The next call Ugochi received was from Frederick.
“Hi.”
“Hello dear,” he answered. “I just received a very distressing call from Ijay some minutes ago. She said it seemed your man saw us together the other day.”
“Yes, I think he did. It’s not confirmed yet but he’s been acting very strange. I think that could be the reason for his behavior, although he hasn’t asked me directly.”
“Ugochi, don’t you think it’s time we come clean? I mean, we are not helping anybody by being secretive. I think it is better we call Ikem and tell him about this. At least now that he seems to be suspecting you.”
“Do you think he’s ready to hear this yet? Personally, I don’t think he’s ready for a revelation of this magnitude. After all, I know him better than you do.”
“I know we agreed to take our time and break it to him gently but I don’t think we can go through that same route now that he is suspecting you. I believe it is better we come clean and just get it over with.”
“I understand you. Can you give me time to sort this out my own way? At least allow me determine what he knows first. This might not even be about us, you know?”
“Okay then. Let’s know what he knows first. Then we can make our decisions based on that.”
“Good. I’ll talk to you later.”
“Yeah, later. Bye dear.”
***
By the time Ikem got home, he was boiling with anger. His stomach felt tight with tension and his chest felt like it was going to burst from holding in his temper.
After that ridiculous lunch meeting with Donald, he had not been able to hold back the anger churning in him. The nerve of Ugochi. A woman he had loved for three years, and for her to treat him this way? It was disrespectful, it was disheartening, and above all, it pissed him off.
He slammed into the house only to find Ugochi seated calmly on the settee in the living room watching a movie. She was sprawled on the settee, a bowl of nuts beside her and a chilled glass of wine on the stool where her hand can easily pick it up.
Ikem stood behind her for a minute, breathing in and out, trying to calm himself and probably find a way to ice down the hot pool of anger in his belly. He was not succeeding though.
The sight of her seated there, seemingly without a care in the world just annoyed him the more. He could not fathom how she would throw away three years of a loving relationship just like that. And she did not even have the decency to tell him it was over? Instead, she was sneaking around, going behind his back and seeing different men. He decided to confront her once and for all.
Ugochi looked up when she saw Ikem, and smiled. “Oh hi baby. I didn’t hear you come in, I was so engrossed in this movie,” she sat up. “Have you been here long?”
“No, I just came in.” he wanted so much to slap that smug look off her face.
“Okay, welcome. How was work today?”
“I went to see Donald during the lunch hour.”
“Oh, okay. How is he? Hope there is no problem with him?”
“He told me something I found very hard to believe. How could you Ugochi?”
“How could I what? You’re not making any sense Ikem.” Ugochi said as her heart hammered furiously in her chest. Here it comes, she thought.
“Do you want to sit there and pretend you don’t know what I am talking about? You honestly want to play dumb with me?” his voice rose an octave as he talked. By the time he finished the sentence, he was shouting.
“Ikem, keep your voice down please, and explain to me what you are going on about.”
“I don’t owe you any explanation. You are the one who has a lot to explain so you better start now.”
Ugochi watched him calmly. She had to be absolutely sure of what he was referring to before she could even offer any form of explanation. What if he was not talking about what she thought?
“Ikem, you know I love you, but this behavior of yours is not helping matters at all. Sit down, and let’s talk about this like the adults we are.”
Ikem was so mad, he could barely see straight. “Are you insinuating that I am acting like a child? Is that what you are saying to me, Ugochi?”
Before she could answer, he dragged her up, and rained two slaps on her face. The force of the slap made her stagger and she found herself on the floor.
Before she could react and defend herself, he started punching her, hitting her over and over until she curled into a tiny ball of pain and agony. Only then did he release her. He was breathing heavily, in and out, while she just laid on the floor whimpering like an injured animal.
She could not stand up, she could not scream, all that came out of her were small whimpers, a sound very similar to that of an animal in terrible pain.
“In fact, I want you out of my house,” Ikem raged as he gave her a swift kick. “Go in there, pack your properties, and get the heck out of my house. I don’t ever want to see your face here anymore, you liar and cheat.” He stormed into the bedroom and Ugochi could hear him throwing things around like a mad man.
She dragged herself off the floor, painfully and little by little until she got to the place where she placed her phone earlier. Despite the pain fogging her mind and brain, she knew she had to call for help before Ikem came back to finish what he had started.
She dialed Dawn’s number with shaky fingers. Dawn lived close by and she could get there within a few minutes.
“Hey girl, what’s up?” Dawn said as soon as she picked.
Ugochi started sobbing. “Please come to the house to get me….come quickly before he kills me.” she managed to say into the receiver before collapsing on the floor.
To be continued
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