My heart was filled with joy as I ascended toward my car. I brought out my phone in the bag, I was going to call my husband. I know for sure he would be so happy to hear such news, considering how much we have waited six years without a child. Brandon has always been a lover of kids; I have found him smiling at kids' magazines and watching kids' shows. No matter how busy Brandon might be, he still visits the orphanage home, donating to various of them in the city.
"No, let's make it a two-in-one celebration," I concluded, swinging my phone around in my hand. It is our wedding anniversary the next day, a six-year journey of love with Brandon; I would be giving him the greatest gift of all time. I kept giggling and smiling throughout the drive. I made a quick stop at the store, I needed some groceries for the house.
It took me a few hours in the kitchen, making different varieties of meals, wine, and fruit all set. It was more like a pre-party for that main celebration that was yet to come.
My eye caught the clock on the wall. It was late in the evening. I have known Brandon not to be a nightcrawler, and this got me worried about what might be keeping him out this hour. Immediately, I called through his assistant, Hunter.
"He left the office earlier today. I think he has a very important appointment to attend."
"Ohh- Thank you hunter." I ended the call.
I held onto my phone tightly. I couldn't wrap my head around what could be so important that he didn't see the need to inform me. No doubt, I trusted Brandon, even though he might be sneaky at times, I still believe his words. I flipped my phone on the couch and placed a throw pillow under my head, and this time, I had no choice but to wait patiently till whenever he arrived home.
It was morning the next day. I slightly opened my eyes, seeing myself on the couch. I knew for sure I had slept there.
"Brandon!" I jotted up and found my way up the stairs.
Opening the door, Brandon, intimidating height, stood tall in the room. I took a deep breath, fidgeting with my hand, closing the gap between us.
"I didn't want to disturb your sleep last night," he said, laying his suit on.
"Are you stressed with work?" I asked while I properly knotted his necktie. "All done" I caressed his shoulder.
He didn't say any more words to me, not an answer to my question, not even about our anniversary. Maybe his week has been hectic, or maybe he had it all planned out for the day, but I couldn't wait anymore; like they say, delay can be denial.
"I have something to tell you," I spoke up.
"I also have something to give to you," he said, not glancing at me, putting some paper files in a folder.
"Oh, You go first then!" I responded, my heart pounding so loud. I guess I was just too forward; he would never have forgotten our big day.
"That's for you." I followed his eyes, and they landed on a brown envelope on top of the king-size bed.
"Okay..." wondering what could be there. Opening the envelope, inside of it was a couple of papers. I didn't bother checking through them, seeing what was encrypted at the top headline.
"So, what should I do with this?"
"You obviously can read-"
"Brandon..." my lips pursed. I had seen this coming, his late nights, skipping dinners, and cold attitude for months.
"I'll sign it," I said and his jaw dropped.
"Aren't you going to say anything else?!" he questioned. His voice came out dead, emotionless.
"Brandon, all I ever did was love you so if you want a divorce, you can have it. You don't expect me to beg for your love after making me feel responsible for our childlessness." I spat at his face. I changed my mind about sharing the good news of our child with him. It was better he remained in the dark till after the divorce.
"You will be getting enough settlement to move on with your life. Sign the papers and let's get done with this."
To hell with his money, I had enough to last me and my child throughout our lifetime.
"What if we have a kid?" I asked, trying to hear what he'd say. He halted, glanced at me, and then chuckled.
"You don't think I want to have a kid with you, do you?"
"What do you mean?"
"Maya, have you ever thought to yourself why you never got pregnant throughout our marriage? That's because I do not want you bearing my kids. Just like today, I don't want any connection or responsibility that could warrant us meeting again!"
"Pa!!!" My right hand landed on his cheek.
"What was that for?" He asked, his eyes popping out of its socket.
"That is for emotional damage, you'll get more soon."
He just shook his head, grabbed his car keys, and dashed out of the house.
Everything Brandon said flashed through my head again, solving the puzzle, obviously, there was more to what was happening. I got back in the living room, staring at the study room opposite, something stuck me in the brain.
The study room has always been Brandon's space, he never liked it anytime I went in there, more like he had something to hide. I gently opened the door and grudgingly walked towards his reading table. I moved my hand around the files on the table, I kept searching and searching everywhere without a knowledge of what I was looking for.
I sighted a small safe, I dragged it to open, but it had a security code that guarded it. I thought of so many passwords, and special dates that I could come up with, and after a third attempt, It finally opened. Inside it was a white envelope, and at the top of it was about three flash drives. I picked up the envelope, and inside of it was a file that had a hospital name on it.
"Is he sick?" I murmured under my breath reading through it. "What?!" My eyes popped out, my hands covering my mouth, my heart pounding loudly.
"A Vasectomy!"