Chapter 1: Sharp Guy, Cold Heart

The way my mind dey work that period ehn, I dey find any sharp method wey go make Ifeanyi comot my life without wahala. For my mind, I no wan share even one kobo or let her feel say she fit benefit from all my sweat. I been dey feel say this na the beginning of my true happiness.

Using the excuse of buying a house in a good school district for our child, I tricked her into a fake divorce.

No be small planning o, I carry the matter for head, arrange all the documents, forge story upon story. Ifeanyi trust me reach heaven, no suspect anything. Even her family no fit see through my plan. For this Lagos, sharp guy must get sharp sense.

When she returned from a business trip, there was already a new woman in the house.

Her face change small when she see Halima, but she just bone face, dey carry herself like market queen wey no get time for nonsense. Even Amarachi run to hug her, but Halima bone face, dey form madam of the house. The smell of Dettol and Halima’s heavy perfume mix for air, making everywhere choke. The atmosphere heavy like PHCN blackout that moment.

I thought she would break down and make a scene right there.

Na so I dey watch her like film, dey expect say she go shout, throw bottle, or even start to cry loud. My heart dey beat, I dey prepare for anything. Na Naija woman now—who wan carry last for drama?

But she just bone face, dey carry herself like market queen wey no get time for nonsense. No one single tear, no wahala. E shock me. Ifeanyi too get mind. Her calmness na like cold water for hot yam.

I watched her drag her suitcase and quietly leave, like say she no even send us. The happiness wey I feel that moment nearly make me craze.

Her silence even sweet me pass her wahala. As she waka, her footsteps just dey echo for my head. I come dey reason say finally, peace don land for my house. I nearly dance shaku shaku.

From today, I no need to dey look that boring, dull old wife again.

No more long face, no more nagging. I fit finally live free, dey enjoy life as I want am. As I talk am for my mind, I come dey reason all the things wey I miss since.

I couldn’t wait to kneel down for my first love, who was already tying her Ankara wrapper anyhow, leg just dey show small, and enjoy my brand-new life to the fullest.

Omo, the kind joy wey dey my body no get part two. As Halima just cross leg, dey eye me like fresh meat, I know say my new chapter don start be that. Na this kind enjoyment man suppose dey chop, no be stress.

Na so I dey craze with joy, like person wey just hammer lottery. But as I dey dance for my mind, Ifeanyi silence dey echo for my ear. E be like say peace never really land.