Pains of Love

Helen was disturbed about her relationship and this made her unhappy, moody and restless. She hated herself for having fallen so deeply in love with Mike, she blamed herself for being a fool all over again. One full month yet no text nor call from Mike. On the 24th of November, she decided to text him_

"Hello Mike, how are you? Hope fine? I don't understand what's going on between us but if you are fed up with me, why not say it rather than keeping silent? Well, maybe you are scared of breaking my heart or think i will blame you; I like it when someone is open with me. I will let you be, I will exit your life since that's what you want. Take care and please I will appreciate it if you ignore this message and keep silent forever. Goodbye!"

Shortly, Helen's phone rang and It was a message from Mike_

"Well sorry I can't keep quiet. Suit yourself and do whatever you like after all, I didn't ask you to love me, all I ask of you was to be nice to me. Just go!!!! *fuck out*"

Reading Mike's message, Helen was heartbroken and her blood boiled in anger. They had a serious fight that brought about all sorts of insults_ rude, arrogant and raw words from Mike. Helen calmed down and tried explaining herself_

"Mike, was loving you a taboo? Was it a mistake? I was only craving for your attention because I missed you so much but what did I get in return? Instead of understanding or asking questions, you took it your way, assumed as usual and concluded"

Mike was like a wild beast; a hungry one that has been released from its cage_

"Helen you know what? I hate you! I hate you more than I've ever loved you. I regret ever knowing you; you are a wicked soul, a hypocrite, a liar and you disgust me, yuck!!! Stop texting me, just goooooooooooo!!!!!!"

As Helen read this, tears began flowing, she could not believe Mike was the one saying all these hurtful words. They spent hours quarreling_

"Enough Mike, enough! You want me to go? Fine, I will go, I will let you be. Goodbye!"

"Oh at last she's going.... I can breath some fresh air. Goodbye *beach*"

That day, Laura spent the night at Ken's place so Helen was all alone in the house breaking in pains. She cried the whole night, reading Mike's text over and over again_

'oh no! This is not a dream, I thought I was dreaming. I wish it was. What did i do to deserve such pains and hurtful words from Mike?"

All their memories came back like a quick flash of lightning; she could not hold back but cried herself to sleep.

At midday, Laura got home happy and excited but was surprised to see Helen in bed.

"Hey girl"_ she called as she gently shook the sleeping lady.

Waking up with swollen eyes and a pale look.

"Helen, what's this? what happened?"

Helen could not talk, she burst into tears again hugging Laura. Laura took her phone and texted Helen's boss_

"Good day sir, sorry for not texting earlier_ It is Laura, Helen's friend. Helen won't be coming to work today, I just walked in and saw her in bed shivering and has a fever. Thanks for your understanding"

"Helen, please talk to me, what's wrong?

"It's Mike...."

Laura tried to calm her down and gave her a glass of water. She got better and showed her their conversation via text. Laura screamed_

"What? How dare he? Even if you guys had the world's misunderstanding he shouldn't have said all these nasty and mean words to you. Does he reasons before he talks? This is nonsense!"

Laura knew Helen was a kind, sweet and adorable girl. She believed Helen deserves the best because she has a beautiful heart. Laura took her phone to give Mike a call but was stopped by Helen_

"I will be fine Laura, trust me. After all, I have you and that's fine with me. The hurting will pass, the wound will heal and the scars will one day disappear"

Even though Helen proved to be strong, deep within was dying. She was happy her boss gave her a leave. All of the stress made Helen ill but she pretended to be fine. She and Laura were one day cooking when she suddenly fainted and was rushed to the hospital where it was confirmed that she has been sick for some time now and also been stressing a lot because her blood pressure was so high. Laura looked at Helen who was fast asleep. Sad, she explained everything to the doctor who admitted and put Helen on bed rest.

One day while she was all alone in her ward, the doctor walked in, had a sit and began a talk_

"Hello dear, how are you today?"

"I am much better doc, thanks"

"My dear, I want you to free your mind and let go. You are still young, beautiful and with the way your friend explained things to me, you are a lady with a good heart. At the right time, the right man will come knocking and fill your life with all the love and happiness you deserve okay? Take care of your health, don't neglect it and don't stress out; focus on building your future and be happy"

Smiling_ "Laura can be a little talkative at times but thanks so much doc, I will try my best to do as you say"

Ken heard of Helen's illness and visited. Helen was elated to see him_

"Hey Laura, hope you haven't said anything to Ken?"

Surprised and dumbfounded_ "Said what? Hey sweetie, so you are now keeping things from me right?"

"Helen you see? I didn't say anything but now i have no choice than to. Ken if i see that friend of yours called Mike, I will tell him a piece of my mind. Who the hell does he think he is?"

"Hmm!!!!! That's unlike Mike. Hope you know he's travelled abroad for greener pastures?"

Laura was a melodramatic queen and Ken always smiled seeing her angry because she acted funny"

"And he hid this from my friend? Some men are indeed terrible and heartless"

Helen being surprised but happy stayed calm for some minutes and finally_ "I wish him the best"

"Helen you are so good to be true. That guy hurt you and you still wish him the best? hmmm!"

Helen was later discharged and began working. She worked twice as hard than before, she needed to keep her mind busy. Her boss Mr. Harry watched her new attitude and was amazed so he sent for her_

"Hello Miss Helen, do have a sit. How are you?"

"I am very well sir"

"Are you sure everything is okay? Because I don't think so. I have been watching you closely ever since you resumed work and your new energy scares me. At times you don't go for break to relax and have lunch. Is it that the illness boosted your energy or what?"

Smiling_ "Sir, I want to put in extra effort in my work and give it my all, nothing more"

With an unsatisfied expression_

"Okay Miss, if you say so. I know something is wrong but never the less, i won't force you to speak out. I take your words to be true, you may go"

"Thank you sir"

Two years later, Helen was sent for a business trip in Finland, Helsinki to be precised. She was sent to represent the company in the international day of the girl child. She did and it was awesome; she had to meet and talk with the female kids which she did. She advised them on the importance of education in the society, she said_

"Education is the door to a successful life, but you can't pass through this door without the key; the only key to this door is determination. Have in mind that, with determination, you can do exploits; Determination works in hand with hard work. No matter how determined a lazy person is, he will never achieve his goals in life. You must prove your determination by working hard, study hard and stay focus. Forget about the pleasures of life now, forget about men now for they will always come to deceive you and to take you off the track of success so be alert. Know that the society will respect you ladies because of your achievements and the influence you have on the society will cause men to respect you. Be humble, be obedient, be patient, have a perseverance spirit and above all have the fear of God in you because nothing is possible without God. In addition, never you feel inferior_ know your worth; each and every one of you is unique and special. To end it all, we love you but God loves you most"

The kids were happy and gave out a joyous shout and clap. Many admired Helen just by her outlook and way she talked. After a long speech, she distributed some gift, money and food to them_

"Girls this is from the company and I, we look up to you all for a better tomorrow"

Mike watched it on TV and noticed it was Helen the whole time. He felt guilty and ashamed and decided to talk to her but he couldn't because he leaved in Sweden which happened to be a neighbouring country.

Helen got into her hotel room satisfied and happy. She received phone calls from her colleagues, congratulating her for a job well done. Laura called and was happy, she couldn't stop congratulating her friend together with Ken. Mr. Harry was last to call_

"Hello Miss Helen, that was awesome, great job! The company is proud of you, you deserve all the credit. More wings, remain focused"

"Thank you sir"

Later, she received a phone call from the hotel attendants saying she has a visitor waiting in the reception.

"what's his or her name please?"

"Mr. Peter is his name"

"Okay, I will be there"

Helen got to the reception and saw Mike who happened to be the so called Mr. Peter_

"Young man, what are you doing here?"

"Calm down Helen, please"

Going on his knees_ "I know that I have hurt you in the worst way and I am ashamed because there's no reason whatsoever to justify my actions. All these years I have lived with guilt but please remember the memories and the good times we shared. please find a place in your heart to forgive me"

"Oh please.... To hell with those memories because to me they never existed. I don't care anymore; Mike I gave you my love, trust, loyalty, care, i gave you my all. I even begged for your attention in so many silly ways; I wanted you to understand the problems weren't a big deal, it was a way to call for your attention but you made a mountain out of a small hill and gave me the insult and heartbreak of my life. When i needed you the most you disappeared and boom!!!! From no where you suddenly appear and ask me to remember the memories and good times? Where were those good times when you hurt me? where were those good times when you ignored me? And now you come begging? Say that to the birds young man. I don't need the stress of a man or relationship in my life anymore. I enjoy the peace I get from being alone"

Mike had his head lowered down with tears dropping on the tiled floor, he couldn't say anything_ he was speechless and so Helen left him there and walked into her room. She could not hold back her tears anymore, she was alone and so no need pretending to be strong so she burst out.

Early in the morning, she took a flight back home. Ken and Laura surprised her with a welcome party.

"Hey girl, you aren't looking bright or don't you like the surprise?"

"Laura i noticed that too. Helen what's wrong? Any problem?"

"Guys can you imagine? i got a greatest surprise in Helsinki"

"Then that's good right?"

"Hell no! It was a bad one"

"Bad one? Girl what could that be?"

"Mike...."

"Mike????? You saw Mike???"

"He came to the hotel and changed his identity, demanding to see me. I was surprised because I knew nobody there but when I got out, to my greatest surprise i saw Mike. He began apologizing"

"Ken and Laura laughed_

"Girl that shouldn't bother you. Is it now that he's waking up from slumber? Don't even think about it"

Helen reported to work and was surprised to get another welcome celebration; she was overwhelmed and thanked everyone for their love and support. Little did she know that her boss Mr. Harry had eyes on her; the young man had fallen in love with beautiful Helen_ i mean who wouldn't fall in love with such adorable and charming lady?"

He invited her over for lunch and there he made his feelings known. What made Helen almost choke were his last words_

"I want to spend the rest of my life with you"

"Emmm!!!! sir..."

"We are not in the office, call me Harry"

"I'm sorry but I am not ready for any relationship now. I like the simple relationship of employee and boss nothing more, nothing less"

He smiled taking a sip from his cup of coffee_

" I am not asking you to accept immediately. I know the kind of lady you are; a respectable one at that so you take your time to think okay. I am not rushing you"

"Sir, with all due respect I am not thinking. I have made my point clear that I am not interested in any relationship"

"You still love him right?"

"I beg your pardon, love who?"

"Your ex boyfriend. I know everything"

"I don't appreciate someone badge into my privacy"

Helen angrily left the table. When she got home, she explained everything to Laura who smiled saying_

"Helen dear, guys won't stop coming simply because you had a heartbreak. it is normal after all you are a fine lady so don't punish yourself or others for another man's mistake.