ENDLESS TEARS
Endless Tears – Episode 33
Subtle: I just wanna make you Smile again
Genres: Billionaire, Deceit
Tags: Deceit,love, jealousy,hatred, marriage
Written by Adeola Nissi
(A NEW ENVIRONMENT)
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I strolled on the street of my new residential environment, feeling exhaustion. Kelvin brought me to this apartment about a month ago just as he promised and I have been here ever since. The
house was of moderate size and there was a woman who was in charge of maintaining the house. Apparently, Kelvin inherited the
building from his grandfather but he hadn‟t lived there. He had instead hired Mrs. Kalu – a widowed caretaker – to keep the building in shape. The building was very fashionable but with an ancient look to it, showing that it had been built a long time ago; although, one could easily see the exquisite taste of the builder in the structure and design of the building.
But after spending a month there, I was bored half to death. I was about eight months gone and my tummy protruded like a car‟s bonnet but I feared the silence of the building was making me feel as ancient as the building itself. Mrs. Kalu was as mute as a fish, going about the house soundlessly like a ghost. Although I wished she would talk more so I don‟t feel so bored, my efforts were useless. She is the perfect definition of an Introvert with a capital ‘I’. Trying to get her to talk even worsened my state of boredom until I gave up hope. I always looked forward to Kelvin‟s visits which were not so often. I always found myself missing him immediately he stood up to leave. I never mentioned my boredom to him because I would not want him to think I am not grateful for his help. Quite the opposite, if not for Kelvin, I have no idea where I would be now. Probably dumped in one of the worst graves in town, I presume. Kelvin is a funny and interesting company and I found myself drawing closer to him with each passing day. He visits once or twice a week, depending on his work schedule.
I sighted a church as I strolled – the only church on the street –and for the first time, I stopped. I always passed by the church without a glance but now, I stopped to gaze at the building. I raised
my eyes to the signboard and read. „God‟s Love‟. I shook my head again. The name of the church seemed unusual. I had always heard of God‟s immense love for humanity which made him sacrifice his only child; but thinking about it, I don‟t think I deserve that love. I have made mistakes; the worst kind of mistakes. I don‟t think God can love the likes of me. I blinked and turned away from the church.
I walked back to the house and sat in the sitting room. I seemed to have a fixed routine: eat, watch TV, stroll, watch TV, eat, watch TV, sleep. The number of times I watched TV was staggering and
tiring. I really wished I had books to read but there was none and I definitely could not imagine myself asking Kelvin for it; he has done more than enough. Although, I tried to while away time by cooking
and doing the laundry, Mrs. Kalu would have none of it, stating that she had been given express orders to make sure I did nothing stressful. It was irritating because the woman, though mute, was firm and unshakeable; even Kelvin would not listen to reason. Little did they know that my idle state was posing more stress than any physical activity could. Reluctantly, I accepted my state of
joblessness, hoping that I don‟t die of boredom.
I sensed a movement close to me and raised my eyes to see Mrs. Kalu approaching me with her face as straight as an arrow. “Lunch is served” she stated.
I don‟t think I have ever heard the woman utter a statement above ten words; it was like she was economizing her words. “Thank you ma” I said, smiling gratefully. It was such a burden to have this elderly woman attending to my needs. I missed my mother – or fake mother, as the case might be.
“You are welcome” she said and turned back, retreating to her room, where she almost always stayed.
I went to the dinning and started eating. The good side of her is that her meals are always perfect. I never could refuse any of her meals. As I started eating, I heard the familiar sound of Kelvin‟s car
and frowned. Kelvin had never visited on a Thursday and having him around now was as relieving as it was worrisome.
I left my half-finished food and walked hastily to the door. As much as I was happy that I would have a great company to drive away the boredom I was feeling, I was slightly worried, just thinking
of why he was coming on a Thursday when he clearly stated once that Mondays, Thursdays and Fridays were his busiest days. Was he coming to tell me that he no longer wanted to help me or what? I would not be surprised. I am too much baggage to take on.
I opened the door and truly, Kelvin was walking towards the entrance, looking more handsome than before. It was like he grew more handsome with each passing day. He was carrying a bag and I
wanted to collect it from him but I could not do anything but stare at him.
“Hey beautiful” he called. “You still find me handsome?” he asked with a grin.
I shook my head. “You are still too full of yourself?” I returned with a smile. “Can I help you?” I asked referring to the bag he was carrying.
His smile widened. “If only I can help you with the one you are carrying” he said.
I shook my head and hid a smile, giving him a straight look that did not last long. He was always teasing me about my pregnancy, never for once mentioning the paternity of the child and I was grateful for that. I only wish it could be easily forgotten, because for as long as I live and see the child, I would always remember what he stands for. “Well, you arrive just in time to join me for lunch. Eating alone can be so tedious” I said as we entered.
I heard him make a sound and I knew he was at it again. “Is it eating with company that you really enjoy or eating with ‘my’ company?”
I shook my head, grateful that he was behind me; he would not be able to see my ridiculous grin. “You are impossible.”
He laughed heartily. “You look spectacular when you grin”I totally ignored him and my face which flamed at his compliment and sat down at the dinning with Kelvin pulling out the chair like a real gentleman instead of the ladies‟ man that he was. I
stopped him from serving himself and insisted on serving him. “If having a wife feels like this, I might as well get married as soon as possible” he said and I laughed, placing the food before him.
“It is a wonder you are still single, getting ladies should be as easy as the road to hell” I said.
Kelvin laughed. “Oh, I see. My charm is working on you now, isn’t‟t it?” he raised a brow.
“You wish” I returned. He shook his head with a knowing smile on his face and I wanted to slap that smug look out of his face.
Oh men! Too full of themselves! We ate in companionable silence but I noticed the seemingly innocent glances he shot my way; probably
because I was glancing at him also. I noticed a little tension in him.
Despite his carefree flirtatious attitude, I still sensed a little tension in him; especially when we ate in silence.
Mrs. Kalu miraculously surfaced as we finished our meal and her surprise was evident when she saw Kelvin but it only lasted a few seconds after which her face rearranged into its usual straight
form. “Never knew you were here sir” she said with a faded smile on her face. “You are welcome” she said as she cleared the table.
“Thank you Mrs. K” Kelvin said.
“Thank you ma, the meal was delicious as always” I said and
she smiled. I have noticed that the only time she really smiled was when someone praised her cooking skills.
“I almost bit my tongue” Kelvin emphasized with a boyish smile.
“Thanks” she said smiling and quickly retreated to the kitchen
Kelvin and I sat on the couch in the sitting room, staring at the television without actually seeing it. I had the vague impression that he was hiding something from me and my instincts always prove
right; when I follow it, that is. “Spit it out Kel, what are you hiding?”
He smiled. “I love it when you call me that”I frowned. “I am not smiling now Kelvin, what do you want to tell me? I know there is something” I demanded.
He sighed. “Ok. Someone came to see me in my office some days back” he began and his face took on a serious look, shedding the playboy look he always had on.
“And?” I asked nervously.
“He is a police officer – Detective Sinja. Following what you told me, I guess that is the man who secured Lisa‟s arrest” he said.
“Well, he came asking to see you. I wondered how he discovered that I had any dealings with you but he is a police officer and they have their means of getting information.”
I breathed. “What does he want?” I asked nervously. The last thing I wanted was to face anyone from my past. Kelvin had convinced me to forget about all that happened and try to build new memories, seeing ghosts from the past might be a good step in the wrong direction.
“He wants to meet you” he said with a concerned look. “He said you both have unfinished business. I guess he is referring to Lisa‟s case” he said.
I nodded. “I have not visited the station once ever since she was arrested” I said.
“What are we going to do?” he asked.
I looked at him. He always used that word – „we‟. He always saw my problems as his own responsibility too and I wondered how I could ever repay him for willingly caring, I will go with him and be done with it. I am withdrawing my charges against Lisa.
If she had gone through with her plan, as evil as it was, I would have been saved from a great level of pain” I said, internally apologizing to my child.
“Are you sure honey? You shouldn‟t go through any form of stress in your condition”
I smiled. “I am not made of glass Kel, I am sure”
T.b.c
