CAUGHT IN THE MOMENT
Written by: Onyeneka Abel
***EPISODE 15***
“Jeremy?”
He backed away slowly..and surprisingly left..God, it would have been so much better if he had shouted, bicker, or at least say something..
“Don’t touch me..please just go”
I couldn’t believe I said that to David..but it was his fault Jeremy caught us..I earlier warned that someone could see us but he wouldn’t listen..he left as well, without saying a word..I stood there for a long time, do you know that moment when you don’t even know what to think first..was I too harsh on David? Why did Jeremy walk away without saying anything? What was he thinking? Would he tell madam Clara? Or Joanne??
You can imagine the struggle..I was not at peace..
I made a decision to stay with Madam Clara and avoid both of them, I packed my stuffs and started towards Madam Clara’s flat, only for me to meet Joanne on my way..when I saw her approaching it felt like my heart jumped out of my chest and ran for its dear life..has Jeremy told her already? A sudden rush of guilt filled me..I had been smooching another woman’s property..
“Bukkkyyy..hiiii”
She hurried to hug me, I couldn’t hug her back because my hands were occupied with my bags..
“Hi..hi.”
I nervously answered, still trying to figure out if she was just acting or she wasn’t aware yet..
“Where have you been? I have been searching all over for you?”
I was trying really hard to control my stupid emotions that were trying so hard to betray me..
“I have been around”
She hugged me again..
“ah,which kind sudden friendship be dis one nah” I thought..and kept forcing that smile..
“I need your help with this guy that’s always been disturbing me o..I don’t want David to find out”
I couldn’t bear another moment standing with her, the guilt I felt was consuming me..I just gave a flaunting excuse and promised to see her later to have the ladies gist..
I got to madam Clara’s flat and got a room for myself, before I went to her room..she didn’t look like she was breathing.. My heart missed..
“Mum?”
She opened her eyes..oh what a relief..
“Bukky?”
God! Jeremy..
He came from behind me..I froze..
“Jeremy”
I was trying hard so Madam Clara wouldn’t sense something was up
He took me aside..
“It’s OK dear..David explained everything?”
Huh? David?
“What did he say?”
I had to ask..
“Well he said you were both drunk and there is no way he would leave Joanne for you..they are getting married next month”
I couldn’t still believe what I heard..my heart was ripped into two..David has broken me..
**************
“What is it?”
Jeremy asked..it seems he noticed my expression..I waved it off immediately and tried my possible best to act normal..he hugged me and breathe down..
“I was so happy he explained everything, I couldn’t bear the thought of him having you”
You know that awkward situation when you don’t even know how that person assumes you both are dating..and you yourself can’t do anything about it..
I couldn’t sleep that night, I stood up and went to Madam Clara..I sat by her side, I didn’t know when a tear escaped from my eyes..I quickly cleaned it off..I couldn’t tell if she was sleeping or not, I moved closer to check her pause countless times till morning..
I barely slept..what’s wrong with me self, how can I deny myself this pleasant gift called sleep for someone that is not even bothered if I was hurt, or in pain..
I decided to take a stroll, after I made sure Madam Clara had eaten something and had her bath..the maid assigned to take care of her was most grateful, but me I just felt she wouldn’t take better care of Madam Clara like I would..
Oh, I met Vodka, its really been a while..but I was not in the mood to just have our normal elephant tackles..I attempted to walk past her..but you know Vodka nah
“I hope you are prepared for the competition, it starts next week”
Huh? Next week? I thought it was on hold for now..
“I can’t wait to see that look on your face..when you find out you lost”
I just ignored her abeg..I am not in the mood, I was getting cold, but not the weather’s fault though..my heart was cold..
“Jeremy, does the competition continues next week?”
I asked Jeremy when I got back to Madam Clara’s flat, he was there already with flowers..
He nodded, and whispered in my ears
“Mum insisted it continues.. I couldn’t stop her”
David entered with Joanne, he ignored me and went straight to Madam Clara..
Joanne hugged me as usual..I was too hurt to offer a genuine smile tho..but I feigned one..
“Bukky, our promised ladies gist”
I made that flaunting excuse again
I was spying at David to see if he would at least give me a glance..he didn’t.. I couldn’t bear this anymore..Later that night I went to him..he was closing for the day when I met him in his office
“You are getting married next month?”
Was I supposed to greet first?..but that was the first thought that came to my mind
“He nodded his head”
A tear dropped from my eyes
“So what am I to you? A puppet?..huh David?.
”Bukky..I love you”
He got me yet again.
*******************
I was trying to figure out what to feel..should I be happy he still loves me? Does it matter?
“But we can’t be together because….”
I held up my hands to interrupt him..I have heard enough..I couldn’t fight the tears from dropping..
“Alright David, I’ve heard you..I wish you the very best”
I counted my steps towards the door, expecting him to at least call me back..he didn’t..
I bumped into Joanne as she made her way in..
“Bukky..are you OK?”
I tried to hide my face and quickly wiped my tears
“Yes, yes..I am..I just went to pass a message to David”
I had to explain since she saw me coming out of David’s office
“I just have this strong cold..catarrh and cough”
God I knew my lies were not convincing her, she kept nodding her head to my lies like one agama lizard..
“Ok”
She said, smiling at me..I excused myself..I felt her eyes on me till I was safely out of sight..I sighed in relief..
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