It started three months ago. All the secret calls, subtle smiles while chatting on the phone, unusual behavior and sudden unplanned business trips here and there. Rita had had enough. She was suspicious of her husband having an affair with someone else. The thought of it was sickening. It felt like someone drove a knife through her chest.
Several times, denial crept in. Refusing her to believe the reality she saw. Rita and her husband, James, had been married for fifteen years now and their anniversary was just a month away. If you had asked her a few months back if her husband would ever cheat on her. Rita would have swore with everything within her that he wouldn't. She knew James better than she knew herself. And never in a million years would she think James could do something like this to her. But the subtle signs were all there.
Hurt was an understatement to how she felt. It was as if someone took her heart and smashed it into a thousand pieces. The voices in her head were getting louder each day. Her heart refused to believe the reality but her head continued to push the logic, obvious signs. She was torn in between her emotions and her reality.
So she decided to know for sure.
Rita didn't lash out emotionally at her husband, confront him, or act all angry. Instead she watched, observed more slowly and quietly. And soon the signs became transparent and clear. She subtly planted a tracking device on his phone.
Amongst his other calls, one number stood out. Her breath hitched in her throat, the day she found out. That number, she could never forget even in a million years. It had been forever imprinted in her soul. That was her best friend, Georgia’s number.
It felt as if the world tilted around her. The room suddenly became so small, breathing became difficult. Tears pooled at the tip of her eye lid threatening to flow, like a dam about to break. She clutched her chest tightly in an attempt to dwindle the pain she felt in her heart. But nothing she did could wipe away the immense pain she was feeling. Georgia had been her best friend for like centuries. She had been there with them through their ups and down, thick and thin, even when they got married, Georgia had been the chief bridesmaid.
But it was more than that. Rita considered Georgia as the sister she never had. She knew everything about her, even down to the basics. She knew where she kept her spare key, She knew her husband's favorite meal, she even knew when they were having issues. She has been there all along. To think that Georgia would do this to her was the height of betrayal itself.
Broken. That was what she felt at that point.
She wiped the tears off her eyes angrily, and vowed to herself she was going to make them pay.
“Hey honey, I might travel to my mother's place this Friday” She said during dinner that night.
“Ohh! That's nice,” James answered.
No questions asked, no concerns shown. Just relief.
A smirk famed her face. Her plan was working.
The following day, She called Georgia
“ Hey babe, I’ll be travelling this friday to go see my Mom. Don't miss me too much!”
There was silence on the line at first.
At one point, Rita sensed something like excitement. Then she spoke
“ That's good, Mumsy would be glad to see you too. “
The response was too controlled. She knew Georgia very well. This only confirmed her suspicion.
Friday came far too quickly. She packed a small suit case and left early in the morning. However, she lodged at a hotel a few miles away from the house, there was no visit. She waited.
But the next day, curiosity was almost driving her mad, she couldn't wait anymore. Rita jumped into her car and drove down to her house. Surprisingly the gate was unlocked which was unusual because James was supposed to be at work. Georgia’s car was also packed outside. Stealthily, she walked in, careful not to make any sound, her heart hammering against her chest. As she got closer, she heard Georgia's laughter, followed by her husband's.
Her stomach twisted with disgust. The window to the living room was wide open. From there, she could see James and Georgia sitting next to each other, smiling and laughing while drinking a bottle of wine. Tears stung her eyes. Her chest tightened. From where she stood, everything looked exactly like betrayal.
She wanted to scream, storm inside or break something or better still break both their heads. But suddenly something happened. Georgia gave her husband a small jewelry box and soon they began arguing. She couldn't make out exactly what they were saying but it seemed heated. Then Georgia stormed off and left the house angrily. Rita quickly hid behind a car to avoid being seen.
After about twenty minutes, Rita stormed into the house, this time prepared to get answers.
“Rita?” James called stunned and scared at the same time to see her
“Surprised?” She asked wickedly.
“I hope I didn't interrupt you guys” She said feigning concern
His face turned very pale immediately. His shoulder slumped down as realization dawned on him. His head bowed down in shame
“I can explain” Was all he could mutter
“Please do” Rita answered, arms crossed over her chest.
He disappeared into the bedroom and returned carrying the same jewelry box, and handed it to her.
Inside was a pair of diamond rings. Beautiful and very expensive.
Ada frowned.
"What is this?"
"Your anniversary gift."
"What?"
"Our anniversary is next month. I wanted it to be special so I asked Georgia to help me choose them because she knows your taste better than I do."
Her Throat suddenly felt too dry
“She wanted me to propose again to you during our anniversary dinner” He continued
"What?"
"Exactly my reaction."
The ringing of her phone suddenly interrupted their conversations
It was Georgia.
Rita answered immediately.
“Hello*
There was a long silence followed by a sigh before she spoke.
" Rita you know, spying on your husband is easier when your location isn't still shared with your best friend."
Rita froze.
"What?" James asked baffled
Embarrassment flooded her face.
Georgia continued.
"I knew you suspected something. But Kelechi would’ve killed me if I ruined the surprise."
Ada sat down slowly. The pieces began falling into place. Her suspicions were right alright. But he wasn't cheating, it was a surprise anniversary.
After the call, Rita looked at her husband.
For several seconds neither spoke.
"So..." James asked, an eye brow raised.
"Am I still on trial?"
Rita burst into laughter and just like that the tension shattered instantly. Soon Kelechi joined in the laughing too.
GENERATED USING AI
Later that night, the three of them had dinner together. Rita apologized for everything. And while they ate,drank, laughed and teased each other about it. Rita couldn't help but reflect on how her suspicion would have destroyed something this beautiful.
