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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