Hush Hush

Chapter 7

My whole body ached, as my hands roamed around, scratching. Inspecting my skin more, I had rash from my shoulder down to my fingers. It almost looked like heat rush but it was painful like opened sores. It couldn’t be heat rash, I was hardly outside and the weather here wouldn’t necessary give me rash. My silk nightdress was holding for dear life on my skin, not letting go. I was lying in my own pool of sweat. The sun was up already, peeping in the c***k of the curtain. Sleep became like a police Indian, rare and hard to find. Nightmares had me by my nightdress, pulling me and pushing me. Sleep could only visit me in the wee hours of the morning. My head felt heavy, along with my eyes as I made the bed up.

I was hoping to catch Paul before he leaves for work. I put back on the previous night’s clothes and went out. The house was already spotless, I wondered at what time did she wake up. Early bed!

“Good morning sweetie. How did you sleep?” she was already in a happy mood, so early in the morning drinking tea.

“I slept,” I wouldn’t even call it a sleep, as I hardly slept.

“Just that?” she probed further, narrowing her eyebrows. Her skin looked more wrinkled today, she had dark marks under her eyes.

“ I had nightmares, horrible, evil nightmares, it was like I was plagued by a restless ghost,” The white cup slipped through her hand and laid in bits and pieces on the floor, dirtying the clean tiled floor.

“Restless ghost? What do you mean,” she asked, skeptically, holding tight to the chair.

“Yeah, maybe it’s all in my mind. Are you okay though?”

“Yes, yes,” she nodded repeatedly like she was convincing herself more than me.

“I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to scare you. I’ll clean this up quickly,” She stopped me on my tracks as I went to look for both the mop and a broom. They weren’t there, behind the door. It got me thinking, now that they were needed, I’ve never seen even a dustpan around.

“No, you go see your husband off. He needs you,” I laughed, she was right. Paul can’t do anything by himself, I wonder how he made it through the night.

I hugged Ms.Miggins goodbye and thanked her for the hospitality.

I took the elevator today. I didn’t have the energy to go up those long stairs. Just as it was about to close, a young man, probably Paul’s age group appeared and,

“Hold the lift please,” He said. He was wearing a spot gear and sweaty with a water bottle.

“Thank you, Morning, ”

“Hi,” I had never seen him here before, and it looked like he was familiar with the place. But where was he coming from in first floor?

“Richard,” he said, his hand coming for a handshake

“Lindiswa,” I shook his sweaty hand and pulled back.

“Night out,” His tone was dancing with mischief. His eyes had already stripped me off my clothes and left me naked. He did look sexy but not enough to make me cheat. I also didn’t like what he was insinuating with his question. I was a respected, married woman.

“I’m married,” The elevator felt small and crowded suddenly. The air seemed to be sucked out.

“And I’m single,” he paused, looking into my eyes. I felt hypnotized.

“You have beautiful lips, I want to taste them,” he leaned in and took my face in his hands.

I could feel my stomach twist in anticipation. His lips were inches from mine, when I whispered,

“I love my husband,”

Why did I stop him? I thought to myself. He’s so sexy.

“I know you do,” but that didn’t stop him from putting his hands on my hips and slamming me against the elevator wall. Grinding against me from the front, his hands slipping under my top.

“Stop, please,” my body said different, returning his advances with just much energy. Cupping my breasts, I inhaled sharply, pushing the stranger away.

“I’m sorry, I don’t know what got to me. Please, forgive me,” the elevator stopped and pinged opened right inside my floor.

I couldn’t look back to see where he went, I didn’t hear his footsteps follow. He stayed inside the elevator. I hurriedly took out my keys and opened the door. The house was eerily quiet, he was still asleep. The watch on top of the fridge said it was 06:23. He was suppose to be up by now.

I went to our bedroom, he was not in bed but I couldn’t hear the shower running. The bed was not made. Shame washed over me, thinking about what happened in the elevator. The sticky substance between my legs was proof enough. I stripped off and went to join him in the bathroom. I needed to wash my guilt away. I joined him inside and hugged him from the back, stealing the needed breath as the water cascaded down my body. My arms burned at the contact with the water, making me moan in pain.

“Baby,” I said, leaving trails of kisses here and there when he turned around.

“How did you sleep,” he asked but I didn’t want to talk about that. I was glad to be in his presence.

“I love you, so much,” I loved him more than life itself. I needed him to hear it more often.

“I love you too my love,” I still didn’t look at him, I focused on his chest, drawing circles and hearts.

He took the soapy sponge and ran it on my neck sexually, going down my chest, then breasts. The same breasts that… I shut down the memory and enjoyed the feeling. I returned the favour and washed him off until he was clean.

He grabbed the towels for the both of us, as we went out. Time was not on his payroll. He needed to get ready.

“What is that?” my mind had ran miles and back by then.

“What are you talking about,” he was confused, so was I.

“The scratches on your chest? How did you get them,” I asked, clearer this time. His chest had recent scratches and I didn’t give him them. He went to the mirror and assessed himself

“You are so freaky baby. Yoh left me this,” he smirked

“No. I didn’t. I would have remembered,” I denied and added, “We last had s*x a few days ago, they would have healed by now,”

I was getting angry.

“Oh, I don’t know then. I must have scratched myself. You know, mosquito,” he wasn’t taking this serious.

“Wait, you think I’m cheating?” he asked, his voice laced with hurt.

“Well, are you,”

“f**k you, Lindi. f**k you!”

No he didn’t. Paul has never said the F word at me… well I’ve never accused him of cheating.

“Paul,”

He ignored me and wore his clothes quietly, ignoring me. I decided to let him cool down, then we'll talk again, like adults. I also wore my clothes and left him for the kitchen to prepare his breakfast and lunchbox. Maybe I wasn’t suppose to come off at him like that