BATTLE FOR HIS HEART
EPISODE 11
Kunle drove home with a heavy heart. He never imagined he would have to choose between his mother and his wife, but Mama Kunle had left him no choice.
When he stepped into the house, Amara was waiting, her face tense. “What did she say?”
Kunle sighed. “She didn’t deny it. She believes she is protecting me.”
Amara’s chest tightened. “Protecting you from what, Kunle? From me?”
Kunle took her hands. “Amara, I told her clearly—if she doesn’t stop, I will have no choice but to cut her off.”
Amara’s lips parted in shock. “You said that?”
Kunle nodded. “I meant it. I love my mother, but I will not allow her to destroy my marriage.”
Tears welled in Amara’s eyes. “Kunle, do you know how much I have endured? Your mother has done everything to make me feel unwanted, and now she is attacking my womanhood.”
Kunle cupped her face. “I know, my love. And I promise you, this stops today.”
The next day, Kunle gathered his uncles and aunties for a family meeting. Mama Kunle was shocked when she arrived and saw everyone.
“What is going on?” she demanded.
Kunle stood. “Mama, you have accused Amara of being barren. Have you asked us if we have even started trying for a baby?”
The room fell silent.
One of Kunle’s uncles, Uncle Tade, cleared his throat. “Kunle, what do you mean?”
Kunle exhaled. “Amara and I decided to wait a little before having children. We wanted to enjoy our marriage first.”
A murmur spread across the room.
Mama Kunle gasped. “So, it is true! She is the one stopping you from having children!”
Kunle raised his voice. “Mama! This is our decision as husband and wife. It is not your business!”
Mama Kunle’s mouth fell open. She turned to the elders. “You see? This woman has blinded my son!”
Uncle Tade frowned. “Sister, Kunle is a grown man. He has the right to make decisions with his wife.”
Another elder nodded. “And spreading rumors about Amara was wrong.”
Mama Kunle looked around, realizing no one was on her side. Her face darkened. “So, you are all against me?”
Kunle softened his tone. “Mama, nobody is against you. But you must accept that I am married now. I love Amara, and I need you to respect our marriage.”
For a long moment, Mama Kunle said nothing. Then she stood. “I have heard you all.”
Kunle hesitated. “Does that mean you will stop?”
Mama Kunle picked up her bag. “Time will tell.”
And with that, she left the meeting.
Kunle sighed heavily. He wasn’t sure if his mother had truly listened. But one thing was certain
TO BE CONTINUED…
BATTLE FOR HIS HEART
EPISODE 12
Days passed, and though Mama Kunle was quiet, Amara couldn’t shake the feeling that she was up to something.
Kunle reassured her. “I think the family meeting made her realize she went too far. Maybe she has finally accepted our marriage.”
Amara sighed. “I hope so, Kunle. I really do.”
But she was wrong.
Mama Kunle was not done.
One evening, Amara was in the kitchen preparing dinner when she heard Kunle’s phone ringing in the living room. She wiped her hands and glanced at the screen. It was an unknown number.
“Kunle, your phone is ringing!” she called out.
“Answer it for me,” Kunle replied from the bedroom.
Amara hesitated but picked up the call. “Hello?”
Silence.
Then a woman’s voice, soft and hesitant, spoke. “Hello… Is this Kunle’s wife?”
Amara frowned. “Yes, this is Amara. Who is this?”
The woman paused, then sighed. “My name is Sade. I… I don’t know how to say this, but I think you deserve to know the truth.”
Amara’s heart pounded. “What truth?”
Sade inhaled deeply. “Mama Kunle came to my house last week. She begged me to seduce Kunle so that I could have his child.”
The world seemed to spin. “What?”
Sade continued, her voice filled with shame. “She said you were barren and that Kunle needed a ‘real’ woman to give him children. She even offered me money.”
Amara’s knees went weak. She gripped the kitchen counter for support. “You’re lying.”
“I wish I were,” Sade whispered. “But I couldn’t do it. Kunle is a good man. I thought you should know.”
Tears filled Amara’s eyes. “Why are you telling me this?”
“Because it’s not right,” Sade said. “And because I think Kunle should hear it from you, not from someone else.”
The call ended.
Amara stood there, shaking.
This was it. This was the final straw.
That night, when Kunle returned home, he found Amara sitting silently on the couch. Her face was unreadable.
“Amara? Are you okay?” he asked.
She lifted her eyes to meet his. “I got a call today.”
Kunle frowned. “From who?”
“A woman named Sade.”
Kunle blinked. “Sade? I don’t know any—” Then he froze.
Amara’s voice was tight with emotion. “Your mother tried to set you up with her. She begged her to have your child because she thinks I am barren.”
Kunle stared at her, stunned. “No… That can’t be true.”
Amara laughed bitterly. “I didn’t believe it at first either. But Sade had no reason to lie.”
Kunle’s hands clenched into fists. His heart pounded with anger. “I can’t believe this. She has gone too far!”
Amara wiped her eyes. “Kunle, I have endured so much. I have been patient. I have respected your mother. But I can’t take this anymore.”
Kunle knelt before her, taking her hands. “Amara, I swear to you, I had no idea. And I will not let her get away with this.”
Amara searched his eyes. “What will you do?”
Kunle’s jaw tightened. “I am going to end this once and for all.
The next morning, Kunle drove straight to his mother’s house. He didn’t bother knocking. He pushed the door open and stepped inside.
Mama Kunle looked up, surprised. “Kunle? What is wrong?”
Kunle’s voice was dangerously calm. “You told a woman to seduce me.”
Mama Kunle’s eyes widened. “Who told you that?”
“Is it true?” Kunle demanded.
Mama Kunle shifted uncomfortably. “Kunle, I was only trying to help—”
“Help?” Kunle’s voice rose. “By trying to destroy my marriage?”
Mama Kunle sighed. “Kunle, a man needs children. I was thinking of your future—”
Kunle shook his head in disbelief. “No, Mama. You were thinking of yourself. You refuse to accept that I have my own life now.”
Mama Kunle’s face hardened. “So, what will you do? Disown me?”
Kunle took a deep breath. “No, Mama. But from today, you are no longer welcome in my home.”
Mama Kunle gasped. “Kunle! You can’t mean that!”
Kunle’s voice was firm. “Until you can respect my wife, you are not welcome.”
Tears filled Mama Kunle’s eyes. “Kunle, I am your mother!”
“And Amara is my wife,” Kunle said. “I love you, Mama. But I will not let you ruin my happiness.”
Mama Kunle opened her mouth, then closed it. For the first time, she realized she had lost.
Kunle turned and walked out.
For the first time in his life, he had put his wife first.
And he had no regrets.
TO BE CONTINUED..