VILLAGE ROSE, CITY THORNS

Jide had learned his lesson the hard way.

His last relationship with Stephie, a certified Lagos baddie, had nearly drained him dry. She had expensive tastes—Dubai bags, designer shoes, first-class trips—and no patience for a man who couldn’t keep up. By the time he realized she loved his wallet more than him, his savings had taken a serious hit.

This time, he wanted different. He wanted peace. He wanted a wife who would respect him, build a home with him, and not see him as an ATM. So, he went back to his father’s village and found Ruth.

Ruth was quiet, respectful, and covered in modest wrappers that made her look like the perfect wife material. She cooked well, greeted elders with a deep curtsy, and listened to everything he said. Jide was convinced—this was the woman who would bring him peace.

He married her and took her to Lagos.

At first, Ruth seemed overwhelmed by the city lights, the tall buildings, and the traffic. But soon, she adapted—too well.

In months, the shy village girl transformed into a loud, arrogant woman. She refused to clean the house, her personal hygiene became a problem, and she started ordering takeout daily instead of cooking. Even worse, she picked up the worst attitude, talking back, disrespecting Jide in front of friends, and acting like she was doing him a favor by being his wife.

One evening, after another argument over her unwashed clothes piling up in the bedroom, Ruth rolled her eyes and hissed, “If you’re tired, go and marry your mother!”

Jide clenched his fists. He had never been a violent man, but this woman was testing him. He knew if he didn’t walk away, things would escalate.

That night, as he slept on the couch, he made a decision. The next morning, he packed her bags and sent her back to the village.

Lesson Learned

Jide realized something important—good or bad people exist everywhere. A woman’s worth isn’t measured by where she comes from but by her character. Next time, he wouldn’t choose a wife based on assumptions. He would choose wisely.