SEE FINISH BY TREASURE EZURUIKE EPISODE 23

SEE FINISH BY TREASURE EZURUIKE EPISODE 23

CHIKANMA’S POV

I get that you want to be responsible and independent which is so nice.

I don’t want to see you struggle financially to sort out your problems when you can just ask me. 

I get what you’re saying but you’re not my husband. I responded. I don’t want it to look like I am entitled, feeling like you owe me. I’m not complaining, he said. 

It makes no sense to struggle to make ends meet for your mother and your children when you can just ask me. 

I see you doing all these calculations and now I don’t want you to do that anymore. 

I’m sorry to disappoint you but I doubt I will cast all my cares on you like your Jesus Christ. 

Relax, he said as he burst out laughing. That’s not what I meant he said. 

What I mean in simple terms Is that I want to share your problems with you if you let me.  

It will be unfair for you to be trying to solve a need or not tell me when you are in a relationship with me.

If you knew you were broken and deeply hurt, why did you come back to me without sorting yourself out? Because you are my happy place. Even if I lose my memory or go crazy, I know that. I know it’s you who can help me get my life together. Then why haven’t you opened up to me about what is hurting you? If I’m your happy place, why don’t you talk to me? It’s not that easy Babe. It’s not black and white or as easy as ABCD.

READ-: SEE FINISH EPISODE 19

It will be different if you tell me and I say I can’t help you, not for you to try to solve it alone without getting me involved. 

I understand that you’ve been doing all this all these years and I have tried to assist you in whichever way I can because nothing official was going on between us.

Since there is, I think you should try to be open with me. 

At least give me a chance and if I don’t respond positively you can decide not to tell me anything again, I just want to help. Okay I’ve heard you and I’ll think about it I said. 

Babe you don’t have to think about it, there is nothing to think about here. 

You have to understand that this is new to me so don’t expect me to accept it wholeheartedly, I responded. Okay, you win he said. 

One other thing I want to talk about is that I don’t read minds, I’m not a soothsayer. 

I can’t go into your mind and find out what’s upsetting you so if I upset you or something is upsetting you it would only be fair if you tell me what it is. 

I don’t like the silent treatment. I don’t like the cold shoulder. I don’t like being ignored. 

You didn’t do that before now and I hope you never do that. I would love us to resolve our differences amicably and reach an amicable conclusion, Gerald said.

Any other rules, your Highness, I asked him. I would like more access to your children, he said. What other access would you want? I asked him. 

You already pick them up from school, you take them home or to your office, you take them out, you pay their school fees, you provide for their other needs, is there something I’m missing? 

I would like them to spend the weekend with me, without you so you can be free to do your thing. I don’t think I like that idea, I said. 

Why don’t you like it? He asked me. Let me guess he said, you think I’m going to sexually harass your daughter isn’t it?

You can’t blame me, I said. I’m all she’s got for now and I owe it to both of them to protect them now. 

I’m not saying you’re a bad person, you’ve never shown me any bad side of yours in that regard.

I feel uncomfortable leaving my children all alone with you over the weekend without me being present.

You said I should be open with you so here I am being open. I don’t like the idea. I’m not comfortable with it. 

I don’t believe in blind trust, and I don’t want to let my guard down. I’m very overprotective of my children, I said. 

Fine, he said your concerns are valid, you never let your guard down. I understand you perfectly. 

So let’s let that slide since you’re not comfortable with it. I guess I’ll stick to what we already do.

Hopefully, we can upgrade when the time is right. 

Thank you so much for being so understanding and not letting this drag on any further, I said. 

It’s okay he said, you don’t have to get worked up and apologize to me. I understand you’re being a good parent to children. 

One other thing, I know you don’t want to hear this but I’m going to say it. 

Do you think you are ready to accept me taking care of you on a personal level? Personal level?

What do you mean by personal level? I asked him. I thought we already talked about this?

Do you think you are ready to accept financial assistance from me? Let’s put it more clearly. 

I already accept money from you, don’t I? No, you don’t yourself, you accept money for your children but not you.

I don’t see how it is going to work between us if you are suspicious of any money I give you or any financial assistance that is personal to you. 

What exactly do you want, I asked him?

NNENNA’S POV

So you are here to get me pregnant and abandon me again. 

He stopped in his tracks before walking up to me and said reconciling with you, yes. Getting you pregnant yes. 

Abandoning you, never again. I’ve made that mistake once, I’m not making it again.

He held me, pulling me close to him. He looked into my eyes and said, “ Nne, I’m sorry. 

Nne was a pet name he called me when the going was good. He said I’m sorry for misbehaving. 

I’m desperate to be back in your good books. Please tell me what to do to make up for how I’ve hurt you.

My eyes followed him as he spoke. I was so vulnerable but remembering he cheated on me just ruined the whole moment. 

I asked him why he cheated on me? He pulled away from me and said I don’t know. 

I don’t want to make excuses but those women were sent to me by my family members.

I don’t know why but I fell for it. It doesn’t excuse my infidelity.

They wanted me to understand that you weren’t the only woman.

What if they are pregnant for you, what do I do? He turned around and said God forbid. 

That would be my worst nightmare. So you are not even sure I asked him.

He told me he didn’t know and wanted to be honest with me. 

So one day If I’m back with you someone would show up and say they had your baby? He said I hope not but I’m sorry. I am.

I asked him if my family knew he was here. He told me my father asked him to come and my mum was aware. 

Dubem was the master planner. I felt like “strangling” Dubem. I’m finished tonight I thought to myself. 

How do I get through this night in one piece? Ikenna didn’t come to play and my family supported him.

What do you want from me today? I asked. He had this broad smile on his face. He said I want you. 

It’s been almost 3 years since I had you. So I’m food I asked? I never said that but if you put it that way I guess so. 

So that’s it I asked. Once you have me that’s it. Problem solved.

Ikenna said not a chance. I’m dying to have the full package. You and Chiemerie are back home with me. 

So I don’t have to keep making these trips. I was going to say but you made me leave, but I decided against it. 

I decided to stop being difficult just to see where this thing was leading to. 

Ikenna said I regret ever hitting you. I can’t understand why I did it. You are the only woman I have ever hit. 

I haven’t forgiven myself for hitting you not knowing you were pregnant. I let Oluchi hit you too. 

I severed all ties with her when I thought about it. After finding out you were pregnant, I couldn’t sleep. It was a turning point for me.

I responded to your text messages out of resentment and bitterness. For a while I was depressed. Hold on a minute I said. 

When exactly did you get involved with these women? He looked at me confused and said immediately you left. 

Immediately I left? Seriously? He said yes. So since you found out I was pregnant you’ve not been with any woman?

My prying eyes sought an answer.

No, I’ve not. It’s been very challenging but I couldn’t make that mistake again. Why should I believe you? 

He said I don’t know how to convince you but I’ve been in and out of therapy. I regret my actions. 

I took a deep breath and said nothing. I know you don’t trust me anymore but I’ve no evil intentions. I just want my family back. 

Your father would kill me if I tried anything stupid. I love our son, I regret not being part of his life from the beginning. I hope I can make up for it.

The truth is I missed Ikenna. I missed his warm embrace. Before he started to hit me I loved how he treated me like a queen. 

I just wasn’t sure I’d get all that. I longed for him just looking at him in Dubem’s apartment alone. 

A part of me struggled with the decision like I was unfaithful.

I decided I didn’t want to be intimate with Ikenna at least not that day. It made me feel so cheap. 

That kiss already messed with my head. I stood up and thanked him for coming and said good night. 

I could see he was so disappointed but actions have consequences.

I went to bed and forced myself to sleep. By morning he was already up because he is an early riser. 

He had made breakfast. I told him I wasn’t hungry. He offered to put it in a lunch pack for me. I told him it was not necessary. 

He said I’m just trying to get through to you. It’s not necessary you’ve done more than enough. Thank you for respecting my wish last night I said. 

He was left confused. I said to myself it’s payback time. You tried to confuse me last night so it feels so good confusing you.

KIRA’S POV

My brother  Charles called me in the evening. Dad had reached out to him so he could call me.

How are you holding up? he asked me. I’m dying, I responded. Don’t say that. My life is a nightmare.

Look, I heard what happened. I heard you are back home. I won’t judge you because you are going through a lot.

Just let me know whatever you need. I need you to find Kenny’s abuser. Excuse me, Charles exclaimed.

Just how do I do that? You are an investigative journalist, you know your way around getting information.

Do you want to get me killed? What would kill you? You can find out who messed with my marriage.

Calm down, sis. I’m serious about this. I’m sure if you ask around you could narrow down the search.

I’ll think about what you’ve said, Charles said. In the meantime please cut yourself some slack. Thank you, I said.

It’s not so easy to do. Everyone keeps saying cut yourself some slack, but how do I do that?

A marriage that people enjoy, it got to my turn and my husband got wrongfully arrested and abused. Now our marriage is a wreck.

My husband is broken and I can’t get through to him. He is hurting and I can’t console him. It just breaks my heart.

Kenny used to be so self-confident. Just look at him now. So disoriented and aggressive. He doesn’t remember the things he does, at such a young age?

What did I do wrong? I began to sob. Charles just listened as I wept. He didn’t say a word. 

When I got myself together he said I understand your pain sweetheart. I have never been in this kind of situation before.

I don’t know my way around. I’ll make some subtle inquiries and see if there’s anything I can find out.

I’m not promising anything but I’ll try. Thank you so much I said. Take care sis, I’ll be in touch.

Kenny called begging me to come home. I told him I couldn’t. I thought you were joking about leaving, he said.

Please don’t do this to me. I’m scared of you. I’m afraid you may harm me. I won’t hurt you, he pleaded.

That’s not what the situation looks like. I love you Kira please, I can’t spend the night alone, please.

I don’t know how to help you because I can’t return to the house.

I’m terrified to be with you alone. Kira, I’m sorry if I’ve scared you but please I need you.

You don’t even talk to me about anything. I don’t know what you are talking about. I broke down in tears again.

Please stop crying, you are breaking my heart. You know I love you. I just don’t have any control over what I’m doing now.

As I sniffed I said let me ask you something. If you knew you were broken and deeply hurt, why did you come back to me without sorting yourself out?

Because you are my happy place. Even if I lose my memory or go crazy, I know that.

I know it’s you who can help me get my life together.

Then why haven’t you opened up to me about what is hurting you? If I’m your happy place, why don’t you talk to me?

It’s not that easy Babe. It’s not black and white or as easy as ABCD. So how do I help you then? I don’t know. Please come back home.

I won’t because you are unstable. If you hurt me or kill me. It’ll make it impossible for you to recover from whatever you are going through.

Kenny ended the call and I just wept in my room. Dad came to my room to check on me and saw me sobbing.

What’s wrong? He asked me. You heard what the doctor said about cutting yourself some slack. I can’t help it Dad.

I’m hurting, my husband is hurting and I can’t help him. I can’t even be with him because I’m scared of him. 

He called me a few minutes ago. He wants me to come home but I can’t because I’m scared. He fears spending the night alone.

Can you imagine that? Kenny is scared. My life is messed up so just let me cry because that’s the only thing consoling me now.

It’s Okay sweetheart Dad said. I’m hurting too seeing you so helpless. I’m helpless too not being able to help you but we would all be okay.

To be continued

© Treasure Ezuruike.

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