PARTNERS - by Yemi And The Pen

The Thing About The Other Parent That Friday, Kemi received a call from her sister, asking her to come home urgently. Their mother was ill and wanted to see all her children. Anxiety settled in her chest. Her mother had been falling sick frequently, and Kemi hoped this wasn't anything serious. But it was already 4 p.m. How was she supposed to travel from Ojo to Sagamu at that hour, especially with all the insecurity in the country? Despite her worries, she packed a small bag and prepared for the journey. Before leaving, she called her son. “Demilade!” “Yes, Mummy?” The boy abandoned the game he was playing with his friends and ran inside. “I'm going to see Grandma. I'll be back tomorrow. Take care of your siblings. When your father returns, collect some money from him, buy soap, and wash your school uniform. Do you understand?” “Yes, ma." He nodded. “Help me greet Grandma and buy something for us when you're coming back." “Okay, my love." “Bye, mummy," he said in a hurry, already running outside to rejoin his friends. Kemi returned the following evening, relieved. The doctor had assured them that her mother would be fine. Exhausted from the journey, she went to bed early. The next morning, she woke to find Demilade preparing for a Sunday hangout organised by one of his classmates. The boy's mother had mentioned it weeks earlier, but Kemi had completely forgotten about it. She examined his shirt and decided he could wear something better. As she searched his wardrobe, she noticed that his laundry basket was overflowing. Even his school uniform lay among the dirty clothes. Her irritation rose as she called Demilade and asked why he hadn't washed his uniform. Demilade stared at his laundry basket, seemingly shocked as well to find his uniform unwashed. “I forgot," he muttered. “Ehn?" Kemi asked, frustration becoming evident in her tone. “I forgot, mummy," he replied, louder this time. “How can you forget something so important? You're going to school tomorrow! You spent all of yesterday playing, and you couldn't remember to wash your uniform?” Her shouting woke her husband, who came into the room to find out what was happening. Kemi simply informed him that their son would no longer be attending the hangout. He needed to wash his uniform. “But Mummy—” “Go outside, Demilade!” The boy left reluctantly. Kemi turned to her husband and told him all that had happened. He rubbed his forehead. “Ah, this boy. He didn't even ask me for money to buy soap.” Kemi looked at him for a moment before speaking. “And why is it he has to ask before you notice, Jola?" He frowned. “What do you mean?" She walked away without answering and locked him out of their bedroom. Sitting on the bed, she sighed. She knew they needed to talk, but she was too tired to start another conversation that would end with him failing to see why she was upset. Jola was the breadwinner. She understood that his job was demanding and that he often returned home exhausted. She appreciated everything he did for their family. But they had agreed to raise their children together. Why did it feel like she was doing it alone? Sometimes, she wondered whether Jola saw her as his wife or simply as the person responsible for keeping the home running. She wasn't asking him to abandon his job. She simply wanted him to take responsibility without waiting for instructions. Providing for a family was important, but surely fatherhood had to mean more than bringing home money. Kemi buried her face in her palms, fighting back tears. She considered opening the door and going to speak to Jola. She could explain everything calmly, as she always did. Maybe he would understand this time. But he hadn't even knocked. And this time, she decided to wait for him to come to her, instead of always going to him. They were partners in this marriage. It was time he started acting like one.

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