I was simply a woman in love. Swept by the
tides of emotion. Consumed by the fury of
passion. I fell in love with Henry the way a bird
would reach for the sky and cling to the air with
it’s wings. We were together all through the
University. Henry knew of inches of my being
like the palm of his hands. He cherished me
with such effortless tenderness. He was caring
to a fault. He always did those little things that
could sweep a woman off her feet. He said
such nice words that set my heart afloat. I
blushed at his smiles and shivered at his touch.
I enjoyed every single moment we shared
together. We talked, laughed, stared , cuddled
and clung unto each other for hours. Our love
was intense. Mama said he was a responsible
man who knew what he wanted in life. Perhaps
it was because of his gait, confident aura and
those calm enchanting eyes of his. I could
barely withstand his gaze. They had an affinity
for affirmative replies even when I intended to
say the opposite. I said more ‘yes’ and fewer
‘no’. Sisi said true love was hard to find and I
had struck a goldmine this time. She would
teasingly call him ‘Our In-law’ which drew a shy
smile from me.
One morning, I received a call. Henry informed
me that he was in Lagos and would from there
be leaving for the States. He had by means of
good fortune stumbled on a business deal that
would pay handsomely. I was dazed. I
wondered why he never told me all along. He
explained he had been very busy and that
everything happened so fast. He said, “You
know I love you” but I didn’t know what I knew
anymore. For months we were steady on calls
and social media, but slowly and steadily Henry
ebbed away. I could only reach out to him in
my dreams, thoughts, imaginations and
fantasies. I tried all I could but he never
answered nor returned calls. His friends had
nothing to say either. Each time I thought of
him tears flooded my eyes and flowed down
caressing my cheeks. I missed him dearly.
Time rolled by, a year was gone yet there was
no trace of Henry. Paul, a friend’s brother
began to lurk around. He was kindhearted and
well mannered. He was chatty and tried to say
funny things. I said ‘no’ many times but Paul
relentlessly persisted. Mama asked me to give
him a chance instead of wasting my life for
some irresponsible guy. I tried and we became
fond of each other. We tagged along for
months and soon Paul was ready to exchange
vows. I was also ready.
A week to saying ‘I do’ I received a call. At first
I was perplexed on seeing a foreign number.
When I heard that flow of sonorous vibrations
echo in my ears, I realized I had never
forgotten that voice. It was him…………Henry. He
breathlessly went on and on talking, explaining,
evaluating and pleading. I was too shocked for
words. He said he was coming back soon. I
was apprehensive and tensed for the rest of
the week. I watched my bridal joy turn sour. I
was easily irritated and snapped at the slightest
provocation. I wanted to talk to someone, to
anyone, to Sisi but no one spoke of ‘Our In-law’
again. Mama would definitely slap me back to
my sense. So I kept my troubles to myself.
Henry called again on the eve. He wanted us to
meet up as he was in town and was lodging in
same hotel as myself and my bridal train. It
was a coincidence. I was longed to see him. I
was curious. I had questions to ask, many
words I hoped to hear. I sneaked down to the
lobby. There he sat, that muscular frame, fair
skin, those warm eyes. His accent sounded
more polished as he spoke. He held my hands
and said he was sorry. Damn! I should never
have let those hands touch. Waves of emotion
slowly but forcefully flowed through me. I was
love struck again. That was how I went missing
on the eve of my wedding day. The sun rose to
find everyone searching frantically for the bride.
The hotel’s security camera was helpful as it
captured a glimpse of me entering a room with
someone. Henry opened the door before the
frantic knocking would break it down. Everyone
was shocked at the sight they beheld. Mama
rolled on the fall in tears. She kept screaming
that Henry and I have killed her. Papa said he
would disown me. Sisi pulled at Henry’s shirt
while raining abuses on him. Paul pleaded with
me to snap back to reality but I was way
beyond redemption. I was no longer willing to
push through with the wedding. He promised to
forgive my excesses but no magic wane could
do the trick. I was still freaking in love with
Henry and I was ready to defile all rationality
for him.
Thus, that marriage never saw the break of
dawn and so did many other things. Life had
yet more balls to throw at me. I never imagined
life without Henry but now I know better.
Certain things were no longer the same with
him. He was now into drugs and soon pulled
me down the drain of addiction with him. He
used me as a tool for trafficking drugs and I
often doubled as a drab for his business
partners. I willed to escape that rat hole but my
heart clung to him. One of our trafficking trips
went sour. Henry was shot as he tried to
escape. I was taken to a rehab and then to jail.
I served my term and was afterwards released.
I have no courage to face my family. I have no
will to live either.
I’m thorn between my woes and grief. I have
fallen along with this passion.
THE END
By Isiwu Oluchi
