Sacrilege Episode 32 by Nissi Adeola

Sacrilege Episode 32 by Nissi Adeola

It had been a long day the previous day. Laura had left Teju’s place for the hospital only to receive the most wonderful news. She hadn’t been able to keep calm; she was beside herself with happiness. Yet, she knew her happiness wasn’t complete yet. She had to see her two fathers alive to be genuinely and completely happy. She had finally fallen asleep around three in the morning after due pressure. She hadn’t been sleeping well of late and she knew why. As much as she would like to blame her insomnia on her fathers being hospitalized, Laura knew Deolu was the source of her sleeplessness. She could pretend to be alright all day, she could lie to herself that she would be happy seeing Deolu with Teju all day but at night, when she lays down, the dark nothingness of sleep threatening to overtake her, she couldn’t but wish she had Deolu’s arms around her. Instead of sleeping alone, holding a pillow to her chest as she was now doing, he would have been with her, holding her to his chest, knowing his presence would make her feel at peace with the darkness of the night. She couldn’t stop herself from thinking of how secure she always was with him, she couldn’t stop herself from thinking of the magnitude of what she was letting go of. He was all she thought about, all she dreamt about at the slightest chance of sleep. Laura adjusted on her side, hugging a pillow to her chest.

Having slept late, Laura was still asleep during the wee hours of the morning. Something drew Laura out of her sleep. A familiar presence, a familiar scent, a familiar touch of his intense gaze. Then she felt his fingers on her cheek; light as a feather’s caress the back of his fingers brushed her cheek. She twitched and opened her eyes to meet his dark eyes.

Deolu’s face loomed over her, his gaze intense and penetrating, studying her. He was seated on the bed beside her. He brushed the back of his fingers against her cheek again as his mouth eased into a small cocky smile. “Morning sugar” he whispered.

Laura blinked. “Ad?” Her mouth felt dry. It was the way he said it that always did the magic. He rarely called her that, rarely used that endearment; he knew how much she liked it, how much it made her heart skip when he called her that so he used it sparingly, only on special occasions to make the endearment all the more special. Her heart raced and she looked away from his penetrating eyes, looking down at his chest. He wore a button down shirt and left the upper buttons loose, giving her a fascinating view of his muscled chest. Even the sleeves of his shirt were rolled up midway, gosh he looked too good to be true. Days away from her surely hadn’t affected him as much as it had affected her, Laura thought miserably.

Deolu gave a mischievous wistful look. “This pillow is such a lucky bastard”, Deolu cast a glance at the pillow she was still clutching to her chest.

Selfconscious, Laura blushed as she released the pillow and pushed to a sitting position. Deolu always found it fascinating that after six years of marriage, Laura could still blush at the slightest provocation. Laura took a deep breath as she stared at Deolu. “What… what are you doing here?”

Deolu shrugged. “Staring at you. I’ve really missed you”Doesn’t look like it, Laura almost said. She swallowed. “I heard your dad is out of coma, Jane called”

Laura took a deep breath, looking away. “I’m sorry. I should have called. But Deolu, I told you it’s best…”

“I know what you told me” Deolu cut in, his face turning serious. “And after taking a few days to myself to think about it, however painful it is, I have come to admit that… you are right”

Laura’s heart seemed to stop beating. She stared at him. “I am” she chanted after him.

Deolu looked away, a strange expression on his face before looking back at her, his intense gaze piercing into her like needles. “All I’ve always wanted is to make you happy, Laura, to see your face filled with laughter and joy… but lately, all I’ve succeeded in doing is make you sad” he swallowed. “I would never be able to forgive myself for the pain I’ve cost you these past weeks and months”

Laura blinked back tears. “It wasn’t your fault”

Deolu shook his head. “It is. I never should have brought you so much pain and now, all I want to do is make up for what I’ve done. I want to see you happy again” he paused for emphasis. “And if being with Teju is what would make you happy, I am ready to do it”

“You are?” Just like that?! No, she shouldn’t cry, she blinked, steeling her eyes against the tears. This was what she had asked for coming to pass, she should be rejoicing not crying, Laura told herself sternly. But it hurt. It hurt so terribly to realize that Deolu had accepted her request just like that. Shouldn’t he be fighting for her? Shouldn’t he be telling her that she was wrong, that they belong together and should stay together forever and ever? Laura swallowed the thick lump in her throat.

“This is what you want, right? For me to be with Teju?” Deolu’s eyes were penetrating, like he was waiting for her to do something, waiting for her to tell him that they didn’t have to do this.

Laura felt like her smashed heart was being crushed all over again. His words brought so much pain and tears to her eyes. Think about Teju, think about Teju, her head chanted but her heart screamed for her to be selfish, to hold on to her husband. She closed her eyes briefly and when she opened them, she couldn’t meet Deolu’s gaze. “Yes” her mouth formed the word; the sound of it was a lot less than a whisper.

Deolu stared at her for a moment before nodding. “Okay.” He assured. “I just want one last thing from you”

Laura’s shoulders were slumped like a heavy load had been mounted on them. She kept her eyes on her finger as she pushed off the bed, wanting to put as much space between them as possible. “What?” she snapped.

“Go out with me tonight”

Laura swallowed as she bent under the bed to search for her shoes. She managed to find one but tears blinded her eyes, making the search for the other half a herculean task. “That’s a bad idea. Think it’s best you go out with Teju, you could get to know each other better before you tie the knot”

“I’ve known her my whole life, what more could I possibly want to know that I don’t already know?”

“You’d be surprised” Laura retorted and finally found the other shoe sitting well in sight. She grabbed it in a viselike grip and pushed up to her feet, fuelled by anger and pain only to find that Deolu was standing really close. Laura’s breathe knocked out of her lungs at the intensity of the gaze.

“Would I?” Deolu asked in a whisper, holding Laura’s gaze firmly with his. “Is there something I should know?”

Laura blinked. “No.”

Deolu stared at her for a moment, then nodded gently. Unexpectedly, he took her face in his hands and kissed her. Something didn’t add up but Laura’s brain was too muddled up to think things through. “I want to have you to myself tonight, Laura” Deolu’s eyes were intense now as he stared right into hers. “If I am to live without you for the rest of my life, I at least want to have one night with you. Please” Deolu whispered.

Laura swallowed. “Okay”

*****

Tito adjusted on the couch, her legs bent beneath her. “Okay, shoot” she fixed Chris with her attentive eyes, looking about as expectant as a child about to hear her favorite bedtime story.

Chris shook his head in amazement. She was just on the other end of the two setter couch, watching him with all seriousness; the fact that she had made sure to put enough space between them amused him. He watched the black of her eyes enlarge in anticipation. “I see you were serious about this”

Tito all but glared at him. “You are not going to bail out of this, Chris. I’ve paid my dues; it’s up to you to hold up your end of the bargain”

Chris grinned. “A really delicious payment, I must commend” if looks could kill, Chris was pretty sure he’d be dead. He sighed. “Why are you so convinced I have secrets?”

Tito shrugged. “Everyone does, you said so yourself. Besides, the fact that you are avoiding this is more than enough conviction”

Chris knew she wasn’t going to back down. He sighed. “What do you want to know?”

Tito shrugged. “Body count?” Chris opened his mouth in amused surprise but Tito cut in, looking thoughtful. “No wait, don’t answer that; I’m pretty sure you have lost count”

Tito’s eyes brimmed with held back laughter. “Glad you’re enjoying yourself” he had said it as a joke but Chris realized he actually meant it. After watching her for day pine after her father, carrying only layers of sadness on her face, he was glad she was having fun even if it was at his expense.

Tito watched Chris, the laughter slowly slipping from her eyes. She wondered what secrets lay beneath that flamboyant charade he always carried about. “Tell me about your love life. Experienced any heartbreak?”

The look in Tito’s eyes made Chris uneasy. It was like she could see right through him, read his thoughts. He swallowed, keeping a strained smile on his face. “I’m a player, remember? I’m the heartbreaker”

His attempt at humor failed as Tito seemed to slip into deeper thoughts, her eyes drilling into him. “Yeah, not disputing that. But from study, I’ve realized that most players fall under certain categories. Some are just ruthless men who want to sample every specie in skirt, some are stuck on a past relationship, they can’t get over their ex so they chase women looking for one who can make them forget; and some…” her eyes seemed to go intense now, “some players are stuck on women they can’t have, probably women who have relegated them to the friend zone, so they go out with every other woman when all their heart wants it that one woman they can’t have. Why do I feel you fall under option three?”

Chris swallowed. “Your mind works overtime, it’s no wonder you write fiction.”

“Don’t change the subject, Chris. Who is she?” Tito had this feeling, something was nagging at her brain and the more she stared at Chris’ rigid form, the more it made sense. Oh God! It had only been a suspicion born out of jealousy but looking at him, she was scared it was more than a suspicion. “Do I know her?”

Chris pushed off his seat. His shoulders were set rigidly. “Yes”

Tito’s mouth went dry. Her heart beat fast in her chest. “Is it… is it Laura?” Her voice was barely above a whisper. But he heard it. She knew from the tightening of the muscles of his hands which he had buried in his pockets. Teju didn’t need him to answer, it was all there in his eyes, the answer was practically written all over him.

Tito stared wide eyed at Chris. Here she had been, thinking Chris was attracted to her. Her stupid mind even thought he had feelings for her, she had read meaning to his kisses and smoldering looks but all along, it had all been in her head. Chris had probably been kissing her, but had been thinking about Laura. “Wow” Tito gasped. For the very first time, Tito felt jealous of Laura.

*****

Teju lay still, her top rolled up as Hassan ran his usual checkups on her. She closed her eyes, willing the voices in her head to stop. She had thought all these would be easy, but it was becoming increasingly difficult. Gosh, why was life being so difficult? Just when she was starting to cope with the problems at hand, life would release another joker. Why on earth should Frank Johnson be her father now, why? Of all the men in the world!

Hassan looked really pissed but he kept it locked in. he took some gel and rubbed it on her belly, the cold liquid caused Teju’s eyes to push open. She saw the tense set of his jaw and swallowed. “I’m sorry”

Hassan’s hand glided over her stomach then his eyes finally slid to hers. “How many times do I have to say this, Teju? I told you that you have to stay away from any form of stress” he scolded. “This pain is becoming too frequent, this isn’t good”

“You think I haven’t tried?” Teju swallowed the tears in her throat. “I quit my job, stay at home and have watched every movie ever produced just to keep my head busy and keep the stress out… but then, bad news would always come and find me at home”

Hassan didn’t seem interested in what she was saying. He was scared for her, he wanted her to be safe, wanted to keep her safe but she was just too damn stubborn. “Stay still” he order and grabbed the transducer and placed it on her belly, gliding it gently. Teju’s eyes went to the computer screen, watching in anticipation as her heart beat increased. A familiar image popped up, beeping on the screen. My baby girl, Teju thought, her eyes watering with love. This was her only source of happiness on that screen, even though the child’s shape wasn’t fully formed, she couldn’t get over the feeling of knowing another life was growing in her. She surely wouldn’t be able to forgive herself if anything happened to her child.

Teju’s hand moved of its own volition, grabbing Hassan’s hand in a gentle grip, her eyes on the screen. “How is she?” she asked anxiously, “Is everything okay?”

Hassan let go of his anger enough to give her a reassuring smile. He nodded. Teju exhaled in relief. “Thank God”

Hassan wiped the gel from her tummy and helped her seat up. Teju looked into Hassan’s eyes. “Thank you” she whispered. And she meant it.

Hassan nodded shortly, his eyes lingering on her lips for a moment. He took a deep breath. “What happened this time?”

Teju shook her head, looking down. “Laura came to my place yesterday” she looked back at him. “She found out”

“Oh boy”

“Yeah. And to think I have done all I can to make sure they never find out…” she shook her head. “I suppose it’s only a matter of time before Deolu finds out too” her face showed great misery.

Hassan was silent at that as he looked thoughtfully at her. Teju frowned. “You are not telling me something.” She noted, watching him.

Hassan shifted. “About Deolu”

Teju’s hands grew cold. “What about him, Haz?”

He sighed. “I didn’t want to tell you because I knew you’d be worried but… I think Deolu is on to something. He has been here at least twice since he brought you here; trying to get me to tell him what was going on. He doesn’t believe the pain is normal”

Teju’s heart nearly stopped. “Think he knows?” her voice shook.

“I think he suspects something and I don’t think he’d stop till he finds out what’s going on”

Teju looked pale. “This isn’t happening” And to think she had gone through so much just to make sure he never find out. How would he take it? How would he stomach the fact that she was choosing to carry his child instead of getting the treatment she needed to stay alive? Teju pushed off the bed onto her feet, nearly stumbling as dizziness overtook her. Hassan grabbed her, steadying her with his arms around her. “Every time! Everything just keeps getting worse, oh God” she stared up at him. “Can’t I just have a painless day for once?”

Doctor Hassan stared at Teju, the pain in her eyes tearing at his heart. “You’re all wound up again” he sighed. “What to do with you…” He cupped her cheek with his hand. “Let me take you out tonight” he said, smiling.

Teju started to refuse but Hassan stopped her with a look. “Don’t say no. I would drag you out even if you refuse. C’mon, you deserve a little fun.”

Teju stared at his face, looking all hopeful. She nodded. It was the least she could do. “Okay”

Sacrilege Episode 32
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