Chapter 5: Stewed Pear and Suspicion

E carry me go inside sharp sharp, sit me down for chair, bring white ceramic bowl.

The pear inside white and soft, the smell sweet.

But I still catch small, small fishy scent.

Na the smell of cold worm juju.

I almost drop the bowl, but I steady hand, eyes strong. If enemy wan attack, no be to show fear.

"Ngozi, drink am while e still hot."

"Na Mama Sade for next compound teach me. I no know if you go like am."

As Ifedayo dey look me with hope and small fear, I carry bowl, drink one big sip.

"E sweet—smell good, taste good."

Ifedayo dey look the half bowl wey remain, him face come change, e sharply carry am.

"E cold small?"

"Make I go warm am for you."

E rush enter kitchen, him tall body dey shake like person wey dey hide something.

I dey watch am from back, the way e dey glance over shoulder—my spirit dey shout for inside.

Ifedayo dey get two days rest every ten days for university.

But this time, e stay for house three days.

And for three days, na stewed pear soup I dey drink.

My stomach begin roll. I dey remember all mama story about food wey dey change woman body. My hand dey my belly, I dey pray make my chi no sleep. Chineke, biko, hold my hand.

Before e comot, Ifedayo rub my face, sigh small:

"Ngozi, I dey go write exam."

"Abeg, wait for me, make I bring better news."

"When I pass, you go be scholar wife."

I just nod, lean for gate, dey watch as e dey waka go, dey look back every step.

Those three days, I no sleep at all.

I no fit understand—why Ifedayo go do this kind thing?

Until after half month, one big, fine jeep stop for my door.

One young woman, dress fine, with maid, dey look me with cold eye.

"So na you be my husband side woman, Ngozi?"

I look am, confuse.

"Who be your husband?"

The woman hiss, release her maid, pinch my chin.

"You still dey form?"

"My husband na the third son for Ife family—Ifedayo."

My knees weak, but I stand. For this life, shame no dey kill juju woman. My mind dey prepare for battle, even if na only prayer remain for me.

I watch him shadow long for the compound, and my heart dey whisper, "Who really dey live with me for this house?"