IT’S OKAY TO CRY
Episode 25.
Story by Miriam Edem (Miriam Eyen Efik)
A knock came on the door, Anastasia who slept off in the sitting room waiting for him got up immediately when the knock came the second time.
“Mpho is that you? She asked going to the door.
“Are you going to open the door or not? He replied and she quickly opened up.
“Where have you been? Are you okay? She asked and attempted to go near to him but he gave her a stop sign..
“Don’t even come any closer, he said and left to the room while she slowly locked the door back..
“Brother where did you go to? Dite met him on the way but he ignored her and got into his room.
Dite heaved and left to the sitting room and saw Anastasia sitting with her head covered on her palms.
“At least his back in one piece, are you still worried? She asked and she slowly nodded.
“Anyway good morning, Dite said and left for her room.
Anastasia didn’t have the courage to meet Mpho in the room as the tension in the house was so hot that no one talked about going to church that day.
Despite the pains she was feeling on her body, she pushed it aside to worry about important things.
Anastasia kept watching the news but no sign of what she has done popped up on TV. She refused to accept all is well as she knew the guys must have taken his body and they won’t inform the cops about it either..
“But then they must have seen his phone, She said and remembered once she wanted unlocking Bobby phone but noticed he changed his pattern.
“Or is it that the guys doesn’t know about his new pattern? And they don’t know about his fl!rting with me either, Because I can remember begging him not to tell the guys about our affair which he accepted not to. Still I am scared, who knows when and how they will find out? She kept thinking pacing around the room and Mpho showed up to go out.
“Are you leaving again? She asked checking the time to see its past 1pm.
“And why are you concerned? He asked and closed the door behind him while Dite just stood looking at her carrying Hope.
“Won’t you breastfeed her at least? Dite asked.
“Oh God Dite! I thought I did already? She asked back.
“You did what? I think you have suddenly started having little symptoms of amnesia. What the h.ell is going on? Since yesterday you totally pushed your kids aside to me like am their mother. You think I don’t need rest too or are you paying me? Dite blurred out.
“They are your nieces isn’t it? If you feel we should start paying you, talk to your brother about it, he’ll gladly pay you. Excuse me, Anastasia angrily said and left for the room for the first time that day……………..
The next day Mpho returned in the morning sleeping outside again, and Anastasia held him after opening up the door for him..
“Is this your way of punishing me for my crimes? Please am sorry, she said.
“Please don’t start woman, just let me be else you won’t like my action, he replied.
“Whose fault is it anyway? Don’t act like it wasn’t your fault too because you caused this! Anastasia shouted but Mpho just shook his head and went in ignoring her.
“Tell it to your friends how you treated your wife and see if they will applaud you, you caused this Mpho and only you is to be blamed! She shouted as he left and Dite ran to her.
“Do you know how noisy you are now? The neighbors may hear you, she said.
“Shut up and get out of my sight… In fact I’ll be the one to get out to my work, nonsense! Anastasia said and stormed in to get prepared for work.
She arrived at Julia place and Julia asked about her phone,
“My phone? Its with me, Anastasia replied.
“Really? But I’ve been calling and its switched off, Julia said.
“Switched off? Anastasia asked bringing out her phone but noticed there’s no Sim in it and she remembered,
“Oh my Sim card has a problem, I have to get a new one, sorry about that, she replied.
“I thought as much, that’s no problem. I wanted asking where you kept my favorite Palesa bangle, but I found it anyway, Julia replied.
“Alright I’ll go see her now, Anastasia said and Julia nodded but felt that there’s something wrong with her.
Anastasia covered a muffler on her neck to hide the reddish mark Bobby gave to her, and the maid saw it.
“What happened to your neck? Did someone try to str@ngle you or something? She asked and Anastasia heaved knowing how much she hates her.
“I thought I’ve once asked you to stay clear from me huh? Anastasia asked.
“I am only concerned, Sorry if I offended you, she replied.
“I think I have to report you to Julia, looks like you don’t love your job, Anastasia said and Patra smiled.
“Sorry to say this, i am not responsible for what you’re going through okay, and I’ll really appreciate it if you stop pouring your pains on me. I’ll take the laundry out now, and sorry for your neck, Patra said and left with the basket while Anastasia sat looking at her breathing hard.
“Looks like you don’t know who you are playing with, She said in her heart and checked the time and saw its almost time for the news.
She covered her muffler and took Palesa to watch the news but she saw Julia already there.
“Hey come see this news, a guy has been reported found dead, Julia said when she saw Anastasia coming down the stairs and Anastasia froze.
“What happened? Julia asked and Anastasia hurried to have a look but saw it was a different guy who committed suicide.
“Too bad, poor boy, she said trying to get her breathing back to normal.
“Are you okay? Julia asked seeing that.
“Yes yes. i just got shocked when you dropped the news, I wasn’t expecting it anyway and am not a fan of bad news, Anastasia replied and Julia nodded.
“Are you feeling cold? Because your muffler reminds me of the way i do wrap myself over there in the states when its snowing, Julia said and Anastasia laughed.
“I just wanted to try out this fashion today, I hope its cool, She asked but Julia smiled.
“Its cool though, but i think its suffering when you’re not catching cold, Julia replied.
“The AC here is more than snow itself, don’t you think it won’t affect Palesa? Anastasia asked.
“Not at all, the AC in her room is very moderate please. Children born in winter season cope too remember, I think she should get used to it because she’ll soon be there with my mom, Julia replied.
“Soon? Like how soon? Anastasia asked.
“Like when she’s 3years of age, Julia replied and Anastasia scoffed.
“You mean you can send your daughter over at three years old? Who does that? She asked.
“Wait a minute, i am not selling her out okay, I am only sending her out to give her the very best. You really think I will love my Palesa to grow up here? Besides me giving birth here in the first place was all a mistake, once she is 3 I’ll send her out, Julia replied.
“Like children who stays in SA doesn’t make it huh? We still have good schools you can enroll her in, Anastasia said.
“You still don’t get it do you? I don’t want my daughter here and that’s it, Julia replied.
“But she’s still too young! Don’t you care of how badly she’ll miss you? Do you have conscience at all when you’re depriving that little girl of her parent love in the name of getting the best for her. You and i grew up in this same SA and we are still alive right? Anastasia blurred out and Julia smirked.
“You and I grew up together yes, but then i travelled out and the difference is clear. I’ll reach out to her every hour and if i miss her a lot, travelling out wont be a problem to visit her. This is a sacrifice i have to do to make sure she comes out more better than me, that doesn’t mean i don’t love her or i wont miss her. This is my daughter Anastasia, you can’t love her more than i do okay, and i want the very best for her. So will you please stop stressing on this matter, I have made my decision and you have no right to change it, Julia said and left to her room and Anastasia nodded as Julia words hit her hard.
“You and i grew up together yes, but i traveled out and the difference is clear”.
Anastasia swallowed it as she looked at Palesa ,
“You’ll be fine okay, i see you already coming out more better than your mother and she’ll be so proud of you, she said smiling at Palesa who was busy laughing back at her………
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