This archive report was first published on 2 August 2019.
It's been over a week since you've eaten at home, thanks to your wife's sulking. But when her cousin relocates to Australia, you see an opportunity to win her over. You agree to host a farewell dinner at your home, despite knowing it's a toxic environment.
As you arrive, you're greeted by your wife's uncle, a close friend of yours. He's upbeat and cheerful, but you know he'll be disappointed when he finds out you've been avoiding your wife. 'My son, what kind of a man doesn't get home early to eat with his family?' he asks, his signature cheeky laughter filling the air.
Despite your initial reluctance, you decide to put on a show. You hug your wife tightly, and greet everyone with exaggerated cheerfulness. You even order her to warm up your milk and food, just to make her feel like a loving African wife.
But your plan backfires. Your wife is furious, and her relatives can see the anger in her eyes. You continue to annoy her, even riding in the same car with her and her cousin on the way to the airport. You force her to talk, and even make her protest when you mention visiting her uncle this weekend.
As the night comes to a close, your wife is beside herself with rage. 'What the hell was that? What did you want to achieve?' she asks, her voice trembling with anger. You try to placate her, but she's having none of it. 'Shut up. I don't want to talk to you!' she says, storming off to bed.
