Chapter 23: Chapter 23

:

Chris

"Tee! Temi wait up" I shouted and ran after her.

"What is it? Its not like we are in a relationship, why do you want to explain anything to me?" She said.

"Can you give me the courtesy then? Can you not judge me first and ask me what I have to say? Ask me if I have a romantic relationship with her, and am just leading you on?" I really wanted her to just ask, to not dismiss all what we have without giving me a chance to explain.

"Why? What good will it do? You're all the same anyway"

"Yea, you too. You're exactly the same as every other lady. So go on into your judgemental happy world."

Why did this hurts so much? Its not even like were both in a relationship

"Wait! what are you talking about?" She asked more like screamed. She climbed the stairs after me, and dragged my shirt pulling me back. "What are you talking about" I asked again

His eyes were red now "You are a lady, imagine if I just grabbed you up in public, you'll definitely shout saying 'i''m being rude or disrespectful for placing my hands on you'

If a lady touches a man they assume he will enjoy it. As a man you should welcome it, you must have been 'leading her on', we rave about girl child sex education and their violation. What of the boy child hmmmn?? Do you really think some women are not taking advantage of them? How many activists talk about their pain? Or is male virginity considered nothing? If a female tries to grab my abs in the gym and comment at how hot I am in a lewd manner, can I sue her for sexual harassment? Did you stop to consider that I might not have a relationship with her and she was there of her own accord?" He said angrily."

"Just go, ask Obi to take you home. I'm too drained to deal with you" I said when she refused to reply. I walked away again back to my office wondering how Chioma got my office keys in the first place. I keep dealing from one issue to the other from Christiana to my office in Rio, to Chioma, only God knows what's next.

Call me back and ask me who she is? You foolish, judgemental girl.

As we went further away from each other, my heart hurts at what we were throwing away so easily. To her, I Dont even worth a fight.

What are you doing here Chioma? How did you get in? I asked. She was the last person I wanted to see right now, and her whole outfit was irritating me.

"Paapi why are you treating me this way? Did you not miss me. I heard of Christiana when I got home from my Paris shoot, I know you must be so lonely so i'm here" she replied sultrily.

Even the fake accent was annoying!

"Thanks Chioma for your care and concern, now please go. Also button up your shirt please, you look ridiculous and get off my desk"

"But paapi I......" she whined, before I cut her off.

" I know you got the keys from either Nina or Faruk, I'll just deal with them later. Get out before I have security throw you out"

As she reluctantly left I felt the emptiness that closed down on me, it was clawing at my inside, SSO glad to be back as my companion realising what I lost. Then anger at her for not fighting for me, followed by self hatred. My fate destroys every good thing around me always.

I called my travel agent to book me a flight. I'll be going to London in two days time, Nothing is here for me. Until I heard: "Tell me now! You and her or you and lawyer lady or any other lady what exactly is your kind of relationship? Me and you what are we? I'm trying with all my heart to not judge you or push you away so please tell me why your statement was filled with so much pain and anger. Ayomide help me understand and know where I stand?"

She standing there at my office door, short of breath, eyes wide open, created a beautiful sight.

SHE CAME BACK!

She came back just for me. This intense feeling right now, coupled with euphoria, that peace that accompanies her, longing and admiration engulfed me. I know now! I'm in love with her!!!

" I'm a reformed alcoholic, and for a long while I was addicted to alcohol, drugs and sex" I said.

"Wow! But that's not what I asked you just answer the question honestly please!" She begged. She looked so vulnerable.

"No I'm not in a romantic relationship with any of them, Nina is a big part of my life just like my sister and guide. While Chioma isn't, we had sex a long time ago, she is the daughter of mums women club member. I had no idea she was going to be here, I didn't invite her and I haven't been involved with her for like 5years." I replied standing at my desk.

"And your pain? What of me who am I to you?"

"Sit down then its going to be long" I entreated. As she sat down, I walked over to the window of my office, I don't want to see her reaction or pity or hatred for me while I tell her.

"When my dad came for me and Christiana in the US we were just 6. Somehow the DNA carried out while my mum was pregnant for him did not match, it was negative. As I grew I came to be his replica, if you looked right in my face and his you knew we were father and son. I was the constant reminder to my mum of the man she loved, whose mistress she was that abandoned her with child. She loved him dearly and so she loved me, at times she will ignore Christiana and call me her king at how much I looked like her would be one. When we left Christiana was happy, I wasn't. My father was always busy at work, becoming the successful business mogul he is while leaving behind at home a young legal wife who was lonely and without child at 35. She hated us both, as she had to take care of us, a reminder of her failure and her husband in zipping up his pant. While her hateful vile words came during the day accompanied with random blows and slaps on both of us particularly me, Her hands came at night. Touching and fondling, kissing and prodding at first. As I grew older at 9 it came to mounting me and getting the work done. I felt irritated and used. It continued till I was twelve, until Dad came home sick and the will was being prepared she wanted me to leave run away on my own and she would spare Christiana. As I heard her telling her friend of her sexual escapades with me and her plan for us, if she got the will eventually, I made up my mind to go alongside with Christiana. Time came and Christiana refused to go, it didn't matter how many times I collected the beating or made sure no one entered her room at night all she remembered was how badly mum used to treat her and now that life was fair here I wanted to take her away because I was jealous, so I left.

At twelve it was the hardest thing have ever done, even though I knew pain I didn't know penury before I left. I was hungry from Amen estate to under Lagos bridge I learnt to survive. I became a wheel barrow pusher to make ends meet while I attended a local government secondary school during the day. I had no textbooks food to eat or where to sleep. I went to school till two as I was in jss1 then, came back to the bridge and pushed wheel barrow. At 6, I go to a bar where I washed plate and cleaned the kitchen. Early in the morning I picked waste materials good for recycling from 5 and drop it at some companies for small cash. The little I got there I paid for the school fees which was cheap and used the school library during breaks. Eating was hard, sleeping was harder. She came always at night dressed in her pink lacy nightie that allowed her get the job done easily. I met someone later like 5years late who sent me to London, where I met David and Nina whose story is for another day.

I......" I tried to continue ignoring the tears that burned in my eyes until I was cut short by her hugging me from behind her hands wrapped around my Torso as she hugged and cried. As my own tears fell down knowing I was far more broken than the little I told her, I relished the feeling of peace and a promise to heal that her touch brought.

"I'm not done, you know?" I said gruffly.

"I know, but just tell me as time goes by.

"I'm in love with you Temitope." I said.

"Chris....." She said before I cut her short.

"You wanted to know what I feel for you; I'm in love you.  That day we went for dinner, I said I didn't date because at some phase in my life, I've done so much of it. Meaningless stuff with so many women that lead to so many sex and fueled addictions so I don't date"

"What exactly are you saying" she asked, turning around to face m

"Court me? Temitope am sure what I feel for you is different, I don't want to go a long way before saying this. So let's start building towards marriage. Every talk, every dinner, every laughter, every call, let's start building toward being future partners. Say you'll be my fiancee?"

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