A BATTLE FOR HIS HEART
EPISODE 2
The smell of freshly made egusi soup filled the kitchen as Amara stirred the pot carefully. She added some crayfish and tasted it. Perfect. She wanted everything to be just right, especially with Mama Kunle in the house.
She arranged the dining table and called out, “Mama, food is ready!”
Mama Kunle walked in, looking unimpressed. She sat at the table and watched as Amara served the food. Kunle joined them, smiling as he picked up his spoon.
“Mama, you will love this food. Amara is a great cook,” Kunle said, taking a bite.
Mama Kunle scoffed. “We will see.” She took a spoonful and chewed slowly. Then, she dropped her spoon and frowned.
“This soup is too salty,” she announced.
Amara’s heart sank. “I’m sorry, Mama. Maybe I—”
“I don’t need excuses,” Mama Kunle interrupted. “This is why I always say Kunle should have married a Yoruba woman. Igbo women don’t know how to take care of their husbands!”
Kunle sighed. “Mama, that’s not fair. Amara is a wonderful wife.”
Mama Kunle shook her head. “You are defending her? So, I am now the enemy?”
“No one said that, Mama,” Kunle said. “Please, let’s eat in peace.”
Mama Kunle muttered something under her breath and ate a few more spoons before pushing her plate aside. “I have lost my appetite,” she said dramatically.
Amara kept quiet, pretending not to be hurt. She had faced Mama Kunle’s disapproval before, but this time, something felt different.
That night, as Amara and Kunle lay in bed, she turned to him. “Kunle, how long is Mama staying?”
Kunle sighed. “She didn’t say, but we have to be patient. She’s my mother.”
Amara nodded. “I understand, but you know how she treats me. I don’t want problems in our home.”
Kunle pulled her close. “I will talk to her. Just be patient, my love.”
Amara wanted to believe him, but deep down, she knew Mama Kunle was not going to make things easy.
The next morning, Amara woke up early to make breakfast. She wanted to avoid any complaints. As she was frying plantain, Mama Kunle walked into the kitchen.
“You are awake early,” Mama Kunle said, sitting on a stool.
“Yes, Mama. I want to make sure everything is ready before Kunle wakes up.”
Mama Kunle shook her head. “Do you think cooking is enough to keep a man? You women of nowadays don’t know anything. A wife must always listen to her mother-in-law. If I tell Kunle to marry a second wife, what will you do?”
Amara froze. “Mama, why would you say that?”
“Because you are not the wife I wanted for my son,” Mama Kunle said bluntly. “Kunle is my only son. I must protect him. I don’t trust you.”
Tears stung Amara’s eyes. “Mama, I love Kunle. I would never hurt him.”
Mama Kunle scoffed. “We will see.”
At that moment, Kunle walked in, yawning. “Good morning, ladies,” he said, hugging Amara from behind.
Mama Kunle clicked her tongue. “Kunle, don’t let a woman control you. A real man must always be the head of the house!”
Kunle frowned. “Mama, where is this coming from?”
“It’s just advice,” Mama Kunle said, standing up. “I will be going to the market later. I need to buy foodstuff. I don’t like all these Igbo ingredients Amara is using.”
Amara bit her lip. No matter what she did, it was never enough.
And Mama Kunle was just getting started.
TO BE CONTINUED…