Beyond expectations

Episode 4: A Night of Shadows

The shelter home stood like a weary traveler, its timeworn walls sagging under the weight of countless stories. Mr. Adeshina, with his salt-and-pepper beard, felt gratitude seep into his bones as he stepped inside. The people here are strangers, yet kind and offered a respite from their nomadic existence. But Mrs. Adeshina, her eyes narrowed, saw only the grime on the walls and the flickering candlelight casting eerie shadows.

Nightfall draped the shelter in a hushed stillness. The Adeshina family huddled together on thin mats, their breaths mingling with the scent of damp wood. Aishat, the eldest daughter, lay awake, her mind a tempest of resentment. Parents, she mused bitterly, made decisions that carved the course of their children's lives. Tonight, the weight of their choices pressed upon her shoulders, threatening to crush her spirit.

Victor, the younger son, sprawled beside her, blissfully ignorant. His faith in their parents bordered on naivety. "They'll fix this mess," he whispered, as if the universe had a secret pact with them. "After all, they shouldn't have brought us into this world if they couldn't handle it."

Aishat's tears flowed silently. She turned away, her face buried in the scratchy fabric. Victor noticed but chose silence, unwilling to disturb the fragile equilibrium. "Always acting like she has it worst," he muttered silently

Across the room, Mr. Adeshina lay awake, tracing the cracks in the ceiling. The mess he'd created by abandoning their old life in Nigeria, loomed over him. There was no going back; the past was a distant shore. Here, in this unfamiliar land, he clung to hope. His gaze shifted to Mrs. Adeshina, her face softened in slumber. Would she wake with concern or indifference? He sighed, a prayer for silver linings whispered into the night.

And so, under the shelter's leaky roof, the Adeshina family slept

The morning sun tiptoed through the threadbare curtains, casting feeble rays upon the Adeshina family. Mr. Adeshina, fueled by determination, embarked on a quest for shelter. His inquiries led him to an agent, a name scribbled on a crumpled piece of paper. With a payment made, he secured a modest apartment. Hope clung to the edges of his thoughts; perhaps this investment would be their foothold in this unfamiliar land.

The family packed their meager belongings, stepping into a taxi that rattled like their dreams. The apartment awaited, a refuge from the shelter home's cold embrace. It lacked the grandeur of their Nigerian house, but it was a step up. Mrs. Adeshina, her eyes assessing every flaw, couldn't hide her disdain. "What kind of house is this?" she spat at her husband. "We deserve better."

Mr. Adeshina's patience frayed. "Must we spend all our remaining money on an apartment?" he retorted. "Think for yourself, woman!"

Their argument echoed through the narrow hallway, bouncing off peeling wallpaper. Aishat, scrubbing the floor alongside her father, listened. Her parents, the architects of their misfortune were a tragic comedy. Victor, oblivious, darted outside to play with newfound friends. Aishat glanced at her mother, eyes narrowing. "Now I know where Victor gets his attitude," she thought. "Two adults making the worst decisions."

Hours passed. The apartment transformed, though the Essentials were absent, but Mr. Adeshina spread a worn wrapper on the floor, a makeshift bed. Tomorrow, perhaps a mat or a real bed would materialize. He stepped outside, eager to explore the neighborhood, while Mrs. Adeshina, wounded, sought solace by knowing the neighborhood where she later met one of her neighbor.

Mrs. Adeshina had considered her suburban neighborhood to be a quiet, unassuming place. The houses were mid, the lawns neatly trimmed, and the neighbors friendly. But when She met sandy , a neighbor of hers

Sandy was unlike anyone Mrs. Adeshina had never met. In her twenties, with a confidence that radiated from her every move, Sandy introduced herself as a stripper. She didn't shy away from the truth; instead, she embraced it. She spoke passionately about the allure of the stage, the thrill of the spotlight, and the money that flowed like a river. Mrs. Adeshina listened, both fascinated and appalled.

In the evening , after an animated discussion about the financial benefits of stripping, Sandy disappeared into her room. She returned with a wad of cash, crisp hundred-dollar bills neatly stacked and handed it to Mrs. Adeshina. "Consider it a welcome gift," Sandy said, her eyes sparkling. "A token of our newfound friendship."

Mrs. Adeshina stared at the money, her mind racing. She had never seen so much cash in one place. It was tempting, intoxicating even. But she was just a jobless housewife for now and her husband, Mr. Adeshina, doesn't even have much to provide for their family, and she felt she had to find her own means too .

As Sandy continued to share stories of late nights, dimly lit clubs, and the thrill of dancing for strangers, Mrs. Adeshina's thoughts swirled. Could she really step into that world? She wasn't athletic like Sandy, but she had curves, a body that could turn heads. And money—well, they could certainly use more of it. Their savings account was a barren wasteland, and the bills piled up like fallen leaves.

But there was a catch. Mr. Adeshina was a traditional man, rooted in conservative values. How would he react if she told him she wanted to explore this unconventional path? Would he see it as a betrayal or an act of desperation?

Mrs. Adeshina's contemplation intensified. She watched Sandy leave for work each night, her heels clicking on the pavement as she disappeared into the neon-lit darkness. The allure was undeniable, the promise of quick money, the thrill of breaking free from monotony. But what about her marriage? What about the unspoken expectations?

She headed to her apartment, in entering the aroma of freshly cooked rice wafted through their home, Mrs. Adeshina sat at the dinner table. Mr. Adeshina glanced at her, his eyes questioning. "Where were you earlier?" he asked, his voice gentle.

She Mrs adeshina gave no reply and ate in silence .