WHEN THE RAIN STOPS FALLING.

EPISODE 20:THE COLD SILENCE

I didn't get any sleep that evening. I waited for a knock that never came while fully clothed on the couch. Every hour that went by, every time I thought about Emeka's expression when he saw me with Chike, made my heart race. I saw more than just pain in his eyes; there was more. disappointment. Someone who had only been patient with me had been harmed by me. And the kiss happened even though I knew I hadn't intended it to. Emeka had also witnessed it.

My flat was so quiet by morning that it was intolerable. I attempted to phone him. Once, twice. Five times. Nothing. His number went directly to voicemail with the sixth call. I felt like screaming. I wanted to explain that Chike had caught me at the worst possible time and that I was confused and vulnerable. that the kiss didn't make me feel anything genuine. It only confirmed what I already knew, which was that I didn't want Chike.

Emeka was what I desired. However, it was too late. ⸻ I wasn't even certain he would be at his flat when I arrived. However, I could hear the faint hum of a football game on TV, and the lights were on. With a pounding heart, I knocked. No answer. I knocked once more. "Please, Emeka. It's me. Nothing has changed. "Just give me a moment to explain!" The door creaked open at last, but only halfway. His arms were folded across his chest as he stood there, his expression unreadable. He responded icily, "You don't have to explain." "I had enough to see." I hurried out and said, "It wasn't what you think." "It was an error. A second. He gave me a kiss—

Emeka interrupted, his voice piercing and impersonal, "And you let him." My throat was dry as I gazed at him. "I withdrew." "However, you failed to stop it before it began." His remarks struck me squarely in the chest. I blurted out, my hurt erupting, "I thought you were with Ifunanya." "I noticed you two. I'm laughing. So near. I wondered if I was deluding myself about us. "You believed that I would betray you?" His voice was tinged with subdued anger as he asked. "After everything? Amaka, you didn't believe me.

I suppressed my tears. I went into a panic. I let past hurts to occupy my thoughts. But I love you, Emeka. Yes, I do. He didn't recoil. He simply gazed at me, his eyes filled with an unidentified substance. "I told you once—I'm not here to replace your past," he continued after pausing. With you, I come to create something new. But perhaps you're not prepared for what might be if you're still dwelling on the past and considering what might have been. My mouth opened, but nothing came out. He retreated inside and gradually shut the door behind him. The quiet seemed final this time, not just icy.