CHAPTER 7
SWB: Akinsehinwa Oluwaseun.
Just as I have guessed, their eyes bulged out staring at me.
I met few of my colleagues at work while some were yet to resume work.
They had this questioning look on their faces and I knew immediately that I was wrong to have come to office today but that was my only escape route from home.
If I go anywhere alone, maybe an hotel, relaxation centre or any other place, I’ll be consumed with diverse kind of thoughts but coming here to work will get me occupied and there’ll be no chance to begin to have worrisome thoughts. So I thought.
“Happy Married life”
“Congratulations!”
“You look so radiant”
“Marriage look so good on you”
Several compliments kept coming from every angle, I guess they realized their questioning look was beginning to embarrass me, so they had to find something to charge up the atmosphere. I answered them all with a smile, a nod plus a thank you before rushing into my office. Damilola was not yet in the office and I was glad about that. I placed my head on the desk and tried to say some prayers but I couldn’t find any word to say. So I opened my mouth and simply asked
“Lord why?”
“Miss Nifemi, oh sorry Mrs Nifemi, the boss wants to see you” that was the secretary telling me Mr Jude wanted to see me.
“What! He’s back? My goodness! What reason will I say brought me here just two days after my wedding?” Those were the thoughts running through my mind.
“Okay I’ll be there in a giffy, thanks” I got up immediately , worried about what to tell my boss. I looked around to see if Damilola was around yet, but she wasn’t.
“Kokoko” That was the sound the mild knock I gave the door to my Boss’ office gave.
“Come in” His voice was gentle yet commanding. I walked in reluctantly keeping a smile on my face.
“Good Morning Sir, thank you so much for the other day. I’m really grateful. May God bless you sir” I knew those words were rushed like they were crammed.
Mr Jude stared at me for long before asking me to take a seat, which I did almost immediately.
“What went wrong?” He asked me and I was shocked. He knows already that something is wrong? I tried to put a fake smile on my face, pretending as if all was well.
“Nothing went wrong, I just miss work” I said.
“What went wrong?” He asked again
“I’m fine sir” I answered.
“I didn’t ask you if you are fine or not , I said what went wrong?”
“Nothing!” I answered rather rudely.
“I’m not a kid, by July I’ll be thirty four years. I have been in several relationships that didn’t just work out and I know when a woman is not happy. Every woman doesn’t leave the side of her lover especially when the lover knows how to play his game well. So I ask again, what went wrong?”
I kept silent for some seconds before answering my boss.
“No….thing sir” I answered.
“Okay then, go back to your office clear your table and go back home, the one week I gave you to enjoy your honey moon is not yet over and I can’t remember calling you that we needed you in this office” Mr Jude said and without waiting for any response, he picked up his laptop and began work. That was the last thing I expected to hear from my boss. Go back home? To who? Richard?
My eyes were filled with hot tears. Well I stood up like I was ordered to , started walking towards the door but just before I got to the door, I felt his hand holding me back. I turned but I couldn’t look into his eyes, because my eyes were already soaked in tears. He gently pulled me to himself and placed my head on his chest and that was when I let out the emotions I had bottled up. The tears in my eyes flowed uncontrollably.
“It’s okay, you’ll be fine” he said as he led me back to the chair I just stood up from, he sat directly opposite me on the desk wiping my tears with his bare hands.
“I understand you may not want to confide in me but I have a cousin who is a marriage counselor, anytime you are ready, let me know I’ll drive you down to her office ” Mr Jude said
“I’ll be fine” I answered
“Your secrets are safe with her, if that’s your fear”
“Okay sir , I’ll let you know when I’m ready but not now. Thanks for your concern”
“You don’t want to go back home?” He asked and I nodded.
“Staying here will raise people’s suspicion, why not try to work till around twelve pm and leave after then. It’s just an advice though”
“Okay sir, thank you sir”
“And if you still insist on working till the normal closing hour, then no problem dear”
I thanked Mr Jude before walking out of his office to mine. There was no much job for me to do as the work I was supposed to do for the week has been given to Feyikemi my colleague whose office was next to mine. My husband called me severally but I didn’t pick up. His sister also called but I ignored the call. Several other people were calling to congratulate me on the success of my wedding but I didn’t pick up. The only calls I picked up were the ones from my parents. Dad and Mom had called to check on me and on Richard. When they asked of
Richard, I told them he wasn’t close by. I dare not tell them I’m at work while he’s at home.
At exactly twelve I did as my boss had advised, I closed from work and went back home. Getting home I realised my husband had made brunch. I didn’t know what he prepared but I could perceive the aroma. I was really hungry because I hadn’t eaten anything since yesterday morning but I made up my mind not to eat whatever Richard prepared. I’ll only take tea and the leftover of the cake from our wedding,that should be enough till evening when I’ll be able to prepare indomie.
“Hey Love,you are back. I called your friend to ask if you were at her place but she said ……”
I didn’t bother to let Richard finish his statement, I walked pass him and climbed the stairs to our bedroom. I fell on the bed and began to contemplate on whether I should go to the marriage counselor , Mr Jude suggested or not.
Richard came into the room with a tray containing spaghetti fried chicken with chilled pineapple juice.
“Hey Babe, I made this for you” he said setting the tray beside me but I didn’t utter a single word. I laid on the bed staring at the ceiling.
“Beauty please stand up and eat. I don’t want us to start this way in our marriage. Please just tell me anything you want me to do and I’ll do it. You know I love you so much. Please Baby, the silence is killing me, say something” Richard pleaded.
“You have just started, you have not seen anything yet” I said in my mind.
“Love, Princess, Queen, Heartbeat, Baby” he kept calling me one sweet name after the other but I wasn’t moved. I’m too hurt to be moved by mere words.
“Do I prepare something else?” He asked and I turned my back to him, signifying that I didn’t want to see him or hear him talk again.
He placed his hands on my laps and I slapped the hands away angrily. Richard bowed his head with his hands covering his face. He remained like that for a while and I could hear him whispering the name of Jesus.
“Babe just know that I love you and that’s the truth , I really do.” he said as he walked out of the room sluggishly. The aroma of the food was killing but my pride just won’t let me eat it. I thought of eating a little and arranging it back so that he doesn’t know I’ve touched it but I trust my husband, he’s very smart. I took the tray and placed it on the floor, keeping it faraway from the side of the bed, lest I get tempted and devour the meal.
As I was putting off my clothes so I could take my bath, a message popped on my phone. I picked up my phone to check what message it was. It was a message from a strange number.
“Do you like what you saw yesterday? You know I’ve been crushing on you since I first set my eyes on you. Babe give me a trial. Give me a chance to compete with your hubby. Love yah”
“What!!!” I almost smashed the phone on the ground. Who is this dirty pig! Me? What an insult! What is he talking about? What did I see yesterday?