A BATTLE FOR HIS HEART
EPISODE 3
Amara held her breath as Mama Kunle stepped out of the kitchen. Her mother-in-law’s words still echoed in her mind. “If I tell Kunle to marry a second wife, what will you do?”
She clenched her fists and blinked back tears. She didn’t want to fight, but how much more could she take?
Kunle, noticing the tension, pulled her close. “Amara, are you okay?”
She forced a smile. “I’m fine.”
Kunle sighed. “I know Mama can be difficult, but please try to be patient.”
Amara nodded, even though she wasn’t sure how much patience she had left.
Later that afternoon, Mama Kunle returned from the market with two large bags. As soon as she stepped into the kitchen, she called for Amara.
“Come and see real foodstuff!” she announced, unpacking yam, dry fish, and different Yoruba spices. “I will show you how to cook properly.”
Amara took a deep breath. “Mama, I know how to cook.”
Mama Kunle scoffed. “That is why my son is losing weight, abi?”
Kunle, who was walking past, stopped. “Mama, I have told you, I am not losing weight. Amara takes care of me.”
Mama Kunle waved him off. “You won’t understand. You are under a woman’s spell.”
Kunle’s face darkened. “Mama, don’t say that!”
Mama Kunle ignored him and turned back to Amara. “Today, you will learn how to cook properly.”
Amara was about to protest, but she stopped herself. If I argue, Kunle will be caught in the middle.
So, she bit her tongue and let Mama Kunle take over the kitchen.
That evening, they sat down to eat the food Mama Kunle had cooked. She watched Kunle like a hawk as he took his first bite.
“How is it?” she asked, raising her eyebrows.
Kunle chewed slowly. “It’s good, Mama.”
Mama Kunle smiled proudly. “You see? This is how a man should eat!”
Amara forced a smile and kept eating in silence.
Mama Kunle wasn’t done. “Kunle, I hope you know that in Yoruba culture, a man must always listen to his mother first.”
Kunle sighed. “Mama, can we just eat in peace?”
Mama Kunle ignored him and turned to Amara. “Do you kneel when you serve my son food?”
Amara’s hand tightened around her spoon. “Mama, in my culture, we don’t kneel to serve food.”
Mama Kunle gasped. “You see?! This is why I said Kunle should not marry an Igbo girl. How can a woman refuse to kneel for her husband?”
Kunle dropped his spoon. “Mama, enough!”
Silence fell over the table.
“Mama, I love Amara, and I married her because she is a good woman. Please, stop making her feel unwelcome.”
Mama Kunle’s eyes widened. “So, you are choosing her over me?”
Kunle ran his hand over his face. “Mama, it’s not about choosing. This is our home. You are our guest. Please, let there be peace.”
Mama Kunle’s lips tightened. She pushed back her chair and stood up. “Since I am just a guest, I will go to my room.”
She walked away, leaving an awkward silence behind.
Amara sighed. “Kunle, I don’t know if I can keep doing this.”
Kunle reached for her hand. “I will handle it, I promise.”
But deep down, Amara knew things were only going to get worse.
STORY TO BE CONTINUED..
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