Chapter 5 Healing

He was shocked and ashamed, yet he could not summon the strength to get up.

"Ella, please she is dying," he said still kneeling. He was soaked with the dirty water poured on him. He looked at himself and then lifted his head. "If this is what I get to receive your forgiveness, then go ahead and drench me." He reached out for her hands and held them tightly.

"I am so sorry."

She released her hand from his grip and stared right into his eyes.

"This would not be your first time burying the dead, you should bury some more," she slammed the door on his face. She was hurting and walked to her room, sat on the floor, and let out a scream "ahh!!!" she began crying, she was so hurt "God please help me forgive and forget," she said. The pain was so unbearable, it felt like the world should stop, her heart felt like it was ripping apart. But she knew she had to let go to stop hurting, if she didn't forgive him that will be doing a disservice to herself. It would mean he won, and she ended up being the demon she hated

John knelt there not moving an inch, he bows his head, covering his face with his hands, and wept bitterly She stood up and went to check if John was still there, to her utmost surprise he was still on his knees.

She held his shoulders and helped him get up. She used the back of her hands to wipe the tears off his face.

"I _"

She signaled to him not to say a word by placing her finger on his lips and hugging him. He let the tears flow and so did she. She felt sudden calmness in her heart, and it didn't hurt anymore. The man who had hurt her and taken all she worked for was right in her arms and it was not hurting. She had forgiven him and was willing to help in any way she could. They released each other and held hands.

"I forgive you; how can I help?" she asked smiling,

"She has to undergo a cesarean operation, she has lost so much strength, I don't have enough money for it, I recently made an investment that flopped," he said shamefully about his financial status.

"That's fine, do I pack some food before we go to the hospital?"

"Sure, that will be lovely."

She ushers him to come in and have a sit. He steps in "WOW" he says in amazement. "You have done so well for yourself"

The parlor was refurbished to a fine taste of gold cushions and colorful curtains which gives a welcoming feel. He sat at the cushion close to the door, starring at the chandelier, The flat-screen Tv, the dining table, which was wooden with golden designs around, It was looking like a King's Palace.

The last time he was here was when he had walked away from Ella. How time flies.

Ella came into the parlor with two coolers containing enough food which can last for a week.

"Oh, my Ella, you didn't have to"

"Oh, it's okay, trust me I am glad I can be of help, So are you ready or will you need a glass of water before we leave?"

"I am fine, we can leave now"

Ella handed him the coolers and opened the door as she led him to the car. They drove off praying for his fiancée on the way. She knew what it feels like to lose a child and wouldn't wish that for John's fiancée.

On arriving at the hospital, the doctor congratulated John on his bouncing baby girl, he couldn't believe his eyes, he hugged Ella out of excitement and they both went to the ward to see mother and child. "John," his fiancée said smiling but as soon as she sighted Ella her face changed. She was ashamed of her lies and betrayal.

"It's okay, forgive you, and congratulations are in order," she said smiling as she brought out her hand, and the accountant shook her with gratitude.

"I can't repay you, only God can," the accountant said,

"I never got your name," Ella replied,

"It's Maggie," she replied.

Ella walks to where the baby was laid. She was astonished at the baby's beauty; she caressed her face which was so soft and smooth. She could not resist the urge not to carry the newborn. She carried her gently and kissed her forehead. "What a bundle of joy," she thought to herself. She wanted this, the happiness of motherhood but she was barren now, she laid the baby down gently and wiped her tears which were already building up. She turns around to see John and Maggie, They were busy holding each other's hands and giggling. She was happy for them "she is beautiful," she cuts in "I will pay the bills on my way out" she said leaving the ward.

John was about to follow Ella, but Maggie held him back "Let her have her moment"

John understood where Maggie was coming from and stayed put. She went and settled the bills of the Richie's and headed to her car to go home, she was stopped when she heard her name, she turned back to look, and John was headed for her direction he felt he needed to see her before she left.

"I wanted to say a big thank you for what you did despite all that happened between us."

"John," she called softly "I am a Christian doesn't mean I don't have feelings, I forgive you, but I also want to forget I recently found out about everything that transpired within the years, the wound is fresh please don't add salt to it, having said that I am saying goodbye," she told him, "Ella I ..." he stuttered trying to find the right words. She smiled and got into her car and zoomed off. Tears streamed down her eyes as she drove home, she couldn't believe she was so dumb for years. She got home and continued writing to avoid falling back to a sad mood.

While she was writing her next short film, suddenly the pieces started coming together, and everything finally made sense. She remembered when she was at the bank pleading with John not to leave her the very first day, she met Kelvin at the bank delivering flowers for John.

"Oh my!" she thought to herself. Kelvin knew about the betrayal all along, and he never said anything. She was furious, she thought she had a friend, someone who truly cares and loves her but, why will he hide such a piece of information from her all the while.

It was almost 6 pm, she had her bath and got dressed waiting for kelvin. The bell rings. She went to open the door and ushered Kelvin in, she asked him not to sit, Kelvin was shocked if everything was fine. He was amazed at how gorgeous she looked in her silk black dress

"You look beautiful," he said

"You never got to ask me what I saw at John's place before my accident, so I thought we should talk before we leave" she replied.

"Okay can I at least sit?" he asked,

"No, you can't," she raised her voice. "I saw the accountant who handled me and John's joint account when we were still married, and she was pregnant!" she yelled at him.

"Okay slow down, I am so sorry I didn't know that's what happened, I can imagine how to hurt you were," he said with so much sympathy,

"Really" she replied, "I didn't quite understand until today seeing her and John together with their baby, I remembered when I met you at the bank you went to deliver gifts to someone my ex-husband sent you to, was it her?!" she asked him, she was furious now like a hen whose chicken was stolen

"I think we should discuss this when you are calm," he replied heading to the door.

"You are inhuman, you knew my husband was screwing my account officer, and you watched me cry and chase him, how could you?" she asked crying.

He turns around to face her "You have to believe me, Ella, I couldn't do much, I had left my parents' house and was surviving on what John paid me, I was an errand boy, that's why I didn't want you to chase him that day because you deserved better". He held her as she cried, she tries to resist him but he held her tightly "I love you, and I am sorry for all the hurt, please be happy when I leave."

"What do you mean k," she asked hugging him,

"Nothing damsel, I just want you to be happy when I am here and when I am not". "God loves you and you deserve to be happy, marry again, and never stop smiling," he told her, staring into her beautiful eyes.

"You sound like you are dying" she chuckled.

"I am dying for your love". They both laughed. Kelvin turned on the TV for Netflix.

They watched a movie indoors and had shawarma with drinks, laughing like children. It was a golden moment for Kelvin. He knew he was dying and the least he could do was to enjoy every moment he has with Ella.

It was late and Kelvin had to leave, he bade her goodnight and left home. He drove into the compound of his parent's house and just as he pressed the doorbell he collapsed. His mother opened the door to see her son on the floor.