(Prologue) LOVE AFFAIRS | A novel of the OmidanWURA_files By Segun Alonge Jr

Elder Adeyinka Rogers is the renowned marriage/family counselor. He has won for himself several honorary titles in his local church as well as at his place of work and the vicinity he lives in.

While some refer to him as the Elder ‘marriage man’ (relative to Elder statesman), some call him the ideal family man, others simply address him as ‘Baba’, amongst several other titles.

One would wonder at times if he attended a conventional school or took up courses on family life and relationships. When posed with a direct question of how he knew so much about relationships, he would often lean back on his chair as though the backrest and arm support would provide the answer he wants to deliver. He would then say, ‘Experience they say is the best teacher’, although if I could have my way, I would delete the word ’best’. You see my daughter, ‘oju ti ri’.
Whenever he makes such statements, everyone present at the time should be ready for yet another practical life class as he carefully and meticulously select a file from his archive of experiences. A young bachelor after having an encounter with him added another title to honour his wisdom and bright memory – The Raconteur.

There was never a boring time with him. Couples who come to him at the verge of divorce are often seen walking out with smiles after shedding uncontrollable tears indoors. The elders of his church have decided to send the very dirty and difficult marriage cases to him. Hardly will you come to him with a burning issue and not be met with a nearly similar if not the same experience as you came to share. People often say he is the fulfillment of the scripture, ‘there is nothing new under the sun.’ Those words coming out from within him have been affirmed by many, ‘a soothing balm’.

After his retirement as a civil servant, he decided to establish fully his consultancy firm where he would be able to reach out to more families and couples. He holds a mentorship class for couples – young and old - every Sunday evening, where he interacts one-on-one with them.
‘I am only here to honour Elder Adeyinka - don’t take my coming for granted,’ Deacon Olujimi screamed at his wife as she tries to explain to the Elder what she has been going through within the three years of their marriage.

‘Nothing I do is pleasant in his sight anymore,’ she said.

‘Point of correction - you have never done a pleasant thing in my sight! I only assumed things will get better with time.’

Sir, this woman is dirty. I cannot cope with this anymore. She claims I was not being supportive in the care of the baby but even before our first baby came, she was nothing to write about – let alone, write home. Would she be the first nursing mother? I cannot proudly come home with my friends – it’s always a nauseating sight. She is so lazy that dirtiness has now become her kinswoman. I still love her, but I am fed up, I cannot live with this anymore.

Elder Adeyinka sat completely in his chair as he listens to him dole out harsh words on his wife and she in return was weeping uncontrollably. I can’t stand the pains and agonies of divorce, she said.

‘But Deacon, why have you not talked to me about this all along? I am sure mummy (Mrs. Adeyinka) would have been of great help.’

‘I was giving her time to incorporate family life into her normal life, Sir’

‘Hmmm, time!’
Nothing works until you work at it. If your acclaimed experience about family life holds true, then you should be in the best position to nurture her. Your words are filled with complaints upon complaints. No clearly defined solution has been proffered ever since.

‘How many of you live in the house?’

‘Just the two of us and our baby,’ He replied.

‘Who does the house chores?’

‘The Woman’ that’s her responsibility. I labor hard to provide for her. She never lacks anything, ask her.

The Elder cleared his throat and replied, ‘thank God she has not been stressing herself over board to meet your demands – she wouldn’t have made it this far if she had’.

Marriage is all about sharing. Not just the money but house chores as well. Toilets don’t clean themselves neither does dishes. The house never gets dirty on its own accord, you both made it dirty.
Support your wife. Don’t force her into her early grave. You need each other to make this marriage work.

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