THE LONGEST NIGHT Episodes 9 – 13

We pulled away from the kiss and he cupped my face in his palm and kissed the top of my head. He knew I liked that. I nodded and he smiled. He rolled his chair to the table where his food flask sat, I walked to him and dished out the food in his plate. As he ate, we smiled and chatted all through the meal, at intervals, he fed me and continued making jokes that had me giggling like a love struck teenager.

I got to the car to see so many missed calls on my phone from Yemi and a text message.
“Hello love, how are you? did you get the flowers? Pls call me”.
I picked up my phone and dialled his number. He picked on the first ring.
“Hey babe, Been so worried”. He said
“ I’m sorry, had some mishap at the hospital but everything is fine now”. I replied
“Okay, where are you currently?”. He asked
“Still at the hospital, but in my car though about to drive out”. I replied.
“Should I come over to the house? Maybe come with a bottle of red wine?”. He teased
It was a lovely idea but I need some time, devoid of the men in my life.
“It’s been a crazy day and I’m beat. I’m sorry I have to decline”. I replied
I could sense his heart fragmenting but I could do nothing. Absolutely nothing.
“Alright babe, I understand. Please drive home safe”. He said.
“Okay dear, have a goodnight rest”. I replied.
The drive home was long and frustrating. The traffic was crazy at this time of day but I was determined to make it home, curl up into a ball and cry my eyes out. Eventually I got home, and the security guard ran up to me again with a little bag. Did Yemi send another gift?
Gifts were something Uzor never gave, not even during anniversaries nor birthdays. He always felt I had enough and didn’t need more. When I jokingly asked, he’d leave some money for me to get what I wanted.

I opened the gift bag and there was a scented candle, chocolate and a small card
‘To ease the stress’ Yemi.
It’s been 2 months since Uzor’s accident and the doctor said he was due to be discharged and that he needed care and attention. My routine changed as I moved from my house to Uzor’s daily to make food and also to assist in the house with food and some chores. He had a live-in physiotherapist who helped with his exercises and bone stretching.

I had a lot of orders from clients and I got to Uzors house late with Ada. I ran to the kitchen to make food.
After cooking, eating and spending time gisting with Uzor as he wanted to spend time with his daughter, unbeknownst to me that it was already dark. Being a terrible night driver, Uzor suggested we spend the night. Determined not to go through an unnerving ordeal, I agreed but told him I would sleep in my daughters room and not his room, I didn’t want a repetition of before.

As time went by, I realised my relationship with Uzor had morphed into a better one, we laughed and talked and talked some more. Yemi became a distant companion. We rarely talked and even when we do, the conversation ends abruptly because I always have something to do. He made plans to see me but somehow, I reschedule
One afternoon, I received a message from Yemi
‘ Can I take you on a date later today? Pls S’
I replied in affirmative and he replied with the time of date and location of a the restaurant which was far from my house and closer to Dera’s
When it was 5pm, I was ready to go out. I was dressed in a black knee length dress, I packed my braids to the back and had on tiny jewellery to complement my little black dress. I stepped into a 3 inch Gold pumps and added a gold purse to match.

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