Her regrets
1902 Words
“He r***d you?!” Rita’s dismayed voice sounded in the living room. She was sitting on the couch with Melisa who was weeping uncontrollably.
“How..how did it happen? I don’t get it. He was supposed to have s*x with you, not r**e you. Why did he r**e you?” She asked in disbelief.
“I wanted to pull out. I wasn’t interested in the deal any longer. I mean, I couldn’t let that guy get in between my legs. He’s a maniac!” She screamed.
“You wanted to pull out?” Rita asked in shock.
“Yes! I couldn’t do it! I couldn’t cheat on Daren!” She cried as she looked at Rita's face angrily.
Rita sighed and looked away.
“But you weren’t supposed to pull out,” she lamented, scratching her hair.
“Why?! Do you think it was easy in the first place trying to cheat on Daren?!” Melisa slammed, her body shaking violently.
“No, but you should have made up your mind before going. I guess you made him angry,” she said in a calm tone.
“Angry? I paid him his f*****g money and why should he be angry?!” She flared as her eyes turned red.
“You paid him and he r***d you?!” She asked in surprise.
“Yes! Oh, Rita, I’m finished,'' Melisa cried out and began to weep again.
“Babe, calm down. I never knew Jerry would be that violent. I’m so sorry. I will visit him tomorrow and make him smell his ass!” She said angrily.
“I’m finished. How do I explain this to Daren? How do I tell him that I tried to cheat on him and ended up being r***d?” She cried.
“It’s okay, you didn’t try to cheat on him. You tried to help him out and then this happened,” Rita consoled as she placed a hand on her shoulder.
“No, I didn’t try to help him.What was I even thinking?” She cried as she placed a palm on her face.
“It’s enough, baby. You will get over this,” Rita consoled as she moved closer to her.
“But right now, no one should hear of this. It should remain a secret between us,” she advised.
Melisa kept silent and sniffed as she looked away from her face. How long was she going to keep it a secret? She thought to herself.
*
She waited till nightfall before driving into the mansion. As she stepped into the foyer, she found the whole place quiet and she knew everyone must have retired to their rooms.
She stopped for a moment as she wiped her face thoroughly with her palm. Daren mustn't notice anything, she said to herself as she sniffed and proceeded to the stairs.
The lights were off as she stepped into the room. She turned on the switch and the lights came on. She could see Daren sleeping peacefully on the bed with the duvet shielding his body.
He was awoken by the ray of light that shone on his face and he yawned and turned on the bed slowly. He pulled a surprised face as he saw Melisa standing before the bed, staring at him.
“Love,” he called anxiously, sitting up right.
“Hi..um..Love,” she muttered and tucked her hair behind her ears. She turned away as she saw him approaching.
“What took you so long? I’ve been calling all day,” he said anxiously, taking hold of her palm.
“Um..it’s Rita,um..she..we both went to get her supplies..yes..and the goods were delayed at the wharf,” she stammered.
He paused for a moment as he stared deep into her face.
“Are you okay? You don’t seem alright,” he said and touched her cheek.
“I’m..I’m fine,” she stammered while trying to avoid his gaze.
“Why are your eyes sore?” He asked grumpily.
“Daren, I’m tired. I need to take my bath and go to bed,” she said tiredly.
“What about dinner?” He asked as she walked away from him.
“I had dinner at Rita’’s place,” she said as she headed to the bathroom immediately.
He sighed and sat on the bed as she walked away. It seems like she’s been crying for long,he thought.
“Oh God, please make Melisa pregnant. I’m tired of seeing her tears,” he prayed silently.
*
She immersed herself in the bubbles and she stayed still with her head resting on the jacuzzi. She burst into tears as she recalled the day’s saga and she couldn’t seem to get it off her head. She thought of Daren and her tears worsened. Is it worth telling him the truth? How would he react? She asked herself.
She knew he was short tempered and she was scared of his reactions. He might do something stupid and she might end up losing him. What if he finds out on his own? She thought again and her heart cringed.
Daren laid on the bed anxiously waiting for her to step out of the bathroom. She was taking so much longer than usual and he was beginning to get scared. He sat up right and removed the duvet from his waist.
He was about to step out, when he saw her stepping out of the bathroom with a white towel tied across her chest.
“Love, you got me scared,” he said as he watched her walk to the mirror.
She didn’t respond and his eyes trailed after her to the armchair where she sat, applying lotion on her smooth fair skin.
“Are you alright? You're still angry about last night?” He asked.
“My love, I’m fine. Why will I be angry about last night?” She asked without turning to look at him.
He heaved a sigh and continued to stare at her body. She stood up and walked over to the wardrobe. She returned to the bed, wearing a red silky nightwear.
He watched her step into the bed and she laid facing the opposite side. She tried to pull the duvet over her body but he took hold of her hand.
He leaned by her side and planted kisses on her neck.
“Stop..stop..Love, I’m tired,” she complained as she pushed his face away.
He stopped and laid on the bed, staring at the ceiling.
“You missed dinner with the family. Mom and grandmother were asking after you,” he said, rather angrily.
“Does it matter? I’ve always been around, having dinner with them,” she said in a rather high tone.
He paused for a while and stared at her face in surprise. No, Melisa is not okay, he convinced himself.
“Love,” he called.
“Yes,”she answered grumpily.
“Talk to me, what’s the problem?” He inquired as he turned to face her.
“Sleep. Sleep is my problem and I need it right now,” she said as she pulled the duvet over her body.
He kept silent as he watched her sleep. This was quite unusual of her and it sure didn’t sit well with him. Whatever the problem is, he hopes she is fine, he said to himself as he turned to the other side of the bed and shut his eyes.
A MONTH LATER
It was a cool evening and the strong breeze from the beach swept across the rooftop where they both sat, drinking as they looked into the sandy beach where a few people were catching fun.
“So, what have you noticed about her lately?” The dark skinned man, in white top and black pants asked as he looked at Daren who was dressed in a blue vintage top and shorts. He seemed lost with his eyes fixed on the sea.
“Evan, Melisa is changing to what I can’t explain. She is acting cold, she locks herself up in her room, and she avoids practically every member of the family.
She only comes out during mealtime. But the rest of the day, she’s always locked up in her room,” he related.
“Wow, the once cheerful Melisa acting all cold?” Evan asked with a chuckle.
“I don’t get it. Something’s definitely wrong. And I guess it had to do with the last time she visited Rita,” he replied.
“So, have you tried speaking with Rita?” Evan asked.
“No, but I’m planning to,” he replied.
“I could have asked Toyosi to intervene. You know, my wife is a very decisive woman and she might be of help to Lisa,” Evan said as he threw a piece of nut in his mouth.
Daren chuckled and sipped his beer.
“You know they both never got along during school days,” he said and Evan smiled.
“Yes, and I don’t know why. Toyo doesn’t know why the ladies don't relate with her. I guess it’s because of her poor background,” he said and Daren laughed.
“Hm..when I asked Lisa about it, she said something like that. But I guess that was her youthfulness speaking through her head by then,” he said with a chuckle.
“Hmm,” Evan muttered. “So, talking about the company, what are you intending to do about it?” He asked.
“Nothing. If Melisa gets pregnant, it’s fine. If she doesn’t, it’s fine by me too,” he said and Evan smiled.
“You really love Lisa so much,” he said.
“She’s my life. I don’t care about giving up everything just so I could be with my woman freely,” he said.
“I believe everything will be fine, Daren. Just be patient, and it will yield results,” he advised and Daren nodded with a smile.
“Oh, Toyo’s calling,” Evan said as he picked up his phone.
“Dear, where are you? The soldiers you left behind are tormenting me,” her tired voice sounded from the phone.
He laughed and looked at Daren who was smiling.
“Oh, my poor wife. Hey soldiers, do not kill my wife before I return!” He shouted into the phone and they all laughed.
Daren kept silent with a wry smile on his face as he watched Evan speaking to his sons on the phone. Evan is a proud father of two sons and from what he’s seen so far, everything is going so perfectly in his life.
As he heard the kid’s voices, his heart sank and he wondered if a day would come when he would be a father just like Evan.
He felt his eyes well up but then he saw Evan turning to him and he concealed the tears immediately.
“Toyo must be handling a lot over there,” he said with a forced smile on his face.
“Yes, I’m so proud of that woman. She has been amazing,” Evan replied proudly.
Daren nodded and picked up his face cap on the table.
“I need to go home now. It’s getting late,” he said.
“Yes, me too. And please try to have a deep conversation with your wife tonight,” he advised and Daren nodded.
- Writer
