Been fooling around with Keisha haven't you? Paula accosted him as he burst into the living room with the widest grin on his face and a fair scent of alcohol under his breath. His suit was still immaculately tidy except for the tie which was a bit out of place.
John's face immediately registered the approaching hostility and his demeanor changed with the realisation that this was going to be " one of those nights"
In frustration, he raised both hands and mid way stilled them in an effort to defend his action but Paula was having none of that.
In her sarcastic tone she began her tirade of questions. What lie do you want to concote now Monsieur John Gbolahon Patrick? What manner do you hope to weave yourself away from this maze. Church? I called Pastor Terry and he said the counselling period for today had elapsed by 2pm. Your Moms? She equally told me that she was out for a women's retreat at the church district in Michigan. Work? Thank God that I have ur colleague Donald's number and he told me expressly that you left before 4:30.
So once again John, Where have u been all this while?
As He made to reply, his mind took a brief flashback to the times when all was rosy.
The days when Paula would calmly welcome him with warm embrace and a lively gait
The days when he would be fully assured of a Nigerian delicacy whose aroma even drew their next door couple Mary and Todd to their abode.
The days when the bath would be prepared and she would rub*
ANSWER ME YOU ROGUE. Paula yelled breaking the train of his reminiscent thoughts.
He looked at her with a regretful look and calmly answered, "Hanging out with the boys at the bar Paula. For the umpteenth time, I am not having an affair with Keisha or any other woman. Proceeding to her towering point, he took her hands in his palm, gazed affectionately at her eyes and started the ritual that had come to stay every night, sweet talking.
Baby u are the reason that I smile, u rock my world. Left for me, you are the only one I would spend all day gazing upon. As she meant to interrupt, he gently placed his hands on her lips. "Shihhhh my dearest. Shihhh my sweetest, my one and only aponke, my asake, my own Cleopatra and Circe under whose spell I live. He knew that she was totally pacified for she interrupted him this time with a kiss
With a playful gaze, she continued. "Baby you know I don't like picking a fight with you. Now you have started with these your language laced pacifications which you know turns me on. I forgive you baby but I forgot to prepare your speciality. Why baby? Inquired John in feigned annoyance though he already knew the reply about to be given. Well I went to have my nails done and from there came home to do the laundry.
Well let me go and have a bath and come and meet you in bed John said.
With that, the confrontation for this night was over. As he walked to the shower, John could not help but remember all that the reverend had said during the counselling period.
"Young man, the pact you are about to enter now is not going to be smooth and rosy all the time. She would definitely 'pardon my language' piss you off in your marriage but always remember that with Christ as your ship and love as your propeller wind, you would sail through life's storms and your victory in marriage would be assured"
Are these those times the Reverend foretold of? Surely it can't be because there seems to be no end to this nightly squabbles between him and Paula. He could sense that his love for her had hugely diminished and the marriage had started to seem more like a chore to him.
Jesus, he prayed, I am in serious need of your touch in this union. Help me. Under five minutes, he was through with bathing and leisurely strolled to his matrimonial bed to meet his wife of two years whose appearance to him, had lost all its preceding and subsequent aura and charm that made him defy all odds to have her as his number one girl.
Chapter two
Good morning darling. Keisha interrupted his stream of thought as he mindlessly prepared a memo for the personnel manager. In her characteristic nature, she playfully patted his shoulder as she settled to her work station. have u heard that headquarters is sending an auditor by next week? Gosh I hope he ain't like that ass wipe that came the last time. John stared at Keisha for a second taking in her amazing appearance today.
Keisha was an Ohio born Irish lady. A blonde haired (Paula was a brunette) lady of an average 5"8 height, Soft spoken Keisha was everything he dreamed for in a woman. Coupled with an amazing knack for livening up a room and cursing(Yes he loved ladies that did not give a darn), John sometimes wondered if Gods will for men did not include them marrying more than one wife.
She was dressed in an assemble that was simple and yet elegant. A black skirt with a tropical juxtaposed coloured top that simply took his breath away. Without meaning to, he started comparisons between Keisha and Paula and was at the point of comparing their legs when Her soft voice brought him back to reality
Hellooo Mr Dreamer, care to dream over these figures now please. No problem Kei. Whats up with Roman?(referring to her biker boyfriend whom he envied). He's cool. Paula?
She s good. Before more banter could commence, the dispatch boys familiar face popped up at his cubicle. Boss wants you at the panic room ASAP. Goodluck and Godspeed Keisha told him as he walked up to the panic room. he wondered why he of all people would be called upon to enter the panic room and a familiar legend about the room came ro mind
The Personnel manager, Dr Todd Wikins was famed to be a strict official who only summoned people to his office in light of a promotion news or the sack news. So far more than 40 fellow employees that had been summoned came out whimpering bearing the evidence of an immediate order to clear their desks. With calculated steps, John did the maths on his head, Sack would definately result in Paula leaving me, with the mortgage still half paid, definitely the bank would foreclose the house and the new Mercedes S class would be repossessed. Not good he thought as his lips began to whisper his lucky verse. "The Lord ismy shepherd, I shall not....
Good morning Mr John, please have a seat The manager said breaking his soliloquy.
Brisk in his nature, Mr Todd fished out a folder and carefully extracted a letter which he handed over to John. Congratulations John, the district head has taken note of your extreme hard work and has ordered me to give you this cash appreciation as well as inviting you to the factory's quarterly dinner which would be holding next week. Congrats once again and keep up the good work.
As John recounted the events of the panic room, his colleagues cheered with unbelief. you did good this time John, Keisha said startling him from behind before planting a kiss on his cheeks. Being a melancholic life of the party character, she proposed a mini party at the Jewish dinner that was opposite the factory and with a playful forceful tone collected a pledge from all the co workers including Looney old Harris,the janitor .
Upon exiting the dinner, John made way towards his home bursting with a zeal to deliver the great news to Paula with a sure hope that it would re ignite her love for him.
Chapter Three
You said what!!! Paula asked with a disdainful tone. Things had not gone the way John had expected them to. Upon reaching his house, Paula had merely uttered a whisper of welcome and when he informed her of his encounter at the office, she had merely said "okay". When she was told of the monetary gift that accompanied, John quipped that he had committed it into their joint account. Okay she said. Could you give it to me to fund my shopping Paula asked. But I wanted us to use it to speed up the mortgage payment so that this place could be finally ours John replied with an appealing tone. . You have used. the money on that slut haven't you John. She replied with a rising voice. Paula I would not have you use such languagel to a lady who has done nothing to deserve such He said
Then why would you deny your wife the right to use that money unless