I do not know if I
passed out or if time stopped. I cannot tell how time passed. All I know is
that when I came in, I was still in my seat at the dining table. The lady and
her son were seated in the living room. My husband was standing in the doorway.
So awkward, I could not even begin to describe the situation. I got up slowly
and picked up the tray of dishes and made for the kitchen.
A million thoughts ran
through my mind. How could Charles have a son out of wedlock? How could he have
hidden something like this from me? What else was he hissing from me? The
questions continued. I kept washing the dishes. I reached into the shelf and
brought out more clean dishes and I washed them all over again. I picked the
scrubbing brush and began to scrub the floor.
Memories of our dating
years flashed through my mind. We were not Christians. We lived like we
pleased. Charles was not faithful then but I told myself he would change. My
mother warned me and some of my friends mentioned his infidelity even while we
were dating but I ignored them. I was in love. Now my husband had a five year
old baby by another woman; I am six weeks pregnant and our marriage is on the
rocks. What do I do? I scrubbed frantically. The kitchen was spick and span but
I kept scrubbing anyway. My hands had to be busy.
Charles walked up to
the door of the kitchen and stood. Neither of us uttered a word. I continued
scrubbing.
Mary, he began
Don’t, don’t start, I
whispered.
I did not respond to
him. I put away the mop, washed my hands and reached for the eggs in the
fridge. He liked them sunny side up. I whipped up breakfast for him and laid
the table. The other woman was still in the living room; the young boy laid
asleep. I had fresh flowers in the vase on the dining table, with the napkin
neatly folded by the side. I walked to the bedroom, had my bath, got on some
fresh clothes and made for the car. I knew I was on auto pilot. Nothing was
pre-planned. As I walked out of the bedroom, I noticed Charles standing by the
dining table. He had not touched the food. I guess he was sacred I might have
put something in it. He must have expected me to scream and yell and cuss him
out. For some reason, I was too stunned to speak. I walked past the other
woman, hopped into my car and drove to work.
What was going on?
As I got into the
office, I barely heard the doorman and other staff as they greeted me. My head
was still swimming. I sat in my seat as my heart bustled with a million
emotions. There was a soft knock on the door and John walked in. he looked like
he had not slept either.
Hey, he whispered.
Hey, I replied.
He sat in the seat
opposite mine and said no words. He just stared.
I don’t know how much
more I can take. His voice was soft. Sophie was driving me insane!
I tried to answer him
but no words came out of my mouth. My heavy betrayed all emotions.
Are you okay? He asked
as he walked up to me.
John had always been
the understanding and sensitive guy.
I looked into his eyes
and wanted to tell him of all the pains I had kept inside. All the years we’d
worked together and lived as neighbours, I had put up a strong front for
everyone to see. Now, I couldn’t anymore. I looked at John. He was a good and
handsome man. I wonder how he ended up with someone as bad as Sophie. Life was
unfair. Why didn’t I meet with John earlier? We could have made a perfect
couple. He knew how to talk to me. He knew how to listen to me. He must have
been made for me.
Charles has a child by
another woman were all the words I could mutter as I fell into John’s arms.
He held me close.
I felt safe.
I felt connected.
I felt his body close
to mine.
I held him closer.
To be
continued on next part………
EXTRACT FROM: JOYFUL NOISE PUBLICATIONS,,, A
PRODUCTION OF COZA, ABUJA
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