry, like he was ready to pounce on me any minute.

"And where are you coming from at this time of the night?" he demanded, glancing at his watch.

"I went to see a friend and..." I began to say, but he cut me off.

"You went to see a friend? You left the children at home with the maid since morning and you are just returning now. Have you forgotten you are a housewife, Annette. You are not a career woman so you have no excuse for staying out late like those women who work," he noted.

 "Look, Hilary, I'm tired and need to rest. So, stop with all these questions," I said and pushing him aside, went into the house.

 He followed me inside. The children were already asleep and the maid was with them. 

 "I hope they ate before sleeping," I asked her.

 "Yes, Madam. I gave them dodo and beans as you instructed," she replied.

 I went to the kitchen to find something to eat as I was hungry. I was warming some rice in the microwave when my husband entered the kitchen.

 "Your movements these days is becoming suspicious. You go out all the time and return late. Tell me, are you having an affair or what, Annette?" he asked.

 I ignored him and continued with what I was doing.

 He came to where I stood and grabbing my hand, said:

 "I'm talking to you, woman! Answer me! Are you cheating on me?" 

 "And what if I am? Afterall, I'm still young and attractive even after two kids and men chase me all the time. So, if my husband can't give me what I want, maybe somebody else outside will," I said with a sneer.

  "You dare open your mouth and tell me this bullshit? How dare you!" he said angrily, followed by two resounding slaps on my face. I screamed and covered my face and head with my hands in protection as he repeatedly hit me. He was about hitting me again but was stopped by the maid who had run into the kitchen on hearing my screams.

 "You better watch yourself, woman if you want us to continue living together in this house. I won't tolerate my wife gallivanting all over the place, prostituting herself. You hear me?" he threw at me as the maid led me out of the kitchen.

 The following day, I went to see my friend, Runo. She was shocked when she saw the bruises on me from the beating my husband gave me.

 "You mean he did this to you just because you want a vacation abroad? How much will it cost him? He must be a stingy man!" she said. 

 She brought out her first aid kit and applied some medication on the cuts on my face and arm.

 That day, I did not return home but spent the night at Runo's place. My husband kept calling to know my whereabouts but I refused to pick his calls. He also sent text messages, apologizing for what he did, promising that he would never lay a finger on me again as long as he lived.

 By the third day, I wanted to go home as I was missing my children whom the maid said had been asking for me.

 But Runo did not want me to return yet, stating that Hilary needed to be taught a lesson.

 "You need to be firm. Stand your ground and don't give in too easily or he will continue to take you for granted and be treating you like a punching bag," she explained.

 I had been in Runo's house for about a week when my husband showed up on her doorstep one evening. He had never been there before so I wondered how he was able to locate the place.

 He was full of apologies.

 "Please honey, forgive me! It will never happen again, I promise. I miss you so much. The children too missed you. Please come home!" he pleaded over and over.

 Seeing how remorseful he looked, I finally gave in and agreed to return but on one condition.

 "Anything you want, just name it. I will do anything for you. I just want you back!" he stated eagerly.

  "Alright. All I want is that vacation. Nothing else," I said. 

 To my surprise, he readily agreed to my demand.

 "I told you he will give in, in the end. You just have to know how to manipulate men to get what you want from them, especially the stubborn ones like your husband!" Runo stated later as I went to the guest room to pick my bag and the few belongings I had come with.

 I don't know how my husband raised the money but a few weeks later, he had made all the necessary arrangements for our trip to the U.K. We planned to stay with his cousin Johnny, who had been living there for over ten years and was a British citizen.

 I was so happy when the day of our journey finally arrived and we flew out of the country...

Note:  'Jonathan's wife' refers to the former First Lady of Nigeria, Mrs Patience Jonathan, wife of the Immediate past President, Goodluck Jonathan

To be continued...

Names have been changed to protect the identity of the narrator and other individuals in the story.

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