WHO AM I WITHOUT YOU? PART 1
My name is Damilola Balogun or should I say Damilola Oluwagbesan. I have
almost forgotten how my father’s name sounded along with my name. Three
months ago, my divorce from my husband or should I say Ex-husband was
finalized. Right now, I am single but not searching. I have learnt my lesson but it
had to be the hard way.
It all started 12 years ago when I met this fine, young, Yoruba boy. Our high
school days were sweet because I fell for not just his looks, but his intelligence;
we were actually in love.
Two years later on the night of our high school graduation he asked me to marry
him. We were both 18 years old and was thinking what the hell? let’s do it! We
had to do it; I was already 2 months pregnant. He promised to take care of us,
and never ever allow me beg for nothing. Which girl wouldn’t want that? so I said
yes!
The wedding happened so fast. Before we could even finish our honeymoon, my
honeymoon; Bolu went off to the university. He was gone, and I was here at home
taking care of myself and our baby. Bolu would call every now and then. He would
ask after his child and then me. I wondered sometimes how much fun he was
having over there in the university. People told me to just forget him, some said I
need to move on with my life, but how could I? My baby was keeping me
occupied so I never really thought I was missing out on anything.
Bolu graduated 5 years later. He got a fine paying job at this oil company, and our
life was well set off. I always knew he would make it big in life with that brain of wedding for kids
his. I stayed patiently waiting for him because I knew our future would be bright.
At the age of 26 I was already driving one of the best cars in the roads of Lagos
not to mention my bank account which was overflowing. I lived in a house that
was as big as all my worries. Even when we walked into a room people saw us as
a power couple like the kinds of Angelina Jolie and Brad Pit, just without all the
kids, and somethig else I did not know was missing.
One night, we had a petty argument about the rumors have been hearing. He
denied having anything to do with her and I didn’t push on the issue. My mom
called me later on that my father was very ill and I needed to rush to the hospital.
When I got to the hospital, my dad’s condition was not improving at all. Two
weeks later he gave up and left us. I ran home with a heavy heart that faithful
night.
When I got home, Bolu was not there. I called him to ask where he was. He said
to me “Baby, am not coming back.”
The next morning, I thought this was all a dream, till my mom called that they
were making funeral arrangement already for my dad. So if my father was truly
gone then this is not a dream? My husband just left me!
At first I must say that the shock of both news almost make me go crazy. I could
hear my mom still talking on the phone “Hope you and your husband will be
coming soon, we need you both.” In her tiny voice before she started crying. I
wanted to tell my mom what was happening to my home right now, but I was not
about to add to the woman’s burden. So I kept quiet, I held it all in for another
day.