A woman is taught to be invisible, not to raise her head too high lest she hits her husband's jaw. Dusk descends and Kamsi's orientation is changed. The thought and hope of giving life to a new being could change anyone. Kamsi, a woman in love, realizes that even love is not enough; The institution of marriage needs a lot more. Her story is just one voice amongst other women who are married to loving, overprotective and dominating men. It had been easy to believe one could get a blanket when cold hit but what about a time when the heart turns cold? How warm could love be at dusk?
View MoreChapter Six•"If we are faithlessHe will remain faithfulFor he can not disown himself. "Kamsiriochukwu had read the Bible verse most mornings and nights she knelt to pray, When her faith was so little that it seemed sinful even . She had not been a good church goer in her university days. She had followed Maka to church twice in her final year and she was made leader of the drama group without interview or investigation. It was what brought her closer to the church - That was the sole purpose of the post. She had thought she could not act on stage but the post made her realize that people could do anything if they just try.That Bible verse did not leave her lips that morning. She had gone to pick her test result with Ella, her newly acquired handbag . Her little faith was still ringing negativity while she still hoped for positivity.She waited for a lon
Chapter Five•"The both of you are quarrelling again " Michelle stated when they were in the private kitchen.Kamsi just shrugged and looked for water to drink."Did you tell Mama ?""No." There was finality accompanying her reply.There was silence. She did not want Michelle to know that her daughter was the reason they were quarrelling. She did not want the quarrel to also be a reason her daughter would no longer come to stay with them."It's not a serious quarrel." Kamsi said.Michelle moved to the dining and she followed her."Michy, look at me " she said, extending her hands to the side."Is there any indicator of pregnancy showing on my body?"Michelle came closer and touched her breast and Kamsi moved back immediately.&nb
It is only a man without problems that sleeps at peace and Kamsi was not that man. She was not a woman who knew how to deal with pain. She burdened her heart with alot of thoughts and even when she sleeps, her thoughts follow her to the realms of dreams where they taunt her with even exaggerated versions.A cold war rose after the night Kamsi mentioned Ella's coming. She had been expecting it; Silence was Mark's own attack or rather response in situations like that. Not responding to her greetings, eating food she prepared without acknowledging her and suddenly becoming just a house mate to her.The silent treatment became a norm ever since the first disagreement they had about quitting her job. She did not like the idea, Mark persisted sweetly until it became a quarrel where he no more responded to her greetings. She was used to their quarrel even though she hoped they would grow past it. She did not know when or how. Those quarrels w
That evening, the television showed a programme about Animals. Kamsi was not interested. The cramps she was feeling kept shooting up from time to time. She felt bored. She had been by herself almost all day. Mark returned home and tried to ruin the mood. She was no more angry with him as she had felt then. They had agreed on no eating outside unless they were together but Mark had gone against that more times than she could count. She still wanted to correct it.She went back to watering the plants after that she served herself some fruits from the fridge. She was turning her head wildly until she began to feel dizzy. She had always been that way - When she was bored, she did not know how to spend time with herself.She matched upstairs, allowing her flip-flops noisily announce her presence. She opened the door slightly to peek then widely. Mark was lying with his head buried in the pillo
Kamsi sat up on the bed and crossed her legs yoga style while she thought of other things to occupy her time rather than sleeping. She was still in her favorite pink satin nightwear, not showered yet.The cramps she had been experiencing before she slept had subsided a little. The pangs still shot up from time to time but not anything that she could not manage.It was a Monday. Her husband had gone to work, same as most people but she was at home. After two years and more she was still getting the hang of being a full time house wife.The idea of having a job had posed as no problem till after her marriage when Mark realized that her work was inconvenient based on distance and he asked her to quit with the promise of a better job. Her former job had nothing to do with the fine arts she studied in school but she loved it. It kept her busy.Th
The wind hummed softly, touching the trees and making them sway to its caress. The smell of the gutter, spoilt fruits, ice fish and more all mixed together in the air.All around, people were busy. The wheel barrow pusher shouted at people to clear as he approached with cartons of indomie stacked on his wheel barrow. A man selling boxers made from bedsheets was walking around calling for customers. A woman shouting, ' upstairs and downstairs!' was walking around waving pants and bras in the air.Kamsi looked at the basin of fruits before her then her glance shifted to the vegetable leaves displayed on the table then looked around for signs of the seller who went to bring her "fresh" tomatoes.She knew market women well; their fresh was never actually fresh. There were tomatoes displayed there but they weren't the type she liked- she liked the hard seeds that she could easily cut to prepare her sauce.&
Cold At Dusk by Laura Ananaba is a unique romance novel. Kamsi grew up educated that women must be below their husbands. She is married to Mark, and they are enjoying their life as a couple. But the expectations of other people put them under pressure. Can Kamsi and Mark handle these difficulties together? Mark needs to see Kamsi as his partner. And Kamsi needs to be more understanding of Mark. Otherwise, their burning love will lose its heat and turn cold as dusk.
Comments