Sacrilege – Episode 34

Sacrilege – Episode 34

© Adeola Nissi

The date night was totally not what Hassan had anticipated or even intended. He had taken Teju out to the cinema to see a movie but the night had ended in the most unlikely way. How on earth had he not checked online for a review of the movie before going to the cinema?

“Are you kidding me right now?” Teju said heatedly. “You mean to tell me that Melinda is at fault? How is that?”

Hassan stared at Teju who had her hands akimbo, glaring at him right outside the cinema house. “Who else is at fault? She gave up on Robert, took the advice of her evil sisters and asked for a divorce. Robert even begged her but she refused, what else do you want him to do?” Frankly, Hassan couldn’t even see why this was a cause for debate. The girl was to blame and not the man, simple.

Teju stared at him like she couldn’t comprehend the words coming out of his mouth. “Begged you say. The idiot didn’t even call to beg her after she sent him out of the house until the day they were to sign the divorce papers. And what do you mean ‘gave up’? She wasted eighteen years of her life and destiny supporting his stagnant dream, feeding him all through while he sat on his butt doing nothing. Gosh, Melinda is so lenient; married to someone like me, I would have set that useless battery ablaze; that would certainly wake him up to reality.” Teju hissed, stomping towards Hassan’s car in anger, leaving him to keep up with her angry strides. “She stayed with him eighteen years, stayed away from her siblings cause of him, lost her womb because of his promiscuous ways, sacrificed all her inheritance for him and never gave up on him but the one time she did, he went straight to the arms of another woman? Who does that?”

Hassan stared levelly at Teju’s flushed face as they got to the car. “The other woman helped him when he needed and helped him realize his dream. Besides, he gave her much money than she even spent on him so what’s all the fuss about?”

Teju braced her hands on the car, her eyes shooting daggers. “Money? Are you serious? What is the use of the money when he is not with her? She can practically see him living all their dreams with another woman! Even with millions in the account, who would be happy without a womb, a husband and a family to call your own, tell me? That movie is just a big piece of crap! And why did she have to die and every other person lived? They should have all died, that would have been the perfect ending”

Hassan sighed. This date night was already a huge disaster. He had intended for positive energy and atmosphere, he wanted Teju to relax and have fun but they ended up arguing. The crap movie had truly spoiled his night. He swallowed and tried for a remedy as he unlocked the car and they got in. “Alright, you win, the guy is at fault.” He started the car. “Should we grab a quick meal at the eatery?”

Teju, still angry at Hassan and the characters in the movie, she snapped her seat belt around her. “No! That movie is enough for tonight as it is. Take me home” she said

Hassan’s lips thinned. Perfect! He thought grimly.

*****

The meal had to be the most delicious meal she has had in weeks. Laura suspected it was not just because the flavor had been so perfect, but because she was in Deolu’s company. They chatted all through dinner, played even. It was like nothing had created a wedge between them these past weeks. The uncertainties of what the next day might bring were cast aside as they enjoyed each other’s company. Though the darkness of the night enveloped them, Laura had never felt safer. The only time that matched the perfection of the night was their honeymoon. Laura raised her eyes and stared at the large expanse of water. If there was something she loved more than ice cream, it had to be the beach, but having the combination of both as she was now was like heaven on earth. Candle lights and the moonlight from above cast around them a romantic glow while they sat on the mat that stretched out on the sand.

Done with a super delicious dinner and now down to dessert, Laura scooped a spoonful of coldstone iced cream – strawberry laced with chocolate and coconut – and popped it into her mouth. She turned her face up, savoring the heavenly taste as she inhaled deeply. Nothing rivaled her love for the blue salty beach water scent. Laura could never have imagined that a trip to the beach was what Deolu had planned when he drove her off, not disclosing their destination. But as Laura looked around, three serenaders standing a distance away to give them a measure of privacy while playing sweet loving tunes, Laura felt her heart both swell and ache. Her eyes filled with tears she held back. Laura folded her legs beneath her as they sat on the mat that spread out on the beach sand, food delicacies spread out before her.

Deolu watched Laura eat the creamy mound of iced cream as her eyes went dreamy. The wind of the night lapped at Laura’s face. “You remember, don’t you?”

Laura returned her eyes to Deolu. Of course, she knew what he was referring to. “Yes” she answered. How could she forget? How could she forget the one time they had stayed at this very spot? During their honeymoon. “I think you purposely brought me here” she accused.

Deolu smiled not bothering to deny the obvious as his eyes grew mischievous. “Remember this?” before Laura could even anticipate his next move, Deolu scooped up four fingers of iced cream and smeared it all over Laura’s lips and face, bringing back the memory of that time during their honeymoon where he had accidentally splashed iced cream on her face. Laura gasped in shock as the frozen cream connected with her face, but along with the shock came the flashing memory of that moment six years ago. “Stop” she yelped halfheartedly as she chuckled nonstop, thinking her choice of leaving her face void of makeup was the best choice she made. Deolu grinned, smearing more iced cream on Laura’s face.

Laura’s eyes glinted with revenge as she also scooped iced cream and plastered it on Deolu’s moustache and on his beards, making him look like a dark skinned Santa Claus; a really sexy one at that. Laura laughed out at the sight of him. Deolu laughed too just as Laura took part of the cream on his moustache with her finger and licked it. Deolu’s eyes narrowed as he drew closer his eyes dark with mischief and something else, something that was enough to send her heart pounding with anticipation. Deolu brought his face to hers, staring into her eyes, laughter in his.

“You look delicious” he closed the inches that separated their faces, closing his mouth over a tempting sizable cream that sat on her nose. “Uhmmmmm… Delicious” his voice, huskily murmured, making her heart race. Laura forgot to breathe as Deolu’s tongue and lips took a torturous stroll on her face. Despite the chill of the night, Laura felt hot, finding it difficult to breathe properly. He intentionally avoided her mouth, leaving that for last. His eyes were dark with desire when he finally raised his eyes to hers. “Now, to the sweetest part” his tongue stuck out and swiped over her lower lip, not breaking his hold of her gaze. Unable to hold back anymore, Laura put his hand around his neck and head, pulling him closer for the kiss she had been dying for.

She had lied. There was something sweeter than just iced cream. The Deolu flavor combined with the iced cream invaded her senses till she couldn’t think of anything sweeter. Her heart pounded in her chest as Deolu took her mouth hungrily, his hand going up to her hair restlessly. His fingers itched to take out the pins holding her hair up in order to sink his hand in the rich thickness of her hair. One hand went down her waist, his mind reveling at the smooth silkiness of her cloth, even more surprising to realize that her skin was even silkier.

Deolu’s mouth left hers as he buried a kiss on her shoulder. “I want to taste you all over” he growled.

Laura saw the yearning desire in his eyes; she was sure he saw the same thing in hers. “I… I want that to” she heard herself say. The breeze of the night, coupled with Deolu’s gaze brought goosebumps to Laura’s skin. Without even saying it, they both started packing the dishes back into the picnic bag Deolu came with; both working with a sense of urgency. It was getting cold; she knew it was only a matter of time before the heavens opened to let down rain. Just as Deolu rolled up the mat and stood, Laura felt something drop on her cheek. She touched it then raised her head towards the sky just as two more drops landed on her face.

Deolu dismissed the serenaders and they started hastening towards the lodge Deolu had reserved, the very same one they had used for their honeymoon. The rain tore down without warning. Laughing like kids, Deolu and Laura ran. They were drenched by the time they got to the lodge. Deolu opened the door and they got in, Deolu dropped the things he was carrying and helped Laura with the bag she carried.

Deolu gave Laura an inspection. “You’re cold” he noted. “You have to get out of this cloth”

Laura swallowed as she stared at the way Deolu’s wet clothes clung to his muscled body. “Yes, I do”, she said, meaningfully. Unable to wait any longer, she went into his arms.

*****

The rain tore down from the sky with a vengeance, sweeping across the streets of Lagos. Cold wind blew making the rain feel icy cold against her skin but she barely noticed. Gloria walked on, completely soaked, letting her legs lead her wherever it will. She had been walking for more than an hour, her brain on reverse as she pondered over the chaos that her life had now become. The rain disguised the tears that went down her cheeks perfectly but the pain on her face, the pain in her heart would surely have no concealer.

Gloria had prayed for years, she had prayed for the time God would reunite her with her daughter. She had dedicated her life to praying for that one miracle, she had yearned for it, but now… tears flowed down Gloria’s cheeks. Nothing had compared to the happiness she had felt when she saw the daughter she had given up, the daughter she had left in the hands of fate. She had thanked God so much! She had been so thankful and even though Teju seemed not to want anything to do with her, Gloria had been so content in knowing that the child she had placed in the hands of fate was still alive and breathing. She looked so beautiful, more beautiful than she had ever imagined. But now…

Gloria gripped her chest in pain. “Oh God, why?” she asked for the umpteenth time. Why cancer? Why? Tears flowed like a river down her face, pain stabbed like a knife at her heart. Why was this happening to her again? Why? After years of waiting, years of hoping, years of praying, how could she stand the fact that she would lose her daughter again, and this time forever? It was like reliving that time she had watched the basket carrying her baby sail away from her, watching the basket float out of reach unable to stop the current of the river. Why did God choose to punish her this way? Now, she wondered if finding her daughter was indeed a blessing, it felt remarkably like a punishment. Her heart ached for the pain her daughter had been concealing. The pain she has been shouldering alone. It all made sense now… Laura’s decision, her words, saying Teju has gone through so much pain in her life and that she deserved happiness… it all made sense to her now. Laura had known but hadn’t told her because sensible as she was, she knew just how hurt and pained she would feel.

‘I am a terrible mother’, Gloria thought not for the hundredth time. She would have been there. She would have been there for her daughter, holding her; supporting her… she would have been there. But God knows she would be there for her now. She’d be damned if she’d lose her daughter again. Gloria swallowed heavily, her legs coming to a halt under a big shady tree. She blinked as she stared at Teju’s house at the other side; her legs had surely led her where her heart wanted. Her heart thumped at the thought of talking to Teju. Teju had been avoiding her ever since she told her she was her mother; would she agree to see her now? And even if she did, what would she say to her?

Gloria swallowed. Just as she turned to cross over to the building, a car parked. Teju got out of the car and went in. Gloria stared at the person who had dropped her off and recognized him instantly as the doctor she had seen Teju with when she had gone to discharge Margaret – Doctor Hassan. She remembered noticing something odd about the both of them, like some unspoken secret. He had to know. Gloria waited until Teju had gone inside before she left the tree, quickly rushing towards the car. She knocked on the window of the car and Hassan lifted his eyes, recognizing her instantly. He took in her drenched form standing in the rain and quickly leaned over to open the door for her. Gloria got in. “I’m so sorry, my clothes are wet”

“No, not a problem, good thing I dropped by” Hassan frowned, he could see beyond her wet face to her red eyes. “Where are you headed?”

Gloria shook her head, her hair spraying droplets of water. “Nowhere. I need your help”

This was the oddest encounter Hassan has ever had. “What’s wrong? Is your daughter okay?” he could clearly remember Margaret being admitted in his hospital after being abused by her husband.

Gloria shook her head. “No! Teju is my daughter and she is not okay” Hassan stared at Gloria, totally confused now. “I need your help with her”

*****

Tito was totally drenched when she returned to the hospital. She had been convinced that a trip to her apartment, an aimless walked around the community would purge her of thoughts of Chris but she was wrong. Suddenly, she terribly missed her dad. She had no idea of where her phone was and she really didn’t care.

Tito opened the door to Mark’s room and went to stand beside the bed. She badly needed a hug. She sat and held mark’s padded hand, giving it a slight rub. “Oh, dad I need you, I really need you” she swallowed, staring at Mark’s face. “I’ve fallen in love yet again… but this time with someone who doesn’t love me.” She took a deep breath to stop the tears that threatened to fall. “It is better that way, right? Everyone who loves me ends up dead, so it is better he doesn’t love me, right? Right? It means he would live”

This was what she had been telling herself since she left Chris’ place but it was not taking the pain away, it was not taking away the ache, the painful ache in her heart. “You are the only man that loves me, dad, you can’t leave me… You can’t” she squeezed Mark’s hand and bent her head, placing it on the bed. Her heart nearly stopped when she felt something… a movement against her hand. Her head shot up, her heart thundering as she stared at the padded hand she held, hoping it hadn’t been her imagination. Then not only did she feel it, she saw it… saw Mark’s hand fold, closing around hers. “Dad? Da… dad?” she gasped, her heart racing in her chest. “Doctor…doctor” she yelled.

To be continued

 

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