Uncle Jimmy ran to my dad for counsel. He had gone on a date without his wife's consent only to find out that the lady who he had fixed a date with was his mother-in-law.
What have you done Jimmy? You have betrayed the trust of your wife.
My father queried uncle Jimmy. He was totally confused.
There is no other way of coming out from this than to open up to your wife before your mother-in-law does.
From the dining room where I was attending to my weekend assignments, I heard the conversation between my dad and his brother. It was a tough time for Uncle Jimmy. I felt pity for him. He has been married for six whole years and his marriage with Aunty Anita has been peaceful until this moment. While they were yet to conclude their discussion, my mom came from the door with a terrific look. She was just returning from the market.
Jimmy!!! It ought not to be you. You have a beautiful and supportive wife and yet you still want to meddle with ladies with toothpick legs. See what you have caused yourself now. I hope that your wife will find a place in her heart to forgive you for this mess.
Mom came in with a fiery tongue. She is used to saying it the way it is and that is why she is the favorite among all the women in our family.
Uncle Jimmy and nothing was heard about the case, none that filtered into my ear.
I soon returned to school and my social life began with my friends. There was little or no likeness for the opposite sex. My friends and I are always about the fun of a long break and enjoying a good meal. Not until Amadi Victor whispered to me that a girl in the science class was crushing on me.
It dawned on me that I am beginning to get noticed for having no character good enough to be admired. From that day, no more play and rough uniform. I would appear so neat on a well ironed uniform that my friends started to notice the change.
Soon, I discovered that it was Julie who was crushing on me. She would come to my class specifically to borrow my Economics note because she has a note to copy but because she wanted to see me.
One day, I went to her class. There, the boys started hailing me. I never expected her. All the while, she had told her classmates that we had a thing going whereas we never even spoke about a relationship. I was embarrassed but I summoned courage and left their class. After the school hours, Julie joined my friends and I as we walked home. She spoke to me about how she had crushed on me after asking me to forgive her about the stunt that happened in their class that day.
All my life, I have not spoken this much to a girl about affection and love but that day, I poured my mind to Julie. I wasn't shy to let her know that I haven't been in a relationship before and I don't know all it takes to be in a relationship. She liked the fact that I came out straight and nipped the bud in the eye.
Seven years down the lane, we were at our semi-finals in different universities and my Julie's father had become very influential. He was named the commissioner of police in charge of Kano state. And Julie visits me towards the end of the month in my school.
One thing led to another and another lady came my way. Anjola is a pretty girl too. I guess it was infatuation and not love but we got entangled in a web of love. Like the flash of light, Julie visited me at school at an odd time and found Anjola in my hostel at about 9:00 pm. I guess she must have been hinted at. I could not hide how shameful I was. Anjola's case wasn't a problem. She knew all along that I had not just a girlfriend but a fiance and she was cool with both of us having an affair.
Julie could not bear the shameful sight. She just walked away that night. I followed her to come back but she was so angry and mad at me. She beckoned me not to come close to her. I guess she found a chalet to sleep over till the next day.
How do I explain this? A relationship that had taken seven whole years to build, torn apart because of unfaithfulness.
I managed to complete my semester exams and returned home. On the day I got home, my mom attacked me with words.
Didn't they say that blood is thicker than water. I now see how infidelity runs in your paternal bloodline. Your uncle Jimmy did the same some years ago, and now, it's your turn.
I wasn't quite sure where she was coming from. Probably Julie had come to report me to my parents. I couldn't enjoy my holidays because all efforts to sort things out with Julie proved abortive. Somehow, towards the end of my holiday, Julie and my mom came home and we were sorted. I went on my knees to plead with her. She told me frankly that it would be hard for her to have trust in me.
It was a trying time for me. I swore never to be unfaithful again. Though Julie and I continued our relationship and that issue was forgone, we weren't able to settle down in marriage. I have known my errors and adjusted my ways. Never again will I ever be unfaithful.