β₯
Kaine felt a gratification she had not expected to feel.
She had just given herself to the man she loved. She had confessed her love to him. The love that still and would always beat in her heart for him. She had experienced passion that sheβd never experienced before in her life. She had felt the tender touch of a man like she would never again want to feel from another man. She had revelled in the joining of his body with hers; had cried out with that pleasure as their bodies became one with the spiralling throes of passion that had washed over them.
She had loved and had been loved in returnβeven without the words of love. Yet despite all of that love and amazing experience, the man her heart beat for stood at the end of the bed staring at her with eyes blaring with dismay and distrust.
He had quickly disengaged his body from her own once their flight into realm of pleasure had ended. He had gotten off the bed and pulled on his clothes with defined hastiness. Β And now he stood away from her, watching her like he did not quite know who she was.
The combination of his quick abandonment and distrustful stare was burning holes into her heart. But Kaine knew she couldnβt quite blame him.
βYou areβ¦ were a virgin?β He finally voiced out.
The tone carried a mixed inflection of amazement and anger. Kaine felt the burn of another piercing hole. βNickββ Tears welled up in her eyes.
But he cut her off with cruel coldness. βYou want to tell me how you could have an affair with my brother and have his baby but still remained a virgin?β
Finally, the moment of truth and no hiding from it anymore. Kaine swallowed and met his hard gaze. βI never knew Tobi and Iβm obviously not Baby Tobiβs mother.β
βObviously.β
The scathing glare and word wounded her. βAnwuliβmy sisterβshe was Tobiβs… she was the one in love with Tobi. The one who knew him. The one who had his baby.β
βAnwuli? The name from the mail mama and I read. Your supposed other name?β His tone dripped with derision. βIt isnβt your name after all. That was why you first referred to yourselfβto herβin the third person. She was never you and you were never her. You lied to me… even then.β
The last bit was an accusation.
βNickββ
But he interrupted her. βSo, what was this? A sick game between sisters? One gets pregnant for one brother and the other tries to ensnare the other into marriage?β
βIt wasnβt a game.β Tears she couldnβt help flowed down her cheeks. βAnwuli didnβt purposely get pregnant for Tobi and I wasnβt trying to ensnare you.β
βWhat were you trying to do thenβmake a fool of me?β
βNo! You had come with threats andββ
βSo this is my fault? Iβm responsible for your lies?β
βThat is not what Iβm saying, Nick!β God, he was looking at her with such hate in his eyes! She could never bear it if he hated her.
βAnd where was your sisterβthis Anwuliβwhere was she when I came to the house?β
βShe had left.β Kaine dragged up the tip of the covers to wipe her streaming nose. βShe couldnβt get over Tobi and so she went in search of him.β
βWhat? She abandoned her baby and left?β
βShe was in love and heartbroken by Tobiβs rejection. She had sent him several messages but he never replied any of them. He abandoned her and the baby they made together.β
βTobi would never turn his back on his own flesh and blood. He was a Kojo-Edwards and we never abandon our own!β
Kaine could not dispute his quick defence of his brother since the proof of his claim was obvious in his own coming to get his nephew. βMaybe. I didnβt know Tobi and canβt say what he was capable of. But Anwuli sent him messages… emails…β
βAnd in one of those mails she demanded he recompense her for having his baby. That certainly tells us the tone of the other mailsβif there were any such mails.β
The heavy sneer in his voice broke her heart. βNo, she didnβt do that! She never demanded any payment for having Tobi.β
βHow would you know? Did you two compose the mails?β
How could he suddenly be so cold and derisive? How could his expression go from affectionate and passionate to this cold mask of disregard so soon?
βI donβt know exactly what she said in those mails and messages but she couldnβt have been asking for monetary compensation. She wasnβt…isnβt like that. She was in love with Tobi. She loved him with all of her heart.β Like I love you now and yet, you too donβt seem to care.
βYet she abandoned the baby they hadβthe only thing left of himβto go on a wild goose chase. What kind of a woman does that? What kind of a mother leaves her baby?β
βShe didnβt abandon Tobi. She left him with me because she knew Iβd care for him and keep him safe. She only wanted to find Tobi. To see him again. To understand why he abandoned… seemingly abandoned them. So when she got a part in another movie to be shot at Johannesburg, she took it hoping to find him there.β
βAh, so your sister is a professional actress. I see thatβs a talent that runs in the family.β
Kaine winced at the insulting jeering tone. βI didnβt mean to deceive you, Nick. I was only thinking of protecting my son… my nephew.β
βYou could have tried doing so through the truth.β
βI was scared. You threatened to take him away. You offered me money in exchange for my supposed son.β She couldnβt help the mild accusation that laced her tone.
βYour sister demanded that money and I thought you were her. But instead of owning that you were not, you took advantage of my ignorance.β
βI wasnβt taking advantage!β Even now, he still did not know her? βI wasnβt taking advantage of you. I was just so scared of losing the only member of my family I had with me.β
He averted his eyes as if he could not bear to see her tears. βYou could have called your sister and told her I was there to take Tobi. Have me deal with her instead of you. You could have done that instead of lying to me.β
βI could have done so if I knew how to get in touch with her.β Kaine wished she could get out of the bed and face him squarely but now he was looking at her with so much contempt, she couldnβt bear for him to see her naked form again. βBut she left without taking her phone and didnβt leave any address. Your appearance was a shock for me. It was unexpected and so was your demand.β
βSo you decided to get something good for yourself out of her disappearance and my ignorance, huh?β
βI never wanted anything from you. I rejected your offer for compensation, remember?β
βI remember. But I also remember you didnβt reject the offer of marriage.β
βI had to marry you! You said it was either that or I lose Tobi. I didnβt have a choice.β
βYou had a choice not to lie to me and force me into marrying you when I didnβt have to.β He flung at her.
His words slammed against her and squashed her heart like merciless feet. Kaine felt her hands go limp around the woollen covers.
βForce you into marrying me? So you regret our marriage? You regret that we got married? You regret it even now?β
βI hate lies and I hate deception.β He ground out. βI was completely honest with you, you should been the same to me. You had no right to lie to me!β
He hated lies… so he must hate her. Kaine pressed her hand against her palpitating heartbeat. She loved him but now he hated her. Oh God!
βNickββ
She wasnβt sure what she wanted to say to him but it was cut off by the piercing ringtone of his phone. He let out a cuss and slipped his hand into the pocket of his trousers.
βYes?β He said brusquely into the phone.
Kaine wasnβt really paying attention but she saw his expression change to shock and utter bewilderment and then to instantaneous joy as he spluttered out a laugh.
βYes, yes, Carl, Iβll call you back now. I canβt believe this. Iβve got to call Mama. Wait for my call. Take care of him. And err… thank you, Carl.β
He ended the call and stood staring into space, the awed expression of joy spreading.
βWho was that? Did something happen?β
He jolted around like heβd forgotten she was there. The joyful expression dimmed… considerably. βThat was our friend, Carlson in Johannesburg. My brother has been found. He wasnβt dead after all. Heβs alive. Heβs been alive all this while.β
βTobi is alive? Oh my God, but that is great news! Heβs alive… what a miracle!β Kaine momentarily forgot her sorrow as the joy of that astonishing news seeped through. βIβm so happy for you, Nick. Mama will be so overjoyed.β
For a moment he just stared at her, his expression unreadable. Then he nodded. βYes, she will be. She definitely will be.β
βDid your friend say… was there a woman with him?β
βYour sister you mean?β The coldness seemed to swiftly return. βI wasnβt told. Iβve got calls to make. Arrangements and all of that. I need to call mama too, to tell herβ¦ toβ¦β he shook his head. βI have to go. Excuse me.β
He didnβt look at her again before he stalked out of the room.
Kaine felt her eyes start welling up again. He would never forgive her… especially now his brother has turned up alive and it had become clear that there was no need for them to have gotten married. He already regretted their marriage… even though he was her first and sheβd come to him pure and untouched, he regretted marrying her.
Because she lied to him. And he hated lies.
Kaine swiped off her tears, pushed back the covers and got down from the bed. She hurried into the bathroom to clean herself up and then returned to put on her clothes. Then she reached for her phone. She dialled Julietβs number. It was switched off and so was Uncle Udoβs own.
Tears started down her face as confusion set in. Who will she call her now? Who would help her? Who would come to her aid without judging and hating her?
Then she remembered Kanayo and quickly dialled his number. He picked at first ring.
βHey Kaine, this is a surprise. A good one though.β He added with a chuckle.
Kaine did not waste time with pointless greetings. βI need your help, Kanayo. Nick has found out the truth and he…β She forced back the sob. βHe hates me and he regrets our marriage. I canβt bear it. I need to leave… to get away. Iβm in Sal. He had to go out now because his…β she inhaled and stopped herself. βI donβt want to face him again. I canβt face the hate in his eyes. Please help me get away. Help me please, Kanayo.β
βAh…β There was a brief hesitation before Kanayo spoke again. βBut of course, Kaine, Iβll help you. But I think the first thing will be to get you back here to Praia. It is late but thereβs usually a late flight back from Sal. If itβs available Iβll book the next flight from Sal back here and forward the details to you. Is that all right?β
βThat is fine. Thank you, Kanayo. And will you please meet me at the airport?β When he confirmed he will, she added. βPlease tell no one. Please, not anyone.β
She ended the call, got up, slipped on her shoes and made for the door. She turned and looked over the room where she had given herselfβbody, mind and heartβto the man she loved. Biting back a sob, she turned again and swept through the door.
Kanayo was already at the airport waiting for her by the time her flight arrived. He led her to his car. They got in and he drove off.
βShould I take you to the house? At least his mother will be there. She can help you work things out with the boss.β Kanayo said as they made their way towards the Island.
βNo, Kanayo, not to the house!β Kaine frantically rejected. βI lied to her too, remember? I canβt bear it if she too looked at me with hate and mistrust in her eyes. I canβt face her too. I canβt bear to return there.β
βOkay, okay, stop crying. Stop crying, Kaine. We wonβt go to your house. Iβll take you to my house and you can stay there until we figure out our next step, okay? Ebe zi na.β He added soothingly in Igbo.
Kaine bobbed her head but she couldnβt stop her tears or the continuous breaking of her heart. Why didnβt humans have the power to see the final end of a journey, so they can decide which route is more prudent to take? she wailed silently.
At his home, after her narration, Kanayo tried again to convince her to go back to the house.
βIβm sure Dominic is only momentarily angry. He is shocked. It has to be a shock for anyone to find out they are married to someone different from who they thought they were.β
βI know heβs shocked but he also hates me. And now withββ She broke off. She hadnβt told him about Tobiβs reappearance. She couldnβt, not when it wasnβt her news to share and publicize. βNow that he realises he didnβt have to marry me at all to get Baby Tobi, he hates me and thinks I deceived into marriage. Which I suppose I did.β
βStill, I say itβs all part of the initial shock. You need to give him time. At least, talk to his mother if you canβt talk to him.β
βI canβt face them now, Kanayo.β Kaine huddled more into the couch. βI am too broken. I canβt do it… not today and I donβt even know if I ever will be able to face their recriminations.β
βAnd what about your nephew? If you are not going back, how will you get him?β
Fresh tears surged from Kaineβs eyes at the thought of the baby sheβd started seeing as her son. All of this started because sheβd wanted to keep him with her and now, it was like she had lost him.
βHe is home. He is in his fatherβs home.β And knowing that that father was set to return, Kaine felt even less guilt and pain. βI have seen how much they all love him and care for him. Even Dominic loves and treats him like his own son. Heβll be fine with them. Maybe heβs even better off with them.β
There was a momentβs silence before Kanayo said. βYou fought to keep a child that was not your own, can you not fight for the man you love, Kaine?β
Kaine raised sorrow-laden eyes to meet his. βI would fight if I believed I had reason to fight, but I have no reason. No hope. He doesnβt love me… Dominic doesnβt love me, Kanayo.β Her heart broke all over again at the realisation that he would never learn to love her as she had hoped. βThere wasnβt just anger and pain in his eyes when he found out the truth. There was also hate. Hate that was dipped in coldness. Hate and un-forgiveness.β
βTime, Kaine. He needs time to process all of this. You canβt just runaway at the first sign of trouble in your marriage.β
βHe regrets our marriage, so thereβs nothing to stay and fight for.β Kaine inhaled and mopped up her tears with the handkerchief in her hand. βI want to go back home. I want to go back to Nigeria. Please help me, Kanayo. Please help me go back home. Biko.β
She needed a place where she could hide and heal from the gnawing pain in her heart.
But would she ever heal?
Kanayo stared at her for a long moment, then sighed and nodded. βOkay. Iβll help you.β
*** ~~~ ***
TRANSLATIONS:
Ebe zi na: Cry no more.
Biko: Please.
Wow! I feel for you Kaine! I feel your pain! Don’t run from your problems, every one has at least one.
Awwwwwwww! Poor Kaine. TM this twist sha……. How can Tobi be alive?
Run away wasn’t an option for u Kaine n it wud not solve d issue on ground but wch1 b Tobi resurrection again. This twist is getting bigger n bigger, nycM David n a big thumbs-up 4 Sally.
Can’t wait for the next episode
Ok…this Tobi’s resurrection I did not expect…Nice on TM. Thank you.
Awwwwh, Tobi coming back to live….how? What is the twist please? This is really getting interesting.
Kaine you cannot keep running na. Am too angry sef. If i was kanayo I was drive here there or call nick
I’ve been following this story religiously and enjoying it too. I must say however that there’s something off about this episode.. I can’t quite put my finger on it but I didnt buy the emotions…
It almost felt too fast paced and not like the other episodes..
Really? I will have to think on this. Thanks, Made.
God work in wondrous ways, imagine if Kaine was Tobi’s lover, after giving herself to her new husband, na d Tobi would show up and cause katakata. God is involved jare… Weldone TM
Dis novel seems like a soap opera. Tobi isn’t dead, at least d truth got out before he arrived, Kaine running away is going to look bad at least it will add to dese already filled drama novel. Too many twists and turns.
NYC piece TM was expecting tobi resurrection at all
Don’t Run Away From Your Marriage Bike. He Is Only Reacting To The Whole Thing.
Interesting Episode As Always.
The truth is out, Tobi is back from died??Wat a twist. Kraine Bby plz don’t run away from ur problems, face it wiv courage.
Tanx TM can’t wait for nxt epi.
Much as Kaine procrastinated, this is likely to be the first big test the duo face. The love and attachment that is getting stronger goes through its first challenge, I wanna see how they sort this out. The young woman is totally inexperienced while her hubby feels played.
Throw the news of Tobi being alive and Anwuli’s likely return as well into the mix, and we have a super super story on our hands.
Well done TM. Bravo
Kaine should endure till Nick get over d truth…it wont b easy leaving all this love behind
Nyc twist TM
Tobi is alive!!! Kaine should calm down and stop blowing things out of proportion. Did she expect Dominic to hear the truth and just cuddle her
I have been unpardonably absent but yet I have been thankful for every comment comment, all encouragements received and all praises generously given,
Thank you all.
Too bad Nick didnt take it as i expected. If i know a thing about relationships, i will say Nick would come to his senses and look for Kaine till he finds her. glad he found out by their consumating the marriage. it would make long for her more.
Senior Tobi coming back from death is a surprise. wasnt expecting it. Great one TM. cant wait to come back and read the remaining epIsodes.
Nice piece, and it only natural for Kaine to feel like running away ,Nick should think things through and go after her…… I really cnt wait for the next chapt!!!