Shades of Marriage π₯°πππ₯Ίπ Part 5
I just sat down crying as Austin declared his intentions to me. He looked so serious and sounded resolutely.
“You know my situation I guess”. I stuttered.
“Yes, I do”. Austin answered.
“I don’t even know my status at all. I don’t know if I am still married or not. You saw what my husband did to my shop right? He is just like that. He is very swift to anger and won’t stay still until he leaves you frustrated. I appreciate your feelings for me but I don’t think I can entertain it for now”. I said firmly.
“I am not forcing you at all. I don’t even expect you to accept me immediately. I just wanted to let you know. I don’t want to ever miss my chance of being with you… I want you”. Austin said assertively.
I just sat down staring at him. My husband sounded like this when we first started if not better. He was all over me and was very caring. We were both in love and I thought what we had would last forever till he he took me to see his parents and everything changed.
“Thank you so much sir but I can’t promise you anything. I don’t think I have the strength for anything marriage. I just want to be alone”. I said.
“I am ready to wait for you. I won’t rush you. Let’s be friends for now at least. Please give me your number”. Austin said handing me his phone for me to insert my phone number.
I was hesitant for a while but later gave in.
“Thank you for making my day”. Austin said smiling.
His smile was so funny, I didn’t know when I started laughing.
“It’s good to see this beautiful laughter once again. Please laugh often”. Austin said.
“Stop jor”. I said blushing and we both burst into laughter.
We left the restaurant smiling and giggling.
He booked a ride with an Uber driver who came to pick me up.
“I will call you”. He said while the Uber driver drove off.
For some weird reasons, I felt relieved. I wasn’t sad about my shop that my husband has hijacked. I wasn’t bothered about anything. It was really nice speaking with Austin.
I finally got to the house and met Faith and her mother in the palour watching a TV programme.
“Babe what took you so long na. I was so worried about you”. Faith asked concernedly.
“It’s a long story. Good evening mama”. I said genuflecting.
“Good evening my child. I heard about what your husband did. Don’t be sad about it. They want you to come begging before them. I pray you don’t give in. Some men would go an extra mile to make sure they break you completely. Ndo!”. Mama said.
“I needed to hear these words. Thank you so much ma. You’ve always cared for me like your own. You will live long for us”. I said with gratitude.
“You are all my children. God will help you”. Mama said patting my back.
I felt like a baby.
“Babe gist me… Your husband really carried everything from the shop?”. Faith asked.
“Na so I see am my sister. I don’t even know what to do. That man is so wicked. I can’t believe I was once in love with him”. I said bitterly.
“It is well my sister. I will put words with my husband and see how we can help you “. Faith said
“You have done enough already… Please don’t stress that man for my sake. I am good”. I pleaded
“What are friends for? You know I can do anything for you right? I will talk to my husband “. Faith said with finality.
My phone started ringing, it was Austin. I didn’t know when I started blushing. Luckily, nobody noticed it.
I excused myself to take the call.
To be continued
Judith Onyoyibo
