The Longest Night - Episode 12

 

I sat in my car for what seem like an eternity. I cried my eyes out and then I began to question everything. Was life playing tricks on me or was I was a bundle of ridicule. I wiped my tears and went back to Uzor's room praying what I saw some minutes ago was just an illusion. 

I opened the door to find him in his wheel chair. The banner stared right back at me.

“I was just coming to look for you” . He said as he saw me.

“I had to process some things. I’m sorry I ran out”. I replied. I bent down to clean up the food that spilled on the floor.

He rolled his chair close to me and lifted my face.

“What is wrong darling”. He asked in a subtle tone.

“Nothing is wrong Uzor”. I replied crying.

I packed up the food and stood up to leave.

“I would be back with some food”. I said and walked out of the room.

I could feel his gaze burning through my back, he wanted answers but I had none. 

I pulled out my phone and dialled Dera’s number immediately to ask if she was done with the hospital appointment.

“He is so selfish, now he wants you back. Most times I wish I could drive my nails through his neck

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. How can a human subject another human to a rollercoaster of emotions, not minding if their actions hurt the other. He is selfish, callous and inhumane”. Dera ranted after I told her about the preceding events.

My thoughts occupied me as Dera ranted on. I had no idea what to do or what to say. I was focused on driving to the house and making food for Uzor. 

“I sincerely hope you are not giving thought to what he said, because I won’t support foolishness..... 

My phone rang

“I won’t support...., your phone is ringing and it’s better person Yemi. This is the person you should be considering and not that unstable, unbalanced human being”. She said as she handed me the phone. I pressed the volume button to silent the ringing.  I had no intention of talking with Yemi.

“You won’t answer his call? But if it were Uzor, you would go running to him”.

Dera has always been the outspoken one since childhood, only if she knew there were moments to talk and keep mute. 

Alex who has been sleeping starts to cry, probably woken up by the ranting, as Dera tends to her daughter. I looked up to the skies thanking God for such an impeccable timing.

I got to the house and immediately I pulled into my driveway, the security man ran up to me and delivered a box and some flowers. I searched for a card and it read

           ‘I’m forever yours’ . 

It was signed by Yemi. Dera ran up to see what I held in my hands and she continued ranting

“There is nothing to contemplating here, see the outpour of love. No emotional torture or ridicule of any kind”. 

I know she meant well but I needed time to process this information. I wasn’t going to jump into any commitment right away.

“I want to say this on the basis of emphasis, I won’t agree to any form of foolishness. Foolishness being getting back with Uzor”. She continued as I opened the door.

I have never missed Tunde more at this point. I wish he could come back this instant to take his wife home. I need some peace and quiet. 

I went straight to the kitchen to warm up some stew and boil some rice for Uzor and for everyone to eat. The kitchen was quiet and I had a little time to recollect my thoughts. Was that a stunt Uzor pulled on me? He wants me back after all he had put me through? 

He had changed though and was better. He treated me better and we even had our share of laughs. He was the man I fell in love with. 

I never envisaged my life as a divorcee or someone who would get married twice. I always thought I would live a happily ever after life, like the one we read about in Cinderella. I wanted to change my last name just once and not repeatedly. 

I looked up to see Dera staring at me.

“What are you thinking of”. She asked 

I looked up and I started to tear, then the water works factory was opened as I cried profusely. She walked up to me and held me.

“I don’t know what to do anymore “ I said crying

“God would order your steps” She replied. 

I was surprised she didn’t bark at me but simply just cuddled until I was better.

Food ready, I got into my car and drove to the hospital. I did a little makeup adjustment to hide the teary face. What would I meet in the hospital this time? I asked.

I pulled into the hospital driveway, parked my car and turned off the ignition. Before I stepped down, I said a little prayer for strength and wisdom.

It was all gone, it almost seem like there were no decorations earlier. It stung a bit but also made me happy. He looked puzzled when I opened the dood and brightened up immediately I stepped into the room. 

“I’m sorry if I startled you, my intention was to express my feeling and make you happy” he said.

I met him sitting in his wheel chair. I dropped the food on the table and sat down.

Make me happy? Did he just say make me happy? What happened to the years of emotional and physical torture? I kept a smiling face but my thoughts were of anger. 

“I want our family again, I want what we shared earlier before I turned into something unexplainable and unrecognizable. I want to spend the rest of my life loving you the right way and making up for all I put you through”. He said.

He rolled his wheelchair close to where I sat.

I looked into his eyes and I saw sincerity and honesty.

“What about Chioma?” I asked 

“ Currently working on the divorce papers. She’s no bother”. He replied.

“Give us another chance at love, I promise to be better, do better and love you like you are the only girl in the world”. He said. That part melted my heart. 

He held my hands and gradually and effortlessly our lips met. It was everything in one. It was pain, love, restoration in one kiss. It was different from kissing Yemi . 

We pulled away from the kiss and he cupped my face in his palm and kissed the top of my head. He knew I liked that. I nodded and he smiled. He rolled his chair to the table where his food flask sat, I walked to him and dished out the food in his plate. As he ate, we smiled and chatted all through the meal, at intervals, he fed me and continued making jokes that had me giggling like a love struck teenager. 

I got to the car to see so many missed calls on my phone from Yemi and a text message.

“Hello love, how are you? did you get the flowers? Pls call me”.

I picked up my phone and dialled his number. He picked on the first ring.

“Hey babe, Been so worried”. He said

“ I’m sorry, had some mishap at the hospital but everything is fine now”. I replied

“Okay, where are you currently?”. He asked 

“Still at the hospital, but in my car though about to drive out”. I replied.

“Should I come over to the house? Maybe come with a bottle of red wine?”. He teased

It was a lovely idea but I need some  time, devoid of the men in my life.

“It’s been a crazy day and I’m beat. I’m sorry I have to decline”. I replied

I could sense his heart fragmenting but I could do nothing. Absolutely nothing. 

“Alright babe, I understand. Please drive home safe”. He said.

“Okay dear, have a goodnight rest”. I replied.

The drive home was long and frustrating. The traffic was crazy at this time of day but I was determined to make it home, curl up into a ball and cry my eyes out. Eventually I got home, and the security guard ran up to me again with a little bag. Did Yemi send another gift? 

Gifts were something Uzor never gave, not even during anniversaries nor birthdays. He always felt I had enough and didn’t need more. When I jokingly asked, he'd leave some money for me to get what I wanted. 

I opened the gift bag and there was a scented candle, chocolate and a small card

‘To ease the stress’ Yemi.

It’s been 2 months since Uzor's accident and the doctor said he was due to be discharged and that he needed care and attention. My routine changed as I moved from my house to Uzor's daily to make food and also to assist  in the house with food and some chores. He had a live-in physiotherapist who helped with his exercises and bone stretching. 

I had a lot of orders from clients and I got to Uzors house late with Ada. I ran to the kitchen to make food. 

After cooking, eating and spending time gisting with Uzor as he wanted to spend time with his daughter, unbeknownst to me that it was already dark. Being a terrible night driver, Uzor suggested we spend the night. Determined not to go through an unnerving ordeal, I agreed but told him I would sleep in my daughters room and not his room, I didn't want a repetition of before. 

As time went by, I realised my relationship with Uzor had morphed into a better one, we laughed and talked and talked some more. Yemi became a distant companion. We rarely talked and even when we do, the conversation ends abruptly because I always have something to do.  He made plans to see me but somehow, I reschedule

One afternoon, I received a message from Yemi

‘ Can I take you on a date later today? Pls S'

I replied in affirmative and he replied with the time of date and  location of a the restaurant which was far from my house and closer to Dera's

When it was 5pm, I was ready to go out. I was dressed in a black knee length dress, I packed my braids to the back and had on tiny jewellery to complement my little black dress. I stepped into a 3 inch Gold pumps and added a gold purse to match. 

I stepped into the sitting room to find Ada watching Tv who stopped for a while to stare at me with her mouth agape.

“You look lovely mum”. She finally made words

I smiled 

“Thank you baby”. I replied.

Packed and ready to go, we made our way out of the house and into the evening, oblivious of what it held for us. I dropped Ada off at Dera before proceeding to the restaurant. On hearing that I was on a date with Yemi, Dera was over the moon and tried to pull my dress down to reveal some cleavage. I simply pulled her hands off and ran out of the house before she ask for an outfit change.

I eventually arrived at the premises of restaurant and saw Yemi’s car parked on the drive way. I made my way inside and almost immediately found him. He had the same mouth opening effect that everyone who’s seen me had on. We finally sat down.

Menus in hand, he ordered for a bottle of champagne which was lovely. I had missed him but failed to acknowledge it. 

“I missed you Sinach “ He said

I was tempted to say I missed him too but fear of leading him on made me mute. 

It was a superb dinner as we laughed, talked about the happenings in our lives and the nation. It was 8.20pm when we finalised our date and set to leave the restaurant. He suggested a night movie at the Cinema. I almost declined and was ready to pin it on fatigue and early morning rising when I heard Dera’s voice in my head, ‘Be spontaneous tonight’. 

We arrived at the Cinema, we opted for ‘Skyscraper' over other movies lined up for the evening. 

We walked into the Cinema hall with popcorn and a milkshake in hand. Movie started and we were the only ones in the hall.

“Can I take off my shoes”. I asked 

“Of course dear, let loose and be free”. He replied with a smile.

The movie though intriguing and intense, it didn’t stop the chills I had, I guess it contributed to some extent. He noticed I was cold and drew me into his embrace and we stayed that way till the end of the movie. 

By 10pm we were done with the movie and out of the hall proceeding to the car park. It was too late to go home, would probably spend the night at Dera’s. I pulled out my phone to call her but her calls were unanswered. I called Tunde too and it was same. I tried a bunch of times and it was same.

Read " The Robbery Attack " by the same author ( Nancy Eseosa )

. Knowing Yemi’s house wasn’t too far from the Cinema was a thought I tried to avoid.

“It’s too late to go home and my sister isn’t taking her call. She lives  closeby” I said.

I was dreading going to his house. I wanted to avoid anything emotional. He was a good man regardless.

“I know that. I saw her at the local market sometime ago where we exchanged addresses and discovered we lived not so far from each other”

It was deliberate attempt by Dera not to take my calls and I’m sure she’s behind Tunde not taking his calls either. No wonder she preached spontaneity.

“Stay with me tonight and then tomorrow, you can go home”. He said calmly interrupting my thoughts

I had no option but to simply nod and get into my car as he led the way. 

It's almost the episode finally. We can attest it has been a journey. Now let's play a game.... who can predict the end of this story?? Reply in the comment section.
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