We were an attractive couple when we began dating. There was a magnetic attraction between us.

I was drawn to Henry’s extremely charming and irresistible grace, I unreservedly was overwhelmed by our whirlwind courtship. Every couple wanted to be like us.

We socialized a lot and we were always together. I had wonderful time. I went in and out of their house without restriction. It was absolute delightful to know that I had the support of Augusta, his sister who was my classmate and had turned out to be my best friend.  We went everywhere together on campus and did our assignments together. Augusta did not like to do chores; she hated it with a passion. I did the chores because I was raised to clean up and take care of my younger ones even though we had servants at home. However, Augusta took care of our other needs by paying people to attend to those essential needs.

The dark storms began brewing…………

The unexpected turn of events began the moment he took me for a formal introduction to his parents. That was when I should have listened to imploring inner voice but I was so in love with him that I pushed the thought at the back of my mind.

I knelt down as custom and tradition demanded when presented to his family. I got the shock of my life. The mother who in the past had always had an engaging conversation with me looked at me all over as if I was a piece of trash. Disbelief sent shock waves swept over me. She said did not realize we were serious but had presumed I was just one of his numerous flings.

She turned to Henry while dismissing me condescendingly with a wave of her hand; she asked him if he could not choose Annabel, her best friend’s daughter. It has been her lifetime dream that Annabel would be his wife instead of “this” her eyes swept all over me disdainfully.

I was visibly shaken as color drained from my cheeks. I never expected the sudden change in Henry’s mother’s attitude. I must have looked pitiful while on my knees because instantly Augusta and Henry rushed to provide the needed strength to enable me stand firmly on my feet. Augusta led me away to allow me weep on her shoulders. She told me to be calm and confessed that Henry had once dated Annabel but it did not work out. Annabel and his brother have since moved on with their different lives. She wondered why her mother still nursed the idea of both of them ever getting married. I was very hurt but I gave an awkward smile while I masked my anger and anxiety.

As I walked away with shaky legs, I heard Henry’s feeble protest but I did not give it a second thought.

Henry’s mother never reverted to the kind woman I thought she was before the introduction. She barely responded to my greetings nor acknowledged my presence.

Visitations became a nightmare. Henry’s mother scared the life out of me; her words wounded my nerves and stripped me of every courage. I carried around mental shells of her laser bullets and they really wore me out. I hit the depth of despair but it never occurred to me to take the long walk.

The eventful day, which turned out to be one of the most embarrassing incidents of my life, was the day I should have walked away again but my emotional longings subsisted in favour of logical thoughts.

Just as tradition demands coupled with good breeding, my feet were sensationless as trepidation gripped my heart as I went to say hello to his mother and family members.  A family member called out to me as ‘iyawo’ and Henry’s mother’s voice echoed over the room in sneering anger as she stated vehemently that Henry was yet to find a wife. As I knelt in respect, she recoiled like a venomous snake ready to strike.  I was very embarrassed as thousand eyes feasted on me.

I got up dreadfully humiliated. A mysterious force propelled me towards the entrance of the hall. I rushed out as if I had seen a ghost, tears drenching my eyes as I fled. I heard remonstrations, which dimmed while I desperately tried to put a distance between Henry’s mother and me.

I heard footsteps behind me but I did not stop. I kept running as fast as my legs could obey the commands of my heart. I became lost in thoughts.  It was after what seemed like hours that I realized I was half way towards the campus. I decided to go all the way, as my feet stopped running and began to walk.

It was not long after I got in to the hostel that Augusta and Henry walked into the room. They had come to entreat for forgiveness for their mother, they admitted her excessive behavior but attributed it to the love of a mother that shrieks protection. They felt their mother would come around very soon and encouraged me to endure for their sakes. My mind was in quandary. Yes, I was in fix. I was in dread of Henry’s mother yet I wanted to please both Augusta and Henry. I accepted their apologies while all form of rationality flew away from my confused mind…..