I left work very early on Tuesday, two weeks after my adventure at the beach. The work must be taking its toll on me because I was feeling physically weak. My physical weakness was not going to stop me from going to church but I wanted some time to rest so I left earlier than usual. Informing Richard did not cross my mind because all I wanted was going home, having a shower and sleeping.
I entered my car and zoomed out of the hospital premises on top speed. I was just about a half way through the journey when I noticed the flat tire at the driver’s side of the car. I must have skipped it in my rush because it was at zero level. This struck me as odd and strange because I just had the tires changed a week ago.
This is frustrating, I thought as I parked beside the road to see what I can do. What does a girl know about a mechanic’s job? I dialed my mechanic but his number was switched off. I did not sight any roadside mechanic so I did what anyone in my situation would do – do the job myself.
I got out my spare tire from the boot, my jack and wheel spanner. Just as I was going about my business, a car parked in front of mine but I was beyond caring. I placed the jack under the car and started pumping it in order to lift the car.
“Who do we have here?” I heard behind me and the voice registered immediately I heard it.
I turned slowly and saw the very person who owned the voice. “what are you doing here, Kelvin?” I asked surprised that he was actually there and even more surprised that I could recollect his voice.
“I was just driving by and saw you. I don’t need to look twice to recognize you, even in the dark.” He responded with a smile which I found increasingly annoying by the minute.
“That’s great. You can go now, after all, you can see that I am busy”. I said and continued my work.
“No” he responded sharply. “I can’t possibly leave you here to do this. I am sure you don’t have the slightest idea about what you are doing. Don’t let me pass the chance to save a damsel in distress, especially when the damsel is you. What happened between us should be in the past now. We are Christians”. He said and with feeling? I can’t believe it.
I looked at him feeling slightly irritated. He gently shoved me aside and took over the job without permission. I folded my hands across my chest as I watched him fix the tire almost effortlessly. Something told me that this is no chance meeting and I kept that thought at the back of my mind.
He was through about 15 minutes later and I thanked him for his help but he blocked me unexpectedly as I made to enter my car, causing me to bump into him. I righted myself and faced him with a questioning glare and he backed down.
“I just… I just thought we could have a drink nearby, you know, to catch up on lost time” he said.
“Oh… I don’t think it would be a good idea. You know, having people see us together might create a wrong impression and I would like to avoid that. I am happily married and I don’t want rumours getting in the way of my happily ever after. Seeing that you are not wearing a wedding ring, it suggests that you are not married, so it is best to stay away from your Ex in order to encourage ladies to look in your direction. Besides, we are Christians, right? Thanks again and have a nice day” I said in one breath and before he could think of stopping me, I was already in my car with the doors firmly locked. I pulled out and headed home.
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Oyinade moved confidently towards Richard’s office to give a report about some patients. Her dressing would be described as anything but descent. Her skirt was tight enough to display the enormous load she was carrying and her shirt was not able to withhold the overflow of flesh and her cleavage was in public display. She had decided that the foreplay was long overdue; she needed to get what she wanted.
Richard raised his eyes when she entered and his eyes seemed to linger a bit more than they usually did, she noted with satisfaction. She did not wait for permission before she sat down, crossing her legs in front of her. Richard noticed all these gestures but did not say a word. She set about her job, using her most fascinating voice and trying to be as accountable as possible. When she was done, all she heard was, “Alright, you can leave now” from her boss.
She stood up slowly and was at the door when she heard Richard calling her. She smiled victoriously but faced Richard looking indifferent. For the first time, Richard faced her fully. It was as if he was seeing her for the very first time.
“Why are you dressed so indecently?” he asked suddenly. Oyin was speechless. That was not the question she was expecting.
“You have to always remember that this is a hospital and not a hotel. If you wish to remain in this hospital, holding the position you presently are, you would have to dress moderately. Do you understand me?” he said with seriousness written all over him.
Oyinade’s throat became thick. She could not stand the humiliation. She muttered her apologies and vanished to her office where she cried tears of disgrace and annoyance. She picked up her phone and dialed Ronke’s number.
“Carry out plan B now” she ordered immediately Ronke picked.
“What is the matter again girl, that is not our plan” she heard over the receiver.
“I don’t give a damn. Do it now” she yelled and the line went dead. She started pacing the office in anger
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Richard could not understand the ploy of his assistant. She had been exceptional with her work ever since she came but he could not fathom why she would dress so exposing. He had noticed it the previous day and kept quiet but seeing it repeat itself today sent a warning signal. It was as though she was bent on seducing him or someone else. He hadn’t meant to embarrass her the way he did but he could not think of a better way to present it if he wanted a change. Men are not stones and if he could control himself, he could not say the same about the other guys in the hospital. Belina had disapproved of her immediately she saw her for reasons he could not understand but he knew that she always trusted her instincts and her judgements are often correct.
His Phone beeped notifying him that he had a message and he stopped what he was doing to check it. He also wanted to call his wife to find out how she was feeling, so in a hurry, he opened the message but what he saw gave him a chill. It was not terribly bad but he still could not imagine it. He read the message and enlarged the picture attached to it. The sender of the message was not identified but that was not his problem. He stood up from his chair immediately and left his office.
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I lay in the bathtub feeling slightly better than before. The warm water made my nerves settle and I felt good within few seconds. Remembering my encounter with Kelvin, I scrubbed my body clean because I didn’t want to have anything to do with him. We are Christians, I remembered him say. And so what? Was he not a Christian when he tried to have his way with me, knowing fully well that we were not married yet? Was he not a Christian when he got that harlot to his bed, thinking he would be able to persuade me with that ridiculous act? He must be out of his mind if he thinks he can come between me and my husband.
All these went through my mind as I rinsed, toweled and left the bathroom. I remembered that Richard always became slightly edgy whenever Kelvin’s name came up in a discussion. He hated what Kelvin did to me and always emphasized his desire to punch the daylight out of his guts for what he did to me. Thinking of Richard, I remembered that I did not tell him I would leave the hospital early. I was about reaching for my phone when it rang. The number I.D was hidden and I hesitated. I did not pick up the first time but the call was repeated. I picked and placed the phone on my ear without speaking.
“Hello” I heard a female voice say over the receiver.
“Yes? Who am I speaking with?” I asked
“Please, is this Mrs Belina Branson?” she asked instead of answering my own question.
“Yes. Who is this please?”
“I would like to remain anonymous ma. I love you so much and I have read a lot about you and what you have been through. Your story is very touching and inspring. I know you but you don’t know me. I admire your inner and outer beauty and that is why I am not happy with what your husband is doing ma”.
I was surprised. “What are you talking about” I asked curiously.
“Your husband is cheating on you ma” I heard her say.
“What?” I yelled. “You must have someone else in mind. I am sure of it” I said confidently already feeling irritated.
“No ma’am. He is cheating on you with the lady working with him; that lady with huge buttocks and breasts. Believe me ma, I usually see them together and I even saw them kissing one day in the eatery not so far away from the hospital. I know you would not believe me but remember, I warned you”.
“Who are you and who sent you?” I yelled but the line was already dead.
I stared at the phone still wondering what was going on. I was beside myself with rage. The girl sounded sincere but I couldn’t see myself believing a word she said. I remembered that I had felt an instant dislike towards that Oyinade girl when I saw her over a week ago but I could not place my finger on what the problem was. I had told Richard what I felt but he had defended her saying that her work had been impeccable since she entered BRH. I knew my instinct was almost always right but could my earlier anxiety have anything to do with Richard. He hadn’t given me any reason to doubt him and his love for me since I met him so why should I doubt him now? Could he cheat on me?
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Richard got to BRP Hospital and on getting to Belina’s office; he was informed that she was already out. He knew that the cloth she wore was the same with the one in the picture but he could not imagine her seeing that despicable guy for whatever reason. He knew calling her would be bad because he might accuse her, which would be unfair since she hadn’t given him cause to doubt her love for him. He knew she could not cheat on him especially with that guy but he could not understand this; plus he was her first love. He rubbed the back of his palm against his forehead. Who even sent it? He wondered since there was no I.D.
He went back to the office and saw Tony waiting for him. He invited him in without the usual hugs and funny guy to guy chats.
“What’s eating you bro? You look distant and pale” Tony asked immediately they were on seat.
Richard sighed. “Its… personal” he replied.
“Personal” Tony repeated and laughed. “Since when did you start having personal issues that I can’t hear about?”
Richard stared for a while then stretched his phone towards Tony. Tony scrolled through and saw a message with the words, “check this out”. Below it, he saw a photo of Belina and a guy in what seemed to be a hug.
“Oh… I see… Jealousy is eating you up. It is just a hug man, nothing more. He must be her friend. You know Belina better than that” Tony said confidently.
“Yes. It is just a hug, only he is not her friend. That is Kelvin. Her ex. Her first love” Richard lamented.
“Ok, calm down” Tony said, looking at the picture again.
“I don’t get it. I know she despises him, so what is she doing with him?” Richard said standing up.
“Well, since you know her, you should not doubt her faithfulness. It would be unfair to accuse her wrongly pal, she may never forgive you. If you ask me, this does not look like a proper hug”. He said inspecting the picture again.
“But it is definitely something, right?” he retorted.
“Who sent it? Or are you keeping tabs on her?”
“definitely not. I also don’t know who sent it. The number is hidden”
Tony stood up and went to meet Richard where he was, by the window, looking outside. “You guys have come a long way. You are married. Not just a new couple but you are two years into the marriage. You should know that people are jealous of the relationship and love you have both maintained till now and they want to destroy it. Don’t allow them. I would advice you to take this out of your mind. I am very sure that Belina loves you and would not hurt your feelings this way. I can vouch for her” Tony said.
Richard smiled faintly. “Thanks man” he said honestly, feeling better. “Not a word of this to Prisca, please” he said as an afterthought and Tony nodded.
