MarbleJ Amazing Story Library

EPISODE 35 (FINAL)

*A month later*
"Are you ready? It's almost time, and big people are everywhere! Today's occasion is going to be lit!" Sharon who was now serving as Kathleen's personal assistant called from the doorway of the dressing room in excitement.
Ella and her girls were adding a finishing touch to both Kathleen's and Kimberly's make-up. It was the D-Day. They were opening the Kim-Kath Foundation and also starting with the maiden edition of their television broadcast. They were all at the backside of the building since the ribbon was yet to be cut, so they could only access the building through the backdoor.
"They will be ready in less than twenty minutes," Ella told her since neither Kimberly nor Kathleen could say anything as their lips were being worked on.
"Okay then, let me go and check on the caterers once again," Sharon announced excitedly before leaving them.
Once they were done with the make-up, Ella and her girls left the room, leaving Kathleen and Kimberly alone. Kathleen was dressed in a corporate blue-colored, knee-length gown, which had a boat neckline and three-quarter sleeve. And on her feet was a white stiletto heel. Kimberly on the other hand was dressed in a white jumpsuit with red blazers which matched her red high-heeled sandals.
They both stared at each other quietly until Kathleen broke the silence, "We are really doing this. When we met at the fast-food last year and I mentioned running a foundation in the future, I never would have thought it would come through you, or we would be doing it in less than a year," Kathleen said in amazement.
"Are you nervous? Or am I the only one feeling this way?" Kimberly asked making Kathleen smile.
Kathleen reached out a hand to squeeze Kimberly's hand in a reassuring manner, "I think I might be even more nervous than you. You are not alone," Kathleen assured her, and they both turned when the door opened and both Pete and Eric walked in.
"How are my babies doing?" Eric asked, making Kathleen and Pete exchange a look.
"Babies?" Kathleen asked curiously.
"You haven't told her yet?" Eric asked Kimberly, cocking his head in Kathleen's direction.
Kimberly shook her head, "I was going to do so after the event, but you've told her now," Kimberly said with a grin as she returned her attention to Kathleen, "I'm ten weeks pregnant," she whispered in an excited voice, and Kathleen squealed with delight as she embraced Kimberly.
"Awwww! Congratulations. I'm so happy for you, and I you have open way for me also to announce mine, I'm 5weeks pregnant also" Kathleen said looking genuinely happy.
"ooooh that's great, ," Kimberly and Eric said with a giggle.
"Congratulations to us, this calls for a celebration," Pete said as he shook Eric's hand.
"Surely. Let's do that after the event," Eric said, and Pete nodded.
"You both should get set, it's time for the opening of the building," Sharon announced impatiently from the doorway and left without waiting for their response.
"Your friend seems to be taking her job quite seriously," Pete observed.
"As in ehn, she has been all over the place since morning," Eric noted with a chuckle.
Kathleen laughed, "Sharon can be serious when she wants to be. What of Amanda? Why haven't I seen her around?" Kathleen asked Pete curiously.
"She is in the car with Isioma. They will come in after the building has been opened. She has been asking to see her mom all day," Pete said, making Kathleen smile. What she did to deserve Amanda's love was something she still didn't understand. She had asked Amanda why she loved her, and Amanda had said because she was pretty.
"I think I need to use the ladies' room before heading out," Kimberly said and walked out with Eric behind her.
"Are you ready?" Pete asked Kathleen, and she nodded her head.
"Though I feel very anxious, and it's making my stomach feel very uncomfortable, but I think I'm ready," Kathleen said as she walked up to Pete who embraced her.
"If there is anyone I believe can handle this, it is you. You are not only beautiful but also very brilliant. So wear your cloak of confidence and flaunt it out there, okay?" Pete said, looking into her eyes with a soft smile on his face, "I'm so proud of you," he said when Kathleen bobbed her head.
"That means a lot to me, thank you," Kathleen said as she took in a deep breath, and let it out slowly.
"By the way, do you know what date it is today?" Pete asked, making her look at him in confusion.
"That is a funny question. Of course, It is August sixth," Kathleen said matter of factly.
Pete grinned, "Today makes it one year you ran into my office asking me to give you another chance to do your presentation," Pete said, and Kathleen gasped in surprise.
"What? Seriously?" Kathleen asked in surprise and Pete chuckled.
"Yeah. Who would have thought we would be married by this time?" Pete asked, but Kathleen's mind was somewhere else already. She was thinking about how worried she had been especially after her mother's call that morning, and then the call over the weekend, talking to her about marriage. So it was a year already? Truly one could never go wrong by trusting in God. Only God could change the story of a person within the blink of an eye.
"I suppose God is still in the business of making miracles happen," Kathleen said with a thoughtful smile.
"You're all the miracle I need, Mi Amor," Pete said with a smile, wanting to kiss her even though he couldn't because he didn't want to ruin her makeup.
"I love you very much Mr. Kunle Pete Howells," Kathleen said as she gazed into Pete's eyes.
"And I love you even more Mrs. Ngozika Kathleen Howells," Pete said as he kissed her forehead.
Some moment later everyone gathered by the door of the building for the ribbon-cutting ceremony of the building. The place was filled with different caliber of people, such as politicians, business moguls, and members of the press as well as bloggers, who had all been invited to cover the show as a live event. Mrs. Obasan had been chosen to cut the ribbon since she was one of the major sponsors. She blessed the foundation and prayed for everyone who served there and would be served there, and then she cut the ribbon. Everyone present clapped happily before going inside, while Amanda picked up the balloon which had been used to decorate the ribbon.
A few hours later, after the event had come to an end, Eric and his family, as well as Pete, Kathleen, Isioma, Amanda, Sharon, Ella, and Ken, all moved to a five-star restaurant where they were to celebrate the success of the event as well as Kimberly's pregnancy. Mrs. Obasan fawned over Kimberly, happy that she was finally going to be a grandmother.
As they all sat around the large table, with the food in front of them, Kimberly looked at everyone gathered around her as they conversed, and her eyes filled with tears as she inwardly prayed, "Thank you Lord for being faithful to me despite my unfaithfulness. Thank you for showing me so much merciful than I deserve. Thank you for loving me more than I could ever love myself. Thank you for blessing me with the best husband in the world. Thank you for blessing me with such wonderful family and friends. Thank you Lord for the instant miracle that I needed when my life was in shambles, because I know without a doubt that I'm the one you have favored most."
At that same moment, as everyone conversed around the table talking about the event and how well Kathleen had handled it, Kathleen looked around, unable to believe how much her life had changed within a year. She never would have imagined that she would be anywhere near where she was at the moment, or be married to such a supportive and loving man, or even be a co-founder of a foundation with people working under her. Her eyes teared up at the thought, and she prayed inwardly, "Lord thank you for I know that I am the one you have blessed the most. My life turned around because of your miracle that I needed most. Even when I’m not deserving or worthy, your grace singled me out of multitude to receive such abundant blessings. I cannot but continue to say “thank you” for the rest of my life".
Her eyes met Kimberly's who was sitting across from her, and they both exchanged a knowing smile when they both saw that the other was teary. They could understand that even though they were nothing alike, God had changed their stories with instant miracles.
Eric raised his glass for a toast, "Cheers to a purpose-filled life,"
"Cheers to a purpose-filled life," the others echoed as they clinked glasses and drank.

THE END

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EPISODE 34

Tears rolled down Ella's cheeks as she watched Tracy who was sobbing into her pillow, "I can't take this. How can I survive this loss? How can I forgive myself?" Tracy asked as tears rolled down her face, and she blew her nose into her already messy handkerchief.
Ella didn't have any word of comfort for her friend as she was also feeling very sad and somewhat angry. She couldn't understand why Tracy had kept something as important as this away from her. Maybe if she had known what was going on, this wouldn't have happened. There was no way she would have allowed Tracy spend a day more under Ayo's roof had she known he was beating her. She tried to calm herself since this wasn't the time to be angry.
She wanted to know what happened to their marriage, because the Ayo she knew completely adored Tracy, so what changed? How long has it been going on? Why did she choose to keep it away from her? She had a lot of questions for Tracy, but they could wait. This wasn't the time to ask questions. She needed to comfort her best friend who was mourning the loss of a baby she had been seeking to have for more than five years.
As the days rolled by, Tracy didn't stop mourning the loss of her baby, but she stopped crying so hard. Or perhaps she stopped crying in the presence of others, but cried her eyes out when she was alone, since her eyes were always red and swollen.
When it was time for her to be discharged from the hospital, Ken came over to pick them, "So where are we going to?" Ken asked as he picked up the bags which had been packed.
"My house," Ella and Tracy said in unison, making Ella turn to look at Tracy.
"What house?" Ella asked Tracy.
"I'm thankful that you stayed with me these past couple of days, but I need to return home," Tracy said without meeting Ella's eyes.
"What are you talking about?" Ella asked, trying not to flare up.
"I said I'm going to my matrimonial home," Tracy repeated.
"What matrimonial home? You mean the house where the same man you married battered you to the point that you lost your child? Going home to the man who didn't even deem it fit to check on you for the past three days since you were admitted here? Is that the home you are talking about?" Ella asked angrily.
"Babe..."
Ella shook her head to stop Ken from saying anything, "Excuse us. I want to talk to her alone," Ella told Ken impatiently. Ken looked from Ella to Tracy, and then back again before walking out of the room.
"I know you may not understand this, but Ayo is still my husband and as long as he lives there, that is our home, and I'm going back there," Tracy said flatly.
"You are right. I don't understand. I don't understand you at all. First you call me your best friend and you keep something like this away from me, and now you want to return to that... That man? After he made you lose your baby? Are you even using your brain at all?" Ella yelled at her angrily, and tears gathered in Tracy's eyes.
"It's all my fault. I caused it," Tracy said in a weak voice.
"Your fault? So it is okay for a man to beat up his pregnant wife as long as she does something that warrants it?" Ella asked angrily.
Tracy looked at her sadly and tears rolled down her cheeks as she returned to the bed and sat on it, "He found out." Tracy blurted out after some seconds.
"Found out what?" Ella asked in confusion.
"He found out about my past," Tracy said, and broke into a sob which shook her entire body.
Ella's eyes widened in surprise as she moved closer to the bed and sat down beside Tracy, "What? How? When?" Ella asked in confusion.
She had met Tracy during her first year in the University. Although Tracy was over five years older than her, they had both gained admission in the same year into the same faculty.
Somehow they had become friends especially because they lived in the same off campus hostel lodge and had to attend GST classes together. She had found out about Tracy's reckless lifestyle over the time, and then she started avoiding Tracy. One day she went to Tracy's room to get salt because hers was finished and she was cooking, and that was when she saw Tracy lying in the pool of her blood on her bed. She had been very scared and had raised alarm immediately, attracting some of the guys in the hostel. On getting to the hospital they found out she had complications due to the last abortion she had done and that was why she was bleeding. Ella had been by her side all through that period praying for her and watching over her.
Tracy had almost died, but somehow God had saved her. After that she had given her life to Christ and stopped her reckless way of life. Two years later she met Ayo at the mall and from there their relationship started.
Ella had suggested she tell Ayo about her past, but Tracy had vehemently refused. She had been scared that Ayo would leave her once he found out about it, because Ayo had made it clear to her that he hated nothing more than loose women who commit abortions. He had said he would rather marry a single mother than a woman who has had an abortion. Knowing that, Tracy decided to keep it a secret from him, with the confidence that there was no way he was going to ever find out about her past.
Tracy tried to put herself together so she could answer Ella's question, "You remember Michael? The tall fair guy that used to live in our hostel? That engineering guy that was asking you out?" Tracy asked, and Ella nodded her head.
"He happens to be Ayo's cousin's best friend. Remember the party I and Ayo traveled for some time last year? The welcome back party for his cousin who had been abroad?"
"Yes," Ella said with a nod.
"Michael was there too. So I guess he told Ayo's cousin, and his cousin told him," Tracy said making Ella sigh.
"You mean Ayo found out about it since that time? Don't tell me he has been abusing you since then?" Ella asked in surprise.
"He was very upset when he returned home after hearing from his cousin. He said I deceived him and made a fool out of him. He said I was the cause of our childlessness, and that I was bareen because I've aborted all the children God gave to me. After that he started drinking and staying out. Each time he comes back drunk, he either flogs me using his belt or forces himself on me, depending on his mood. And then when we found out I was pregnant he refused to believe he was responsible for the pregnancy. He insisted that he wouldn't touch me or do anything until the baby comes and he carries out a paternity test. He made me move out of our bedroom and we both kept to our sides of the house. Few days ago he forgot his phone in the living room and went to shower, so I picked up his phone when a text notification entered from a girl named Sharon. She was asking him why he wanted to see her again. So I became curious and unlocked his phone so I could find out what their relationship was, and then I realized she was the person he was having an affair with. When he returned and saw me with his phone, I confronted him, and he became very furious and... And then he.... He..." Tracy broke into a sob, unable to continue.
Ella stood up from where she was seated and went to stand in front of Tracy so she could hold her. She embraced Tracy as she sobbed and tried to comfort her, "I understand all you've said, but I still don't think you should return there. Do you want him to kill you?" Ella asked sadly as she patted Tracy's back.
"He won't kill me. I lied to him and I deceived him. Ayo is my husband and I know that deep down he still loves me, else he would have divorced me already. I want to fight for my marriage. I'm not going to give up," Tracy said amidst her sob.
___________
Kimberly was lying on the bed with the duvet over her while Eric looked down at her with concern, "We should go to the hospital," Eric suggested, and Kimberly shook her head.
"I just feel cold. I'm not sick."
"But you're not eating anything either. You have kept complaining about everything Aunt Martha has cooked since two days, and I'm surprised she hasn't blown up yet," Eric said in concern.
"It's not deliberate, I promise," Kimberly said apologetically.
"I know that. She knows that, and everyone else in the house knows that too. That is why no one is making a big deal out of it. However, I'm worried," Eric said as he reached out a hand to feel her forehead.
"Okay, if by tomorrow I don't feel better we can go to the hospital. I have to feel better before Saturday anyway. Kathleen will kill me if I turn up at the opening event sick," Kimberly promised, and then they both looked at the door when they heard the doorbell ring downstairs, "Are you expecting anyone?" Kimberly asked curiously, but Eric shook his head.
Less than a minute later Aunt Martha knocked on the bedroom door, "Someone is here to see you," she informed Kimberly.
"Who? Me?" She asked in confusion since the only people she knew who could visit her were all people Aunt Martha was familiar with.
"Yes. A man. He said he is your uncle," Aunt Martha said, making Kimberly's heart skip a beat. Her uncle? The only uncle she knew of was her aunty's husband. Why was he here to see her? What did he want?
"You're sure?" Kimberly asked Aunt Martha, and she nodded.
"I will be down in a moment," Kimberly said, and Aunt Martha left.
"Are you okay?" Eric asked when he noticed how tense she suddenly seemed.
"I'm not. I think the person downstairs is my late Aunty's husband," Kimberly explained, and understanding dawned on Eric.
"I could go downstairs and handle this if you don't want to meet him," Eric offered as he reached out to pat her hair softly.
Kimberly drew in a deep breath, "I should go down and at least hear what he has to say," Kimberly said as she lifted the duvet and got out of the bed.
"I will go down and see him while you get dressed," Eric offered and kissed her forehead before walking out of the room.
He met Aunt Martha on his way down the passageway and she approached him, "How is she feeling now?" Martha asked curiously.
"She is still feeling a bit cold, but I will take her to the hospital tomorrow or get her medicine if she doesn't feel better," Eric said with a small smile.
"Don't you think she might be pregnant?" Aunty Martha asked before Eric could leave, making him pause.
Eric felt his heart flutter at the thought. It hadn't exactly occurred to him that she might be pregnant, since he was content with just loving Kimberly until anytime kids came along. But hearing that she might be pregnant kind of sent a thrill through him. The love of his life pregnant with his child? "Pregnant?"
"Yes. I've been worried about her inability to eat for the past two days. Pregnancy could be the reason she hasn't been able to eat much."
"But I thought pregnant women are supposed to eat much?" Eric asked thoughtfully.
"That is when the pregnancy has advanced. Besides, people have different pregnancy symptoms, and this might be hers. I could send one of the girls to get a pregnancy test strip so you both check. That way I can adjust the food timetable to suit her needs if it comes out positive," Aunty Martha suggested and Eric smiled.
"I don't want to get our hopes up, but you can send them to get it. We will just give it a try and see. Thank you, Aunt Martha," Eric said with a smile before continuing to the living room.
"Good afternoon sir," Eric greeted as he approached the middle-aged man who was seated in the living room.
The man whose head was slightly bowed, and looked like he was deep in thought, raised his head when he heard Eric's voice. He was light-skinned in complexion, and of average height. He had a potbelly like most Nigerian men around that age had, and his face looked weather-beaten.
"Good afternoon," he greeted as he stood up, "I suppose you are Kimberly's husband?" He asked with a polite smile, and Eric tried to stifle his sudden urge to knock the smile out of his face. How could he be able to smile after he nearly destroyed someone's life? Eric wondered.
"Yes, I am. She will join US in a moment," Eric said coolly, making it clear that he was going to be sitting in on whatever discussion he planned on having with Kimberly.
They both turned towards the staircase when they heard Kimberly's footsteps, and she paused when she met her uncle's gaze, and all the painful memories kept flooding back.
Ever since she left their home after he falsely accused her of seducing him, she had not set eyes on him since then. Her aunt and cousin had died some years later, but she had been in school and had chosen not to attend their burial.
Eric walked over to the staircase to stand beside Kimberly in a silent show of support. He reached out his hand to her, and she took it. He looked down at their intertwined hands when he noticed hers was shaking, and he placed his other hand around her shoulder, "Don't worry, I'm here," he assured her quietly.
"Why are you here?" Kimberly asked without bothering to greet him or even sit down. She wanted to hear what he had to say and be done with it.
He cleared his throat, "Can we sit down?" He asked in a pleading tone.
"This is my house, not yours. I will sit down if or when I want to. I'm sure you will tell me why you are here regardless of whether or not I sit," Kimberly said bitterly, and he nodded.
"I understand. I've been thinking to come and see you for some years now, but I've always been scared you won't listen to me. So when I heard you're married now, I decided to come and see you," he said apologetically.
"See me? What for?" Kimberly asked coldly.
He looked shamefaced, and didn't meet her gaze this time, "I'm sorry. I'm very sorry for everything I did to you. I... I didn't know what I was doing," he pleaded.
Kimberly's entire body shook with emotion, but she bit her lower lip to keep herself from crying as she stared at him with anger, "You didn't know what you were doing?" She asked in a very low voice like she couldn't believe what she had just heard.
"I'm very sorry for everything. I'm a changed man now. I have given my life to Christ, and I'm even a pastor now. I'm just here to ask for forgiveness and restitute..."
"Restitute?" Kimberly cut in before he could finish, and she turned to look at Eric in disbelief, "Did he just say restitute?" She asked incredulously.
"Baby, please calm down," Eric pleaded.
Kimberly took in a shaky breath as she tried to calm herself, "You're a pastor now? When did you repent?"
"Five years ago. I've been wanting to come and see you..."
"Five years ago? So if I had died within this time and gone to hell, you would have been serving God? You mean God forgave you after you almost ruined my life?" Kimberly asked bitterly as tear after tear dropped from her eyes.
"I've been praying for you. I made it my duty to pray for your salvation and for God to compensate you as that was the only way I could ever face you. Please I'm sorry," he knelt with his head bowed, while Kimberly broke into a sob.
Eric held her close to himself while she cried. She couldn't believe that she could easily have died and gone to hell, while one of the people who ruined her life, would possibly have gone to heaven. Why did God have to be so merciful and forgiving to everybody? Why couldn't he punish this man for everything he had put her through? Why? Kimberly asked herself as her body shook with the force of her sob.
"Babe, I understand how you feel, but you have to forgive him. Who knows? Maybe it's his prayers that have brought you this far. Please forgive him and let go of the past so that you can move on completely," Eric whispered into her ears as she kept sobbing.
After crying for some time, Kimberly managed to compose herself before looking down at the man who was still on his knees, "I've forgiven you, but I don't want to ever set my eyes on you again."
With that, Kimberly walked away, and Eric hurried after her since he knew she was most likely going to the bedroom to continue crying from where she stopped.

Tbc

EPISODE 33

"Let us continue with the game, I will go next," Ella offered, and everyone else settled down, while Kathleen sat away from Pete's reach.
Ella paused when she picked the paper and smiled as she looked at Ken and read out the instruction, "Tell someone in the room something special."
"Femi?" Ella called, and Ken smiled at her as he waited to hear what she was going to come up with.
"I'm ready," Ella said, making him sit upright.
"You're ready for what?" Kimberly asked in confusion.
"You are ready?" Ken asked, sounding very surprised as he stood up, while the others watched them curiously as Ella bobbed her head.
"That's what I was going to tell you earlier," Ella said with a big smile, and Ken rushed over to where she was standing and pulled her into a fierce hug.
"When you're done hugging each other, you can tell us what the whole excitement is about," Pete called to him dryly, and Ken turned to look at him with a grin.
"Your sister, is ready to make me your brother-in-law," Ken said with a wink, and Pete looked at them in mock surprise.
"Kemi, you're going to marry this jerk?" Pete asked Ella who giggled happily as she broke the hug.
"Yes. I'm going to make an honest man out of him," Ella said with a grin as she placed a hand around his waist.
Once they returned to their seat Ken's phone started ringing, "Sorry, excuse me," Ken said before receiving the call.
"Hey! What? He did what? We will be on our way at once," Ken said in an urgent tone as he glanced at the others apologetically, "Sorry guys, Kemi's best friend is in labor, and I have to take her to the hospital," Ken announced, as he picked up his car key.
"My best friend? Tracy? Why is she calling you instead of me?" Ella asked in confusion as she stood up.
"I will tell you on our way, let's go," Ken said, as he led her outside.
Once they were in the car Ella turned to him, "Who called you?"
"I told you, it's Tracy," Ken said with a frown as he drove out of the gate, and started driving really fast.
"You know her house?" Ella asked when she noticed he wasn't even asking her for directions.
"No. She is at the hospital already. She wanted me to tell you something before we get there," Ken said, turning to look at her.
Ella didn't know why, but her heart was beating really fast, "What?"
"She is scared she might not make it before we get to the hospital. Her husband beat her up and now she is having complications with the delivery," Ken said as his grip tightened on the steering wheel.
"Ayo did what? Why? Since when? Wait, hold on. Don't tell me he has been beating her up this whole time and you knew about it," Ella asked, unable to stop the shudder that passed through her body at the thought.
Ken sighed, "Calm down. It's not as easy as you think. Angela was the one who found out about it and confided in me when Tracy insisted that Angela must not tell you," Ken explained.
"Angela was aware? How? How could Angela be aware that my best friend is facing domestic violence and not tell me about it?" Ella asked in disbelief as she felt a stabbing pain in her heart.
"You shouldn't blame her. Tracy made her promise not to tell you about it. I couldn't tell you either because she asked me not to, and you know confidentiality comes with my job. Let's just hope she is fine," Ken said as he kept his gaze on the road.
"Oh my God!" Ella murmured as she covered her face with both hands and cried for her friend. Why couldn't Tracy tell her about it? She was a terrible friend for not noticing something like that.
*[Few Months Earlier]*
"You are here again?" Ella asked Tracy with a concerned frown when Angela opened the door and Tracy walked into the house. She had been expecting Ken, not Tracy.
"Why? You're not happy to see me?" Tracy asked with a raised brow.
"You know I'm always happy to see you, but what is going on?" Ella asked, standing up from her seat to join Tracy who was still standing as though trying to know if she was welcomed or not.
"Nothing is going on. The house is lonely with Ayo away, so I'm in need of company," Tracy explained as she dropped her backpack and handbag on the chair, "I need to ease myself and shower," Tracy said before going to the room which she often uses whenever she sleeps over.
Once she walked into the room Tracy entered the bathroom and stood in front of the mirror. She raised both hands to her abdomen and cupped it in a protective gesture as tears gathered in her eyes. She slowly unzipped her gown, and the bruises on her back became visible. She turned around so she could look at the marks on her back. She raised a hand to one of the marks and inhaled sharply when she felt a stinging pain. A tear dropped from her eyes and she wiped it off before going to stand under the shower and turning on the hot and cold water arm of the shower to make it warm. She let it run down her body which was aching badly and closed her eyes as she tried not to think about anything.
It was funny how she couldn't even bring herself to tell Ella any of this. It wasn't that she wanted to keep this a secret or pretend to Ella like her marriage was perfect, but Ella had a lot of trust issues herself and she didn't want to give Ella one more reason to be fearful about going into a lasting relationship. All men were not the same, and she believed Ken was different and would love Ella. If Ella found out the truth about what was going on in her home, Ella would give up on love, and as her best friend she couldn't let that happen, even if it meant suffering in silence.
"Aunty Tracy! My aunty wants me to ask you if she should make noodles for you," Angela called from outside the bathroom door.
"Yes, please," Tracy called back in a forced cheerful voice. She didn't even have the appetite to eat, but for her baby's sake, she would eat. She needed to feed her baby.
Once she was done, she walked out of the bathroom with her towel wrapped around her and sighed when she realized she had left her backpack in the living room. She opened the wardrobe door to pick up her long-sleeved pyjamas which were hanging in there and took off her towel. Just as she slipped on the trousers, the bedroom door opened, and Angela walked in with her backpack. Before Tracy could reach for the towel to cover herself, Angela's eyes fell on Tracy's back which had marks like she had been flogged with a cane or a belt
"Aunty Tracy!" Angela called out in a surprised tone. Tracy gave her an embarrassed smile as she quickly shrugged on her long-sleeved pyjamas shirt while Angela approached her with a concerned frown.
Tracy led her to the bed and they both sat down, "You can't tell your aunty about what you just saw, okay? Let this be our little secret," Tracy pleaded.
She didn't need to ask who did it to know that it had to be Tracy's husband. Only an abusive husband could have done something like that. "But why? You are strong. You shouldn't stay quiet," Angela said with tears in her eyes.
"Ever heard that some people's destinies are tied to yours? Your aunty won't trust men or get married if she finds out that I'm having such marital issues. You want her to marry Femi, don't you?" Tracy asked, and Angela nodded.
"So just keep this to yourself. I will tell her once I sort things out, I promise," Tracy said, and Angela looked at her with uncertainty but nodded her head.
"Good girl. Now go and help your aunty in the kitchen, I will join you soon," Tracy instructed.
"Do you want me to help you rub ointment on it? Or get you medicine for pain?" Angela asked with concern as she stood up.
"No, don't worry. I'll be okay. I don't want to take any medicine because of my baby. I don't want to take any risk," Tracy said with a smile of gratitude, and Angela gave her a small nod before leaving the room.
Tracy sighed once Angela shut the door. Even if Ayo had beat her up, she knew without a doubt that he loved her... Or maybe he once did. She knew she had her own role to play in everything that had happened between them. She was only thankful that he avoided hitting her face. How else would she be able to explain bruises on her face? After dressing up, she had her usual smile on her face as she joined them in the kitchen.
"Ah! You're frying dodo!" She squealed excitedly, going over to where the fried ripe plantain had been kept and picked one from it, while Angela tried not to stare at her.
"So where did Ayo go to this time? And why is he always traveling when he has a pregnant wife? We all spent so much time waiting and praying for this to happen, yet he can't even take care of you?" Ella asked irritably.
"He has work to do, so you can't blame him. Besides if he spent all the time taking care of me and our baby when will you have the opportunity to do so?" Tracy asked, wrapping her hands around Ella's waist from behind.
"I suppose I should be thankful then," Ella said with a grin, while Angela just watched the both of them in concern. There was absolutely no way she could keep Tracy's secret even if she knew she had seemingly good reasons for wanting to keep it away from Ella. Tracy needed help before either she or her baby would be hurt. She couldn't help wondering how long this has been going on. Had she always been pretending to laugh and be happy whereas she was suffering in silence?
"How is Femi by the way? Hope you both are doing well?" Tracy asked as she chewed on another plantain.
"Sure. Although he has been very busy this period, he calls every chance he gets. Sometimes I'm the one that gets tired of the calls sef," Ella said with a giggle.
"Have you both started talking about settling down?" Tracy asked curiously.
"Isn't it too early? We are taking things slowly for now."
"But he has raised the issue at least?" Tracy asked again.
"Yeah. He's still waiting for me to get ready. I will let him know once I finally get over my mistrust for men," Ella said, and Tracy turned to exchange a look with Angela.
Angela understood the silent message she just passed, so she sighed. She was going to keep it away from Ella but still find a way to help, even if it meant involving Tracy.

Tbc