WHAT LIES BENEATH
Episode 27
By AMAH’S HEART.
Stella returned back to the table.
“I wish she had dropped the top she had on…
I said sipping my almost cold tea.
Stella looked at me weird.
“you can get another biggy or I can even go shopping for t-shirts and tops for you. What’s special about the top, nothin really…let Bukky go with her problem. If goin with the T-shirt will heal her saddened heart so be it. I’m happy she is gone. You owe Ezi a big apology…I hope she forgives you. That drama was just too much for her sanity… the happiness I saw when she came in disappeared….
I told Stella that the T-shirt Bukky wore was one of the gifts Eziaku bought for me and she will really be sad seeing another lady wearing it.
“Why didn’t you tell me this before now…I would have made Bukky remove the cloth inside. Biggy, since you know that the cloth was special you shouldn’t have allowed Bukky wear it in the first place. There’s nothing we can do now… except to apologise to Ezi.
Stella cleared the table. I couldn’t even eat the breakfast. She parked it up while I remained seated on the dining.
After sometime I went to the kitchen to speak to Eziaku.
She did not respond to anything I said. I try to touch her but she warned me off.
She was done cooking in no time.
I even threaten that I won’t eat the food if she doesn’t forgive me.
She did not respond as she cleared the kitchen and walked out
She started Stella’s hair around 2pm.
I sat in the sitting room staring at her and hoping she will see that I was truly sorry
It was around 9pm she was finally through with everything.
Stella pleaded for her to stay but she insisted on going.
Even if she had intentions of staying before, it all changed because of me.
I followed her outside as she was leaving and insisted that I was going to drop her off.
She refused, I have to apply force because she was been stubborn.
Immediately she sat down I went over to the driver seat.
Started the car and zoomed off.
She showed me road that lead to her friend’s house.
I was doing the whole talking which she refused to respond
As we got close she asked me to drop her.
“What is wrong with you Ezi.. I’m taking you straight to your gate. Stop trying to stop me because is of no use…
“Thank you sir, I have already gotten home. My house is just over there…I will trek down. Please stop the car now…
I parked, turned over to her and said.
“Stop with the sir, please stop replying me with sir…enough of that already. Eziaku, I don’t understand… you said you had a boyfriend and I decided to move on too. What then is the problem…
She looked at me.
“, You lied that there was no woman, if you have told me that you have one resting in your room I would have trade with caution. You gave her one of the tops I specifically got for you because you don’t value the gift…
“That’s not true…I value everything about you Ezi. Bukky took it and to be sincere I did not know how to ask her to take it off. I’m sorry… Bukky is just a friend… nothing serious.
She laughed sarcastically.
“Wow… just a friend but you were sleeping with her. Did you sleep with her or not?
I became quiet as I breath in shakily.
She has this jealousy in her tune that makes me wonder if she was actually jealous.
“… after I left your place, I couldn’t think of another man aside you. I mean that was why I missed you so much…I was hoping you also miss me. Not knowing you already had another woman warming your bed. Me and Uche concluded that we will be doing our introduction last three weeks but I kept postponing it because I can’t be thinking of another man and be getting married to another. If you know how happy I was when you called and when I finally hugged you in that kitchen. Anyway to cut the long story short… I’m going for my introduction next week. If I wasn’t sure before, I am now. Uche will make a better husband and father to our future kids. Today’s drama confirmed everything… I’m still on the right track.
I looked at her as my mood changed and my heart began to race.
“, You can’t do that Ezi. Please… don’t do this to me…think it through. I love you Eziaku… with all my heart. you’re my life… can’t you see? Don’t leave me please… let’s make this work. I have had enough heart breaks please don’t add yours to the list…I beg of you. I can go down on my knee…I will do anything. Eziaku please… I’m sorry. Just reconsider… don’t go on with the wedding plans… I’m pleading. Bikoooo… Ezi…
She blinked severally, she was fighting back the tears.
“I’m also sorry but I’m getting married to Uche. Me and you are not in the same league or class. I will be reminded in the future of how unworthy I am to probably be in your life. Beside… Uche and I have history…we have come over the years. Three years… almost four. Two was spent close with him, while a year and half was spend here in Abuja without him in it. We drift apart during the period of no phone or better means to communicate but we later reconnected. He is a hard-working fine man and I wish to spend the rest of my life with a man that will give me peace of mind not from one drama to another. I’m sorry…let me go and marry in my class..
She unlocked the door and was about going down I drawed her back and forcefully kissed her.
She struggled under my arms but I refused to let go.
I was not even thinking, I just don’t want Eziaku to leave.
I don’t want to loose her.
She managed to push me off.
“You’re hurting me… Jesus Christ. What kind of man are you? You don’t consider my feeling here… you just want things to be done your way…
‘im sorry…I…I..” I stuttered.
She stepped out and left.
I sat in my car for a very long time before driving off.
The following day after service I drove down to see her but her friend came out and told me that she wasn’t around.
She was probably lying but I waited for sometimes before leaving.
I close early at work on Wednesday to go and see her at her salon.
They told me that she traveled on the Tuesday of that week.
Kamsi, her friend said she traveled for her wedding introduction and no one knows if she is coming back or not
But Eziaku told her that she may not be coming back after her marriage ritual is over.
I try calling her severally but she has refused picking my call ever since Bukky drama.
I drove back home and fell face down on the cushion.
Stella said I have to try to move on but I can’t. How do I move on? I tried before but I ended up with Bukky.
Which was a disaster.
I can’t think straight or do anything reasonable.
I allowed myself to break down for the very first time.
I hit hard on the cushion but the pain remained. The sadness refused to go away.
I picked up myself and dragged to the room.
I slept for the first time without showering.
I slept in my work clothes. I looked like a total mess in the morning.
I couldn’t get to work the following day or the next.
I fell sick, seriously sick. Stella try all she could to nurse me back to health.
I was very happy that she was around.
I kept throwing up like a pregnant woman all around the house.
She also try calling Eziaku but she wouldn’t answer her calls or reply her message.
The following weekend, Stella who postponed her traveling because of me finally decided to travel back to Lagos.
I assured her that I was alright, Because she was very worried.
I pleaded with her not to say anything to Mom and Dad and she promised.
She was not very sure of leaving me all by myself due to the condition of my heart.
I kept assuring her that I was alright but she didn’t buy it.
She decided to stay another two weeks in Abuja because of me
After a month passed, I knew I had to move on.
Eziaku was already married or almost.
There was no point crying over a spilled milk.
Stella can see the improvement in me that I was sound.
She started making arrangements to leave.
I may have to travel to Lagos with her and make use of my mom’s initial advice if necessary
Which is getting to meet the reserved ladies she spoke off.
Sincerely, I wasn’t in the mood for another relationship.
I just don’t want to be alone and probably start thinking after Stella leaves.
I needed break from everything to be able to heal properly.
Eziaku really hurt me beyond measure, yet I don’t want to blame her but myself.
at the same time she refused all my plea because of what happened with Bukky.
I really do not know I was deeply into her, I never experienced what I felt with her.
It was difference and unusual. It was as if life was taken from me.
Love isn’t favorable for someone like me.
I’m a faithful lover, I put in my all in a relationship.
My heart and finance but none ever worked out no matter how I try.
I have never cheated in a relationship, I try as much as possible to respect my partner both present and absent.
Yes, I can boldly say I’m a good person. I deserve the credit but what is the use because at the end I’m still lonely.
I don’t know what comes next after now but I know someday real love will find me.
A lady worth all the trouble will come around but until then I will continue living and being me.
Lagos may have a new story for me and I’m not afraid to try again.
Mom will definitely have something on her sleeve.
Hooking me up with Lagos babe, thereby matching making us.
I really don’t know but I’m ready for the ride.
Wherever Eziaku is, I just hope she is happy and enjoying her marriage or honeymoon.
Whatever, I really don’t want to care of think about it.
I feel bitterness and hurt when I think of her but I had to let go and wish her the best of life.
I later booked our flights and traveled to Lagos with my sister Stella.
I handed work load to Angela and will follow up with calls and mail chats.
Since Abuja or even village people couldn’t offer me much, I hope Lagos got better things for me.
