“I’m leaving,” Kemi said, struggling with her box which was heavier than her thoughts and difficult for her to drag along.
Those words hung in the air, they were heavy and without any self-doubt. Ade stood there in his bathrobe with the fridge door open; there was no need to turn around. He could hear the seriousness in her voice, so he knew she wasn't bluffing.
"Why?' he asked instead. His voice is weak, like a man who had just been ambushed. He gently closed the fridge door and leaned his head on it. In his eyes, tears were beginning to gather.
Kemi stopped, her breath filled with exhaustion from the fight with her luggage. Her face still maintained the pain and seriousness it had. She adjusted her handbag which was almost slipping off her shoulders.
"We've had this conversation enough for you not to know why" she replied, her words sharp and precise but in-between loud breathing.
The sun was gently beginning to shine after an unsuccessful trial by the clouds to let down rain. It's streamed in through the open glass window, like a spotlight across the porcelain floor. The birds chirping outside seemed to add a soundtrack to the drama unfolding between them.
"Then maybe I'm lost. Let me know." Ade turned to face her. His eyes searched her face as if they could find some signs to show that she would change her mind. But her face wore a blank expression.
Kemi gripped tight to the handle of her big box. To think that he hasn't even been paying attention to all she has been saying over these few days.
"That's exactly why. I keep trying to get you to talk or just have time for me. But it's like I'm just the furniture you kept at home. You only have time for me once in every blue moon" she tried hard not to curse. "I'm tired and can't keep pretending I'm not hurt. I can't keep waiting for every blue moon to have you to myself"
Ade made to walk towards Kemi but she moved back. He tried to open his mouth at least to protest but the words weren't coming. A sign he didn't have a good answer.
"I've tried to keep trying but I'm exhausted," Kemi said with tears this time.
"I know, and I'm trying too," Ade finally said, his voice soft and broken. "But I need to get that promotion. We need it, you know we do"
"But what's the point of it all if we drift apart in the process?" she sobbed. "Ade, can't you see? It's like we're just roommates living together, not couples", She slumped to the nearby couch. Her grip was still tight on their box.
Ade stepped closer to her; this time, she didn't retreat. He gently reached out to touch her arms
"I'm sorry babe. I'm sorry." He apologised, now in tears, too. "I can fix this, we can. I can make time for us more often than work all the time"
Kemi shook her head and smiled. "You say that all the time, and I keep believing you"
She shook his hands off her and stood up. Then she dragged her heavy box out of the house, down the driveway and into her car. Then she zoomed off.
Ade stood by the door watching her struggle with the box. He felt defeated. He could hear the birds chirping and the wall clock ticking as if to remind him he still had a few seconds to try and make things right. He clenched his jaw, blinking rapidly to hold back tears.
He needed to think clearly; he wasn't ready to lose his wife now. He had promised her forever and was going to do anything to fulfil it. He knew where she must be heading to: her parent's house.
“Maybe it’s not too late,” he whispered to himself.
He quickly ran inside, grabbed his car keys, and sped after her. He was like Vin Diesel on the fast lane.
Lucky enough, he met her just before she could drive into her parents ' house. He quickly parked and ran after her car.
"Kemi.. Kemi wait!" He called before she could drive in.
She was startled to see him run towards her in his bathrobe and roll down her window.
“Ade, what are you doing?” she asked, her eyes wide and teeth clenched together. "You're almost naked".
Ade got to her and stopped. He was tired. He tried catching his breath.
"Please hear me out Kemi. I know I've messed up. But I'm not willing to let you walk out of my life like this. I can't survive it. I promise to do better if you can just give me one month to prove it to you. One month and if I don't change then you can move out"
Kemi shook her head "I'm sorry Ade but I don't think I have that time or patience anymore"
"Okay, two weeks, Kemi. Just two weeks please." He pleaded.
But Kemi didn't reply, she instead stared him in the face. Her expression conflicted.
"I feel stupid for putting everything else before you Kemi. I feel stupid for forgetting the most important thing to me which is us. I messed up, but I don't want to lose what we have."
Kemi searched his face for a sign that he meant it
Ade held his gaze trying to show he was serious this time.
"Please, Kemi, please", he begged.
Kemi sat there in her car. Not saying a word for a moment. Then, slowly, she squeezed the steering wheel hard.
"Two weeks, Ade, and if nothing changes..."
"Ah, mabinu (please). Something will change," Ade exclaimed as he quickly opened the car door for his wife to let her out.
Kemi smiled.
"Okay o," she said as Ade led her to his car. "But I still need to drive my car back home"
"Don't worry. You're already on your parent's driveway. I'll come and drive it home later. I can't take chances, let me take you home myself" Ade said as he opened his car door to let her in. And when she was comfortably seated, he added "Thank you"
"Don't thank me yet" She murmured "You're still on two weeks' probation"
And then they laughed.
