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Loan her your husband? First, I thought it was a joke. Then I thought it was preposterous. I thought it was absolute madness. I thought it was the craziest thing I have ever heard. What on earth did she have in mind? I understand giving your shoes or even your car to a friend to use for some time, but what was all this nonsense about loaning her your husband?
I remember my first encounter with this lady. My wife had gone out on a Sunday to see a friend off. Much against her expectation, she met this shop in the neighbourhood open. And she badly needed to pick up something from a shop - something just for the afternoon. The problem was that there was no money on her. The shop owner was kind enough to let her pick up whatever she wanted and pay for it later. However, it was not until the following evening, when I returned from work, that she remembered she had not paid for it.
Since I was going out, I offered to help her make the payment. She gave me a detailed description of the shop and the owner. Although I was not very familiar with the people in the neighbourhood, the description was too apt for me to miss the shop. Soon I was there and introduced myself to the lady as the husband of the woman who picked up something from here yesterday with a promise to pay later.
“I can’t remember,” she said.
Cannot remember ke? I gave her a description of my wife. I thought she should at least recollect.
“I don’t know, maybe she’s one of my customers.”
I was too sure that was the place, so I gave her the money. My wife could see her later to explain, I concluded.
On my way out, I ran into the woman I used to buy bread from before I got married. She knows my wife and children very well, so it is not unusual of her to ask after them every time she sees me.
“Good evening, Pastor,” she said.
“Good evening, Ma,” I responded.
“How is your wife with your children?”
“They are doing very well.”
“Please, greet them for me.”
“I will.”
Mission
accomplished, I left the place hoping to ask my wife to explain to the shop woman later that it was the money she was owing her that I brought. Somehow, I thought I saw the woman putting down what she was holding to take a proper look at me as I walked away. Maybe it was just my imagination, so I refused to dwell on it.
One week down the line, I got the shock of my life. My wife and I were discussing. She says that one of her weaknesses is that she does not know how to hide anything from me. And that is true! If there is something you do not want me to hear, do not tell her. And if there is anything you do not want her to hear, do not tell me. Between the two of us, it is difficult, maybe impossible, to keep secrets.
“I didn’t want to tell you this….”
“Why didn’t you want to tell me?” I was curious.
“Because I know it will make your head to swell.”
“So what is it?”
“You remember the woman I asked you to help me give money last week?”
“Yes….”
“She is tripping for you.”
“Tripping for me…how?”
“In fact, she asked me to loan you to her for one night.”
“Is she not married?”
“Yes, with three children.”
I was confused! My wife had to convince me that it was not a joke. The woman had insisted, even when she tried to end the talk. And she was dead serious! Why would a married woman want a night out with another woman’s husband? Where I came from, merely imagining it is an abomination, much more discussing it. Why would a married woman want another woman’s husband? The more I think about it the more confused I get. She even told my wife that she learnt I am a pastor. That is the more reason I expected her to exercise some restraint. Granted that some pastors have made a mockery of their calling, I still believe the pastorate is a sacred institution.
“Did she tell you why she wanted a night out with your husband?” I asked my wife.
“She said I was lucky to have such a fine young man as a husband, so….”
I still do not understand. How does a married woman forget her marital vows just because she saw a fine young man? This does not have anything to do with Obasanjo or Atiku, what has happened to our culture? What has happened to the traditional respect for the marriage institution? I am confused! Maybe, just maybe, she was joking. Maybe, I am too old fashioned. Please help me!
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Posted by Robot| 22.03.2007 10:30