Monster In-Law 2

       I found him sitting with his mother in the gazebo; was she complaining about me, did i hear right?, i walked up to them and welcomed him, all i got was a warm smile in return, no hug or kiss. 
''where did you get such a lazy and dirty wife from?, she continued, what!!!! i was confused, she had eaten two different meals and a dessert since her arrival.I didn't know how to respond so kept mute, Ben on the other hand apologized saying we had just returned and was still trying to settle in, i tried really hard not to pick an offence. finally i spoke, ''welcome honey, let me get you something to drink''. 

      I needed a moment alone to calm my nerves, anger never solved a problem plus she was my husband's mother,with a deep breath i decided to try harder to get on her good side, taking a pack of my orange juice and three tumblers i headed back.

      I noticed Ben's face light up as i approached (he loved my home made drinks), mama noticed it too and begins to speak ''thank you young lady, but if could give us a minute am trying to have a quiet time with my son''. I felt my heart sink, i gave Ben a stare daring him to respond, he said nothing, i felt betrayed and began to leave when i heard him speak up, ''mama, her name is Olivia and we are one, feel free to tell us anything'', he stretched out his hand inviting me to sit next to him, '' ooh yes, now that's the man i fell in love with'' i said to my self.

The look on mama face was scary, she began to murmur ''When will dinner be ready? or should my tired son go in and cook for you? ''. before i could ask what he might want for dinner, mama interrupts saying pounded yam will be just fine with a wicked smile on her face.

To the kitchen i returned to continue cooking, '' my new found hobby''. I still couldn't get mama's smiling face off my mind, how could she be enjoying this. I put in all efforts to ensure the meal came out perfect, i was really trying to get her to like me, all i wanted was a happy family.

        Oooh my dinner was a mess, mama had a lot of complains about my cooking and didn't hesitate to tell me how much of a better cook she was. Ben said nothing but ate in silence, if i was such a bad cook how could he swallow it all. it took me all the courage not to speak, i needed my bed.

          The sound of music playing woke me up, what time was it?, i could tell the sun was fully out but I couldn't remember sleeping off.... a note on the side table got my attention, it read;

hey baby,
i know you had a stressful day yesterday
please try get along with mom
am off to work, do have a lovely day.
love you always.
                            Ben.💕

        Realization dawned on me, my mother in-law was around and i was still in bed, i saw the clock ticking; it was 8:30 am, i quickly jumped out of bed and into my slippers and straight to the kitchen, i heard sounds from the sitting room and knew just where she was.
  Calculating my every thought and words i headed to the sitting room, ''good morning mummy, hope you had a lovely night'' i said to her, turning her head to give me a full view, she replies ''what is good about a morning of starvation, which wife wakes up as late as nine'', here we go again, was she going to remind me of how unqualified i was for her precious only son?, ''sorry mom, i was feverish'' i said cutting her off, '' am much better now, what would like for breakfast?''.

Finally the day seemed to be coming to an end, i was worked up, she (my mother in-law) had me serving her hand and foot and not even a thank you, all i got was the food was too salty or peppery or not soft enough, i felt like a traded slave.

Ben's return was all i awaited, i was done tolerating mama, how long was she going to stay?. 

Monster In-law 1

I felt the sun light hit my face, it was indeed a bright day i was finally married to my heart throb, Ben. He was so lovely, kind,romantic, pink lips and ooh that body of his, i always felt so secure in his arms..... i just loved him.

Our honey moon was the best; candle light dinners, beach side lunch and breakfast was always in bed if you know what i mean (smiles), we had just returned home more like to reality, Ben had gone to work, he was a Medical consultant and owned his own small maternity clinic, i on the other hand was an editor and i worked from home, i still couldn't believe two weeks had gone so fast, i missed all our talks and walks, holding hands.... ''ding dong'' i was jolted back to reality, ooh i missed our private little moments.


The house was quite organised except our bedroom, we returned late last night and hadn't unpacked, and ooh the dust, it was the dry season and dust was the new air, this meant a lot of cleaning needed to be done, but who could be at the door this early and why, my house was not ready to entertain any guest....'' ding dong, ding dong'' the bell rang again, i finally pulled myself together and made my way to to the door.

I heard the door bell ring again but this time it sounded inpatient, i hope there was no emergency, "am coming!!" i yelled, then quickened my pace, getting to the door i turned the keys and door nob as fast as i could and pulled.... "mama!!'' i screamed, my mother in-law was here, with two boxes and a bag. I stretched out to hug her but got a cold shoulder, i felt panic flow through me, "hope no problem?" i asked, she hissed and asked what took me so long to get to the door, i quickly apologized and ushered her in carrying all her luggage.


I was still trying to pull the boxes behind her, wondering what was in them when i realized she was standing at a spot and her eyes moving round the sitting room, ''what a pig, my son married'', she said so softly i didn't know if to get offended, i began to apologize again, explaining that we arrived really late last night and was too tired to clean.... she cut me off saying only a lazy woman makes excuses and didn't hesitate to let me know she had her reserves on her son's decision to marry me but of course her husband of blessed memory wasn't there to help convince her only son from marrying a disaster like me.

I was still lost in the part of hesitation; Ben never mentioned that, he always said his mother adored and loved me, i always wondered why she never called often or never wanted me to visit, he always convinced me otherwise... i felt a stare go through me and realized she was still speaking.

There should be a way out of this, smiling i apologized and asked for a few minutes to clean up and get her something to eat, she abruptly refused to sit in saying ''i don't want to die of dust''. This was my fault i said to my self as i ushered her to the gazebo outside and beckoned on the gate man to clean a chair for her to sit, her laughter cut me off, ''so you are too big to clean the chair for me?'' she asked, ''of course not'' i replied, and quickly took the napkin from akin (the gate man) and started dusting.

My back hurt, i had been cleaning and cooking all day serving my dear mother in-law, ooh my God, her needs where so many; the water is too hot, now its too cold, its not warm enough.... really?. How long was she going to be around?, i hope not long, the sound of my Ben driving in got me smiling again, my baby is back, the memories of our honey moon flooded my mind, his kisses, his touch.... he must be tired and exhausted, thanks to my mother in-law i had prepared rice, beans and plantain so he can mix it which ever way his appetite blew him


To be continued.....