OTHERSIDE OF LIFE

 The Otherside Of Life

    Episode One

  There is a always a saying that says "No condition is permanent" well I believe in this we all have what we are going through in this life.

  Everyone passing by on the street has what he or she is going through we all just pretend to people that everything is fine and okay but deep down we are going through fire.

  Life hasn't treated me so well as people say I am always going from fry pan to fire hmmmm this is not easy for me even up till now that I am married.

  Let me quickly take you on a journey to my past and see what I am talking about.

     

   Fifteen years ago, I was still in secondary school I was in Jss 1 while my brother was in Jss 3 we both attend the same secondary school a public school to be precise due to the situation of the family and country my parents couldn't afford the high fee of private school.

  My brother and I were constantly chased home for owing school fee to the extent our names is the first name on the school debt list. The students already know us, whenever we are going home they always mock us and insult us especially me my brother will try to put a fight with them for insulting me but at the end of the day he was the one that always get punished by the teachers, why?

   He couldn't express himself in English language fluently he could only speak pigin English which we normally call (Broken English) here in Nigeria. Due to that the student always manipulate the whole matter.

  I was trying a little in speaking English language but there was always flaws in my sentence and I ended up being laughed at.

  We went to the market to meet our mother where she sells some provision in a small container. When she saw us her countenance changed knowing why we are here.

  "Why are your school like this can't they even spare just one day not to chase you out of the school?" She asked in our dialect which is Yoruba.

  "They can't because we are the one owing them the much in the school!!" My brother reply and we went in and brought out a tray and a box and load it with some goods and went to start hawking.

   This has become our routine almost everyday (what am I even saying it is everyday). I was hawking sugar, groundnuts, and kulikuli while my brother hawk buns and egg roll.

  It wasn't easy for us at all everyday we went in the scorching sun and start selling to people sometimes we often patronise them to buy just to make sure we do not go home empty-handed and sometimes we end up selling nothing.

  My father is a driver though he didn't have a cab of his own he simply go to the car pack after signing some agreement with the chairman of the car pack to be remitting some certain amount everyday he will take the car or bus and start using it for transport.

  But recently he had an accident with the car which almost took his life but luckily he survived it when the chairman heard about it he was furious and collected the car from my father which left him jobless.

  So my mother has been the one financing the house with the little she make from her shop but one evening a calamity befell us....

The Otherside Of Life

   Episode 2

COPIED*

  So my mother has been the one financing the house with the little she make from her shop but one evening a calamity befell us

**********

  The landlord kick us out of the house my mother wasn't around during that time she was still in the market but my brother and i have come home earlier to prepare the food we are going to eat that evening.

  My brother and I were in the backyard when we heard the voice of the landlord and our father we left what we are doing and went inside to check what is going but when we got to the corridor the landlord had thrown our properties out.

  We were startled seeing our father on his knees begging with tears but the landlord had made up his mind.

  "You people can't ruin my life imagine three years house rent you refuse to pay and you call yourself a man of the house you can't even finance your family it is your wife that has been taking your responsibility now you sit at home like a woman!! Today is today you must go!!" He yelled at my father.

   -written by Nifemi Oluwasogo-

  "Oga landlord please I am begging you just give us a little time and we will pay the rent you know I had an accident recently please Oga landlord!!" My father pleaded.

  "So!! I mean so!!? How does that concern me? You have accident why don't you die!!!?"

  "Aaaaaaah!!" We exclaimed immediately my brother and I went on our knees and start begging the landlord.

  "See if you beg me from now till next year I won't allow you to stay in this house again you must go by fire by force!!" He said but he didn't listen to us he went in and continue throwing our properties out when he finally did he locked the door and went out of the house.

  My brother and I were crying profusely as our father begin to console us not quite long our mother return she was holding a nylon with some quantity in it when she saw us on the ground crying she drop the nylon immediately and ran to us in confusion.

  "What happened dear!!? Why is our stuff outside what happened?" She asked

  "The landlord already kick us out of the house " my father said but as my mother heard it she grip her chest in pain and before I know what really happened she was on the ground. My father sprang up on his feet though he was limping he carried my mother and we rush her to the hospital down the street.

  The nurses on duty attend to us with immediate alacrity seeing the way we barge into the hospital they took my mother into one of the wards while we wait in the reception moving to and fro in anxiety. 

   After some minute, a doctor came out from the ward the nurses took my mother into he was looking so worried he came to us instantly.

  "Sir is that woman your wife?" He asked

  "Yes she's my wife!!" My father replied him

  "Ok that's fine see your wife is in a very critical condition right now i won't lie to you she had a heart attack, right now you need to quickly look for 150 thousand to start her treatment but you can still deposit 75 thousand for a start" the doctor said and left.

  It was as if I was dreaming 150 thousand by this time of the night I sat on the chair there thinking about where we can get the money.

  My father was deep in thought he shook his head continuously in pain he had his hand on his waist in an akimbo. He stared at the clock hanged on the wall it is 7:30pm.

  "No problem!!" He said to himself "Let me quickly go and meet some of my friends I will be back as soon as I get the money. Don't leave this place!!" He said to my brother and dash out of the hospital.

  I brought my handkerchief from my pocket and spread it on my head and began to pray for my mother and my father my brother was also praying where he was standing. I prayed and prayed till I got tired and slept off on the chair.

  When I would finally wake up it was 11:00pm I turn to the right and saw my brother he was still standing in the same spot he was.

  "Is dad back?" I asked

  "No not yet!!" He said staring at the entrance of the hospital door. The doctor came out of his office yarning he took a quick look at his wristwatch and look at us

  "Is your dad not yet back?" He asked in surprise

  "Not yet sir !!" My brother said

  "It is like he don't love your mother he is not back by this time you better find a way to contact him or better still you look for him!!" He said and went to check on some of the patients in other wards.

  "What do we want to do?" I asked my brother as I stood up from the chair.

  "Let me go and check maybe he is on his way" my brother said and went out after some minute I went to check on him. He was standing by the road side looking at every car and bike that pass maybe our father is there but there was no sign of him. 

  We wait for some minute luckily our father arrived he got down from a bike at the otherside of the road seeing him was a great joy in my heart I felt relieved.

  "Daddy be fast the doctor is expecting you!!" I shouted instantly he ran across the road with the money in his hand but unfortunately he was knocked down by a fast moving car.

  "Jesus!!" I shouted and we ran to him he was bleeding from the head and also some other part I didn't noticed.

  "Take this money Gloria go and give the doctor immediately to begin the treatment for your mother" he said 

  "What about you dad?" I asked in fear 

  "Don't worry about me dear i will be fine " he said with a smile and I collected the money and ran in luckily the doctor is just coming out from my mother's ward.

  "Doctor here is the money!!" I said breathing heavily

  "I am so sorry but the money is too late we lost your mother!!"

The Otherside Of Life

  Episode 3

COPIED*

"I am so sorry but the money is too late we lost your mother!!"

******

  The money drop from my hand my legs became heavy for me i was dumbfounded the doctor walk into his office without showing any form of concern.

  "Aaaaah my mother!!!" I shouted in tears I stump my feet against the ground wallowing in pain I couldn't just take it I stood up to quickly to inform my father and brother about what happened suddenly I saw some men carrying my father and shouting for help my brother walked in his cloth were soaked in blood he was crying as he saw me.

  "Segun!! What happened?" I asked as he came closer to me he place his hand on my shoulder and shook his head

   "Dad is dead!!"

  "What!! No oooo God please don't allow this to happen please wake him up" I shouted as another river of tears gush out from my eyes. I ran to the ward where he was I shake him vigorously but he didn't move and inch. He is dead!!

  -written by Nifemi Oluwasogo-

  We lost our parents that very night we have nobody,no friends, no helper. It is just us.

  We went back to the house and explain what happened to our parent to the landlord maybe he would have mercy and allow us into the house but he didn't he chase us out like dogs.

  We pack our stuff and went to an uncompleted building and we start living there. I am just twelve years old while my brother is sixteen years.

  Our education has stopped obviously we began to go to our mother's shop to start selling the goods that remain I would stay in the shop while my brother will go around hawking. Sometimes when he got back he always found me moody.

  The pain of losing your love ones hurt so much to the marrow. The memories of that very night keep appearing in my face like it just happened. I can't just take it I wish they never leave us so fast. My heart melted each time I remember, what can I do to bring them back? Nothing!!.

  The money my father gave me that very day was actually 250 thousands and we used it to secure a small apartment in a ghetto area. We paid for three years upfront and we start living there. We bought some goods with it and also some foodstuff while we keep the rest.

  After six months of living in the ghetto my brother came to the shop one sunny afternoon he didn't hawk that very day he claim to go to somewhere very important but he didn't say anything about his whereabout.

  "Good afternoon sis" he said as he sat down on a wooden bench in front of me

  "Good afternoon bro you are welcome!!" I said and hand over a cold sachet of water to him and he gulp it down is throat.

  "So how far with where you went to?" I asked

  "Good my sister infact it is spectacular" he said with a smile

  "Really okay ooo will you now tell me where you went to?" I asked

  "Sure a friend of mine introduce me to a person who owned varieties of companies in Abuja, Ibadan and even right here in Lagos so after I met with the person today and told him my capacity he said I can resume work tomorrow" my brother said

  "Really !!"

  "Yes ooo!!"

  "Thank you God. So what job is it?" I asked

  "Driver" he said I stared at him for a seconds and then burst out in laugh

  "Sine when did you know how to drive?" I asked 

  "Since last year I have been practicing and now I am perfect" he said

  "I still don't understand you like how? Where? When?"

  "Every time I see sales hasn't been going well there's this mechanic workshop that I do go people are very plenty there and they love betting that they can perform some skills with some of the cars there so from there I learn how drive a car and also sell" he said to my shocking.

  "Really so mummy send you to go and sell buns instead you went to learn how to drive a car Abi" I teased him and we both laugh.

  "So how much is the pay?"

  "70 thousand per month" he said 

  "Are you serious 70 thousands? We are rich already!!" I jump up from my seat and start dancing.

The Otherside Of Life

   Episode 4

"Are you serious 70 thousands? We are rich already!!" I jump up from my seat and start dancing.

*********

   The following day he got dressed in a new black tuxedo I can say that is going to be the first cloth he would ever buy from a shop all the clothes we are all having some were given to us from our mother's friend and little from our father.

  Hmmm this life sha!!!

   -COPIED-

   We both left the house early and went on our ways I bade him goodbye as he took a bike to his place of work.

  I went to shop hoping to make a good sale because I just stock the shop with some bag of rice, beans, garri and some beverages. 

  An hour later, there were some noise coming from the junction I stood up from my chair to see what is happening the people were running helter skelter I was confused what is going? 

  One of the people running ran pass my shop immediately I called him

  "Uncle !!! Please what happened" I asked in panic seeing the way he was breathing heavily.

  "Armed Robbers are robbing over there and are killing everyone" he said and continue running again I was shocked 

  "Armed Robbers Jesus Christ!!!" I shouted and start packing my goods inside the goods were so many and heavy for me but I carried them instantly my brother came back from he got down from the bike with a smile on his face.

  "Gloria !!! Guess what the person I went to meet said we can come and be living with him and the best part of it he said he is ready to further our education!!" He said with joy.

  "Segun armed robbers!!" I pointed behind him but as he make a U-turn to check he was shot in the chest my heart skipped a beat when I heard the gunshot.

  "Segun!!" I shouted and ran to him he was already covered in blood "Why God why this God? This is not so good!!" I lamented as the Robbers came to me and instructed me to lie face floor on the ground and I did within a twinkling of an eye they burst into my shop and made away with every goods with nothing left.

  I can't even say this is how I am feeling I can't even think straight my brother is dead I watch him on floor there as blood were gushing out of his chest. 

  I moved closer to him in tears he's just the only person I have left "No no no God!! Aaaaaah Segun can't be dead!! But people say you don't do evil why this God!!?" I yelled as the people continue to run helter skelter. The clouds had changed to black the wind was blowing furiously as it passes across some of the shop beside me almost removing the iron sheet and suddenly it the cloud break open and pour out it content.

  I didn't leave where my brother is as the rain continue to fall heavily on both of us. I was hearing the echo of his voice in my ear, now that it is time we want to enjoy, now that we have found a helper my brother got shot by an armed robber.

  " God what kind of life is this? But they say those that put their trust in you are like mount Zion which can never be moved but abide for ever!! Why did you allow this God? I worship you with all my heart and with strength is this what you repay people that worship you? " I cried as some people came and took me away from the spot till the rain stopped.

  My brother was buried that very day I watched as he was lowered into the ground six feet deep down into the earth where no one living being lived only for the dead so my brother is dead just like that!!

  I stagger along the road as I went home, we were in the evening I was looking at everywhere hoping maybe my brother will come to meet or maybe I am probably imaging.

    I saw a lady sitting outside her house staring blankly into the empty space she was looking so sad not quite long a man got dropped from a bike he was wearing a black suit immediately the lady sprang up in joy

  "My brother welcome!!" She said and hug him and they both went inside.

  Another rivers of tears gush out of my eyes how do I want to live this world without my brother? 

  I got into the ghetto area it is always noisy as usual but despite this I couldn't hear their voices I was deep in thought I got to our apartment and discover the door was opened widely.

  "who could have opened the door?" I thought and walk inside the room on getting inside I discover all our properties is gone.

The Otherside Of Life

  Episode 5

"who could have opened the door?" I thought and walk inside the room on getting inside I discover all our properties is gone.

*******

  I was shocked at happened I ran out to ask from one of my neighbours who was sitting outside

  "Aunty please I just got inside and I discover all my properties is gone!!" I said to her

  "Some thieves burst into the house this afternoon and made away with lot of properties but they didn't burst my own apartment" she

  "Aaaaah they already burst my apartment!!" I lamented

  -COPIED-

 "Sorry dear take care" she said and went inside. I went back into the room and slept on the carpet despite how cold it is that very night.

  The following day I began to wander around looking for job till I came across a food vendor( which is known as buka in Nigeria) I began to work there and I was paid.

  I work for ten years in the buka now I have started my own business with the money I have saved. At age 22 I am the CEO of my company I have built my own house own my own car and live a luxurious life but every night I do cry myself to sleep remembering all my past memories.

  Hmmm life sha!!! Well to cut long story short I think you all understand what I was trying to say life hasn't treated me so great. Five years later I got married hoping to finally have a better life but it was also the other way around.

  Hmmmm dear reader this is the time for you to fasten your seatbelt now that I have brought you back to the present. The story is about to get more interesting.

The Otherside Of Life

  Episode 6

   I was married to Badmus Olawale I must say he is a very loving and caring man very funny and jovial he always makes me happy when we first met each other he calls me almost every hour just to check up on me and we spent times talking to each other on phone calls.

   I love him so much I never thought I can ever find a person that can ever love me like he did when I remember his voice I let out a smile. This is the man I want to spend the rest of my life with.

  During our courtship his mother will always tell me

  "My daughter if there's anything Olawale did to you that you don't like just tell and I will deal with him. He's not too big for me to put down his trousers and flog him just like I used to" she said and we both laugh.

  I might not have a family but I can't wait to start up my own family. Two years after marriage, my mother-in-law changed her behavior totally it was if this is not the woman I used to like. 

  Whenever she comes to visit I do not used to have a peace of mind she will always nag about everything I do, maybe she asked me to bring a glass of juice she will complain even if there's no fault in it.

  One day I decided to open up to her 

  "Mummy please if there's anything I do that you don't like can you please tell me so I can apologize or do I offend you ma  that you decided to be treating me like this?" I said to her on my knees.

  "How do I treat you!!?" She yelled at me "You mean I am treating you like a dog right!! Hmmmm if I talk now people will say mine is too much and they won't you are the one that first started it. Listen this lady you better stay on your lane while I stay in my Lane ooo" 

  "Mummy please" I said as I prostrated on the floor and hold her right leg with tears from my face "This is not you, I know I have done something that elicited this behavior please whatever it is please mummy tell me" I said she look at me with pity.

  "If you don't want me to behave like this anymore go and get pregnant!!" She said and went into her room.

  Hmmmm now I know the reason why she suddenly changed her behavior that very night when my husband return home and saw me crying he persuaded me to tell him what happened immediately I disclose what happened.

  He got angry and wanted to go and confront his mother but I stopped him instantly after much begging he oblige and didn't go again.

  I began to fast and pray my husband also joined me even if he is going to work. I have stopped working because my husband said he wants me to be a full house wife. I began to go from one mountain to another, from one church to another but I keep hearing the same thing all over and over again.

  "God has granted your request".

  That was what all the prophet and pastors I met said I was happy God had heard my cry.

   Three years later, my husband himself changed his behavior towards me because I was still unable to get pregnant we went to the hospital for check up and the doctor said we are both okay my husband was shocked

  " If we are both okay why is she unable to get pregnant!! "He said to the Doctor but the Doctor gave us some instances which I do not even understand.

  We left the hospital when we entered into the car he said

  " Mummy is coming today"

  "Aaaaah but she came last week " I exclaimed

  "So!! Is she not my mother she can visit anytime she wants or if she's bothering you go and tell your own mother to visit you also" he said and ignite the car.

   When I heard what he said tears drop from my eyes he made me remember my past. I was shedding tears till we got home I didn't say anything I wipe my tears and went inside. His mother was already sitting on the couch watching television despite what Olawale said to me I still greet his mother as if nothing has happened.

  "Good morning mummy" I said

  "What is good about the morning!!? No  answer me what is good about the morning? Are you not even ashamed of yourself? It has been five good years, five good years i repeat and you have not even get pregnant for once hadn't been I know this is how you will turnout I won't have allowed you to marry my son you this male dog!!" She yelled at me.

  I felt a stab on my heart after hearing what she said tears were flowing down my eyes I stood up and ran upstairs but within a twinkling of an eye Olawale run after me with anger he removed his belt from his trouser and whip me with it.

  "How dare you walk out on my mother like that you spoiled br@t !!! " he yelled and continue beating me with the belt.

......................

The Otherside Of Life

   Episode 7

"How dare you walk out on my mother like that you spoiled br@t !!! " he yelled and continue beating me with the belt.

********

  He beat me with anger I was crying untop of my voice his mother didn't say anything instead she continue to urge him to beat me.

  Hmmmm my husband beat me till I was bleeding from my body the belt left different mark on my skin. He left me after his anger had died down and went upstairs I was crying with pain I couldn't even stand up from where I was every part of my body ache.

  After some minute my husband came down from the stairs he was boiling in anger.

  "Hey woman I am hungry you better get up from that place now and prepare a pounded yam for me!!" He said and went to join his mother on the couch.

  "Didn't she hear what you said?" His mother said as she glance through the spot I was. I beared the pain and stood up and went to the kitchen and prepare the food.

  I didn't have the strength to pound the pounded yam very well there was lot of lump in it but I have no other choice but to serve him and his mother like that.

  I received another insult from them when they ate the food with lump in it. I can't even utter anything that very day. I was just shedding tears.

 -COPIED-

  When it was in the evening I went to get some drugs in the pharmacy down the street I had to wear some cloth that cover the mark of belt on my body.

  On getting to the pharmacy I met one of my friends during secondary school she was the only girl I do talk to then.

  "Who am I seeing Gloria? " she said in surprise

  "Amanda longest time how are you doing?" I said without showing much surprise I was feeling serious pain in my body.

  "Gloria what happened to you?" She asked when she saw a mark on my face.

  I didn't want to tell her anything because introducing a third party into the affairs of your family can ruin the family. But after series of persuasion from her I gave in. I told her everything that happened she was very shocked and surprised she felt the pain I go through.

  "If you don't mind Gloria I can take you to a place where all this your problem will be solve in a seconds" she said

  "Really but I have gone to church, mosques, and even went to mountains but...."

  "Gloria you are so naive I am not talking about that I am talking about the tradition ways" she said looking left and right.

  "What!! Amanda I can't I am a bona fide Christian I can't do that" I said shaking my head

  "See this one ooo you call yourself a Christian but look at what you have gone through see the suffering and pain you are facing but look at me look at my shop I am not a Christian nor Muslim yet my life is better than yours you better wake up my friend and free yourself from all this Christian stuff!!" She said and then hissed.

  I thought for a while about what she said, she had a point. 

  "Look Amanda I am running late give me a pain relief drug and let me be on my way I will talk to you later!!" I said and gave her the money.

  "Well at least if think about it you know where to find me!!" She said and gave me the drug but she didn't collect the money.

  I went back home in deep thought will I leave the way of the Lord and go another way never!!.

  When I got into the living room I saw a lady with a bag by her left-hand side

  "Olawale this is your new wife" I heard my mother-in-law said to my husband.

The Otherside Of Life

  Episode 8

 "Olawale this is your new wife" I heard my mother-in-law said to my husband.

*******

  I almost trip from where I was it seems I didn't hear what she just said very well.

  "Mummy what did I just hear you say!!?" I asked 

  "What did you hear!!" She said and hissed "This is Olawale's new wife a wife that will bear him children not like you barren woman that can't even get pregnant for once!!" She said my eyes had changed to red I was boiling in anger and at the same time I was shedding tears.

  "Olawale what are you going to say to this?" I said to him

 "What did you expect me to say!!? Since you haven't bear any child what you were you expecting you are the cause all this Gloria!!" He said and went in angrily.

  "See my wife this is your house now sit down"

  "If you dare sit down there I swear you will regret it!!" I yelled at her "This is not your house this is my house this my home now listen before I count to three you better pack all those rags that you call bag and get out of my house!!" I said with anger.

  "You can't do anything my wife sit down jare in fact if she dare you beat her let her know you are the boss here " my mother-in-law said and went to the kitchen.

  "Madam you better calm down I respect so much because you are my senior wife if not I know what I would have done to you" she said and hissed.

  "Which senior wife are you talking about this lady I am warning you!! If you don't trouble you better take your leave now!!" I yelled at her again

  "Senior wife what happened!!? What is your problem? I am respecting you but it seems as if you don't want to respect yourself let me tell you something look at me from head to toe I am not okay ooooh!!! If you try me you are one that is going to see trouble!!" She yell back at me.

  "See me see Wahala I can see you very crazy" I said

  "Aaaaaaah me crazy!!!" She shouted and suddenly remove her wig from her head "You see that crazy I will show you today" she said and remove a pen knife from her pocket and started chasing around the living room.

  My mother-in-law came when she heard the way I was screaming the lady was about cutting my throat when she came out.

   "Aaaaaah Ajoke what are you doing!!?" She said is surprised

  "Don't be annoyed jare mama I need to teach this lady a lesson!!" She said

  "Aaaaah Ajoke please don't do that please just give that knife please I beg you in the name of God you know I wanted to help your life please don't do this just give the knife" she said and collected the knife from her.

  "God save you today next time if you try what you did today you will see what will happen" she said and went back to sit on the couch.

  My husband was standing at the staircase he witnessed everything that happened I stood with tears and ran into the room after some minute he came into the room and sat on the bed.

  "Olawale is this how you are going to treat me after all what I told you I have been through in life. So you are going to marry another woman I am sure you witnessed what just happened." I said with tears but he didn't say anything.

  "I am probably trying all my best to get pregnant but I am not God that produces child"

  "You are not trying enough!!" He said and went out. 

The Otherside Of Life

   Episode 9

"You are not trying enough!!" He said and went out. 

******,

I broke down in pain what do I want to do at least I am not God that produces child. Is there anything that people are doing that God is answering them that I haven't done.

  "Why am I facing all this I am always going from fry pan to fire!! God why this?" I said as I continue crying.

  The so called Ajoke was the one who prepared the dinner in the evening and my husband ate it. I was depressed because my husband is beginning to like her. He even slept in her room and while I saw left all alone in our matrimonial bed wallowing.

  Hmmmmm there's no doubt that he would have slept with that dirty girl but will I open my eyes and let this girl take over my husband? God forbid I will deal with her.

  The following day, I make sure I woke up as early as possible to prepare breakfast for my husband after I finished cooking I set up the table for him and went back upstairs. On a daily basis if am cooking he would have come to the dinning table but now that he has slept in that lady's room I didn't even see him, one my way I saw him already dressed for work he walk pass me without saying a word I greeted him but he didn't answer me.

  -COPIED-

  Ajoke came out of her room she had a towel tired round her body and she was holding some used dishes in her hand she hissed and then went to the kitchen, tears welled up in my eyes my blood began to boil I ran into the room.

  "This girl is about to take over my house!!" I said "Despite all my efforts so she had already prepare a food for my husband I am sure she must have used charm for him" I said immediately Amanda's name came to my mind. 

  I got dressed and went to her shop she had lot of customers trooping in and out of her shop every minute. Immediately she sighted me she called me into her office and offer me a glass of juice.

  "Good morning Amanda" I greeted her

  "Good morning to you too Gloria it is so good to see you!!" She said with a smile

  "See Amanda there's fire on the mountain!!" I said instantly the smile on her face disappeared she drew her chair closer to her desk to pay more attention to me.

  "What happened!!?" She asked and I explained everything to her she was shocked she couldn't even hide it.

  "Let me tell you something Gloria that lady is using charm for your husband she is ready to push you out of your house if you are not careful" she said

  "I thought as much she is using charm!! But what do I want to do now?" I asked

  "Well I don't know if you will follow me to a place?" She said 

  "See Amanda I don't care anywhere you take me to I have had enough of this suffering all my life!!" I said

  "Now you are talking baby girl if you don't mind let us go now because an adage says Delay is dangerous" she said and I agreed she told one of her workers to take care of the shop and we left her shop immediately she was having her own car luxuis 350 and she drove off.

  After some minute drive, we arrived at a house it was located at the outskirt of the city it was just the only house there the surroundings were full of bushes and at the back is a large river.

  The building was small from the outside but on getting inside it was very large the whole place was quiet there was no sign of anyone living in it.

  We sat on the couch staring at nothing in particular nothing looks abnormal or odd in the room except a old tradition lamp that was on the table and was burning gently.

  Suddenly a voice came from the walls of the room it sounded so terrifying and loud like an incantation I was so sacred instantly two lamps appeared beside the one that was on the table and a man in a Yoruba attire appeared laughing hysterically.

  "Don't be sacred!!" He said to me and sat on the couch facing the three lamps "This is an August visitor I received today Amanda so you finally remember me!!" He said 

  "No Baba it is work you understand based on the last work you did for me it works perfectly" Amanda said with a smile

  "Sure it must work me Adifala !!" He boast hitting his chest and later turn to me.

  "Look at me young lady if you want to send that lady out of your husband's house just go and get her full name you see that Ajoke she said she bearing it is not her real name go and find a means to get her full name and you will see what I will do!!" He said I was surprised how he figure that out without even explaining anything to him.

The Otherside Of Life

   Episode 10

  "Listen carefully about your barren issue I will make a concoction for you which you will eat for seven days after that make sure you sleep with your husband on the seventh day trust me you will become pregnant" He said I was happy 

  "Just like that" I said

  "Yes you can ask from Amanda what I am made of!!" He said

  "That's true Gloria whatever he says is legit and genuine don't doubt it" Amanda said to me. "Baba we will be on our way now but please help us to manage this" Amanda said handing over two bundles of 100K to him.

  "Thank you so much" he said collecting the money.

  We left the place and went back to the city Amanda drop me off at the junction while she went to her shop. On my way back home I was thinking about what Adifala said just like that I will become pregnant after how many years?

  I was overwhelmed with joy I was just smiling at myself I was the happiest person on earth a lady called me I didn't even noticed when I walk pass her. I turn back at her she was wearing a white garment cloth with a Bible in her hand.

  "Good morning ma" she greeted me and I reply her " a spirit is telling me right now that you are about to drift from your faith. Ma it would be better if you endure because your faith is being trialed and the answer to your prayers is right in front of you. Peace be unto you" she said and went on her way. 

-COPIED-

  I took a long stare at her as she left is this woman in her right senses? I thought in my mind so my faith is being trialed for the past five years so I should endure so that that lady can chase me out of my matrimonial home (my sister dey play).

  "It is this same thing i have been hearing i have endure enough. Endure my foot!!" I said and hissed and went home.

  Ajoke and my mother-in-law were both in the living room watching television when they saw me enter they both hissed and continue watching their movie.

  I did not even care if they hiss from now to tomorrow my priority now is to know Ajoke's real name I went into the kitchen and have a cup of cold water.

  After ruminating on what do an idea popped up on my head "I must fool them" I said and then smile I place my hand on my Tommy I can't wait to have my own child just seven days that's a week I too will be called Mummy and not Gloria anymore.

  I came out of the kitchen and sat with them in the living room though they were suspicious about it.

  "Mummy please I want to talk to you!!" I said feigning a calm voice.

  "What is it again this woman can't I watch movie in peace in this house!!" She yelled

  "Mummy I want to tell you I have accept Ajoke as the second wife in this house" I said and put more action to it so I started shedding crocodile tears.

  They were both shocked and surprised Ajoke stared at me in disbelief is this woman sure of what she's saying? I am sure that's what she's thinking in her mind.

  "I understand the reason why you bring her here it is because you are getting old and you want to carry your grandchildren. Well mummy I have accepted my faith but I believe maybe if she gave birth I too might find favour in the sight of God and finally get pregnant" I said as I increase the rate at which the tears were dropping from my eyes.

  "Ajoke I have accepted you as the second wife because I have vowed to always make my mother-in-law happy no matter what feel free now" I said to her.

  "Can you see what I am talking about  Ajoke? " my mother-in-law said to Ajoke "Gloria is a very God fearing lady see what she just said now I am happy now that you understand the reason why I have brought her here. As you make me happy Gloria God will make you happy!!" She said

  "Amen ma!!" 

  "What are you still waiting for Ajoke go and hug your senior wife!!" She said and she stood up from her seat with smile and came to hug me.

  When my husband came back he was surprised when he saw us playing together he just stood at the entrance confused.

  He didn't believe when his mother told him what I said not until in the night when he wanted to sleep in my room and I told him to sleep in Ajoke's room so that she won't feel lonely. He hug me with passion

 " I am sorry for what I have done " he said and went out. I finally slept off within some minute and I have a dream I saw my parents.

  To be continued.

.................................

The Otherside Of Life

  Episode 11

I finally slept off within some minute and I have a dream I saw my parents.

*******

 They were dressed in the same cloth they wore when they died I ran to them to hug them but my hand went through them I couldn't touch them.

  Dad's cloth was having bloodstains so also is Segun the incident that took place years ago keep refreshing in my memories.

  Life without parents or family is useless nothing can be substituted for them.

  My mother smiled at me as tears gush out of my eyes.

  "I miss you so much!!" I said

  "Gloria we miss you too" she said her voice was the same it has been years since I heard her voice and now that she talked it was if she's never dead.

  " Gloria my daughter we are aware of your suffering ever since our departure despite the beating, the pain you have gone through you still stood by what we taught you. You endure and that's what matters but after all your endurance for years you want to give up just like that" she said.

  "You are just like a labourer that was helping a builder to take blocks in the building of a house for hours under the scorching sun and suddenly another labourer came and was taking blocks for the same builder instead of the labourer to finished the work and get paid the labourer flare up in anger and went to another site not knowing that he would have to start from the beginning again under the same scorching sun" my dad said

  " Don't deviate from your faith every believer are always trialed and tested this is your time you just have a little time left Gloria " Segun said.

  I couldn't hold back my tears anymore as I sprang up from the dream my eyes had become red I was crying from the dream to reality " For how long will I continue to endure this? I said to myself "It has been five good years and i am yet to get pregnant!!" 

  My heart melted me that I thought in the next seven days I will finally become pregnant and have own child, I was weak the joy I had vanished like a smoke with no traces. I wept till it was 5am in the morning my face had swollen.

  A message popped up on my phone it was from Amanda "It will be better after knowing her real name we should tell Baba to kill her" That was the message.

   My door cracked open I raise my head to check who it was to my surprise it was Ajoke she came in and sat on the bed with me she was shocked to see me crying.

  "What happened why are you crying!!?" She asked

  "Nothing" I said and wipe my faces with my palm.

  "Madam Gloria something is wrong with you I am not a child something is bothering you, you can tell me!!" She said

  "Why won't I bother it being five years since Olawale and I got married and I haven't gotten pregnant for once I have been to different places but they all keep saying God has answered my prayers yet no sign of pregnancy " I said as another tears gush out of my eyes "If you get pregnant there's no doubt Olawale will kick me out of the house" 

  "I understand your pain but I want to assure you this your cry will turn to joy very soon" she said and went out.

  When it was 8am she came back into my room I was sitting in the same spot she left me I have received thousands of calls and messages from Amanda but ignore them.

  "Madam Gloria you are still here oya go inside and refreshen up we are going out!!" She said and drag me up I was just surprised is this not the same lady that wanted to cut my throat the other day.

   After I finished bathing I got dressed up and we both went to her only God knows it wasn't that far unlike that of Amanda's. To my surprise It was a celestial church.

The Otherside Of Life

   Episode 12

 After I finished bathing I got dressed up and we both went to her only God knows it wasn't that far unlike that of Amanda's. To my surprise It was a celestial church.

********

 I couldn't believe my eyes why would she bring me here I have been to hundreds of this type of church yet there's no result.

  We got down from the car and went inside the church there were some prayer warriors at a corner of the church praying for a sick woman. Ajoke beacon on a person praying at the choir seat and he came to us.

  "Please we are here to see the prophet" she said

  "The prophet is not around now but i can attend to you also" he said

  "Really!!?"

  "Yes" he said and offer us a seat. "Madam I can see you are here on a issue of childlessness right?"

  "Ye..yes!!" I stammer in surprise

  "The spirit of God is telling me right now, madam can you fast for seven days?"he said to me

  " Yes I can fast" I reply

  "Madam you will fast for seven days and you will break every 6pm with fruit only you will pray a particular prayer points that God should surprise you with child just as He surprise Sarah with Isaac He should surprise you with child. Madam listen carefully you must pray this prayer point wholeheartedly by the special Grace of God He will surprise you beyond your imagination" he said and stood up in a jiffy " let us pray!!".

   When we went back home I was just deep in thought the Baba Amanda and I went to meet said in a week I would get pregnant so also is this prophet but the only difference between the two is that one is the way of the Lord while the other is not.

 I started the fasting the following day I prayed wholeheartedly during those time Amanda has been disturbing with calls but I keep ignoring it. 

  Three weeks later I was vomiting i even thought it was the symptoms of malaria but when I went to conduct a test in the hospital the Doctor told me I am three weeks gone I turn around on my seat maybe he was talking to another person but he wasn't I jump in jubilation my husband was very happy when he heard he treated me like a queen till we got home.

  I can't wait to break the news to both my mother-in-law and Ajoke I was really happy like really really happy after how many years the Lord is good. When I told my mother-in-law she began to dance for a while

  "I knew it I know you will still give birth I never lost my faith" she said and we both laughed Ajoke came out of the kitchen with a smile she must have heard what I heard when I saw her I ran and hug her passionately if not for her I will still be childless.

  Hmmmm to cut long story short after nine months I finally put to bed and guess what I gave birth to a triplet I couldn't hold my tears God is wonderful.

  For the past five years even if I gave birth then I wouldn't have gave birth to three children but here I am now with three bouncing babies in my very own hand.

  I can't even forget the way my mother-in-law reacted when she saw my three babies she turn to my husband with a smile.

  "I will back the three of them!!" She said. I look into the eyes of my husband he smiled at me.

  We were discharge from the hospital when we got home we couldn't find Ajoke anywhere I went to check her room but her luggages were all gone she had pack out the only thing I found was just a note that says

  "Congratulations to you madam Gloria but my work here is done"

  I was really sad but there was nothing I could do Ajoke was like an angel to me. She is my destiny helper.

  Hmmm dear reader despite all what happened to me I learnt a very valuable lesson no matter what we are going we must be patient, hadn't been I have followed what Amanda said there's probability I won't get pregnant.

   Sometimes what we are going through might be that our faith is being tested just like what happened to me and also like unto job in the Bible.

  A little patient is what really matters it might be when you wanted to drift from the part of God that's when God wanted to answer you.

  Hmmmm my story may not have a good beginning but through my endurance it had a good ending.