ABUSED..
Episode 6
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It’s been a week since mother travelled everything has been moving smoothly; work has been tedious, Ade and I are still communicating well. He suggested to come know my place when he found out mother travelled but I cooked up excuses to deter him from coming.
I was busy with work, when a black Rav 4 jeep packed at the entrance of our shop; the rider seems to be taking his or her time to disembark. Mr Hassan kept looking through the glass door to see who it was
” Ruth”
” Sir,
“take Mrs Adams clothes, iron them and package it. I think she is the one, she said she is coming today. ”
” Yes sir”
I took the clothes to the other section, where we iron and packaged clothes once it ready. I set the table, I was about to plug the iron when, Mr Hassan walked in
” Someone is here to see you”
” Me” I asked confused. Who could that be I thought. No one has ever paid me visit expect for Ade, who Mr Hassan is familiar with. Whoever this person was, has a strong personality for Mr Hassan to come by himself to inform me.
” Leave that, Oluchi will finish it up later. You can go see your visitor”
I walked pass him to the outer section where we receive visitors. Behold, it was Reuben. I wonder what he is doing here, probably he has come to make a dress, well then, he should just have talked things through with our boss. I walked up to him; he was standing close to the glass door. He looks so charming in his black tuxedo,
” Good day sir. ”
” Ruth, good day. ” He responded with a smile
” It’s surprising seeing you here, have you come to patronize us”
” Mmm, no. Well, some other time. I’m here to see you”
” Me” I scoffed
” Yes. Shall we? ”
” To where?”
” It’s a surprise. Actually it’s my birthday, your aunt isn’t around I thought to spend it with you if you don’t mind”
” I..I .I am busy with work”
” Oh! That, don’t worry. You boss granted me permission to steal you today”
I wonder what this man is up to for goodness sake. I knew for sure Mr Hassan wouldn’t hesitate to let me leave, he has eyes for money. The way Reuben is dressed, I am sure he has promised Mr Hassan some big deal which he couldn’t resist
” Ok. Give a minute, let me get my things”
I could see the way my fellow apprentice were ogling after him, Ayo has been looking at me for a thousand times, I could read the expression on his face and I am sure Ade would get a wind of what just happened. I got my things and left with Reuben.
The ride home was a silent one though the music from the stereo made it relaxing, I felt ease and relaxed. Reuben sure has good taste for music. He drove down to the house, I thought we were going to a different place but to my surprise it was to my house.
We alighted and got inside, Reuben has a spare key so he opened the door, I was greeted with a beautifully decorated Livingston with cakes, food, birthday cards and drinks.
” We are having a party?”
“No. I just want to spend my birthday with you and in turn celebrate yours even though you don’t know your natal day”
” Oh wow! It’s lovely but”
” No but Ruth. Just savour the moment. I got you something, you can try it on”
” Sir, all of these should be with my aunty not me. I feel strange and uncomfortable in this atmosphere”
” Ruth. You are no longer a child. You should be eighteen or nineteen. Don’t act petulant, it’s just how I choose to celebrate my day and I want you to tag along that’s why I got the dress”
I sighed, took the dress to my room and within few minutes I was dressed in the flowing red velvet dress. I went to the sitting room and found him setting the table, a soft music was playing from the theater. The atmosphere was romantically charged, I felt small with the way he looks at me.
” You look stunning Ruth” he said with a quiet voice that made me have knots in my stomach
” Thanks”
” Can I have a dance?”
” Dance?”
” Yes”
When Last did do that I thought to myself, when Ade tried to dance with me, it wasn’t having it. We dance for some minutes with Reuben so close to me, I almost choked; I wasn’t comfortable.
When the dancing session was over, we ate, chatted and I sang for him to celebrate his day. In as much as I wasn’t happy with the way things were going, I felt this euphoria of being in love. Mother has a gold mine, I must confess. It was getting a bit late and Reuben made to leave, I thanked him for making me part of his day. He left for his place after the celebration. It was fun
It was the sweetest night of my life. I was still playing everything in my head when my phone rang it was Ade. I picked the call.
” I know the reason you don’t love me as you claim”
” What’s wrong?”.
” You are pretending. not knowing someone has been the one brainwashing you, ehn Ruth”
” It’s not what you think. He is my mother’s friend.”
” Really! I’m not a fool Ruth. Do you even love me at all? ”
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” You know I do”
..” then I leave this relationship for you to decide. I have to plea for you to come see my place, for me to come see you place, and now I get to beg for your love. After everything I did for you. When you were alone I was there for you, showered you with love and gifts. Now what? I have thousands of girls prettier than you seeking for my attention but I chose you. It’s up to you, the end of this relationship is yours to decide Ruth. Just know this, no one can love you the way I do not even your mother”
He hung up, I am at loss on what to do. I felt sour by his words, like an acid is poured on me. Ade has been sweet and nice to me, I can’t afford to loose him like that. He is the only one who makes me feel special, wanted and love.
I am at crossroad on what to do
I don’t want to loose the one person who treated me right. Who made me feel wanted, and treated me like human, who showed me I matter and is concerned about my smile. I can’t give up on this relationship that has warmed my heart. I have made my decision, I have to show him I love him by all means. The fear of loosing Ade gripped my heart, the thought of it made me sick, I can’t just loose this person fate brought my way to put smile on my face. I look forward to each day because of Ade.
Mother made me feel worthless but Ade made me feel needed, Mother’s words scorched my heart, but Ade words soothes and cool my heart. I can’t just let this ship sail off without any course. Ade gave me closure and shield me when I needed. Besides, this is what most girls do to make their boyfriend happy, and it’s my duty to keep him happy.
Ade’s birthday is in two days time, I will give him a surprise. He is yet to call me since the last time we spoke, he ignores my message on social media and has been to our work place. I haven’t been myself since then. I feel unease each time I am tasked with something, my boss scolded me harshly for the first time two days ago because I mistakenly mixed up two different measurements; all this and more were as a result of my distraction. I couldn’t focus on anything, I thank God mother wasn’t around to make me feel worse.
Reuben visits every evening, his company was the only thing that distracts me from Ade. He talks sweetly and jokes a lot. I got use to his company that I look forward to it each day. I saw him as an uncle, he is chatty and gentle in speech. The shyness I feel each he was around was depreciating each day. I became comfortable with him. I got so comfy that we were both seeing a comic movie one night, we both laughed at a particular scene, he touched my thigh and before I could recover from the laugher he was holding me close. We both stare at each other
” Your eyes are charming Ruth” he said softly
I blinked, released myself from his hold, turning to the other side
” When is my aunt coming back? I tried calling but she wasn’t picking up, sent her text, she didn’t reply. Probably she is consumed by her job”
” Actually her stay in Abuja was extended. She called to inform me that she would be there for the two weeks and she would see her younger sister before she returns. You are missing her? Don’t worry, that’s why I keep you company”
” Ok. I feel sleepy”
” You can lie on my chest”
” Reuben, can stop with these jokes of yours”
” I am not joking. Ruth, I like you”
” What?”
” Yes, I do”
” Excuse me, what about my aunt”
” Well, we are just friends nothing more”
” Reuben, it’s time you leave. I need to rest, I .. I had a long day” I said standing up to usher him out
” I can massage you, you are going to enjoy it. It relaxes the nerves”
” Thanks but I need to sleep”
” Ok then. I am glad I finally told you how I feel about you. I’m relieved. Just think about it” he said to me with a smile plastering his shiny face.
He made to peck me but I shoved my head away. I don’t know what is wrong with him.
” See you in two days time my angel. ” He said as he s left, I slammed the door and sigh in disbelief. Reuben! I don’t know what to make of this. I thought he was joking but with the look on his face, and the desire I saw in those eyes, Reuben meant business๐ฉ๐ฉ
TO BE CONTINUED
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