Rude Awakening

No he didn't!

My dearest Rodney,

This little gift is a small representation of how much I adore you and glad that you came into my life. To many days ahead together filled with bliss and laughter. Happy valentine's day sweets.

With love,

Caro(Wifey)

Ria read the words scribbled on the little piece of paper with shaky hands. She was cleaning up the kitchen at the new house they had got with Rod when a gift bag fell and the contents of it being this little piece of paper. Evidence. She had gotten her hands on proof that Rodney was seeing other people behind her back. Cheating is one thing Ria had swore never to forgive if she found out. Rumour or hearsay wouldn't phase her but proof! That's where she drew the line.

She felt a chocking sensation in her throat with a little nausea. Rod was in the other room blabbing about a certain contestant on American idol. She knew she had to maintain her composure. Outbursts had never helped anyone. Ever! She was not about to be seen as a crazy woman throwing tantrums around.

She pocketed the piece of paper and went on cooking. She as well went ahead to sit with Rod and join in on his banters about the different contestants on T.V. Deep inside she was filled with fury that kept on fading into disappointment and filth, and then the little pieces of a suppressed self esteem started to creep up her spine to her mind.

"I must really not be good enough." She thought. "This is probably why he did this."

She brushed the feeling off all too quickly though.

"No. I cannot continue to blame myself for the inconsiderate actions of other people. I am much better than all this. I need to remove myself from this situation."

She watched him keenly while he took spoonfuls and chewed and swallowed till the last bit of rice on his plate. Her own food she ate slow claiming it was the instant satiety that comes with being a chef.

"I skipped classes to spend time with this doucebag. I gave him my body. I stayed honest and true all through and this is how I get paid. Yes, all my friends saw through his facade and warned me of him not being what he claims to be. Constantly projecting and blaming me for occasional eye sore of situations in our relationship. case in point, that one time he was all flirty with my cousin Lynn. Some thing must have happened between them both."

All the thoughts and recollections were coming to her like a flood. She had allowed herself to act naive and oblivious of the obvious things that should have prompted her to go.

"Babe, you good?" Rod asked Ria after he was done with his food. "The food was great as always. Thank you for existing," he added.

"I am glad you liked it," she responded "on that light note, who is Caro?" she added while watching his face and body language.

He gulped, took a deep breath, lost at the game of blink or lose as his hands started to sweat involuntarily. He had been caught with just one question. The haste in his reaction was proof enough that this love interest of his was not just a fling. It was serious and fast for him to catch. It was going on for a while. The valentine's gift was from a year ago, and it seemed till that time, they were very much hooking up.

"Caro is a friend," he finally found his words, still failing to maintain eye contact.

"A friend that you call wifey?" Ria reiterated

"Well yeah. It's an inside joke. You can ask my boys aswell."

He started fidgeting to make calls so that his male friends could bail him out. The thing with male friends though is that they will always be an alibi to their own. Ria had nothing else to hear. She picked her bag, touched up her make up and left.

17 missed calls.

That's the many times Rodney tried to reach out to her to try to get her to listen to him.

Ria was in hibernation unsure of how she felt. At a point she was surprised at how little it hurt.

"Should I say I checked out of the relationship but wasn't being honest with myself?" she thought.

It would be a normal reaction to feel angry. very angry. She felt betrayed yes but angry! no. That emotion was non-existent. She even started to feel guilty for not feeling that way. Was she riding along too? Was she really a victim if it didn't hurt?

"What's up?" Celine asked on the other line of the phone.

"I ended things, with Rod. He cheated."

"Oh love! we all knew he was shady honestly this doesn't come as a surprise."

"I don't feel that hurt. Is it okay to feel like this? Can I feel like this?"

"Baby your mind already knew what your heart didn't. Give yourself grace. It is okay and you will be okay. I am always here."

"Thanks Cel."

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