My kiosk people, you are welcome to the kiosk again…This time around, I have another person in my kiosk today. You see, people face a lot of challenges but for makeup, good clothes we hardly see a trace of it. That next door neighbour might just be suffering in silence.

Amaka came to my kiosk some days before with her friend Joan. Joan invited her to the kiosk and she listened to different sessions with the other kiosk women. I couldn’t explain what came upon me that day when I told Amaka to share her story with us. She wanted to share but couldn’t utter the words rightly so she left in anxiety. We were all confused about what the matter was and concluded that she must have been very shy amongst her women since she’s just a new face.

The following week, Joan came without Amaka. We were all surprised and right there I knew Amaka was keeping something from the world. She’s a married woman with two beautiful daughters, she’s been married for 7years according to Joan, her husband? Oh! He’s such a loving man. A man whose presence is just the banner of Love. Everyone could see it in his eyes that he loves his wife, well, that was what Joan told us.

We were happy for her at least we know her homefront is stable. So, why did she run? Amaka didn’t show up until three weeks later. According to her, work at home and in the office has been demanding. She apologised for leaving erratically that day. We started our session and the women were up for different stories of themselves and those they have heard, of course trust women now, we know how to share stories vividly.

Amaka was far away from us and we all could tell because she didn’t share in our humor, she was just blank.

Joan tapped her and Amaka leaped off the chair, Yes! That’s it. This woman is not okay, that’s what I said. She tried covering it up with a very,very superficial smile. I told her, you had better speak up! she saw the tenacity in my eyes, she knew  a No, A run, won’t be the answer right here. As she opened her mouth to speak, she started weeping. I told the kiosk women not to go near her at all, no one should try pacify her. Let her cry and speak.

That’s how Amaka started her story…

“Kiosk women, I am suffering. People think I am fine but I am not. My marriage is Hell. My husband hits me every time. In fact, I can’t speak when he is speaking at home, I can’t do anything. My children are in the boarding school, it’s only when they are home that he doesn’t beat me up because he wants to be the perfect man and father to them. 

He rapes. There was a time I was so sick and couldn’t move off the bed, he just had sex with me and left me in the house. My maid is the only that knows this very well. That girl has been the reason why I am alive. I can’t explain who I married.I have tried being a good wife. I have left my career for him, I don’t enjoy this current job but I did for him so there will be peace, and yet, no peace. I think it’s because I don’t have a male child and sincerely,  I don’t know if I can have a baby now. I have suffered 4 miscarriages already…”

At this time, she couldn’t speak anymore. She was weeping inconsolably. Wow! everywoman in the kiosk became dumbfounded. She didn’t look it at all. she looked perfect! very perfect. Amaka’s friend couldn’t fathom it and there she said… ”Madame K, but her Husband is a marriage counsellor in our church, in fact he is the head of the counsellors”

What? we all screamed. ”Yes, she’s right. He’s a counsellor, but how would I go about saying it? I have to show my Loyalty.” Amaka Replied.

Till nextweek.