Chapter 34: Chapter 34

: The big warning

December, 2015.

"Baby!"

"Baby!"

"Ayomi!"

"Oko mi( my husband)!" Pamela called continuously while shaking him awake!

She was in her second trimester of pregnancy.

"What is it" Chris jumped up from bed startled.

"I am hungry. I want peppered snails and ginger drink"she said rolling her eyes sarcastically.

"Are you kidding me? Its 2am in the morning, is that why you woke me up?" Pinching the space between his brows in frustration.

"Why are you raising your voice at me now. I am hungry, is it my fault I eat for three hmmn." Tears from no where filling her eyes.

"Why are you crying now?" Shock clearly written on his face.

"You keep shouting at me nowadays! Why wont I cry?" Taking the gear of her cry higher.

"Oh Jesus" he groaned loudly and mumbled something under his breathe.

"Where do you even want me to get it from, most restaurants are closed!"

"Check some night bars and clubs. They open till morning" Pamela advised pouting while rearranging her self on the bed.

Chris got up from bed and pulled on a shirt over his pajama buttons.

"Okay stop crying. Ill go and get it for you. Peppered snails and ginger drink right! Do you want anything else?"

"No" .

Chris drove down the streets of Lagos, sleep buzzing his brain and frustration.

The first three months of pregnancy were filled with morning sickness so the craving wasn't that bad but the last two months has been horrible!

From wet sand to unripe mango, the cravings were insatiable. She refused to cook or let him hire a chef.

According to her the smell of cooking food made her nauseous, yet she could eat the fully cooked one, in large quantity.

She refused a chef because according to her the one Chris hired was too fine and sexy to be cooking for another woman's husband.

The pregnancy glow though was on another level! Her hair thickened out from root to end and glistened, so did her skin. her skin shone and the fat build up was in the right places adding soft paddings.

The water works though was horrible, she cried over every single thing from food to why he comes back late.

Chris smiled at how far they had come now, he wouldn't trade her constant need for cuddling or the way she smiled and frustrated him for anything, or even her incessant need for sex during the first three months. At first that worked in his favor also.

1 hour of endless roaming and he got some Peppered snail without the ginger drink.

He felt like a man that has conquered the night and the wide grin that spread on his face showed just that.

He came back to meet her sleeping soundly, wide spread on the bed.

"I am home" kissing her forehead tenderly.

She just whimpered and settled deeper in sleep.

He smiled at how cute she looked but still could not be angry instead he shook his head lamination his wasted effort and made to go keep the package in the fridge. After which he pulled off his shirt and squeezed himself in the small space left for him on the bed.

"Sorry for bothering you so much the last 6 months." she mumbled out later, sleep making her voice more husky pushing her hands through his now bushy beard.

"You'll never be a bother to me. You'll forever be my baby." He splayed his finger over her bulging abdomen and an overwhelming pride and love filled him.

*********

Chris woke up to wet kisses on his cheek and his woman straddling him. The content smile that graced his face was quickly replaced with fake irritation.

"Get off me fat woman" he teased, knowing how she hated being called fat.

"Whatever! I am your fat woman after all. So back in your face, fat woman's husband" sticking out her tongue at him.

"Its 7:am in the morning, Mine can I please sleep after last night."

"Nope, its a work day."

"Why do I own a company if I cant come and go as I please. I am my own boss" closing his eyes adjusting the pillows bunched under his head.

"How about because I said so, and I am the one person you don't want to piss off" smacking her tongue loudly and making the knife across the throat sign.

"Please baby" he whined.

Pamela lowered herself more on him and kissed him. Mouths meshing together as the lovers were accustomed to.

"Happy birthday baby. I have a big surprise for you today so please get ready for mama"

"Fine okay, first kiss me some more." And she did for a while that they both got lost.

The effect of their passionate moment making him more aroused, his eyes narrowed into slits "That's how you'll be turning innocent man on early in the morning" Chris broke off the kiss and made to the bathroom.

Pamela made herself busy by picking out clothes for him in their walk in closet. Till date she couldn't understand her husbands obsession with wristwatches he had a whole lot of them. His insane need for neatness sometimes drove her almost crazy.

She finally settled for casual grey chinos and navy blue shirt with a simple sandal. It matched perfectly with the umbrella mid tight sky blue with navy striped dress she choose for the day.

Chris came in to the room stark naked and she squealed closing her eyes. "Could you please tie a towel"

"Could you please stop acting like a hypocrite!" He retorted amused.

"It’s not like you have not seen it before o, or did pregnancy just hit you on the street ni"

"Must you be crude" rolling her eyes and throwing a towel at him.

"Yup! Just say you like what you see. Preeq and all" laughing loudly.

"Hell to the no. Please don't corrupt me, you this rotten man" covering her ears with her fingers.

"Preeq"

"Preeq"

"Preeq" he chanted loudly over and over.

"I'll just leave this room for you" shaking her head at him.

"Alright bye babe from me and my preeq" he added again.

Pamela sent the phone in her hand flying at him. God he was so incorrigible and naughty at times.

"Ouch babe! Don't wound the birthday boy" Pulling a slight pout that transformed his entire face.

He looked so young and carefree it pulled at her hearts strings.

She couldn't help but laugh a little. There were so many shades to this man and each she loved uniquely.

Their eyes met and a string of communications passed through as it usually did, until the loud ring of his phone broke them apart.

The ringing tone sounded different, she was just about to ask if he changed his ringtone when he said;

"Would you please pass my phone"

Pamela picked it up and made to pass it until she checked the caller ID.

NINIOLA❤

With a heart!

A freaking heart, she had the heart emoji attached to her name, while all she got was grumpy.

Pamela had nagged and nagged to have him change it or add an emoji which when he did was the regular woman emoji that even Nokia 3310 offered was what he used to store it.

She even got her own ring tone.

The bolt of jealousy that shot through her pulled a scowl on her face and she picked the call.

"Holla !" Her vibrant voice that suddenly sounded all to cheerful came through

"Happy birthday darling. We got a big surprise for you tonight! Finally getting old o" She chirped in.

"Hello, this is his wife speaking" Pamela answered not even knowing why she needed to add the wife status but knowing she wanted to be Vindictive.

"Ohhhhh" Her reply was short and concise.

"Where is Chris?" She asked.

"Leave a message" Pamela replied.

At the edge of the room feet's away from her putting on his shirt in front of the mirror, Chris stood.

He knew who was calling and didn't even really mind that she picked the call.

"Never mind." Came the answering reply on the phone and the call disconnected.

The loud hiss that followed the call from Pamela alerted him and he turned his head to her.

"Shameless woman" she spat out. All the kindness and softness wiped from her face and replaced with harsh lines and lips contorted in anger.

"What is it" he asked quietly almost like he knew he was about to face the firing squad but did not know why.

"So now you assign all the women and supposed sisters in your life ring tone and the love emoji right?" She asked hotly.

A part of him knew she was angry bit he did not like the underlying meaning that statement carried.

So he kept quiet raising his eyebrows at her, almost like asking what this conversation and anger was for.

"So I am not worth answering hmm Christopher?" She asked again. This time rolling out the big guns in the form of his entire name. "Christopher"

"How long will you keep making a big deal out of Nina. You already know who she is to me, why cant you just accept" He asked gently, waving his hands trying not to poke the bear more.

Pamela did not know if it was the pregnancy or the insecurities that came with being fat as a pregnant woman or pregnancy hormones. She knew she just had to ask "Are you guys sleeping together?"

The instant recoil and shut down from him was scary. "You need to deal with your insecurities Mrs Olugbenga. " he replied using his name to remind her she was his wife and he wasn't a cheater.

He left her and went downstairs. If he hadn't promised her after the pregnancy fight that he wouldn't walk away whenever they fought he will stay and iron things out he'll be driving out the compound now.

Good romantic mood was gone and it was obviously brooding time, so Pamela went in to take a shower and slipped under the duvet. She knew she did not handle the matter urgently but always there was this niggling fear. For two people that were not blood related they were very close.

In the early months of marriage she had to warn him to cut back her calls, her visit and her incessant needs to have him visit. Bringing legal papers home for him to sign or other work related documents.

Today was meant to be a good day they were supposed to spend it together not apart and she cursed the way even away from their home Nina always put a strain in their relationship.

She got up, putting on her dress and removing the hair net that gathered and covered her new hairdo for the day. She oiled her crochet braids and pampered her skin. Putting on nude makeup, and strap flat sandals that felt soft on her feet.

Pamela met her husband downstairs at the kitchen counter drinking a cup of coffee.

He raised his head to meet hers and the admiration there was undeniable before he pulled a blank look.

"I really don't want to ruin today. Baby its just that I am jealous, she gets to have her own ringtone and even the love emoji when I had to beg you to add the emoji to mine. You gave me that horrible emoji, I sometimes feel you guys have more history than we do. " Twisting her fingers.

"Come here" He said in that authoritative voice, she has seen him use countless times. The one that gave her leg tingles and she went gladly into the waiting cage of his arms.

"Mine! I love you. Just you! Only you. No I am not cheating. Nina put her number in there herself and saved it with the ringtone. Ill give you my phone to do whatever you want if that is what you want I am just tired of fighting and stressing over this." He buried his head into the soft crook of her neck and she smelt heavenly.

"Okay" Pamela answered.

*******

Pamela

Chris laughter bubbled in the car ride over to his parents house. They had a fun day from the beach, to a game parlor, street food eating, jokes, stolen kisses and he couldn't feel more content.

Pamela had dinner preparation but his mom had called and insisted they came over so they were on their way to do just that.

"I hate you baby" Pamela said, If she was fairer the blush would have been noticeable.

"Awwnnn!!! Shy girl" They pulled into his parents Manor.

This house had lots of strange memories for him and he wouldn't have come so far without the love of his life. With her love came goodness, they type was rooted in the core.

She was kind, his answer to prayers. He had done so much to know he did not deserve such a rare gem but still was blessed with it.

Chris picked his hand which lay on her laps and raised her hand to his lips kissing her hand.

"I love you Temi."

The way he turned her name into a complement that rendered her speechless was remarkable. It wasn't just the name it was the intensity with which he did, and the huskiness that always accompanied it.

"Me too shuga" Pamela replied.

********

The Olugbenga mansion was arranged for a surprise party. The party was planned by his mum and Nina.

She stayed a little on her feet before reclining to play chess with her father inlaw. Nina and her mother in law kept suffocating her so this was the least she could do.

The party from downstairs felt far away as she and her husbands old man played away.

"Why are you hiding up here with me" he asked after the game passed it first hour without a winner. He was a master of this game but so is she. Years and years of practise with her dad had honed her skills.

"Hiding away from your wife and Nina" She replied bluntly.

The animosity between father and son wasn't a secret but she connected to him on other levels, he was after all the older replica of her husband minus skin color which he took from his Black American mother.

His lips tugged up in a answering smile, and he moved a piece across the board making room for her to win, which she did.

Pamela knew the win was handed to her, and the way he he played with ease was mastery bridled.

"Go on now. Don't be a chicken, be the fearless chess warrior you are" Winking at her.

A genuine smile stretched her lips!

The party was still in mini full swing no one even noticing the absence of the pregnant bride.

Nina had her arm semi wrapped around Chris waist. He patted her hair gently like a child while smiling down at her.

Its just a simple embrace Temitope, get over it.

Pamela walked up to them leaning up to press a kiss to her husbands cheek and flanking him at the other side.

"Hey babe, where have you been" he asked, pecking her lightly on the lips.

"Playing chess" grinning at him.

"Nerd" he replied easily.

"Pervert"

"Food monger"

"Bibliophile" she whispered in return.

It was so easy to get lost in their world forgetting other around them.

Francis cleared his throat loudly cutting the private interlude.

Pamela leaned in to hug him, he was Chris friend and surprisingly made her laugh a lot.

Years ago he, Nina, David and Chris were a gang.

"Spare the single us the mushy stuff please! Pregnancy glow looks good on you darling." He twirled Pamela round as he spoke and she gave a soft chuckle.

"Get your own wife please! You Can't be ogling another mans own" Chris rolled his eyes, pulling her to him.

Nina snorted her eyes shooting daggers at us and just to be petty Pamela tiptoed and lightly kissed Chris.

His shock was evident knowing fully well that PDA's (public display of affection) was more his thing.

Nina dropped the glass in her hand on her foot and her sharp cry rang out.

Chris made to help her and she feigned falling down so he carried her up.

Pamela controlled the urge to throw the fruit punch in her hand at Nina's face.

Chris settled her down on the nearest sofa and she clung to his chest.

How he couldn't see that acting the broken girl always is how she kept him attached to her was beyond her.

Nina needs help!

First aid kit was brought and all Pamela's medical training flew out as she made up her mind not to help her.

Chris removed the shards of glass, cleaned the leg with antiseptic and bandaged it. She leaned up her head and pressed a supposed kiss of gratitude to his cheek The kiss landed so close to his lips that if he had tilted his head few angles more she would have kissed his lips.

In response Pamela's hand flew throwing the fruit punch in her face just like she wanted to since this debacle started.

The silence that engulfed the room was palpable till Chris mom broke it.

"What is wrong with you? Take your crass attitude out of here please" she said hotly.

Pamela did just that dragging her husband alongside with her.

The fresh night air hit the couple on getting to the terrace. Chris was too stunned by the entire situation to speak. Especially after his mother poured fume on fire.

"Lets go home" Pamela demanded eyes bunched up in anger.

"Temi Please lets not make a scene here. Its a party for me, I cant just leave without saying goodbye to those who came to celebrate me"

"Right now I don't give a shit about your guests, your pretentious mother and that psycho Nina of yours. All i want is for us to go home"

"Temitope Language please!" He snapped.

"How about supporting me when your mum spoke down to me. I really don't care right now lets just go home" Pamela shouted.

"First tone down your language Temitope. Second I'll have a driver take you home"

"We either go home right now together or don't come home at all" Pamela answered.

Chris walked back in leaving her standing out there, if there was something he hated was being given ultimatums.

Tears stung her eyes and the harsh December wind chilled the bare skin of her legs. The sent driver actually came minutes later to pick her up.

On the way home staring out the window Pamela Temitope vowed a vow; cheating with Nina is something she will never forgive him for.

Never!

*****

Pamela was lying on her side in their big comfy bed when the door of their bedroom was pushed open. She listened to him change his clothe, take a shower and the rest of his nightly routine before coming to bed.

Immediately Chris lied on his side of the bed she broke the silence.

"Know this now Ayomide if you ever cheat on me with Nina I don't think ill ever be able to forgive you, because you will have done it willingly."

That was the big warning.