"What if I get pregnant?"
I queried, gazing into Michael's eyes. Most definitely, I was in love with him; I was still in my third year, and I was still very naive. Well, until I met Michael.
We actually met at one of my colleague's birthday parties. He was one of those who sponsored the party. He had that kind of bubbling personality that you couldn't stay away from once you're with him. And I found myself falling for his nice smiles, kindness, and most especially how he treated me like I was his only priority. I believe him because Michael was never a liar.
He was unfazed by my question. "Then I will marry you; we had a plan, remember." He caressed my chin, and his eyes softened. "I'm working, you're almost done with school, and I want to settle down. See how my people back home have been pressuring me to get married, and my eyes have already seen a virtual wife."
Michael had his ways with words; I don't know how he did it, but I ended up falling for him even more. I couldn't help how my cheeks flushed; I felt like he was the missing piece in the puzzle.
Well, that's till I started getting random calls from strange ladies who were threatening me to leave their boyfriend; some went as far as calling him their soon-to-be husband. I wasn't one to just jump to conclusions, so I confronted the issues, discussing what had been happening for the past few weeks with all the strange calls. He was so unbothered, and he told me they were women who were in his past and he had nothing to do with them. I never doubted him one bit.
But then I noticed how uncaring he became with issues that concern me, and that really hurt, and he became so demanding that if I refused to do what he asked of me, I would face all his irritated behaviors. He would avoid me like a stranger, insult me on calls till I started feeling like something was really wrong with me, and I would plead and plead till he made time for us to just talk.
Folly as I was, I would give him part of my school fees when he asked, saying he had important investments to make, and when he didn't pay back, I was left with a debt to replace. I lied to my parents until they eventually gave me my complete school fees.
Yet I saw nothing wrong with Michael; he was just busy; if he could, he would have made time for me; I would lie to myself. Our relationship lasted a year and six months, and in the first year of our relationship, I really gave him a hard time. I didn't let him in because I was too afraid of the demands of a relationship.
But in the last six months after I accepted him into my life, I was the one doing all the work in the relationship. I thought this was my karma for giving him so much hardship before I said yes.
On a Sunday, I went to church, and since Michael and I weren't on the same page because we were quarreling, I decided to pray about it as usual, and when I got back home I got the call from an unknown number.
"Hello," I answered.
"Are you Michael's girlfriend?"
"Yes, and who am I on too?" I inquired. The person on the line was clearly a mature woman.
I heard the person chuckle, and it wasn't that humorous kind of laughter; it was that type that mocks you yet has sympathy for you. I, on the other hand, was confused. "Oh, such a poor girl; he has brainwashed you for a year and six months, and yet you still can't see."
"What do you mean? And who are you??" This time I was irked, like, Who doesn't this person think they are? I thought to myself.
"Well, to clear your doubts, I am his wife; we have been married for 5 years; we have two kids; and if you don't believe me, Please go through the photos I will send to you. You would see my marriage certificate there."
As she spoke, I found myself getting frightened; she was so real and had so much confidence in what she was saying, unlike the rest. It was like a movie scene when I ended the calls and went to check my WhatsApp only to see everything she said was as real as she said it. Her name was Linda Emmanuel Hudson on their wedding certificate, and I saw all their wedding photos, and also Michael holding their first son.
Seeing the same Michael, I gave him all my savings just so he could start up the business we both planned on investing in. I couldn't even cry, knowing fully well that this was my fault; if I had been careful, things wouldn't have gone this way.
Linda came up with a plan; it was a simple plan to pretend that I was pregnant and see his reaction. And that's exactly what I did, and I noticed how fake his response was to my fake pregnancy. He wasn't happy, and I took that to my advantage, pressuring him to come see my parents, and he agreed, stating how I should give him two weeks to prepare.
In the first week, he got me some pills. According to him, it helps with hormonal imbalances. He came up with silly stories about how he wanted me and the baby to be safe. Smartly, I kept the pills and called Linda, who affirmed that they were abortion pills, and if I don't believe it, I should go to a pharmacy and confirm.
And I did; the pharmacist confirmed they were harmful abortion pills that, if taken, would not only have endangered the fetus but also my womb. I won't have a womb or a child.
I thought all this was just scripted in movie scenes, but it was really happening to me. Linda told me how two different girls had been victims of Michael's games. And she just found out I was going to be the third.
The last plan was to get Michael in his game by inviting the pharmacist to the house that day. In front of Michael, the pharmacist confirmed the pills to be abortion pills. I couldn't help but laugh at his expression; he looked like a fish caught out of water with his mouth open. The shock of being caught was really good for him. Being deceptive, a liar, a cheat, a fraudster.
"Woah Michael. Just woah."
I knew something had changed inside of me as I gazed at him, irked by his presence. "Linda, please, can you make your way in?" And Linda came out of her hiding place; if Michael was shocked before, now he was terrified. And that was more than enough to know that he wasn't real.
"Hello, Mr. Michael Emmanuel Hudson. A shame for a husband."
I can still recall that day till today, how Michael pleaded with his wife so much that he was on the verge of crying. Linda made sure he paid off every penny he owed me, then she divorced him. That experience taught me how to bolt my heart, lock up, and be decisive. I was open to new relationships, but I wasn't going to go nuts and dumb for a second lesson to be learned.
