I looked at Richard as he pulled his lips from that of the woman he was kissing. They were so engrossed in their moment of passion that they did not notice I had been in the room and watching them for close to 3 minutes.
Tears streamed down my eyes and all I could remember was last night when I was deflowered by this same Richard with promises of marriage.
"Cynthia, what are you doing here?", he asked trying to sound sober. Very fake.
" Is that all you want to say?", I asked. My voice was choked with tears.
"I mean, you were sleeping when I left your room and how did you get up to your wheel chair? You're pretty strong these days.", he said.
"Just stop!", I screamed.
"Rich, what's your relationship with this thing?", the lady he was kissing asked, looking at my paralysed legs and back at Richard.
" Ehh, Kemi, she's my cousin. Mum brought her home two weeks ago", Richard lied.
"Richard!", I couldn't take it. Me? Cousin? I was adopted by his good hearted mother because of my condition. She brought me to the house and promised to take care of me. I had enjoyed my stay so far in a grand house with everything at my finger tips. Mrs. Nwoke was very loving. She would talk with me till I fell asleep, my head on her laps.
One week into my erstwhile blissful stay in Mrs Nwoke's house, Richard, her son, started making advances at me.
I refused to let him touch me. He bought me stuff secretly, even an underwear but I refused to take them from him when I understood what he wanted.
Some days ago, I started falling in love with him. I wonder why I was so stupid. Probably because I had never experienced love in my whole life. Who would love a girl who couldn't walk? But I thought Richard loved me. His presence made my heart jump, all of a sudden. I wonder why I fell in love with him so suddenly.
Last night, Richard told me he would marry me. I looked into his eyes for a confirmation of his sincerity. He looked sincere and serious. Wow. I was elated. I thought I was never going to get married or even have a love life but Richard was my saving angel. I embraced him. His hands started moving all over my body. I resisted at first but he persisted and looked at me with those sincere eyes again.
"I love you so much Cynthia and I will marry you. Don't starve me of your beauty", he whispered into my ears. The heat from his mouth to my ears sent sensations down my body. I felt what I had never felt before and I gave in.
I enjoyed sex with Richard and I felt even better when we were done. He was satisfied and I was too. He spent some more hours with me and later laid me to sleep.
Now, this is the same Richard with another woman and calling me his cousin.
With my unending tears, I rolled my wheel chair away. Love is a mirage.
Wanted in private, denied in public.