*EPISODE 14*
(CLICKED)
When Jeff was done crying, he felt relieved. Like a heavy burden has been lifted off his shoulder. His heavy heart became light.
Starting from that day, Jeff forgave himself and became a cheerful person. He took out kemi’s picture from his drawer and burnt it.
“Dear Kemi, i’ve decided this day, to let go of my pains, my past and my mistakes. I want to Forgive myself for everything I’ve put my self through for the past five years. I want to accept the fact that everything that had happened, was never my fault. Henceforth, I’m going to embrace my present and learn to appreciate everything in it while hoping for a better and happier future.” He said staring at kemi’s picture as it burnt before him.
And from then, he started seeing Tricia differently. Everything about her started pleasing him. At night whenever she was fast asleep, he kept finding himself staring helplessly at her as she slept beside him.
Sometimes, he gently stroke her hair while she’s fast asleep. He made sure he provided her with medications till her cold was gone.
Each time he saw Tricia smiling with his Mom, be it in the kitchen, or in the sitting room, Jeff always found himself stealing few glances at her. He felt contented watching her smile happily.
He could not explain what he felt for her at that moment. But he just knew that he loved seeing her smile beautifully.
As soon as Tricia recovered from her cold, Jeff’s mom insisted that Jeff must teach Tricia how to swim to avoid a repetition of what happened at Mr. Akin’s resort. Deep down, Jeff’s joy knew no bound as he was given the opportunity to teach Tricia how to swim.
He delightfully taught Tricia how to swim. And most importantly, he appreciated the fact that he got to spend time with her while using swimming class as an excuse.
While at work one morning, Leo walked into his office.
“Good morning Jeff.” He greeted shutting the door behind him.
“Good morning Leo.” Jeff replied looking all excited.
“Someone looks so excited. What’s the good news?.” Leo asked sitting before him.
“What good news are you talking about?.” Jeff asked.
“Your countenance says it all Jeff. You look very excited. What’s the good news about?.” Leo said.
“Well, there’s no good news Leo. But I’m just strangely excited.” Jeff said.
“Then, do you want me to tell you the truth?.” Leo asked.
“What truth?.” Jeff asked
“You are now acting like a newly married man. You know that excitement that comes with being newly married. That’s what’s written all over your face right now.” Leo said.
“Well in that case, I don’t think you are wrong. Cause after all, I’m actually a newly married man.” Jeff said smiling helplessly.
“Wait a minute. Jeff has something been going on between you and Tricia lately?.” Leo asked leaning forward.
“Why would a single man want to know what goes on between a married man and his wife?.” Jeff asked leaning forward with his hands folded on the table.
“Married man?. That’s strange. You are beginning to act weird lately.” Leo said not understanding Jeff.
“I hope you didn’t come to insult me in my office this morning?.” Jeff asked.
“Who has time for that?. I came to inform you that, we have lots of brands who are willing to work with Tricia. At this point, I don’t know if she’s the one modeling and promoting our brand or we are the one advertising her.” Leo said.
“That’s great news. I honestly can’t wait to return home and tell Tricia about this.” Jeff said smiling brightly.
“Huh?. Jeff, tell me the truth. Have you fallen for Tricia?.” Leo asked trying to satisfy his curiosity.
Jeff stood up and took few steps towards his office window. With his hands deeped inside his pocket, and his back facing leo, he said.
“I don’t know Leo. I can’t explain the meaning of what I feel for tricia. I don’t know if it’s gratitude or something bigger than gratitude. But one thing is certain. I just love to see her happy and as well, share in her happiness. Cause she helped me find happiness. She brought me out of my mystery. She unknowingly lightened my dark and confused path.” Jeff said.
Hearing these words from Jeff, Leo stood from where he sat and placed his hand on Jeff’s table with his jaw dropped in shock and disbelief.
“Jeff?. There’s nothing like gratitude. What i see is a man who is already in love but is yet to realize it himself. This is really unlike you. What changed?. Tell me. Did you touch Tricia. I mean, has something started happening between you two?.” Leo asked totally confused.
Jeff quickly turned and walked up to him.
“Something like what exactly?.” He asked.
“Don’t act like a child Jeff. You know what I’m talking about. Have you have a taste of her honey pot?. Cause I don’t understand why the sudden change of judgement and perception about her.” Leo said.
“Oh…..!. Was that what you meant by has something started happening between us?.” Jeff asked.
“Yeah. Cause obviously, you are beginning to act abnormal. I mean, this is unlike you. You used to detest everything that had to do with Tricia. But look at you suddenly showering praises on her. What exactly is the secret?.” Leo asked.
“Well, I believe I owe you no explanations whether or not, I sleep with my wife.” Jeff said.
“Your wife?.” Leo asked completely taken aback. “What exactly has gotten into you?.” Leo asked totally amazed.
“Nothing Leo. I’m perfectly fine.” Jeff replied.
“Ahhh…..!. My guy is gone. He has obviously fallen for her. Of a truth, Love comes with a little touch of madness. Cause this is madness.” Leo said falling back to his seat in disbelief.
“I don’t know what you are saying, but all I know is, Tricia is a good woman. And she doesn’t deserve to be talked down on. I have to make up for all the misconceptions, misunderstanding, and all the negative assumptions I’ve had about her.” Jeff said.
“But what happened to your usual talks of wanting to wait for Kemi?.” Leo asked.
“I’ve decided not to wait anymore.” Jeff said.
“Unbelievable!.” Leo said clapping his hands in amazement.
“Yeah. I’ve decided to forgive and forget my past by learning to appreciate and embrace my present. Cause the past is gone. And I can’t see what’s in the future. So, right now, the present is all I have. And the present is all that matters. And I must live it with no regrets.” Jeff said.
“Love has finally turned my man into a motivational speaker. Well, all thesame. I’m so happy for you. I’m really really happy for you. If not for anything, but for the fact that you’ve finally decided to let go of kemi. And face the reality of life.” Leo said.
“That’s all thanks to Tricia man.” Jeff said smiling profusely.
“Speaking of Tricia, how exactly did she do it?. Cause I’ve spent years trying to talk you out of your past. But all my efforts proved abortive. So I’m curious to know how Tricia was able to achieve this in less than a month.” Leo said.
“Honestly speaking, Tricia has a strange way of speaking soothing and healing words into my soul. Yes sometimes she can be so annoying and all that. But whenever she means business, I’m left in total disbelief cause then i usually get to see a different version of Tricia. It’s more like she has everything in her. She can be crazy, quiet, annoying, cheerful infact she can be everything.” Jeff said.
“Hmmmmmm!.” Leo took a deep sigh. “Something is definitely growing in your heart Jeff.” Leo said smiling as he shaked his head.
That evening, Jeff returned home and after dinner, he came to realize that Tricia had already received the script for her upcoming movie project.
He saw her struggling to memorize her lines while he laid on the bed trying to catch some sleep. She kept talking and it kept bothering him cause he couldn’t sleep.
“Now what’s with the noise Tricia?.” He said sitting upright.
“I’m trying to master my lines before next week. But these lines aren’t sticking in my brain.” She lamented angrily flipping through the pages of the script.
“So, how can I be of help to you?.” He asked.
“Why don’t you come and read the line of Fred while I read mine?.” She said.
“Okay. So even if I wanted to do that, how do I do it when it’s just a single script that’s available?.” Jeff asked.
“I made provision for that already.” Tricia said bringing out a different script.
“Alright then. Let’s get to work.” Jeff said collecting the script from Tricia. “So are we starting from the beginning?. And why is my script having only three pages?.” Jeff asked flipping through the pages of the script.
“That’s because it contains only the important and most difficult lines of the character Fred.” Tricia said.
“Okay then. Bring it on.” Jeff said.
“Are you read the script while sitting on the bed?.” Tricia asked.
“Why?. Do you prefer I stand?.” Jeff asked totally confused.
“Yes. Let’s make it real.” Tricia said.
“Okay oooo. Tricia and her unending troubles.” Jeff said getting off the bed.
He stood up and Tricia stood facing him then she began.
“I don’t know when it all began. But right now, you’ve become an important part of my life. With you I’ve created so much memories of which I would love to cherish and hold unto for the rest of my life. And I hope you feel same way for me too.” Tricia said staring deeply into Jeff’s eyes.
“I thought you said you couldn’t master your lines. How then were you able to say all that without looking at the script?. For a moment I thought it was real.” Jeff said.
“And what if it was real?. What would your response be?.” Tricia asked with a serious face.
“Let’s see what the script says then.” Jeff said avoiding her gaze and staring helplessly into the script.
He saw what was written on the script but he went ahead and said things the way he felt them in his heart. He was staring at the script but speaking directly from his heart.
“There’s no need hoping that I feel the same way for you too. Cause I’ve fallen deeply in love with you Tricia.” He said. Tricia heard her name and raised her head staring confusedly at Jeff who dropped the script and walked closer to her. Then staring steadily into her eyes, he continued. “I don’t know when it started as well. But I have come to realize that your smile brightens my day. And my life has started revolving around you. I have also created special and important memories with you. Memories that I would love to cherish and hold unto for the rest of my life.” Jeff said.
Hearing these words, Tricia almost teared up.
“Wow!. You are such a good actor. How were you able to come up with such words without looking at the script?.” She teased fighting back tears.
Jeff scoffed and said, “That’s because I’m a talented actor. And as an expert, I think this is where the actors get to kiss each other.” Jeff said smiling with tears in his eyes.
“In which script did you read that from?.” Tricia asked smiling.
“In Jeff’s and Tricia’s script.” Jeff replied.
And without further hesitation, he stretched forth his left hand, and grabbed Tricia by her waist pulling her close to himself. Then he placed his right palm on her cheek. And slowly, he moved his hand to her jaw. He lifted her face, and lowered his lips against hers. Thereby planting a deep, pleasurable and memorable kiss on her lips.
Tricia quickly wrapped her hands around his neck as she returned his kiss in a more affectionate way.
Hmmm wow