BATTLE FOR HIS HEART
EPISODE 10
A week passed, and Mama Kunle remained quiet. Too quiet.
Kunle and Amara tried to move on, but an uneasy feeling lingered in the air. Amara couldn’t shake the fear that Mama Kunle wasn’t done yet.
And soon, her fear became reality.
One afternoon, Amara was at the supermarket when her phone rang. It was her mother.
“Amara, my daughter!” her mother’s voice was sharp with concern. “What is this I am hearing?”
Amara frowned. “Mama, what happened?”
“Someone from Kunle’s family called me,” her mother said. “They said you and Kunle are having problems because you have refused to give his mother grandchildren!”
Amara’s heart pounded. “What?”
“They said Mama Kunle has been going around telling people you are barren!” her mother continued. “That she has tried everything, but you won’t get pregnant!”
Amara’s breath caught in her throat. “No… this is a lie!”
“I know, my daughter,” her mother said, her voice full of anger. “But she has poisoned the minds of many people. Now people are calling me, asking why my daughter cannot give her husband a child!”
Amara’s hands shook. “Mama, I have to go. I need to talk to Kunle.”
She ended the call and rushed home.
When Kunle walked into the house that evening, Amara was waiting.
“Kunle,” she said, her voice shaking. “We need to talk.”
Kunle immediately knew something was wrong. “What happened?”
Amara inhaled sharply. “Your mother is telling people I am barren.”
Kunle’s face darkened. “What?”
“My mother just called,” Amara explained. “Your mother has spread this lie to your family, and now my family is hearing it too!”
Kunle clenched his fists. “This has gone too far.”
“I have been patient, Kunle,” Amara said, tears forming in her eyes. “I have ignored so much. But this… this is too much.”
Kunle sat beside her and held her hands. “My love, I swear, I had no idea she was doing this.”
“But what are you going to do about it?” Amara asked.
Kunle exhaled sharply. “I need to see her. Now.”
That evening, Kunle drove to his mother’s house, his mind racing. When he arrived, he knocked hard on the door.
Mama Kunle opened it, looking unconcerned. “Kunle, what is it?”
Kunle stepped inside. “Mama, how could you do this?”
Mama Kunle frowned. “Do what?”
“You know what!” Kunle shouted. “You told people that Amara is barren!”
Mama Kunle sighed dramatically. “I only spoke the truth.”
Kunle’s blood boiled. “What truth? Have you even asked us if we are trying for a child?”
Mama Kunle scoffed. “A married woman should not need to be asked. After one year, she should be pregnant. But your wife? Nothing!”
Kunle shook his head in disbelief. “Mama, this is wickedness!”
Mama Kunle raised her chin. “I am only protecting my son’s future.”
Kunle’s hands tightened into fists. “Mama, listen to me very well. If you do not stop this, I will be forced to make a decision you won’t like.”
Mama Kunle’s eyes narrowed. “Are you threatening me?”
Kunle exhaled. “No, Mama. I am warning you. If you keep trying to destroy my marriage, I will be forced to cut you off.”
Mama Kunle gasped. “You would do that to your own mother? Because of that woman?”
Kunle’s eyes hardened. “Yes, Mama. Because that ‘woman’ is my wife. And I love her.”
Mama Kunle stared at him for a long time. Then she shook her head and turned away. “Do whatever you want. But don’t say I didn’t warn you.”
Kunle felt a deep pain in his heart. He loved his mother. But if she didn’t stop, he would have no choice.
He walked out, his mind made up.
This war had to end.
One way or another.
TO BE CONTINUED….