Rotji could hardly believe his ears when she proclaimed the restaurant he had taken her to for a date.
"I have never met a virgin in all my years on earth. I am astonished, I must say. You deserve to be commended."
"Thank you but it's not a big deal," Nenrot responds smiling.
"It is a big deal. How old are you again?"
"I'm 27"
"Wow, I'm speechless. 27? How did you manage to abstain from sex all this while? I hope my question doesn't annoy you. If it does, I'm sorry, I'm just curious."
"There's no secret to it apart from resolution, determination, and self-control. I resolved this since I was a child. My husband will be the only one to see my nakedness. I come from a family of strong believers. I take no offense by the way."
"That's just so beautiful. In this 21st century, almost all women do is portray themselves as prostitutes and change boyfriends like it's the only thing they exist for. It's their body they say, and their private part doesn't have a meter attached to it. It's sad really."
"I'm sure it's not that bad. There are lots of decent girls out there."
"Have you looked on the internet lately? Don't even get me started. Anyway, I would love to take you out again."
"We are not even halfway through this date yet. We haven't gotten to know each other that well."
"I would have you know that I'm a very intentional man. I know what I want, I'm past the age of hide and seek. In the interest of getting to know each other better, we should do this again".
"You think so?"
"I know so. Besides, I know all I need to know about you. Should I start?"
Smiling, "Let's hear it".
"Well, I know you are a graduate of Mass Communications, you are single, and you are 27. You come from a family of three, and you are the first child. You are a devoted Christian, and above all, you are smart, beautiful, and gorgeous."
Thank you for the last part, but flattery won't get you anywhere with me. Did I also mention that I'm a terrific cook and it's my hobby?"
"I don't do flattery, I'm as honest as it gets. Frankly, any other information about you at this point will only be a bonus. I like what I see already. We should go out again and let's see how it goes. What do you say?"
"I say, let's do it."
********
Rotji enters the house to find his fiance, Jemimah seated on the couch in his living room, watching a movie.
She looks up as he enters. "Hey, babe."
He answers grumpily and sits beside her, making sure to keep enough distance. "Hi. There's something I need to talk to you about".
Smiling, she mutes the TV, "What's that? Before you start, I forgot to tell you in the morning, the decorator called. I told her I would get back to her after we decide on the venue".
He scratches his head, "Yeah, about that, there's something I need to tell you."
"Why are you looking so serious? We would get married in a few months, and all the preparation hassle would be over. Don't tell me you feel stressed already".
"I think we should hold on with the wedding preparations."
She sits up straighter, "What do you mean?"
"I'm not sure I want to go ahead with it anymore. I have thought about things, and frankly, it's the wrong time. You need time to work on yourself."
"Are you kidding me right now? We have been preparing for the wedding for months, the invitations are currently being printed, and you come up with this now? And what do you mean about me working on myself?"
"I mean just reason with me. You don't cook, clean, or even take care of the house. I come in every day to meet you and watch TV. You are a party freak, and you have a kind of nonchalance about you that I don't dig. How would we cope when we start having kids?"
"Where's all this coming from? You knew everything about me before you asked me to marry you. Since when has watching TV been a crime? I work from home at my leisure and you know it". She blinks twice and regards him thoughtfully. "Have you met someone else? Just tell me the truth and cut the crap".
He averts her gaze, "You know I don't lie. I have met someone else, and she's all that you're not. You and I have slept together so much that I don't even look forward to sleeping with you anymore. I'm sorry, but I'm easily bored with you these days".
She stands and makes her way inside.
"Where are you going, Jemimah?"
Blinking back tears,she responds. "I'm going to pack my stuff. Five years with you, watching and helping you grow into the man you have become and I am now useless? I can't believe this. I can at least leave with some of my dignity intact". She enters sobbing.
********
Rotji drives into the compound and turns off the ignition to hear shouting from within the house. He steps out of the car and walks to the entrance where he can make out the voices of his wife, Nenrot, and her sister, Anna. Out of curiosity, he glues his ears to the door.
"Nenrot, you have to take responsibility. Mama told me to tell you that she can't take care of your kids anymore. They need you. Davies and Davida need their mother."
"And what would you have me do? Leave my matrimonial home or bring them here to live with me and the two kids I have for my husband already? Don't forget Rotji thinks they are my niece and nephew".
"Shame on you, shame on you Nenrot for denying your children because of a man. Money won't take care of them, they need you in their lives".
"You think I would even have money to take care of them if Rotji finds out that they are my children? I don't even have a job, he foots all the bills, their school fees included".
Unable to hold himself any longer, Rotji opens the door and steps inside. They both shut up as soon as he enters. "Don't stop on my account. Carry on."
Anna picks up her bag from the chair and walks past Rotji out of the house without saying a word.
"There's no point asking you if it's true, you confirmed it already," Rotji says, slumping on the chair."
"It's not what you think".
"Oh, really? Don't bother trying to weave a tale, I heard everything loud and clear. This has got to be the most unfortunate day of my life, followed closely by the day I met you".
"I'm sorry."
"I am too, Nenrot, I'm sorry our paths ever crossed. I'm sorry l believed you. And to think you told me you don't know why the breaking of your hymen didn't come with blood on our wedding night. I even believed you after I read up on it that not every breaking of the hymen comes with blood. How could I have been so stupid? I've even been paying my fees without knowing. Why, did you lie to me?"
She goes down on her knees, "I wanted to tell you, but I was afraid you wouldn't want me anymore".
"God, why? I thought you were a steal, I broke up with Jemimah for you. I was truly happy with her, and I jeopardized my future with her for you. I walked into this one eyes wide open".
"I can explain".
He bangs his fist on the table, "Explain what? Explain why you haven't set foot in the kitchen since we got married despite claiming to be a terrific cook? Explain why all you do to contribute to our family is to eat all the food in the house and spend hours doing nothing on social media? Explain why you stopped going to church despite being a devoted Christian? I have never even seen you pray. Explain why you paraded your kids as your niece and nephew? Explain why you don't prepare your kids for school in the morning because you are not a morning person? Explain why every single day comes with the discovery of a lie you told? There's just so much to explain, and it can't possibly make any sense".
"I looked through your profile on the dating site and saw the qualities you wanted in a woman, I was a single, broke, mother with children from two different fathers, and I just wanted someone to take care of me. I had to lie to get you to want me. The part about being a virgin was just an extra touch to catch your fancy. I didn't mean to hurt you".
"I feel unhurt right now. You couldn't even wait to take off your unmask yourselfthe moment we got married. It's been from one headache to the other since we got married. You merely saw me as a paycheck, your poverty alleviation scheme. Just what was I thinking? I probably deserve all these, 'cause Jemimah was the best thing that ever happened to me, and I forsook her for you".
"Don't make this bigger than it is. We are a couple and can always make things work."
"How come it hasn't worked out since the time we've been living together? You have cheated on me more times than I can even count, and I forgave you every single time, and now, this bombshell".
"Why are you making a big deal out of this? I love you. We got married legally in court and we are still a couple".
"Not for long, you will hear from my lawyer". He stands up and walks dejectedly into the room, sweating profusely......