Wormwood

The Reversal

My name is Major Matthew Okon of the Nigerian army, I and my men had just returned to our families after a mission in sokoto, we had been home only two weeks before it began. I missed home, I missed my beautiful wife Edna and our two kids, Mmaette and Udoette; God truly blessed me. Mmaette was about to turn ten while Udoette was seven, Edna and Mmaette shared the same birth date and I promised to be home before they both celebrated. The night of their birthday, some of my men came over with their families to join us. The kids played together till they fell asleep, the ladies talked half way into the night while we just drank and watched them.

'I think I might retire soon.' Cpt. Vincent said sipping on his lager.

'I should be the one to say something like that.' I chuckled ' at least before I get another promotion it will be in the next ten years or so.' I added

'Sah are you really going to pay attention to Vincent, he's just happy to be home with his wife he married three months ago and left abruptly.' Cpt. Udeme mumbled a bit tipsy

'You look miserable Udeme,' 'sah I think we should all be on our way so this boy doesn't embarrass himself in front of our families.' Vincent suggested.

'Please get them home.' I said aiding Vincent to lift Udeme. 'Ladies! It's time to get your boys home, please get the kids.' I called out to Edna

'Matthew, your boys aren't men yet. How can a couple of drinks get them all worked up.' Edna mocked

'Madam, how can you say that?' Vincent exclaimed 'my brain is very strong oh unlike Udeme here who wants to die...Ntekim mbok di wam ebe fo ndi dakada (Ntekim come and help your husband stand up please).' Vincent beckoned on Udeme's wife, while giving Udeme a look of disgust.

'Please leave my husband for me,' Ntekim responded running to her husband 'thank you sir for having us this evening. I enjoyed myself and so did our daughter. Aunt Edna may God add many more years to you and Mmaette.' Mrs. Ntekim curtsied

'Amen my dear, thank you for coming to eat this our tasteless food.' Edna laughed hugging her from the side

'I'm grateful for today, and I'm glad you all came to share with us; we should do this more often. Vincent make sure Udeme gets home safe with his family after all your house is a stone throw away.' I commanded

'Yes sah!' He saluted

'I love you guys, thank you so much for having us.' Mrs. Amarachi (Vincent's wife) said dishing out warm hugs to the couple.

'We didn't even pray with them.' Edna sighed smacking her forehead with one hand, and used her free hand to carry the dishes in.

'That's not a problem, they know I always pray for them anytime they leave like this.' I said following her with beer bottles

'Matthew one day you will explain to me why you still drink but preach more than any pastor I've seen.'

'My love, it's a bad habit for soldiers, it's not something I want to do but beer is like our water in the field but I'll stop though.' I said rolling my eyes and wrapping my arms around her waist

'Ehnn after you've retired abi?!' She asked spitefully, pushing me away

'Edna?...'

'You're not even romantic anymore Matthew, when did you start calling me by my name eh; you should retire oh if you know the military is making you boring and stereotyped.' She rolled her eyes

'Honey, but it's your name, or you don't want to bear the name again?' I giggled playfully

'You think I'm joking? One day you'll go on one of those missions and come back to an empty house, bet!' She stretched her palm with an angry demeanor

'My lover I'm sorry if I've been boring and annoying and an idiot and a wuss and a dick and...I can see a smile coming up right there.' I said touching her cheek as she blushed a little 'you like when I say dick huh, you spoiled girl.' I teased

'Don't start your foolishness young man. Apologize.' She said grinning

'I'm sorry love, it wasn't intentional. But we should talk about everything not quarrel, you know I can't win you at that.' I tried wrapping my hands around her waist again

'I know you can't that's why I resort to it. I'm sorry for getting angry but I miss you and I miss us. Just promise we won't lose our spark?' She said running her pinky down my chest

'Honey, you know how I get when you do that.' I growled 'but I promise we won't lose our spark and I'll do better from today.' Pulling her chin closer as I clamped my lips with hers

'The kitchen is too much of a mess for us to have a quickie' she said

'That's my cue to go and shower' I said trying to make for the door quickly, I was too tired for Edna's savage libido--it just won't die.

'Where are you rushing to?'

'Honey I'm tired and sleepy.'

'Sleep fire! My dear go and shower and wait for me, you've been away too long and I am not firewood.' She pulled off her apron and locked the backdoor--at this point I was going to be raped🙆🏽‍♂️😰

'Abasi mi mbok di wam mi (Dear God come save me)' I muttered

'Semi (look here) Mathew Okon don't wake my children with these heavy feet, lift them up; tonight your duty is to your wife or have you started seeing other women outside?' She stopped dramatically

'Am i mad?! My chances of survival on the battle field is -1, I don't wish to worsen those chances at home. Thank you' I said in a funny accent

'Afo ette mi (you this man).' She blushed as we walked to the bedroom.

I want to say thank you to everyone who has read and will read this. It's my first so please by all means feel free to criticize (constructively) --that's the only way we get better, right!
It's long; I'm aware of that but I promise to make the others that follow shorter. Love y'all😏