INTRODUCTION
MAY 2003 : SOMEWHERE IN IBADAN , NIGERIA
‘ SPLASH!!‘ the puddle of water sounded as Nneoma fell into it ; she let out a groan then made to stand immediately. She looked around and continued despite the pain she felt in her belly she was heavily pregnant but still needed to get away from the monster she once called a husband .
Nneoma met and fell in love with Ogundayo when she was 19 and in her first year in the university ; Dayo was about 27 at that time . They started dating and once she was done he took her to meet his family who rejected her , he fought hard to be with her and his parents presented two options - Marry her and get disowned or leave her and get the CEO position at the Adegoke Cooperation - well he chose the first . A year later they moved to Ibadan and got married , Dayo got a job and the money he got was enough for the both of them . Nneoma got pregnant after two years of her marriage but what was supposed to be her joy turned to sorrow as Dayo lost his job a month after ; he turned to a monster overnight and hits her at any slightest mistake ,he also started drinking and staying out late .
On this faithful morning ,Dayo had beat her up as usual and tried forcing himself on despite her condition when she retaliated and pushed him causing him to hit his head on the wall ; before she could apologize she heard the clash of his cutlass and next thing he was chasing her round the community .
“ Help me !! “ she said to a market Woman as she entered the main market
“ Get out ! “ the woman said waving her hand to shoo her away “ Omo igbo!! “ the woman scoffed as Nneoma continued running . She didn’t know how fast she was but she knew one thing , Dayo couldn’t keep up. She went into the nearest uncompleted building and sat down while trying to catch her breath suddenly she felt wetness between her legs looking down she saw water trickle down -her water bag had broken - she was confused because she stilled had two more months before she was due
“ Ahh! Ogundayo Adegoke!!! My God will judge you “ she said weeping .
Dayo looked at the time on the large clock hanging in the living room ;it was 6:30pm and Nneoma wasn’t back . It was hours since he chased her and returned home still she wasn’t home he began to worry as different thoughts entered his mind
“ God please bring her back ; if you do I promise I won’t touch her again “ he pleaded crying . After 7 and she wasn’t back he the called the attention of the community’s Vigilantee group to help look for her ; after hours of fruitless search the team began to retreat then out of nowhere Anike Dayo’s neighbor ran towards them panting
“ Dayo ………….you ……. have to come with me now!!! “ she stammered while trying to catch her breath
“ Why ? “He asked her
“Nneoma ! “ she said finally finding her breath
“ What ?!!!!! “ he screamed as he ran dragging Anike along . They both got to the community hospital and Anike introduced Dayo to the head doctor who took him to see his wife turned out that Nneoma went into premature labour and was discovered by some guys that hang out there in her own pool of blood and a crying baby in between her legs.
“ What is he doing here?!!!! “ Nneoma thundered on seeing Dayo
“ I thought it would be best if he came after all he is your husband “ Anike answered shakingly
“ Which Husband? Ehhhh? Anike which one? Is it the one who constantly beats up his wife ? Or the one who chases his heavily pregnant wife with a cutlass round the community like a thief ? Which one ? “ Nneoma said angrily “ Piece of information I have made sure that my daughter doesn’t bear your name and once I get better i will leave you . “ Dayo got on his kness and began weeping as he held her feet
“ Ife mi please , i am sorry . Forgive me pls and don’t take away my child from me cause I won’t forgive myself “
“ Oma pls forgive him ; I am very sure he has learnt a valuable lesson “ Anike pleaded
“ Yes I have . As a matter of fact I made the Lord a promise and I will fulfill it . I Ogundayo has changed fir the better. “ Nneoma could not get angry with Dayo for long ; the man in front of her ment the whole world; he was her first love, the man that took her virginity, the man who left his family to be with her , she knew he would change someday.
“ I forgive you but my daughter’s name shall remain my name “
“ Anything Ife mi “ he said happily and kissed her .
