Chapter 37: Chapter 37

: Her third wheel

Pamela

5 months later

Exhaustion. It was my present state of mind, body and soul.

I started working with St Nicholas hospital Victoria Island Lagos one  month ago. It was the biggest private hospital in Lagos state.

And I applied for surgical residency in Germany. Although you haven't spoken to Chris about it, our marriage moved so fast alongside having kids now that the twins were 2 years and 6 months old. I wanted to pursue my dream of being a cardiothoracic surgeon. Although I haven't talked to Chris about I pray he doesn't make a fuss about it.

"Bebe" an annoying baritone voice called out much too loudly.

"Shola" I responded rolling my eyes.

Shola was as brilliant double board certified oncologist and hematologist.

He was a bad ass!

Shola was very annoying he had an habit of calling me bebe instead of my real name which never stops to annoy Chris, or the way he curved his arm on my shoulder whenever he wanted to be naughty. All this apart he was brilliant, funny and kind to me. He was slowly becoming my doctor friend if I look pass his shortcomings.

"Leaving already?" He asked.

"Yep" I replied popping the P sound loudly.

I want you to see something he said tugging at my arm slightly and pulling me in the direction of his office.

"Nope Shola! its 9pm all I want to do is go home and sleep" Pulling my arm out of his grasp and walking the way of the door.

"Pretty please na" he whined.

Having spent most of his life away from the Nigeria the idiot did not know he was too close in comfort to a married woman without arousing the other health workers gossip.

Ben; my tall hunk of bodyguard steeped forward a scowl on his face.

"Please unhand her" he said with no emotions.

"Wow back down. Big man, we were only trying to have a conversation" pulling me in his direction again.

The glint that entered Bens eyes made me know things were about to hit sideways soon.

"Its fine Ben" I whispered.

"Come on you annoying leech" I said to Ben dragging the stethoscope around his neck a little to tightly.

We entered his office with Ben at our tail but waiting at the door of the office.

"Guess what" the drama king sighed again.

"Say it already I am dead beat tired Shola!" I replied gruffly.

"Fine you are so boring" rolling his eyes for a dramatic effect.

"Dear Mr Shola Awotidebe. You are invited to represent your board to the national doctors in view conference New Zealand. Alongside this conference the twins with a conjoined Heart surgery will be taking place for review of the process. Wanna come?" He asked winking at me.

"It’s a lie! Do we get front row seats? Wait you are not even a surgeon? How did you get invited?" I shrieked out all at once.

"Of course I am! I only stopped performing surgeries after my since Linda died. I am a certified neurosurgeon and with one of the biggest contribution to modern craniotomy." Sadness filling his usually playful eyes.

"Wow! I never knew that. You always looked happy and vibrant I am sorry for your loss Shola. I admire your brilliance. Leaving surgery to become double board certified hematologist and oncologist is not a small feat."

He tried to cover up his sadness with his usual arrogant smile but I saw through it now.

"She had osteosarcoma. Which is why I choose oncology and hematology you see. Because as a surgeon what good did I do for the woman I loved more than life itself!" A faraway glossy sheen shone brightly.

"You are doing great" I encouraged wrapping my slender fingers around his that sat on the table.

It was now I noticed the wedding band. He always wore it was why he never seemed fazed every time people thought anything could happen between us both.

In his heart he was still married to her.

It’s funny how we see people differently when we left our high horses and judged less. To each man his scar, to each friend his woe. You never truly know the depth of another's character until you take a dive in. It dawned on me right there!

For a while after that he showed me pictures of her and videos of some of his old surgeries. He was super gifted! The way his hand moved at such age was a miracle.

We got lost in our own surgical world and I noticed how much he missed it. 2 hours later his voice cut through my intense concentration.

"So would you like to go? He asked "I would love to" I replied.

"Okay then get ready we leave in a weeks’ time. I checked the email late, have a lovely night rest Temitope, you light and kindness is immense and it drew me to you nothing more nothing less. Which is why I insist on calling you bebe, like a small younger one. You remind me so much of her, go home to your husband now it’s getting late” smiling sadly.

"Night big bro," I answered waving my hand at him.

Ben looked worried when I got out especially when he saw the sad look in my eyes. Throughout the ride back home, I couldn’t help but imagine how empty and sad my life will be without Chris. Imagine building your whole life around someone then watch it crash as a pack of cards.

How terrible is it to love something that death can touch.

I rested my head on the glass widow and the bright yellow street light bathed me in its warm ambience. The drive home was quiet. Ben was more like a shadow blending in during work and barely noticeable but he drove me to and fro work at times.

"Are you okay?" He asked as he drove into the compound, I nodded my reply to him.

*****

I opened the door with my own key the weight of today's activities heavy on me.

"Where have you been Pamela? Shifts close at 8 it’s few minutes to 12 already" Chris voice cut in from the dark. He was sitting in the darkness there waiting.

I could hear the anger in his voice, and I tried not making it worse. His voice was a clipped modulated tone, but his eyes were boring hole in my head.

"Sorry I got caught up in something. Why are you sitting in the dark like a thief?" I finished lightly trying to lighten the mood.

"Caught up in what exactly Pamela? I have been home since seven. Take your time to explain it to me."

"Please Ayomi don't make a big deal out of this! Nothing of sort will happen next time.” I moved towards him to kiss him but he adjusted, dodging my kiss and instead of making a big deal that he just avoided my kiss, I dumped al my bags and made for the stairs.

"You haven't answered my question, better still let me rephrase. What exactly was going on between you and that lanky guy with his unconnected beards?" His voice taking another higher notch.

I would have laughed at his reference to Shola’s beard if he wasn’t questioning me like a kid. Blood pumped into my  ears when I heard that statement. "Firstly tone your voice down the kids are sleeping. So the supposed bodyguard which is for my safety is to keep tabs on me right. To check whether your wife is faithful or what?" I hissed this time and started climbing the stairs taking it two at a time. He followed me up intent on continuing the conversation in the room.

I stripped off everything I wore dumping it into a grey basket that sat beside the closet door. Immediately after, I went to take a quick shower slamming the door in his face. When I returned I met Chris sitting o the edge of the bed with his legs crossed over another. The white tee he had on looked ripped on his chest and he looked really sexy right now with fire in his brown eyes. right now all she wanted was a massage and some good cuddling, was that too much to ask for?

She changed wordlessly and made to get a quick sandwich or fruit downstairs as her dinner but he had other plans for her.

"Are you having an affair with him because I don't seem to understand you lately?" He asked raking his hands in his hair nervously.

The hypocritical nerve of this man. Why is it impossible for him to just be a male friend but him having female friend "Nina" was normal.

"Whatever answer that suits you choose it to that question. By the way I want all those bodyguards gone tomorrow. At least this way I'll have more time to spend with my numerous lovers."

The entire mood for food was gone and I trudged to bed pulling the blanket over my head instantly and killing all room lights.

********

I woke up sharply knowing something was amiss. It was 10am in the morning.

The twins!

I made to get up until, he said "They have eaten, showered and are playing leggos downstairs."

"Okay." I replied refusing to add thanks. Wondering why he wasn't st work yet. I was on afternoon duty at the clinic.

"Come down and eat breakfast. We need to talk" Walking out of the room.

"Well he thinks he can just order me after saying something so horrible last night. He was in for some rude shock.

I stayed in for an hour more till my stomach grumbled in hunger.

After freshening up, I went down for breakfast.

Chris was sitting at the breakfast bar in the kitchen, sipping a cup of probably hot cocoa and scrolling up on his iPad.

"Good morning” He said without raising his head from the tablet to look at me.

Still giving me attitude I see?

"Morning" I replied.

Inside the microwave was my breakfast which I devoured quickly.

I poured my self some hot cocoa also and made to leave when his voice stopped me on my tracks.

"Residency in Germany?" He asked raising one of his brows as he did, his mouth set in a grim line.

Phew! Now I knew what last night was about.

"I was going to tell you honey." I said calmly.

"When ? Am I a second thought to you Pamela, did it occur to you to tell me before you even made an application. We are supposed to be partners in decision making" he said bitterly.

"I know okay, and I'm sorry I just didn't want your answer to be no. I want to do a residency in surgery and definitely not here in Nigeria ".

"Suit yourself," he said and moved to leave.

"That's all you'll say to me?" I asked bewildered.

"What else? Will my opinion even count. Will you not go if I tell you not to? Why bother" he said in a rush.

"Ayomi na! It’s not like that. I care about your choices, I really do."

"Then why do you always do this?" Gesticulating with his hands as he spoke.

"Shola texted you this morning. He sent the plan of a one week conference in New Zealand explain that?"

"Wait, are you reading my texts? Ayomide what gave you the right to do so without asking. Oh, so this is about how you want to check If I am cheating on you or not abi" my anger rising too. The hurt of last night coming back like a wave, I had tossed and turned for hours last night without being able to sleep.

"Don't raise your voice at me Temitope. I didn't mean what I said last night but answer my question"

Respect your husband Temitope. Serve him, respect him!

My mind chanted remembering my mother’s main advice. I took a deep breath determining to start this conversation again and on the right foot. This man didn’t even give me my usual forehead kiss today how won’t I keep getting irritated? Well, Shouting like this won't change anything so I should seat and discuss it like a matured person. Even though reading my messages behind my back was as immature and insecure as I could think right now, it’s not like I had anything to hide or we didn’t have an pen relationship.

So I sat and said "He told me about the conference last night after my shift. Which is why I haven't told you there is no scheme there, it’s also why I came home late last night.. No I am not cheating on you, Ade mi(my king) where is this coming from? Germany was not a decided choice I just applied it on a whim one day in the hospital. I want to be a surgeon I won't deny that, but I will love for us to discuss that as a family, where to get my residency done and how we are going to cope." I explained as calmly as I could coming to sit on the coffee table staring a him.

"Okay. But you are not going to that conference Temitope, there is no way I am sending you half across the world with that man."

Calm down Temitope Pamela Olugbenga. I chanted in my mind.

I tried to be calm I really did, but the nerve of this man to add with "that man".

How can someone be so hypocritical?

"What man?” chuckling as if he cracked a joke.

“Don’t act dumb.” He answered rolling his eyes.

Babe, Are you kidding me? This will be a life changing experience for me, it’s not as if I am going on a vacation with him. I am going to world class doctors where I am not even qualified to go if he didn't invite me." I tried to reason with him again.

"I said no Temitope. So you just want to leave the twins at home and go." He added quite nonchalantly.

But dear God, you see I’m trying to reason with this man right, and he insists on being so difficult and controlling? And you see that I’m almost at my limit right?

"No I won't be leaving them alone, you'll take care of them you'll have help from your mum, the cleaners will clean the house daily." Trying but failing to control myself as I got up from the table raising my voice.

"I don't want you to go alone with him and that's final, if it as you said that my opinion and choice count" he got up as he finished speaking.

My anger reached the peak here "Christopher you are being hypocritical, so you can go on and on about with Nina for work purposes no matter how much I complain but now it’s my turn and you wouldn't allow it. I would love for you to agree with me on this, but I don’t need your permission you know."

"It’s not the same and you know it."

"What's the difference? She is your lawyer, she is like a sister to you. Well news flash; he is my widowed friend, and a brother in medicine and I am going. I repeat I am going," hissing and walking away before the argument escalated beyond this.

*****

Five days later.

Pamela packed her bag, carefully arranging dresses into the box that was at the edge of the bed.On the other side lay her annoying husband looking at her, intermittently pressing his phone and having his mouth pressed down in a grim line.

He was angry! His entire position was taut with anger. He had been walking on eggshells with her for the last five days, angry at her for every little thing.

Well that was his personal business as she whistled happily singing praises. Nothing was going to spoil her mood not even him.

After spending the day cooking different stews, souls and meat, going to the market and stocking the freezer. All he had to do was pick and microwave.

She had a bath and prepared for bed, she tool her time to pray for her husband and kids.

Putting off the light and whispering goodnight, she felt his hands on her and she knew what he wanted. She was too tired for it, but she had no choice so as not to widen the rift between them.

She let him have his fill of her body after which he turned his back on her.

He was being unnecessarily difficult and hurting her.

******

Chris

She was sleeping. He knew from the rise and Fall of her chest and the evenness of her breaths.

He didn't want her to go!

He knew he was being unreasonable but he was scared and for once insecure. He knew how special she was and couldn't afford loosing her to another man or even sharing her.

So instead of sharing his fears he acts like an ass.

He should be cuddling her right now, relishing in the warmth of her body before she left for a whole week.

It was just as week, so why was he so bothered. He had spent longer times away from home and she had managed alone.

The fact was he had never being home without her.

Not once in their three(3) years of marriage. She was always there.

She had a frown even in her sleep a and he hated it. He moved closer to her wrapping her body with his and a soft sigh left her mouth.

He missed this for the last five days at least not tonight too.

*****

He stood in the airport Tarmac with her waiting for their flights to be called in. The other man was here too and he refused to acknowledge Hus presence.

Jealousy makes grown men acts like kids.

He held her close while she carried the twins until it was time for them to leave.

Ella cried and even Daniels eyes watered, while she left.

The next 1 week was going to be a journey for us all.

******

Another one ooo. Something big is coming all this leaps in time is a ploy to make our two time lines meet.

The next