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The Nasty Breakup
#NastyBreakup
@Mwebe3362
It has been a long time since we last spoke. Josephine and I parted on uncomfortable terms. She had packed her suitcases and lined them in the garage behind the stacked tools. I did not stop her, but she kissed me goodbye and left. A Uber had parked on the worn cement sidewalk. It was waiting to take her to the train terminal downtown.
Deep in my heart, I knew that Josephine was gone. She was the best friend, lover, and confidant. I sat on my dim-lit porch, wondered what had gone wrong. Of course, some issues had cropped up.
A light breeze cascaded into the dark evening. Nzitonnya trees lining our driveway swayed as a light wind blew over them, their crimson flowers beautiful as ever. As I stared at Primo, our feline, curled in her fuzzy bed, and fond memories arose in my heart.
Every year, we had hiked in the evergreen Mpanga forest in Mpigi, 50 kilometres west of the capital city of Uganda. We always camped here to meditate and relax. It was a clean, serene environment, and the equatorial habitat was God-given, and its beauty and clean air attracted local and international tourists. We always picked lots of wild mushrooms, fruits and herbs. It was one of our hobbies.
Then, we had found a sickly, hungry cat abandoned by its owner. Its orange hair was falling out. The hungry cat had limped to Josephine and meowed faintly. She feared the cat at first sight. She thought it was a wild one. The cat licked her right toes and rolled on her back playfully. We fed her with tinned mackerel fish and maize grits, and we went back to our hang-man tent to read. It followed us, and curled near the tent entrance, and went off to sleep. For days, it followed us everywhere. Though I was allergic to cats, Josephine and I decided to take her home. For years, Primo was a family member and enjoyed all our attention.
A year back, Josephine had had a miscarriage after a fever. She blamed me without due reason, and she was never the same. She developed mood swings and was depressed. I returned home to find no meals or washed laundry. The house was messy, and Josephine just watched movies and soaps all day, snuggled in my favourite rocking chair. She chatted on WhatsApp and Facebook incessantly, slept late, and woke up late. Some mornings, I prepared her a quick breakfast of an omelette and sausages but found it untouched on our four-seat dining table.
For months, we quarrelled hysterically and fought. After every fight, we made up and slept together. However, life was never the same. Josephine tried to get pregnant but failed, then her tantrums returned. She threw utensils at me whenever she was drunk. I withdrew all alcohol in the house. Sometimes, I didn't return home. I stayed at my best friend's house. My office work now suffered as my employer called me one morning after a failed project and issued me a final warning. Then, he noticed the same clothes I had put on the previous day and asked if I had issues at home. I denied everything, but inside me, my heart bled.
After Sunday prayers, I had stayed behind and sought our pastor's help. We needed counselling. When our pastor visited us after prayers, Josephine pretended to be a good wife. As soon as our pastor finished praying for us and eating dinner, he departed. She began screaming all abuses. I sat back and reminiscent of the times we had promised each other never to leave.
She began disappearing to the neighbouring pubs to drink and returned late past midnight. It was time to see a psychiatrist and seek professional help. She refused to go, and I forced her into the car and drove off. Josephine was in self-denial. After a long and tedious session, the doctor requested we see her once a week. I promised to be there with her as we work through our problems. Our first session was an ultimate success, and I felt some warmth in my heart. Things were going to be better.
Then, I found her piling her clothes into her travel bags, and Primo followed her in every room, it was like our feline friend knew our problems too, but also she was hungry. I pulled a flat beige saucer and poured milk. Primo jumped with joy as she slurped the milk.
By now, Josephine had finished her packing. Her Redmi 10 phone rang, and she spoke animatedly and requested a taxi. A man's voice on the phone was distinctive and authoritative. I knew that slurry voice. It was familiar, and I had heard it many times. I stared at her now, her face impassive, and I knew that she had fallen in love with my boss. I collapsed in my rocking chair, and everything turned blurry. When I regained my senses, Josephine was long gone.
Primo licked my face ferociously, trying to calm me. I pulled her to my lap and stroked her quietly. Animals are intelligent, I concluded. I knew life had to move on. Sometimes, breakups happen, but also a blessing in disguise. I had fought a long and worthless battle, and I was glad it was over. It was time to begin a new chapter. I knew life is not easy, but sometimes, a journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step.
© All Rights Reserved
@Mwebe3362
It has been a long time since we last spoke. Josephine and I parted on uncomfortable terms. She had packed her suitcases and lined them in the garage behind the stacked tools. I did not stop her, but she kissed me goodbye and left. A Uber had parked on the worn cement sidewalk. It was waiting to take her to the train terminal downtown.
Deep in my heart, I knew that Josephine was gone. She was the best friend, lover, and confidant. I sat on my dim-lit porch, wondered what had gone wrong. Of course, some issues had cropped up.
A light breeze cascaded into the dark evening. Nzitonnya trees lining our driveway swayed as a light wind blew over them, their crimson flowers beautiful as ever. As I stared at Primo, our feline, curled in her fuzzy bed, and fond memories arose in my heart.
Every year, we had hiked in the evergreen Mpanga forest in Mpigi, 50 kilometres west of the capital city of Uganda. We always camped here to meditate and relax. It was a clean, serene environment, and the equatorial habitat was God-given, and its beauty and clean air attracted local and international tourists. We always picked lots of wild mushrooms, fruits and herbs. It was one of our hobbies.
Then, we had found a sickly, hungry cat abandoned by its owner. Its orange hair was falling out. The hungry cat had limped to Josephine and meowed faintly. She feared the cat at first sight. She thought it was a wild one. The cat licked her right toes and rolled on her back playfully. We fed her with tinned mackerel fish and maize grits, and we went back to our hang-man tent to read. It followed us, and curled near the tent entrance, and went off to sleep. For days, it followed us everywhere. Though I was allergic to cats, Josephine and I decided to take her home. For years, Primo was a family member and enjoyed all our attention.
A year back, Josephine had had a miscarriage after a fever. She blamed me without due reason, and she was never the same. She developed mood swings and was depressed. I returned home to find no meals or washed laundry. The house was messy, and Josephine just watched movies and soaps all day, snuggled in my favourite rocking chair. She chatted on WhatsApp and Facebook incessantly, slept late, and woke up late. Some mornings, I prepared her a quick breakfast of an omelette and sausages but found it untouched on our four-seat dining table.
For months, we quarrelled hysterically and fought. After every fight, we made up and slept together. However, life was never the same. Josephine tried to get pregnant but failed, then her tantrums returned. She threw utensils at me whenever she was drunk. I withdrew all alcohol in the house. Sometimes, I didn't return home. I stayed at my best friend's house. My office work now suffered as my employer called me one morning after a failed project and issued me a final warning. Then, he noticed the same clothes I had put on the previous day and asked if I had issues at home. I denied everything, but inside me, my heart bled.
After Sunday prayers, I had stayed behind and sought our pastor's help. We needed counselling. When our pastor visited us after prayers, Josephine pretended to be a good wife. As soon as our pastor finished praying for us and eating dinner, he departed. She began screaming all abuses. I sat back and reminiscent of the times we had promised each other never to leave.
She began disappearing to the neighbouring pubs to drink and returned late past midnight. It was time to see a psychiatrist and seek professional help. She refused to go, and I forced her into the car and drove off. Josephine was in self-denial. After a long and tedious session, the doctor requested we see her once a week. I promised to be there with her as we work through our problems. Our first session was an ultimate success, and I felt some warmth in my heart. Things were going to be better.
Then, I found her piling her clothes into her travel bags, and Primo followed her in every room, it was like our feline friend knew our problems too, but also she was hungry. I pulled a flat beige saucer and poured milk. Primo jumped with joy as she slurped the milk.
By now, Josephine had finished her packing. Her Redmi 10 phone rang, and she spoke animatedly and requested a taxi. A man's voice on the phone was distinctive and authoritative. I knew that slurry voice. It was familiar, and I had heard it many times. I stared at her now, her face impassive, and I knew that she had fallen in love with my boss. I collapsed in my rocking chair, and everything turned blurry. When I regained my senses, Josephine was long gone.
Primo licked my face ferociously, trying to calm me. I pulled her to my lap and stroked her quietly. Animals are intelligent, I concluded. I knew life had to move on. Sometimes, breakups happen, but also a blessing in disguise. I had fought a long and worthless battle, and I was glad it was over. It was time to begin a new chapter. I knew life is not easy, but sometimes, a journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step.
© All Rights Reserved
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