Chapter Sixteen

When thinking about life, remember this: no amount of amount guilt can change the past, and no amount of anxiety can change the future-- Random pick

The sooner you figure out which chairs does not belong at your table, the more peaceful your meals become-- Random pick

For the first time since the charade they call a marriage Obi had called her more than ones. She didn't know what to make of it; she didn't want to take the call not when she was having such happy moments with Greg. She couldn't even understand why she didn't want to; why she dreaded the call.

"Your phone has being ringing... Why don't you want to take it at least to save your phone's energy" Greg said jokingly. He wondered who the caller was and why Ifeoma had refused to take the call even thou it rang repeatedly like what seemed like ages.

He was really enjoying his time with his Ify. It brought back memories; pleasant memories. He wished he never traveled, that Ifeoma never got married but he knew more than anyone that he wouldn't give up the life, the luxury he enjoyed now for anything yet he still wished things were different. If only one could eat his cake and have it... Guess he was going to be the first he beamed.

Ifeoma was still as sweet as before; very much fun to be with. With her you need not fear of flopping nor bristle nor feel at the edge. She was the kind that would make you feel the best of yourself.

He had promised himself to get her back and there was no backing down. She illuminated his world; he was not prepared to give up the light that radiants his hideousness. She was like his redemption; an assuage to what he was and his world.

Ifeoma felt a great pang of guilt. She didn't mean to lie to Obi especially as she had never directly lied to him in such inexplicable manner. She felt guilty; she felt it in her heart. It was like a needle pierced her soul so deep it hurt almost physically. She had never felt such guilt; she was sure she never had.

Greg was like a reminder of who she was, what used to be; the past. It felt like a millennium ever since her pregnancy; everything changed and she seemed to have changed the most. She dared not think of what would have being.

Seated with Greg in the opulent restaurant that smelled like fresh apples and cream; seated opposite each other; it felt refreshing, the familiar old feelings of loving and being loved; it was nostalgic. She had loved Greg maybe it was puppy love but she knew she had something excruciatingly old and nameless for him and he on the other hand had treated her like a queen; his queen. 

He had agreed on a relationship without sex, had not pressured her when he wanted more intimacy. He had being patient and loving. When they kissed it was usually swift and direct; with little or no emotions especially on her part yet he had being a doting boyfriend.

Greg was handsome. Many girls had wanted him but he choose her; always had that it got her in trouble with the girls. They hated her; he loved her.

She wondered if he was disappointed at her; what he would say if she told him: she was blindly in love with a man whose insanely in love with a woman who might not even be alive; for four years he had clung energetically to that love; she had no place in his heart might never. He made it clear to her at the onset.

Greg held her hands: "I missed you. I missed you everyday it hurt. I wondered why you never reached out but I never gave up hope" he touched her cheeks.

"You might not believe me but the hope of meeting you someday and soon was my driving force. The fear of disappointing you was my biggest fear."

Ifeoma was speechless; she really tried to talk, to say something but each time she opened her mouth only emptiness came out. She could see the enthusiasm his eyes. She could feel the emotions in his speech yet she couldn't bring herself to talk. Her speech was muted. She felt helpless. 

Maybe that was why she began to cry or maybe because she pity him or because she didn't share his enthusiasm at least not as much as him.

So, she found solace in her tears; the selfish part of her wishing it was Obi that showed even if it was quarter of what Greg spewed and expressed. Hurt he might never feel such; not for her.

She let it all out in form of tears. Since she couldn't speak at least thank God she still got her tears. Blessed be her pregnancy hormones it made it easy peasy. She didn't need to force herself not when her hormones was in turmoil.

Greg misunderstood her tears. He smiled to himself already envisioning their life together; it would be grand and epicurean he reminisced.

With is fingers he wiped her tears; he would make sure the only tears that came out of those luminous eyes were ; tears of joy and pleasure. The thought of it alone flicked his hormones. He would treat her better than her supercilious husband could ever do. She would be his temple and he would worship her devoutly paying obeisance forever. Just a little time and a little push she would be his, he thought proudly.

As he wiped her eyes he saw what looked like her husband; what is he called? Obi. At first he wasn't sure not until he looked closer; he smirked. He didn't know it would be this easy. He must be in the good books of the universe to receive such luck.

He decided to play the rare card well; the card of a lover. It was his favourite kind of game and he's was the irrefragable champion.

He took up a glass of wine and fed Ifeoma just as Obi stepped closer glaring hard and hot at him. He looked like the devil on the loose.

Obi saw red. In fact hell was about to get loose but he was sure he wouldn't be the one to get burnt.

He approached the table and smashed everything on it. 

Ifeoma was both super perplexed and super scared. How the hell...? When the hell did he get here? Ifeoma was awe struck. It wouldn't end well... It was going to be messy. She prayed to God it was a dream.

As if all the demons heard her prayers and to mock her; she saw someone falling down like a hill of ruins. Then she realised the afternoon was far from being a dream. She felt such great pains and fear she never felt before.