A BATTLE FOR HIS HEART
EPISODE 4
The morning sun filtered through the curtains as Amara lay in bed, staring at the ceiling. The house was quiet, but she knew it was only a matter of time before the tension returned.
Kunle was still asleep beside her. She turned to look at him, wondering if he truly understood how much stress she was going through.
Just then, she heard the clatter of pots and pans from the kitchen. Her stomach tightened. Mama Kunle.
She quickly got out of bed, wrapped a scarf around her head, and hurried to the kitchen.
Sure enough, Mama Kunle was already cooking.
“Mama, good morning,” Amara greeted, trying to sound cheerful.
Mama Kunle didn’t look up. “Good morning. I decided to cook for my son today. I can’t let him continue eating food that is not made with love.”
Amara swallowed her irritation. “Mama, I always cook with love.”
Mama Kunle turned and looked at her with raised eyebrows. “Then why is my son not glowing the way he used to?”
Before Amara could answer, Kunle walked in, stretching. “Good morning, my beautiful women,” he said, smiling.
Mama Kunle beamed. “My son, come and eat real food. I have prepared yam and egg for you.”
Kunle chuckled. “Mama, you know Amara always makes breakfast.”
Mama Kunle hissed. “Must you eat only her food? Can’t I cook for my own son?”
Kunle sighed. “Mama, I didn’t say that.”
“Then sit down and eat,” Mama Kunle said firmly, carrying a plate to the dining table.
Amara stepped aside, feeling like an outsider in her own home.
Kunle noticed her discomfort and touched her arm. “My love, come and eat with us.”
But before Amara could respond, Mama Kunle cut in, “A real wife should wake up early to cook for her husband, not wait for her mother-in-law to do it.”
Amara felt her chest tighten. “Mama, I wake up early every day to cook. But today, you—”
“Enough!” Mama Kunle snapped. “Do you think I don’t know what I’m saying? You have used charm on my son!”
Kunle’s face darkened. “Mama, please stop this nonsense.”
Mama Kunle gasped, placing a hand on her chest. “Nonsense? Did you just call my words nonsense?”
Kunle sighed and rubbed his temples. “Mama, all I am saying is that you should stop making Amara feel like she is not welcome in her own home.”
Mama Kunle shook her head dramatically. “I see what is happening. This woman has bewitched you. Kunle, my son, open your eyes before it is too late!”
Kunle stood up. “Mama, if you keep talking like this, you will make me very angry.”
Amara blinked back tears. “Kunle, it’s okay,” she whispered.
But it wasn’t okay.
Mama Kunle eyed Amara with suspicion. “I will not let you destroy my son’s life. You think you have won? You will see.”
She stormed off to her room, leaving Kunle and Amara in a heavy silence.
Kunle turned to Amara. “I’m so sorry.”
Amara forced a smile. “It’s not your fault.”
But deep down, she knew Mama Kunle was up to something.
And whatever it was, it would not be good.
TO BE CONTINUED BELOW…
A BATTLE FOR HIS HEART
EPISODE 5
Later that afternoon, Amara sat in the living room, trying to focus on a book, but her mind kept drifting. She could hear Mama Kunle moving around in her room, talking on the phone.
At first, she ignored it, but then she heard something that made her freeze.
“Yes, I told you. This girl has used something on my son. He doesn’t listen to me anymore!”
Amara’s heartbeat quickened.
“Don’t worry,” Mama Kunle continued, lowering her voice. “I will handle it. I have already spoken to one of my friends. There is a pastor who can help. We will break whatever spell she has used.”
Amara’s hands tightened around the book. Did Mama Kunle really believe she was using charm on Kunle?
Just then, Kunle walked in from outside, whistling. Amara quickly put down her book. “Kunle, can we talk?”
Kunle sat beside her. “Of course, my love. What’s wrong?”
She hesitated for a moment, then whispered, “I think your mother is planning something.”
Kunle frowned. “What do you mean?”
Amara sighed. “I just overheard her talking on the phone. She believes I have used charm on you, and she’s planning to see a pastor about it.”
Kunle leaned back and rubbed his face. “Oh, Mama,” he muttered.
“Kunle, this is serious,” Amara said. “She is going too far.”
Kunle nodded. “I know. I will talk to her.”
Amara sighed. “I just don’t want any trouble.”
Kunle kissed her forehead. “Trust me, I won’t let anything come between us.”
That evening, Kunle knocked on his mother’s door. “Mama, can we talk?”
Mama Kunle opened the door and stepped out. “What is it, my son?”
Kunle took a deep breath. “Mama, I heard you are planning to take me to a pastor to ‘break a spell.’ Why?”
Mama Kunle’s eyes widened. “So, she has told you?”
Kunle shook his head. “Mama, Amara has not bewitched me. I love her. Why can’t you accept that?”
Mama Kunle scoffed. “You don’t understand, Kunle. This woman is controlling you! Since you married her, you don’t listen to me anymore!”
Kunle sighed. “Mama, I listen to you. But I am a grown man now. I have my own home, my own family.”
Mama Kunle folded her arms. “So, I am no longer your family?”
“Mama, stop twisting my words. I love you, but you must respect my wife.”
Mama Kunle stared at him for a long time, then suddenly turned away. “Fine,” she said. “You have made your choice. But don’t come crying to me when things fall apart.”
She walked back into her room and slammed the door.
Kunle sighed heavily.
He knew his mother.
This was far from over.
TO BE CONTINUED…