Even in death 9

They say love is as strong as death. Femi thought so, maybe even stronger. As Wale lay immobile in that bed, she knew she would love him forever, regardless. In life and in the after life. Perhaps, that was her reason, her stance on the adoption matter. She loved Wale too much to share him with any child.

She would come everyday in the morning and leave his bedside at night. Praying silently, her lips moving in supposed silent supplication to the God who could do all things. Sometimes she would lie partially on him. A part of her willing him to rise. Another part...seeking absolution.

If only he hadn’t told her he had a child outside their marriage! Things would have been so different! She didn’t know how to share, it was too late now, to learn to

Her mind went to that dark, windy morning, a few days ago when her husband confessed to her his ‘mistaken' infidelity

She was at the breakfast table, sipping a creamy cup of decaffeinated coffee, looking through a fashion magazine, contemplating what she and Wale would wear at the anniversary party. She had made up her mind they would have four changes of raiment. Wow the foreign and local guests who would be coming to celebrate with them when her husband came into the dinning room, red eyed, fidgety and very unsettled. Wale was always very careful about his appearance but today, he looked very dishevelled for someone who had a business meeting with a client that morning. He didn’t meet her questioning gaze but sat as far away from her as possible on the table

‘Femi, my conscience is eating me alive!’

‘What is it my darling?’ Femi enquired as she hastily moved across the table to him and tried to hold him but he flinched. Bemused she quietly took the seat beside him, folding her hands in her laps.

She could see he was struggling to express himself, would open his mouth to speak, shut it again and repeat the cycle. At a stage she just said ‘Whatever it is, we can work it out. It’s you and me Wale, forever'

That seemed to break him as he burst into tears. She looked him over still not understanding. Finally he blurted

‘I’m sorry Femi. I didn’t ever mean for this...this to happen. I...i...have a child...a son'

Femi looked at him not comprehending...and yet fully comprehending. The sky appeared to be falling....falling directly on her well coiffed head. This could not be happening to her. Not now, not ever

It was as if a dam was let loose in her husband, her trusted confidant of close to fifteen idyllic years bared it all in a rush. A female client whom he had had a fling with, had gotten pregnant and had a son who was already two years old

‘I don’t love her, Femi. It’s you I love'

Femi raised her suddenly wooden face to his and knew his words were a lie, even as he tried to avert his gaze. He loved that woman, more importantly, he loved the son, his son. The son they could never have together...and, it was all his fault.

Suddenly, she knew what must be done and quickly too.

She stood up and started pacing the floor. Finally she said coolly even though her insides were shaking ‘ You must stop seeing them'

Wale bowed his head in his arms, tears streaking down his cheeks

‘ Femi, how can I stop seeing my son?’ he cried, a world of pain and anguish in his voice

‘I made you Wale, never forget that. I can strip you of everything because everything you think you have belongs to me'

Wake in a muffled tone replied ‘I know'

‘This...the mother of your child, I assure you will disappear without a trace when you lose everything'

Femi looked him over, a mixture of revulsion, contempt and love on her face. Her expression however changed to that of loving kindness when he lifted his face to hers

‘You have to stop seeing your son and the mother of your child, if you want this marriage to continue and...the benefits inside' she said to him in a voice brokering no argument

He looked down at his hands and looked at her before glancing away again and she knew he wouldn’t do it even as his lips agreed to

‘Is she hereabouts?’she asked with difficulty,  choking back a sob

He answered woodenly ‘She is'

‘Good! You will go there after taking a shower and inform her of your. ..our decision'

He stood up and walked with heavy legs towards the marble staircase 

Femi knew what she had to do. It was either they or her. She could not afford to lose her husband, not now, not after everything. If she couldn’t have him, in this form, no one else would.

She picked up a few of her work tools and headed for his latest acquisition(at the garage)and favourite car as she bent to work on the brakes. The driver was away for today, the gateman too faraway to notice anything and the maids? In the house cleaning the rooms.

With adept fingers she set to work and was done very quickly. She tidied up and looked back to be sure there was no obvious evidence as to what she had done. The rains started then. Very leisurely she started walking back to the house as her tears mingled with the rain which fell with vengeance. By the time she got inside, she was soaked to the bones. She headed for the room where Wale was already dressing up..he looked her over, opened his mouth to speak but thought better of it. She smiled brightly at him as she quickly divested herself of the soaked jeans shorts and tee shirt she was wearing and just as quickly dressed up in a white body hug gown...which was fitting, appropriate for the occasion. 

Finally Wale was done dressing and picking up the car keys, she linked her hands with his as they both silently made their way out of the room.

Femi dutifully escorted her husband to the car and kissed him passionately as he stepped into the car..the car that would serve as his casket.

‘ I love you more than life itself Wale. Never, ever forget that'

Wale whispered 'I love you too'

Dispassionately, Femi thought he wasn’t very good at lying and knew he was never going to be rid of the woman and child. Well! All that would be sorted out within a jiffy!

She wasn’t surprised to receive the call that Wale was involved in an accident. But, she was surprised he had survived. Who survives that kind of accident?

Dutifully she went to visit her ill fated husband, a part her felt for him, a tiny part.

To be continued....