Pandemic Baby – But Not Mine

I loved my wife, she was my missing rib and apple of my eye. If there is anything I could do to show my wife my earnest love for her, I would do it without having a second thought. I knew we would spend the rest of our lives together because I had devoted my life to her. She never at one point complained of my inability or failure to perform my responsibilities both to her and the children. I trusted her and there was no one I could give my trust other than to my wife. However, my forever was short lived, and till date I have never recovered.

My family had been going through difficult financial problems at the start of the pandemic. One evening I got a call from my manager saying I had been selected to travel outside the country for an assignment. After the call, I quickly called my wife and informed her of the good news. She was happier than I was, and before I could hang up the call she asked that we prayed; I obliged . Unbeknownst to me, that assignment will later come to change the whole of my life.

I noticed my wife had started changing, three months after I had left the country. She could no longer pick up my calls at night which became quite unsettling for me because we had agreed to always communicate. I brought it to her attention and the excuse was that she was alone and burdened with taking care of the kids, hence, she needed time to herself to rest. I understood her as I knew her being well-rested meant the kids would be well taken care of. We later agreed to call in once a week and write to each other regularly.

A year passed and things just became worse. I became stressed at work as I was not able to hear from my family. My wife had blocked me and my calls to her went unanswered. My performance had dwindled and I received warning letters. I did not want to lose my job because this was a life time opportunity that would help me complete our house and pay off the loans I had taken to take my wife to school. I persevered.

A year later, I had sank into depression not knowing how my family was. My contract was extended, that meant being away for another one year. I sent monies to her account to take care of the kids and complete the building despite having not heard from her for the last one year. I was a responsible man, I had to keep my word to my family. I sent my family to go check what was happening in my house only for them to report that my wife had moved out and they had no idea where she had relocated to. You can imagine what this did to me; my blood pressure was high for a whole month and I could not go to work.

Time flew and it was now time to go back home. I was not a happy man; where was I going to start searching for my wife and children? Her family knew nothing about her whereabouts. I started calling her friends and she had cut them off. I reported the matter to the police and investigations started.

My wife was found, with a five month baby. All this while, she had left my house to go be with her new found love. This is someone I had devoted my life to. How was I going to start all over again? My desire to bring up my children in a loving home was shattered. I felt sorry for my children the most. How could she let ten years of our lives go to waste? How was I blind not to see any tell tale signs? Why did she squander the money meant to complete the house? I ask myself these questions every day.

I have now started counselling but my heart is forever scarred.

Image Credit: Caleb + Kaci Carson