Chapter 8: Chapter 8

Mathew's gate was grey with a large drawing of a lion's head staring in front. The gateman let us in when he saw me. I had asked Ada to wait in the car but she insisted on coming in. "In case things go out of hand," she said.

I knew Mathew. He was not violent. He was mostly quiet but that Mathew I knew was also faithful, truthful and he turned out to be a liar and a cheat. It was like I did not know the person at all.

The surroundings were the same and very familiar. It was a one storey building. There was the boys quarter opposite the main building where the driver and gate man stayed. His three cars were just being washed by the driver. It was his customary way of washing the three cars every day even when his Oga used just one car for a whole week or more.

I rang the doorbell and waited. Ada was tapping the wall rhythmically and humming. I just stood, hugging myself waiting till it would be reasonable to press the bell again.

I wanted him to take time in opening the door. I wanted to compose myself, to be ready to meet the man I and my sister dated. But no time would be enough to prepare me for that.

The door opened. Mathew stood there wearing a 'Maggi' apron over his white singlet and black trouser. The expression on his face was more than shock, it was priceless.

"I was not expecting you, " he said, still blocking the door.

"Us, you mean? " I asked, folding my arms. "Well I'm sure."

Ada was tracing her finger down my back probably to calm me down. But I was fully in control of myself. I was not going to be angry at him anymore. He did not deserve any sort of emotion from me.

"We came to take my things that are still in your house. I believe it's occupying space."

That moment, he used his teeth to bite his upper lip then he moved aside.

"Come in please."

I stepped in with Ada following. It was still unreal. It still felt like I was in a movie. I looked around the sitting room that held several memories of us kissing, talking, planning even making love. My sister and I made love to the same man.

"I'll start with bringing down your pictures from this wall. This place looks like a shrine and you are the goddess. "

Ada's voice brought me back from the heart throbbing reminiscing I was doing. I looked around the room, Mathew was standing at the centre of the living room. He looked as deceptive as a cat. It was getting easier to give him attributes of an animal.

After noting that Ada did not need my help, I said, "I'll clear out my stuff upstairs. "

I hurried to the stairs. I did not want to waste another minute in the house. It held too much memories, coupled with hurt. No, I was not strong enough for that kind of evacuation. I regretted agreeing to it at first.

It had been another home for me. Most weekends I spent it there whether he was out of town or not. I cooked there like it was my home. for a stupid moment, I thought we were married already. Funny that I did not know any of his relations - too much for being engaged. There were promises of meeting them but that was it.

His bedroom was neatly arranged as always. There was a small cupboard beside the bed on which he kept a small clock with my picture. His king-size bed was neatly dressed in a black Versace bed sheet. I walked to the adjoining room which was his closet, I found my box and hurriedly put clothes that were hanging in the wardrobe.

In the wardrobe were strange female clothes that still had their label on them. They were the type he used to get me from each trip. I shook my head at the thought of him already seeing another woman. I did not care but I did not want him to be happy.

I pulled the box out of the room. Out of curiosity, I went down the hallway to a room that was supposed to be a study or something else but not what we turned it into. It was where we had kept the electric sewing machine he had got me on our last Valentine.

So many times there, I had taught him how to use the machine. Sometimes, he was interested in learning, other times he would simply sulk in the corner if he was not getting it right. There were days, he would kiss my thighs up to my hips and he would continue till I was begging him to fill me. I shivered at the memory, repulsed by how I felt.

The room was not dusty as I thought he would not be nearing there anymore . It seemed in use. Pieces of cloth littered all over the floor with papers he used to practice. I found myself smiling and tears came down with it.

With the sound of the door, I shook my head out of the nostalgia.

"My lady," Mathew called as he entered the room. He had removed his apron and now wore a sky blue shirt with a black plain trouser.

"Mathew," I responded in a lower voice than I intended. "I'm done. Just to go down stairs. "

"I'm not perfect yet. But this place reminds me of you so I keep coming here to practice. "

I nodded and as I tried to pass him, he held me back. He held my shoulders, looking at me with a look I could not quite place. It could have been a sorry face. But I knew he was not sorry and if he was, I did not need it.

I managed to shift back, raising my hand to halt him. " Don't touch me, " I warned.

"I did love you, truly . I was reckless. But nothing I did, means that I love you less than I claim. "

He stepped closer to me. "I am sorry. I can't apologize enough. I know it's selfish and insensitive of me but I want you back ."

"You are a lunatic," I said, pulling up my box. "A Lunatic, " I repeated.

He blocked my way, I waited, trying to still my temper then he filled in the space between us.

"I'll give you space but I won't stop loving you," he said.

Quick as a flash his lips claimed mine. I froze, folding up my fist in irritation and anger then I pulled away. I responded with a quick reflex slap. The stubbles on his cheek hurt my arm but I braved it. Without waiting to see his reaction, I spun on my heels and Ada was at the door.