Many years ago, I was involved in a sort of love triangle. It was not nasty in any particular form, but it did leave me with a whole lot of confused emotions for a long while. I ended up writing a short fictional story about it.
Do note that while this is entirely fictional, it is nonetheless inspired by true personal events...
Please enjoy...
Image by Gerd Altmann from Pixabay
Between Two Hearts... & a Third...
She stood in the rain with me, a mischievous smile planted on her pretty face. I tried my best not to smile back, not because I didn't want to, but because smiling back at her would put me exactly where she wanted me to be. So I focused my thoughts instead on how best to excuse myself, and in truth I actually needed to head home. Her words however, broke my train of thought...
"You know, my mum would be here soon"
The meaning of the words, rather than the sound of them, jarred my thoughts to the present.
"What do you mean your mum would be here soon?" I asked.
She continued to smile mischievously, but this time it had less effect on me. I returned her gaze, but with no trace of humour in mine. She didn't seem to mind though, her expression instead suggesting she was enjoying my discomfort. She continued...
"You know she had always wanted to meet you, and I may have told her you were coming."
She lingered a little on the last three words, giving me three light taps on my chest as she emphasized them.
"But Feyi, I've told you. I'm not ready yet." I protested. My heart was already racing; what would I, a 36 year old, have to say to the mother of a 19 year old who I was dating?
"We both should..." She placed a rain soaked finger on my lips to halt the words she knew were coming.
"Do not protest, Kay. You know that this meeting is long overdue, and besides, I'll be right here with you."
Her words sounded sweet and reassuring, but it did little to reduce the fear I felt within. My mind quickly devised the only plan it could at that moment, and I acted on it, even though I knew it wasn't right.
"Alright little ma'am, but I have to quickly go get changed. Your mum wouldn't invite me in all drenched like this."
Almost instantly the mischief left her eyes, and was replaced by the look of love I had come to recognize these past six months.
"Alright my dear sire, but do not be too long. And..." she twisted her face a bit, " I'm not so little anymore."
Now I smiled back.. a part of my brain cautioned me that I may be falling too much in love with Feyi than I wanted to, but I pushed the warning aside.
Honestly, I was tempted to stay and face her mum, but then my fear won over. I quickly pecked her on her left cheek and headed for the bus stop where I knew I would quickly get a bike home.
...
She spoke as soon as I shut the door behind me...
"Were you able to get the airtime?"
My brain jolted instantly; I had totally forgot about the excuse I gave for leaving the house in the first place. I stepped away from the door behind me, and quickly thought of another suitable excuse to give..
"No o, the lazy sellers closed early." I lied. "And if they are asked, they'll say it's because of the rain. I'll kuku just recharge online."
Even before I finished the sentence, Tosin had already returned her attentions to the Tv set. Apparently The Big Brother Naija Show had a more interesting tale to tell than I did.
Inwardly, I heaved a sigh of relief, and thanked my stars, and my parents for providing me with such an understanding wife, even though our union was yet to be blessed with a child after four years. Then with a satisfied look plastered on my face, I went to sit down next to her.
But no sooner had I settled down in anticipation of a quiet evening, than my phone beeped; it was a text from Feyisara...
This time I simply stood up and left the house, for no excuse would have sufficed...
...
I ran as fast as my legs could carry me, all the while my thoughts spiralling. What would I say to Tosin? How would I even begin to broach the topic? Those thoughts threatened to drown the faint happiness I had felt earlier when I had first read Feyi's text.
I pushed the thoughts of the inevitable future aside, and for a brief moment I considered my past...
As a teenager I had always shied away from love; it was to me an unnecessary fancy meant for those who had little better to do with their time. I had always watched with bewildered amusement when friends of mine punched way beyond their capacities just so as to impress some lady. It had usually felt like poetic justice whenever I saw them break down after experiencing heartbreak over same lady.
I had taken a different path myself. I had faced my career squarely with little time for romantic fancies. When it was time for marriage my parents had found me a suitable wife, and what a good job they did. But then love was not done with me yet, and that was when I had met Feyi...
Feyi who was now waiting on the other side of the road for me... I dashed across...
I heard the sound moments before I felt it, a sharp crack as my bones shattered. Then I felt myself swinging in the air, falling sideways towards the hard tar. Everything seemed to move in slow motion, and a million scattered thoughts flowed through my confused mind...
Then at that last moment, just before I hit the ground, I had a surprisingly clear glimpse of my phone. Feyi's face appeared right before my eyes, and she seemed to repeat the same words of her earlier text message...
"My Love, I am carrying our son"
Then I felt the thud of my bones on tar...
Then I woke... It was all a dream...
THE END
Thanks for reading.
Cheers!
