Shadow of love episode 24

I stood and stared at my empty kitchen. Everything was gone. Yes! gone. I dialled a number on my phone and adjusted my earpiece.

Me: Hello

Receiver: Yes ma. You call on time sef. The boys don dey finish offload.

Me: They shouldn't help me arrange anything. I'll do it my own way, they should just unpack those things and you'll lock up the house. Nobody should tamper with my properties.

Receiver: No ma. I dey watch them with clear eye.

Me: Better, cause any loss will be paid by you.

Receiver: I know nau. Oya make I go back to work.

I hung up and the song I was listening to resumed playing. I walked out of the kitchen and into the sitting room which was also empty. I had taken every dime I owned in the house. The only thing left was my box full of cloth which I would take to my new house myself.

I had rented an apartment somewhere in monarch. An apartment with a room, sitting room, kitchen, toilet and bathroom. I was contented with it and without telling anyone, I had hired a worker who came with a truck and picked all my stuff.

I stepped into my half empty room, I'll be sleeping on the floor tonight but I cared less. It was just for tonight. I made sure I was ready for tomorrow, my boxes, make up kit, shoes, every personal belonging of mine, and when I was sure I had everything put in place, I placed a call to Claire. She had followed Tobe to Australia for God knows what and she calls me like everyday to tell me what they've been up to.

Claire: Hello baby girl. How is it over there?

Me: Fine. How's Australia?

Claire: Personally, I'm having fun. But I don't know what's up with Eddy. He's being sulking and won't give me much attention. Can you talk to him for me? He's here and......

I hung up. How and why will I do that? Talk to him? And convince him to free up and spend quality time with her? I won't. I can't.

My phone rang and it was Claire. I picked it, ready to tell her my mind since I was packing out.

"was it your airtime that finished?"

Now, that was not Claire's voice. I shivered at the voice that always turned me on, at the voice that had driven me crazy in love.

Tobe: Baby?

Me: You called a wrong number.

Tobe: Pamela, it's you I want to speak with.

Me: Give Claire the phone.

Tobe: Baby, just hear me out already. I love you and nothing can change that. Just give me a chance to explain myself.

Me: Tobechukwu, you're very stupid. What else do you want to explain? That you called me so you'll make sure that the coast is clear for you to come and visit your girlfriend? Tobe, give Claire the phone now. I wonder if you're comfortably saying all these before her and she has not broken your head.

Tobe: She asked me to call you. She's taking her bath.

Me: Interesting.

I hung up and grafted a message immediately, telling Claire that I was packing out, reasons being that memories of my ex loomed around the house and I needed to clear my head.

When I was sure the message had delivered, I switched off my phone and locked my door before crossing over to William's apartment.
Leonard opened the door and a smile quickly appeared on his face.

Leonard: Hello beautiful one, come in.

I greeted, returning his smile as I stepped into their sitting room. I was putting on a bum short and baggy top (with nothing underneath both). I settled on the soft milky rug, my favourite spot in the apartment. Leonard sat on a cushion opposite to where I sat.

Leonard: William is in the kitchen. He'll join us before I leave.

Me; Going out or I'm chasing you out?

Leonard: See this girl, are you a stranger in this house? I want to go to bisara road to get something from a colleague, then drop at shoprite for some groceries.

Me: Long story. I know your ways nau. Anyways, if you like, don't come back on time. You know I'll be leaving tomorrow morning.

Leonard: I'm not forgetting that.

William: She's forgetting we helped in loading the truck.

William joined us with a dishcloth in his hands.

Me: Good afternoon Will

William: Thanks baby. So you came to remind us that you'll be leaving tomorrow abi?

Me: No nau. I came to spend time with you guys. Don't make me cry with fake accusations



He dropped the dishcloth and settled beside me on the rug.

William: Then, why would you leave?

Leonard cleared his throat and stood up.

Leonard: I'll see you two later. Need to run along now.

William: My regards to Henry.

Leonard: Alright. Come and lock up. Babe, what will I get you?

Me: Uhm... peppered chicken will do.

Leonard: Alright. See you later.

He left and William came back to sitting where he was.

William: So?

Me: Actually, I'm here to have fun, spend time with you guys before I leave. Don't kill it.

William: Hhmm. I know its about Tobe and Claire, but don't you think Claire deserves to know the truth? You can't....

Me: William, enough please.

William: Why?

Me: Because I said it's enough. I don't want to tell her.

I stood up and he followed suit.

Me: I gave him loyalty, my virginity, commitment, what have you? I told my parents about him, my friends, he was my life, my joy, what did I do wrong? I understand that sometimes, men love to try out something new, but when he saw her picture, why didn't he tell me? Why didn't he open up to me? Instead, he was looking for when he'll come and continue from where he stopped. He lied to me, what was my crime?

I wiped my tear and nodded like it was going to give me the answers I needed.

Me: William, don't make me cry anymore by reminding me of things I'm trying to forget.

He walked closer to me and held my shoulders, his eyes, damp like he was going to cry.

William: I'm sorry baby. I didn't mean to say things that'll hurt you but I.....

Me: It's okay Will, let's stop talking about it. It's part of the lessons life has taught me. Let's sit down.

We sat down and he picked up the remote but I took it from him.

Will: You want me to keep staring at you all day and loose my sanity?

Me: No. We'll do more than that. You've got drinks right?

He nodded and stared at me, as if wanting to decipher where I was getting to.

Me: Fine. We'll play truth or dare. You know how it's done right?

William: No way. You're not a drinker babe and I won't let you do that.

Me: Don't be a kill joy Will. Besides, you're here to help if I start going overboard. Please.

William: Alright. Half shot for you then.

Me: Cool.

He stood up and left for the bar, returning with a drink in a transparent glass.
The game began and sooner than expected, I was tipsy, drinking each time I was asked to pull off, because I knew I had nothing underneath. William was also left in his boxer and nothing else.

William: You don't want me to see those titties of yours right?

Me: Hmmm. After the game, if you ask politely, I may just reconsider.

William: Then I quit. Let's take this party to the bedroom.

Ladies, ever gotten drunk? Or even a little tipsy? What feeling do you have down there? I knew it was wrong but hell, I wasn't going to let this burning consume me. I wanted a man, and since Tobe isn't available, I'll have to make do with William. Don't call me desperate, or sick, I'm just trying to satisfy my flesh. Ask me when I started using people cause I'm also surprised that I'm doing this.

I stood up and let him run his eyes over me. I pushed him down to the couch and gave him a look I thought to be sultry. I sat on his legs and started grinding to a music playing in my head alone and I felt his erection poking my buttocks.
I stood up, turned around and removed my baggy top before turning to face him again. I saw his jaw drop as he stared lustfully at my breasts whose tips were now very pointed. He stood up immediately and carried me into his bedroom. I won't regret this. It was just for tonight anyways.

I woke up in his bed with a very heavy headache. He was sleeping peacefully with a light snore. I checked the time, it was 2:05am. I picked a towel, wore my short and walked into the sitting room where I hoped to see my top. Leonard was sitting, watching football. He smiled at me and I sat down beside him.

Me: Do you have pain killers in this house? My head is banging.

Leonard: I'll be right back.

He left and came back shortly with panadol and a glass of water which I took immediately

Me: Thank you.

Leonard: You're welcome.

Me: Shouldn't you be asleep right now?

Leonard: I missed this match yesterday so I'm trying to catch up. Tell me, are you two now a couple?

Me: Who?

Leonard: William of course.

Me: Please.

I picked up my top, wore it and removed the towel, dumping it on a cushion.

Me: My house needs me. See you later Leonard.

He watched me leave the house with shock written all over his face but I cared less. A new chapter is beginning today and I don't plan to include any man in it, not yet.


I used that time to pack in everything I had left into my car before coming back and crashing on the floor in what used to be my classy sitting room. Then, as early as 5:30, I was on my way to Monarch, my new abode. And the only people in this new chapter of my life were Lois, Vanessa and Cynthia. Once everywhere was clear, I'll be getting a new sim card. It won't be easy for me, I know but what's life without chances?