PICKING UP THE PIECES
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“Hey Lee!”
I turned around as I heard someone called my name, it was Rose. I signaled to her to hurry up as I took my seat beside my other Co-workers.
It was already some minutes past four and like we always did, we would meet at the cafeteria and gist about ridiculous things for about an hour before we would all go home in our different cars.
I worked for a Telecommunication Company at Victoria Island and there was no much time to chit-chat for ladies so we always did that after closing period. The Cafeteria was noisy as always , while others were busy getting their bags from the lockers, some like us were busy catching up with our friends.
“Hey, look at you, I could barely recognize you this morning” Rose said, embracing me after we both took our seats.
“Your wedding was beautiful, God! I am so happy I didn’t miss it!” Nora declared as she
stuffed her mouth full with doughnut.
I smiled. “I would have killed you had it been you missed it” I replied jokingly.
“So how is Charles?’ asked Mercy.
“He is fine” I replied , switching on my phone. I noticed the both exchanged glances. “What was that about?”
Rose scoffed. “Girl, do we need to spell it out for you? You know how we always do this thing at least, you started it. we don’t understand why you have been avoiding it.”
“You always seem somehow whenever it comes to this.” Nora continued for her.
“Comes to what?” I snapped.
“The details babe! Your first night…we want to know everything. It’s been more than two
weeks and it’s like you don’t want to talk about it. You remember how you kept telling us you wanted your first night to be special? Now that you are no longer a nun, please tell us
everything” Nora begged excitedly.
“Did you scream? Did it hurt? How was Charles? Is he good you know…stuffs like that.” Rose completed for her.
I was quiet for a while and I know my eyes must have probably frozen over. My inside was
damp all of a sudden and I had to bit my lips to stop me from crying.
I looked at their faces lit with excitements. I wanted to say something but I couldn’t. I was the one who started this .When Mary got married, I made sure she told us everything right from their leaving the reception, the same thing with Mercy and it became a tradition. I was the only virgin amongst them before I got married, I told them I needed their experiences for my wedding night.
“Was it that bad?” Mercy asked with a little show of concern.
“Urm,,,” I started with a shaky voice. “Er..urm. It was..it was okay..nothing special” I replied weakly as I tried effortlessly to push the bad memory back inside.
“Just okay?!” Nora demanded, a little bit angry. “ We need all the juices Lola. You remember you made us promise to always do this!”
Sharp pain lanced through my head at her sudden demand .
“Look! It is my life okay ! it is none of your businesses!” I lashed out, hurriedly picked my bag and rushed out of the Cafeteria, ignoring their looks of surprises at my over-reaction.
Getting into my car, I dropped my bag on the other seat while I rested my head against the steering for a while, with my eyes closed. Colorful spots flashed in front of my eyes, it felt like my whole body had been beaten and every movement caused some muscle or bone to ache. Regardless , I needed to get out of here. I turned on the ignition key , maybe Charles was right, I wasn’t ready to come to work…
By the time I got home, it was already some minutes past 7pm, the traffic was always crazy on Fridays.
Having stepped out of the car, I pulled off my shoes and held them in my hand. I could see Charles ’s car beside mine, in the Garage. He got home sooner today, I wondered why , because it was a Friday night and normally he would be at the club with Israel and the rest of their crew.
I inserted my key into the Key-hole and turned it, pulling the door open. It was a little dark and soft music seemed to be playing from somewhere in the house.
“There was power, so why were all the lights turned off?” I asked myself. I walked to the switch…
“Babe!” Charles’s voice came astoundingly, almost giving me a heart attack. I turned around and saw him behind me.
“… Do not turn on the light” He said softly.
“Charles! What the hell is happening, you are scaring me” I whispered and he chuckled, kissing me on the lips.
“Come with me. I have a surprise.” He ordered, taking my bag from me while holding me by the waist.
It was a romantic dinner with the candles and all. That was why he put off the lights. It was fried rice and chicken with my favorite Red wine.
“Did you cook this?” I teased and he gave me the look which always made me laugh.
“I wish” He replied. “So how was work ?”
I shook my head. “I don’t want to talk about it”
“Are they still asking you stuffs”
I nodded.
“You can quit and we can start a supermarket for you” He said, lifting my hand to his lips.
“Thank you darling” I replied with a smile.
“I want to do anything that would make you happy”
Charles had been so supportive ever since that terrible incident of three months ago he was doing everything to make me forget it…he was trying so hard. Had taken me for checkups at all the best hospitals in town and thankfully, I was okay. Then he had hired a cleaner and a maid so I wouldn’t have to stress myself. He also got me a therapist. Now, he planned a romantic dinner just as he had done several times since we got back to Lagos. Just that, I knew he was doing all these out of sheer pity for me. Assuming that hadn’t happened, would he do all these for me too? I sometimes wondered…
It was some minutes past 10pm. I was busy reading the book "Moving On with life" which the therapist has given me. My back was turned towards Charles who was busy fast asleep or so I thought until I felt his hand caressing me.
I flinched at first because it was so sudden but then I relaxed. It was just a normal caress, no big deal. I read on..he moved closer, pressing his body fully against me… Then he raised his head and placed it on my cheeks, breathing hot ear into my ears…
“Charles Honey, stop that. Go back to bed” I said sternly.
I tried to be calm at first but then he brought his hand into my night gown, reaching for my thighs but I immediately yanked his hand off.
He sighed in frustration.
“Babe…please!” He pleaded
“You know I can’t do this Charles! Why do you keep stressing us!” I was beginning to get angry.
“It has been three months. I have done everything needful, when am I ever going to have sex with my wife. This is not fair!” He shouted. “ I am human, I have urges! Would you prefer me going to the street?”
“I am human too and I am still healing!” I snapped back at him.
Now we were both sitting down, arms akimbo and backs against the wall.
“This is not fair Lola. What else do you want me to do for you?” He asked softly.
“I want you to understand what happened to me destroyed me Charles! I don’t want to have sex okay! Not yet!”
“Until when? I planned a romantic dinner, fixed you for a therapist, I am changing your work for you . What else do I do? Are those not enough for you?”
“What happened to me Charles, wasn’t a matter of the tummy, you got me your own therapist and not the one I wanted. She keeps telling you to woo me and buy me beautiful things but that is not what I want!”
“So what do you want!”
“I want to talk about it!” I shouted. “If we do not talk about it, there is no way we are moving
past it.”
He calmed down. “You want to talk about it?” He asked, a little surprised.
“Yes” I replied.
“Okay, I am listening” He replied, squeezing and rubbing my hand.
I sighed and shut my eyes as the memories came back to me and the unsettling feeling began to well inside me again, so I held my tummy.
“I am listening babe."
I opened my eyes and was looking at him. All the sincerity and love that I knew was all there....so I could I tell him that I thought that....that I heard that............. I sighed. This would ruin us and I didn't want that. Maybe I should just let it be like he had said.
"Charles, I'm sorry, let's just sleep please. I am sorry..."
He smiled and caressed my cheek before kissing me on the lips.
"It's okay darling. Just know that I am here for you."
Hmmmmm....what a sad couple.
Do you think Lola is being unfair? What about Charles? Do you think he's doing the necessary things for his wife?