Wife's first wife still lives with us. Is this normal?
When I married Musa, nobody sat me down to say his first wife—Aisha—would still be living in the family house. They’re divorced, yes, but she’s got her own room, cooks sometimes, even answers the phone like she’s still managing things. Musa says it’s because of the kids and his parents won’t hear of her being thrown out. But every time I try to speak up, my mother-in-law looks at me like I’m the one causing trouble. Even my own mum said, 'You go be fine, this is how Hausa families do.' But it don’t feel fine. I smile, I pray, I try to be respectful, but inside I’m breaking. How am I supposed to build something real when I feel like a guest in my own home? The kids call her Mama Aisha and me Mama Ife. Nothing do you, they say. But I didn’t marry to share space like this. Sometimes I wonder if I’m asking too much just to feel like a real wife.
Anonymous