Beeba sat behind the cab with a tumultuous heart. She had hoped for a happy comeback, eager to come back to her husband and children, until last night.
She wished she could just walk away, and go far she would never be seen again. Her heartbeat was faster, not knowing if Isa would find out from her appearance.
She arrived home about nineteen minutes later and stood by the gate hesitating. She felt like going back. She could see his car parked in front of the house.
Before she could knock, the door opened and he peeped. She felt as if the ground should swallow up.
“Your other is around.” He said with a grin before he came to hug her. The children came out excited and embraced her.
They were excited to see her. She was filled with guilt but it seemed he could not see it on her face.
“How was Lag?” He asked.
No! Lagos was horrible. No! She was terrible. She did not want to hear that name now. Not now.
“Fine.” She said. “I- I missed you guys.”
The next few days were not easy for her. The guilt dwelled in her and sometimes she felt like telling someone maybe that could ease her. She felt the best person to tell was Isa but after a second thought, she discarded the idea totally.
Trouble started when the month came to an end. She had to go back to Lagos and that meant seeing Mangal again.
Okay, she would act as if nothing ever happened but she would never be in seclusion with him or any other man again.
She travelled to Lagos and she had to see him. They had acted as if nothing had happened. But the tension between them was palpable. They were not as free with each other like they used to be. They were very formal and would not even share a joke. Mangal did not even ask after her husband like he used to do. They chose to do the reviews and reports at the lobby.
They stopped by 9:00PM and both left for their rooms. The next day, she went for the formal reports and signing. Mangal went for his duty.
She received the monthly distribution schedule and had to explain it to Mangal while they fix it.
They worked until it was 10:00PM.
“Goodnight.” He said and got up. She did not reply.
He ascended the stairs and got to the door to his room. He slot in the key and unlocked. He turned the door knob and pushed the door.
He went in and before he could close it, he felt someone behind him.
He frowned.
She gave him no time for wondering. She rushed in and grabbed him. He responded and they kissed while clothes dropped on the floor.
One hour later, while Mangal was pretending to be asleep, she lay on his body thinking.
How did it happen again? Why did it happen again?
She had regretted it the first time. Even now she did but there was a deeper problem.
Even in her deepest mood of regret and remorse, she could still feel the sparks his hand ignited in her. She could never stop thinking about his brio. She tried to run away from thoughts. When she closed her eyes, instead of running away from his thought, she saw him, his stout chest, the abs, the mean expression he had as he took her; those manly touches yet full of sensations and mildness.
These were thoughts she buried inside and refused to admit to herself. Thoughts that resonated with her. Now as she lay by his side, her head on his chest, after a hot love making, she knew she wanted more of him.
“I know you are awake.” She said.
He smiled and opened his eyes. He was feeling uncomfortable. If they claimed it a mistake the last time it happened , why a second time?
He allowed the weakness of the mind toil with him. His physical needs and satisfaction got over him.
She had a body only a few men could resist. After the first time they had sex, the feelings lingered for long.
When he saw her yesterday, he had quickly took off his eyes and tried to forget her but he could not. When she followed him, he could not resist.
“We did it again.” He said. “We have to stop.”
“I know.” She said and after seeing that smile of his, she knew she was not ready to stop soon. “I could not resist you Mangal. I am horrible but I can’t help it. Why are bad things so sweet?”
He turned and sent his hand to her back.
“I have heard that and you just proved it. I wonder what GM would say if he knew what is going on.”
“Maybe he saw it. There might have been some kind of chemistry between us we never knew. I have always like you but in a platonic way.”
She got up and sat on him.
“We have to stop but before then…..I want more of you, soldier boy.”
“You know I will give it to you, how; when; where; and for how long you want it.”
“Awwwnnn….”
The first time they committed this great sin, they all fell very guilty. But this second time, they felt less guilty. In fact, after the third they spent together, they stopped feeling anything wrong.
Now it just sweetness, romance and nothing more. She moved into his room and lodged out of hers. They spent
One week together before she reluctantly went back to Kano.
Back in Kano, she could not stop thinking about him. The only hand that touched her and made her melt was his. She tried to act normal with Isa, and he seemed to be unsuspicious.
After three the assignment, which gave her the chance to spent days with him, Mangal came back to
Kano but the relationship continued.
She succeeded in getting him a job as a casual worker with the firm. They would sometimes make love in office, toilet, car and his house.
On this fateful day, she had just returned and met Isa sitting on a rocking chair in the open courtyard. He wore white singlet and black shorts.
“Hello Darling.” She said. “I am sorry I came back late. The oil scarcity is escalating and pressure is proliferating.”
“It is okay. Please sit down.”
She gave him a sharp glance.
“I hope it’s okay.”
“I just want to talk with you.”
What was going on?
She sat down beside him.
He was silent for a while. She could feel the tension between them.
“Your former boss tried to give me the impression that you were having an extramarital affair with that young man, Mangal.”
It was here!
Beeba began to find it hard to submerge her fears. She had not expected this.
“I remember.” She said.
“I used to get angry because I trusted you. I never believed him and I still don’t believe him.”
I still don’t believe him. That was a relief.
She still kept quiet.
“But I have been getting some reports lately about you and the same boy. Not from your ex-boss. They did not say you are having an affair with him. They only said you are too close for comfort. I am also uncomfortable with it.”
“Who are the people saying this?”
“It does not matter. Do you know that you have changed? There is something that has taken your attention away. You only pretend to be here. I guess it is your work or the fact that you earn more than I do now and you take a chunk of the responsibilities…I don’t know but I feel I am losing my Beeba to something….and I hope it is not someone.”
“What are you talking about? How dare you say something like that…” She began to cry. It was just a face saving act and she cried because he was right. She got up and ran to her room to cry. He came after her.
“I am sorry.” He said.
**********
“How are you?” Isa said casually as he offered Mangal a hand.
“I am fine, thank you Sir.” Mangal shook the hand with a wave of guilty conscience. “Please come inside.”
“Thank you but I just need to talk to you. I am good here.”
Mangal, who was standing by the door, came out.
“I am with you Sir.”
“I will go straight to the point. You have been my wife’s colleague and I heard she also got you a job now. You were kidnapped together and she said you saved her life. I appreciate that. I am here because I don’t feel comfortable with your relationship. You are not her biological brother. You are not related. You are an adult and she is also one. Islam do not allow a man and a woman who are not related to be as close as you are. I am not accusing you of adultery…..”
Adultery!
That was the right word to describe what they have been doing and not making love. The sound of that word alone is repulsive.
“And I am not suspecting her. I am not a fool but I am just given a benefit of doubt. I need you to do me a favour. Please stay out of her live. I will plead with my friend to transfer you from here. Please stop seeing her even if it not an affair you are having. I love her and need her back.”
“Did she leave?”
“Not physically but she is gone in many ways. Her attention is elsewhere. She is not the Beeba I used to know.”
Mangal was now more guilty than ever.
“Does she come here?” Isa threw an expected question which made Mangal flinch.
“No Sir. The last time she came was when you came to pay a condolence visit with her.”
“That is great. There is no reason that should make a married woman visit a single man. Besides, she had never sought for my permission to visit you.”
“Yes Sir.”
A phone chimed. It was Mangal’s phone and he knew it was Beeba. He was waiting for her and she was at a shop getting food for them the last time they talked. She could appear any moment from now.
“I think your phone is ringing.” Isa said. “Please pick your call.”
Mangal was right. Beeba just drove into the street and had no idea that her husband was there. He did not go in his car.
“Pick your call. I won’t mind.”
**************
Ghen ghen! Kwarto ya shiga uku.
Thank you very much.