Unknown 7

I knew meeting with Jude was wrong. I was a respectably married lady with a son. I had everything to lose by going on a tryst with a single guy, wait a minute, why was I assuming Jude was single?! He could be married! That thought was disturbing to me as I felt hot, urgent pangs of sudden jealously.

Sean noticed I was so distracted on the day I was to meet with Jude. He kept asking me what was wrong, trying to look into my eyes but, I carefully avoided making eye contact. 

In my restlessness, I also felt a measure of guilt. My hubby had been good to me, mostly. We had reached some sort of understanding over the years as he took excellent care of myself, my son and my family. How could I rationalise this meet with an ex lover? The guy who had disvirgined me?

Even in the midst of the conflicting thoughts, I knew nothing, nobody would stop me from meeting with Jude.

I found my way to the venue only to find him waiting for me. I had lied to hubby that I was meeting with a church member, Sean I had left abruptly with his nanny.

Time appeared to disappear as Jude held me in his arms and I, throwing caution to the winds, flung my arms around his neck, breathing in the sweet smell of his aftershave and body spray. This was my heart, my soul, my love, my joy and my nemesis!

We spoke for what seemed like hours in a secluded spot. No one else existed for me. Jude told me he was a civil engineer and he had his own firm. He was in Nigeria on vacation and he wasn’t married. I felt a huge weight lifted off my chest as he said he was still single

‘I could never get anyone that could measure up to you, Soom. No woman has ever made me feel the way you make me feel'

I looked into his eyes and saw the truth there. The truth of his undying love and frustration.

He suggested a drive to the beach, I gave acquiescence. I was ready to go anywhere with my love. I felt I had been given a second lease at life. Excitement and hope filled my bones. 

I got home at midnight. I let myself in quietly and went to my son's room where he was sound asleep under the duvet. I kissed his cheeks gently , adjusted the cover which was partially thrown off his body, for he was a restless sleeper and exited his room.

I made my way to the room I shared with hubby. It was in darkness and I silently undressed and was about sliding into the bed when the supposedly still, sleeping form of my hubby stirred

‘ Where are you coming from?’ he asked with barely controlled fury

My heart started beating heavily.’ I..i..told you I was going to see Sister Chiamaka' I stammered

He switched on the bedside lamp and as he sat up on the bed, I could see he hadn’t changed into his pyjamas. Chai! Wahala be like bicycle!

‘I was at sister Chiamaka's house because I was worried sick, and you weren’t there. Soom, where the hell were you?!’

I couldn’t look him in the eye, I was frozen to the spot. I had never been good at pretence and subterfuge. What could I say? That I had gone to be serenaded by my ex?

To be continued.