I always feel so excited seeing my husband and me together as the best couple. I never believed he would fall so easily for his life. Falling for him was not a joke, but he used one thing to make me grow so wild in love, forgetting what I had in mind.
I have heard of love at first sight but have not believed in it once until it happened to me, my husband, not me anyway.
My husband met me when he came back from Lagos to attend his younger brother's wedding ceremony. I was introduced to him by his immediate younger brother, who had also married. They are half brothers (same father, but different mothers). I was not told initially about his arrival and was not told I would be having an August visitor, not until that night I will never forget in my life. His younger brother's wife came to my house to call my attention to what I did not know. She told me that her husband wanted to see me. I have never jumped over her husband's words; neither did I reject his words for once. Even my parents knew him to be a responsible person and always entertained him whenever he came to our house. We have grown to become more than neighbors, but somewhat relatives.
I got ready and put on my clothes. Although I was in the kitchen when she came to call, my mom decided to take over the kitchen as I prepared to attend to the call. My husband's brother's wife was ready to wait for me until I was done changing my clothes. When I was done, she left the path to her abode while I followed.
When we got to the doorstep, I heard the voices of so many people inside the parlor. Not just ordinary voices, but voices of men. I knew who my husband's brother was and the kind of person he was. So, I was rest assured of my welcome. Meanwhile, I have been visiting them most of the time, although my parents do not allow me out, except in some special circumstances.
I entered the parlor and saw real guys seated. I was a little scared and shy. Among the guys was a special one in a suit. Others were just with their normal jeans and tee shirts. The one with the suit was the only face I found strange.
After being seated for a few minutes, I was confused about why my husband's younger brother asked me to come over. I was ashamed and afraid of asking, but then my body language was giving them a sign of not feeling comfortable. Immediately, my husband's younger brother stood and introduced all the guys in the house, but something kept striking within me about the one in the suit. He failed to introduce that one and was instead saying some irrelevant words while still standing. That's our culture, anyway. The one introducing must stand if there are elders in the house. He maintained the same position, after which he turned to the one on suite. He said, “I called you here because of my elder brother. I want the two of you to have a conversation, after which we will conclude”, I was short of words when I heard this. I have not forgotten once jumping over his words, and so I obeyed.
His elder brother called me outside, and we sat on the balcony. We discussed a lot, but then I didn't feel anything for him. After our discussion, he told me his aim was genuine. He said he was not the type of guy who would turn out to become a nuisance or turn out to dump women, just like someone who is changing car oil. He said he would be coming to my house with his brother and friends. I thought it would be a joke, but to my surprise, immediately after I left, I saw them coming. They said I greeted my dad and mom. One of the men with him was their mouthpiece.
This was when they opened up to my parents about marrying me to their brother, who happened to be my husband. My parents, with the look on their faces, liked the idea and liked my husband at that moment. Although my husband is a calm man, he is mighty within him. He talks less, but what he has to do is within him.
They said what they had to say, and my parents asked me if I would accept him. After looking at not leaving home for years, I accepted their offer. This was when our story began.
I did not like him initially, but then I kept growing deep feelings of hatred as time went on. He traveled back to Lagos and left with me his cell phone. He took mine along. This was the beginning of falling for him. Until he got home, he kept calling me on the phone. He traveled for about seven hours, out of which he called for more than twelve times.
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When he got home, his call increased. He can never stay for two hours without hearing my voice. This made me fall in total love with him. I told myself that this kind of love is made in heaven. He loved and fell for me at first sight, and then I returned his love after some time of observation. We became glued, and after two months, he paid the right to my freedom in my parent's house. That same month, I got pregnant. Our love kept growing. One thing I observed was that he always opened up to me whenever I asked him anything. He also does what I asked him to do and apologizes to me even when I'm wrong. This alone made me the perfect match for him and vice versa. Until this moment, and even after four kids and staying for 12 years, we have not forgotten once or had regrets about being together.
I suffered just because of the nature of the job he was doing. He's a teacher and without good pay. Sporadically, we will sleep, taking food that is not worth it. I never gave up; instead, I kept pushing harder in his life. There was a time when our first daughter slept by drinking just cassava flakes (gari) with us. I kept pushing on. Ordinarily, most women would run from the marriage, but I'm not that type, and I know that we are made for each other. He borrowed to get me to where I am today. I just give my God thanks that he's also in a better place than before.
I called this a match made in heaven because we had strived to survive, but now we live to enjoy.
