WHEN THE HEART KNOWS
CHAPTER EIGHTEEN
Nma could feel someone kissing her lightly; she knew instantly that it was Uche she put her hands around him and deepened the kiss. Uche sighed, it was morning and he was half dressed for the day and he was trying to wake her with some light kisses but instead he found himself falling into the bed as she kissed him back. Nma slowly opened her eyes and saw him almost dressed, she blinked back her surprise.
“Good morning” he said
“Good morning” she replied and looked about the room and smiled
“This is not the third room by the left is it?” she asked him
He smiled and got up “No, somehow you ended up in the right room”
“Hope you slept well because I did very well”
“I am not super human”
“Oh!” she exclaimed “I didn’t realize, I should have slept in the third room”
“No I am glad you slept here, it felt real good watching the sun rise on your face and knowing I am the only who could see that”
She could feel her emotion rising to the point of tears and she kissed him again
“I love you” she whispered
“I love you too” Then he kissed her, and she prayed with all her heart that it would always be like that for both of them.
“Unless you are telling me something else, I should get up now” he said
She reluctantly let him go and she saw his bag already packed.
“When is your flight leaving?”
“In about an hour” he replied
“I thought you had other things to do before that”
“I have changed my mind, I have asked Star to be at the air strip in forty five minutes” he said backing her as he sat at the foot of the bed to wear his shoes.
She panicked instantly at the thought of the woman joining him. The beautiful and alluring Star whom he was going to spend the next two weeks with. But she quickly cautioned herself. She trusted this man, and he has proven that he could be trusted beyond measure.
“I should get ready then because I want to see you off”
“You have fifteen minutes” he told her over his shoulder
“Yes sir” she said putting her hands around from his back. She kissed the top of his head and got out of the bed.
With Uche’s departure, Nma turned into a walking zombie. She missed him so much that she felt empty. If not for his nightly telephone calls, she didn’t think she could have survived the loneliness. To keep herself busy and distracted, she concentrated on her work, working as if it was going out of fashion. The results were great; the dresses she was going to exhibit were all ready. Modeling agencies had been contacted and soon it would be rehearsal period with the models. She still didn’t have the girl who would model her master piece yet. Her master piece was a regency style bridal gown, complete with bridal train and grooms men. Now she could concentrate on her wedding dresses but she was too tired to continue and she yawned tiredly, resting her head on the sewing machine. Her engagement ring sparkled and she sighed again with happiness, remembering the very first time she broke news to Tessy and Felix. Tessy wouldn’t stop bugging her with wedding plans. She had taken over the planning and had just completed the list of guest last night. Nma shuddered as she remembered Tessy was coming to discuss it with her. It was not as if she didn’t appreciate her efforts but she thought that Uche’s family should be consulted and included in the plans. The problem was that none of them had asked for updates on the wedding since dinner party. She made a mental note to call Eva later in the day maybe the two of them could have a drink together.
“Why don’t you go home and rest, you’ve done enough for one day” Helen who was working equally hard said interrupting her thoughts.
Truly she had been working too hard, she couldn’t remember the last time she had a decent sleep. Recently, it had deteriorated to sleeping on the couch in her studio at home. Last night, she worked till the wee hours of the morning, completing her master piece. Soon she would have time to work on her wedding gown and all the other dresses she needed for her wedding and honey moon.
“You are right, I know I have been over doing it, I think I will go home and have some rest”
“Wise choice or Prince Charming would be disheartened at the sight of this pale face and those baggages under your eyes” laughed Helen
“I don’t look that bad, do I? Asked Nma alarmed.
“No you don’t but if you don’t take time you will” Helen assured her.
“I’ll go but I have to meet with Tessy she said something about guest list and wedding color”
“Let her meet you at home Nma, we don’t want a tired bride on the twenty seventh” Helen smiled at her.
That’s a good idea but get those girls started on that Petals woman’s order. Meanwhile I will go home and start on my wedding dress”
“You can’t be serious” Helen was alarmed. “I thought you said you are going to rest”
“Of course but after I must have rested…?”
Helen pretended to think about it for a while. “Well you can dream of prince Charming?”
“That is what I call unhealthy habit” laughed Nma.
“Anyway dreaming of Uche comes naturally and I don’t have to mark out a special time for it. I hardly think of anything else as it is” she said folding the materials in big shopping bag marked NMA. “That reminds me, I have some of those exhibition invites to give out personally.
Helen looks up “Don’t tell me that all the invites have not all gone out?”
“They have but this one is special, it is going to Uche’s mom” the woman she was going to marry her son in a few weeks, she looked at the diamond and ruby ring on her finger.
“Didn’t you say she owned one of the best boutiques in the world?”
“Yes and she is going to be a special guest, just imagine how surprised everyone is going to be at her presence”
“When they realize you are getting married to her only son, they will understand”
“You are such a kill joy” Nma laughed “You don’t have to remind me she is coming because I am wearing her son’s ring”
“Without her son’s connection I strongly believe she would have considered coming, she might be ruling the world but here in this city, you have a reputation”.
“If she loves good clothes, she would be impressed with what she would see” Nma said off handedly
“Talking about shows, have found the model for your master piece?”
“I don’t like any of the models I’ve seen so far, I want someone with an innocent face that will look virginal in flowing white but up till nothing” Nma said disappointed.
“I’m sure you will find someone soon enough” said Helen.
“Thank you, see you tomorrow. Go home when you like, you have been working hard yourself”
“Oh! Don’t bother, there is no man to be dismayed with pale face” she joked.
“You are incorrigible and don’t worry, when you meet Chucks it would be my turn to tease you”
“Nma surely you did not take me serious, what would a man like him see in me, his last girl friend was the most beautiful girl in Nigeria”
“That was the same thing I told myself when Uche asked me out but look at the story now, he makes me feel like I am the most beautiful girl in the world”
“Oh but you are beautiful, those eyes and figure would get any man interested but I am not as endowed like you, I know my place”
“Come on you sound so pathetic. Anyway I have come to realize that it is not the pretty face they after most of the time, love has nothing to do with the way you look”
“Until then, It is my turn to tease” Helen laughed.
Nma shook her hands at her, “You just wait for your turn”
Nma left the studio after that, as she came down the stairs, she saw Felix looking worried and immediately she was alarmed. “What is Felix?” she asked stopping in front of him.
“Nothing, just meditating” he gave her a bright smile.
“If you are sure” she said walking past him but the office assistant stopped her.
“Excuse me Madam” the girl said to Nma nervously. The girl is considerably older than Nma, she smiled at the girl to ease her nervousness and it seemed to work because the girl spoke. “Helen said to you give you this you forgot your phone”
“Thank you” Nma smiled at the girl. Immediately the phone began ringing. She moved Felix office to take the call.
“Hello!”
“Hello, its Eva”
“Oh! How are you?” Nma asked happily.
“I have been ringing your cell phone but nothing seem to be happening”
“Oh! I am sorry, it must be network” Nma apologized.
“Are you too busy to take my measurement?”
“Measurement?” Nma asked confused
“For my wedding gown”
“But I thought the wedding is two months away”
“Charles and I have decided to marry sooner. Please honey I know you are busy but I won’t get time to do this again, I am traveling and when I get back, it would be wedding plans” pleaded Eva.
“Alright why don’t you come over to the house, I was just about leaving for the day”
“Oh! Thank you, you are a darling. Where is the place?”
Nma gave her the house address and rang off. She groaned aloud. “What a day?”
“You should have insisted she wait, you look worn out” said Felix with concern.
“I feel worse; let’s just hope I will find time do shower and food before she comes” Nma reassured him with a smile. “Give my love to Tessy and to your darling self” she kissed him on the cheeks.
As soon as she got home, she dropped her bag on the bed and stripped herself of her clothing and went for a shower. She felt refreshed almost immediately. She dressed herself in deep blue cut off shorts and a light blue body blouse and moved to the kitchen in search of food.
In the kitchen she decided to have a proper meal, boil hot water and make eba. She sat on the stool waiting for the water to boil. As soon as she made the eba, the door bell rang and she went to open the door for Eva. Nma unlocked the door but to her greatest astonishment, it was Angela standing on her door way, looking as cool as ice in a cream colored smart skirt suit.
“What do you want?” Nma asked icily but groaning inwardly.
“May I come in?” without waiting for answer, she brushed past her into the living room.
“Nice place you’ve got here. Uche seemed to getting as good as he is giving, isn’t he?
“I would say it is none of your business. Some of us actually work for our luxury” Nma replied pretending to be bored.
“I know you like to feel like an independent woman, one would wonder why an independent woman would snatch another girl’s boy friend”
“If you have no reasonable excuse for coming here uninvited, I suggest you leave my house immediately” Nma said firmly.
“So this is how you receive visitors, or are you by any chance expecting a lover”
“Since Uche is out of town, that question seems rather out of place” Nma replied curtly.
“Oh! I can see what Uche sees in you but let me tell you some home truths, you will soon tire him and he would come back to me, he always does”
Nma caressed her ring and Angela got more incensed by it “This is one time he is not coming back to you, I have him exactly where every woman wants him, including you”
“You fool, once he gets tired of your body and innocence…
“Why don’t you let me worry about that and when that happens, I shall bear my heart ache gracefully and I shall not descend as low as following him about and warning off his new girlfriend” she smiled sweetly at her. “So long Angela, I have wasted enough time with you” Nma went to the door held it open for her.
“Do you honestly think that Uche is faithful to you? You and I both know how virile he is. What makes you think he would remain celibate? For how long in a country where there lots and lots of free women?”
“This shows how little you know about him and certainly nothing about his virility. I trust him and at the thought of me, other women pale in comparison especially you” she said sweetly.
“How naïve and stupid you are, I told you he can’t stay without me and it took only some days away from you for him to realize it” she rummages in her bag and brings out her passport. “He invited me over to stay with him, see! That is my visa”
Nma felt her heart give a painful lurch but disguises it with a smile.
“Why you as old as you are, allow yourself to be used by a man who has pledged himself to another is beyond me? She asked disdainfully “I know Uche did not invite you but as is your practice you chase him all over the world. Why go to a man who is getting married to another girl”
“That is what I could never answer” Eva said joining them.
“I see always inviting other people to fight your battle” Angela faced Eva.
“Not other people Angela, we are family now” she smiled putting her hand round Nma’s shoulders.
“We will see who will be family when I come back with Uche”
“Still chasing him all over the world? Are you not tired of that style? Surely if that style is going to work, it would have worked long ago”
“You’ll see Eva that I hardly give up” she puts back the passport in her bag.
“Oh! That’s not news” Eva replied obviously bored. “Keep trying till hell freezes over”
“You’ll regret this little girl” she said to Nma moving to the door
“I will live with him happily ever after, you’ll see old woman” Nma said closing the door after her then she leaned on it, drained of all energy. “Is she always like this?”
“That is Angela for you; she has always bullied any girl Uche happens to be interested in”
“Doesn’t she have a boyfriend or something?”
“She has her lovers but she hides them very well. She is always dating poor men who wouldn’t have any say in the relationship. So she would be free to run after my brother”
“In me she met her match because I am not letting Uche go now or ever”
“That is the spirit, because no matter how much any other girl bullies me, I am not letting go of Charles”
“Lucky men” cooed Nma “I hope they feel the same way about us”
“I thought you told Angela just as much just now” Eva reminded her.
“Deep inside we all have our doubts. Uche is a man of the world, he has seen it all. Sometimes I can’t help wondering what he sees in me?” she asked worried “It couldn’t have been my beauty, he has dated a beauty queen before, was it miss world” she asked and Eva nodded. “There is no way it could be for my money that idea alone is absurd, sophistication, he sees that everyday with women he works with, so what is it?
“Why don’t you ask him?” Eva advised following her into the house.
“Oh! I have, he doesn’t seem to know, and all he knows is that I touched where no woman ever had”
“You have your answer then, you shocked him when he started feeling again for a woman. Maybe he can’t lay a finger on what it is about you that got him hooked on you but he loves you and that is for sure. What else do you need to know, love and trust conquers all fears”
“You’re right” laughed Nma “Look at me boring you with my fears. If you will come with me to the studio, we’ll get this over with”
“Nonsense, I wasn’t bored. Besides what are families for?” replied Eva following her to the studio.
At the studio, Nma took Eva’s measurement; she was impressed by the girl’s statistics and height. She took a good look at her oval face and big eyes. This was exactly what she was looking for, innocent wide eyed beauty and an idea occurred to her.
“What about the bride’s maid?” asked Nma?
“They are all size ten girls if that would help, I can’t assemble them now, and they are all at different parts of the world”
“It will help, I will fit them later”
“I am just wondering how I am going to achieve all this. With my own wedding coming up too”
“Don’t make me feel bad” Eva whined “I am sure you will find a way, mine is still two months away. It’s like a life time”
“Not if you count the amount of time my honeymoon is going to take and I plan to have a very long honeymoon” Nma smiled
“But then you can still do it, can’t you. I happen to be your favorite in law” she cued
And Nma laughed “Yes I guess so”
Eva looked relieved and asked “What size do you wear?
“I wear size six”
“Good mercy! No wonder you are so slender” exclaimed Eva
“I wanted so much to be a model at one time but now I am very satisfied being what I am” Nma saw Eva studying her body especially her midriff. “And you wonder what my brother saw in you?” she asked aloud “this very tiny waist with grand curves and I am sure you are a D cup” teased Eva
“I too wonder about that, having such rich bosom while being very slender. Not that I wear a D cup come on!”
“I seem to recall that my brother has always had a thing for slender D cup girls” said Eva mischievously.
“Oh! Now I understand why he doesn’t want Angela, she is has little or nothing up there” and the two girls laughed.
“If you care for eba and oha soup, I am game” said Nma going to kitchen.
“If this is what you wear around the house when my innocent brother comes calling, no wonder he is so hooked on you”
“That is the idea” replied Nma dishing the food. “When I was younger I got into trouble a lot with men who misjudged my age. So from a tender age, I learnt what wicked thoughts a girl could give a man without meaning to”
“Surely my brother is free to have his wicked ways with you” teased Eva.
“I cover myself properly when you poor brother calls, I don’t want tempt him beyond his power ton resist” teased Nma. Eva laughed till she nearly choked; Nma had to slap her severally at the back before she began breathing again.
Eva left shortly after the meal leaving Nma to her thoughts. She began to clear the table though Eva had opted to help but she wouldn’t hear any of it.
Nma went into her room to lie down trying not to think about Angela and her unwanted visit. She assured herself that there was no way Uche could have invited her to stay with him. If he was in need of female company, he would have invited her and not Angela, she thought happily. But at the back of her mind, a little niggling thought continued to worry her. How did she expect Uche to invite her when he knew she was not going to satisfy his intimate needs, the thought stole into her mind? “What he would need is a woman who would share his bed and not just his company” the voice taunted. “Stop it” she screamed at herself. “I trust him, he can control himself” if not, he would have continued nagging or even forced her but he had been patiently waiting for their wedding night. Maybe because he was getting those needs sated somewhere else the voice taunted yet. “I trust him and he can control himself” she said aloud and firmly and closed her eyes tightly trying to keep her mind from wondering along those lines.
Nma woke up with start, it was dark and she was confused and sure that something woke her. Then the phone rang again and she grabbed it from under the pillow.
“Hello!” she said sleepily
“It’s me darling” Uche’s voice came through the phone.
“Uche” she called waking up and sitting up.
“Of course it’s me, are you okay?”
“Yes I am fine, the phone woke me. When are you coming back?”
“Missing me that much huh?” he taunted
“More than you can ever imagine” she replied.
“I miss you too but cheer up, the day after tomorrow you will see me in Nigeria” he announced.
“That’s two days away” she said with excitement
“Yes it is, sure you can wait that long”
“I’ll be counting the hours”
“I’ll land in the morning by seven thirty, so I’ll see you in the afternoon at your boutique”
“Okay” she replied trying to hide her disappointment. Why didn’t he ask her to come over to the house or wait for him at the airstrip?
“I hope you are not over working yourself” Uche asked
“No I’m not, how about you?”
“The thought of you is responsible for wearing me out, not work. You don’t know how these few days has been for me without you”
“I know because I have been feeling the same way too.”
“Why don’t we get a special license and get married this weekend” asked Uche seriously.
“I would love to but we will not have enough time for honeymoon because I will be working tooth and nail to have my exhibition the next weekend.”
“On the twenty seventh it is”
“Yes on the twenty seventh, I’ll become yours at last”
“You are mine already, a piece of document doesn’t make a difference”
“I love you Uche, just come back in one piece and I will show you how much”
“And how exactly are you planning to show me” he asked.
“When you come back, it is a surprise”
“I can’t wait, two days seems too far now” he complained.
Nma laughed “Just make sure you don’t postpone it again” she warned.
“Not anymore I won’t”
“Good I will be waiting” she told him.
“I can’t wait to see your lovely eyes again, it seems like eternity”
“Is that all miss about me?” Nma asked, not really satisfied that her pretty face was what he was missing. He should be missing her not just her face
“Of course not, I am just being patient till the right time to show you” he replied.
“Oh! That is not what I meant but what would that be? She teased. Remembering what Eva told her about his preferences in women.
“You will see on twenty seventh”
“You are a witch do you know that? Do you know what pictures you are invoking in my mind?”
“How could I? When you have refused to tell me” she said in fained innocence.
“You’ll pay for this agony I am going through now on twenty seventh” he threatened.
“Now I am quaking in my shoes”
“Better be” he laughed
Nma loved the sound of his laughter, sighing she closed her eyes happily and content. Angela lied, she said to herself happily.
“Are you going sleepy on me?”
“No I’m just happy”
“I better ring off and let you get some sleep” Uche decided.
“Oh no! Don’t, I am not feeling sleepy” she protested.
“Don’t worry I will be with you soon”
“I love you” Nma said earnestly “Remember the only one who can love you so completely, always have that at the back of your mind” Nma pleaded.
“I know, see you on Saturday and sweet dreams” he said instead.
“Dream of me” Nma said as he cut the phone. Nma dropped the phone and smiled at herself dreamily. So Angela was lying. What a stupid lie? There was no way Uche could have asked her to come when he was coming back on Saturday, she thought. “Forget Angela she is only trouble” She told herself firmly. She should plan for saturday, a visit to the hair dresser and probably the spa.
Saturday dawned bright and sunny “a prefect day for reunion” mused Nma contented as she came out from the bathroom. She glanced momentarily at the wall clock. He must have landed by now, she thought hurrying up, she didn’t want to arrive late and spoil her surprise. She put on simple gown made of Ankara, the gown was smoked at the bust and flayed to emphasize her hips and it stopped just a little above her knees. Since the gown was made of green and gold, she slipped her feet into gold wage heels. With Her visit to the salon, she changed he to black waist length Brazilian hair. The black hair matched her fair complexion perfectly. Taking one last look at herself in the mirror, she snatched her black bag and car keys from her bed and left the room.
Nma arrived at Uche’s house very early; she came out of her car and walked briskly to the house, thinking only of how surprised Uche would be to see her waiting for him. The thought brought smile to her face.
The snobbish house keeper opened the door for her, to her surprise, the woman smiled at her while warmly ushering her in.
“Mr. Uche has just arrived?
“Are you sure?” Nma asked astonished
“I couldn’t have mistaken him with another person now, could I?”
“I guess not, I am sorry”
“So where is he?” she asked, a little disappointed that her surprise was spoilt.
“In his room enjoying himself” she answered wickedly
There was still a chance that she could surprise him, she thought and started moving towards the bedroom.
“Do you think that is a good idea, I mean he might be resting” said the house keeper smiling.
Nma wondered what was wrong with the woman, how come she was smiling like lunatic.
“He wouldn’t be happy either knowing I came and left just like that, would he?”
“I guess you are right and I doubt if he is resting not when he...” the woman trailed off walking away. Nma stared at her dumbfounded, she didn’t know what came over the woman and she couldn’t careless, she muttered moving again towards Uche’s room. How she wished that he came back to meet her waiting for him? Anyway she still got some surprise left, he wasn’t expecting to see her till this afternoon and seeing her now could still be a good surprise as any. She thought. She turned the knob and opened the door, with a pleasant smile plastered on her face.
The smile died on her face instantly, she didn’t want to believe it. It could not be true, she couldn’t be seeing correctly. Though she covered herself with the duvet but it was obvious she was wearing nothing underneath. This was a nightmare and she was going to wake up any moment from now. She told herself. But that was impossible she had to accept painfully, no dream could ever seem this real. On the floor were scattered clothes and under wears showing impatience. It didn’t take a genius to know what had taken place and Uche was nowhere to be seen, where was he? She asked herself amazed, refusing to believe what she was seeing. Then Angela turned, smiling at her and looking incredibly ruffled.
“Hi” she greeted flippantly
DEAR READERS
THANK U SO MUCH 4 READING. I TRULY APPRECIATE UR EFFORTS IN INVITING N SHARING WITH FRIENDS N FAMILY.
LETS DO MORE. LETS TAKE IT TO D SOCIAL MEDIAS. FACEBOOK, TWITTER, BBM, WHATS AP ET C. LETS MAKE SO MUCH NOISE FRIENDS. LETS FILL THE WORLD WITH LOVE.
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