DREAM WAKE

"You're going to have to brace yourself, madam -- your husband's a schizophrenic."

"Schizo - what?" She tasted it on her lips. It was very foreign to her. She sat up straighter, scared to hear what he was going to say.

Beads of sweat popped up on her forehead and she absentmindedly tapped her fingers against the wooden frame of the chair she was sitting on.

She focused on the the hum of the air conditioner, capturing and enhancing it till it became a recurrent loop in her mind.

"A schizophrenic is someone

who can take up different personalities and looses touch with his environment, communicating with only people he can see. That's the layman's term." There was a pause, in which he looked at her directly and then continued speaking. "The scientific term is a bit more technical. It is one of several brain diseases whose symptoms may include loss of personality, agitation, catatonia, confusion, psychosis, unusual behavior, and social withdrawal. When you brought him in earlier, I was able to diagnose same symptoms I mentioned."

"Oh my God, this is terrible!" There were unshed tears in her eyes. Agitation was clear in her voice and she began wringing her fingers together. "Doctor, will he be okay? I mean, is there a cure and is he dangerous?"

"Not really, I mean most schizophrenics can be curtailed with drugs and become harmless with constant care." He looked at her, compassion lacing his eyes.

"That's fine then so ---"

"I'm afraid it's not. You see when you brought him in yesterday, he kept murmuring unintelligible words, but I was able to make out one word." This was the part he hated -- being the bearer of bad news.

He shook his left leg nervously, wondering how she was going to take it.

Osagiede waited with bated breath as the doctor leaned forward, hands laced together on his desk. "He mentioned the word -- kill."

"What's all this hogwash about killing, doctor?" Huge furrows appeared on her forehead and her voice rose in panic as her heart beat accelerated.

"I'm sorry, but your husband probably fancies himself as an executioner!"

"A what?" Her voice squeaked with fear.

"An executioner is ---"

"I know who an executioner is doctor, but my husband has never been violent, why, I'm even the one who kills the chicken during festive periods."

"Madam, this is not the time for jokes. Your husband needs serious medical attention and immediately too."

"Doctor, is he, can he . . . What I mean to ask is, can he be cured?"

"In most cases, no, we will do our best and leave the rest to God, but the earlier you bring him in, the faster his healing will take place." He interlaced his fingers for emphasis, leaning towards her.

He felt sorry for the woman whose husband was in the early stages of the mental disease. What could he say to comfort her? He only wished she could act fast and bring him in to start the treatment as delay was very dangerous.

Osagiede staggered up from the high backed chair and with some effort, lifted her stricken face to the doctor.

"I'm not ready for stark white walls, constricting spaces, the smell of sickness and death, neither am I ready for life being turned upside down. No doctor, I'm not bringing him in. . . yet."

The doctor was aghast with shock, his mouth fell open and he said with a shake of his head "This portends danger madam, how --- "

"I'm finished here and don't expect me back in a hurry."

With those words, she got up and rushed to open the door of his office and closed it quickly behind her, just incase she changed her mind.

Sagging against the door, a sob caught in her throat. No! She told herself, I can't give up easily, I have to be strong for him.

With that last thought, she walked briskly down the hospital corridor, later breaking into a run.

On the drive back home, she recalled the doctor's words.

Your husband fancies himself an executioner.

She had to get home soon, for earlier on, she had left Eyare murmuring to himself. Only God knew what he could do as she had left Eseosa with him.

With that last thought, she increased her speed, a niggling fear at the back of her mind.

EYARE

People say I'm handsome, I tend to believe them too. In a crowd of young men, I'm easily picked out.

I've gotten many advances from the females, why, I've even broken a few hearts, not intentionally though.

I was in my last year at the university when I saw her; she was what you call 'the girl next door.' Beautiful, with a sweet demeanor.

I bumped into her in the cafeteria where she was with a group of giggly girls and I watched as they chose some seats, then I made my move, walking up to them with my killer smile.

"Hi ladies, may I join you?"

They all stopped what they were doing and looked up to see who had dared interrupt their girly talk.

I could almost hear their minds spinning furiously. It seemed I was under some inspection.

Then she spoke up. "Sure," and with a smile. "Join us." Immediately, I sat beside her.

"I'm Eyare," and a chorus of 'hi's were replies to my greeting.

Now I must add here; in Pan university, if a girl says hi to you, know you've scored big time.

We made small talk, with me always maintaining eye contact.

I learned her name was Osagiede, meaning God's gift. She became my gift. You know what? We hit it right off from that day and since then, we never looked back.

We decided that after school, we would get married. So on a clear summer morning, we exchanged vows.

I was ecstatic and couldn't wait to settle down with the woman I loved and have many children. We decided since we were starting a family, we needed to be frugal, so we opted to spend our honeymoon in Ghana, instead of outside the shores of Africa.

We were pleasantly surprised at how Ghana is, as it was both our first time of being there. We checked into a beautiful rustic hotel overlooking the sea. It was so peaceful -- water lapping against the banks, stars twinkling like diamonds in the sky, and the strong fresh smell of the sea.

We stared silently, my arm wrapped tightly around my wife. No words were necessary as our hearts did the talking. Osagiede looked ravishing in a short nightie.

"Darling," I started quietly, not wanting to break the magic of the special moment. "This is the beginning of forever with me." I tightened my hold on her, anticipating her next statement.

"My husband . . ." she paused as if tasting the words on her tongue. "It sounds so good saying it."

"Mrs. Osazuwa, I'm glad you like the feel of that in your mouth, hope you're getting used to it?"

"Yes, my love, just give me some time, still feels like a dream to me."

"Hmm! I hope you get used to it soon and fast too because I'm already envisaging us having beautiful children." I tipped her chin and captured her eyes with my gaze.

"Need I say darling, this woman, is over the moon about being married to you. I'm loving it already. Tonight is our wedding night, let's make it work," she ended with a wink.

After that, we ended up in each other's arms, but I just couldn't shake off the feeling that a turn of events were soon to unfold and I wasn't going to like them. I shook off the feeling as I drifted off to sleep.

The next day we went sightseeing and it was obvious to everyone around us we were newly wedded, for we never let go of each other's hands. I felt on top of the world, my earlier doubts forgotten.

That night, we traipsed the city of Ghana as we went from club to club. Ghana at night is a city with flashing lights, where workers shed their day garbs and change into flighty birds to unwind. And so we danced as we had never done before.

Need I say, my wife is an electrifying dancer. That is one of the things that attracted me to her, and tonight, it attracted men to her like bees to honey. I watched as she did her thing on the dance floor, admiring her.

We got home in the wee hours of the morning, tired, but strangely refreshed and found solace in each other's arms.

We slept till midday and it was Osagiede who woke up first with her usual boundless energy. Passing the mirror on her way to the bathroom, she shrieked. "My hair, it's a mess."

This wasn't true but as is typical of women to get fussy about their hair, I had to calm her down.

"You could go to one of the saloons in the hotel, I'm quite sure there's a range of fine one's, though if you ask me, I'd say your hair looks fine." I finished with a shrug.

"I just want to look beautiful for you, my husband, and we are on our honeymoon, remember?"

"I already told you, your hair looks fine. I've got eyes for no other woman but you my love, rest assured."

"Sweet words, still I'll feel much better when I get it done, it would look nice and different, you wait and see," and with that, she went to the bathroom to take a shower, while I settled down once more to sleep as I was still feeling drowsy.

Just then something caught my eyes. It peeked out of the drawers where Osagiede kept her lingerie - it was shiny. I gave it a cursory glance thinking it was just a piece of material, but on closer look, it looked too stiff for that.

Curiosity got the better of me, so I leaped up with a quick glance at the bathroom. I wouldn't want my wife seeing me snooping through her things, so I was quiet as I walked to the chest of drawers, but I needn't have bothered, because of the splashing of water, coupled with my wife singing off key, was enough to douse my silent movements.

Yeah, my wife could dance the pants off her body but when it came to singing, she was definitely no good.

I got to the drawer and saw it was a book - a diary on a second look. So holding it, I battled on whether to read it or not, but once more, curiosity got the better of me.

You know that saying about curiosity killing the cat, right?

Well . . . I didn't know that by reading my brand new wife's diary, I would be opening a Pandora's box -- a box that should have been kept firmly shut.

But you know when bad things want to happen, they always do so with a serious bang. So with another glance at the bathroom, I opened to the first page.

MAY 1st

Dear diary, I had an extremely wonderful time today. See, I went out with him to the movies and thereafter to the beach. It was such a beautiful day for me. He is so handsome and witty.

I smiled, remembering that particular day, I was so excited to be with her that I went the extra mile by impressing her with jokes. I thought I had goofed, not knowing I had made quite an impression on her. I smiled to myself as I perched on the edge of the bed and continued reading.

JUNE 10th

Dear diary, I love him so much and don't know what I would do without him. Guess what; he gave me an engagement ring today and asked me to marry him and of course, you can only imagine my reply - A million yes's. I can't wait to be his wife and the mother of his kids. Today, dear diary, I'm the happiest woman on earth.

I paused, thinking back to that day. Her eyes had brimmed with tears and she had clung to me with such fervor that it had taken my breath away. Reading it all in print now gave me a certain thrill, knowing she truly loved me.

I guess that wasn't enough for me, I needed to know more. Glancing at the bathroom and still hearing the tap running, with my wife singing off-key, I read on.

AUGUST 1st

Dear diary, I haven't neglected you, just that I've been dealing with some personal demons in my life. I found out I'm pregnant and . . .

My hands stilled as I came upon the word, pregnant.

She hadn't told me she was pregnant, what did she do to my baby?

I was becoming angry but had to calm myself and read further to know what happened.

I'm so excited, yet worried as to what he'll say, but I shouldn't have bothered so much, because he was over the moon about it. We decided to go shopping for baby clothes and I opted for pink as I was sure it was a girl, but Geoffrey . . .

Wait, what?

Who the heck was Geoffrey? They both went shopping for baby clothes?

My hands silently shook on seeing this discovery. I was scared of what I would see next but I steeled myself and kept on reading against my better judgment.

Geoffrey insisted it would be a boy, so we settled for buying some baby clothes in pink and some in blue. Everything is falling into place. I'm in heaven.

It seemed like I was rooted to the spot -- frozen. I had turned into stone. I couldn't think. I felt like I was underwater and struggling to breathe.

Did Osagiede cheat on me while we were dating?

It was about the same time I had started seeing her.

I wanted to wait, lord, I wanted to wait for our wedding night before we had anything physical with each other, but Osagiede was a great temptation. Those pink succulent lips smiling at me all the time and being in such close proximity, it was too much of a temptation and so we had both succumbed to each other.

Could that baby have been mine?

What happened to it?

Surely she wasn't pregnant now?

Questions raced through my mind at top speed, each one fighting for dominance, yet I didn't have a single answer to any of them.

I was in such a daze, I barely heard the bathroom door open.

I had only a split second to close the drawer and dive back onto the bed.

Wow!

Ben Johnson would have been proud at the speed at which I did it all.

I acted like I was still sleeping. I even mimicked a light snore.

Yes! she was fooled.

I lifted an eyelid and squinted at her. She had never looked so glorious. Rivulets of water cascaded down her arms and legs --- she looked like a sea nymphet. There was a softening in my heart just then, so I got up and walked towards her.

"Baby." I crooned. "You look beautiful."

I thought then to ask her who Geoffrey was and how come she got pregnant and who the baby was for and why she two-timed me. These thoughts must have reflected the worry and strain I felt, leading to the play of emotions on my face, for she suddenly asked. "Eyare, are you okay?"

Something came over me just then, and I imagined her gasping for breath, my hands, a tight clamp around her neck, while her eyes bulged with surprise and fear as she choked to death. It was so strong, the temptation was so damn strong, but as quickly as the feeling came, it left, leaving me feeling drained, yet strangely refreshed. I was left staring at her stupidly.

She looked at me with concern etched on her face so I had to say something and it must have sounded like; "I'm fine just tired." This must have satisfied her as her face cleared of its worry and she nodded.

"Why don't you get back to bed, I'll try and be as quiet as possible so I don't disturb you."

But how could I do that with the new revelation?

So I just sat on the bed and stared at her while she dressed up.

As she made to open the drawer, it occurred to me she might notice the absence of her diary, so I got up quickly and walked towards her. "Let me choose your lingerie for you today." She turned round to look at me, a smile on her lips.

"Why, I believe you've never done that before."

"Well, you know the saying - There's always a first time for everything."

I handed her a matching set of lacy underwear, and watched as she slipped them on. Another time, I would have been seriously distracted by what she was doing and pulled her to me, but this time, the contents of the diary were like a bag of rocks on my mind.

I hardly listened as she made small talk, for I was only too impatient for her to leave so I could finish up the reading.

After what seemed like ages, she left finally with a kiss on my lips and the scent of her perfume in the air.

I felt guilty for going through her diary without her knowledge but I was already in too deep and hating every moment of it.

As I opened the diary to where I stopped, my hands shook and I became instantly sweaty. I had to go on, so steeling my nerves, I began to read once more.

AUGUST 10th

Today has been the most memorable day of my life; he promised he would be there for me, but he ran off with the first slut that flung herself at him.

Geoffrey, how could you do this to me? You promised you would be there for me through thick and thin.

Mum and dad warned me, but I was too blinded by love to recognise the handwriting on the wall. I was so blind.

Eyare is a good man and kindhearted too, but I don't love him, yet, I must marry him to save face. Where are you now, you bastard? I love you so much that I hate you too.

I almost don't want to go on with this marriage to Eyare, but I must do it for you, Geoffrey, to convince myself that with time, I will forget you. Tomorrow, I will abort our child, the little bastard, can't have it reminding me of you.

Tears spilled from my eyes and fell, unheeded unto the page.

So I was a second option, a plan B, a measure to save face!

I couldn't think then, I had to get out of the room, for where it had seemed a safe haven before, now felt claustrophobic.

Slipping on the first items my hands touched, I left the room, not knowing where I was headed, but just walked, trying to erase the memory of what I had seen.

But try as much as possible, I couldn't erase the heaviness in my heart.

I didn't know how far I walked, only that I found myself in a bar and a drink in my hand.

The more I drank, the more I felt like an empty shell.

I only just got married, I whimpered to myself.

What is to become of me and what do I do about these feelings of rage and love?

This is an antithesis, for I felt exactly how Osagiede felt towards the Geoffrey character; I loved her so much that I hated her, but for different reasons.

I had to hatch a plan. she was going to pay for every hurt I felt.

OSAGIEDE

They say there's a thin line between love and hate.

I'm living that very line as I pen my side of the story.

Ever since we came back from our honey moon, Eyare had acted strangely ---- blowing hot and cold. It was always one criticism after the other, nothing I ever did was right by him.

Nothing pleased him - he turned into a complete grouch.

I flopped into the high-backed chair, tired out after a series of meetings. Raising tired fingers to my lips, I stifled a yawn and looked at the watch on my wrist.

A gasp escaped me as I noticed the time. I hadn't realized how late it was.

Eyare would be furious with me.

I sighed as I sunk my head into my hands, hoping not for the first time I hadn't made a big mistake by marrying him.

Gone was the loving man who wooed me at the very beginning.

Oh well, the way you lay your bed is how you'll lie on it, right?!

I shrugged and got up. I stretched, feeling some form of relief as I did so. My whole body was stiff from sitting down on the uncomfortable chair for too long.

I made a mental note to have it changed soon.

As I packed up my things ready to leave, I reasoned that I could always explain the obvious -- meetings galore had plagued me throughout the day.

Picking up my jacket and flinging it across one shoulder, I bent to pick the bag my food flask and flats were in. Removing my heels and changing them, I immediately felt much better as my feet were already getting sore.

Looking up, I saw a shadow outside my office door. So picking up my things, I made my way quietly to it, opened and walked out stealthily. I bumped into a figure at the end of the corridor.

"Grace!, Mrs. Osazuwa!" We both exclaimed at the same time.

"I was just coming from the ladies when I saw the light on in your office, I'm on my way home now," Grace, my secretary announced, eyes big and round with fear, one hand clutching her chest.

"Alright, can I give you a ride to the nearest bus top?" I smiled, trying to reassure her, noticing as the fear receded from her eyes.

"I would like that very much." She smiled, her voice sounding less panicked.

So we both made our way to the lift, all the while making small talk.

Grace began humming a song as we got into the lift and it sounded familiar, so I asked what song it was and she replied with a smile. "Ron kenolly."

I had a room mate back in school who loved to play Ron Kenoly's songs. I wasn't big on gospel songs so had always blocked my mind to it whenever she put it on.

When we got to the car park, it was dark and my car was the only one there. We heard a whistle as we got closer and I turned to look at Grace, who obviously had also heard it. Written all over her face, was fear. I was sure it was also evident in my eyes as well.

It was late and robberies were always reported at the car park at this time of the day from other staff members.

"That's probably the security guard making his nightly rounds," Grace surmised, nodding reassuringly at me.

It didn't help that the lights suddenly went off, plunging us into inky darkness. Fear clawed at my throat, making me skittish, but I willed it away and kept moving, making sure to call out to Grace every other second so as not to lose each other. We made our way like two blind mice, having to feel our way with our hands, through memory only.

A beam of light cut through the darkness and bounced weakly around, landing on the only lone car in the garage -- mine. Silently thanking Grace for the light from her phone, I made my way to it and fumbled with the key.

My hands were shaking so badly out of nervousness that it was hard fitting it into the slot. After several trials and a million accelerated heart beats later, I got the hang of it and the key finally slid in. I urged Grace inside, while I hurriedly got in and put on the head lights.

As I revved the engine and lifted my head up, a man came into view, his stance, one of confidence and assuredness. He gave a small salute and Grace and I looked at each other, mouths agape. When we turned back to look at the man, we noticed he was walking towards us.

There was something about his form, the way he walked -- it was all very familiar. I couldn't quite place it, until he got closer. Grace let out a high pitched shriek, her voice echoed shrilly in the still of the night.

"Tha . . . that isn't the security guard and why is he coming towards us?"

Within a flash, the man was beside my window and I began fumbling with the keys with the intent to drive off.

"I wouldn't do that if I were you." He warned. His hand shot out, lightening fast, twisted the key out of the ignition and removed it.

By this time, I had begun to tremble. I remembered that voice, even if I were woken up from the deepest slumber, I would know that voice in a heart beat.

"Well, aren't you going to say hello to your long lost love? I waited out here all evening for you."

Grace looked disbelievingly at me. "You know this man?"

I didn't bother replying her. "Wait for me," I threw over my shoulder as I got down from the car. I walked off to the back, knowing fully well he would follow me.

"What do you want?" I asked through gritted teeth. "Haven't you done enough damage, why did you come back, CAN'T YOU LEAVE ME ALONE?" I was shouting at this point.

"Come on woman, don't get your knickers in a twist, can't I say hello to an old love? I was in the area, I just wanted to say hi."

"How do you even know where I work? You've been watching me and following me, haven't you?" It was more a statement as the realisation dawned on me. "Now listen to me," I raised my finger at him in warning. "I don't need your hi's and I certainly don't need you."

"Oh! I can see that," his voice lowered a notch as he moved close to me. "You still make my blood rise, you know that?"

Tracing my jaw with his finger tips, I couldn't move even if I wanted to. Memories spilled unbidden, into my mind and familiar tingles began their race up and down my spine, ending with a low hum, at the base of my stomach.

"You always liked it when I did this, remember?" I snapped out of my stupor and caught his hand as it made its descent.

"Get away from me, Geoffrey, just get away and don't come anywhere near me. I'll have you know that I have a husband who if I may add, will show up with the police if I don't come soon."

"Hahaha!" He threw back his head and laughed gaily. "I'm so scared, I'm shaking." He moved closer to me and whispered. "I'm back, Osa and this time, I'm here to stay. Get used to it." Pulling my head to him, he planted a hard kiss firmly on my lips and sauntered off into the darkness.

I didn't know how long I stood there, staring and having flash backs of our time together, my mind cloudy. I touched my lips and roughly wiped them against my sleeve, furious with myself that he still had this effect on me after all this time. Walking back to my car, I found it empty.

"Grace!" I called out tentatively. She must have gotten scared and run off. I would have to make up a story to her the next day at work.

*

Over the next few days, I was bombarded with different gifts, all from Geoffrey.

He would wait for me at the close of work, take me out for dinner and make me laugh if he saw I was stressed or tired.

Yes! I fell for him again -- this time, it was worse.

I got so used to him being around that if I didn't see him at the end of the day, I wouldn't feel happy.

I got together with my best friend, Onari, for drinks two weeks later and while sipping on some red wine, her eyes narrowed as she gazed at me.

"Marriage agrees with you, my friend, you look ravishing. Eyare must be really treating you well."

At that moment, my phone rang. I looked at the name that flashed across my screen, smiled and put my fingers to my lips, indicating her to be quiet.

"Hey you, thought you had forgotten all about me? What! You know I have to be at home soon. Okay, tomorrow at 7pm, Lagoon restaurant, deal. I won't miss it for the world, . . . I miss you too." And I hung up, my face almost splitting into two from smiling widely.

"Ahem!" Onari cleared her throat noisily, trying to catch my attention. "I'm guessing that wasn't Eyare?" She asked, eyebrows raised.

"You guessed right." I replied.

'I'm also guessing that was a man you were talking to."

"You guessed right again," I replied, a smile playing at the edges of my lips.

"Osa, I hope this friend knows that you're married and that this friendship," she enunciated the last word, isn't going anywhere?"

"Stop being such a mother hen Onari, shouldn't you be happy for me? I'm in love again."

"What did you say? In love again? If I can remember correctly, the first time you fell in love was to a creep named Geoffrey. Thank God that era is over. So who's this guy and what's his name, anyway?"

"His name," I started . . . "Oh heck! His name isn't important, what you need to know is that I love him and he loves me too."

"He loves you too, right? How do you know that -- what, because he told you? Osa I'm surprised at you. Why do you treat Eyare so shabbily? You know he adores you, he treats you like a queen and --- "

"THAT'S ENOUGH!" A few heads turned towards us wonderingly so I went on more quietly. "I'm going to the ladies to freshen up and when I get back, this subject will be closed."

I got up, taking my bag with me but not before giving Onari a long look. I could feel her eyes burning holes in my back as I walked off. As I got to the toilet stall, I did my business and washed my hands, pondering on my best friend's words.

Was I really doing the right thing by allowing Geoffrey back into my life?

He, the source of all my angst in the past, the father of my aborted child, owner of my heart, body and possibly, soul too.

I let out a long drawn out sigh as I brought out my powder from my bag. I couldn't dey myself happiness. Truth be told I didn't really know what I was doing with him. But what I knew was I hadn't felt this happy in a long time, not even when I was with Eyare.

So making up my mind to continue seeing him, I snapped shut the compact powder and put it back in my bag. Tucking back an errant strand of hair and smoothing down my slightly wrinkled dress, I left the toilet.

Once I got back to the restaurant, I slid into my seat and looked up into the accusing eyes of Onari. "It's Geoffrey isn't it? He's the new found love of your's, right?"

My mouth fell open in shock. How did she . . . and then my eyes fell on the phone on the table and I groaned. I had forgotten to take my phone with me to the toilet, so I'm sure Onari must have done some investigative work.

"And here I was thinking you had become wiser." She went on, eyes flashing angrily.

I slumped into the chair like a rag doll, sinking my face in my hands. "I couldn't tell you, don't you see, it was too shameful, still seeing the man who left me in the cold."

"Why then did you allow him back into your life?" She leaned forward and held my hands in her's.

"I don't know." Tears stung the corner of my eyes as I gazed at her. "There's this magnetism about him that draws me." The tears had begun to fall silently.

"But don't you see; he knows you can't resist him, that's what he's using against you. You've got to fight it Osa, dont give in. Don't forget the emotional havoc he caused you before."

Tears continued sliding down my eyes as I listened to her talk.

"He knows you're weak and can't help it and he's feeding off on that, don't let him. Please help yourself, please, for the sake of your marriage."

"I think it's a little too late for that now." I looked at my friend sadly.

"What do you mean? I hope you haven't done anything stupid?"

"He proposed to me, Onari. He proposed!" And with rising excitement, I continued. "He's trying to make up for what he did, for all the lost time apart. He wants us to run away together. I was going to tell you, really I was, but I know you never liked him so I just kept it to myself."

Onari looked at me strangely. "Okay fine, but you wouldn't agree, of course you won't because you're somebody's wife --- Eyare's wife to be precise, right?"

I didn't say a word, I just gazed, head down at the table.

"I know you're not going to accept this phony proposal of his, right?" Onari continued.

"It's not phony." I shot back, my voice rising. "He means it this time. You should see him Onari, he's a changed man, very romantic and quite caring too."

I waited for a reaction from Onari but getting none, I continued. "Look Onari, see it my way, I want this to work. I wouldn't be so cruel as to leave Eyare immediately, it will take some time. Maybe a month or two, oh I don't know, but leave him, I must. You know I've never loved him; it's Geoffrey I've always loved."

Onari looked at me disbelievingly. "I can't believe I'm hearing this. I had hoped your marriage to Eyare would straighten you out and that you would even fall in love with him. I was secretly happy when I saw you two last week holding hands. But girl, you blow my mind with your meanness and arrant stupidity and I wouldn't be a party to such nonsense," and taking her bag, she got up and started walking away, but turned round and stopped to look back at me, disappointment written all over her face. "It's not too late, you know, you can still stop this madness."

She looked at me for a moment more and shaking her head, walked away.

I stuck out my tongue at her retreating back. I brought out my compact mirror from my bag to check my reflection, thinking about what I would wear for the dinner date with Geoffrey.

"Uhhh, I can't wait!" I squealed in excitement.