12/12/2025
MY OTHER HALF
(....until we met)
By, OYETUNMBI ZULAYKHO GBEMISOLA
ZULAYKHOOFGREATTHINGS.
A lengthy chapter.
CHAPTER ONE.
"AbdulRahman! AbdulRahman!!"
AbdulRahman, who just woke up by the loud voice of his mother, rubbed his hands on his face and yawned.
"AbdulRahman, I know you are in that room, and you can hear me. Why did you sneak into my house last night and leave your wife all alone in that big house? What's wrong with you for God's sake? I'm tired o. Oré eti sumi." His mother nagged loudly. She was really annoyed. It was a great shock for her when she saw Zeenat calls early this morning that her husband didn't come home last night. She was terrified. She has been trying AbdulRahman's number, too, not until their maid told her AbdulRahman came home last night.
"He came here, and you allowed him without letting me know? What audacity is that, Rofiyah?! How dare you!" She spatted angrily at her and left to see Ridwan in the guest room. She was surprised that AbdulRahman would come here even after two years of her marriage with Zeenat.
"What's wrong with this, Boy? Marrying early doesn't mean he should be treating his wife like this? It's unfair. How does he expect the poor girl to feel if he's been this way? They are both young. They should be able to manage this well on their own." She'll always lament whenever AbdulRahman comes home complaining about Zeenat.
"Mummy! Good morning...." He replied with a smiling face. He knows he should be expecting a bombshell from his mother, but it's still better to his wife, Zeenat.
"Don't Mummy me,Abdul Rahman! Why are you here again? I'm tired of all this. What's it this time? Why did you leave your wife alone and come here? You know Alhaji must not hear this."
His mother said with anger.
He smiles at the thought of Alhaji, his father.
His father married three wives whose mother happened to be the second. Alhaji lives with the youngest wife while the two wives stayed in their own apartment, and Alhaji do comes to visit them once in a while. Alhaji was the reason why Rahman married early. Zeenat was betrothed to him after he's done with his NYSC. It was a pain in his neck as he had to obey his father and married Zeenat. The love between the two didn't grow at all since their marriage, and one could say there was no love at all.
"Mom...I see peace here. You don't know how exhausting my life had been with that girl, right? She can't do anything right! She can't cook. She can't even tidy the house...our room is always a mess, Mom. Everywhere smells! I can't survive with her. I'll rather come here than stay in that house with her. I shouldn't have married her in the first place. It was...you and Alhaji. You brought me into this mess." Rahman lamented angrily as he sat on the Sofa.
His mother sighed and sat close to him.
"I know it's hard, but you can't still abandon her because she can't do all those things. She's your wife. I know you can do all these, right? Why can't you take your time in teaching her all those? She might actually not know how to do those? She's...just nineteen."
"So? Nineteen! And she can't wash clothes. Why do you bring me into this mess if she's already a mess herself. Just because she comes from a right family doesn't guarantee our happiness, Mom! I'm tired."
" My beloved son...Dakun. I know you are. In fact, I know you are not like this. It's tiring enough for you to start misbehaving, but please.....she's still your wife. Regardless, you shouldn't abandon her and come here. Do you know how she'll feel? She loves you. Everyone knows Zeenat loves you right from childhood, and it's just the best thing you both get married, and that's what we did as a parent...for you both." His mother added.
AbdulRahman stared at his mother and chuckled, "Not for me, Mom. You did it for yourself."
"Okay. But sha Ma binu. You should go home...."
"I'm not going into that house, Mom! Did you know the last time I ate good food? Like real food? I'm tired of Junks! I can't eat ordered food again. I...need something good. The last time I insisted she cooked, I woke up to meet myself in the hospital.. Just because I didn't say all this to you, you think I enjoyed this marriage so much? I'm tired! I can't continue...."
AbdulRahman added firmly.
His mother shook her head with confusion.
She knows her son better. She knows when things are getting difficult for him to maintain or continue with.
"So... Do you want a divorce?"
"Of course! Do you read minds, mom? God. You are too good."
He said with a more brightening face. He felt his mother just know how exactly he felt.
"Shut that mouth of yours! You are just twenty-one, Rahman? And you want a divorce at this age? What do you want people to say about you? It can't be rosy all the time. Do you think I don't want to take that decision too when you are nine, but do you realize what makes me stop? My trust in God. I prayed, fasted for many months... before everything becomes better. Even to date, you and your sisters know what I'm facing, but I am still patient because I know I'll have it all in the end. Everyone have one or two things they are facing in their marriage. You have to be patient, Rahman. How about getting a maid? That....
"Mom? Maid! No.. no. never. "AbdulRahman interrupted with Anger.
"Okay... then you endure. If you can't, then endure as much as you can. You are a man."
"And a man needs to suffer? Oh, please. That's out of it, Mom. A well trained girl should be able to do all that from his parents' house. That girl is not trained at all. She lacks...
"Stop that, Rahman. Kai....!"
"Óda, I've heard you. But I'm only going home if you cook something good for me, and not only that o, I'm going home with stew as well." He said, and his mother laughs.
"Rahmaniiii!"
"Mummyyy!!"
They both laughed.
Luckily, his mother had some stew left in the pot, which she just prepared yesterday. She went to prepare Amala with ewedu and stew for his son while AbdulRahman left to observe his morning prayer. He totally slept off that he didn't know when the morning adhan was called.
He was reciting his morning adkhar when he heard his mom's voice that the food was ready.
A radiant smile came across his lips.
"Isn't that a woman? That...girl is just after my life."
He muttered within.
He walked to the dining room to eat his lunch.
He could remember the last time he ate something good as this.
His mother watched closely as his son ate the food with a rush.
She was against Zeenat and AbdulRahman's marriage, too, before Alhaji explained the benefit of his son getting married to Zeenat, and that's why she agreed to it. Had she knows her son will be facing this much, regardless of the benefit, she shouldn't have done that.
She packed Amala, Ewedu, and stewed for AbdulRahman to take with him.
"Thank you so much, Mom. You are the best in this world."
Rahman appreciated.
"Sé jejé, Okomi. I don't know why you can't cook yourself when your wife isn't good at it and be starving yourself this much? See how lean you are, ehn...."
"Ehn...you see that too, right? I'm so lean, mom. Can't I just let go of her? The....
"Oya,Wà ma lolé. It's enough. You didn't hear the cooking part, abi?"
"I can't cook for her, mom. That's her duty as the wife. I'll always do my part, so she should do hers too... please."AbdulRahman insisted.
He picks his car keys and leaves.
"Odaaabó. Keé sé jejé oo. My regards to your wife."
His mother shouted as he drove out the compound.
His mother sighed and walked inside.
"I....just hope he stops been like this."
★
AbdulRahman got home and met his wife sleeping.
He entered their bedroom and rushed out instantly.
The room smells badly. He wondered how she felt so comfortable staying in that room.
"So..this where mom what me to come, right? Oh, my God. What problem have I gotten myself into? I'm tired of all this. How would a room be this messy for God's sake."
He lamented tiredly.
"Zeenatuuuu! Zeenat!!"
He shouted on top of his voice.
"I know she won't hear me. She won't...." He looked around and saw many leftover plates all over the sitting room, nylon and stuff. Even a leftover sharwa was placed on the sofa.
"Oh my God! Zeenat."
Zeenat came out of the room in a rush.
"Habeeb, you...are back? I....
"Will you shut that mouth of yours? Didn't you see all those before sleeping yesterday, and how do you feel so comfortable sleeping in that smelly room?" Rahman said to her angrily.
"Does it smell? I cleaned it last night. I....
"You cleaned what? That smelly room....and what of all these...you clean them too?"
"No, I didn't. Mazeedah came to visit me when you left for work yesterday, and she was the one who brought all that for me. I...intend on cleaning them this morning. I was so worried that you didn't come home last night..so I forgot to do it. I'm sorry, Habeeby." Zeenat pleased innocently.
AbdulRahman shook his head and hissed.
"Oh. What a good excuse! I know you'll always have something to say and that your sister, she came here again? Didn't I tell you that I don't want to see her here? What good impact did she make in your life? She comes here and can't tell you how worse of a wife you are! You are making my life so difficult, Zeenat. Wallohi, I'm tired. I can't continue again....and you know what, I'll just go and have my bath in the office. I can't....stay here anymore."
Zeenat went on her kneels immediately.
"I'm sorry, Habeeby. I'll do...all that now. I....
"No, you don't need to. In fact, you should mess it up as much as you like, I don't care. But remember, I know the best solution to this, okay?"
He'll always threaten Zeenay with a divorce whenever they have a misunderstanding.
Zeenat lowered her gaze with tears welled up in her eyes.
She knows AbdulRahman never loved her. She has been putting a lot of effort into her marriage to work out. Her marriage in the past two years has been hell. All she wanted was a peaceful marriage, but AbdulRahman never gave her any attention.
And she knows how bad of a wife she's too, but it's not her fault that she doesn't know how to do things right, especially home chores. She wasn't used to do all this from her parents' house and she's learning little by little, but AbdulRahman is never satisfied with whatever she does, and their marriage has been a hell all these years.
"That's right. You are back to been like that... the Pitiful Zeenat, right? I'm not buying all those again. See...I went to my mother's house and she cooked this delicious meal. When last did you cook a good meal since our marriage, if you are not ordering food, you'll be buying all sorts of junk. Look at me, is it how I was when you married me? You've successfully turned me into a lean man. Look at my neck like Giraffe's neck. But see how chubby you've become....I'm the one suffering while you enjoy, right? Good for you. You are used to this life, but not me. I'm tired! Since you can't cook, I'll at least let you taste this.... I left the cooler in the kitchen. Please warm the soup and don't burn it. Don't...burn it. You can't cook, at least you should be able to do that well, right?"
"I'm sorry....I......
"You are always sorry all the time. That's what you are good at, right?"
"No...I....
" You disgust me, Zeenat. You are making my life a big mess. I've become useless because of you. I should be a happy man because I'm married, but my beautiful wife here is making my life worse. Apart from being pretty, what else can you do, right? Nothing, right? So that makes you a worse woman, and this marriage won't work."
AbdulRahman said to her face and left.
He has decided to have a shower once he got to his office.
He's so tired of this marriage.
But, he seems to be stuck with Zeenat. Her father's put him in charge of his company because he got married to his daughter... Precisely, his favourite daughter.
Immediately Abdul Rahman left, Zeenat sat on the sofa with tears. She cried for hours.
She never wants this kind of marriage, but what can she do when she's bad at many things like this? This is the reason why she didn't want an early marriage, but her love for Rahman blinded her and pushed her to it.
She went to the bedroom and picked up her phone to call Mazeedah.
She remembered how she pleaded to her about cleaning the sitting room because she was exhausted after going out with her sister.
AbdulRahman has stopped eating in the house a while now, and most times, they hardly see each other. She has done everything to get her husband's attention, but nothing works. In fact, she had started attending cooking classes to learn how to cook better, but none of the efforts were seen by her husband. It became a burden in her heart, and she hopes everything will change very soon....Yet, they sleep in the same room every day with no cordial relationship.
She had always thought marrying a man she loves would give her a peaceful life, but maybe she was wrong. Zeenat thought AbdulRahman, but things are becoming worse every day, and she's getting exhausted.
Her phone ranged the sixth time before Mazeedah spoke.
She speaks up excitedly.
...Hello sis. Is he back? Have you told him the good news?
.. Shut up, Mazeedah. How do you leave the sitting room this messy? I don't ever want to see you. You are always putting me in problems whenever you are here. Just stay in your father's house, okay, or you get married, please!
...Sis! What is it this time? Did he come home threatening you, and you are pouring that on me? Why are....
....Stay out of this! It's not your business. Whatever he does, he's my husband. And what's going on in my matrimonial home is none of your business. I'll take care of it, okay!
...Fine! Please do. Thank you for letting me know my worth.
Mazeedah ended the call.
She dropped her phone frustrated.
She never wants to say this to her sister....but AbdulRahman is frustrating her enough to make her say all this. She sighed heavily with teary eyes.
What can I do to make him see I'm doing everything I can to make things better?
How can this small mess make him angry and call me all sorts of names? Why is he always using any opportunity he gets to insult me?
"Doesn't he see how sparkling the kitchen is... but he complained about the sitting room and the bedroom. Does it smell? Does it?" She muttered to herself with tears.
She said as she walked back to the bedroom.
"It doesn't! Why would I ever do to satisfy him. I... even cleaned the whole room, just to tell him the good news... but he came here and started nagging at me for no reason? When will he ever see the good things I've done? He never loved me, does me? I've been the one in love with him all these years, and I know..."
She broke into tears.
HOURS LATER.
AbdulRahman, on the other hand, arrived at work, quickly have his shower and dressed neatly before others staff arrived.
"Yes, sir. Miss Lateefah is here to see you." His PA announced to him
He was done dressing up.
"Lateefah? She's here?...." He asked surprisingly. His PA nodded.
"I didn't... know she will come....." He thought to himself.
"Okay, tell her to wait in my office. I'll join her shortly."
He said with a smile.
"Okay, sir."
She replied and left.
"I didn't know she would be here. Such a good timing."
AbdulRahman giggled happily to himself.
He walks to his office, and his gaze meets with that beautiful lady with a radiant smile and her dimples that show prettily on her cheeks. He must say, it's really been long, and seeing her again is the best thing ever. He stared at the blue Hijab she wore with her white sneaker and dark glasses. Her outfit and way of dressing is just the same... nothing changes.
What a beautiful thing to see this morning.
He thought.
"Enough of the stares, man! You are married."
Lateefah said to his face, and he chuckled.
"You caught me." He chuckled with a smiling face.
"Àsalam alaykum. How've you been?"
Lateefah said with a smile as they both sat.
It's such a good reconciliation between two colleagues and friends.
Meanwhile, it is the most happiest moment for AbdulRahman.
He felt like his lifesaver came when he needed her.
"So what's it? What's with the messages you sent last night?"
Lateefah asked, still surprised at the message Rahman sent to her last night.
AbdulRahman sighed heavily and looked straight into her eyes.
Lateefah was still shocked.
"What's it? You are scaring me."
She added.....
"It's about my wife.........."
TO BE CONTINUED...
Sweet readers, how's this for a start?
One thing a man shouldn't do is take his wife matter to outsiders. I'm not talking about relatives here, maybe friends or anyone, it shouldn't be like that. What is your take on this?
I hope we are all ready for this? Let's ride onnnnn!
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ZULAYKHOOFGREATTHINGS.
