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.
************************************************************************************************************************************
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.
************************************************************************************************************************************
No comments:
Post a Comment