STAGED AFFECTION
(Episode 10)
That evening, when Nichelle’s mother came back, she asked Nichelle about me, and Nichelle replied that I was in the room. I could hear their voices, so I decided to go downstairs to welcome her mother. I went down and greeted her warmly, trying to put on a good show.
Just as I was about to head back to the room, she called me back. “Wait, I want to discuss something with you,” she said, her expression serious.
I nodded, feeling a sense of trepidation. “No problem, ma,” I replied. “I’ll be available whenever you’re ready.”
She nodded and smiled. “Later tonight, then. I have some things to attend to first.”
I left and went upstairs, my heart racing with all sorts of thoughts. Why did she want to see me? Is it possible she had already found out about our lies to her? I thought about all the things we had done, all the fake smiles and pretend conversations. Had she seen through it all?
I went to the room and sat down on the floor, trying to calm my racing thoughts. But my mind was a jumble of worst-case scenarios. What if she confronted me about our deception? What if she threw me out of the house?
I tried to push the thoughts aside and focus on the present moment. But my mind kept wandering back to the conversation I was about to have with Nichelle’s mother. What did she want to discuss with me? And why did she want to do it in private?
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Later that night, Nichelle was already lying on the bed, while I was lying on the ground, both of us busy scrolling through our phones. She had earphones in her ears, playing music, and seemed oblivious to my presence.
But then, I heard footsteps coming from outside the room. I knew it was her mother, and I immediately stood up and tried to get Nichelle’s attention.
“Nichelle, your mom is coming,” I whispered urgently. “Adjust so I can lay on the bed.”
But Nichelle didn’t seem to hear me, too engrossed in her music. I knew I had to act fast, so I quickly lay down on the bed and pulled Nichelle into a kiss, just as her mother opened the door.
Her mother’s eyes widened in surprise, and she quickly turned away, apologizing profusely. “Oh, I’m so sorry guys, I never knew you were in the middle of something.”
Nichelle’s face changed in an instant, her expression turning from calm to shocked and angry. She was clearly surprised by my sudden kiss, but she quickly recovered, putting on a shy smile for her mother’s benefit.
Her mother, oblivious to the tension, told me to come downstairs so we could talk. I quickly stood up, eager to escape Nichelle’s angry gaze, and followed her mother out of the room.
As we went downstairs, I could feel Nichelle’s eyes on me, burning with anger and resentment. I didn’t bother much about nichelle’s looks but about what her mother wants to tell me.
I followed her mother to the living room, my heart racing with anticipation. What did she want to talk about? And how could I keep up the charade?
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As we sat down, I could feel the tension building up inside me. Her mother broke the silence, her voice firm but curious.
“Razi, I called you here to know the plans of you and my daughter,” she said, her eyes fixed on me.
I was taken aback, unsure of what to say. “What plans?” I asked, trying to sound nonchalant.
Her mother looked at me with surprise, her expression incredulous. “Don’t tell me you both aren’t planning to settle down?” she asked, her voice rising.
I quickly recovered, trying to think of a convincing response. “Oh, why not?” I said, trying to sound confident. “We are working on that. I was planning for us to get married by the end of the year.”
I knew I was lying, but I had to keep up the charade. Her mother nodded, a smile spreading across her face.
“Oh, that’s really good,” she said. “Now you are talking. Though I thought it would come up early, like next two months or something.”
I was surprised, unsure of how to respond. “Next two months?” I repeated, trying to sound calm.
Her mother nodded, her expression serious. “Yes, I want you both to get married as soon as possible. I want to see my daughter settled down before the end of the year.”
I was taken aback, unsure of what to say. “Why do you want it that fast?” I asked, trying to sound curious.
But before her mother could respond, Nichelle appeared at the top of the stairs, her eyes fixed on us. Her mother turned to me and said, “Never mind, but we should try and make it happen.”
I nodded, standing up to leave. “I’ll do my best,” I said, trying to sound convincing.
As I turned to leave, Nichelle asked her mother, “Is everything okay?”
Her mother nodded, smiling. “Everything is fine, dear. Just discussing your future with Razi.”
I quickly made my exit, unsure of what to make of the conversation. But I knew one thing – I had to keep up the act, no matter what.
To be continued…
