Read Story: SEASON 1 EPISODE 1
The Breadwinner Episode One
This is the fifth year of John's marriage to his wife, Miriam. The family has been living well because John has a good job that pays him well. His salary is always more than enough to take care of the needs of his wife and two children who are now in school. John is a doting father and family man who does everything he can to make sure that his family gets every good thing they desire. But this is life and bad things happen. One evening, John came back from work and broke a bad news to his wife.
"Honey, I lost my job." John said as he crashed on the soft chair in the living room of their house. He was totally shattered because he did not expect to lose his job. Everything took him by surprise. He was performing well and had even received commendation letters from the owners of the company he worked for. However, the company decided to let go of some staff because their profit was dwindling due to economic downturn. John was among those who were sacked.
"What? My God! How? What happened? What did you do wrong? Why were you sacked? Oh my God! How are we going to survive?" Miriam asked as she broke down in tears. Her husband tried to hold her but she refused to stop crying. She never expected such news. Although, she was also working as a teacher and earning salary, she does not know if it would be enough to pay the bills of the family.
"Don't worry my love, I will get another job soon. Remember I'm very good in my field. It will not take long before I get another job. Within a month or two, things will be back to normal. Just promise me you will be strong and willing to support me the little way you can in this trying period of my life and career." John tells his wife while holding her to his chest trying to soot her nerves.
"Why would this happen to me? Why would this happen to my husband? This is bad news! How are my children going to survive? How are we going to feed them, clothe them and pay their school fees?" Miriam asked tearfully as she crashed on the chair again and continued to weep. John pleaded with her to stop crying but she would not stop.
"Don't tell me to stop crying. Please allow me to cry. You just lost your job and you want me to roll out the drums and throw a party? Please allow me to cry. Allow me to shed tears of sorrow. You are the man of the house, what do you think would happen when the man of the house has nothing doing? What do you think would happen when the man of the house is no longer making money to maintain his family?" Miriam asked her husband who was using her left palm to wage his chin sorrowfully.
"I just told you all hope is not lost. I will get another job soon. I will start applying for available positions in other companies this evening and I'm really very sure I will be employed. Just be strong and support me the little ways you can. Things will be back to normal again." John said while holding his wife tightly.
The worse part was that John was sacked without salary because he was just paid the salary for the previous month. He had used the salary for the previous month. He had used the salary to take care of other things. His mother was sick so he had used part of the money to pay the hospital bills where she was treated. This made him to be completely broke at the time he lost his job.
That night, John was not himself at all as he was going to bed. He knew that sleep will not come close to his eyes. What man sleeps when his house is on fire? He knew that he had to do something quickly so he can start earning money to take good care of his household. He could not sleep as he just lay on the bed, staring at the ceiling until daybreak.
The next day, John's wife prepared to go to work. She is a teacher, so she goes to work very early in the morning.
"Please, when you wake up, wash the plates and clean the kitchen. Also, mop the living room and wash the toilet. Everywhere in the house seems very dirty and I don't want to see it that way when I come back from work. Also, I have dropped some money on the table for you to use and cook for us. Please, cook egusi soup, that's what I want to eat when I come back from work." Miriam said to her husband as if she was talking to a housemaid. John was surprised because his wife has never sent him to do any chores at home. No matter how tired she was, she would always take care of things in the house.
"Why are you sending me around like a house maid? Why are you talking to me that way?
Have you forgotten that I'm your husband? I paid your bride price and brought you into my house. Even if you want me to help you with chores in the house, that is not how you are supposed to talk to me as if you are talking to a child." John said angrily as he stood up from the bed.
"My dear, it is now your duty to take care of the home front while I work. You lost your job yesterday remember? You cannot stay idle at home of course. You have to do some chores. You are not going to work, so you cannot be sleeping all day. You have to make yourself useful. Besides, I'm now the one bringing money for food, so, automatically, I have money for food, so, automatically, I have become the breadwinner and I get to decide what happens in this house. I have the right to send you around. I'm now using my savings to take care of our bills, so you have to give me that respect. I'm now the man of the house, while you are the woman. So my dear, don't complain if I tell you to cook and do house chores. Please, if you don't want me to be angry, make sure you cook before I'm back. I'm off to work." Miriam said as she stormed out of the room. John was so angry that he stood there speechless.
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