“Babe?”

Alayaa looked up from her bowl of banku and okro soup. “Yes, my love?”

Evening had arrived, and the Smiths were busily digging into their supper. It had been another busy day for the two of them, and the opportunity to bond over supper was one that was quickly taken. With increasingly busy schedules and all, it was nice to just sit at the table and have quality time with each other.

Wayne leaned back in his chair and sighed. “So, I wanted to talk about the whole meeting with Sodjah.”

Alayaa perked up. “Yes, yes, what’s up?”

He swallowed hard, then began.

“So, uh, yesterday, something interesting happened at court. I kinda forgot to mention it to you, but it had me thinking for a while, and… let’s just say, it’s hit home a bit. So, remember, that Otoo couple I once mentioned to you? The ones that their fights were gidigidi?”

Alayaa snickered. “Yeah, yeah, I do. You said the man swore before you and Divine that there’s no way he’ll ever love that woman again. It’s the way you said he said ‘that woman’.”

“Chale! As if her existence is a curse to humankind. It was bad. You know they’ve reconciled?”

Alayaa’s eyes grew wide. “Ei! After all that fighting?”

“After all that fighting ooo. They came to withdraw the case mpo. You should have seen them. Grinning from ear to ear and holding hands like some fresh lovers bi.”

“Eiiii! Wow! And these were the ones you said would be sitting at the opposite ends of the court, right?”

“Chale, east and west ooo! And it’s not small insults they’ll be insulting each other too. The number of times we had to call them to order, eh. It wasn’t easy. But, when they went before my Lord, they admitted that… that they had held on to certain offences for too long, and that they had learned to forgive each other, and that they’d move ahead with that in mind. And when they left, my Lord was talking about it. And he mentioned that… we all make horrible mistakes every now and then, but forgiveness releases both parties. And that… that hit me.”

Alayaa somberly nodded, stretching her unoccupied hand to gently touch his.

Wayne continued. “I mean, you know my story. Dealing with a whole lot of disrespect at a younger age, with the kids treating everything I say as rubbish and all that, talking to me anyhow, that sort of thing. Sometimes I think about those past events, and it just… you know, makes me go hard on anyone who disrespects me. You know, I hate it with a passion. But chale, with Sodjah… it’s looking like, maybe, he’s seen his wrong ways. Sometimes, in these sorts of matters, all you need is acknowledgment from the other side that they were wrong. And if he truly is, then… you know…”

“Honeyyy,” Alayaa gushed gently, “I understand, okay? I understand why you’ve been slow to open up to this. That’s why I never sat on your neck about it. I know these things take time. I’m just glad to hear that you’ve embraced the decision to meet Sodjah. You know I was furious myself, but, in subsequent meetings with Madam Henrietta, it looks like the boy has understood that the entitlement he was carrying was silly. I believe he really is sorry now, and the least we can do is give him another chance. And I’m just happy you’ve reached that point. I really am.”

Wayne nodded as he intertwined his fingers with that of his wife. “You’re right, you’re right. So I’m ready now. Next time you see her, let her know, then we can set up a date.”

“Yes please, my husband. I’ll do that.”

“Great. And Alayaa, thank you for being a safe place for me. I don’t know what I’d do without you.”

Alayaa smiled gently. “You know I’ll do anything for you, my sweet husband. You mean the world to me. And uh, did you know that when you’re this open and vulnerable with me, it kinda… makes me quite… excited?”

Wayne’s sober look changed to a naughty one. The tone of their talk was switching from serious, vulnerable convos to dirty talk. Nothing he loved more than that.

“Also, did you know,” she continued, a seductive edge to her voice, “that collecting sweet strokes from you can engage and tone my pelvic floor muscles, which will aid me a lot in labour and delivery?”

Wayne’s naughty smirk grew bigger. The nympho in his wife had been triggered, and he always enjoyed that. “Oh, saaa? Nice! It’s on, then. You’re getting some hot action tonight. We need to strengthen those muscles so your delivery is smooth.”

“And you can have some fun with this fat ass, too!”

“Oh, you know I love to do that, baby. Best gift in the world!”

***

Marty nodded to himself, still over the moon as he sat in his car at the mall, waiting for Natalie to arrive.

“Chale, the way man has been eyeing this girl and she’s fallen into my lap diɛɛ, it still borsts my mind ooo!” he commented to himself. “It’s about time, though. Some girls, if you slack small pɛ, you’ll lose them forever. If I’d slacked at this time, eh, I don’t deserve anything good in this life.”

His eyes drifted to the rearview mirror as he stared at his reflection, chuckling and shaking his head. “I’ve been patient. Too patient. Ever since that first day I saw her in the courthouse… bright-eyed, eager, and completely unaware of how captivating and beautiful she is. Chale! It took everything I had in me not to get too close too quickly.”

“And as for Martha…” He sighs, shaking his head. “God, I’ve tried with her. God knows I’ve tried. Years of trying to be the perfect husband that society expects me to be. But chale, it’s tiring. Same old same old. It’s the same routine, the same complaints. No spark, no excitement. I deserve more than this. I deserve to have some fun. And I know I’m getting that with Natalie.”

The faint sound of footsteps pulled Marty out of his thoughts. He straightened up in his seat, a huge grin on his face as he saw Natalie approaching through the rearview mirror.

“Time for this show to begin,” he murmured excitedly to himself.

She opened the passenger door and slid in, giving him an apologetic smile. “Hi, Marty. Sorry to keep you waiting.”

“Not at all,” Marty replied, his tone warm and reassuring while he glanced at her gently. “You’re looking so beautiful, Nat. and that’s all that matters to me.”

She looked down at her hands, a shy look crawling across her face. “Thanks.”

Marty shifted in his seat to face her, his expression soft. “I meant what I said when we spoke this morning, you know. I promise, I’ll treat you better than he ever did. You’ve been through enough, Natalie. You deserve someone who puts you first, who sees you for the incredible woman you are.”

She looked up at him, her eyes searching for sincerity. “I believe you, Marty. I really do. I just… I don’t want to be someone’s second choice, Marty. Or a mistake.”

“You’re not,” he stated firmly, reaching out to take her hand. “You’re the best choice I’ve ever made. And will ever make. I was dead serious when I said I should’ve met you years ago. My life would’ve been much more different than what it is now.”

He watched as Natalie looked down at their joined hands, her hesitation slowly melting under his steady gaze. If there was one thing Marty was good at, it was sounding heartfelt and smooth. His words were hitting the right spot, and it was clear to see, with her expression shifting to that of excitement.

“Okay,” she whispered. “Let’s see where this goes.”

Marty smiled, his grip on her hand tightening slightly. “You won’t regret this. I promise. Now, let me take you somewhere nice, and let’s have a bit of fun.”

***

Elias stepped into the compound, his shoulders heavy from another long day at work. The day had been a pretty stressful one for him. From Felix knocking at his door and complaining how he didn’t show up to help him that morning, to one of the lawyers talking recklessly at him, he had been triggered enough for the day. He did not need any more stress; just a good meal and some needed sleep.

He headed toward the stairs leading to his apartment when he heard a piercing and unmistakable sound.

“Elias!”

Akyaa’s voice rang out, firm and sharp. He froze for a moment, but quickly kept walking, hoping she’d leave him alone.

She didn’t. Not this time.

“Elias, stop!”

Before he could reach the stairs, Akyaa appeared in front of him, her arms crossed and her expression determined.

“Okay. Enough is enough,” she started, staring sharply at him. “What the hell is going on with you? Why are you ignoring me? Why are you acting like I’ve done something wrong?”

Elias looked down, doing his best to avoid her gaze. “I-I… I don’t know what you’re talking about,” he mumbled, trying to sidestep her.

She moved to block him again, her tone fiercer now. “Oh no-no-no, you’re not brushing me off this time. Massa, you’ve been avoiding me for days, ignoring my calls and my texts. It’s not like we had a fight or anything, too. I just got up one day, and here you are, acting like I’m your enemy. You owe me an explanation, Elias. What is your problem?”

He sighed in frustration. After such an annoying day, the last thing he wanted was this confrontation. “Akyaa, please, I’ve had a long day. I don’t want to talk about it. I just want to rest. Please, just let me go.”

Her eyes flashed with fury. “No! You’re not going anywhere. You will talk about it. Right now. I’m not letting you go until you tell me what did I do to deserve this attitude from you. And I’m dead serious. Speak up, or we’re spending the whole night here.”

For a long moment, Elias stood silent, his hands clenched at his sides as he stared past her. As her displeased, questioning gaze bore down on him, he could feel the anger and hurt he’d been suppressing rising to the surface.

He did not want to let it out, but she sure was pushing him really hard.

“Elias! You think I’m playing, eh? I’m not. Until you open your mouth and tell me what your problem is, you’re not going anywhere. Unless you sleep on the floor!”

Finally, he snapped.

“Fine!” he burst out, his voice loud enough to startle her. “You want to know what my problem is, Akyaa? My problem is that I feel like I’ve been taken for a ride!”

Her brows furrowed, genuine confusion flashing across her face. “Taken for a ride? Uhh… Elias, what are you talking about?”

Elias let out a bitter laugh, shaking his head. “I’m talking about you, Akyaa. About how I thought there was something between us. I thought… I thought you felt the same way I do. But I was wrong, wasn’t I?”

Her eyes narrowed. “What?”

Taking a deep breath while closing his eyes, he took a step closer, his voice raw with emotion. “Look, here’s the truth, since you want it so bad. I’m in love with you, Akyaa. Deeply in love with you. I have been for a long time since we grew close. But I found out you’re still in a relationship. With some Francis guy. And you didn’t think that was worth mentioning?”

Her mouth opened slightly as though to respond, but no words came out.

Elias’s chest tightened as his frustration continued to spill out. “You knew how I felt. Or at least, you had to have some idea. And yet, you kept me in the dark. Do you have any idea how humiliating that is? Do you know how hurtful that is? Do you know how stupid I felt discovering that you were never available in the first place? That’s why I’m mad, Akyaa. That’s why.”

For a moment, Akyaa said nothing. Her face was unreadable, but her eyes were hard, and her jaw clenched.

She shook her head, and without a word, she turned on her heel and walked away.

“Akyaa…” Elias called after her, his voice faltering, but she didn’t stop.

She disappeared into her apartment, the door closing behind her with a loud bang.

Now, as Elias stood there, he was no longer upset or mad. He was… confused.

“What just happened?”

Well, that just turned on its head. To be fair, he probably should’ve confronted her from the onset instead of this silent treatment. As for Natalie, no words for her and Marty…