From my room, I could see him. He hit the gate so hard and was furious.
I wondered what happened but I dare not go downstairs to see him in that state.
“You had the nerves to kiss my girlfriend. Is anything wrong with you? How dare you? You want to eat from the same plate I eat. You don’t. You don’t.” Henry shouted.
“Wetin this one dey talk” Best answered.
Henry almost hit Best. “Aye mi temi bami. Who is this devil that went to tell a lie?” I thought. Till date, I didn’t figure out that person because I didn’t try to.
Best’s roommate tried to calm Henry down. I later went to meet him and the response was shocking “Don’t touch me. You go around kissing people”
“Excuse me? I don’t have anything to say to you. I’m off to school”. I said as I left.
I didn’t feel any remorse because I didn’t do anything. When I returned from school, they were still on the matter. Best’s room mate had already calmed them down and he was trying to calm me down too. Henry was still giving me attitude.
Later that night, he called me out of my room for us to have a long discussion.
” Nkem, why would you do that? I am not happy.” He said.
“Baby, I didn’t do anything. Are you even listening to me? Why will I want to kiss Best?” I said.
Well, we sorted that issue with rules and regulations. Henry banned me from having male friends, hugging male friends or visiting male friends. When he is there, I don’t talk to anyone of them. I mumu-ishly agreed. Love is just funny.
His jealousy came up at different times. Even when we were on set for a music video. He was pissed that I was talking to Best. All my male friends ran away from me. If I needed help, they wouldn’t render because they didn’t want Henry’s problem. I found my way to live around that until Henry decided to break my heart – THRICE.
Ada was known as a whore in my school. She had a boyfriend and she still slept with anything as long as it could penetrate. Henry was one of her victims. Henry started giving her all his attention. She was always wearing heels, make up, nails on fleek, she could afford expensive hairs, expensive clothes. Damn! I was a local girl compared to her. My Henry was lost in her trap. I didn’t fight to get him back. I would call him and he’ll say “I’m coming. I’m with Ada.” Henry would never come.
It went on for weeks until the day Ada wanted to sleep with him, he ran back to me to save him. But I couldn’t. I was helpless and clueless about what it meant to fight for a man. I didn’t even have that strength. What exactly was I fighting with? I gave my all but he chose nails on a stupid fleek! Even in my presence, this lady touched my boyfriend. I left the room. It was in Best’s room. I was disappointed, in shame, helpless and unhappy.
He asked why I left and I told him never to put me in a situation where I have to share a space with a whore who has no respect. He was shocked I said that. I was shocked too. But I was angry. It didn’t stop him from giving Ada the attention she needed. It later stopped though but that was when he was about to leave town for good.
Henry later graduated and left for his home in another state. I missed him. I loved him so much. I visited Henry once in his home and when I returned, the narrative started to change.
Henry didn’t want to speak with me again. He gave all sorts of excuses. Henry still bore all the kiss saga in his heart. He feared that I will forget him. His mum didn’t help matters too. But Henry was intelligent, productive, smart, and was a hard worker. Henry couldn’t stand someone who couldn’t hold intelligent discussions. I remember how he laughed when trying to state his displeasure as regards someone’s dumbness. His laughter was music to my ears and his smile was art to my eyes. I was always careful watching him laugh so my heart won’t burst with happiness and pride.
Henry made me understand that the value of a woman wasn’t boxed in a kitchen. I remember him saying his wife would only make the local soups while he’ll employ the service of a Chinese chef to do the regular cooking. O boy! See dreams!!
If there was anything I appreciated Henry for, it was the fact that he told me one day, to please leave my name on the sands of time while I was a student. He was a graphic artist and he introduced me to colours on screen. We would always sit and do his job together. So many of his jobs trended on social media. I remember the one with Da-grin in an army attire. We did it together and it was so lovely.
The whole school knew we were dating and I couldn’t bear the shame of letting people know we broke up. But Henry wasn’t thinking that. Henry already hooked up with one of my models and uploaded the picture on Facebook. My phone buzzed crazily that day and I cried to stupor. People kept commenting ‘This is not who we know o, This is not our madam o, Where is our wife?’.
I felt bad. How could he do this to me? Is it because I wasn’t ‘fleeky’? Will I steal to be on fleek? I let that pass but I just couldn’t move on. I would call him on phone and tell him it was a mistake. I just wanted to hear his voice.
I was gisting in my room when I heard a knock on the door. I opened it and it was Abel. We exchanged pleasantries as I offered him a seat. Abel was a friend I didn’t joke with. I appreciated him in and out but friendzone happened.
As we sat down, Abel and I started gisting. Deep in the gist he said he was proud of me and that he wanted me to keep up with my lifestyle. I didn’t understand what he was saying. After much pressure from me asking him to spill, Abel told me that there was a bet between Henry and a group of boys. They asked him to sleep with me in at least three months and they would give him money and of course see him as the banger of women, baddo sneh of our generation and penetrator of all things in skirt! Otherwise, he would give them the money and see them as kings.
OMG! Tears came down my eyes. My heart was heavy. Abel kept comforting me. Memories came flashing immediately. Those times he tried but I just wasn’t ready. Tears came down my eyes more. Not again! I got to know the boys involved. I didn’t get angry at them. I had to turn their involvement to my advantage but I won’t tell you how.
For 8 good months, I just wasn’t myself. I longed for Henry. I missed our songs, kiss, the times we worked together, cooked together, the way he looked at me, how he picks what I wear to school. It was too much to take in. The only man I ever truly gave my all.
I buried myself in building my first business and I became so popular. It was a fashion show and it was very very successful. The popularity brought a lot of people into my circle. I got to meet the movers and shakers of the town. That buzz also brought Chike into my life. He was one of the countries finest music producers and whatever shit we thought we had going on almost took my life.
To be continued…
