Njoki Chege has written about a scenario involving a married couple. Initially, their life together was great, but things took a turn when the husband started coming home late, providing various excuses for his tardiness.
The wife responded by developing a strategy to express her displeasure. When her husband came home, she would often be wearing an unappealing nightdress and a head wrap, sometimes still in the same clothes he had left her in that morning. She would also refuse to open the door for him, click her tongue, and pout when he asked about dinner, and roll her eyes when he tried to touch her.
As time passed, the husband stopped asking for dinner or dessert and began coming home even later, sometimes as late as 3am. The wife pretended not to notice the change in his behavior but was secretly wondering where he was getting his dinner and who was keeping him company.
One evening, the wife pretended to be asleep when she heard her husband arrive home. She overheard the house help, Maria, unlock the door and welcome him, asking if he would like to have dinner in the sitting room or in her room as usual. This conversation struck the wife like a thunderbolt, making her realize that her husband might be seeking companionship elsewhere.
Njoki Chege comments on the situation, stating that the man who is being treated poorly at home is likely to be appreciated and celebrated elsewhere. She suggests that women who mistreat their partners should not be surprised if they seek attention and affection from others.
Chege argues that the society we live in is imperfect and that there are harsh realities that must be accepted. She advises women against sulking and withholding affection from their partners, as this can drive them into the arms of someone else.
