Chapter 2
1017 Words
I hurriedly turned to see who it was and was taken aback to find Cornellia Jack. I turned back and covered my face in shame. Both the shame I had brought upon myself and the one that was about to happen.
"Good evening, Miss Alicia," she said.
"Good evening, Cornellia," I replied, feigning a smile and keeping my calm.
My mind wandered among many things, not knowing which to settle for.
John had earlier said he wasn't interested in the pregnancy, and as if that wasn't enough, his secretary, Cornellia, was here too. I tried fighting the thought of something happening between them, but it appeared facts were already defeating the lies I was cooking up in my head.
I looked at John, hoping to get some answers, but he remained mute and was enjoying the caresses Cornellia was doing to his body.
"She's just my secretary." Those were his responses each time I questioned his closeness to her.
I was ready to cause a scene because the one playing in front of me was wetting my eyes and stirring my adrenaline.
"John, please, could you tell your secretary to excuse us? We were discussing before she walked in". My eyes were fixed on him to observe his every reaction.
At this point, it began raining fiercely.
The confusion written on his face could be noticed even by a toddler. Anyone who walked in at that very moment would indeed admit to the fact that there was tension everywhere.
"I thought you said she was your secretary?"
"She's still my secretary, Alicia."
"Does her job description also include coming to your house late and throwing herself at you?"
"I-----" stuttered.
"Babe," Cornellia called. "I think it's time we let the cat out of the bad and tell everyone who cares to know the truth."
"Don't--- she---' John tried stopping her.
"John and I have been having an affair for about 3 months now," he said.
I lost my balance and composure at that point and began staggering. The tears that were hanging beneath my eyelids gained freedom and rolled down my cheeks effortlessly.
"John," I called, weakly casting a glance at him. "Is this true?"
I was not quite sure of an answer, but for the sake of formality, I asked.
"You know what, John, choose your woman."
I couldn't believe I could stoop so low to ask a man to choose between another woman and me. But what could I do? I had loved John as long as I could remember, and losing him, especially in this way, wasn't an option. It was usual for men to cheat, and I was ready to forgive him and act like none of it ever happened. The ball was in his court.
A long intermediary silence occurred, and I had promised myself I wasn't going to say anything until someone else's did.
After a while, John walked towards Cordelia, planted a peck on her cheek, and grabbed her by the waist.
That alone was his answer, and I was going nuts already. I was angry, sad, hurt, and broken all at the same time.
"John, how could you?" I cried unashamedly. "I've given you three years of my life, and this is how it all ends."
"I'm sorry, Alicia."
I realised how much of a fool I had been. I hurried, got my bag, and made my way to leave. I walked out of the door and met the rain. I had planned on sleeping over at his place, and I had no money left. It was late at night, and there wasn't going to be a place to withdraw.
A long intermediary silence occurred, and I had promised myself I wasn't going to say anything until someone else's did.
After a while, John walked towards Cordelia, planted a peck on her cheek, and grabbed her by the waist.
That alone was his answer, and I was going nuts already. I was angry, sad, hurt, and broken all at the same time.
"John, how could you?" I cried unashamedly. "I've given you three years of my life, and this is how it all ends."
"I'm sorry, Alicia."
I realised how much of a fool I had been. I hurried, got my bag, and made my way to leave. I walked out of the door and met the rain. I had planned on sleeping over at his place, and I had no money left. It was late at night, and there wasn't going to be a place to withdraw.
After much debating, I entered the rain and headed home.
My life took a different turn after that day. I became traumatised and lost my job, and during all of this, John never called or dropped a text message, nor did he make an attempt to explain himself.
It took a while for me to finally accept that he chose another woman over me without thinking twice. I had given three years of my life to him, and it ended in a way I least expected.
I was ashamed and barely went out for weeks. Mom had to travel all the way down to help me through my pregnancy journey. Never for once did she criticise or judge me, not like she could even.
Finally, I gave birth to a girl, and strangely, I loved her passionately. I named her Juanita, and she was rapidly growing tall, just like her dad.
After a while, I decided to have a change of environment, and I flew out of the country to stay with a friend. A new environment, people, etc. was what I needed to do to help me forget everything that had transpired between John and me and, most importantly, start afresh.
Fast forward to now, and I'm finally able to get the broken pieces of my life back together. They say "time heals," and my life has slowly become that reality. I had gotten a new SIM card to help me lose all means of ever reaching John.
I was ready to start afresh, with or without John in it.
- Writer
