Beneath the same roof

Chapter 5

Without a word, Daniel walked out; the guilt and shame spoke volumes. He knew what he had done, his mind going back and forth about what his wife would do if she found out, what would become of his marriage?. A temptation that lasted a few minutes could destroy his entire marriage. Rushing back to the office for the important meeting he had come to fetch the files for, Daniel was not entirely in the meeting; he couldn't help but wonder about the outcomes of what had just happened. He kept asking himself, "Was this planned all along? , am I that stupid?Am I really losing my marriage? Mara, whom he once saw as an innocent friend, was now seen for who she really is. He resented her for a while, contemplating what had just happened. In the heat of the moment, a decision was taken that could ruin everything for him.Daniel really loved his wife, and losing her was not something he had imagined. It had never become a possibility until now. The questions kept coming to his mind: what was to become of him? Would his wife understand and forgive? , or would he have to face the bitter consequences of his actions?. Whatever the outcome would be left him numb.He had been a faithful man who never had any affairs and never wanted another woman until now, his hands sweating as he kept playing with his pen during their meeting, his colleague noticed that he had been distracted and asked for a short break so they could have a conversation.Daniel couldn't deny the obvious suggestion; he couldn't help but confess what he had done. He needed to tell someone, to take this heavy burden off his chest; he had to have someone to carry this load with.Shocked by what he was told, the colleague and close friend felt pity for him, as he could see how this affected him and his work.He continued with the meeting and ensured Daniel had little to no participation, which could give away his current absent-minded status.As Daniel was preparing to go home he couldn't believe the day he had, he couldn't believe that just in the morning all was ok now he was walking the walk of shame, how would he face his wife?, was this going to continue or was it a once off thing?, as his mind kept going back and forth, he finally parked in the driveway of his home and took a deep breath, preparing to face both Lila and Mara, he was terrified, was Mara going to tell Lila?, was everything going to continue as if nothing happened?, what was Maras plan?, he kept asking himself. Eventually, he walked into the house. The restless Lila was waiting for him and he felt more guilty as he looked at her face, because he remembered the assurance he gave her, saying she had nothing to worry about. Lila had made dinner and was eating alone. He didn't bother to ask where Mara was, like he normally would; he just walked in and sat down, no greeting, no warm smile, no kiss, no affection towards his wife.Lila, noticing how he walked in and behaved she asked, " Are you okay? Did something happen at work?"She asked, Daniel tried to trying to respond but his mouth and throat went dry as he saw Mara walk into the dining room. "Oh you ar home", with a warm smile that Lila hadn't seen on Mara in a while, she said, Daniel froze saying nothing, Lila noticed how sad and non responsive he wa,this was unusual, he had never not greeted her before, and now he was not even responding to Mara. She knew something was wrong but was was not prepared for what was about to happen next.Mara seeing how confused Lila was couldn't wait to tell her what happened, she was hoping she would leave Daniel when she found out she has been betrayed by both her husband and her best friend ,she didn't want her in the house anymore, a house that Lila had welcomed her into, she thought to herself "finally I will have what I want, I can finally get rid of her, "Daniel will be mine "as she sat down her arrogance, pride and evil energy filled the room.Lila could see what was happening, she could see her husband sinking deeper and deeper into guilt and shame, his eyes confessed everything as he couldn't help but have sadness and regret written all over them. Lila said nothing for a while ,as she wanted to take a breath and then said, "I can see you had a bad day at work mylove ,I think you can be excused and have a early night ", she spoke with authority as one who was not afraid of what was infront of her, "I wanna tell you something", Daniel responded. "It can wait till tomorrow", she said, Daniel couldn't refuse, Mara couldn't say a word, there was something in Lilas' eyes they had never seen before, she was confident, certain, brave, and seemed to know what was happening, and yet she was not bothered, was she hiding something? , did she have a plan ?.Mara stood up first and said" I'm not up for dinner il go sleep too", with a warm smile that hadn't been there in a while, Lila replied "ok no problem we can have dinner tomorrow then", the confused Mara and Daniel said nothing, Daniel felt a hint of relief, but he knew this was temporary as tomorrow would come, he kept quite n went to bed. In the morning both Mara and Daniel woke up to sweet smell of fresh breakfast, "you are both here good ,"Lila said with a calm, warm swert voice, Daniel surprised and asking himself what was going on replied and said "good morning hunny, you are up early "I couldn't sleep she said, Daniel didn't respond as he thought it was his fault.Mara kept quiet and sat down to eat. The arrogance and pride she had yesterday were silenced by confusion and questions. She didn't feel as victorious as she thought she would feel. I wanna tell you both something, I'm not going to work today. I have asked for a day off.Daniel looked up, surprised, scared, withdrawn, and guilty. Mara looked up, scared, confused, and feeling defeated. "I know you guys slept together, "she said, Daniel asked himself if Mara told her, Mara asked herself if Daniel told her, but they said nothing.I need to confess something as well, " you see Mara I thought you were a good friend, and loved you dearly and for some time I really saw you as my sister I never imagined things would come to this, please forgive me for what I'm about to tell you". I should have told you this sooner ,I just didn't know how to. I met Mark before you did. I had a relationship with him and fell pregnant. The few days I was not at school and told you I fell sick which was a lie. I went to the doctor and had an abortion after Mark told me that he was not ready for a child.I came back to school for the last term and finished my subjects after which I changed schools, I told you that my parents wanted us to move which was also a lie. I never saw Mark again till you introduced him to me as your boyfriend, I really wanted to tell you and I couldn't seeing how much you where unloved with each other , so I took u and the baby in so that I could make it up to you. You want my life and I can see that now, I understand that because Daniel is nothing like Mark.Daniel angry, shocked and disappointed, feeling used stood up and walked away.Mara couldn't say anything as she was out of words and felt betrayed, but this was the same betrayal she had planned wasn't it ?, she had put herself in this position, she didn't expect she would be the one played, she thought she had won, had she not been cruel she would have never known what now was piercing through her heart as a cold dagger. This was worse than what Mark had done to her. She never saw this coming. She sat there thinking, "How did this happen?" How can the kindest, sweetest Lila be so cruel? But the same words were directed to her. Mara's shoulders dropped, and she said nothing but just sat there.