AFI Global

A LIFE UNRAVELED.

EPISODE ELEVEN (A HAUNTING DREAM)

Charles's anger was palpable as he confronted me. "Why would you do such a thing, Tinuade? And now you're just telling me? Are you the reason behind all the stress I've been going through?" His words cut deep, and I felt like I was drowning in a sea of guilt.

I tried to explain, but Charles wouldn't let me. "Woman, what did you want exactly? You've brought shame and trouble to our family. I will never be part of this. You better know how to fix things." His words stung, and I felt tears welling up in my eyes.

As Charles continued to lament, I broke down, sobbing uncontrollably. "I did this because of us," I pleaded. "Your family was pressuring me, and I felt like I had no other choice. What could I have done? My dear, please don't be annoyed at me. I really need your support at this time."

Charles's response was icy. "My support? Support my foot. You better leave me alone, woman. I don't know what's going on in my mind right now. Just leave me alone." The argument ended abruptly, with Charles storming off to the couch, where he eventually fell asleep.

But his sleep was fitful, and he soon found himself in the midst of a vivid dream. In the dream, he saw John laying his hands on our son, Erioluwa, and praying for him. Charles felt like he was watching from afar, and he couldn't help but shout, "Yes, Lord, Yes Lord, Yes Lord."

The shout was so loud that it woke him up, and I rushed to his side, concerned. "What's happening, my dear?" I asked. Charles took a deep breath, still shaken by the dream. "I had a dream," he said, his voice trembling.

I pressed him for details. "A dream? So what's the dream all about?" Charles's eyes locked onto mine, filled with a mix of fear and hope. "In that dream, I saw John praying for our son." I felt a shiver run down my spine. "Really? What could this mean?" Charles's dream had left us both with more questions than answers, and I couldn't shake the feeling that our lives were about to take a dramatic turn.

P.S One episode to go!

To be continued!!!

A LIFE UNRAVELED.

EPISODE NINE (THE DEVIL'S BARGAIN)

Desperate for a solution to my infertility, I confided in Lola about my struggles to conceive. She led me to a local herbalist, who promised that I would bear a child if I followed her instructions. I agreed, and she gave me a concoction to mix with my bath water and another to lick every four hours for a month.

I did everything she said, but I didn't tell Charles about it. Two months later, I discovered I was pregnant, and our families were overjoyed. Nine months later, I gave birth to a beautiful baby boy named Erioluwa.

As Erioluwa grew up, Charles and I were filled with joy and gratitude. We thanked God for answering our prayers. However, when Erioluwa turned four, we began to notice some developmental delays. It became clear that he had a mental disorder.

I was consumed by guilt and confusion. The herbalist had warned me that I wouldn't be able to conceive again naturally, but she hadn't mentioned anything about the child having a mental disorder. As the truth began to sink in, I felt overwhelmed by shame and regret.

The other parents in our community started to keep their children away from Erioluwa, and I couldn't blame them. Years passed, and Erioluwa turned ten, still struggling with his condition. I knew I had to confront the herbalist, so I went back to her, hoping she could offer some solution.

But she was unmoved, telling me that this was the price I had to pay. "Nothing gotten from the devil lasts long," she said, her words piercing my heart. "He will never give you something without demanding more from you."

The shame and guilt became too much to bear, and Charles and I decided to relocate to a new city, the capital of our state. As we settled into our new life, I couldn't help but wonder what the future held for Erioluwa and our family. The weight of my decision hung over me like a cloud, and I couldn't shake the feeling that I had made a terrible mistake.

To continued!!!

A LIFE UNRAVELED.

EPISODE EIGHT (INCREASING PRESSURE)

The day of our wedding finally arrived, and Charles and I exchanged our vows in a beautiful, intimate ceremony surrounded by our closest family and friends. We had decided to keep the wedding low-key, with only a handful of guests in attendance. Despite the simplicity of the ceremony, our love for each other shone through, and we were both grateful to have found each other.

As we settled into married life, news of John and Mary's relationship spread quickly. John's parents, especially his mother, were ecstatic and began pressuring them to start planning their wedding. They would often visit John, asking him when they could expect a grandchild. John would reassure them that he and Mary were taking things slow, but his parents were impatient.

Meanwhile, Charles and I celebrated our second wedding anniversary, but our joy was tempered by the fact that we still didn't have a child. Despite our best efforts, I hadn't become pregnant, and Charles's family was growing increasingly frustrated. They would often ask us when they could expect a grandchild, and Charles would try to reassure them that we were working on it.

The pressure was mounting, and I could feel the weight of their expectations bearing down on us. Charles's family was particularly eager for us to start a family, and their frequent visits only added to the stress. Charles would try to reassure them that we were both medically okay, according to the doctor, but this didn't seem to alleviate their concerns.

Feeling overwhelmed and isolated, I decided to reach out to an old friend who lived in our area. Her name was Lola, and we had been friends since childhood. I hoped that talking to someone who knew me well would help me process my emotions and find a way forward. I picked up my phone and dialed Lola's number, hoping that she would be available to meet up and talk. Little did I know, our conversation would lead to a revelation that would change everything.

To be continued!!!