Chapter 3: Fine Boy No Like Sun

From that first day wey I see Somto, na so I just dey look am like mumu. I love him fine face, him pale skin, the way he go just sit down quietly for sofa, dey wear that white short-sleeved shirt. E resemble the doll wey I cherish that year.

The first time I see am, I nearly bite my tongue. E just dey quiet, no talk, skin fine like person wey never trek under Lagos sun. The shirt wey e wear dey white sotay e dey shine for parlor light. I remember that my old cloth doll—always neat, always peaceful. I begin imagine say, maybe one day, Somto go smile for me like that doll.

So, everyday after we marry, I dey treat am like princess: dey bring tea, dey give am water, dey help am remove cloth, I even wish say I fit dey feed am chop.

The tea no be ordinary tea—sometimes na zobo, sometimes na Milo, sometimes I go add small chin-chin for side. I go arrange him shoe, iron him cloth, dey talk soft like say na baby I dey pet. I even go watch YouTube, learn how to prepare foreign soup wey he fit like. E no dey ever thank me, but I no send. I dey use service cover love.

But for night, I dey treat am like say na horse wey get power—

The night get another level. For day, I go form caring wife, but for night, I dey show am who get power. Sometimes, I go challenge am, dey drag bedsheet, dey tease am till e tire. My own kind wahala no dey rest. I fit whisper nonsense for him ear, dey push am make e vex. I want make e feel me, even if na only with anger.