In Cape town
1510 Words
The heavy breeze from the sea blew over the tall curtains on the walls. With the sun shining radiantly, they stood by the windows gazing at the rocky sea which was distances away from the house. They could see a few people walking to and fro at the sandy shore, including fishermen who were preparing their nets to be cast into the sea.
“Nice view you’ve got here,” Daren said to his wife who was standing beside him with her face beaming with a smile.
“I’ve always loved this place. Dad and I usually come over here for vacations when I was still so young,” she said with her voice spilling emotions.
He sighed and took hold of her hand.
“I’m sorry for everything I’ve put you through,” he said as he looked at her face.
“Daren, you should stop saying that. We’ve always stuck together despite the challenges and I know you will always be here for me,” she said with a wry smile on her lips.
He heaved a sigh and walked slowly to her back. He stood behind her and wrapped his arms around her waist with his head resting on her left shoulder.
“I love you, Melisa. And I’m forever going to be here by your side, no matter what happens,'' he whispered into her ears.
Her eyes welled up and she gulped as she recalled the r**e event. She looked down at her pregnancy and her heart became heavy. Would Daren still stick to her when the whole truth finally surfaces? She thought as the tears streamed down her face.
“Love,” he called as he saw her tears.
She sniffed and turned to face him with her heart racing so fast.
“Love, promise me you’re never going to leave me no matter what happens in the future,” she said amidst sobs
He touched her cheek and licked his lips as he looked into her eyes.
“Love, you think I will ever leave you? Nothing can separate us right now except death,” he said with all seriousness.
“What if you found out I did something despicable?” She asked in tears.
He kept silent with his mouth partly opened. He could still see the tears dripping down her face and he wondered what was wrong.
Her gaze lowered to the floor as she didn’t get a reply from him. Right now, she doesn’t know whether to tell him the truth or not. How was he going to react? Was the question that sounded in her head.
He licked his lips and took hold of her hands. He was about to speak when a dark slim young girl walked into the living room.
“Thandi,” they both called as they looked at the girl who was smiling at them. She was dressed in casual blue jeans and white long sleeve top, with her black hair packed in twos.
“I’m done arranging the room,” she spoke with humility.
“Oh, thanks a lot. I really appreciate your effort, Thandi. I know with you, I have nothing to worry about my wife,” Daren said with a smile and Melisa nodded in approval.
“Um.. I will leave now and return later in the day. I want to help my mom out in the shop. We will both return later in the day,” she said.
“Ok, my regards to her and the rest of the aunties,” Melisa said and she nodded with a smile.
“Here,” Daren offered her a few notes of money.
“Thank you sir,” she said with humility as she took the money from him.
As soon as she left, he turned over to his wife.
“I will be coming to check on you every three months,” he said as they walked to the long ashes coloured couch.
“That will be nice. You just have to be careful when you get back to Nigeria,” she said as she sat on the couch.
“Sure, I will. You have to be strong for me,” he said as he sat beside her.
“I will,” she assured with a wry smile on her lips.
He smiled and pecked her cheek.
“So, how about I prepare you a delicious lunch before leaving for Nigeria?” He asked and she giggled.
“Please do, baby and I are both hungry,” she said and he stood up exuberantly.
“Relax, Daddy’s got you both,” he said with a charming smile on his face as he walked away.
She heaved a sigh as she laid on the couch. She could hear Daren’s voice from the kitchen and a smile appeared on her face. She loved him so much and she doesn’t think it’s a wise thing to let him know the truth. Like Rita had said, a lot of women die with such secrets and maybe she was going to be among them. Daren is never going to find out, she thought as she caressed her tummy.
6 MONTHS LATER.
“Hold on, I’m coming,” she voiced out as she walked down the wooden stairs slowly. She could still hear the knock as she walked over to the door and she frowned while wondering who could be knocking so clumsily.
As she opened the door, her mouth dropped open, seeing Daren standing in front of the door with a small bag hung on his shoulder. He removed his sunglasses and a smile flashed across his lips, exposing his white set of teeth.
“Love!” She cried in excitement and jumped on his body immediately.
They both laughed as he held her tightly in his hands while she buried her head in his shoulder.
“Hey, you’re so heavy now,'' he pointed as he looked at her huge baby bump.
She sighed tiredly and licked her lips with one hand on her waist.
“I’m so tired, the baby has refused to come out,” she lamented as they walked into the house.
“Or maybe she is waiting for daddy to come see her again,” he said with a smile while walking behind her.
She sat on the couch tiredly and he stood before her, smiling as he saw how chubby she was looking.
“My baby girl is harsh. Look what she did to you. She made you look so chubby and old,” he mocked and dropped his bag.
She burst into laughter and sighed heavily.
“I’m so tired, I can’t wait for her to come out. She’s wearing me out,” she lamented and he smiled.
He knelt before her and rubbed his palm on her bumps.
“She’s moving,” he said as he looked up to her face.
“Yes, she’s very smart. She recognizes your voice already,” she said with a smile.
“Baby, daddy’s home,” he said while placing his head on her bumps.
She laughed and s*****d his head.
“You came unexpectedly,” she said.
“I wanted to surprise you,” he said as he rose and sat on the couch.
“How’s everyone in Nigeria?” She asked.
“They’re all fine. Mom and grandma are planning to come over here,” he revealed.
Her eyes bulged.
“See, they care about you a lot,” he said and she shook her head.
“They care about their unborn child, not me,” she refuted.
He kept silent and smiled wryly.
“Where is Thandi?” He asked.
“She left not long ago. She and her mother have been a great help to me,” she said and he nodded.
“I owe them a lot,” he said.
“How about Dotun and his wife?” She asked.
“Well, everything has been normal. Things are just as you left it,” he said.
“I missed you. What did you buy for me?” She asked as she reached for his bag.
“Nothing much, the doctor warned that you should reduce sugar, so I decided to buy you low sugar beverages,” he said.
She frowned as she looked at him.
“You know what my cravings are,” she said and he laughed.
“Come, let me make you something delicious. After that, I will make you feel like a woman. Oh, I’ve missed my woman so much,” he cried in ecstasy as he stood up.
She pouted her lips as he spoke.
“Come here, I’ve missed you so much, baby,” he said and pulled her up slowly.
“Love, I’m tired,” she complained as he led her to the stairs while planting kisses on her neck.
“The doctor says it’s good for you,” he said.
“Hmm, but I’m tired,” she lamented and he chuckled as he helped her up the stairs and led her to the room.
- Writer
