₦airaland Forum

Give or take two months

Treasurewamiri:
Yeah, I understand he is... But the 2years duration We need to know how long Chris has been married to Tinu before the cancer incident to help us imagine what truly transpired between Katrina and Chris...
But I'm guessing that "once debe, always debe"...

Chris and Tinu have been together for 3 years.

Treasurewamiri:
Hnmmm! First thanks for the 3-course meal. Between Chris and Katrina was a one night stand, probably they met again during a business trip and one thing led to the other
But earlier you already hinted that Katrina is the mother of Chris heir, you now saying he is 2 years old seems bakan bakan...

You're welcome!!! ( In Maui's voice)

By heir, I mean his potential heir. Chris jnr is his flesh and blood.

So to all the TeamChris fans, Chris did not die o.



Another guessing game.

What do you think happened between Chris and Katrina?

lanrecious:
A wonderful story line thus far, thumbs up to the author.

Thank you.

Treasurewamiri:
Millieademi, how're you doing today? Biko no updates yet? Hope you'll serve us "9-course meal" to make up for breakfast, lunch and dinner?

No 9-course meal but I'll leave one more update.


Chapter 13.

A year later.

“Chris, stop it!”, Tinu whined as Chris’s hands were distracting her from applying her lipstick.

“Chris, I know what you’re doing. We are going to that party whether you like it or not.”, she scolded and removed his hands from underneath her blouse.

“Come on, sex is so much better than socializing. I mean we could try for a baby tonight. What do we get out of a party? Only a hangover or if it’s one of those charity things, a notable dent in your account balance.”, he said, canvassing his argument.

She smiled and shook her head. Ever since he had been certified cured, he had this youthful exuberance and aura around him. He claimed it’s an aftermath of almost dying. He said it put things in perspective and made him realize what truly mattered. “A dent you can afford. Besides, this isn’t mere socializing. Your loved ones want to celebrate your recovery.”, she chided softly.

“They can celebrate. In fact, they should celebrate. The food, music and drinks are there. I have a different idea of celebration.”, he said and pulled her flush against her. He bent and took her earlobe in his mouth. She was soon moaning and writhing. She got control of herself and pulled away from him. “Come on, Tinu.”, he begged like a teenager persuading his girlfriend to have sex.

“No, Chris!”, she asserted sternly and began to slip on her earrings.

“Not even a quickie?”, he asked.

“Come on, Chris. We both know quickies never remain quickies with you.”, Tinu said before going to fetch her shoes from a rack.

“I’ll take that as a compliment. But you should know randy you make me get, Mrs. Oduah.”, Chris said huskily.

“Ok, let’s do this. We’ll stay for two hours…”

“One.”, he negotiated.

“An hour, thirty.”, she haggled.

“One.”, he maintained.

“An hour, thirty. Don’t push it, Mr. Oduah or we’ll be staying for as long as it takes.”, she said and crossed her arms.

“Fine!”, he groaned and left the walk in closet and she smiled.

She sat on an ottoman and wore her shoes. She picked up her clutch and left the closet.

✴✴✴✴✴✴✴✴✴✴✴✴✴✴✴

The party was in full swing by the time they got there. It was just a gathering of friends and family but leave it Margaux to make it a shebang. Waiters were moving like ant March that had been disrupted. The shimmering lights added an allure to the lawn and pool. People were chatting and catching up but it all stopped they moment Tinu and Chris arrived. They erupted into cheers and applause.

“Why are the all clapping like I discovered the cure for HIV or I’m the first Nigerian to walk on the moon?”, Chris whispered in Tinu’s ear cynically.

“Will you stop being a cynic? These people love you and what happened to you was nothing short of a miracle.”, she whispered back and dragged him with her to greet his father and step-mom. Mr. Jason Oduah had decided two years back to do right by the mother of his daughter and he married her. She had been a wife to him in all but name. She had been his rock when his wife died, she was the mother of his beloved daughter and the woman who taught him to love again.

They greeted guests on their way to his family’s table, all of them congratulating him on beating cancer. He smiled at them and shook their hands. He was still shaking hands when someone to jump on him from behind.

“Who is ..?”, he sputtered in shock till the culprit giggled.

“Hi, sis Tinu.”, the teenager greeted, hanging onto her older brother with one hand and waving with the other.

“Hi, Monique.”, Tinu said laughing along with the guests around them.

“See this girl. Tinu, tell her to get off me.”, Chris whined.

“Um, Chris. I’ll go and look for mummy and daddy. Have fun, Monique.”, Tinu said and left them to find her in-laws.

“Bye, sis Tinu.”, Monique fare welled and tightened her hold on her brother.

“God, I wish my second wife was here. She’d claw you off me in a heartbeat.”, he gloated as he adjusted himself to give her a piggy back ride.

“I know not to try this when Tóminí is around. So I’m taking this opportunity.”, she answered and got comfortable.

“Hmmhmmn! I wish I didn’t listen to dad on sending them to a boarding school while we were in Sweden.”, Chris complained.

“Yep, mum didn’t talk to dad for a whole week.”, Monique explained. “She was so thrilled to have Temi and Tóminí stay with us but he crushed her dreams. I for one can’t say I'm sad cause I enjoy being the last born.”

“See your mouth. My children will soon be back and you can kiss your lastborn fantasy good bye.”, Chris said as he made his way to the buffet table.

“No o. Brother Chris, you and sister Tinu should take care of your children o. Please, let me enjoy my parents.”, she grumbled.

“Oya, get off me.”, he negotiated.

“No.”, she asserted.

“Monique Oduah, get off your big brother this instant.”, her mother scolded.

“Good evening, mum.”, Chris greeted.

“Good evening, Chris. How are you feeling?”, the woman asked beaming at her stepson.

“Young lady, get down now.”, she said with all traces of congeniality gone.

“Mummy,…”

“Mum, it’s no biggie.”, Chris begged.

“Chris, it’s a biggie. You just recovered and she should stop acting like a spoilt brat.”, their mother explained.

“Mummy, he’s not complaining.”, Monique justified.

“Don’t make me smack you.”, she whisper-yelled sternly.

“Yes, ma.”, she said reluctantly through clenched teeth and got off her brother. She grumbled more when she saw Tinu standing behind her mother giggling.

“Ahan, sister Tinu. It’s not fair o.”, Monique whined stamping her feet.

“Common, Monique. I let you have mu husband for a while. It’s my turn. I have to take advantage of Tóminí's absence. Thanks mum.”, Tinu said and dragged her husband with her, leaving Mrs. Oduah scolding her daughter and reiterating that she act like a lady.

“What’s with you all and my second wife?”, Chris joked as they made their way.

“Second wife ko, second wife ni. If you’re not careful, I will leave her in the boarding house and bring my baby back.”, Tinu said jealously.

“Is that jealousy I hear, Mrs. Oduah?”, Chris teased.

“You don’t know what you’re talking about.”, Tinu said, her tone reeking of jealousy.

He smiled and asked if she had seen his father. She told him he was in a meeting with some of his friends and Chris shook his head.

✴✴✴✴✴✴✴✴✴✴✴✴✴✴✴

Tamara watched her boss go arm in arm everywhere and wondered how she would get close enough to get him to go to bed with her. That was one problem. On the other hand was Michael. He had been cold to the day her uncle walked in on them. She took another sip of her cocktail and looked away from the sour eyes her uncle was giving her. She sighed and wondered just how she could accomplish her uncle’s plans.

Just then was when the picturesque family gathering turned sour. Tamara watched a lady she thought she’d never see again strut in like she owned the place with a two year old in tow. Tamara looked at her uncle who had the same bewildered expression she had. She looked at the boy and she could see Chris written all over him. So Chris was not as faithful as he seemed. She felt pity for his wife. She had heard the woman stood by him throughout his cancer treatment and didn’t give up when some doctors had declared he had limited time. This was going to be interesting. She could already see people whispering about the beautiful, fair woman and her son.

Chris and Tinu were laughing at a joke his father had just made. Monique, Margaux and her husband stiffled their laughter, not because they found the joke funny but because this was the fifth time he had told the joke today. Mrs. Oduah was the first to notice Katrina and the boy stand behind Tinu and Chris.

“Mum, are you okay?”, Tinu asked noticing the color had drained from the woman’s face.

“Oh, she’s fine.”, Katrina responded, making Tinu look back and finally drawing the attention of the others. Chris heard the voice and shut his eyes in pain, anger and fear.

“I’m sorry, who are you?”, Tinu asked as she turned in her seat. That was when she saw the boy the woman was holding. The little boy, a carbon copy of her husband, was oblivious and busy sucking on his thumb.

When she saw the realization in Tinu’s eyes, she smirked and picked up her son. “Chris, aren’t you going to say hi to Chris junior?”, she asked raising her voice for everyone to hear.

izaray:
Op are you a male or female? Don't even Kno how to address you self.

Thanks for the update

You're welcome by the way

izaray:
Op are you a male or female? Don't even Kno how to address you self.

Thanks for the update

I thought we hashed this out already.


I AM FEEEEEMMMMMMAAAAALLLLLLLEEE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

✴✴✴✴✴✴✴✴✴✴✴✴✴✴✴

.......


My muse for this scene was Hoy Tengo Ganas De Ti


✴✴✴✴✴✴✴✴✴✴✴✴✴✴✴

Chris looked nervously at Tinu. This was it. If the tests revealed that there was hope then he’d be the happiest man in the entire universe. If not… he didn’t want to think if not. He reached out to and grasped her hand. She smiled at him and patted his hand. She mouthed an 'I love you'. His heart rate slowed on seeing that. The door opened and it picked up again. The white-haired man walked in panting and smiled.

“Sorry to keep you waiting. The elevator was out of service so I had to take the stairs. I thought my jogs every morning would keep me in shape. I think I need to use the stairs more often”, he joked as he hung his coat on a rack and sat down to face them.

“So doctor?”, Tinu asked nervously when Chris refused to look up from the hospital gown he was wearing.

“Yes, I am pleased to announce to you that the tests show the therapy was successful.”, the doctor chippered happily.

“Doctor, what does that mean?”, Chris asked looking up for the first time.

“Well, it means that if you keep responding to treatment like this in no time cancer might be a thing of the past for you. That is my opinion. But like I told you before we started this form of treatment is still in the experimental stage and works for only one person in twenty-five. There’s a fifty-fifty chance you get better or you relapse. It all depends on your body system.”, the man explained.

“But for now, he’s responding to the treatment?”, Tinu asked.

“Yes.”, the doctor answered.

“Good. I have a reason to live, doctor. I’ll fight harder.”, Chris said and picked up their hands clasped together and kissed Tinu's hand. “Actually, reasons.” She smiled at him and he winked at her.

“That’s the spirit, Chris.”, the doctor said gleefully. The telephone rang and the man picked up the receiver. “Hello… Ok.. I’ll be right there.”, he told the person on the other end and placed the receiver back in it’s cradle.

“I’m sorry I have to attend to some matters.”, the doctor said and stood up.

“It’s no problem, doc.”, Tinu said as they stood too.

“Thank you so much, Dr. Johannsson.”, Chris said and shook the doctor’s hand.

“Common, Chris. This is all you.”, the doctor said and led them out of his office.

Tinu and Chris walked arm in arm to his ward. He took off his robe and handed it to Tinu who was grinning from ear to ear.

“Ok? What’s with the smile?”, he asked and sat on the sofa.

“Chris, why won’t I smile? Didn’t you listen to Dr. Johannsson? If things keep up, I’d have you back. I’d be able to sleep with two eyes closed, knowing that you won’t go anywhere?”, she gushed.

He beamed at her and sighed.

“Come here.”, he said and patted the space beside him. She walked to him and sat beside him. He took one of her hands and kissed the back of it.

“I’ll be forever grateful to MJ, wherever she is, for advising me to take our Chinese investors to the Dragon. If she hadn’t, I’d have never met you. If I didn’t meet you, my lady in the cyan body-con dress, God knows how I’d have survived this phase. I love you, Tinu, more than words can begin to describe. You are my world and without you, I’ll fall apart….”, he said.

“Chris…”, she interrupted.

“No, I have to say this. I’m sorry for what I put you through. When Dr. Chakhravarty told me I had roughly six months to live, all I wanted to do was keep you safe from the horror of losing a loved one again. I know what losing your parents did to you. I couldn’t put you through that again. My reasoning was wrong and I’m sorry for being unfaithful. You’ve kept every one of your vows till date and that shows me just how much I don’t deserve you…”, he continued till she silenced him with a kiss.

“Christopher Oduah, you’re more than deserving of me. You may have made a few mistakes but you came into my life when I had lost all hope and that trumps all mistakes. I love you too, baby.”, she said resting her head against his.

“I like it when you call me baby.”, he said sultrily.

“There’s one thing I most definitely want to do again and again once this cancer storm blows over.”, she flirted.

“Again and again, Mrs. Oduah?”, he asked in mock shock.

“You have no idea, Mr. Oduah, just how randy I get for you.”, she said huskily.

“I believe I might have an inkling.”, he said smiling and he kissed her.

P.S. We'll soon be coming to the end of the story so let's prepare our hearts and minds.


P.P.S. Thanks for sticking it out with Ocean of Secrets for this long. You guys are amazing.

✴✴✴✴✴✴✴✴✴✴✴✴✴✴✴


Tinu listened attentive to the doctor as he gave her instructions as to Chris’s condition. The man seemed professional but she refused to believe Chris had three months left. She couldn’t have three months more with him. She just couldn’t. They were supposed to grow old together. He was supposed to give Tóminí out on her wedding. He couldn’t die yet. She needed him. She knew she would die without him.

“What’s on your mind?”, he asked on the ride home.

“A plethora of things, Chris. Don’t worry about it.”, she said smiling.

“Tinu…”

“Chris, seriously. Rest. I can deal with it. You have a lot to deal with and I can take it, you can’t.”, she said.

“Tinu, don’t shut me out. Please.”, he begged.

“No, Chris! You don’t get to beg. Not after what you did. All you have to do for me is to rest, use your meds and be a cooperative patient. Because you took two months away from the time I had to spend with you and I will never forgive unless you get well, Chris. Do you hear me?”, she hurled at him and turned to face the window so that she could cry without him seeing her.

He had never hated himself more at any point in his life than now. This was not how he pictured the last three months of his life. He wanted her happy with or without him. Seeing her this unhappy with him broke him.

“I’m sorry, Tinu. I really am”, he put in and stared out the window.

“Whatever.”, she murmured softly. After five minutes of ear numbing silence, her phone chimed.

Tinu wiped her eyes and brought out her phone. In the middle of the night, she had gone online researching on rare cancer conditions and treatment plans. She had subscribed to various medical services on tips for caring for seek relatives. She just got a newsletter about a herbal drink to boost the strength and immunity of patients and the drink had also been endorsed by various patients and doctors.

She lowered the barrier between them and the driver.

“Raph, please drop me off at the mall. I have to get somethings.”, she informed the driver.

“Yes ma.”, the driver said.

I“No, Raphael. We’re going home.”, Chris instructed and raised the barrier back up.

He then turned to her and offered, “Let the maids do it, Tinu. You can text Mary and she’ll send someone to do it before we get home.”

“Just like they have been the ones making your oatmeal. Am I allowed to be your wife at all? Or am I only suitable for magazine releases and arm candy?”, she said sardonically and lowered the barrier again.

“Tinu, please.”, he begged and rubbed his forehead in exasperation.

“Raph, the mall. Pronto.”, she said and turned to the window.

✴✴✴✴✴✴✴✴✴✴✴✴✴✴✴

Jaiye stared at his wife as she taught their son the importance of frying the peppers for so long before adding the beaten eggs. Dapo groaned and complained that he was hungry. He couldn’t help but laugh. She turned to him and flashed him a smile. He had missed those smiles.

“Mummy, Subombom in my class has a baby brother now…”, Dapo started to babble.

“Oh!”, she said crestfallenly. She realized what she had done and pasted a smile on her face as she continued stir-frying the chopped pepper and onions in the skillet.

“He said that the baby’s hands are so tiny and that the baby is ugly.”, Dapo continued without noticing the swing his mother’s emotions went through in a second. But her eagle-eyed husband detected it.

“That’s very mean of Subomi. Babies are beautiful.”, she said softly as she broke a bouillon cube in the skillet.

“Mummy, was I beautiful too?”, the boy asked in glee.

“Of course! You have a beautiful mother and a not-so-bad father. Of course, you were beautiful. The doctors even called you 7up.”, she told her son.

“Was I white like 7up?”, the boy asked, aghast at the name.

“First, 7up is transparent not white. No, you weren’t transparent. You were just so beautiful that the doctors called you ‘the difference is clear'.”, she explained as she poured the beaten eggs in the skillet.

“I don’t understand, mummy.”, he boy asked confused.

“Jay, please explain to him.”, she said as she went to get something from the fridge.

“Dapo, I’ll explain after dinner.”, Jaiye said.

“Ok, daddy.”, the boy chirped.

“Good bo. Now, go and wash your hands upstairs. By the time you get down, mummy’s magic potato and eggs will be ready.”, Jaiye said and ruffled the boy’s hair. The boy squealed in delight and ran upstairs.

“Ok, he is spending too much time with Ewa and TJ.”, Jaiyé muttered and Felicia laughed.

“Why do you guys call her TJ? Why not Tamílore Junior?”, Felicia asked as she put down the skillet and turned of the cooker.

“Which kain junior? Where did she get the junior from, when there’s no senior? Don’t mind these children of nowadays. There used to be an MJ in church. All her friends thought the name was cool so they added J to their names. The silly girl cried for weeks when her parents refused to call her TJ. To let peace reign, Daddy had to intervene after the girl went to pull the grandpa card. He told them if they were not comfortable with it, they should add a new name that starts with J. Gab had always liked the name Jemima but Nathan was against it. Long story short, she is now Tamílore Jemima.”, Jaiyé explained.

Felicia could not help but laugh. “I actually thought Gab's middle name was Tamílore or something.”, she wheezed amidst guffaws.

“Are you minding the girl?”, Jaiyé said smiling.
“Ehen.”, he said and stood in front of her blocking her path.

“What?”, she asked. “You called me not-so-bad earlier. You think I forgot.”, he put in and snaked his arms around her waist.

“Before, are you fine? Commit for road, jo. Let me serve my son that is breathtakingly handsome.”, she joked.

“Chai. They told me but I didn’t believe o.”, Jaiyé said feigning hurt and shock.

“Ok, I’ll bite. What did they tell you?”, she said and crossed her arms.

“They told me that once you have a son, I’ll pale in comparison to him in your eyes. But don’t worry, the God I serve is a living one. He’ll give me a daughter and I will show you pepper.”, Jaiye put in jokingly. He could see the drain plug in her eyes as the joy and light in her eyes whirled away.

“Jaiye, please let me dish the food.”, she whispered and cleared her throat. Her voice had lost the playfulness in it. She struggled to get out of his embrace.

“Felicia, is there something I should know?”, he said softly.

“No. I just want to serve Dapo before he comes back.”, she said looking everywhere else but his eyes.

“Felicia, I’m not stupid. This was your reaction when Dapo mentioned Subomi's baby brother. Tell me now…. Please. What is it?”, Jaiye asked quietly as he tipped her head so she could look into his eyes. He became afraid as a tear slipped out of her eyes and into her hair.

“She was a stillborn.”, she mentioned softly.

✴✴✴✴✴✴✴✴✴✴✴✴✴✴✴

.........

Thanks for all the comments, guys.

To answer or to respond to answerpls' question, there has to be an arc in every story. We've gone past several climaxes and we are reaching some sort of "resolution". We'll soon be climbing up the arc again. So be patient with me.

I've been feeling out of sorts today. I'll drop an update now.

Let me know if it's sloppy.


Thank you.

Enjoy

One last update.

✴✴✴✴✴✴✴✴✴✴✴✴✴✴✴

He kissed her lips to wake her up. Her lips spread into a smile. He had loved her since he first saw her. She wasn’t the typical secretary, she was special. He was glad that she finally saw him as something more than a gist and gossip partner.

“How long did I sleep?”, she asked groggily.

“Four hours.”, he whispered and kissed her nose.

“You should have woken me up.”, she said and stretched.

“You looked so peaceful and beautiful. I wish I could capture the tranquility in a bottle. The serenity on your face was like that of a child.”, he said and sat up.

“You could have just said you slept like a baby. No need for the lofty speech.”, she said blushing.

“You are so beautiful when you blush like that.”, he put in and kissed the apples of her cheeks.

“Michael…”, her words were lost when the man that she called her uncle came barging in.

“So this is what you do?”, he roared.

“Sir, what are you doing here?”, Michael asked hoping his thoughts were wrong.

“I should be asking you. You are here in my house and you have to guts to play love with the girl I pay for in the house I pay for.”, Mr. Ekeh shouted.

“Tamara, is this true?”, Michael asked in disbelief.

“Michael, I..I… it’s not what you think.”, she said torn between losing the man she loved and exposing the truth that she was Mr. Ekeh's niece.

“I knew you were too good to be true.”, he managed to say as he grabbed his jacket from a nearby chair and left the room.

“Good riddance.”, her father spat.

A tear escaped her eye and she let it flow. She had lost him, that required her to cry, to show a little emotion, to lose the façade and take off her mask even if for two seconds.

“I can’t believe you’re this stupid. I picked you up after your LovePeddler of a mother died. I gave you and her bastards an education. I got you a job and the only thing I asked for in return was to make him love you but you can’t achieve that but you can go ahead and have a dalliance with an ordinary P.A. . You are a shame, a disgrace, a wasted investment.”, he shouted at her after slapping her.

“I’m sorry, sir.”, she muttered.

“That’s all you’re good for – to be sorry.”, he scorned. “Look, Chris is going to the D.R.C with his new E.A.. I’ve convinced him to take you along this is your chance. I believe you’re still on the fertility pills and shots.”

She nodded and he continued, “ Good. Get him wasted and sleep with him. Hopefully, you can be used for something. We’ll get everything on camera and send to that wife of his then he’d have no choice but to be with you. Tamara, don’t mess this up. If you do, you can forget about me sponsoring your siblings. Do you hear me?”

“Yes, sir.”, she muttered again in disgust. He hissed and left the room.

She hated herself for seeking his help when her mother died but she had no choice. She was in her final year, Tobe was in J.S.S 3 and Fi-fi was in Basic 4. They needed the money then and he was the only brother of her mother that didn’t want to sleep with her before giving her chicken change that would make no difference. Now, he was asking for dividends her conscience was against.


✴✴✴✴✴✴✴✴✴✴✴✴✴✴✴

Dapo looked expectantly from his father to his mother. He wondered why they were so shy and afraid.

“Daddy, kiss mummy.”, Dapo blurted. He had seen his aunt kiss his uncle and tell him to come back home quickly so many times and he wondered why his parents didn’t kiss, if it would make his mum come back home quickly. The looks on their faces told him he was wrong to say that.

“Dapo, how can you say such?!”, his mother scolded in anger. “Is this what you’re teaching him? That men are just to kiss women whenever they want to? That women don’t have feelings and no say in whether they want to be kissed or not?”, she fired at Jaiyé.

“I do not teach him that. And maybe if I did maybe if you were around the past two years, he wouldn’t have learnt it!”, Jaiyé fired back. He was sick and tired of her behavior. She always sought out an error in Dapo's character and blamed it on him.

“Mummy, I’m sorry. Please don’t be angry.
Ewaoluwa and TJ's parents kiss and live together. I thought that if Daddy kissed you, you’ll come back home. I’m sorry.”, the boy apologized on the verge of tears.

“Dapo, it’s ok. Go to your room, please. I have to talk to your mum.”, Jaiye said.

The boy looked at his mum and she smiled. “Go to your room, princey. I’ll come and see you when we’re done.”, she said softly. The hugged her tightly before running up the stairs.

“Felicia…”, he said and took a step towards her. She instinctively moved two steps back. He looked at her in shock.

“Please, say what you want to say from over there.”, she said almost pleading.

“Felicia, I won’t hurt you.”, he whispered.

“Jaiye, please say what you want to say.”, she said rubbing her forehead.

“Felicia…”, he said and walked towards her. She took steps backwards.

“Jaiyeola, stay where you are.”, she whisper-yelled not wanting to trouble Dapo. He didn’t listen and kept on stalking towards her. She instinctively walked back again. The closer he came, the more her fear grew. When it consumed her, she ran towards her bag and pulled out her switch knife and stretched it towards him

Jaiye was beyond shocked. He then realized the height of her fear. It was often said that what people feared, they often sought to kill. He understood that now. He however didn’t relent. He wanted to see if she feared him enough to stab him.

“Jaiyeolaoluwa, stay where you are. I’m warning you. I’m not afraid to stab you. “, she warned. She shook terribly.

He kept on walking to her till the tip of the knife touched his stomach. His raised her hands to position the knife directly on his heart.

“Go ahead. Kill me. My life is pretty much already messed up. If you’re that afraid of me, do it. Plunge this knife into my heart and end this. I am most definitely tired of this, of seeing you like this. Do it and make sure to twist the knife. If you feel I’m going to hurt you again, do it. And please look into my eyes when you do.”, he whisper-yelled.
She broke into tears but her hands were still shaking. He moved closer till the knife broke his skin. Red was beginning to stain his pristinely white shirt. “Damn it, Felicia. Do it. Be the brave woman I fell in love with and do it. Kill me. You can call it self-defense. Just do it.”, he shouted and held her gaze. That’s when she saw that look in his eyes. The look she fell for. She sobbed and dropped the knife.

“I can’t. I can’t.”, she sobbed and fell to the floor. “It’s you. You’re back.”



Chapter 12


Tinu looked at the man in front of her and her heart broke into a million and one pieces. Her throat constricted and it became difficult to breathe. She gasped and hit her chest. Tears fell down her cheeks as she struggled to breathe.

“Are you ok?”, the man asked in fear. Tinu shook her head as her head began to grow light. She couldn’t believe it. Her guts twisted in anguish and she choked.

“Help!”, the man shouted. Tinu couldn’t believe her ears and shook her head till she lost consciousness.



✴✴✴✴✴✴✴✴✴✴✴✴✴✴✴


The smell of antiseptic and cheap air freshener greeted her as consciousness seeped back into her being. She held head and groaned. She saw Chris run to her side.

“How are you doing, my love?”, he asked with his voice laden with concern.

“Don’t touch me, you bastard. Don’t touch me. I hate you! I hate you! I hate you!”, she shouted not regarding the pain in her head. “How could you? How could you? I love you and you kept this away from me.”, she shouted and broke into tears.

“Calm down. What are you talking about?”, he asked confused.

“Dele. Dele told me you asked him to seduce me. He told me you have cancer. How could you do that? You kept it from me for months. Christopher Oduah, you’re mean. You’re a wicked man. You’re a wicked man. You’re wicked.”, she sobbed and he made to hug her. She pushed him away but he forced the hug on her and her resistance broke and she sobbed terribly. “Chris, why? Why?!”, she sobbed. “I can’t lose you!”, she cried.

This is what he was avoiding. Behind her anger was fear. It was that fear and sadness he didn’t to see. He cradled her in his arms till she cried herself to sleep.

Chris watched her sleep for the first time in weeks. He had missed it. He didn’t know whether to be angry at Dele or to be happy he was back with his wife. Her face this afternoon was etched into his mind. He had never seen fear so vivid and graphic. He’d never forget for it long as he lived.
How he wished he had more time. He wished he could make her forget it for the three months he had left. If only he could make her ignore that bit and just have fun with her for the next three months. At least, then he’d have a smile on his face when he died.

Samola1:
He who pays the piper dictates the tune. At this juncture we have no choice than to wait for you to post the updates.

Ok then

millieademi:
So things will be taking a rollercoaster turn now. We'll venture into the lives of two other couples. So let's try to be patient and not get confused.


✴✴✴✴✴✴✴✴✴✴✴✴✴✴✴✴✴✴
It was a pleasant Saturday afternoon. A perfect afternoon. It was going to be splendid. He leaned against his BMW waiting for her. He saw her approach him.

She was as sexy as the first night he saw her at a cocktail party. She had worn a red, mermaid gown that hugged her top hourglass figure. The neckline was a temptation and the red against her fair skin was enchanting. He had followed her with his eyes throughout the party till he decided to ask her for a dance. He remembered every detail like it had happened yesterday. Her luscious, burgundy colored lips, her primrose scented perfume and her bare neck and ears. He yearned to adorn them with some of the jewels his family mined for.

He snapped out of his reminiscence and admired the coral blue kimono styled blouse and the dark jeans she wore. He smiled as she sauntered to meet him.
Cupid had shot him hard and good.

She always found her way into his thoughts when she wasn't with him and when she was, it was as if time should stop. His smiled faded as he saw the frown on her face as she drew near. He cupped her face in his hand and asked her what was wrong. She removed his hands from her face as if he was disgusted by her touch and his heart wrenched in concern.

" Ina, what's wrong? Did I do something? ", he asked as he tried to touch her but she avoided his touch like he had some deadly disease.

"Ina what is it? Talk to me, please. ", he begged, desperate to know what made her detest him all of a sudden.

"Chris, we're done!", she dropped the bomb and his world became Hiroshima

"What?", he asked, his voice winning a timbre limbo.

" I do believe you heard me, Chris. We're done. It's over. I don't love you anymore. It's ended. Fin.", she clarified.

"Is this some sort of sick joke?", he asked, hoping she burst into laughter and make fun of his reaction. But instead of her husky laughter, he got a menacing scowl of revilement. It was so real and unadulterated, pure hatred.

Was this his Katrina?

"Forget we ever happened and I hope to erase all the terrible memories I have of the time I spent with you.", she added, pouring the granulated Lot's wife into his wounds.

She was about to walk away when he pulled her back. She might not love him anymore but he was owed an explanation.

" What went wrong?", he demanded.

"I got what I wanted.", she callously replied. "I dated the almighty Christopher Oduah. I hit my target and you fell, hook, line and sinker. I got the recognition I wanted. I climbed the social ladder and I don't need you anymore.", she answered without batting her lashes." It was disgusting, you know? Acting like I loved you, watching you fuss over me like you won the lottery was repulsive."

Hatred and anger erupted from his soul like magma from a volcano. He pushed her away and she fell. She didn't even falter. She stood up and dusted herself like the social climber she was.

" They were all right about you. I was so blind I didn't see it.", he muttered, hating himself. He walked away from her without looking at her. He got his car and drove off. When he got to the Independence Mainland Bridge, he parked his car and got down. He hated himself for being so stupid. He removed from his pocket a black, velvet cube and hurled it with all his might into the lagoon.

Damn her.

He got back into his car and sped away.

This is Katrina

Samola1:
The Ocean is definitely full of secrets. So Chris already has an heir from his supposed half sister.

Katrina isn't his half sister. She's the lady he dated before Tinu.

Ok, what's going on? It's been eerily quiet. Do we not like the updates or what?

Timba24:
hmmm. As if i knew that dele will reconcile with tinu. Well done madam millie, more energy to ur brain wey u dey use think write this story. Happy sunday to evryone

Don't be so sure about that.

✴✴✴✴✴✴✴✴✴✴✴✴✴✴✴
Chris walked into the house after a long day hoping for nothing more than his regular bowl of oatmeal and his drugs. He was feeling so weak. He wished he had packed a bowl of oatmeal along. Oatmeal was the only thing he could eat and not throw up. He met Tinu sitting in the living room, anxiously waiting for him. It killed him to see the worry, anxiety and fear in her face.

“Oh, thank God you’re back. I’ve been worried sick.”, she said as she hugged him. Forgetting himself, he let himself enjoy the luxury of holding her in his arms, feeling her soft body against his. He felt her stiffen and then relax. He could feel her smile. She was obviously shocked he returned the hug.

“I’ve missed you, Chris.”, was all she said to break the spell. He realized he was only giving her false hope only to steal it when the inevitable happened. He broke the hug abruptly and began walking away.

“Chris, I made your favorite.”, she spat out immediately she recovered from her daze, in a bit to get him to come back. He stopped and hope bloomed in her. He turned to face her and told her he wasn’t interested and began walking away again.

“Chris!”, she called but he didn’t stop nor turn back.

✴✴✴✴✴✴✴✴✴✴✴✴✴✴✴

Katryna watched the woman that stole the one man she had ever loved with perfect, undiluted hatred. Despite the fact that she had given Chris an heir, he didn’t love her the way he loved Tinu. What did Tinu have that she didn’t? She couldn’t even carry a baby to term. She had given him a son- a living, breathing son- but he didn’t love her half as much as he loved Tinu’s bastard children. Katryna sucked in air and started her car. She wouldn’t torture herself like this. She’d rather find a solution.

Tinu sat on the terrace stirring her tea till she had carved a series of circles on the base of the cup. She wondered where she had gone wrong. Everything was perfect before. She had the life she had always wanted- a loving husband and adorable children. Where did it all go wrong? It was like someone had flicked a switch and the colour in their lives dissipated.

How much anger did he feel towards her that he couldn’t even tell her he was angry with her? What could she have possibly done that could not be forgiven? She was most certain she didn’t cheat. Did he think that she did? No. She made sure never to put herself in that position again especially after her previous boss had sexually harassed her. Chris had been furious and mad that she didn’t listen to him when he begged her to stop working. She convinced him to let her continue. It was all well and good till the miscarriage. Chris didn’t talk to her for weeks apart from making sure she was ok. They got past that. He swore he had forgiven her. But out of the blues, he became hostile.

Last night he was so close to breaking down his walls. He hadn’t hugged her like that in a while. Heck, he hadn’t even looked at her like that in a while. He didn’t eat her food anymore. He threw her out of their room. And now, it was beyond her to understand why he was like this. She didn’t realize she was crying already till he cleared his throat and told her to go in if she wanted to cry.

He sat in front of her and stared into space. Her heart broke. She had to get him back. She’d beg and grovel if that was what it took. She stood up to kneel in front of him.

“Chris, I’m sorry. I’m sorry for what I did. Please forgive me.”, she said in between sniffles.

“What might that be?”, he asked still not looking at her.

“I know you are mad. I don’t know what I did. I’m sorry I don’t. I really am but I can’t live like this anymore. I want us back. Please, Chris. I’ll resign, I’ll become a housewife if that’s what it takes to prove to you that I love you and I’m sorry. Chris, I’d write it across the sky if I could. I’ll scream if you want me to. Please just look at me the way you used to. Please”, she said crying. Her emotions racked her and she lost herself. She bowed her head into his laps and sobbed and begged.

He wanted so bad to hold her and tell her she did nothing wrong. A tear rolled down his cheek and he wiped it away. He cleared his throat and held her shoulders.

“Tinu, excuse me. I came here to get some air, now I’m feeling suffocated.”, he said coldly. She looked up in disbelief.

“What?”, she croaked. He pushed her out of his way and stood.

“You think a few tears will cut it? I’m done with you. Forget that I ever felt anything for you. I frankly don’t care anymore if you resign or not. It’s your job.”, he continued to her chagrin

“Chris, I love you.”, she wheezed out like it was her last breath.

“F*** you and your lies.”, he deadpanned and walked away.

Tinu’s heart failed her then. It didn’t beat for two seconds. She died in those two seconds. “F*** you and your lies.” His words reverberated in her head so loudly that she had to hold her ears to try to tune it out. It didn’t work and she screamed, in anger, in sadness and in fear. Fear that she had lost the man she loved and she didn’t know why.

My lack of willpower when it comes to you guys is shocking me

✴✴✴✴✴✴✴✴✴✴✴✴✴✴✴

............

answerspls:
JUST type 'naijaloaded bruises episode 1' on your google and it will appear.you will like it to hell.it is captivating,intriguing and filled with suspense just like yours.but what makes yours to be 'baba' is that it is lengthy yet still full of suspense,i love your intelligence

Ok
Awwn thanks

She gasped and stopped abruptly in shock and sadness. Anger sprouted in her and propelled her to leave.

Tinu wept and wondered what went wrong. Everything was perfect till he returned from his last trip to India. He grew distant and cold and had tried to get her angry enough to leave him. she wondered if it was because of another woman. Bile rose in her at the thought of Chris with another woman. If that was the case, she’d kill him and his mistress.

Or is it because I miscarried ?

She had lost the baby due to stress according to the doctors. Chris had been angry because he had begged her to stop working but she refused. He had forgiven her and they had tried to get pregnant again but it was unproductive. Was he tired of her?

She wished she could read his mind at least she’d know how to fix It then. She cried herself to sleep.


×××××××××××××××

...................



✴✴✴✴✴✴✴✴✴✴✴✴✴✴✴


Felicia ran her hand over the scar that ran across her lower abdomen.

Happy birthday, my love.

Everyday, she longed for her daughter. Nancy, she had planned to name her Nancy – God’s grace. She wondered what sin she could have committed for her baby to be stillborn. What sin could be so great that God couldn’t forgive her. She stopped herself. At least, God had brought Dapo back into her life. She just had to face Jaiyé. She was a lot stronger now. She’d kill him if that’s what it took to get her son. She wore her top and stepped out of the room.

She went into the living room and met Ose spending his morning the exact same way he had for the past two years- looking at mementos and keepsakes from his time with Bibiana. He’d leave drapes down and sit in the dark and in grief and look at pictures and other monuments in their short lived love story. She had never heard of a more miserable set of housemates. She had tried to talk him out of his grief but he continuously blamed himself for her death. Her husband didn’t take too kindly to their elopement. He sent people after them. They had spent six months running and running and when they couldn’t take it anymore, they decided to leave the country. On their way to the airport, he lost control of the brakes. He survived, she didn’t.

“Ose, I’ll be heading out. I made some rice. Warm it when you’re ready to eat.”, she muttered.

“Ok. Thanks.”, he replied not looking up at her.
She sighed and left the house. She checked her bag again to be sure her pepper spray and switch knife were there. She wouldn’t be caught off guard. She stepped out of the compound and met him waiting for her. Dapo ran out of the car to hug her.

“Mummy, good morning. I missed you.”, he greeted.

“I missed you too, my prince. Shouldn’t he be in school?”, she said.

“Good morning to you too. He begged to come along.”, Jaiye answered.

She released her son and ruffled his hair. The little boy beamed up at her in total adoration. She had missed him more than she thought. Her baby, her little prince. She wondered what he would have been like as an older brother. Would he be the jealous type or the one that stayed aloof of the new baby? She’d never know. She looked at Jaiye and fear trickled down her spine like molten lava. She fought herself not to recheck the presence of the pepper spray and switch knife. She thought she was stronger but now she realized she was still a coward and a weakling

He wouldn’t try anything in the presence of Dapo?

She asked rather than say to herself.

“Shall we?”, Jaiye said and open the car for Dapo to go in. Felicia, like the coward she was, slipped in after her son like a shadow. She realised what she had done and the fear that trickled within her became a flowing river. She looked up and saw the disappointment in his eyes. Disappointment, and not anger. Her breathing steadied and her heart stopped racing.

Felicia, calm down. He can’t hurt you anymore.

She repeated this like a mantra and tattooed it in her mind.

Jaiye could see her visibly shaking as he closed the door.

Is she that afraid of me? How much of a monster was I?

His father had told him how obsessive, possessive and abusive he was but Felicia was always the brave type. She had vividly told him, before their marriage, that she’d rather have thespians at their wedding than not marry him. She was bold in ways he couldn’t even begin to describe and now to see her shake like a leave in the rain broke his heart. She probably didn’t even love him anymore. This was hard- to be in love with someone terrified of you. He could take anger even hatred but the indescribable fear he had seen in her was gut- wrenching.

Ok, here's the sitch. We are going to write a petition to Nairaland to improve their emoji list.

Treasurewamiri, you're good. Mo ka wo s'oke.

So guys thank her for the early update.

Let me run away now.

OK, THIS IS NOT THE MAIN UPDATE. JUST SOMETHING TO INCREASE YOUR APPETITE.

MAIN UPDATE DROPS TOMORROW!!

Dele had poured himself into his work ever since he lost Tinu and the twins. She allowed him occasional visits and he sent gifts to them every birthday and Christmas. He rarely saw her and Chris and when he did they only exchanged pleasantries. And he was happy about it. The last thing he needed was for them to rub everything he threw away in his face. He never expected the visitor he got that day.

His secretary had called him that a certain Mr. Oduah was waiting to see him. He wondered and thought about why Chris would want to see him. And he could only think of one. The twins. He hoped they weren’t taking his children away. He’d probably never get over the loss, his mother whose only reason for living was the spontaneous Saturdays when she’d see her grandchildren would definitely give up the ghost. She was resigned that he’d never see her the way he used to, it hurt her but to lose the grandchildren after she had lost him for would definitely destroy her.

Chris walked in and a cyclone formed in his storm beaten mind. If he wasn’t so preoccupied with his thoughts, he would have noticed Chris was paler than usual.

“Good morning, Dele.”, Chris said quietly.

“Good morning, Chris.”, he replied, trying to control his nerves. A long silence followed.

“ How are the twins?”, he asked when he couldn’t control himself.

“They’re great. No, scratch that. Tèmí is great but Tóminí is a pain. She’s gone past the state where she’s cute, now she just screams the house down, jumps on the couch and draws on the walls. We’ve tried getting her sketchpads to channel all that energy and talent but the wall seems to have a certain appeal to her. I think we are raising a street artist. We simply just thank God that they are not two peas in a pod when it comes to their characters. Tèmí started taking piano lessons and he’s doing well. He plays the tonic solfa back and forth well. And his ‘Mary had a little lamb’ is pretty decent.”, Chris ranted in love. Dele smiled ambivalently feeling happy and sad at the same time.

“That’s good to hear. So, Chris. How can I help you.?”, Dele asked as he straightened in his seat.

“Well, I need you to seduce my wife.”, he replied.

answerspls:
HERE:https://.ng/talk-zone/nl-story-bruises-episode-1 After reading it,you will say that you just found your best friend

the link is not working.

Treasurewamiri:
Chain! I'm late for the discussion....
Probably Chris has been married all this while ( abroad things) and now she is back to Nigeria or Mama Dele/ Dele casted another spell on Tiny/ Chris. Oro Chris o ki n se oju lasan.
Tinu's parents were killed by who? We don't know yet, could Chris or his family be involved?
@millieademi na your hand yam and knife dey jare... make we delve into the ocean of secrets properly.

Lol. I'm happy to inform you that you..

(In Toroti's voice) you are wrong.

I'm glad about the participation and guesses.

So I ask should I drop a teaser?

(Hands you the fried yam)

decent101:
dele all d way!

Frankly, I'm on Team Dele.

But don't worry, I promised to gratify both Teams.




(in Baba God's voice) Dele have I loved and Chris have I hated.

[quote author=answerspls post=82439529][/quote]Thanks I'll check out the Bruises. Can you send the link, please?

Humbleness:
Maybe Chris has discover one secret or the love he has for her is fading away.
Thanks for the update.

Nope