Chapter 48

Then you will have to choose between me and your friends, David replied.
David my friends are good, I said.
I insist you must cut link with them. Instead of preparing for our trip to Dubai, you want to go your friend's engagement, does that make sense? David asked.
It's ok, I said.
I got up from the sofa and stormed upstairs to the bedroom.
David joined me in the bedroom some minutes later. I looked at David as he sat on the bed and caressed my thigh.
You should be refreshing to go check the warehouse, I said.
I will check later, for now I'm in the mood, David said with a wink.
No David, you can't be talking of sex by this time of the day. When we go to Dubai, we will have it more than we want. Let's focus on work now, I said.
You worry about work too much. We are married and I can have sex with my wife anytime I wish, David replied.
Not ready for another argument, I allowed David to undress me and have his way.
I laid like a log of wood as David moaned and grunted on top of me. I shook my head bitterly after he released and rolled off me.
I got up and went to the bathroom to clean up. When I went back to the room, David was snoring on the bed.
I've only been married for two days and already I'm becoming tired, is this how marriage is? No freedom of movement and no more in control of my body? Isn't it better to be single? I thought.
I wore a pencil hand top on a black jean. I slid my legs into a palm slipper and picked the car key.
I looked at David looking very handsome in sleep and heaved.
Maybe with time I will get use to this new life and love it. I must keep my marriage, I thought and left the room.
My phone was still on the sofa in the sitting room. I picked it up and walked out of the house
Ten missed calls all from my friends, I soliloquize.
I told my gateman to open the gate, got into my Inosine Camry and drove out of my compound.
I drove to the warehouse. I did a through check and ensure that the business account was intact and everything going smooth before driving to Kimberly's house.
I heaved with relieved when I met Kimberly at home.
Kimberly, I called.
Don't Kimberly me....
It was work, I was about coming when my boss told me to come to his office immediately, I lied.
Hmm, Kimberly sighed.
Can I see the ring? I asked.
Kimberly smiled and waved her left hand in my face.
Beautiful, I swear this sure cost a fortune, I said.
I brought out my phone and snapped some pictures.
I'm leaving for Dubai for my honeymoon, I said.
Danny won't delay my marriage, he is rushing to get everything in place and here you are talking of Dubai, Kimberly said.
I'm spending only a month and then I'm coming back so I'm not missing anything, I said.
You better don't miss because I won't forgive you, Kimberly replied.
Got to go baby, I said.
So fast? At least come inside and eat, Kimberly said.
I need to check on my brands, I lied.
Hmm, Kimberly sighed.
I heaved and gave Kimberly a peck.
Bye, I blurted.
I hurriedly walked out leaving Kimberly staring at me.
I got back to my car and drove back home.
I entered the room and was relieved that David was still sleeping.
I started packing, I used an hour to pack and arrange up the house before calling Jeremy and Martha to inform them of my trip. Jeremy nagged at me on the phone for missing Kimberly's engagement before wishing me safe journey and Martha wished me safe journey asking me to bring back a beautiful thing for her.
I woke David up early in the evening to refresh, He didn't have to pack as his clothes were still in his box, he had been too lazy to unpack after our wedding.
We left for the airport by 3pm.
My one month stay in Dubai with David turned out to be my worse trip. I had thought of having a mad fun honeymoon; showing David all the beautiful places I knew in Dubai and coming back with my first pregnancy but everything turned out to be a mess.
When we went to a party or club, David would leave me on bench and went flirting with white girls, some days I embarrassed myself trying to force myself to be noticed by him and David would make matters worse by behaving like I was a kinda desperate girl forcing myself on him.
Somedays we went out together and David would suddenly slideout of my sight. I would search and when I don't see him, I returned back to the hotel alone and waited late into the night for David to come back and he always came back either drunk or too tired and some nights he didn't come back.
When we went for sight seeing, it was either David was annoying or dull. He preferred snapping with white girls to snapping with me.
Our bedroom life was the only fun as David made sure he impressed me on bed but even the bedroom too was also frustrating as we had sex twice in a week.
In only a month, I lost lot of weight.
I came back to America to the news of Kimberly's marriage. I didn't inform David, I secretly helped and contributed financially to the marriage plans.
When Kimberly chose me as her chief bridesmaid, I used the excuse of being married to turn down joining the bridal train.
Kimberly's marriage turned out successful and beautiful. my friends demanded to know why I didn't bring David along to both traditional marriage and wedding, I lied that David travelled.
A month after her marriage, Kimberly called me and broke the news of her pregnancy to me. I congratulated her but was worried.
Kimberly has only been married for a month and already took in and I was married for five months and my period hasn't delayed talkmore of missing, I thought sadly.
I paced around my office sadly and immediately it was close of work, I left the company and drove back home.
David was in the sitting room watching super sport as usual. He had stopped working at the warehouse and left all the work for my workers and the monitoring for me and chose to spend all day watching super sport, sleeping and having fun.
I walked to the sofa and sat beside him.
You are back, David said.
Yes, I replied.
How was work? David asked.
It was fine but I'm worried, I said.
About what? David asked.
About my inability to conceive up till now, I replied.
Hmm, David sighed.
Aren't you worried that I have not taken in? I asked.
Why should I be worried, it is just five months of marriage. What about people that wait for years before welcoming kids? David asked.
I don't want to be like them, I said.
Are you trying to say I'm impotent and can't impregnate you? David asked.
No baby. I'm saying we should try harder in the bedroom...
So I'm not satisfying you on bed, David blurted.
No dear, that's not what I mean, I pleaded.
The air conditioner was on and the sitting room was cold but I was sweating.
My friend "Kimberly" she got married a month ago and today she called me and informed that she is three weeks pregnant, I said.
So you are still going about with those your friends? David asked.
Is not like that...
Listen to me: for the last time, if you really want this marriage then keep off from those your friends. The other day they came and you begged me to pretend and be nice to them, I played along. I've warned you to keep off from them but you won't listen. You don't value this marriage, David jest.
I'm sorry, I said.
You won't listen to me but you want me to improve in the bedroom, you must be a joker, David replied.
I held back tears as I got up from the sofa and left the sitting room.
To please David, I severed connection with my friends. I barred their calls and told my gateman not to open the gate for them but to tell them that I'm away.
My schedules was work and home. I miss my friends dearly but there was nothing I could do. I wanted to keep my marriage, it would be too shameful to be married for only a year and divorced with the elaborate wedding I had.
One Friday evening, I was in my boutique checking the cash book when Martha walked in wearing a white polo on a blue jean with blue stilettos.
I gasped at seeing her and immediately held myself.
Hey, I greeted.
Are you busy? Martha asked.
Sure, I replied.
I can see. That eatery across the road, Kimberly and Jeremy are there. I came to call you to come meet them, we just want to have a talk and trust me we won't take much of your time, Martha blurted.
I could feel her anger.
Ok, I said and handed the cash book to my sales girl.
Let's go, I said.
I walked with Martha out of my boutique and we crossed the road to the eatery.
Hey queens, I greeted my friends.
Kimberly replied with a nod and Jeremy shook her head. Martha pulled a chair and sat down besides Kimberly. I sat beside Jeremy.
I couldn't help staring at Kimberly, she was heavily pregnant and looked very beautiful with pregnancy.
How did you guys know I'm in the boutique? I asked.
We came to have lunch in celebration of Kimberly's baby shower that's was last week and we saw your car parked. I assumed you were inside the boutique and decided to check and fortunately you were inside, Martha replied.
So the last time we saw you is like seven months ago, Jeremy said.
I've been busy, I lied.
I can see, Martha mocked.
None of us here is fifteen(15) years, we are all twenty plus (20+). The work that is keeping you so busy, is it not the same work you were doing when you were single? Jeremy asked.
By then I was single. Now I'm married and I have a husband to take care of, I said.
Husband to take care of you say? Look at Kimberly she is married and working and even pregnant but she still hangs out with us. Even with heavy pregnancy she still hangs out, Martha Said.
Just because you are married, you cut contact with your friends, the same friends that encouraged you to go close to the man you married and told your gateman not to let us in. I even thought it was a joke when your gateman said he can't let me in, I was laughing until your gateman embarrassed me when I tried to force my way into your house. That distance you want, I've given it to you and don't come back, Jeremy blurted angrily and stormed out of the eatery.
Feeling too special because you are married. Is marriage an achievement or do you think we will not get married? You will need us one day, Martha screamed and walked out.
My heart was very heavy, I just wanted to cry my heaviness out but didn't want to cry in front of Kimberly. I waited for Kimberly to leave but she sat staring and scanning me as if searching for something on my body.
Pregnancy fits you, I complimented sadly.
I so much wish I can talk to you but with this condition, I don't have strength to talk much, Kimberly said.
Kimberly got up and patted my back.
Marriage isn't a do or die affair. Walk out if it's draining you, Kimberly advised.
Without another word, she held her flowing gown and walked slowly out of the eatery.
I lowered my head and tears flowed down my cheeks freely.
The urge to get my friends back was strong but I controlled it. A woman whose house is on fire doesn't drink wine, I can't be going for my friends when my Marriage was at the edge of collapsed. I needed to work on my home and win David's love before going to get my friends back. I pushed Kimberly's advice to the back of my mind.
A month later, I couldn't hide my joy when I was scrolling my Facebook and came upon Martha's post thanking God for a safe delivery for Kimberly.
I made findings and discovered she gave birth at a private hospital, I didn't waste time visiting the hospital to congratulate my friend. It was a lovely baby girl. Carrying the baby somehow disheartened me, I wished I was carrying mine.
I made a transfer of $200,000 to Kimberly's account as a congratulation and spent the whole day at the hospital before going home.
I shook my head when I got into my house and David was on the sofa watching super sport. I snubbed him and went to the kitchen to prepare dinner.
After cooking and setting the table, I invited David to come eat.
Spaghetti and chicken for dinner? David said and sat opposite me as I dished food into a plate and dropped in front of him.
Tomorrow is our one-year anniversary, how are we gonna celebrate it, I asked David and dished my food.
How do you intend to celebrate it? David asked.
Well since tomorrow is Sunday, we should give testimony in church tomorrow, I said
Ok, David replied.
But honey, it would have been so beautiful if we were celebrating our one-year anniversary with a baby, I noted.
I have tried my best, what do you really want? David asked and dropped his fork into the plate.
How about we go to a doctor to know whose faults it is and what should be done? I asked.
I'm going nowhere, David replied and got up.
David, I cried.
You will have a baby at the right time, David replied and walked out of the dinning room.
I sighed and pushed the food from my face in frustration.
The next day, I didn't give testimony to celebrate my one year of marriage as I planned because David refused to follow me to the altar to give testimony.
My second year of marriage came and went without me conceiving. I couldn't hide my frustration when my third year of marriage came and I still didn't take in and Kimberly was pregnant for her second daughter.
After all my attempts to drag David to the hospital failed, I had no choice than to invite a doctor to my house. The doctor came and after series of checks and test said we were both alright. He encourage David to try harder in the bedroom and advised me to know my ovulation period and have sex during that period.
I took the doctor's advice making sure I was with David during my ovulation time yet nothing happened.
I was very desperate to be pregnant, it got to a point that when my monthly visitor came, I broke down and sobbed.
Not having any other choice, I decided to talk to Kimberly about my predicament. I drove to Kimberly's house after work.
My driving into Kimberly's compound coincided with Danny and Anna(Kimberly's daughter) driving out.
I immediately parked my car and got down.
Is Kimberly around, I asked and blew Anna a kiss.
Yes. She is inside, Danny replied.
I nodded, waved to Danny and walked into the beautiful bungalow.
Kimberly was on the upholster reading a magazine.
Look at you, I greeted and sat beside her.
Gosh Ama you look so skinny, Kimberly said.
Hmm, is not easy. That's why I came to talk to you, I replied.
What's going on? Kimberly asked.
Three years of marriage now, no child. It's disheartening, I blurted as tears gathered in my eyes.
I didn't hide the tears.
Have you gone for check up? Kimberly asked.
Doctor said me and David are fine...
Then what is the problem? Kimberly asked.
I don't know. I'm frustrated, I sobbed.
Kimberly thought for a minute and shook her head.
Why not go for artificial insemination? Kimberly asked.
Is too expensive, I replied.
Don't give me excuse my friend. You and I know you can afford it, Kimberly screamed.
I'm not interested in taking an artificial sperm. What if the sperm donor has a bad blood or something, I replied.
Then find a good man to impregnate you, Kimberly said.
What kind of advice is such? How can you tell me to commit adultery and break my wedding vow? I asked.
When I was warning you not to marry David, you said I'm jealous because I'm not married. Now look at me, I have a loving husband, a beautiful daughter and I'm pregnant for my second child. Will you still say I'm jealous? Kimberly asked.
I heaved.
If you should die without a child, everything you have goes to David. Have you thought of that? Kimberly asked.
Are you wishing you death? I asked.
You are not thinking with with your head which is very bad considering how rich a woman you are, Kimberly said.
I can't commit adultery, I opposed.
Kimberly shook her head.
Lemme get you drink to calm your nerves, Kimberly said.
I looked at Kimberly as she got up and walked towards the kitchen.
She came back in a minute with a glass of orange juice and handed it to me. I collected and gulped.
I felt dizzy. I dropped my head on the upholster and dozed off.
Kimberly's Phone ringing woke me up, I opened my eyes and looked at the wall clock.
7pm!! I gasped and jumped up.
Are you ready to go? Kimberly asked.
I turned to the dinning table.
How long have I been sleeping? I asked.
Do I know? Kimberly asked.
I need to check on my brands before going home, I said.
Ok bye, Kimberly replied and continued eating.
I looked at Kimberly and left her house.
I ordered the gateman to open the gate. I entered my car and drove out of the compound.
Few distance from Kimberly's house, a brown Volvo came out of nowhere blocking me.
Are you drunk, can't you drive? I screamed at the driver.
I gasped as two masked men jumped out of the car and came to my car.
Get down!! The first masked man ordered and opened my car.
Please don't hurt me, I begged.
I was forcefully pulled out of the car and taken to the brown Volvo.
The first masked man pushed me into the brown Volvo and sat beside me and the second masked man entered the driver's seat and drove the Volvo speedily into the street.
A word and you are dead, the first masked man threatened.
I wondered what the men wanted from me.
Could they be hired assassins? I thought in fright.
After some minutes of driving, the second masked man turned the car into a large compound and parked.
I was pulled out of the car by the first masked man and dragged to the left-hand side of the compound where there was a small door. The masked man opened the door, pushed me into the room and immediately closed the door and locked it behind me.
It took a minute for my eyes to get used to the dimness in the room.
A man was laid on a small mattress, I couldn't see his face clearly but was able to see he had beard and round pink lips. He wore only a boxer exposing his muscular body and long hairy legs.
I gasped as the man got up and came toward me.
Please don't hurt me, I begged and walked backward in fright.
He didn't answer but continued coming toward me.
I walked back until my back hit the wall.
Please, I begged helplessly.
He walked to me and pinned me to the wall with his two hands. My chest was beating like it wanted to leave the ribcage.
He lowered his mouth, I tried to turn my face away but couldn't because of his large hands pinning me to the wall. His lips laid on mine and immediately he parted my lips with his tongue.
The kiss was very passionate that I couldn't resist kissing him back, he kissed and walked me gently to the bed. In a minute, we were both naked on the bed.
My hormones were on fire and even though my mind wanted to resist the strange man, my body was too weak to obey my mind. I know rape to be violent and painful and would be lying if I say I was raped, I would say it was my best sex ever, we had ended up using bigger half of the night for lovemaking and I slept off totally satisfied. None of the sex I had with David was that passionate not even the one we had on our wedding night.
Sun rays penetrating into the room woke me up. I wiped my face with my left palm and opened my eyes widely.
The room was bright and I was able to take in everything, the room looked unoccupied.  The wardrobe was empty and no chairs or table but only the mattress which I was laid.
I gasped as memories of the previous night flashed in my mind. I roamed my eyes in fright round the room, there was no sign of the man that made love to me that previous night.
I jumped off the bed and hurriedly wore my clothes.
I heaved with relieve that the door wasn't locked. I walked out of the room and flinched seeing my car parked outside.
What's happening? I soliloquized.
I stared at my car for a minute before summoning courage to walk to it.
The car wasn't locked, I opened it and everything was intact just the way I left it.
I said a quick prayer and entered the car. I ignited the car and drove out of the compound.