Forbidden Fruit – Episode 14

Patricia Babalola was aware that her marriage was in danger.

She did not know the exact details of the temptation her husband was facing or how far he had had already dishonoured the sanctity of his marriage vows. She had no inkling about what Anita Bankole was up to; her reasons for concern were two other things.

First, was her own fault in the matter. She knew she had been keeping her husband at arm’s length for a few months. Even though she tried her best to soften her rigid stance and be more affectionate to Jide, every time he came close to her, she felt herself stiffen and pull away emotionally and physically. She just couldn’t help her reaction to his nearness. The underlying issue was something she could not just shake off and even though she ended each day vowing she would talk to her husband about what was really plaguing her mind, she woke up each day and realized it was easier said than done.

It would take a miracle to open up to Jide and she was still waiting for that divine intervention. Increasing her prayers and attending church more fervently had done nothing to help the situation. She could not bring up her problems with anyone outside her home; and the only person in her home was her husband, who she just could not bring herself to dialogue with. Patricia knew she was pushing Jide away, she also knew how to save her marriage. What she did not know was how to find the strength to actually talk to her husband.

And it had caused the second point of her concern. Even though she and Jide had been in a few quarrels over the past months, only one had really stuck in her mind and it gnawed at her, chewing a hole into her heart every time she thought about it.

She was convinced her husband was planning to cheat on her.

While she was not necessarily wrong, ironically, Patricia’s radar had led her to the wrong person. Stressed by the shaky situation her marriage had found itself, she had given in to paranoia and had zeroed in on the wrong suspect- the new secretary, Florence Iheanacho.

Her encounter with the secretary at her husband’s office had made her suspicious and going over the incident, her suspicions deepened. Why had the young lady walked up to them and tried to offer her wares for sale at that moment? Was she just trying to get Jide’s attention? And looking back on it, Patricia was convinced that Felicia had not tripped; she had deliberately poured the contents of the bucket on Jide.

Add to that the fact that Jide and the secretary seemed to be on a first name basis, as well as his recent habit of coming home late, and there was only one conclusion to reach.

Patricia Babalola was aware that her marriage was in danger.

She did not know the exact details of the temptation her husband was facing or how far he had had already dishonoured the sanctity of his marriage vows. She had no inkling about what Anita Bankole was up to; her reasons for concern were two other things.

First, was her own fault in the matter. She knew she had been keeping her husband at arm’s length for a few months. Even though she tried her best to soften her rigid stance and be more affectionate to Jide, every time he came close to her, she felt herself stiffen and pull away emotionally and physically. She just couldn’t help her reaction to his nearness. The underlying issue was something she could not just shake off and even though she ended each day vowing she would talk to her husband about what was really plaguing her mind, she woke up each day and realized it was easier said than done.

It would take a miracle to open up to Jide and she was still waiting for that divine intervention. Increasing her prayers and attending church more fervently had done nothing to help the situation. She could not bring up her problems with anyone outside her home; and the only person in her home was her husband, who she just could not bring herself to dialogue with. Patricia knew she was pushing Jide away, she also knew how to save her marriage. What she did not know was how to find the strength to actually talk to her husband.

And it had caused the second point of her concern. Even though she and Jide had been in a few quarrels over the past months, only one had really stuck in her mind and it gnawed at her, chewing a hole into her heart every time she thought about it.

She was convinced her husband was planning to cheat on her.

While she was not necessarily wrong, ironically, Patricia’s radar had led her to the wrong person. Stressed by the shaky situation her marriage had found itself, she had given in to paranoia and had zeroed in on the wrong suspect- the new secretary, Florence Iheanacho.

Her encounter with the secretary at her husband’s office had made her suspicious and going over the incident, her suspicions deepened. Why had the young lady walked up to them and tried to offer her wares for sale at that moment? Was she just trying to get Jide’s attention? And looking back on it, Patricia was convinced that Felicia had not tripped; she had deliberately poured the contents of the bucket on Jide.

Add to that the fact that Jide and the secretary seemed to be on a first name basis, as well as his recent habit of coming home late, and there was only one conclusion to reach.