CHAPTER 4

          If only my husband could always be like this, I thought as my mind flashed back to that kiss he planted on my lips this morning. It had been long he had kissed me that way, the way I wanted to be kissed, with love, want and passion. Thoughts of the kiss just kept occupying my mind as I got ready for work. My face had turned a bit red already considering my fair complexion. I could feel flutters in my stomach. Why was I attaching so much importance to that kiss? Acting like a girl who just had her first kiss. I decided to shut down my thoughts as I scurried towards the front door. I had a feeling it was going to be a great day and I could only anticipate what the day had in store for me.
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          All through my drive to the store, I watched closely for any form of difference on the way, but there wasn’t. With a smile, I parked at my shop’s parking lot and alighted from the car.
          To my utmost surprise, Mrs Alison wasn’t at work yet. I could not tell if I was relieved or terrified. With what happened the previous day, I could no longer decide what I thought about Mrs Alison. The respect I had for her had reduced drastically and the fear took the better of me. She could desire to fire me I thought, or better still report to her husband and I risk going to jail for attempted rape. Both ways I will get fired and maybe jailed too. With those thoughts flooding in, I shook furiously nearly slamming my fist on the office table. But that would have brought attention towards me. I resigned to fate with that and started going through the pile of papers placed on my desk.
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           Who was I seeing? No it couldn’t be I thought to myself. He wouldn’t have come here, he didn’t even know here. I shook as I glanced towards his direction again. He looked more handsome than I could even admit. He did not stop looking good and wearing the best the fashion world could offer. It was no other person than Mr. Eric Alphonsus.
I sighed and said a short prayer to God in my mind as I approached him. We had a lot to talk about and too many unfinished businesses to attend to. My stomach curled into a knot as I drew closer towards him. If this was the anticipated package for the great day I had expected, this one was too big a surprise. Was I dreaming? It really was him. I had to pinch myself to reality.
          “Hello Mary, long time no see”. Mr Eric uttered interrupting my thoughts. I froze in my tracks as I heard his voice. He still had that effect on me that he had when we were in the university. How we did not end up married still remained a mystery to me, and it felt like the past was coming to haunt me. I shut my eyes briefly and smiled back at him, extending my hand for a shake. “A handshake?” he asked amused by my gesture, he chuckled and pulled me in for a hug. “I am a married woman I whispered in his ear and we are outside by the way i concluded.” Amused once more, he asked “A married woman?” he did not speak further and opened the door to my store and let me in. I sighed as I walked in. it was going to be a very long day. I could only wish we resolved things and he went far away never to be seen by me because truth be told I …. “What a nice bookstore you got here” Eric said interrupting my thought for the umpteenth time. i smiled at him and thanked him for the compliment.
Now it was my turn to keep secrets. I well could not tell my husband that I saw Eric Alphonsus it would start up a quarrel and I could not handle that from my husband.
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          “Mr. David, how are you this morning?” Mr. Ferdinand my colleague said. “I’m very well thank you and how is your family?” I replied politely. He was my closest friend at work and the only person I related to well. “Is madam around?” Ferdinand asked. I shook my head in response. Why was her name coming up all through this morning? She was really a terror to me now`. I wished sincerely that she never showed that beastly side of her. It was frightening.
 “Good morning Mr David” I heard from one corner of the office room. I turned my head in the direction of the voice to see who it was. And lo and behold, it was the she-devil herself. “Good morning Ma.” I greeted back walking towards where she was standing. I had a feeling today was going to be another long day. She instructed me to go up to her office and wait for her. I feared for what was likely to happen. Hope fully, she wouldn’t try what she did the last time. I was in deep thought now. Why did she have to be this way? I had too much going on already and the least I wanted was some female trouble. What was really happening to me? Was I destined to really have a tough year? First it was numbers, blood and now a she-devil. What exactly was this? temptation? trials? I couldn’t figure it out yet. It was all jumbled up in my head. It felt like a war was taking place right inside my head. Was I going out of my mind?
I waited in her office for close to half an hour before the door knob clicked and she walked in. unlike earlier; she was smiling whole heartedly and walking more majestically into the office. I sighed as my hands began to shake, goose bumps formed on my skin. It was like the room had become minus twenty degrees Celsius. I was freezing inside.

Dear Readers,

Sorry but the chapter 4 is a bit short. Next chapter will compensate for this one. Thank you.

THE TRIAL

CHAPTER 3

          It was a little past two o’clock and I felt that urge to call my husband. Really unlike me, considering the fact that for the past few days becoming a week now, we had not really been in constant touch. I damned the consequences, picked up my phone and dialed his number. His phone rang three times before he answered it. “Hey honey, I just decided to check up on you and make sure all is going well at the office.” I spoke to him. He sounded relieved at the hearing of my voice though he didn’t say anything to depict he was having any problems. He just as usual, assured me all was okay and appreciated me for the call. I hung up feeling happy that I had obliged to that constant urge to call him. The relief in his voice was very encouraging and soul satisfying. I smiled to myself.

          At about three o’clock, I went for a lunch break at the fast food restaurant opposite my store. It was a good thing I had my store near a restaurant. It was most convenient. I had a plate of fried rice and roasted peppered chicken alongside a chilled glass of orange juice. It was a very tasty meal that suited my mood exquisitely. As I was taking a gulp of my drink, I sighted one of my friends coming into the eatery. She was coming in with her little daughter tagging along behind her. Their hands were tightly held together as she led the girl to the counter. She hadn’t seen me yet due to my seating position at the eatery. She went ahead and ordered food for she and her daughter. “How I wish it were me” I almost said aloud. Amy my friend had already given birth to three healthy boys making this beautiful angel her fourth and only girl. I had attended all her children’s naming ceremonies hoping and having faith that mine was near. I sighed aloud without knowing and before more dwelling on self pity, I called out to Amy using my hand to usher her to my table. She smiled happily and brought their food to my table, holding her daughter firmly and making sure she didn’t wander off. Amy wore a black tailored suit, accompanied by red stiletto sandals and red inner vest. She had her hair cut low and wore simple stud earrings. She was really looking good. Her daughter on the other hand, wore a pink top, blue jeans and a pink sneaker. Not to mention her daughters’ beautiful long black hair which she packed into a ponytail. Amy was married to a French man who later relocated and started leaving here in Nigeria. They were indeed a blessed couple. “Hey sunshine, how are you today?” I asked the little girl who happened to have a beautiful name “Nefertiti”. Beaming with smiles, she replied “I’m fine aunty.” I smiled back and faced Amy who just sat down quietly watching her daughter and I converse.

          “So Mary, how are things with you? How’s your store? How’s your husband?” she continued “All the details, don’t miss out on any one” she said smiling and winking at me. I replied as simply as possible “I’m fine and the store is doing great. My husband is doing well too.” I said gulping down the last of my orange juice. She began telling me about her job, the stress it entailed. “How about the money you make been a banker? Doesn’t it compensate for all the stress?” I asked her watching her feed her daughter. She laughed and ratted on telling me how much energy it took to take care of four children of which most of them were boys. Then suddenly she stopped talking, then looking at me with great concern she asked me if I were pregnant now or already had at least a child. I sucked in all the pain and smiled telling her that Gods time was still the best and in his time I would get pregnant and have babies. She just nodded and hugged me. Then we ate silently for a while before I had to go. She made me promise to come visit her at her home in Lekki before I stood up and exited the eatery.

Entering my office, I recalled my encounter with Amy and her daughter. I shoved the thoughts away as I concentrated on my final work for the day.

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          My wife been my savior from what would have been a grave sin against God and even my wife and the society, I didn’t know what to say, or how to thank her. I couldn’t obviously tell my wife what had almost happened at the office. What thoughts would she have of me then? Apart from the numerous thoughts she already had of me. With a sigh, I left the office and closed for work.

On my way home, I stopped at a jewelry store to buy my wife a diamond necklace. I had overheard her talk about that necklace to one of her closest friends. I came down from my car, locked it and entered into the store. After requesting for the necklace and paying for it, I turned to leave. Just as I was about exiting the store, I felt like I couldn’t move anymore. I was scared but everything felt still. It was like the world had come to a stop. I could only move my eyes around everything. Then suddenly I saw blood dripping from the ceiling. It started as small drops………. then rain like drops……… and then nothing. Staring at me were those haunting numbers. I tried to shout but couldn’t as no sound voice out. I closed my eyes for a moment and then “Hey sir, are you alright?” I heard from behind me. It was the salesman that attended to me. I smiled at him and waved a “no problem” reply. I entered my car and drove off as fast as I could before those figures decided to come around again.

          When I got home, I met my wife setting the table for dinner. I kissed her forehead, told her to turn her back towards me which she did without hesitation as I fastened the necklace on her neck. She leaped with joy when she looked down at the pendant on the necklace. She hugged me and showered me with kisses. In her arms alone I felt warm, safe and happy. It was like I shouldn’t let I go. But I did, gently unbuckling from the hug and moving slowly towards the step that led to the bedroom. I told her I had to shower then get down for dinner. She reluctantly let me go and went back to her table setting. I could see the worry in her eyes. One part of me wanted to pull her back to me, hold her tightly, kiss away all her worries and pains which most of it I inflicted if not all. I stomached those thoughts and went upstairs.

After dinner, we both headed for bed. I let myself sleep in other to avoid any questions from my wife concerning the day. I couldn’t lie to her face neither could I man up and tell her the truth. I had slept for a little while before I was awoken. Still sleepy, I rubbed the back of my palms against my eyes. Then I looked towards my wife’s direction and saw what I was very afraid to see, the worry on her face. She looked troubled. I feigned ignorance in other for her to start the talking without me asking what was wrong.

“Sorry to wake you up dear” she began. I just waved my hand signifying that I didn’t mind it at all. “I had the urge to call you today. It was strong I could almost feel you were in danger. I would love to know if there was any problem at that time” she concluded. I pulled her close to me and kissed her forehead. “Nothing I couldn’t handle honey. Thanks for calling” I said silencing her with a long hard kiss. She let it go and slept in my arms. I held her for a long while before finally I slept off too. Why couldn’t I open up to her? Why do I have to bear this cross alone when I have such a wonderful wife who is willing to listen to me? Why was I scared of trusting her? Why was I so troubled by the thought of losing her? Why? Why? Why? All these questions, I wondered when they will be answered and by whom?

This had been the best sleep I had in a long while. No nightmares, numbers, blood drips, nothing but peace. It felt like I shouldn’t get up again. I glanced towards the bathroom and saw my wife brushing her teeth. In my heart I beckoned her to come back to bed. I ached for her warmth and love. In reality, I couldn’t do that, owing to the fact that I had kept a lot of things from her. To be free with her again, I had to overcome my fears and open up. I had to bridge that gap that I was creating between us. I lulled myself out of bed and entered the bathroom. “So early honey” I said, yawning sleepily. “I have to make breakfast and head for the shop early” she replied rinsing her mouth with water. Then she began divulging all that happened in the shop the previous day and all the work she had to do leaving no detail out. I was so engrossed with her talking that I hadn’t realized I was getting late for work. Then suddenly she paused in her talking, looked at me then pressed her lips against mine in a very light kiss. I felt her withdrawal but beckoned her to continue by engulfing her mouth in mine. She smiled amidst the kiss and told me to get ready for work. It was then the thoughts of the previous day came flooding through my mind. I had no idea on what to do with my boss and her ungodly affection for me. I sighed aloud and my wife gave a facial expression. I smiled immediately and pulled her closer for a hug. She hugged me tightly and dashed out to the kitchen.

I lazily brushed and had my bath not looking forward to work at all.

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THE TRIAL

CHAPTER 2

          “What was going on with my husband?” I wondered. David had never been so lost in all our years together. He was slowly drifting away. “God please give me a hint, what exactly is wrong with my husband” I pleaded as tears rolled my eyes. He had left for work but I could still feel his lost presence. For the past three days, he had been all look and not see. He would stare so long at something but yet I could tell he wasn’t seeing anything. He would make little or no conversations at home. He was becoming a shadow of himself. “Was it the childlessness we suffered? No, it couldn’t be.” I said out loud. We had gone past that (at least I thought so) tears really flowing now, I picked up my bible and started speaking to my God. When I was done, I realized I had been praying for almost three hours. It seemed to me that God was so far away. He wasn’t answering, I would call for so long but it seemed he didn’t hear me. My faith was too strong to forsake God now.

          I left for work after my prayers and tidying of the kitchen. I owned a big book store that sold Christian books and c.ds. I was really blessed through my bookstore. I always found fulfillment just staying in the store and listening to people narrate how one book or another had touched their lives and appealed to their situations. My store was sometimes very full with lots of people buying and placing orders. I entered into my office after greeting my staff and giving them a few instructions. As I entered the office, I observed the arrangement of all the papers done by my competent personal assistant, a young lady called Esther.

          I missed my husband terribly. The man I had married six years ago. The vibrant, unpredictable man. So full of life and love. I still loved him, but I missed the old him. Now he had become so predictable. It was all work and home shuttle for him. No unexpected visits in the store, or unexpected supply of flowers. “Good old days” I thought. The early stages of marriage, all the going to exotic places, summer trips, church activities we attended together. It was really a wonderful time. All the church members knew us. We were even nicknamed by some of them as the “HONEYBEE COUPLE” We were always all over each other.

Mere thinking of these in my comfortable office, the fuchsia pink flowery wallpapers, the black leather chairs, the glass table and the beautiful flowers decorating the office brought tears to my eyes. I had a red single couch, bought by my husband on one of his business trips to France. All was still beautiful then. Most times then, my husband would come over every one of his lunch breaks to have a nap before returning to his office. He called it a nap, but I knew he always stopped by to see me. “Sighs and more sighs” I couldn’t stop sighing as I recalled vividly one of the days when I challenged him telling him he just needed to owe up to the fact that he always came to see and not take a nap. It was really a memorable time. Once in a while, my husband would come in, in haste and shut the door, lock it to be precise. He would pick me up and make love to me on that same couch. I would sometimes protest saying someone might come in, but he knew too well to believe that. He would ignore me and I would give up and succumb to his gentle and sweet caresses. He really understood me in many ways than one.

His muscled body, dark chocolate eyes, well chiseled jaw line. I guess those were the first things that got me attracted to him. He was a man of great height too. An overwhelming six feet five inches. Against my five feet seven inches. He was very beautifully chocolate skinned. To even crown it all, he was a very strong Christian. He had all is priorities right. I jumped when he proposed to marry me like I had no other hope.

“Where had that man gone to?” I asked myself. My store was unusually full today, so I just stayed in my little office until someone came in to ask for help. It was my policy to have my store closed by 8.00pm so that all my staff could go home and have quality rest. No matter how full it was, today been no exception, we had to close by the appointed time.

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         On getting to my office, I noticed a pile of work papers. I had a lot of work to do. Reluctantly, I dropped down on my sit and started clearing my table arranging them according to their due date.

“To my office Mr. David, I heard from the left corner of my desk. I sluggishly stood up, put away my suitcase carefully and headed towards Mrs. Alison’s office.

Mrs. Alison was a beautiful young woman who married at an equally young age to a very wealthy man. She was five feet and six inches tall. She had deep brown eyes and was very slender. She was the owner of the oil firm as well as the manger. She had really done well for herself. Her husband on the other hand was a man of forty-five years while she was twenty-eight. What she saw in the older man, only she knew.

She had called me to her office demanding reasons why I had acting weird all through the week. She asked if I needed some time off to rest. I had denied all her accusations and told I was better now. Which was a lie! Owing to the fact that behind her, on her beautiful crystal clear wallpaper, I was seeing those numbers along with its dripping blood. “If we are done ma’am, I would love to return back to my desk” I spoke up, trying to act normal in order not to increase her suspicion. I really needed this nightmare to come to an end and fast if I must add.

Questions flooded my thoughts as to whether I should tell our church pastor or even my wife. I couldn’t think straight anymore, my life was becoming a puzzle that I couldn’t solve.

          I jerked backwards suddenly, as I felt my face been showered with kisses. I came back to reality immediately, not sure how long I had been gone. I found Mrs. Alison’s blouse unbuttoned all the way down, displaying her bra and breasts. I had never seen any other woman’s private parts apart from my wife’s. “Mr. David, what do you say, we have a little bit of fun while we are at work?” Mrs. Alison uttered noticing my surprised face. Before I could reply, she shoved me on her couch and started trying to unzip my trousers. “What do you think you are doing ma?” I asked her forcefully trying to zip my trousers and shoving her off my body. She began to say things, but all that came out were those numbers. I couldn’t move. I suddenly became numb. I just watched as she took off all her clothes and started taking mine off too. I kept on thinking of my wife and the sin that was about take place. It was like I had been pinned to the couch. Then as the anticipated worst was about to happen, my phone rang. She sighed and urged me to remain calm and not pick up the phone. I pushed her aside and reached for my phone. She tried pulling me back, but I was quicker than she was. I picked up my phone, and I saw the caller ID. “MY WORLD” I muttered.

“Who?” Mrs. Alison asked. With a sigh of relief, I answered her smiling “My wife”.

ALERT!

Dear readers, chapters would be published on a weekly basis. Please don't forget to always drop your comments and suggestions. It would be looked into. God Bless. I LOVE YOU

Ducie Stuffs: THETRIALCHAPT...

Ducie Stuffs:                                      THETRIALCHAPT...:                                       THE TRIAL CHAPTER 1           The lights dimmed and all I could see were figures. Nothing really ...

                                     THE TRIAL

CHAPTER 1

          The lights dimmed and all I could see were figures. Nothing really made sense to me. All the figures blurred and I began to sweat profusely.

Hey…. I heard. I woke up and realized I had dozed off in the office. This was the third time this week that these figures had appeared to me. I didn’t understand them. My faith wasn’t strong enough to make out what they were. I was a Christian but not one quite strong enough to interpret this dream. I recalled these figures been “0804014”. Was it a date? Was it a room number? All these questions flustered through my mind. I couldn’t make it out.

I hurriedly resumed work and called it a day. All my colleagues were very witty today and so I wasn’t particularly talking to any of them. I retired for home by 8:30pm. As I approached my car, I saw them again, those figures, numbers. Oh God! I exclaimed, why you don’t just reveal this to me here and now! Why make me wait any longer? I drove home with all these questions in my head.

“Welcome home darling” that was my wife’s welcome hug and address. I smiled faintly and headed for my room. From her expression, I could tell she sensed something was wrong. She didn’t dare ask knowing what my reply would be. She knew me more than I knew myself. She was my perfect match. My whole. She was my wife. I changed, had my bath and went downstairs for dinner.

My wife and I had been looking for a child for the past six years. We had gone for all the medical examinations we could find still to no avail. My wife been who she was, still had an unshakeable faith. All the faith I did not have. She was the one who held our family together when I nearly gave up. She also said, with assurance that her God would make all things well in his own time.  She would quote bible passages and even fast and pray. She would assure me that with God all things were possible. If I hadn’t married her, I wondered at times what would have become of me. I had hidden fears that one day she will get tired and leave me. The mere thought of that brought shudders to me. I was worthless, that’s what I always said to myself. I was God’s mistake. I would say all these negative words to myself in the dead of the night. I was the cause of our childlessness. It was I who had a low sperm count. The one who couldn’t get his wife pregnant. While my wife was healthy and whole. Not for once did I hear my wife complain or lament about our problems. I was the one always whining like a little girl to myself. My wife would read to me various passages from the GOOD BOOK. Among all I remember very well Philippians 4:13 and Hebrews 11:1. Those were her favourite passages and daily recitations. She never let anyone tell her what was not in her bible. She was true to herself and God. No one knew when she was hurting or sober. All people could see was an ever smiling, no worries woman. Words couldn’t describe my wife, my life I fondly called her. She was the part of me that never existed. She was an angel, a god in human form. She wasn’t the most beautiful woman in the world (not that I knew many) nor did she have the best figure, but unlike many women, she was God’s perfect creation. God’s image indeed. Unlike me, she represented God in human form.

          All the pain I put her through, locking her out of my life. I never told her my pains or worries though she could see them. I never told her my fears, though she felt them. I only knew and hoped she was aware of my undying love for her. The love that I thought never existed. She was my world.

          After eating, I thanked her for dinner and went to the bedroom to get some sleep. As I closed my eyes, those numbers again, except this time accompanied by blood dripping from them. I was startled and opened my eyes. I glanced towards the small clock on the bedside table noticing I had barely slept for just two minutes that felt like unending two hours. I heard my wife’s footsteps and pretended to be asleep. I heard her pray, she always spoke in tongues. I suddenly heard her whimpering, clapping and then nothing. I opened my eyes and saw her lying beside me. How didn’t I hear stand up or lie down? I asked myself. I turned slightly and kissed her on her forehead and let myself sleep, only to be haunted by those numbers and blood accompanied with it.

          I felt the sun against my skin. I knew within me it had to be morning but as I opened my eyes, lo and behold there lay a baby right before my eyes. I looked at the baby critically and as I reached out to touch the baby, the baby was been pulled backward, farther away from me. I moved forward, trying to get to the baby but as soon I drew nearer, the baby moved further away. Now the baby was beyond reach, and just before the baby disappeared, I saw this passage right above the baby’s head. The same passage my wife recited over and over again.

                   “Hebrews 11:1- Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the       

                    Evidence of things not seen”

And the baby was gone. The passage gone. It then came to my knowledge that it was actually morning. I brushed my teeth and had my bath, then went downstairs. I saw my beautiful wife preparing breakfast on reaching the sitting room. Mary I greeted beaming with smiles. Her name was Mary. I once equated her to Mary the mother of Jesus for she was more like her in many ways than one. The pure and virtuous woman .Too good for a loser like me. What had she seen in me, I wondered if she regretted marrying me. If she saw me the way I saw myself. Nothing, a nobody exactly how I saw myself.

          “Good morning honey” she greeted back turning towards me. She was indeed the most beautiful I ever saw. I took in her deep blue robe draped around her very curvy features that hid beneath that robe. Her hair was still a bit rough and her face was still looking tired signifying she had just woken up. She set the table, said the grace before we ate. She prepared pancakes for breakfast with a very cool orange juice. When we were done eating, we gave thanks again and she left to do the dishes, while I watched her and wished things were a bit different (with me obviously, she was faultless). While still looking, thing began to blur. I was drifting again, I thought I would fall and held our dinning chair for support. And there it was again, those figures. I thought I was going mad already. I shook my head, and my eyes began to clear. This time, my wife was helping knot my tie. Maybe she had asked a few unanswered questions, I didn’t know. I had drifted from the present world to a world of numbers and figures. It was really becoming more than a dream, but a nightmare.

I needed help, more help than I admitted to. I was going insane, mad I must say!

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