STAGED AFFECTION
(Episode 17)
Minutes later, I came downstairs, ready to face the day. Nichelle and her mother were already eating breakfast, and I greeted them both, trying to sound cheerful.
“Good morning, ma,” I said, addressing Nichelle’s mother. “I might be late today, I have an appointment with some clients.”
Nichelle’s eyes widened in shock, and she looked at me with a mixture of surprise and concern. “Are you sure you don’t want me to be there with you?” she asked, her voice laced with a hint of desperation. “Maybe I can go as your PA for today?”
I shook my head, trying to sound firm. “There’s no need for that, I already have a PA,” I said, trying to reassure her.
But Nichelle persisted, her eyes pleading with me. “I want to go with you today,” she said, her voice soft and persuasive.
Her mother intervened, sensing the tension between us. “Nichelle, I know you love and want to be around him always, but I think you should allow him to do his work with his workers, okay?” she said, her voice gentle but firm.
I nodded in agreement, trying to sound grateful. “Exactly, ma,” I said, smiling at her. “I appreciate your understanding.”
But Nichelle’s face wasn’t happy, her expression twisted in a scowl. She looked at me, her eyes flashing with anger, but said nothing.
As I turned to leave, she spoke up, her voice barely above a whisper. “Please come back home straight once you’re done with work,” she said, her eyes pleading with me.
I turned and nodded, faking a smile as her mother smiled too, oblivious to the tension between us. “I will,” I said, trying to sound reassuring. “Don’t worry, I’ll be fine.”
*****************
When I left Nichelle’s house, I decided to visit my village and spend some quality time with my mom. I hadn’t seen her in 7 months, and I knew she would be thrilled to see me. As I arrived, she welcomed me with open arms, beaming with joy.
We spent the whole day together, catching up on lost time. She took me to her kitchen and prepared my favorite dish, which I devoured with relish. After lunch, we sat down in the living room, and my mom brought up a conversation that caught me off guard.
“My son, is it not time you fulfilled your promise to me?” she asked, her eyes sparkling with curiosity.
I was taken aback, unsure of what she was referring to. “What promise, mom?” I asked, trying to play dumb.
She chuckled and said, “Was it not you who promised me you would get married before this year runs out?”
I recovered quickly, trying to reassure her. “Yes, mom, I remember now. And don’t worry, the year is not yet over. I’ll keep my promise.”
My mom nodded, seemingly satisfied with my response. But then she asked another question that left me stunned. “Do you even have a girlfriend?”
We both burst out laughing at the suddenness of her question. “Why would you ask me something like that, mom?” I asked, trying to deflect the question.
But my mom was serious. “I just want to know if you’re making progress, that’s all,” she said, her eyes twinkling with amusement.
I took a deep breath and tried to reassure her. “I’m working on it, mom. Don’t worry, I’ll get married this year.” I said, trying to sound confident, even though I wasn’t sure myself.
*****************
It was in the evening when I left my village and headed back to the city. As I entered the house, I noticed an eerie silence in the living room. I went upstairs, expecting to find Nichelle busy with her usual activities, but instead, I found her seated on the bed, her face etched with worry.
“Where are you coming back from?” she asked, her voice laced with concern, her eyes fixed intently on me.
I shrugged, trying to brush off her question. “I have told you, wherever I go is none of your business,” I replied, trying to sound firm, my tone neutral.
But Nichelle wouldn’t let it go. “Of course, it is my business,” she said, her voice rising, her expression changing to one of indignation. “I have been calling your line, and it has been off. I called Lizy and asked her if you were with her, and she said no. I even went to your house, and KC said you didn’t come there.”
I was taken aback by her admission, surprised that she had gone to such lengths to track me down. “Why would you do that?” I asked, trying to understand her motivations, my curiosity piqued.
Nichelle was quiet for a few minutes, her eyes cast downward, her face a mask of emotions. Then, she looked up at me, her expression softening, her voice barely above a whisper. “I need to know you’re safe,” she said, her words laced with concern.
I turned to leave, but Nichelle called out to me, her voice firm, her tone urgent. “Wait,” she said, her eyes pleading with me to stay.
I paused, my back to her, my heart racing with anticipation. What did she want to say? Why was she so concerned about my whereabouts? I turned back to face her, my expression guarded, my mind racing with questions.
To be continued…
