After the wedding

5

Who could that be, could it be my mum, could it be my elder sister? Helen had probably called any of my family members. Frank thought. "Or maybe Mike. (Mike was Frank's closest friend back at school). "She must have called Mike" He listened further.

"You promised to help me, please come quickly, I will be expecting you? Helen concluded.

Frank knocked at the door in believed that the conversation was over, he didn't want to give her the impression that he had been at the door eavesdropping.

"Who is it?" Helen asked from within with her expressionless voice, not of anger, neither of joy nor sadness.

Frank's heart bit increased so loud that it could be heard.

"It's me, honey". He replied in a trembling voice. Helen opened the door. What he saw was too astonishing. His wife was actually on her knees praying to God, with the bible held firmly to her chest, with her eyes as red as blood showing that she had been crying for a long time.

Frank's assumptions were wrong all along. Helen was talking to God.

Frank moved to the edge of the bedside and sat where Helen knelt, with his hands folded across his chest, and sighed so deep. Deep inside him, he felt so relieved that at least no third party has heard about what is happening in their marriage yet. He sighed again to clear his throat loudly.

"You must have something to say I know." Helen spoke suddenly, "I know you do" she reiterated, "you Should have an explanation for this mess, so let me hear what you have to say, speak up, I am all ears" Frank's heart beats faster again. He became very nervous. He stuttered with his mouth open and closed wasn't sure of how best to begin his explanation. He does not want to annoy his bride. He so much value his relationship that he could not afford to lose her. Then finally, he summoned the courage to speak, "Helen, I need your help, I am in a mess", he surrendered. "Yes, I know, we are both in it" Helen Concurred.

"No, I dragged you into this mess, I am in it alone dear, you are innocent of everything, please forgive me. Frank countered. "Frank, this is not the time to ask for forgiveness. I need to know where, how, and when this lady came into your life to the extent of wanting to destroy our relationship, our marriage, all we have worked for to make us have a smooth life all these years. How? Helen interrogated in a trembling tone, she was really scared. She hoped Frank would tell her the plain truth.

"Helen, please listen to me.

"I will tell you the truth, and its nothing but the truth. "Okay, go on, I am listening" Helen replied Hastily.

Frank continued, Beatrice was my classmate way back in high school, we were both close and later realized we both lived in the same neighborhood. During weekends, she always comes around my house for visits, and most of the time our parents are out for work so we both pay ourselves visits anytime we are free. I became fond of Beatrice because she seemed to be the kindest person I had ever met. She did help me out with my lesson notes, we do our assignments together. I will not eat at home because the most time when I go to their house, she reserves meals for both of us. I thought she was just being nice all along, but I never knew she had her intentions…

I grew so fond of her that my day wouldn't be a complete one if I hadn't set my eyes on her. Though we were just friends the friendship was getting dipper by the day. One Saturday afternoon, after preparing delicious rice with salad, she brought my portion into my room. I was so excited as usual. She brought hers along (that has been her custom), we both ate together either in her house or mine.

I was eating her delicious meal when my phone rang. You were the one that called. After we finished talking we ended our conversation with "I love you and I miss you", which was our normal practice. After I ended the call, I noticed Beatrice's facial expression changed immediately. Her smile vanished, wearing along the face. "Beatrice, why is your face like this? I asked. But she simply said nothing was wrong.

I knew instantly that her mood changed because my fiancee called. That was when I realized that it was dawned on me that I was playing with fire. I tried as much as I could to create a gap between us but it wasn't really easy as it seemed. ……………….

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