what… where…” he was saying
confused when Tonia threw her arms around him & enveloped him in a hug he knew too well.
Just then, d door opened & Tony entered. He stood poised at d door when he saw d
person standing with Richard & looked like he was about to pee in his trousers.
“ghost” he yelled
Tonia smiled,
“no, I am not a ghost Tony”, she said & after a few minutes of trying to
convince Tony, he finally entered & shut d door. They all sat down & tonia opened a
chapter of talk about how she had opened her eyes to a new
hospital in another country. Her father, who had never supported her relationship with Richard was d one who flew her abroad, orchestrating d story
that she was dead.
Richard sighed in total relief &said,
“I have not had a day of sleep without nightmares ever since u departed. I never got over d fact that I had called u
over to my place when u got involved in that accident”
“I told u then that it was not ur fault. Now, I am back; my dad saw that he could not hold
me any longer cos my heart is here with u so he let me go”
she said. The only problem was that Richard no longer had
feelings for her; his entire heart was with d beauty on d sick bed.
Richard found it hard to say anything as he watched Tonia
talk endlessly. Richard
remembered his promise to her & his lifestyle of always
keeping his promises but did not give a d--n anymore so he
decided to take the bull by d horn.
“Tonia, pls listen to me. Sitting here beside u after years of thinking that u are dead is still
so strange to me. I cherish u so much cos u know that I loved u so much but I can’t
deceive u or myself anymore. I am in love with someone else. I
know u would think that I am not a man of my words but when u think about our time
together,u would see that I always keep my promises. I have kept ur promises thus far but now, I have come across a lady that refused to leave my head & she does not even know it. I
am sorry”, Richard said. He had recited everything not looking
directly into her eyes but when he finished, he saw her smiling
slightly. He saw d pain behind d smile but d smile was still a
surprise, he had expected something far worse.
“u are smiling?” he asked puzzled & uncomfortable.
“Yes I am Richard I
half expected it when I was coming back but I still had to try it first. You are d best person
that anyone can ever have Richard but I understand. Is this
woman of urs a certain young Psychologist?” she asked taking
Richard & Tony by surprise.
“How did u know that?”
She smiled slightly, “I heard u talking to Tony last night. After u locked me out, I could not just leave like that so I decided to pass d night at ur door step
but when I heard someone coming, I hid myself & Tony went in. I went back to ur door & was intent on hearing
what u were saying cos I was worried that u were a little over d edge, maybe my visit was more bad than I had imagined but instead, I heard a
whole chapter of confession of love from ur mouth, only that it
was not love for me”
Richard was speechless & could not say anything so Tonia
continued,
“I know that I still love u but it is so obvious that u don’t love me anymore & it is
alright, fine, erm *coughs* can I see d girl u love?” she asked.
Richard was elated & since he had been looking for a way to
escape to Belina’s room, they all stood up & went there together.
***
I woke up &d first thing I perceived was d strong smell of medicine washing over my face. I knew that I was in a hospital. Why? I thought & just then, a doctor walked in & I
recognized him instantly as Doctor Deolu. He smiled when he found me awake.
“How are u feeling miss?” he asked.
I opened my stiff mouth to talk but was immediately interrupted
by d door & when I looked in that direction, I saw Richard,Tony & a lady. Who is this lady,
I wondered & when I saw her hold Richard’s hand tenderly as
they moved closer, jealousy sprang up in me & I scolded myself immediately. Richard got to me & a happy smile replaced his earlier on worrisome gaze. I
looked around for Doctor Deolu but he was nowhere to be
found.
“What am I dong here?” I asked.
“You just had a minor fall;u hit ur head& was brought here. u just need to rest dear”
The word ‘dear’ stuck in my head & I didn’t know why. I need to
get a hold of myself, I thought. Everything that happened to me
some hours ago came back to me like a mighty river & I
became edgy. Richard must have seen it cos he placed his hands on my shoulders
soothingly. I tried to sit up but I was pushed back by Richard
gently. I noticed d jealousy in d eyes of d lady with d side of my eyes & smiled internally.
Richard apologized for his manner after some minutes &said, “Tonia, meet Belina d
psychologist & Belina meet Tonia, my friend”
I noticed d little wince from Tonia b4 she said ‘hi’ & I knew that there was more to this
than d eye meets. Richard looked at Tony in conspiracy which did not escape my notice & within seconds, I was alone with this disturbing guy.
TO BE CONTINUED TOMORROW
Did you miss the previous episodes?
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