Ruth Vicissitudes - Episode 9

 

Rex and some other friends of Charles decided to organize a bachelor’s eve party prior to his wedding due to the congested events. The venue was a night club they agreed on to try that was one of the newest and hottest hangouts for guys with silver spoons. Charles got dressed up in a navy top on black jeans while Cynthia sat on the bed with folded arms, staring at him as he dressed in front of the mirror.
“Why do you have that kind of look sweetheart?”
“Must you go? Its not compulsory to have a bachelor’s eve you know. You could stay and spend time with me”
“Haha . I can sense the feeling, you are jealous I will go off with one of the hot babes that will be present”, he said mockingly.
“Just try it, I have spies everywhere so don’t try to play any silly game o. You guys are always up to no good at such parties” she warned vehemently.
“M heart, don’t get all these twisted, you know there is no one but you for me and me for you now and forever” he vowed, embracing her tightly to his chest and kissing her deeply on the lips. She smiled at him and Charles took his phone and left.
The party went well and everyone was having a nice time. City ‘big babes’ also showed up, most of them trying to hook up with one guy or the other and enjoy the evening

All episodes of this story can be found here >> https://www.ebonystory.com/story/ruth-vicissitudes

. Just before the high point when everyone will go gaga and wash their heads with alcohol, someone from a distance hailed him, a voice that was similar to him. it was Benard, an old secondary school mate of his. For two months, they haven’t laid their eyes on each other. Benard was one of those guys Charles could trust with his life back then, a reliable and dependable friend. 
“Benard my guy, so good to see you. Thought you were not going to make it” they gave each other a bear hug.
“Actually, I didn’t know about this. I just came to enjoy the evening like everyone else. I have had a busy schedule and thought a little shake up will do me good”
“What? Didn’t you receive my invite?”
“No, I didn’t but its good though. It seems I was destined to be here after all”
“I guess so. Its good you are here, at least be free from the four walls of the hospital for once since I have known you”, Charles said jokingly and both laughed hysterically.
“So you are finally leaving us behind in the bachelors association of Nigeria”
“Haha, yes o my brother, I’m getting old you know, time one settled down. I think you should do the same soon too. That’s why you are here by the way, I will introduce you to some girls to have a chit-chat with them”. 
“I think you are right, but you know what, remind me to do this in the next five years”
“That’s what you always say, giving an impromptu time”, Benard chuckled.
“Am serious this time. Anyways, how is Cynthia? Congrats and I will say  even a double congratulations because of the baby as well. Let me continue to grove man” he left and continued to talk to some others he knew, while dancing. The music inside was very loud and thumping and so, Charles though his ears were deceiving him when Benard said something about a baby. What baby was he talking about anyway, he wondered. The word ‘baby’ was still ringing in his head instead of the boom sound in the club, he grabbed his hand and dragged him outside where it was less noisy when he noticed he was alone.
“Charles, whats up with you? We should be inside having fun and not hanging outside” Benard protested
“Chill guy, this won’t take long. What did you mean by what you said earlier about a baby while we were talking or were you drunk?”
“I might have taken a few beer but am not drunk certainly unlike some, I have large capacity for alcohol. Anyway, is that why you dragged me here?”
“Come on man, don’t answer me with a question. Am curious to know”
“Don’t tell me you didn’t know your bride to be is pregnant?” he asked inquisitively
“Cynthia pregnant? was that a joke of the year or what?” He thought. Charles stood gazing at him in the dim part of the club, too shocked to utter a word. He finally spoke after a brief pause.
“Benard, if this is a joke, it isn’t funny. Tell me its not true”
“Why would I joke with something like this? I was present at the hospital when one of my colleagues attended to her about some days ago. I overheard them talking privately when she complained of fever in his office and after some test, it was revealed she was expectant of a baby. Its no secret man, how come you are acting so shocked? You guys are getting married in a forth night so whats the big deal if she’s pregnant now. Besides, it’s still young so it won’t even show in her wedding gown if that’s what you are worried about. Cheer up man and lets go catch some fun inside” said Benard.
“Shut up” almost raising his voice after Benard finished blabbing but remembered he was in a public.
“Just shut up okay, your words are itching my ears. How can you tell me to go have fun when my life, my world is crumbling at my feet”
“How? What are you talking about” Benard queried in a worrisome tone.
“You don’t understand, if truly she is pregnant, then I can't be responsible” Charles said grimly.
“What?” Benard shook his head sideways. The boom sound gradually diminished and anyone within 10 meters could hear what they are talking about.
“I think you are right, I don’t understand why won’t you be the one responsible. You have been in a relationship with her for over a year now. Don’t tell me you have never…” he paused and then realized he had the answer to his question. 
“Yes, I have never been intimate with her to the point of her being pregnant since we have been together. It was a promise we made to each other” Charles told him. He had proved Benard’s theory right.
“How come, who then?” Benard asked in a confusing manner. They stood panting, staring at each other occasionally, searching for an answer that never came. The appetite to continue the party was lost ultimately, Charles made up his mind and proceeded back home. Cynthia will be in a better position to answer some question, he left and didn’t say a word to Benard.
Ruth knocked on Ericks door once more after she got no answer inside. It was the third time she had knocked and still got no response, her resulting to coming was borne out of her inability to reach him on the phone. Ever since the incidence, Ericks had never seen her nor called her for once and she was beginning to get worried again that those boys had abducted him again. She missed him so much, missed their night out together and recently, she needed his presence to clear her mind of the last visit to her parents that was disastrous. She still imagined who had taken those pictures and sent to her parents, the mole that had been following her whenever she was with Ericks. She suspected her roommates but they both denied any involvement and she out and out believed them, she believed they would never do something that wicked and absurd. Josh was another, he wasn’t too happy about Ericks and her but Ericks spoke of him excellently and she knew it would never be him. in her pondering, she noticed a shadow pass inside and she knew someone was in. the door was opened and Josh showed up at the door:
“Hi Josh. Have you been sleeping? I have been knocking for a while”
“Yes, I have. Am sorry what’s up?”
“I came to check up on Ericks, I have been trying to call him on the phone. Is he okay?”
“Yes, he is fine. Remember he lost his phone during the abduction, he hasn’t gotten a new one yet”
“Oh, I just recollected. But where did he go”
“He, hum, he isn’t around and I don’t know where he is going to come back” his demeanor spoke of suspicion to Ruth
“Why the face? If he is not okay, you can tell me please, I am a big girl and can handle crisis”
“He is, am just trying to remember where he went to that’s all” his response was somewhat of unconvincing to her but she laid it to rest.
“Okay, just tell him I dropped by and would like him to call me please” Josh agreed and she left
“Honey, you are back so soon, how was the party” Cynthia inquired. She left the couch and proceeded to give him a hug but then, he shrugged her hand off and left for the bedroom. Cynthia’s happiness suddenly changed dull, she wondered what had happened, what she had done to make him furious. She had never seen him get so angry the way he did, she trailed him and found him lying on the bed.
“Baby, what is wrong? Did you hear any bad news?”
“You are the bad news Cynthia, do you know why I didn’t hit you at first when I came back, honestly, I don’t know why. Tell me the truth, are you pregnant or not?”
“What kind of a ridiculous question is that?”
“A ridiculous question that I demand an answer for, are you or are you not”, he screamed at her
“Of course not, I mean how could you think of me so lowly, going out with another guy that isn’t you”
“If what’s you are saying is true, then we will go for a test tomorrow at the hospital, very early in the morning” she agreed to the date and left the room angrily, sleeping on the couch she left in the sitting room.
Early in the next morning, Charles booked an appointment with the doctor on duty, he sat in the reception with Cynthia while waiting patiently for his call-up. Cynthia was examined and the necessary test was carried out. Both were told to come the next day to receive the result which they did. Charles just prayed that the result would be negative and not what Benard had told him. Unlike Charles who was panting and agitated, Cynthia sat comfortably and was unconcerned, like she knew what the result would be already. The doctor demanded their presence and they left for the office. Their respective gazes fell on the doctor after exchanging greetings;
“Doctor, what about the result? He asked impatiently. The doctor presented an envelope to him and quickly, Charles tore it up and read it in the presence of everyone.
“Its negative, its negative” Charles repeated, he was relieved that the result went his way.
“She isn’t pregnant, you are not pregnant Cynthia”, he proceeded and kissed her.
“Yes, she isn’t” the doctor asserted. They thanked the doctor and left, all through the session and since arrival at the hospital, Cynthia remained calm and never uttered a word to Charles who still seemed angry at him.
“Come on baby, am sorry for not trusting you. I know I should have done better”, he apologized.
“You should have least believed me, I have been with you for over a year now. How will our marriage work without trusting each other”
“I know and that’s why am apologizing. I will make it up to you okay. Am sorry”
“Alright, I forgive you but you should learn to trust me”
“I will dear”, he moved closer to her and kissed her before zooming off.