Hello!! steemitians!!
Face value has gotten many of us into trouble. We look at a matter, a person and a situation from an apparent perspective and we seldom take the time to investigate and affirm if what is on the outside is thorough or only skin deep.
As people we're easily carried away by packaging and obvious benefits, ignoring the fact every good thing has its down side. No one is absolutely cool and flawless. We all have our issues and our secrets; some of them fair and some really bad. If we come to terms with this reality, we would be protecting ourselves from very unpleasant surprises and grave mistakes. Never look for the good in something or someone without investigating and finding out the bad and weather it is permissible or you can't live with it. Do a thorough check and know all you need to about the person or the matter.
Jesse was for a very long time consistently depressed after the loss of his wife to cancer. It was a very sad and painful experience. It's been almost two years and he was still not over her and he didn't see himself ever recovering from the loss of his precious wife, Nifemi. The duo had been friends from their medical school days. Both medical doctors, they were too close too intimate and too alike. The acted alike, thought alike, spoke alike, had the same sets of value, belief systems and approach to life and living. If there is anything like a perfect couple these two were.
They hardly quarreled or disagreed on any matter; they fused in quite perfectly and believe me, they were sure their marriage was made from heaven. When they hear other married people quarrel and argue and experienced prolonged misunderstanding they could hardly process or comprehend it. Jesse and Nifemi hardly disagreed on matters; yes they argued at times on trivial matters but for them it was more fun than fight. They were just too good together. No one could penetrate them, no one could separate them; they hardly did anything independent of each other. They ran a joint savings and current account and shared everything together.
Jesse was very lucky in life; he was blessed with wealthy parents and he schooled overseas and graduated very early. He returned and worked in a general hospital for 10 years and afterwards floated his own medical center at the age of 34. His wife, Nifemi, also schooled abroad; the same medical institution hence they ran the hospital jointly.
They went to work together and closed at about the same time. Though blessed with a lovely baby girl, the baby appeared more like an intrusion than a blessing in their marriage and relationship so they made arrangements to make sure she doesn't come in between them as couple.
They recruited Nancy, a 24 year old nanny to take care of their baby and the home.
Everything looked pretty good for this lovely couple. They had built their own home and their practice and finances were growing impressively. They were a happy couple until Nifemi went for a routine medical checkup and was discovered to have developed cancer. She carried out a pap smear and was diagnosed with cervical cancer. It was a long and tough battle. The couple invested everything possible in wealth and sweat to overcome this deadly disease but unfortunately after 18 months of intense battle, Nifemi didn't survive, she died.
Since then life had not been the same for Jesse, nothing ever remained the same, he felt and saw Nifemi in everything and in every way. He couldn't and wouldn't stop mourning her. He saw her several times in his dreams and at times felt he could hear her speak to him audible even when wide awake. It was a terrible tragedy for Jesse, nothing and no one could hold him or console him. As far as Jesse is concerned, Nifemi is irreplaceable.
Despite all the pain, trauma and turmoil going on within Jesse, it wasn't apparent on the outside. He still went to work, functioned efficiently, laughed and played with his patients, inspired and motivated his team members, he came across still as very strong on the outside but inwardly he was a complete mess, he was a wreck.
Jesse had his mind made up he would never remarry. For him his one and only wife is gone, all that is left is for him to eventually go and meet her in the great beyond, no one can replace her; not in his heart, not in his life. This conclusion eventually led him into making some wrong assumptions and taking some not too wise steps.
Jesse needed someone to cater for his only daughter who was growing daily and had missed her mother so dearly. The only person around whom his daughter was comfortable with was Nancy, the nanny who had been taking care of her even before the demise of Nifemi.
It was towards the end of the year and Nancy, the maid told Jesse that by the end of the year she would be leaving, she would be returning home to her people.
Jesse was really troubled by this, who would cater for his lovely daughter should Nancy leave. It would be too much for his daughter and himself. He didn't come from a family where parents in laws were ideal and relatives unoccupied. Everyone in the family had their careers and businesses and families to manage too, him and his daughter couldn't and wouldn't constitute a burden to anyone.
Jesse, began to think then suddenly and idea came to his mind. He had no intentions of replacing Nifemi that was guaranteed so the option of taking another wife was ruled out. What he then planned to do was tie down Nancy permanently by proposing marriage to her. Though Nancy was only a secondary school certificate holder, she spoke English well and was very, very neat and organized. Very hardworking and good looking too, He believed if he splashed a few cash on her, she would fit in somehow into his profile; but never hot enough to replace his wife in anyway and never in his heart.
He made up his mind and one evening he proposed to Nancy. Nancy was first of all stunned. She never saw it coming, he didn't look or act like such a person, she would never have thought he would ever say such a thing to her.
She was quiet and she pleaded for him to give her a few days to consider his proposal that for her it was a huge step in life.
After three days, Nancy returned with a positive response and she became, the madam of the house as it were.
Within two months her life became transformed, her wardrobe changed, her skin, her hair, her cosmetics all became first grade. Jesse took her shopping in the creamiest of boutiques and beauty centres; she visited the spa regularly and had her body polished. She became transformed. After three months, Jesse bought her the latest KIA Sorento SUV and got her a driver. Nancy's life changed, she was in wealth, she was glad.
Jesse, was happy about his decision, it worked, he thought. His daughter has the attention and care and in his heart Nifemi has not and would never be replaced. Nancy was just a woman in his house not his life. He believed it worked out as he wanted.
Almost seven months after the marital arrangement. A man in his mid- thirties looking very rough and shabby one day showed up in Jesse's house. He wanted to see Jesse but the security wouldn't let him in without proper identification. He looked rough and dirty. He wore much worn out threadbare shirt and his trousers apparently looked bigger than him in size. His shoes were very old and worn. He looked very tired and worn out from labour. With him were two children; one looked like seven the other like 5 in age; they looked very dirty and shabby as well. They all waited for Jesse to return from work on this fateful day.
Jesse and Nancy and his daughter had gone out for dinner that Friday night and returned quite late. As they approached the house the headlamps of the car caught this man and his children standing by the gate and Nancy caught her breath sharply.
Immediately after they drove in, the man and the two children ran into the compound after them. Jesse came out of the car and Nancy slowly came out of the car too. Immediately the two dirty children saw Nancy they ran towards her and began to shout mummy, mummy!
Apparently Nancy was already married with two children before leaving the village to come and work as a nanny in Lagos. This fact she disclosed to no one. Jesse was very sad and heartbroken when she heard the story as narrated by Nancy's husband. It was a tough one.
‘Why didn't you tell me Nancy?’ Jesse questioned. ‘I'm so sorry sir” was all Nancy could say.
That same day, Nancy returned with her husband and her two kids to the village. Jesse insisted she took along everything he bought her including the jewelry, cosmetics and clothing. The shock to everyone; Nancy, her husband and the kids was that Jesse suddenly released the car keys of the KIA Sorento SUV to Nancy. Thank you for being there for my family and my daughter all these years, I'm grateful. He handed her the keys and before anyone could recover from his shocking gesture, he turned quickly, entered his car and drove away with his daughter; he didn't want anyone to see the tears welling up in his eyes.
Jesse didn't take it personal, she lied to him but he still gave her all he felt belonged to her; that my friend is maturity. Overlook mediocrity and smallness of mind. Be mature.
Thank you for taking time to read this post, please do comment and UPVOTE this post and resteem as well.
