Anita’s Diary…The Truth Is Bitter! (2)

0
1921

I turned to look directly into his eyes, the man was starting to pressure me too much.

“MD, I can’t tell you anything now, this matter is not as simple and as straight forward as you think,” I told him. Even as I tried to hide it, there was apparent disgust in my voice.

“See, it’s my life and that of my son we’re talking about here. Let me even ask you; have you spoken to your wife about this?”

From the moment I asked the question, I could tell that MD didn’t find it the least amusing. He knows that I know how much he fears and respects his wife, regardless of the fact that he is very wealthy. His wealthy status does not seem to cut any ice with his wife and that is because she had known and got engaged to MD long before he became the successful man he is today. Another reason MD fears his wife and tried very hard to avoid getting into any form of argument with her is because she hasn’t given him a child after several years of marriage. It makes her get angry and confrontational whenever issues relating to infidelity comes up between them.

“What do you mean by that?”  MD fired angrily at me, his eyes red with rage. He could’ve given me a slap that very moment if it wasn’t for the fact that he could restrain himself from doing so.

“Are you saying I have no right to bring my son and her mother into my house unless I ask for permission from my wife? Is that what you’re saying?”

I smiled coldly as I shook my head. He knew exactly what I meant, he was only trying to play dumb with me.

“MD, you know quite well, what I am talking about,” I returned quietly and calmly.

“Aunty Lizzy is your wife and whether you like it or not, you must seek her consent before taking such a very important step. She is the woman of the house. She is the woman who built that house with you from the very scratch, it will be very wrong of you to bring a woman and her son into her house without her permission, whether you like it or not!”

I let you those words with so much anger in me. The words came out with bitterness.  And I know that, from the look on his face, MD would certainly not find any of what I said pleasant. But the truth of the matter is that I didn’t give a damn how he felt. All that mattered to me was how I felt.

“Anita, I take exception to the tone with which you just spoke to me. I don’t like it all when you speak to me in that manner, and I want you to caution yourself when speaking to me,” MD growled at me, his voice heavy and laced with suppressed fury. I did not say a word, I kept quiet. He was obviously expecting to say I was sorry but that was the last thing I had on my mind at that time. Still, he remained quiet and I was quiet too. And when it seemed he wanted to continue with his response to my outburst, I decided to prod him on.

“I have heard you, MD, you have made your point. I won’t speak to you with that tone again, so, please, continue, you haven’t finished what you wanted to say. I said it would be wrong of you to bring another woman and her son into Aunt Lizzy’s house without her permission, whether you like it or not!”

And again, I could see his face contorted into a mask of anger. I’d said exactly the same words that got him infuriated in the first place.

“Honestly, Anita, I don’t get you at all! He’d shot at me.

“You’re making it sound like I am a man who has no say in his own house. One would think that it’s my wife that feeds me and controls me in my own house. You just called my house her house now, let me ask you, where did you get the information that the house belongs to her?”

I flashed him a wry smile. “I’m sorry, MD, but you’re the one who doesn’t seem to be getting any of this. Isn’t it a common fact that the woman in the house owns the house because she’s the one that basically runs the house and keeps it together? Every responsible man must discuss with his wife on decisions that affect the home.  I’m sure you don’t want to be an exception to the rule. Or, are you telling me now that if you bring me and my son into your house, all we’ll get from your wife will be a pat on the back? Can you guarantee that trouble will not erupt in your house once we step in?

To be continued….