The Valentine day divorce (Part 2)

By Chinyere Obi-Obasi

The Judge asked the Respondent’s once again; are you sure you don’t want to cross-examine the Petitioner?’

‘No. We are not,’ the counsel confidently answered.

‘I believe you understand the implication?

‘I do your Lordship.’

Very well Madam, please come down.

The Petitioner came down and went straight to her seat and sat down.

The judge then asked the Petitioner’s counsel if they had more witnesses to call.

‘No, your Lordship. That will be all. ‘

The Judge thereafter adjourned the matter to the 15th of March which translated to two weeks time.

As soon as the judge rose and left after the usual shout of, ‘as the court pleases,’ the Petitioner hastily left the court; got into her car and drove away.

The judge had come in that 15th March somewhat apprehensive. After the last sitting, he had called his prayer warrior twin sister and told her about the case and asked her to pray. She laughed because from the time the judge became an adult and can take decisions for himself, he began to distance himself from the church, pastors and religious activities. He was not an atheist. He has this belief that God can do everything for people like his sister who live a good, holy life.

He explained to her that he has not been sleeping well because of this couple that wants a divorce. Please pray for them that they will get together,’ he pleaded.

Just this morning as he got ready to go to work, the sister had called. ‘It is about that couple you asked me to pray for, God said you should consider it done.’

He marvelled because he did not tell her that the matter was coming up today.

Thank you, Rose. Let me see how it will be done then.

There were few cases in his court since it was specially dedicated for hearing and coincidentally, the case was number 1.

In the case of Acha Vs Acha,’ the court clerk shouted.

Both counsels announced their appearances.

The Petitioner’s counsel sat down and the Respondent’s counsel said, ‘your Lordship I hereby call on the Petitioner for his evidence.’

The Respondent looked beautiful in his sky blue Agbada. The outfit made him appear taller and looking more responsible. He had this confident walk and glanced and smiled at the Petitioner intermittently. The Petitioner on the other hand kept her gaze fixed straight into the air.

The Respondent was not deterred as he kept looking at her as he answered the question from his counsel.

‘Can you please tell this homourable court your name and what you do?’

My name is Chief Simon Acha. I am a retired Director with Federal Service. I live in Abuja.

Do you know the Petitioner?

Yes of course she is my beloved wife whom I love so so much.

Everyone in the room laughed and the overzealous clerk shouted, Order! Order! Order!

His lawyer continued his examination. ‘You are in court because your beloveth said she is no longer interested in the marriage; what do you have to say about that?’

First of all, I am still very much interested in the marriage and will never give up wooing her back into my life and the life of my children because she is the best thing that ever came into my life and the life of my children.

The last phrase came out like he had a lump in his throat and was close to breaking down.

The judge looked at the Petitioner. She was calm and her expression did not indicate anything. She was emotionless.

To be continued.