Chapter 9: The Sting

I told Morayo I’d be away for about a week. But I just booked hotel and watched her every move from my phone.

I lie for bed, lights off, screen bright, dey watch all the hidden cameras. The house quiet, but my blood dey boil as I dey wait for evidence.

Even though I was ready for anything, seeing Auwalu show up in my house the very day I left, I still smash cup in anger.

My hand dey shake, cup for hotel room scatter for tile. I for shout if no be say na public place I dey.

Morayo threw herself on Auwalu, arms round his neck, kissing him first.

The way she jump, smile full her face—different from the cold woman I know. Na new Morayo I dey see.

Auwalu dodge. “He really no dey house?”

He dey look around, voice low, like person wey dey fear neighbour.

“No, he travel for the week. Say na one annual event.”

She lock door, dey smile, voice soft.

“Good. At least you no go cook up another business trip lie.”

Auwalu drop briefcase, remove tie, face relaxed. He dey laugh small, as if na him house.

Then Auwalu pushed her hand away. “You dey rush. Kunle no dey satisfy you?”

His voice playful, but I fit hear small jealousy inside.

Morayo pouted. “What are you saying? Since I started with you, I never let him touch me. You still dey doubt me?”

Her face soft, she dey hug him. Na me she dey talk about like I be stranger for her life.

Auwalu smiled. “No rush. Since Kunle no dey, we get plenty time. I go satisfy you, my person.”

His voice dey deep, as if na promise.

Morayo finally smiled. “Fine, but next time for my appraisal, I must get A.”

She dey laugh, poke his chest. She dey play like small girl, the same woman wey dey act like soldier for my house.

“No wahala. Year-end project bonus, I go give you biggest share.”

He kiss her forehead, as if na wife she be. My chest dey pain me.

The two of them just dey act like couple, whispering, hugging. I swallowed my shame and saved the videos. I recorded not just their fake domestic life, but all their dirty scenes too.

I dey save file, label am with date. My hand dey shake, but my mind dey clear—e go serve as evidence.

Who would believe—the same Morayo that treated me like stranger, hated my touch, would lower herself like this for Auwalu, no shame. And Auwalu, like king, enjoying her service.

For my own bed, the two of them dey roll like honeymooners. I no fit even breathe as I watch.

This is the wife I cherished. This is my friend I trusted.

Na my heart dem break, na my pride dem scatter.

After a week, I came back to that dirty house. Even after Auwalu left, and Morayo cleaned everywhere, I still felt the house stink.

The air thick, as if ghost dey inside. I for spray air freshener, but I know say na my own pain dey smell.

I couldn’t stay. I packed and left.

I waka go my brother house for Kado, no explanation. I just say, 'I wan cool mind.'

Later, I bought some random gifts from a local shop and arranged to meet Auwalu.

I pick up small Ankara, bottle of palmwine, just dey form innocent.