Sorry for the long wait guys. Oh! Sorry, I'm not sorry. The title talks about being patient, I guess we are already practice. If you haven't read the genesis, kindly do - link. Without further ado, let's go back to where we stopped.

... clause. Which was throughout the time she's using the charm. She mustn't fight with her husband. No matter how hard he tries to frustrate her, she should patiently tolerate him. After all, it's just for a short period since his death is imminent.

She said that will be very hard because she hates being cheated and when anyone serves her problem red hot she doesn't tarry in retaliating with her own red hot problem. Grandpa said if she breaks the rule she will face the repercussion which is her losing her sanity. She was scared and agreed to do as instructed. She must have seen something related to that happening in Nollywood movies.

She left with mixed feelings - sad that she will have to put up with her husband's behaviour for weeks but happy it will end with his death. Grandpa on his part called his wife (Grandma) and explained what transpired to her and waited patiently for the outcome.

Weeks later the woman came running with tears in her eyes. She was pleading and rolling on the floor. Everyone gathered and asked what happened but she was reluctant to talk. Grandpa asked her to speak up, at least she came willingly to him for help. With hot tears falling she narrated how she came the first time and was asked to come back, how she got the charm and went home to use it.

She said the first time she prepared the meal for her husband, he refused to eat it as was his usual practice. It took all of her self-will not to fight with him. The next morning she woke up early and cooked for him again. This time he ate a little but all true the meal he was looking at her with suspicion. When he got back from work she went to the gate to welcome him, told him she prepared a bath for him and also set the table for him. The husband remained rooted for some seconds, he wondered what was happening but didn't utter a word.

When it was time to eat, she joined him in eating to deceive him and waver all forms of suspicions away from his heart. Immediately after the meal she went to the kitchen and lick part of the Red substance Grandpa gave her as the antidote.

This went on for weeks, and to her astonishment, her husband who doesn't come home early, started coming home early and no longer beat her or abuse her. Not only that, he buys gifts for her almost every day. At first, she thought it was just a fluke until the morning when she woke up to see her husband in the kitchen preparing a meal for her. She said she couldn't believe her eyes and tried to keep the tears from falling, but she got to her tears-restraining limit when her husband greeted her with "Happy anniversary honey"

She couldn't withhold the tears again, for, after their second wedding anniversary, her husband forgets the date every year. If he'd remember he pretended as if he didn't. She started sobbing when she realised her husband will soon die due to the poison she has been giving him constantly.

She started rolling on the floor wailing and pleading for Grandpa to reverse the curse. At first, Grandpa said there's no solution again that she should start preparing for life as a widow. She increased her wailing to a higher pitch and held on to Grandpa's garment pleading.

Finally, Grandpa listened to her cries and asked her to bring the poisonous matchbox. She brought it out and grandpa poured the contents into his mouth. She looked at him with wide eyes and the crowd also shouted with alarm. He asked to sit down and went into his room. He came back with a wooden box and in it was his local cocoa flakes. He said when the woman came asking for help, he noticed that though the description she gave portrayed her husband as a monster, he knew something must have happened to have awakened the monster in him. The investigation report he received further attest to his thoughts.

He brought out the Local cocoa flakes and showed the woman. He said it was the flakes he poured in the box as poison. While the Red substance was grounded herbal tree. The woman shouted for joy and started rolling on the floor thanking Grandpa. She couldn't contain her joy and started jumping, rolling and dancing.

Grandpa told her he knew the key to changing her husband's behaviour was right in her hand. Whenever her husband acts like fire, she should be the ice. And when she's the fire, her husband will be the ice. She went home happy and to everyone's astonishment, confessed to her husband who came with her the next day to thank Grandpa for saving their marriage.

That was how she became Grandpa unofficial daughter and visit him from time to time bearing gifts from her husband and herself.

THE END!

Author's POV

This story isn't fiction though I might have added some spice to some parts. However, I hope the lesson of the story isn't lost.

This is for both married couples and the single ones we have here. It isn't just for the Ladies/women but for the Guys/men too. Why did your spouse or partner change overnight?. Your sweet love turned sour and the partner you swore to live with till death do you apart now looks like death itself. Why don't you consider being patient with him?

Patiently deal with him/her. I know we all have our egos, but will you want your marriage to be destroyed due to that ego of yours?. If he/she refuses to apologise for wrong behaviour or treatment, why don't you call him/her to order with love?. Know this fully well, the partners are not the victims of a divorce. The innocent children are. Why don't you save your marriage today?.

With patience ever the stone hearted can be made soft.

PS: This is not an advice to stay in a toxic and abusive relationship. If you've tried your best and the other partner refuses to change. It might be right for you to leave before your life leaves your body.

Thanks for reading!🤗💚🤗