Wahala

On the night of New Year's Eve, you would sit there in the danfo bus; make-up smudged, hair dishevelled and your red strap dress torn from the side revealing your black bra. The breeze would slap your hair to your face and then in an attempt to push them to the back of your eyes, you taste the fresh blood from a cut on your lips.

Then you will say to yourself “Yemisi, them really swear for you”. 

You remembered heels that day. Red long stiletto heels, just the way Zaheed liked it. It was New Year's Eve and what better way to celebrate than having dinner at your favourite Chinese restaurant. And after which, you will melt into his arms letting your bodies go in rhythm and ever which you will both reach climax together. 

“Perfect,” you thought as you smacked your lips and adjusted your gown, so your cleavage would be more visible. Comfortable with what you saw in the mirror, you grabbed your purse, stepped out and into the waiting car to have the time of your life.

If only you knew.

Zaheed came into your life when you were on the verge of giving up on anything about the opposite sex. Your high school lover, Edozie broke up with you after his father forbade him from getting married to someone from another tribe. 

“You are joking right?” you scoffed when he told you because that was a very ridiculous reason to break up.

“Yemi, you know how much I love you. But I cannot disrespect my father. I’m sorry” He said and with a light kiss on your cheek and walked out of your life. Forever.

That happened, and after months of sulking and stalking him on social media, you decided to move on. And that was when you met Zaheed the love of your life. He was way older than Edozie and handled things maturely. You enjoyed how he made you feel, and oh everything was perfect except for one thing.

Zaheed was very married. Very because he wore his ring everywhere and every time even though he always said that he was separated. He insisted on wearing it on until he was officially divorced. A few times you complained about it, it always ended in a fight, so you decided to let it go. 

‘He will all be mine soon’, that thought alone made you relax a bit.

And as your glasses clicked that night to a toast of good life and love over the candlelight table, everything feel so right and perfect in your world. 

“Let’s dance”, He said as he reached for your hands.

“We have not had dinner yet,” you said, raising your eyebrows in disapproval.

“I know. I just want to hold you for a while”. He said, and a small smile played on his lips, the one that always gave you butterflies and made your head spin in flattery.

And at that moment you blinked; your happiness had changed to desperation. 

You wanted this man all to yourself. You wondered how long you were going to play this game, running around with another woman’s husband. Clearly, you and Zaheed were not close to living as a couple, instead there you were still running around like teenagers. You wondered if having half of a man’s love was enough for you and even though, you always had a reality check, the thought of walking always from the life you have gotten so comfortable with, scared you so much. 

 “Yemi. Are you okay?” He said, snapping you back to the present.

“Oh yeah. I just…my mind is just all over the place”

“What’s bothering you?” He asked as she played with your hair, peering into your eyes. And it took every control in you to not roll your eyes at him.

“Zaheed. What are we doing? What’s this?” You said as you shrugged, avoiding his gaze. 

“What do you mean by what we are doing? Of course, we are dating” He replied, furrowing his eyebrows.

“And them what? You dump me when you get tired and go back to your wife and perfect family in the states. Right?” You said, summoning the courage to look him straight into the eyes.

You watch his chest rise and fall as he took in a deep breath, like he was searching for the appropriate words to say.

“I am leaving Liya soon, and you know this. The protocols are much and taking time. Very soon, I will be all your baby. Just give me time”. He said.

“And the ring?” You said, looking down and what you hated seeing him wear.

Then, he kept mute. 

You smirked and shook your head, realizing the truth in everything, Zaheed was only using you and had no plans.

You cannot remember how it happened but as soon as his soft lips claimed yours, you melted in his big arms again and kissed back deeply. 

Then his lips stopped, and you opened your eyes wondering why his were wide-opened.

Only for someone to pull you by your wig and dragged you roughly, making you stagger as you grabbed a nearby table immediately. Then, a hot slap landed on your cheeks in split seconds after you managed to regain your stance. You looked up, and a robust woman glared back at you, her eyes were red-hot in anger, her lips quivering, and he arms fisted. Then she hit you hard on the stomach making you stagger more than the last time and someone else pushed you forward from behind making you realize that there were two of them.

Just before the hotel officials interrupted, she had torn your dress and given you one more slap. The only thing you could do in defence was to rip her left earring off.

“So you have been the stupid prostitute sleeping around with my husband?!” She yelled as she struggled with the security men.

“You are very lucky these people came around oh because I could have torn you into pieces and fed my dogs! You little rat!  Shameless bitch! How dare you!….” She continued, but at that point, you stopped hearing anything.

You got up from the floor, getting away from the two waiters that held you. One of them looked at you with pity eyes, and the other tried so hard to suppress her laughter.

Just before you left, you turned to look at Zaheed who stood at one spot throughout the whole fiasco like someone in a trance.

“I am so sorry. I didn't know she was in town” He muttered, still looking like a scared cat.

Then grabbing your purse, you limped out of the room wiping the offending cheek and hot tears cascaded down your face. 

Benecca’s Tales

2022

All Rights Reserved 

AUTHOR’S NOTE

Sis, when a man tell you he is not ready believe him. He is not ready means two things, you are moving at different paces or he is just not that into you. I hope you let go of such man to allow him make his decisions independently without you breathing down his neck and begging him to commit to you. Read the room and leave.

Secondly, Do not be like Yemisi and avoid men that belong to another.

All characters in this story are virtual and are only products of imagination.

This story is inspired by the song Tumbum by Nigerian Artiste, Yemi Alade (my fave! lol)

Thank you for reading and please don't leave without leaving me a comment. God bless you!

Written by,

Anakor Mmesoma Vanessa for Benecca’s Tales.