Olaedo was skeptical about dealing with a native doctor but I assured him that everything would be fine. Meanwhile, I advised him to stop cooking for her husband or rendering any form of service to him. She seems not to be comfortable with that.

“Linda, I want to forgive my husband. He has been begging me to forgive him.” Linda said in voice laced with emotion.

“What exactly is he begging for? Is it for cheating on you, or for beating you?”

“He is insisting that he never cheated on me.”

I opened my eyes wide as if I was in shock because of what Olaedo said.

“Have you seen it? Where is the repentance? If he is denying that he didn’t do things what he was caught red handed doing, it means he will never stop it.”

Olaedo stared at me for a few minutes speechless. Later she said, “But we can’t continue like this. He is my husband and the father of my unborn child.”

I understood you. I am not saying that you should leave your husband. All I’m after is a lasting solution to this problem. Do you see how he is begging, it’s just because you have shown him that you are a strong woman. You have to maintain your stand, so as to get a permanent solution.”

“It’s okay. What are you suggesting that I should do?” Olaedo asked.

I was happy for the question.

“Now you are talking. I will help you search for a lasting solution. My colleague in office was having this kind of challenge in her marriage. She visited somewhere and afterwards, she got a solution.”

“Really?” Linda asked in excitement.

“Yes. She told me that they gave her a small calabash that she placed under the bed for just a night. The work of the calabash was to tighten the love between them. Since that day, they turned to two love birds. Last week he came to our office to come and see his wife. I asked my colleague what her husband came for.

She told me that he just came to see her face, I was amazed. My dear, I have to tell her to give me the address of the place. I might have such a need in future.

“This so so nice to be through. Are you sure of what you are telling me?”

“You can come to my office and see her. Sorry I just remembered that she is on leave. You have to wait till when she resumed work.”

“Linda, you know that is not possible. Delay is dangerous. We have to do this as fast as possible so that I will have my man back.”

“It’s okay but my challenge is work and the place is a bit far from here. In fact don’t worry, I will sort it out.”

“How? When? Another challenge is my husband. Sometimes he comes back to the house without notice,” Olaedo lamented.

“Don’t worry. I didn’t even plan to go with you. I can go, sort everything out, and bring the calabash for you.”

“Linda my sister, God bless you for this. You are more than a friend, you are now my sister.” She smiled in contentment.

“My dear you don’t have to thank me. What are friends for?”

Olaedo somehow was under my tutelage and I was directing her on how to live with Smith. I was still communicating with her husband . I reached out to him one of the days and he complained bitterly about olaedo. Afterwards, I decided to visit his office.

“Mr. Smith, I am really worried about the way you sounded on phone. What exactly is the matter?”

“My wife is still frustrating me. I don’t know what to do, to please her.”

” Don’t worry, she will come around. Just be patient with her. It’s just that you shouldn’t have laid your hands on her. Did you forget that she is pregnant?”

“I’m sorry for that. I have been begging her to forgive me. I regret all my actions on that day, though she caused it.”

“Any way there is no need to keep blaming yourself, both of you should move forward.”

“My wife have refused to move forward. She is really bitter against me. Since that day, she doesn’t give me food.” Smith lamented.

“If that is the case, then she has taken the issue too far. Is she the first woman that her husband had ever beaten. My neighbour beats her wife almost every day. After crying, she will cook and still beg the man before he will agree to eat.

“Have you seen it? I am the one begging my wife yet, she doesn’t want to accept.” He lifted his hands and let them fall; showing signs of frustration. I was seriously enjoying the drama.

“This is one of the advantage of polygamy. If she has a rival, she would be the one begging you. But don’t worry. I will talk to her. She should value what she has before she loses it.”

“Thanks so much Linda. I appreciate your concern.”

Afterwards, I bought a small calabash, tied two small sticks with red cloth and took it to Olaedo.

“This is what was given to me. Now listen to the instructions they gave me. Place the calabash under the bed that you and your husband sleeps on. Another thing is that you should try your best to make him happy. Cook food for him and ensure that he eats the food. That is all. By tomorrow morning, you will see a positive result.”

Immediately I left Olaedo’s house I went to see her husband. I ran into his office, panting and gasping for breath. Mr. Smith was alarmed when he saw me. He demanded to know what the issue was.

“Mr. Smith there is a problem. I can’t hide this from you because I have a conscience.”

“What is the matter. I hope Olaedo is fine. Give me some minutes, let me call her on phone.”

I got very angry though I tried to control my emotion so as not to scatter my plans. The constant show of love, that Mr. Smith displays towards Olaedo was killing me.

“Just calm down and listen to me,” I managed to say.

I opened my phone and showed him,” Few days ago, Olaedo sent me this message that the pregnancy is not yours, and that she want to end you and elope with her lover.

I was so angry with her. I warned her not to do anything stupid. Today, I went out during our office break time and I saw olaedo. I thought she was coming from the market. I forcefully collected what she was holding but I was surprised to see a calabash and charm.”

“It’s a lie. It cannot be my Olaedo,” Mr. Smith said firmly.

I pretended as if I was crying. “Mr. Smith please listen to me. When I ask her what she was doing with those things, she told me that I will hear the news by tomorrow morning.”

“Linda, I don’t believe you,” he told me bluntly.

Sudden fear gripped me but I couldn’t dare to show it because it was already too late to back out.

“I am not asking you to believe me, just be careful. When you get home. Watch your wife closely. Then stylishly search your wardrobe and under the bed.

I am not supposed to tell you all these because Olaedo is my friend. But you are a good man and you have been good to my friend. That is why I cannot allow her to harm you.”

Mr. Smith did not believe what I told him. But when he got home, his wife welcomed him with smiles. He was wondering what was going on because his wife had been keeping malice with him. Few minutes later, she told him that food was ready. Smith then concluded that everything I said was the truth. He decided to search for the calabash.