At the city, Clarke began coming home drunk and being abusive. The neighbours were always irritated by him playing music loudly during the night. Soon thereafter, Mary found out she was pregnant. Clarke, at first, was startled by the news, but he soon came to terms with the issue. Mary’s hormones got her nagging, though, and Clarke found her a nuisance.
“Clarke, where have you been? I’ve been sick and worried about you! What’s that on your shirt?” Mary looked closely. “Wow! You even have a lipstick print on your shirt!” she lashed out.
“What are you on about?” Clarke asked heading to bed. “Sometimes I fail to understand how your brain works! Let me not worry much, maybe it’s the hormones that are doing the talking! You never know what to expect from a person in your position! Anyway, are you done?”
“Just admit it, damn it! You were with her, right?” Mary asked.
“‘Her,’ meaning who?” Clarke asked popping out his eyes.
“Lindi!” Mary said, trembling. “You go around sleeping with her while foolish Mary is left in the house looking at the walls! Don’t you dare deny it! Yeah, I know it, it’s been going on for years!”
“What are you on about?” Clarke ridiculed, smiling. “Nowadays, you never cease to confuse me! Oh God, please help your daughter, she’s losing her mind! She’s talking about things she knows nothing about!”
“Please share the joke! What’s funny? You cheat on me with my friend then have the balls to laugh at me, huh?” Mary said, she then threw her cell-phone at Clarke.
“I can’t apologise for being nice and friendly to your friend!” Clarke said. “There’s nothing going on between us! Didn’t your parents tell you that a man isn’t supposed to be questioned about his whereabouts?”
“So, you’re a man now?” Mary said, pointing at Clarke. “Let me tell you something, you aren’t a man! You’re far from being one!”
“Since you’re God, our Almighty, what am I?” Clarke asked.
“You’re a boy, judging by your foolish behaviour!” Mary said, fuming.
“God, the almighty, please give me an absolute definition of a man!” Clarke said with a twinkle in his eyes. “Since you’re Miss-Know-It-All, Miss Goody-Two-Shoes!”
“A man is someone who sees other beautiful ladies outside and still comes back home without being tempted by them,” Mary said. “A man is not defined by the number of women he is with, but by staying loyal to a single woman! A boy is someone who thinks having multiple partners is the right thing to do. My dear, change! Be the man you want your son to be, and be satisfied with the only woman you have.”
“Nxa! I won’t stand for this humiliation and rudeness from a farm girl! I’ll show you what I’m made of! This time you went too far!” Clarke said, walking away.
During the argument, Mary experienced contractions and Clarke called an ambulance. When they got to the hospital, she gave birth prematurely at seven months. The baby stayed at the hospital for a few days. Soon after that, Mary’s aunt went to visit her, and she was welcomed with bad news: Mary had made up her mind and she was separating with Clarke.
Tell us: If you Mary, would you go on with the divorce?