Chinonso Arubayi, wife of gospel artiste, Eric Arubayi, has opened up about the agony she felt when her husband died on February 11, 2017.
The 2007 West African Idol third runner-up died at the Delta State University Teaching Hospital, Oghara, Delta State allegedly from complications arising from the administration of expired malaria drugs.
He was 34.
Speaking in an interview on TVC on Wednesday, Mrs Arubayi said she felt betrayed by God that her husband, could die so unexpectedly.
“My husband and I lived a faith-based life. We prayed together. When he died, I lived in denial because I felt betrayed by God that my husband, a gospel artiste, could die.
“For the longest time, I didn’t want to pray. People sent me scriptures and messages, I didn’t want to have anything to do with it.”
The pain of losing her husband was made worse by certain traditional rites demanded of her.
“While the society was supportive, it also had certain expectations; wear black, cut your hair, do and be seen to be in mourning.
“I fell into depression, shaved my hair at first and went to the barber again, that it wasn’t low enough. I wanted to go bald. I cut my hair and my friends would go, “Girl, you are still fine.” That only made me feel worse. I just wanted to about with charcoal and everything.
“When I started getting comfortable wearing black, being sad, I started going to church to hear the word. Also, a good friend of mine, reminded me that I was made for the glory of God and I needed to let it shine. That was when I started wearing make-up and dressing up.
“Besides, as a professional make-up artiste, how would I be able to convince people to let me make up for them, if I was looking unkempt?
She added that her husband’s death was, “so painful, because this was someone, I wanted to spend the rest of my life with. I wish I had him for longer. It was a rude shock to me. We were together for three years.”
Described as a classic R&B/soul artiste whose music basically summarises the basis of our existence, survival and hustle through life, Eric once said “It’s amazing how God has been a lot to me and a whole lot of people can relate to this hence I call him my everything.”
He died three years into his marriage, leaving behind his wife and a son.
