Episode 2 "Wanda's Tale" by Ritkatmwa Gwan

Episode 2

The night was hot, a constant reminder of the scorching Abuja heat but PHCN had struck and trying to pacify two angry toddlers in these conditions wasn’t easy; Jude didn’t seem to care, she didn’t want him agitated either. 

The neighbors’ son had been frantic and his wails could be heard a block away. Jayden was teething and Wanda in normal fashion  had offered “unsolicited advice, but it seemed Bonnie didn’t heed.

The sleeping beast didn’t need any agitation, he was troubled..was he having a mid-life crisis? she didn’t seem to understand what it was with her husband..

“why would I call my wife in my own house and she won’t respond? “Wanda?, woman where are you?…she almost slipped trying to get to the sitting room; 

are you stupid? she looked puzzled, did he want an answer? “hon, I’m sorry I didn’t hear you call, I was trying to put the kids down for a nap…” “so I’m now lying” she knew better not to pick an argument but he had been edgy since his return from work. She was still limping and nursing her dislocated rib from last week’s beating, another would probably leave her hospitalized. 

Before she could muster the words ‘I’m Sorry’ his punch hit her so hard she was thrown off balance. It was now her cries for help and pleas to her attacker, her lover, father of her children that filled the air. The neighbors were more angry than sorry, they needed the peace and quite… so, no one came, no one , even Bonnie was tired and Jayden’s teething didn’t leave any room for sympathy. As her cries faded so did her breath… The neighbours were getting frustrated but when the sobbing ended everyone thought; “peace at last”…“finally some peace and quiet…now we can sleep”

-- The shrill cry from Wanda’s house pierced the early dawn, “not again” the neighbours taught it was too early to start. As Bonnie rolled over to pick a cranky Jayden her eye caught the night stand clock it was 4:25AM…”what could Wanda and Jude be up to this early?” 

In another 8 days, her thought in this exact moment would race through her mind standing by the coffin like some dejavu… 

...Next week Monday (Episode 3 ) we get a little deeper into how it all began.