THE OTHER SIDE OF FOREVER
(Chapter 5)
Later that night, Kelvin lay on the bed, his phone in hand, pressing and laughing at something on the screen. Lucy walked into the room, her eyes fixed on him for several minutes, her mind racing with thoughts of what her friend had told her earlier.
She couldn’t help but think, “I can see he’s really having fun playing his dirty game. Who’s he happy and relaxed with, texting on his phone like this? Hmm, okay, it seems I’ll start mine. I’ll get myself a side cute guy to be making me happy.”
With that thought, Lucy walked over to the bed and lay down beside Kelvin, her back to him. Kelvin feeling her presence, turned to her, his eyes scanning her body, feeling sexually attracted. He immediately made his move, reaching out to touch her, but Lucy pushed his hands away.
“Go get it from that your side chick you’re texting,” she said, her voice cold and detached.
Kelvin’s expression changed, his eyes widening in surprise. “Haa, which side chick? I was in the comment section of a post, that’s why I’m laughing,” he protested.
Lucy’s response was immediate. “I’m not in for your lies tonight, Kelvin. Don’t try to deceive me.”
Kelvin’s face fell, his eyes dropping to the bed. “Lucy, I swear, I’m not cheating on you. Why won’t you believe me?”
Lucy’s laughter was bitter. “Believe you? You’ve given me no reason to believe you, Kelvin. All I see is you pushing me away and laughing with someone else on your phone.”
Kelvin’s sigh was heavy. “Lucy, please. Let’s talk about this.”
But Lucy was unmoved. “There’s nothing to talk about, Kelvin. You’ve made your choice. Now I’ll make mine.”
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The next morning, Kelvin woke up with a sense of determination. He knew he needed to make things right with Lucy, and he was willing to do whatever it took. He called out to her, his voice soft and gentle. “Lucy, can we talk?”
But Lucy was unmoved. She walked into the kitchen, her back to him, and began preparing breakfast. Kelvin followed her, trying to initiate a conversation, but she shut him down. “I’m not in the mood, Kelvin. Just leave me alone.”
Kelvin sighed, feeling frustrated and helpless. He knew he needed to try a different approach. He waited until Lucy called Wills and him to come and eat, and then he sat down at the dining table, trying to make eye contact with Lucy. But she avoided him, her eyes fixed on her plate.
Wills, sensing the tension, tried to bring up a conversation. “Hey, Mum, Dad, did you know that our school is having a science fair next week?”
But neither Lucy nor Kelvin responded. They just sat there, eating their breakfast in silence. Wills tried again, “Dad, can you help me with my project?”
Kelvin opened his mouth to respond, but Lucy cut him off. “I’ll help you, Wills. Your father is busy.”
Wills looked at his parents, his eyes welling up with tears. He hated seeing them like this. He quickly finished his breakfast, and then called out to his school driver. “I’m ready to go.”
As he picked up his bag and left the dining room, he couldn’t help but feel a sense of sadness. His parents were supposed to be his rock, his support system. But now, they seemed more like strangers.
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Kelvin’s anger was palpable as he glared at Lucy. “Are you happy now? You’ve managed to drive our son away with your coldness and indifference. What kind of mother are you, Lucy? Why did you cut me off from my son like that? What is wrong with you?”
Lucy’s expression was unyielding, her voice dripping with venom. “I’m always the one to talk about, Kelvin. You’re always the victim. When you’ve been refusing to eat my food, and Wills was doing the same, you never talked about it. You never tried to see those ones when you were doing it. But now, it’s my fault, right? I’m the one who’s always wrong.”
“And yes, you’re the one who’s always busy, Kelvin. Busy with your side chick lovers. That’s why I told Wills you were busy. You’re never available for us, never available for your family.”
Kelvin’s eyes flashed with anger. “How dare you, Lucy. You have no right to accuse me of something like that.”
Oh that’s just the truth. Lucy said.
Kelvin’s hand raised, ready to slap her, but he paused, his anger barely contained. “If not for two things, I swear, I would have hit you. Don’t push me, Lucy. I’m warning you.”
Lucy stood up, her eyes blazing. “That’s the best you can do, Kelvin? Threaten me with violence? That’s the list you can do. You’re always threatening, always bullying. But you never try to understand, never try to communicate.”
With that, she turned and walked out of the room, leaving Kelvin seething with anger and frustration. He knew he had to calm down, but he couldn’t help feeling like he was losing control. He was losing his family, and he didn’t know how to stop it.
To be continued…
