Omolola1: Sorry dats all I can post tonight! Not feeling well

ohh sorry dear,get well soon biko...

Oh! I luv dis place

Take a rest Sweets,the Lord will strengthen you.

SONIA GOT BACK in the Mercedez, trying not to stare at the Siena driving off through the meadow.

"I've hated his guts since the day you first told me you had a husband named Kenneth who died in the war. When you phoned me and said he was coming home, I prayed his plane would crash. Now I wish to God I never met him."

She shivered at the vehemence in his tone. "I'm sorry, James."

"Sonia, let's go back to Abaji for dinner."

"I...I was just going to suggest it."

"Why don't we pick up some movies? We'll spend a relaxing, low-key evening since we've got the house to ourselves."

"That sounds lovely."

He reached for her hand. She clung to his, even when he had to shift gears, and tried hard not to think about anything. What she really wanted was to attain the glorious state of oblivion where there was no hurt, no pain, no guilt. Just nothing.

"Hey, sleepyhead. We're home."

"So fast?" Sonia lifted her head to look around. "I can't believe I passed out on you like that."

"I can. You've been under a lot of stress."

He leaned over to caress her hair. "You go on in and I'll run over to the movies store. Any movie preferences?"

"Something happy."

He came around to her side of the car and helped her out. '"I'll see what I can come up with." After giving her a swift hard kiss on the mouth, he left."

Sonia hurried into the house and locked the door, relieved that he hadn't insisted she go with him. This was one time she couldn't burden James. Her emotions were in such a chaotic state that she couldn't explain them to herself, let alone to him.

Why wasn't she jumping up and down with excitement at finding herself truly alone with James...her husband-to-be? It didn't make sense. They'd been given a whole night of privacy, to talk without interruption, to hold each other, to make definite plans for the future.

Shaking her head as if to ward off the guilt, she made her way to the bathroom to freshen up and replace the clothes she'd worn to work with her robe and slippers.

As she walked toward the living room, it struck her as odd that the house felt so empty. Heavens, she'd been alone many times. Divine often slept over with friends or spent a few nights in Maitama with his grandparents.

Why did the emptiness seem different tonight?

. . .You know why, Sonia. Because you're feeling lonely. Because Divine's not in any of his usual places. He's in paradise. He's with Kenneth. . .

She could see them now, the lanterns lit, fierce looks of concentration on their faces as they tried to beat each other at cards and outdo each other with scary stories. When the lights went out, they'd place their sleeping bags side by side, then climb in and gaze up at the heavens.

They'd philosophize a little, chat about nonessentials. Eventually Divine would ask questions about the war. How did Kenneth keep himself alive in prison? What did he think about? What frightened him? What did it feel like not to have a hand anymore?

Kenneth would answer some of Divine's questions with a watered-down version of his experiences, then change the subject to something more on Divine's level, like friends, sports, girls. They'd talk about all kinds of things, all kinds of people, except one. Divine's mother, Kenneth's wife.

A sharp pain pierced Sonia's heart. She cried out in the oppressive stillness of her empty home.

. . .Face it, Sonia. You wish you were there with them, you feel left out. . .

Terrified at the direction of her thoughts, she rushed over to the couch and began rearranging the pillows. She tried not to think about Kenneth using it as a bed. She fought the memory of his hunched body, fallen to the floor as he relived his imprisonment.

When the divorce was final, what lucky woman would have the privilege of holding him at night, of sharing his future? Who else knew how to scratch his back in just the right way, rub the ache out of his legs when the muscles tightened up?

Who else knew he was his most amorous at four o'clock in the morning? Who else knew how ticklish he was behind his knees? That if you kissed him there, he was putty in your hands? Your slave for the night?

What woman would be the recipient of that secret smile of his said that said, 'I've got you where I want you. There's no one to save you. You're all mine. Come here, little girl, you know when your number is up.'

The memories of Kenneth chasing her around their old apartment making ridiculous hooting sounds like a gorilla were so real she found herself giggling out of fear and excitement.

"Sweetheart?"

"Kenneth!" She screamed laughingly in automatic response, whirling around.

Too late she realized her error. James had stopped dead in his tracks, the bag of food in one hand, a video in the other.

Like an automation, he put the things on the coffee table, then straightened, his expression grim.

"Do you want to tell me what that was all about?"

. . .Remember. To get in touch with your feelings, you have to be honest. Always tell the truth, no matter how much it hurts. . .

She gazed into his eyes without flinching. "I was relieving a memory of life with Kenneth before he went to war. I didn't mean for it to happen. I'm sorry if it hurt you. I love you, James. I think you know that."

The muscles twitched along the side of his jaw. "Has this been happening a lot?"

"No," she answered with conviction because it was true. "In fact tonight is truly the first time I've entertained any intimate thoughts of him."

"How intimate?" He fired back.

She couldn't sustain his glance and looked away. "Intimate," she whispered.

She could tell he was struggling for breath. "I swore I wasn't going to ask you this question..."

"I haven't slept with him!" She cut off before he could say another word.

"But you want to."

. . .At all times be honest, no matter how much you think it might hurt. In time you'll begin to understand yourself. When that day arrives, you'll know what to do. . .

"I...I don't honestly know."

"Sonia!"

"James," she cried, "make love to me tonight. It's long past time for us to create our own intimate memories. That's what's wrong here. All this time I've asked you to wait. I've asked too much of you, of myself. I made a mistake!" She took a deep, shuddering breath. "Forgive me, I've loved you so long. Let me show you how much."

"You think I don't want that?" His voice shook.

"I know you do. Come on, darling." She lifted her hand, willing him to take it.

"If I make love to you tonight, Sonia, there's no going back."

"No going back."

"Be sure, my love."

. . .I'm going through with the divorce, Sonia. It's only a piece of paper, but it represents freedom for both of us. A chance for all concerned to start fresh. . .

"I'm sure."

Finally he took her hand and she led him through the house to the guest room, where he'd taken some of his clothes and personal articles.

When they entered, she grasped his other hand and held on to both as she looked up at him. "I'd take you to my room. But that's the bed Kenneth and I slept in."

His features tautened. "Kenneth won't be in this one," he vowed fiercely.

Relinquishing her hands, he unclasped the chain around her neck. Within seconds, the ring was back on her finger.

"The first thing I want to do, Mrs. Okoye-about-you," he murmured with a half smile playing around his mouth, "is take a shower with you. Since the day we met, I've had this fantasy of shampooing your hair and rubbing soap into your skin and..."

The world tilted as he lifted her in his arms. With his mouth fastened to hers, he carried her out of the bedroom to the bathroom across the hall.

"Surprise, Sonia!" A familiar voice called from the front corridor. "It's Grandpa and Grandma. Are you here? Sonia? Divine?"

Noooooo Sonia is meant for Kenneth alone make James no come spoil show o
Lola well done beautiful story with right emotions can help it am hooked

This s.exy James is not going to sweep me off my feet! No! No matter how tantalising the idea of a bath with him is,no we will pass. Thanks to dearest Grannies. Iru ki le yi?Osenobua o.

Team Kenneth for life!

hmmmn,dis z getting crazy,lola,'u go wound person o!!!!'

moreeni, u are right o. Team kenneth for life. Welldone lola

Beautiful!!! But u keep using sow terms we don't exactly use in Nigeria. Closet? Phone booth? How many people in Nigeria leave their houses to go call someone from a phone booth? Grocery store? The story sounds more American than Nigerian save for the Nigerian cities.

Dumzii: Beautiful!!! But u keep using sow terms we don't exactly use in Nigeria. Closet? Phone booth? How many people in Nigeria leave their houses to go call someone from a phone booth? Grocery store? The story sounds more American than Nigerian save for the Nigerian cities.

True, we have already let her know many of these things. I don't know what she intends to do with this story but she will have to make modifications if she wants to formally publish it.

This James of a man! won't he leave sonia & her true love Kenneth to be?!?!

I am so happy the Grand parents interrupted. May they stay overnight. Yeye James.

maclatunji:

True, we have already let her know many of these things. I don't know what she intends to do with this story but she will have to make modifications if she wants to formally publish it.

Sure I would.
Thing is, am used to most of these american terms

Omolola1:

Sure I would.
Thing is, am used to most of these american terms

Because of the gazillion American novels you have read.

maclatunji:

Because of the gazillion American novels you have read.

You can say that again

Wow!! Nice one. Good job omoloa..... good for james that the grand parents interrupted.
Next update plsss

Omolola1:


You can say that again

. Gud work omolola.. Pls dear Don't stop now .My heart is racing!!.. Oh my kenneth!!..

Omolola u know suspense can send one to an early grave. Please o, hurry up and update. PleasEeeeeeeeeeeeee

please darling..update more 2nit...ds suspense na d height

This James ehhh:/,Lola darlin MOREeeeee...

Lola,today is sunday , i hope say you will finish the book today and post it all

Omolola dear, how are you? i'v missed reading your updates cos of the network in redemption camp, been there all week. now let me read through your beatiful lines, happy sunday.

I dnt knw y i feel so diff n feel mre 4 James oda dan Keneth,i lve Keneth bt lve james d mre,everibdy s surpportin Kenneth n hapi d@ grannies r arnd,mine s d turn around. Y I dnt knw y i feel so diff n feel mre 4 James oda dan Keneth,i lve Keneth bt lve james d mre,everibdy s surpportin Kenneth n hapi d@ grannies r arnd,mine s d turn around. Y

Your write-up is okay. you still need some cutting edge. Chika-Sunday 08032606847.

omolola, happy sunday!
Please post the rest of the story today!
All of it oooooooooo
Lol!

You are not alone dear. Team James all the way

@ Candis,I used to be so divided btw James and Ken and was even partial to James because of the intensity of his emotional attachment to Sonia. Lately, I have noticed that though he still clearly loves her but the intensity of his emotion has reduced over time. Let's stick to the best man. Kenneth for live.

lola hope u are feeling better now? b good

Thanks all!
I'd try and post tonight! Am still very very strong

Omolola1: Thanks all!
I'd try and post tonight! Am still very very strong

The Lord is your strength. Would have said 'take your time' but let's do 'get strong quick' instead. Looking forward to your post tonight.

Oh so sorry omolola
Didn't know you were ill.
How are you doing dear?

Still waiting Ooº°˚ ...

Still waiting Ooº°˚ ...
Lola help us plsss