THE OTHER WOMAN

Hello Peeps!!!

Long time no see eh? Ok...Ok...I admit it, planning a three-phase wedding in six months is far from easy,, even for me. But I'm so glad to be back.

Here's something I've been working on for a bit. 

Lemme know what you think ok?

Love,

C.Uwakwe

Stella knew this street like the back of her hand. But, then again, who didn't?  Sanusi Fafunwa was one of the most popular streets in the Lagos Island Central Business District and at two pm, it was abuzz with activities. Workers rushing back to their offices after a well-needed lunch break, the cars moving in slow motion even during the afternoon rush and the shops displaying their wares, beckoning on passersby in an albeit arrogant manner. It was as though their open doors were open arms, calling out to them to come have a look or taste, to come in and spend their hard earned money.

To come in so they can steal their husbands.

She sighed loud enough for her driver to look into the rearview mirror at her. She quickly averted his concerned gaze by staring out to the street. She had warned him on several occasions in the past that his rearview mirror was for one thing; to see his rear view of the road and not of her, but clearly he was yet to learn. They were now only a few metres away and her heart suddenly started to beat faster. She wasn’t sure what emotion had triggered this reaction; Doubt? Fear?...Concern?

What do you think you are doing?

She had to steady her heart by reassuring herself that she was doing this with the best intentions. She had gone over this more than a hundred times in the last few days, it was almost as if she was rehearsing a role in a school play. If it were really a play, it would be a tragio-comedy with a nicely twisted plot. The audience would be left wondering if she was the villain she appeared to be but, in the end, they would see she was the hero who swooped in the save the day.

Almost there now. You can turn around. You don’t have to cause yourself any more pain.

Pain? She let out a small laugh. What more pain is there? Pain was something she had become accustomed to. Like a lousy neighbor or a friend who was always late. Pain is when your husband comes home each night smelling of a female perfume and has to have guilt sex with you while you pretend to be loving it.

 Yes, pain was her friend now.

It wasn’t all bad before. In fact, it wasn’t all bad now. He had never stopped loving her; it was even safe to say he loved her even more. He told her every day that he had loved her from the very first day he laid eyes on her.

********************************

Stella was having the fun of her life when they met. She had a good job which paid very well, a nice car and a comfortable apartment on the mainland. It was on one of those Friday evenings when she went out to have a drink at an upscale bar that he had seen her. He had walked over to talk to her hours after she had arrived and his friends had given him enough courage to do so.

“You are so beautiful” was what he said while gazing into her eyes like he had seen something wonderful. Stella was completely smitten from the onset, majorly by his innocence and passionate character. From that day onwards, he showered her with all the love, attention and gifts any woman could possibly ask for. When he proposed five months later, there was no doubt in her mind that he was the one she wanted to spend the rest of her life with.

Five years and two kids later, she was still as much in love with him as he was with her. Even when she had to spend sixteen months studying in Louisiana, she had not a single doubt in her mind that he had stay faithful to her.

******************

Stella shifted uncomfortably in her seat as she looked out at the store just a few minutes away. Its bold red sign post now looked like a grotesque bloody scrawl.

How can you hate someone so much without knowing them?  

How can you hurt someone so much without knowing them?

She asked her driver to find a parking spot and finally got out of the car. She crossed the busy street with caution and headed to the store that sold attractive electrical appliances. As soon as she entered the brightly lit store, she immediately felt chilly but not from the sudden gust of air conditioning.

“Can I help you madam?”

The voice startled her and she spun around to meet a pair of big beautiful brown eyes and an enticing smile. She knew the face too well and suddenly she felt more disgusted than angry. The lady was still smiling and Stella wished she could smack that smile right off her red-painted lips. But she knew that what she was about to say would certainly do that…and more.

“Yes, Can you tell me why you've stopped sleeping with MY husband??”

TO BE CONTINUED