Smiles of the Heart – Episode 31

Smiles of the heart ( Obianuju II)

Written by Princess Juliet

Episode 31

Realizing mistake

OBIANUJU

All at once a sudden shock passed through my whole being and my heart began to beat so fast I thought I might pass out.

What the hell just happened? I stood there frozen on the spot, feeling the stinging pain on my right cheek as I stared blankly into space.

It was like the whole world was breaking crumble apart around me and I had to lean    against the couch to stop myself from falling.

 

Ademilade slapped me, he really did slap me. I blinked my eyes rapidly in disbelief and rubbed them before shaking my head several times. “This isn’t real, no it can’t be real.” I muttered to myself. I was finding it hard to believe that my loving husband could hurt me this bad.

My bottom lip trembled to a great degree and hot tears ran down my face. “Ademilade.”I tried to scream, but no sound came from my throat.

 

I heard a sound like a bird flapping its wing in panic. Maybe it was my heart, for all I know. Have you ever seen a wild bird in a cage, looking for a way out? Well that was how my mind was reacting. I was so damn confused.

 

I suddenly felt weak; My numb legs gave way beneath me and I stumbled clumsily to the tiled floor, whimpering aloud.

What am I going to do now? I reached for my cell phone which was on the centre table and unlocked it and sat staring blankly at the home screen, my eyes tired from crying.

Should I call him? I fiddled absentmindedly with the phone, willing it to ring.

“No!No!No! Don’t do it.”My subconscious mind replied. He was the one who hurt you remember? It reminded.

I closed my eyes for a moment, struggling to think straight, struggling to stay focus. “But what if he is in danger?”I made an excuse as I really wanted to get through to him.

“Then call him.”It screamed at me.

My hand trembled as I dialled his number. “Oh God! Please let him pick up my call.” I prayed silently. I waited and listened but it was to no avail. It rang and rang until his voicemail picked up.

“But why?”I cried out of frustration.  Is he tired of me already? The mere thought of it filled me with panic and I gulped down a lump of  rock- hard fear.

I began dialling his number again, but     the line was interrupted when Shakirat call came in.

Gosh! Of all the time in the world, why must she call now?

For a brief second, I had the thought of banging the phone down, but quickly changed my mind. I couldn’t do that to her, she is my best  friend.

I received the  call right away.

 

“Hello Juliet.”her loud voice rang out through. “I just got to the hostel right now.”

“Oh! was the only thing I could say as I had nothing else to say. To tell the truth, I had completely forgotten that the second semester session commences tomorrow.

 

“It is so boring here.”she purred. “I really can’t wait to see you return. So tell me, how are you? How is married life treating you?”

I blinked, a little confused by the sudden change in conversation, but quickly grunted my response. “Fine.”

 

“And Ademilade? I hope he is taking care of you.”

Yes of course. I so much wanted to respond but who am I kidding here? My spirit was broken, my heart felt shattered and this moment was unbearable. “Shakirat.” I called out hoarsely, my voice thick with emotions. I was too tired to fight my tears anymore so I let them fall and sat shaking on the floor.

 

” What is wrong with you?”her voice sounded restrained. “Why the hell are you crying?”

 

“It is Demi.” My tears choked me and I began to cough. “He s-slapped …… ” I held my chest and tried to calm myself. “Demi slapped me.” I took a long deep breath to further calm myself.

 

“Demi what?” She shrieked. “How…. when…. no……..I mean……What did you do?”She spoke in a pronounced stutter.

 

Like seriously! I snorted. “You are asking me what I did?”

 

“Your husband wouldn’t slap you for no reason, would he?” She drawled sarcastically.

 

My jaw dropped and my mouth hung open in disbelief. Is she really my friend? I doubt it. True friends support each other no matter what.

“See Juliet, You don’t need to tell me what happened between you two and I won’t force it out of your mouth. But I really think you should apologise to him and …………….”

 

“No way.” I screamed into the phone, my body trembling in rage. Apologise!  “He is the one to apologise to me, I did nothing wrong. I merely told him to cook his own meals and the next second he was leaving the house, I tried to stop him but what did I get in return? A thunderous slap. So tell me, how is this my fault?” I half shouted.

 

“Then stay there now. Stay there and be forming Mrs right.”She hissed over the phone. “For all I know,your husband might even be in another woman’s arm.”her words made me uncomfortable and I shifted uneasily on the floor.

“He would never do that.”a sob caught in my throat. “He loves me too much to cheat on me.

 

“Where then is he?”She mocked. “He is not at home right?”

I went numb and felt the blood drain from my face. It was only at this moment I understood her point. I Obianuju pushed my husband out with my own hands.

 

“Juliet! Juliet! Juliet! How many times did I call you?” She asked calmly, but I did not respond. I felt it was a rhetorical question. “Learn to respect your husband so you don’t regret it………”she let the rest of her sentence trail off and forces a cough. “But wait oooo! What is your reason for not cooking for your husband?”

I breathe a sigh of relief. Finally! she is     ready to listen me.

“I was scared of my gel nails getting ruined.”I explained.

There was a brief pause, then she began to laugh

What is funny? I wondered.

“How many slaps did you say he gave you again?”

“Only one.” I replied, wondering why she  asked.

“He should have given you an extra two.”She retorted and I flinched at her harsh tone. “Haba! Can you even hear yourself? Meaning you prioritise your nails over your husband.”

 

“No, that is not true.” I shook my head vigorously. “Ademilade is the most important person in my life. He is the…………..”

 

“Then show it to him.”She cut in. “Let him feel it. It is your duty as a woman to take care of your husband and your home.” She lectured. “Don’t you ever forget that.”

 

“I won’t.”I promised.

 

“Good girl.”She chuckled lightly. “Oya na! Go and prepare something nice for your husband before he returns and slap you again.”she teased with a jest and I was forced to laugh.

“I love you sis.” I blew her a kiss through the phone and with that,ended the call.

 

Exhaling deeply, I stumbled to my feet and plopped myself down in the nearest sofa. “Enough with the tears Uju.”I wiped away the tears forming in my eyes. “You made a mistake and now you must fix it.”

With that, I began to pull out the fake nails, wincing in the process.

It was so damn painful but I understood it had to be done. I really need to start behaving like a married woman. Oh God, please help me!

Staring down my phone, I dialled Ademilade’s number for the third time but he wasn’t still picking up.

 

I glanced at the clock on the wall beside me and noticed it was past nine  in the evening.

My anxiety increased. Where in the world are you Ademilade??

 

*

Ademilade

Heavy metal music blared out  from the huge loudspeakers at either end and filled the whole air. The beat vibrated off the walls and the dance floor instantly filled to the capacity.

I sat alone at a corner table,staring openly at the dancing couples, watching them chatter and party aloud.

Despite my dark mood, my lips curled into a smile.

I took a sip of my beer and swayed to the beat, a little drunk and fuzzy.

The air was hot, but I was lest bothered.I just wanted to get this heavy feeling off my chest, it was almost unbearable for me.

The sudden sound of my cell phone ringing startled me a little. I fished it out of my pocket to check out the caller and as expected,it was my beautiful wife.

 

I banged the phone down, annoyed by the interruption. Can’t she just let me be? I bit my lip hard enough to bleed. She was the one who pushed me away right? Why then is she disturbing my peace.

 

“Earth to Demi.” I heard a loud thump. It was Tobi actually, who slapped the table in front. “I have called your name several times. What is the problem?”

I quickly composed myself. “Oh, I’m sorry. I was just zoned out.What are you doing here?” I changed the subject.

 

” This is my club house remember?”he made no attempt to conceal his smirk

 

Oh right!!! I snorted ” Must you rub it in my face.”

 

“Shut up jare.” he chuckled lightly and sat opposite me. “What is up with you?”he stared at me thoughtfully and folded his hands on the table. “You don’t look alright to me.”

 

“I am alright.” I looked away from him and stared out of the window.”I am not just in a good mood.”

 

“Because of Obianuju right?” He asked calmly.

 

I looked back at him in surprise. “How did you know? is it that obvious on my face?”

He merely smiled. “What did she do?” he asked instead.

 

“Just some little nagging here and there.” I told him. I couldn’t bring myself to tell him the truth, that I slapped my own wife because she was rude to me.

Gosh! I felt so angry with myself. But do I regret it? hell no, she really needs to sort out her priorities.

 

“That is women for you.” he threw back his head and laughed. “Those gender can provoke day light out of you………”

 

“Oh I see.” I muttered dryly, I saw no reason for his laughter.

 

“All you need to do is correct her and…….Well you know…….”I looked enquiringly at him and he shrugged his shoulders. “Tenderly cut off her wings.”he completed.

 

“Hmmmmh!”I nodded thoughtfully. Cut off her wings tenderly, I like the sound of that.

*

OBIANUJU

 

It was twelve midnight on the dot and Demi was still not home.

I was exhausted but couldn’t sleep. I paced up and down the room,talking to myself,acting like a crazy woman. Where could he be? I wondered and stared out of the window.

The street slept in darkness, aside from the occasional twinkling of light from two or three windows. “Oh God.”my chest felt too tight to breathe deeply. He should at least pick up my call.

I dialled his number for the umpteenth time but it was still the same, he was ignoring my calls.

My throat constricted and unshed tears stung my eyes. I squeezed my eyes shut tightly, feeling the sting behind my eyelids

“For all I know, your husband might even be in the another woman’s arm.”Shakirat’s word replayed in my head.

 

“No.” I opened my eyes and came out of the reverie. I stepped away from the window. My heart was throbbing against my chest. “No it can’t be .”I gasped aloud for some air. Demi will never do that to me, he loves me so…….

 

The sound of a car horn honking interrupted my thoughts.I hastily looked out of the window and saw that his car parked outside the apartment.

“Oh my god! My husband! He is back.” I rushed out of the room and climbed down the stairs and got to the sitting room just in time to see him walk in.

“Ade mi.” I raced over and hugged him. “Where have you been all evening?”I breathe in the scent of his warm skin and the lingering, faint smell of alcohol.

 

“Out.”he simply replied, broke away from the hug and walked past me to the centre table.

I swallowed hard nervously and shifted uneasily from one foot to the other. “Should I dish out your food?” I found myself unable to meet his gaze.

“I am not hungry.”he simply picked up his laptop and hurried up the stairs.

I took a few steps back, shocked by his attitude. Did he just reject my food? Sobs welled up in my throat, forcing streams of tears from my eyes.

Slowly, I climbed up the stairs and walked through the short passage to my room.

Entering, I found him seated on the bed, bare chest, sheet to his waist. His eyes was glued to the screen of his laptop as he typed into it with seriousness.

Perfect timing! My lips twisted into a wry smile and I seductively took off my nighty and joined him in the large bed.

“I am sorry baby.” I ran my hand over his shoulder. “Sorry for yelling back at you. I really hate it when we fight. I hate it even more when I realise that it was all my fault. I am so sorry. I love you so much. Please forgive me.”

 

He looked at me and stared at me thoughtfully. I couldn’t understand whether my words had an effect on him or not because his face was unreadable. After a moment,he smiled and brought his face close to mine. “Go to bed honey.”

 

“But you haven’t even answered……………”

 

“You are returning to school tomorrow right?”his eyes held me.

I nodded my head slowly, my heart pounding hard in my chest. Why do I feel he is still angry with me?

“Alright.”he kissed my forehead and pulled me into a loose hug. “Good night wifey.”he cooed and began pulling away, but I quickly wrapped my arms around him. I was so scared he would leave again. “Don’t me leave me alone Ade.” I begged.

“Of course I won’t.” he chuckled softly as he held me closer, his hand gently caressing my back.

“And don’t look at any other woman please.”I indirectly told him my fears.

 

“Never.”his voice was so calm.

“Thanks.”I buried my face in his chest, and I felt like a little child, safe and protected in his arms again.

*
When you have realised you have made a mistake, take immediate steps to correct it.

TBC