Ibi felt she had made a mistake the moment the words had left her mouth. “I need time to myself to think about my future,” she said. She said those words over a year ago and, at the time, she meant them. Deep down, she still felt that way even though seeing the anguish on his face almost proved unbearable. She expected some demand for an explanation which she was ready to give and had actually practiced alot . After 4 years together, she knew she could possibly waiver and comfort him from what she felt he would see as a betrayal. She was surprised by his response.
“I understand,” he said.
She realized that he had not been entirely shocked by her declaration, given her many recent concerns about the state of their relationship. Though he was a wonderful person, gentle and kind, he was not always there. She had found herself catering to his needs but not receiving the same level of care from him.
And so, the worrying thoughts often consumed much of her waking hours, pushing out other concerns about her writing. The deadlines for her stories, which she often missed. She could not balance her relationship with Kunle with her expanding career. And he either did not understand the gravity of the situation or did not care to. Though she did not regret the decision she had made, which proved fruitful with three new publications, she missed him.
So, it was a surprise and delight when Kunle called her three days ago, and they talked as if the months apart had never happened. His voice was a bandage to her soul. Could they repair their relationship, build on it? With her writing producing favorable results, she was excited about the chance to see what she could make of their relationship. A couple of days after while Ibi stirred carefully the pot of Pepper soup she was making, It was one of Kunle’s favorite dishes which his grandmother had shared with her. The aroma of the spicy Soup filled the kitchen and evoked images of the past where she shared this meal with his family. The door ringing shook her out of the moment, and she turned down the heat on the pot to avoid ruining the Pepper Soup. After removing the apron, she stepped out of the kitchen into the spacious living room of her townhouse.
Ibi opened the door to see Kunles 6’3” frame looming in the doorway. She had always thought her 5’10” voluptuous frame awkward until she was held by him. Her slight bulge and thick thighs always bothered her. But in his arms, she had felt wanted and beautiful and safe.
The movement behind him captured her attention. She pulled her eyes away from his to investigate who could be intruding on their reunion. It took her a moment to notice a figure standing slightly behind him.
“Hello, Ibi,” he said, reclaiming her focus
“Hello, Kunle,” she said, slightly distracted by the woman who moved to his side.
She was beautiful, her caramel color skinned glistened, and her face was framed by her bone straight hair(wig). She stood four inches shorter than Ibi, but there was strength in her stance.
“We need to talk,” Kunle said softly.
“This is Lara,” he said
It was clear to Ibi that they were romantically connected. The what ifs she had dared to imagine were beginning to dissipate. This was not a reconciliation. This was something else.
“Well talk,” Ibi said after taking a seat in the decorative chair. She turned her attention to the woman, and said, “Or maybe it is you who needs to talk to me.”
“Kunle told me so much about you,” Lara started, then added, “that you broke his heart.”
“Well, he spent seven years breaking mine,” Ibi countered, then added, “so we’re not really even.”
“I encouraged him to seek you out to make amends,” she said softly.
“Really?” Ibi asked, turning to Kunle for confirmation.
He did not return her gaze.His silence stung her, and his long absence filled the air around her. How many times had she attempted to contact him, to at least try to repair the friendship they had had before they decided to plunge into the choppy waters of a romantic relationship? They had promised that their decade-long friendship would remain strong even if they could not make a relationship work. She had believed it, but she had been wrong. His disappearance was almost as troubling as his presence in her life.
After a few months, Ibi found it better to put thoughts of Kunle out of her mind as she thought he had done of her. It appears that this may not have been the case. Now Lara was here because she needed to know if Ibi posed a threat to their relationship. She had to look Ibi in the eyes to see what manner of woman she was.
Ibi smiled. This woman had no idea who she was dealing with. If Ibi wanted to, she could have him back. All she had to do was give up more of herself. Which she had no intention of doing. It was nice thinking about the what ifs, but Ibi was a realist It was time to end this visit and end whatever could have been between them forever.
“I wish you well in whatever you two deem to do,” Ibi said, her words measured and devoid of emotion.
Kunle glanced in the direction of the kitchen. In another lifetime, his expression would have elicited joy from Ibi. Not today. Today, she barely registered his interest.
“Well,” she said softly, “I believe it is time for you two to leave.”
Kunle sighed, clearly disappointed, most assuredly about the Soup, and stood up. Lara followed and moved to the exit. Ibi did not walk them to the door but watched them leave.
Ibi sat in her own thoughts, trying to regain balance. The audacity of her ex-boyfriend still hung in the air. It took an odd smell in the air to get her attention. A smile, almost imperceptible, creased along the corners of her mouth. The what ifs that dissipated during the conversation with Kunle and Lara was then replaced with the clarity she had found refreshing for so many months after the breakup. She had made the right decision.
She stood and took a deep breath, savoring the odd smell, knowing the truth of this source.
Unlike her future, the Pepper soup was ruined. THE END
