Sacrilege Episode 7 – 8 by Nissi Adeola

Sacrilege Episode 7 by Nissi Adeola

“I want a divorce”

The world stood still as the words bounced against Deolu’s ear drums. The words echoed in Deolu’s head until he thought he might go insane. He stared at Laura for a full minute as he pulled to his full height. “No” he shook his head vigorously. “No… You can’t mean that”

Laura swallowed, wiping off tears from her face. “I mean it” she said evenly.

“No, you don’t” Deolu returned, looking incredulously at Laura. He stalked around the office in rapid nervous strides before turning on Laura. “I made a mistake, Laura… Just one stupid mistake” he raised his voice shakily. “And I… I am sorry” his voice broke as he looked earnestly at Laura. “I’m so sorry”

Laura swallowed. “It’s not enough to be sorry”

“What else do you want me to say?” Deolu yelled. “I’d give my life to be able to undo what has been done… Heaven knows I hate myself for causing you so much pain” he swallowed as his voice softened. “I’d give anything to take away the pain I caused you… to go back to what we used to be…” he swallowed as he drew nearer to Laura.”Just don’t… Don’t do this… Please”

Laura felt tears burn in her eyes before they flowed down her cheeks. It was useless to wipe them off. She had never seen Deolu looking so perplexed, he had never looked so shaken and unsure of himself. This situation had indeed brought out a part of Deolu she never knew. “There’s no other option”

“Yes, there is” Deolu grabbed Laura’s hand with one hand, tracing her face shakily with the rough pad of his thumb. “We can fight… We can fight for us, love”

Laura shook her head, trying to break free from Deolu. “Fight for us? What’s there to fight for?” she snapped. “You threw us into the trash the second you decided to break our marriage vows.”

Deolu shook his head. “You are the one I love… What happened with Teju was a terrible mistake, Laura”

Laura jerked out of Deolu’s hold and whirled round. “Tell that to the child she is expecting” she boomed. “What? Do you expect me to accept your baby mama and play the role of a doting godmother to the child? I’m sorry, I can’t” she shook her head so vigorously, it was a miracle if didn’t fall off.

“I’m not asking you to do that”

Laura raised her brow. “So, what are you asking? That I pretend like you are not about to be a parent, and I’m not? Pretend you did not just break my trust in you? Pretend you did not break your promise of fidelity?”

Deolu took a deep breath. “I only plead that you not give up on me” he mouthed. “I know I don’t have the right to make demands, but… but I can’t just give you what you seek, Laura… Please…” he pleaded. “I love you, Laura”

“Don’t say that” Laura yelled at him. “If you love me, you would grant me an annulment”

“It is your anger talking, I know you don’t mean that” Deolu advanced in her and she retreated until he had her backed against a wall.

Laura shook her head. “I hate you… I hate you, I hate you, I hate hmmph”

Deolu’s hand snaked out, closing around Laura’s waist as he tugged her hard against his chest. Breath knocked out of her lungs and she came chest to chest with Deolu. Her heart raced beyond control but it was certainly not from fear. Anger, anxiety and an emotion she vehemently denied engulfed her as she raised her eyes angrily to Deolu, gasping for air.

His mouth covered hers, silencing whatever it was she had been about to say. Laura pushed against him, fighting against his brick wall chest fiercely in absolute failure as his powerful hands held her firmly and surely. Her effort to wrench herself from him was futile as his mouth awakened hers, in a quick sensuous dance.

For a moment there, everything seemed to fade away… the hurt, the pain, the unexpected stab of betrayal… it all faded away as Deolu’s scent engulfed her nostrils, his familiar feel awakened her hands and try as she may, she couldn’t hold back. She relaxed involuntarily, welcoming the knowing touch of her husband as she kissed him back. Life felt whole and complete again as her hands travelled up Deolu’s face, allowing his beards tickle her soft palms.

The kiss grew deeper and more intense as the flames of passion crackled and burned bright. Deolu’s hands swept to her full naturally spongy hair and she whimpered into his mouth, rising on tiptoes and fitting her body to his like a perfectly sized shoe. For a moment there, Laura couldn’t remember exactly what had gone wrong between them; it was just like the past six days had never happened. For a moment, she forgot about Teju, the baby and Deolu’s painful betrayal… she forgot everything but the feel of her husband and the feelings he evoked in her.
Deolu ended the kiss slowly and pulled back enough to stare deep into Laura’s eyes. There and then, everything came back to Laura, the pain, the hurt… her lips tingled from the kiss and she wished he had never kissed her again, it only made it even more painful. It only reminded her of what she would be losing the moment she pulled through with the divorce. She would be losing her husband, her lover… but most of all, she would be losing her friend. She blinked back tears but couldn’t prevent a tears drop from cascading down her hot cheek. Deolu kissed it away as he cradled her cheek with his palm. “I am not giving you a divorce, Laura” he said quietly.

“I made you a promise of forever and I am not backing down on my promise. I will fight for us. I wouldn’t give up on us, I promise, love” Deolu kissed Laura’s forehead. “I promise”

Laura stared mutely at him. She didn’t think she could talk without bursting out in tears. Her throat ached from holding tears at bay. Deolu kissed her forehead lingeringly, and then let her go. He turned and walked out of the office.

*****

Mrs. Johnson pulled a shirt over her head and shuffled the wardrobe for a matching skirt. She was done following the dictates of her husband. She shook her head as she pushed her legs into a skirt. It had been years since she got married to Laura’s father, and though she was not the biological mother of her husband’s children, she loved them just as much as she would love her own daughter. She had never gotten pregnant since she got married to Frank and that had never surprised her.

She had known a long time ago that she couldn’t get pregnant. It was the main reason why she got married to a man who already had children, so she wouldn’t be under any pressure to give birth to a child.

What Laura was going through hurt so much and she should understand because it struck home to something she had experienced though it was not exactly the same. And no matter what her husband’s stance on it was, she would help her step-daughter in whatever way she could. Sighing, Gloria pulled out a shawl and froze when her eyes fell on something small. She stared at the object for a few seconds but eventually, her hand moved of its own accord, towards the object. Her hand pulled out a small bottle which looked old and ancient.

She stared at the slightly impure water inside and her eyes watered. A tear drop left the confines of her lashes, landing on the small bottle of water. After all these years, she still held on to the only connection she had with her past.

Closing her eyes, she brought the bottle to her lips, kissing it tenderly. “Till we meet again, my Tinuke” she whispered. With aching heart, she kept the bottle safely, closed the wardrobe and left the room.

*****

Laura bit her lips hard as tears blurred her eyes, rolling down her cheeks. She wondered if there would ever be an end to her tears. She had been pretending to be all brave… pretending she wasn’t as affected as she actually was, but it had taken only one visit from Deolu to pull down her walls. She had known it was not a good idea to see Deolu just yet, that was why she had avoided him for as long as possible. But this day was going to come sooner or later.

How did they find themselves in this mess? She tried to stop the usual bout of self blame but she couldn’t help but wonder if she was actually responsible for what was going on. Had she not been a good enough wife? Was she not enough to satisfy her husband that he had to turn to another woman? Was she to blame for pushing her husband out into the arms of another woman? Maybe if she had given him a child or two, he wouldn’t have thought of experimenting another woman.

She should never have kissed him. The kiss he gave her told her clearly that Deolu loved her but she couldn’t help but wonder if Teju had also felt the same way when she was busy making love with her husband. Laura shook her head and swallowed hard as pain stabbed at her heart. She had done all she knew she could to be a good wife to Deolu. She had put up with his mean mother, harboring the hope that Mrs. Aderigbe would one day accept her. She had gone against her father’s blatant rejection of Deolu, just because she loved Deolu. So why? Why should she be the one to go through so much pain?

A knock snapped her out of her reverie and her head snapped up. Honestly, she was not ready to see any other person. The door opened slightly and Laura’s secretary entered anxiously.

“Ma’am” she called and Laura looked up at her. “Someone is here to see you” her voice came out cautiously and Laura couldn’t help but feel guilty for putting the lady in an uncomfortable position.

“I’m not ready to see anyone” Laura answered automatically.

“Its… it’s your sister”

Laura stilled.

“And I don’t need an introduction” the door flung wide open and Jane bounced in. it took a moment for Laura to recognize her baby sister. It had been two years since Laura saw her troublesome kid sister. She hadn’t seen her since she got admitted into the University of Ilorin and though they had kept in touch on phone; Laura was taken aback at the changes she saw in her sister.

“Sis” Jane pitched as she bounced round the office table, giving her sister an awkward bear hug. She kissed Laura’s cheek. “I’ve missed you, big sister” she said grinning.

All Laura’s problem vanished in an instant as she stood up. “Jane” she called in surprise, still stunned at her sister’s grown up look.

“In flesh and blood” Jane answered, grinning.

“Oh my God” she pulled her sister into her arms, hugging her as tight as she could.

Jane groaned, wriggling free from Laura’s hold. Her face pulled together as she feigned pain. “Dear God, I think you’ve broken my bones”

Laura ignored that. “Look at you. C’mon, give mummy the classic whirl”

Jane made a slow sensual turn that made Laura laugh out loud. God! It felt good to laugh again. She hugged her sister again, this time a bit gentler. “I’ve missed you so much” she moaned. She couldn’t tell just how much she missed the one connection she had with her own family. The one person who hadn’t deserted her because she chose to be happy with the one she loved. It felt a little weird to see Jane all grown up. What was she eating in school? Laura mentally noted that she was already eighteen years old, but to Laura, Jane would always be a kid.

Jane pulled back, grinning. “Wait till you see who I brought with me” she muttered.

Laura frowned. “You came with someone?” she asked, glancing at the entrance, only then noticing that the door had been left ajar all along.

“Sister Margaret”

Laura froze. All semblance of a smile vanished from her face as a figure moved into view. Her heart nearly stopped as she saw the only sibling that stood between herself and Jane. The one sibling that does only what daddy tells her to do. The one sibling that she hadn’t seen since her father sent her out of the house for choosing Deolu.

Margaret moved fully into the office, and just then, Laura saw the little hand clutching her sister’s hand. Laura’s heart nearly stopped as she saw a tiny replica of her sister. Margaret stared straight at Laura. “Hello sister”

*****

Deolu turned off the engine of his car. He hadn’t been home for days and it amazed him just how much he had allowed people to invade his home. Laura’s words danced in his head, making his head bang. Never! He would never break the ties that bound him to the woman he loved. He had been asleep for so long, allowing strangers invade his home and dictate the tune, but not anymore. He had promised Laura that he would fight for them and the one thing that would never change about him was that he held his promises as dearly as he held life itself.

Remembering that he wasn’t alone, Deolu glanced at the guy seated beside him. It was his makeshift driver – Lukman. Opening his door, Deolu muttered. “Let’s go”. Lukman alighted together with Deolu and they both made for the house. Deolu stepped into the familiar, yet unfamiliar house. What he would give to have his home back! Mrs. Aderigbe came out of the guests’ room. She was fully dressed. Teju was nowhere in sight and Deolu was momentarily grateful for that.

Mrs. Aderigbe smiled at her son. “I knew you would be back” she said, smiling. “Oo kin se omo ale” (you are not a bastard) her face creazed in a satisfied smile.

Deolu opened his mouth to speak but the words got stuck in his throat. Not that it mattered though because his mother made sure she filled the space with words. “Sooner or later Adeolu, you would forgive me and realize that this is all for your own good”

Deolu took a deep breath. “Where is Teju?”
Mrs. Aderigbe shrugged. “She should be in here somewhere”

Deolu nodded. He turned to Lukman who stood silently beside him, pretending to mind his business. He stretched his car keys towards Lukman who took it dutifully. He should have done this a long time ago but he hadn’t. His mother was the leading cause of the issues he’s had with Laura for the past six years. Her constant badgering and pressure had led to this chaos and a part of him wanted to blame all that was happening on his mother, knowing full well that if it hadn’t been for her, Teju would probably not be carrying his baby now. But no, he was not in the habit of blaming his failures and problems on others.

Deolu faced Lukman. “I would be back in a few minutes, when I get back; I don’t want to see my mother in this house.”

Mrs. Aderigbe’s eyes snapped up. “You are sending me out of your house?”

“The next time you step foot into my house, I would be sending you out of my life permanently” Deolu retorted. “You’ve brought nothing but misery to my life, mum, and frankly, if not for Laura, I would have done this a long time ago” he frowned deeply. “I thought you had changed… I honestly thought you had stopped being the self-centered heartless woman you always were” he shook his head. “I guess I was wrong. Some people can never change”

As mean as Deolu knew his mother to be, he had been shocked at her heartlessness towards Laura. For Laura’s sake, he had tolerated his mother, but no more.

Mrs. Aderigbe swallowed as a dry smile coated her face. “The same goes for your wife. How do you expect a barren woman to change into a fruitful one?” she raised her finely arched brow. “Believe it or not, leaving this house is the most sensible thing Laura has done since she came into your life, sooner or later, you would realize that you are better off without her.”

Deolu’s eyes flashed with fury as his fists folded in anger but he held back the retort hanging on the tip of his lips, not wanting to say something he would later regret. He turned to Lukman. “I don’t want to see her here when I return” he hissed through clenched teeth before storming out of the house.

*****

Laura stared at Margaret for a long moment. She’d be damned if she knew what to say to her. It had been such an awfully long time; did Margaret actually feel she could just waltz into her office like six years had been nothing but six days? Laura tried to ignore the little girl that couldn’t be more than one year old, who tried to break free from Margaret’s hold. Laura’s chest ached.

She had heard two years ago from Jane that Margaret had gotten married. How was it that Margaret had a child to show off after just two years of marriage and she was childless and on the verge of a divorce after six good years in marri
Laura swallowed, pushing herself back to a sitting position. “Margaret” she finally answered Margaret’s greeting.

Jane stared from one sister to the other. “This is cozy” she muttered with a dry smile. “Okay, I think I would leave you two alone”

“Don’t” Laura snapped hurriedly. Her eyes returned coldly to Margaret. “Margaret wouldn’t be staying long”

Margaret rolled her eyes. “Listen, if not for Jane, I surely wouldn’t be here, so you can stop licking up your wounds big sister, it is not like I have been dying to see you”

“Why are you here then?” Laura snapped. “Last time I checked, dad banned you from having anything to do with me, so why are you here?” Laura laughed bitterly. “Don’t tell me you suddenly turned disobedient overnight”

Margaret shook her head. “And here I was thinking the little episode with Deolu had probably thought you a lesson. If you had listened to dad and married Collins, all these wouldn’t have happened”

Jane looked on in confusion.

Laura jumped out of her chair, stalking forward. “Oh, sorry ‘daddy’s pet’” Laura’s eyes flashed with anger. “I’m sorry I have a mind of my own and have the full capacity to choose to marry whoever I want to marry” Laura folded her arm against her bosom. “Well, I heard you got married to Collins, is he such a terrible husband that you wish I had married him instead?”

Margaret’s eyes blazed in anger. “I married Collins and I have Tess to show for that” she smiled at the beautiful little kid she held so firmly before giving Laura a mock smile. “What do you have to show after marrying the man you love?”

The words hit Laura like a blazing knife on a wounded skin. “Can you both stop this?” Jane yelled into the sudden silence but no one seemed to notice her. Laura swallowed. She refused to allow Margaret see how much she had hurt her.

“Get out of my office” she said in a deceptively silent voice.

Margaret shrugged, pulling her child as she turned to leave. She got to the door then paused. “By the way, congratulations on the child” she smiled coldly. “You would be a great stepmother” she dropped and left.

*****
It was dark when Deolu got back to the house. It was really quiet and for moment, he enjoyed the satisfaction of knowing his mother was out of the house. He saw nothing sign of Teju just as he hadn’t seen her in the morning and he hoped to God that she decided to stay out of his house today.

He walked through the sitting room and made for the bedroom. He pushed open the door and went inside. The lights were off so his hand moved automatically to where he knew the switch was, on the wall. He pressed the switch and light flooded the Master’s bedroom. Feeling the presence of somekne, he whirled round and his eyes instantly snapped to the bed. He grew completely still as he stared at the form lying on the bed.

Teju pushed to a sitting position, holding the covers of the bed to her chest. Her eyes connected with Deolu’s, holding his gaze. Deolu didn’t need to be told to know she was completely naked behind the sheets. His heart pounded in his ears. What on earth was going on? Deolu wandered but just when he thought he had seen the worst, Teju dropped the sheets.

Episode 8

Margaret removed the scarf she had tied around her head and heaved a hearty sigh as ventilation got restored into her medulla.

“Mummy”

She turned slightly towards the little miss tugging furiously at her leg. “I’m coming, Tess” she smiled slightly at her daughter as she removed her blouse, exchanging it for a casual top. “You are hungry, Ehn?” Tess bobbed her head.

“Indomie” she whined, her eyes tearing up.

“Okay okay” Margaret rushed, changing her skirt as she glanced up at the wall clock. She had stayed too long at Laura’s office when she knew she shouldn’t. She still hasn’t made dinner. She kept her panic hidden as she grabbed Tess, rushing towards the kitchen. “Let’s go and cook Indomie” she declared with a big grin aimed at her daughter. Like magic, Tess broke into a toothless grin, showcasing her pair of teeth.

Margaret practically flew into the kitchen, putting Tess on the ground to roam around freely as she hurriedly rushed through dinner. Tess, at one year and four months was the loveliest kid there is. Margaret watched her with one eye as she broke her noodles into bits and stuffed into steaming hot water, at the same time, working dinner.

Multitasking was a skill she soon learnt after marriage. It was an on-the-job-training she got. It increased several notches after the birth of Tess, but Margaret knew it wouldn’t be so terrible if she had a different husband. She glanced at the wall clock nervously. She couldn’t afford to prepare finger food before her husband arrived, so she settled for white rice since she had stew already prepared. Margaret sighed deeply as she served Tess’ Indomie and started feeding her child. A car horn made her jump as she looked nervously at the food. “Daddy” Tess muttered. Small as she was, the little girl already knew her father’s car horn.

Margaret left Tess’ food, rushing to the pot on fire as she heard the car zoom into the compound. It was almost dry. She heaved a slightly relieved sigh. Thank you, God. She put the stew on heat as she rushed to the sitting room just as the door opened. She swallowed. “Welcome darling”

“Uhn” Mr. Collins grunted, unsmiling.

Great!

“Daddy” Tess stretched her hands to her dad and Mr. Collins softened a little, taking his daughter from Margaret into his arms. “How are you, Nne?”

“Fine” Tess answered in an inaudible childlike voice.

Margaret shifted nervously. “Your food is almost ready”

Mr. Collins turned to glare at her. “Why isn’t it ready yet?”

“Erm… I…” Margaret stuttered. Her husband hissed, dropped Tess and waltzed away into his room. The atmosphere was charged with tension as she rushed into the kitchen. The rice was dry, thankfully. Collins was in a good mood, if his little display of affection towards his daughter was anything to go by. Swallowing, she dished her husband’s food as fast as she could – rice in one plate and stew in another, while keeping an eye on Tess.

Margaret took the food to the dinning in a tray, rushing back to get water. On getting back, Collins was already at the dinning and seated. She filled his cup with water, just as he opened the plates.

“Rice?” he boomed. Margaret jumped in fright. Collins glared at Margaret. “I’ve been out all day and you dare to serve me rice?”

“It… I am sorry”

Collins’ hand flashed out, connecting with Margaret’s cheek in a resounding slap. Margaret stumbled backwards, holding her cheek as the slap re-echoed. “What have you been doing at home all day that you could not make me a proper dinner?” Collins’ voice rang out in the room.

Margaret shrank back, moving out of harm’s way. She held her tongue, not wanting to say anything to stoke her husband’s anger any further.

“If you know what is good for you, you would go in there and make me a proper dinner” he sent the tray on the table sailing with his hand as he stood up and stalked away. Margaret shrieked and jumped out of the way as the tray came crashing on the floor, together with the plates of rice and soup. Tess’ cry rose to Margaret’s ear as she bent to pick what she could with her shivering fingers. Her heart raced from fear as she picked the plates with one hand, carrying her daughter with the other hand as she made for the kitchen.

It was always like this… after more than two years of being married, she could not tell the day she had truly been happy in her marriage, except the day she had held her little Tess in her hands for the first time. Each day seemed longer than the last. Laura was right! She wished Laura had married Collins so she wouldn’t be saddled with the responsibility of marrying him. She despised Laura for putting her in this position. For putting her in the perpetual state of fear. She hated Laura for being the reason why she suffered and nursed visible and invisible bruises everyday of her life. She despised Laura for having everything she wished she had.

*****

The temperature dropped below zero. The room cracked with tension as Deolu stared at Teju in dry-mouthed wonder. “What are you doing” his voice came in a whispered croak.

Teju looked uncertain as she pushed out of the bed, allowing the bedspread slip away completely, revealing only a small red bikini that Deolu knew so well. Deolu swallowed hard. A voice told him to escape while he still could, but his legs couldn’t seem to obey that command. He stood stock still as Teju moved closer with each step she took. “What… are you doing?” he mouthed again.

Teju stopped a few steps towards him. “I’m not sure” she whispered.

Deolu stared hard at Teju, willing his eyes not to stray off her face. “I think you are.” This was not the Teju he knew. The Teju he knew was loving, thoughtful and carried herself with self respect; she was anything but the viper in front of him, waiting to pounce.

Teju swallowed. “I… I just want to forget” she had a strange look in her eyes as she raised her eyes to Deolu. “I can’t take alcohol” she explained, resting a hand on her stomach. “Please make me forget”

“So… you’d sleep with me to blank out?”

“And you would sleep with Laura”

Deolu frowned. Was it his racing heart or was his hearing being impaired? He couldn’t understand anything at all.

Teju took a cautious step closer. “Pretend I’m Laura” she explained. “You don’t have to think of me at all” Teju swallowed, tapping her fingers against her nude legs nervously. “I’m in your house, in your bedroom, and I’m also putting on Laura’s bikini; you might as well pretend she’s the one you are in bed with”

Deolu finally took a step back as he stared at Teju, utterly stupefied. “This is not you” he took cautious steps away from Teju towards the bed. He grabbed the sheet and stalked to Teju, wrapping it awkwardly around her nude body. “You should get dressed” this must be the most uncomfortable he had ever been in a long time. He had always viewed Teju like he would a sister, it was odd given he already slept with her but to him, that awkward moment doesn’t count.

“Don’t patronize me, Dee” Teju shook off the piece of material till it fell to the ground. “I’m not drunk. I know what I want”

“What do you want? To make an already terrible situation worse?” He’d be damned if he would make the same mistake twice.

Teju smiled. “It can’t get any worse than it already is, it’s not like you can impregnate me again; I’m already pregnant”

“Stop this, Teju” Deolu snapped. “Can you listen to yourself right now? You don’t even sound like you”

Teju moved hastily to Deolu, snaking her hands around his shoulder. “Please Dee… just this once”

Deolu stared at her upturned face. “I betrayed Laura once already, I am not doing it again” The mere thought of what this would do to Laura was enough to harden his resolve. “I hurt you before and I can see that I’m doing it again. You should leave” he murmured in a low tone, peeling away Teju’s hands. “I never should have let you stay here… it would only hurt you more.” Teju shook her head. Deolu knew Teju wasn’t thinking straight. The Teju he knew wouldn’t do all these.

Teju swallowed. It felt shameful to be rejected, especially by Deolu. She felt ashamed, ashamed that she would stoop so low as to do something so unthinkable… as to dish herself like a plate of abandoned party leftover. She nodded, shrinking back to gather her clothes where she put them beside the bed. Deolu gave her a few minutes to herself, retreating to the sitting room and finally drawing a descent breath. He couldn’t sit still as he paced slightly, trying to work off the tension he felt. He tapped his phone continuously then dropped it on the chair.

He turned as Teju emerged from the bedroom, carrying a small big handbag, the one she probably brought with her. “I ordered Uber”

Teju stared at him for a brief moment before she shook her head. Her eyes held tears but she held them back. “Okay” she muttered.

Silence reigned for a few seconds Deolu took a deep breath. “I am sorry, Teju” he whispered.

Teju raised her eyes to his. “Me too”

Walking briskly, she rushed out of the house.

*****

Laura slammed her hand against the horn, honking at the slow driver in front of her as she drove back to Tito’s place. The headlamp of the car and streetlights provided enough light to see beyond the dark evening at the wide spread of road ahead. Laura’s hands shook feverishly as she held on to the steering wheel. A car honked behind her and she honked back in anger, the person would probably think she was insane but she was beyond caring about irrelevant people who had no idea of what she was going through.

She took one hand off the steering to rub off tears from her eyes. She shook her head. No! she refused to reminisce the incidents that took place today. All she wanted to do was forget… just forget. Tears blurred her eyes again and she dashed her hand across her face, wiping off the tears, just then, the car jerked.

Laura straightened. The car jerked again and she frowned deeply. “What the heck” she gasped, trying to control the wheel, not knowing exactly what was wrong… then she saw it. “Oh no… please no” she moaned in complete horror as she stared at the dashboard of the car, her focus on the fuel gauge. “You must be kidding me” as if all her problems were not enough, she had to be stranded on the road at night with the fuel on red.

Laura could barely maneuver the car to the side of the road before it gave its final cough. She slammed her fists on the wheel over and over again and pain shut up her wounded arm. Tears burned in her eyes but she held them at bay. She was done crying for one day. Anger and anxiety took over her as she stared at the darkness ahead. Cars zoomed by and several shops were closed, but typical of Lagos, so many shops were still open.

She had no idea where her phone was, she couldn’t remember using her phone for the past few days. She opened the door of the car and alighted, slamming the door in anger. “Great” she yelled with misery written all over. “Just great” she gasped in exhaustion.

Taking a moment, she regulated her breathing as she looked around, hoping for a bike. She had not listened to Tito at all. She had warned her about the fuel but she had completely neglected that important piece of information, just as she had taken so many things for granted in her life.

How could life be so unfair? She was too tired for this. Swallowing, she started walking by the road. She knew Tito’s place wasn’t too far away but still, she looked around, hoping for a bike. She was too drained; she’d pass for a very dry piece of paper. She didn’t think her legs could carry her weight for much longer.

Her eyes blurred, making her stumble slightly. She hadn’t eaten anything all day, not like all week she had eaten enough to keep an ant alive either. Swallowing, she relaxed her back against the car, trying to regulate her thoughts, but then, her eyes caught something not so far away. How odd… how odd that life always chose to torment her.

Locking the doors of the car, she eased her legs into motion with her eyes on the shop just a few paces away. The lights were on and she could see into the shop which had a glassy exterior. After a few lifeless steps, she was in front of the shop, staring in as tears filled her eyes. The tiny clothes swam before her eyes. Baby clothes in different colors and shapes hung beautifully everywhere, bringing more tears to her eyes as she climbed the few steps that led to the door of the baby shop. She pushed the glass door open and stepped in. it had a large interior with so many clothes, shoes and toys hanging around.

It was a kids’ boutique and Laura could absently see a few people strolling around, picking things they would like. Laura stood frozen at the entrance as she stared at everything. This was everything she wanted to have but didn’t. if only she had a child, just one child she could shop for… just one child she could dress up in all the finesse she could afford. But no…

Margaret’s words danced in Laura’s head as she stared at the clothes. Margaret was obviously right about everything she said. Maybe she was paying for her disobedience… maybe she should have listened to her dad and married Collins… so far, love hasn’t really paid off.

A shop attendant approached Laura with a blinding smile on her face. “Hello ma” she greeted. “What would you like?”

Laura heard the words but could not muster a response as she stared on and on at the baby things. “We have lovely clothes for girls and boys of any age, you want me to show you around?” the attendant’s face was not as smiley as she registered Laura’s teary state.

Laura shook her head, gripping the car keys in her hand a little tighter. The shop attendant touched Laura’s arm gently and Laura nearly jumped as her eyes snapped to the lady for the first time. The tears in her eyes spilled over, coercing down her cheeks. “Are you okay, ma?” the lady was clearly worried now as she drew closer to Laura.

Laura stared at the lady but could not get a word out as her mouth shook and tears streamed down her face. She nodded and shook her head at the same time as she broke down in sobs. It was all too much for her. “I’m sorry…” she sobbed, “I’m… I’m just hungry” She had never felt so miserable in her entire life. It was like the entire forces of the world were against her.

She faintly heard a familiar voice calling her name but she couldn’t be sure. She felt embarrassed and stupid. She never should have entered the shop and she certainly shouldn’t be crying like an idiot inside someone’s business environment. But she just couldn’t help it. She turned and fled the shop, running as fast as her legs would carry her and as far away from the shop as possible. Her tears came in torrents as she ran and ran until her strength was completely drained.

Her legs slowed of their own accord and she crouched, gripping her legs, breathing heavily. Her chest heaved as she wiped tears off her face, fighting to regulate her breathing. Her legs shook as she searched for a place to sit.

Finally calm enough to use her eyes for something asides tears; she sighted a minimart which was obviously still bubbling with life. If there is anything that was peculiar of Lagos, it is that bars almost never have a closing time. She shivered as the cold wind of the night brought goosebumps to her skin. It was a beautiful night and on a normal night, Laura would have enjoyed it but this was definitely not a normal night. Everything was wrong, just like everything in her life right now.

She walked into the bar cautiously, absently noticing the people seated there, chatting away like life was completely itch free, nothing like the circus that hers have now become. The music was moderately loud but the voices of people boomed, disturbing her ears. It was good. Maybe, just maybe it was what she needed to distract her from her thoughts.

Sighing, rubbed her face with her hands again, and hoping there was no trace of tears left. she moved to the bar and sat on the high stool. The bartender smiled at her. “What do you want?”
Laura smiled without mirth. “Like you have what I want”

“Uhn” the bartender didn’t seem to hear her above the noise.

Laura massaged her temples. “Anything”
“Ehn?”

Laura glared at the confused bartender.
“Water” she heard that familiar voice say before she could utter anything. “The lady would have water”

Laura turned, identifying that voice before she turned to its owner. “Chris” she murmured.
Laura looked at Chris as he approached. He had that familiar smile on his face but even his smile wouldn’t mask the worry clearly visible in his eyes. She hadn’t seen him since he left her anniversary party right before it all came crashing down.

Chris stood beside Laura. “Hey Laura”

*****

Tito turned off the car engine and grabbed her phone, staring at the house directly in front of the car. “I can’t believe I came with you”

Tito rolled her eyes and glared at Catherine who looked unsettled. “I didn’t ask you to”. Frankly, Catherine was already frustrating her with her constant badgering.

“Someone has to keep you from doing something stupid”

Tito hissed. “Like you can stop me”

“How do you plan on entering the apartment, madam?” Cat quipped.

Tito picked up some tiny pieces of metal that looked like a lock pick. “Where there is a will, there is a way”

“Or where there is a will, someone dies”

Tito slanted an odd look at Catherine. “As long as Teju is the one being buried, I am fine with that” she pushed open the door of the car and alighted. Catherine did the same, frowning as she moved around to meet Tito.

“Tell me you are not going to do something stupid”

Tito smiled at Catherine. “I am about to teach a bitch a lesson”. She raised her brow. “You should stay here, you have a career to protect” she said and took purposeful strides towards the house.

Catherine closed her eyes for a few seconds, stomping her foot as she rushed after Tito.

*****

Teju got out of the Uber and carried her bag towards herb apartment. She felt so ashamed and dirty. How on earth had she thought of seducing Deolu with everything going on. She was always making things worse. She had the uncanny ability to go in search of trouble even when she had more than enough.

Swallowing, she went straight to her apartment. If she had been in her right frame of mind, she would have noticed the oddity with the door, noticed that it wasn’t locked. but as she pushed open the door, her brain instantly went still she a the door. Blood drained from her face as she stared at the horror before her. “No! Oh no…”

Sacrilege

‘Where there is a will, someone dies’ – quote by Phemmy Michael

Sacrilege Episode
#OpraDre