Babe. Didn’t hear from you last night. Wassup?

I woke up to find that WhatsApp message from Eleanor when I woke up that Thursday morning. I shook my head as I observed it, sighing.

Yeah, I ignored my wife’s phone call last night because of Marilyn and her cryptic declaration.

As I dragged myself off the bed, I sighed as I called her. As calm as Eleanor’s message was, I knew she wouldn’t be happy.

She answered on the third ring. “Yeah, Richie.”

There was a straightness in her voice. That kinda straightness that brought discomfort to my soul.

“Babe! Babe, I’m so sorry about yesterday. I should’ve called you back. I’m really sorry.”

I heard a sigh over the phone. “Richie, is something wrong? I just wanna know, coz it’s like you’ve been inaccessible this week. You’ve been taking really long to answer calls and messages and all.”

Quickly, I scrambled for an answer to give to her. “I… I’m sorry, babe. It’s just… it’s just been kinda stressful here and… babe, I’m sorry. I’m slacking, I know.”

She sighed. “Honey, I know you’ve got work to do and I don’t wanna come across as being too demanding or unreasonable. I’m just concerned, coz it’s not like you to be missing my calls and not getting back to me straight away.”

My eyes were shut as she spoke. I just couldn’t feel any worse, could I?

“I know, babe. And once again, I’m sorry. Forgive me, okay? I promise I’ll make it up to you when I return to Accra. I promise.”

She sighed yet again. “Sure. No problem. You’re almost done at this point, though, right?”

“Yep. Just a few more days. So please bear with me. I’ll do better, okay?”

“I hear you, Richie.”

“Thank you, my love. Remember I’m doing all this for you. It’ll be worth it all in the end. Now give Zazzy a kiss over the phone.”

That broke the iciness in her, as she giggled a bit. Then she said, “You still can’t get the ‘dz’ pronunciation right, eh?”

“Madam, please! I can’t be bothered again!”

She laughed out loud.

I can’t lie, making her laugh made me feel happy.

For a little while, at least.

***

“Ah, really? You’ve never seen anything about the ShxtsnGigs podcast before?”

Marilyn stared at me in disbelief as she took her regular cross-legged position on the bed.

Yeah, I was back in her room again. After another busy day at Aboadze, once again, she called, and I went running. It’s like the thrill of hanging around this adorable young lady was too strong for me to turn down her requests.

I shook my head. “I dunno much about podcasts ooo.”

“But you’ve not even seen their videos on social media? Two guys, one dark and one light-skinned, laughing over funny stuff?”

I shook my head. “Nope.”

“Good Lord, Richie, you are seriously missing out!” she gasped as she grabbed her iPhone 14 Pro Max and began pressing enthusiastically.

I was just sitting there, wondering what the fuss was all about. “Ummm, but what is it about?”

“These two friends who just get together and read all sorts of insane stuff on social media. Mainly Twitter,” she quickly responded, her eyes on the phone screen. “It’s absolutely hilarious!”

“Oh, uh… I see.”

“Aha, here it is,” she gushed as she handed the phone over to me. “Check out this one about a G Wagon Bolt.”

****

An hour and a half later, I had laughed so much, I felt like another cough would send my kidneys flying out of my mouth.

She hadn’t been kidding when she called those two hilarious. Not everything made me laugh, but a whole lot made me laugh.

And their reactions made it even more hilarious. Like, you can see those guys are having so much fun laughing over the wackiest stuff.

I wiped my tears of laughter as I stared at Marilyn. “Herh! This is some crazy stuff, eh!”

“I swear!” she agreed, also in stitches. “I dunno who makes me laugh more, James or Fuhad.”

“Oh, it’s James for me. He’s the light-skinned one, right? As for him, the comments dey enter am pass!”

“And that one where he showed some jealousy about Fuhad being with another dude?”

“Oh Lord, that had me dying! Eeeeiiii, James make jealous roff!”

We both burst into laughter for a moment. Man, that had been one heck of a hilarious time! Those two guys definitely had a new fan in me.

As the laughter subsided, silence took over. I looked at her, and she looked at me.

We smiled at each other.

My lips moved.

Richie, don’t say it! You’re not supposed to say it…

“You’re so beautiful, Marilyn,” I whispered as I reached across and stroked her cheek. “So damn beautiful.”

She smiled and held my hand as she whispered back, “Thank you.”

Richie! What are you doing? This is not your woman! Stop this!

Wolf number 1 was screaming bloody murder at me. But was I listening?

Not in the least. Whatever charm lay behind that adorable look and sweet smile had me locked up.

She yawned and stretched out her hands. “Oh boy, I’m feeling sleepy now. It’s been a real good evening full of laughs and all.”

“Oh yeah, yeah, no doubt about that. Okay, then. I guess I’ll… be going now,” I responded, readying myself to get up.

She shook her head. “No no, you don’t have to go yet.”

I raised an eyebrow. “What?”

She smiled as she stretched out her hand. “Can you hold me for a minute?”

I froze, my eyes wide with shock.

Was she actually inviting me to sleep with her?

The stupefaction on my face must have been very evident, because she laughed softly and said, “No, I’m not asking you to sleep with me. I just want you to hold me, that’s all.”

That still didn’t sound good to me. I was clearly hesitant. Put my arm around her as we both lay on the bed? That was a definite recipe for disaster.

“Pleeeaseee, Richie? It’s not like I’m in lingerie or anything; you know I’m a pyjamas kind of girl. Just hold me for a little while… please?”

I knew this was a bad idea. It didn’t matter whether she had pyjamas or a hijab on, this was not a good idea at all. This was not a good idea. This was nowhere near a good idea.

But… those eyes… that smile… that aura of hers…

Before I knew it, we were both lying on the bed, with her back turned to me and my arm around her.

“Thank you, sweetheart,” she happily murmured as I stayed silent, just laying close to her and providing her with the warmth she wanted.

I simply hummed in response.

Total silence after that. The only sound that my ears picked up was the sound of my own breathing.

And hers.

I continued to lie there, my arm around her shoulder as she remained silent.

No movement from her.

“Marilyn?” I called softly.

No response. Just peaceful breathing.

She was asleep.

I quickly lifted my hand off her, rose from the bed, and looked at her. She looked so precious and peaceful.

I simply turned and exited the room, thoughts flying all around my cranium.

I gotta stop this, I know I should! That was soooo wrong!

But… but…

But what, Richie? But what? Sigh, this dude is really not decisive, is he? She’s clearly showing him she wants him…