MARRIED TO VICTOR STEPHEN
,_,_______________
✔Episode_19??
____
Victor POV
“What do you think I’m doing that made you say time up?” I asked Yomi immediately Suzy left. The crazy guy laughed at me, like I was ma-king some funny jokes. He then threw a wi-nk at me. “You were busy stealing someone else’sl-ips,” he grinned.
I hissed, and picked up my phone from where I left it. “Just fv¢k off! You will tell me whether she’s your wife.” I headed to the door to leave, but he drew me back laughing. “Bros, don’t tell me you want to cry?” He feigned a worried look, and that just pissed me off, causing me to jab him a b!ow in his stomach.
He let out a fake cry, and used his old time trick to return the b!ow I gave him. I instantly fell back on the be-d, and that made him laugh, rejoicing in his victory. No matter how I thought we’ve matured, Yomi still had his little crazy acts, gossip spirit, and one highest volume laughter. He didn’t change much. At that moment, I felt like pouncing on him, and have my own victory as well.
He stretched his right hand at me to help me up. “Don’t try to kill me Buddy. Remember I’m still your favourite cousin,” he boasted, and I took the opportunity to drag him to the be-d, gave him two b!ows at a time, and got up to my feet immediately, grinning at him. “Are you okay cousin?” I whined.
He laughed, trying to get up, but I raised his legs, and pushed him back on the be-d, causing him to laugh more. “You’re so mean,” he surrendered not fighting to get up.
“You know I’m not,” I replied him. “I wish you have gotten married to someone like Temi.”
He chuckled loudly. “I swear, not only will I have a personal doctor to check me every week, I will spend my weekends at the hospital trying to have my bandage head heal before she can break another bottle on my head the following week.”
I couldn’t help laughing. But I thought they were confessing one stupid love for each other. Really missed those days. It was obvious Temi had changed a little. Not strict, or harsh like I expected her to be. “We should leave,” I said.
“Yes, we should. I guess we’ve taken so much time,” he followed me.
As we were ma-king our way down the stairs, four angry eyes that belonged to two Stephen women couldn’t look away from us. They were so bent on showing us how angry they were, using all the strength in their b©dy to squee-ze their beautiful makeup face.
“We are-”
“Just keep it! Even Suzy c@m£ down before you.” Yomi and I shared a quic-k glance, smiling a little.
She can handle Yomi quite well.
“And why are you both laughing like it’s funny?” Victoria questioned with an angry look. “Dad, Mom, and everyone had left, and we are still here when we should have been on our way alre-ady if not for you two.”
“Hey calm down,” I interrupted. “We are here now, and you both should st©p squee-zing your face. We know this is not your real face. Why try to squee-ze it again?”
Victoria laughed, and squee-zed her face pla-yfully again, while Temi just carried her bag, heading to the car instead. I finally got to see Suzy where she sat quietly with princess on her l@ps, including Yomi’s wife pressing her phone to probably keep herself busy. Yomi took his key, and led the way, while we all followed behind. Yomi’s wife sat next to him at the driver seat, while Temi, and Victoria sat at the back with us.
Beside me was Suzy who was busy pla-ying with princess. It was obvious she made so much effort to appear more beautiful. The few pimples on her face were covered with either foundation on concealer. As much as I don’t know anything about women’s makeup, she had managed to differentiate the two for me so as not to mix them up whenever she reque Victor as-sistance to pas-s one of it.
She looked so beautiful smiling at princess, as she sang for the baby who smiled back at her. Turning to the other side, I saw that the road was free, and we were almost reaching the church. I turned to look at the two beside me again, only for Suzy to say… “Princess, see big Daddy. Big Daddy is not smiling at you. He’s busy watching his pregnant wife.” That made me let out a small chuckle, but the big smile I saw on princess’ face was as if Suzy was cracking a very big joke.
“She can’t even un-derstand what you’re saying,” I said.
Suzy lifted the Baby up again. “Is it true princess?” The little girl just smiled again. Her smile was so cute. Very lovely, and contagious, ma-king me smile back at her. “Okay, let’s give big Daddy a k!ss,” Suzy said like the little Baby could un-derstand what she was saying. I just shook my head at her, but the two turned, and Suzy threw me a k!ss. Silly woman.
Too silly at times.
But she looked cute with that silly look. Heaven knows I love her so much. I love that woman who knows how to bring out the best in me. Whenever I stand close to her, I always feel I’m the luckiest guy to be blessed with such a wonderful woman. Beauty with br@in. Her smile comforts me, and show me something more beautiful in life. But sometimes, whenever I think about it…
What if something happens? Will she stay beside me, and fight it with me?
Will she run?
And what if my mistakes are coming out to expo-se
me?
Will she use that as an excuse to leave me? Or will she stand by me?
All these are my worries. Despite everything, my Mom stood beside Dad. But things are not like that anymore. Resting my back fully on the seat, funny memories about her sprang up, and I couldn’t help smiling a little, especially the last time I fell really sick. It was unlike me, but she cared, and I felt like a little boy being taken care by his mom.
“Honey, you really don’t want me to inject you?” She asked, worried about me. I managed to smile a little at her reaction, forgetting my pains.
“Honey, this is not funny. Let me just inject you. It works very fast,” she pled in a cool tone, just to make me suc¢v-mb. I never like injections, so I always dodge the whole thing whenever she tried to. She was so stubborn, and did all her best to make sure I was given those injections. I felt somehow during those times, and before she could succeed, she would say a lot to make me laugh, and use the opportunity to laugh at me.
“Hello sir, you nee-d to put your bu-tt in one place, or I will call nurse Emmanuel, and Emmanuella to come hold you for me. Are we clear?” Her threat always work, until the last day I was going to take the remaining two injections. I insisted saying I was okay, but she went ahead to threaten me with Emmanuel, and Emmanuella again.
I thought she was joking about it, until she shouted their names, and the two ran in like they’ve planned it all long. She handed one caprisonne to each of the twins, and I knew with that, the two would regain their strength fully to happily hold Daddy.
“My sweethearts,” she intentionally said, causing both Emmanuella and Emmanuel to grin from ear to ear. The caprisonne was working. Suzy looked at me, and turned back to the children. “Guys, we nee-d to hold Daddy because Daddy doesn’t want to take his last injection.”
Emmanuel looked surprised. “You mean my Daddy is scared of injection!”
Emmanuella shook her head. “No, my Daddy is not scared. Even Daddy knows injection is good for the b©dy.” She moved closer to me. “Remember what you told me last time?” Suzy graciously, and happily laughed. She was enjoying the whole thing she caused.
She smiled, raising a brow at me. “Now Daddy, don’t go against what you preach. Be a good example to these ones. Remember what you told you daughter? Injection is good for the b©dy.” She mimicked, and quoted it over, and all over again as she wickedly inject the tiny nee-dle into my bu-tt.
That day, is one funny day I couldn’t forget, or erase from my memory. She is so daring. She’s a fox. She’s strong. She’s beautiful, n@ûghty, and a definition of true woman. All these, made me fall for her once. Again, and again. And I wish it would be forever.
•••
“Honey”
“Baby”
“Honey.” I felt that familiar t©uçh, and c@m£ back to pres£nt.
“Are you okay? We’ve gotten to church. You should come down,” she said.
Everyone climbe-d down from Yomi’s Lexus. We walked side by side, and almost reaching the entrance of the church when a familiar voice called my name. I should have been the only one to turn, but everyone turned around, staring at the woman who walked towards us. I heard she was divorced, and now a single Mom. But after all these years, she still managed to stay pretty.
“Hi everyone,” she moved closer to us. “Good to see you all again. The Stephens family. Especially Mr and Mrs Victor Stephen.” She laughed, and gave me a very ti-ght hvg. “I miss you Victor. Good to see you again friend. And I think you should know,” she whispered into my ear. “He c@m£ with me. He has always wanted to see you.” She re-leased me, and left without turning back.
?????????????
✒✒Suzy POV✔?
____________________
‘Beautiful BB’
The same Betty who claimed to love Victor so much.
What intrigued me was, Victor broke into a sudden sweat. What could she have said to him? I began to worry, but Yomi cornered Victor and immediately took him away. I didn’t get that, and that made more curious.
Why was Betty back again?
But this time, she looked more confident, and bold. The day was supposed to be a day of fun, and excitement. Everything was supposed to be great, and excite everyone, but no, at that moment Betty hvgged Victor, my system bec@m£ unsettled, and confused. Victoria gave me a ‘ don’t worry’ look, and dragged me inside along with her and Temi.
I knew I would have to keep seeing Betty because she was close to the family, but not having me worried if something was between her and my husband. Every of my worries were gone the moment the pastor started preaching. The preaching was awesome, and I guessed it was because the man was a young pastor. He made everyone laughed, and carried us along with every single word he said.
If it had been the type of preaching I listened to back home at Abuja, I would have dozed off, and almost joined the Angels in heaven to worsh!pGod. Like, why do some preaching have to be like, the pastor is re-ading an essay or article to us. Everyone laughed again as the pastor went on. “Trust me guys, by hundred years, Mr. Stephen will be competing with Jackie Chan, and Jet Li, that those guys will be wondering where we found our Stephen Li from.”
I bur-st out laughing out my worries. Everyone was feeling the pastor so well, that the devil try not to show his face, or else, he would f0rç£ly find a seat, and join us laughing his wickedness out. The guy must have watched some action movies in his old life before deciding to be a pastor. He added that Grandpa should get re-ady to have a stroll to mount Everest, because of his new set of strong bones.
He was yabbing so much, and everyone was laughing, smiling, and ma-king all sort of reactions. “I guess I forgot something,” he said. “What is the name of the largest ocean we have?”
The youths pres£nt that day shouted, “Pacific ocean!” He then laughed. “Grandpa, how would you feel if you and I pl@yhide and seek inside pacific ocean? Because even at hundred, Grandpa you will still be a great swimmer.” Everyone bur-st into another fit of laughter. Trust me, we nee-d pastors who are able to carry people along, make their preaching fun, lively, and not afraid to tell the truth. No more re-ading of essay, and we are done with talented pastors full of slee-ping drugs in their mouth. One word from them, your n£¢k is alre-ady sagging to one side, with your eyes closing to board a bus dream land.
He also laughed, and continued. “People of God, this is no joke. I’m telling you that Grandpa will remain strong till God says it is time. But before that time, the grandchildren will still enjoy pla-ying ball with their big man.”
“Awnn…” I heard some girls said, and laughed at the same time. After he was done, he stepped down from the pulpit, and everyone cl@pped, before the youths shouted. “Christ in me, the hope of Glory!”
I thought that was all, only for the old men, and old women to shout. “Great is he that is in me. Therefore, I have a long life.” As if that was not enough. This time, the whole church got up, and screamed. “I am the light of the world. I shine like a morning star. I am a city set on a hill. Therefore, devil you’re wasting your time with me. I serve a God who will fight for me!” They screamed all together, including Victoria who was beside me. The drummers added their own causing the noise which went high.
Then suddenly from the back, someone shouted in a very thick, and feminine voice. “When I say God is good?”
“Is good to us all the time!” Everyone chorused, and cl@pped their hands all together. I felt joy and happiness in the pres£nce of God. It gladdened my heart to see some youths worsh!pping God, and giving him their time. I wondered why those at the club for twentyfour hours chose that place? What joy are they getting?
One hour happiness, or one hour wasted? The shout later reduced before a short, and dark skin woman c@m£ up on the pulpit.
“Let’s thank God for the life our Daddy, who just clocked seventy today. He would continue to know peace, and live for many more years. Let’s pray for strength of God to handle any situations or challenges coming our way. The strength of God is what you nee-d, because your strength will fail you,” the woman said, her voice audible as everyone began to pray.
I didn’t take the prayer so serious until my two eyes landed on a man I’ve known all my life. He looked disturbe-d, sitting at the corner with his eyes closed. I felt like he was the only one who his mind had gone far. It was then, I realized I was the woman who nee-ded God’s strength to get throu-gh whatever was about to happen.
“Listen my daughters, tribulations will come. It
won’t be sweet all the time. But always remember
this. When trouble comes, a strong woman will fight
it on her knees. Only God can make your home
peaceful.”
Remembering all what Mom told my sister and I, my fear was gone, replaced with strength. I would forever remain grateful for having a wonderful Mom who was always there for her children. I hope mothers who have not been doing that should start by sharing wise stories to help their children ahead of time. I just hope I would be able to get throu-gh it all.
I believe women are strong.
We will always get throu-gh it no matter what!
We are fragile, yet we are strong.
• • •
The church service was finally over, and everyone walked their way to the celebr@nt, greeting, and sharing prayers with him. They all promised to be at the hall before everyone began to dep@rt. I was ma-king my way to Victor when a familiar guy crossed my path, and st©pped me. He was grinning the moment he stood before me. He looked so familiar, yet I could not recollect the face of the guy.
“Festus Bank!” The name c@m£ to my mind, and he nodded with a smile pla-ying on hisl-ips.
“Nice meeting you again Doctor Suzy,” he said. I managed to laugh because I couldn’t believe I failed to recognize him on time. He smiled warmly. His gentle smile was till there, but physically, he had change a lot. He looked hvge, taller, and cute.
I smiled warmly back at him. “Consider it a great honour. I’m glad to see you again Doctor Festus.” His pretty hand shook mine, and I remembered that big hand back then. He deserve some accolades for ru-bbing my swollen fore head back then.
He li-cked hisl-ips, and smiled. “You just get more, and more beautiful Suzy.” I knew the smile I gave him in return was extraordinary, and unusual. I wish I could see my face at that moment. “All thanks to that big man over there. I really can’t wait to offload, and get back to work.”
He laughed richly, his eyes dancing along as he put his two hands in his pocket, and gave a bow. “He dare not. plea-se enjoy your day. We will talk more,” he said, and turned to leave.
The Victor I was going to meet was no longer where I saw him. I looked around, and walked out of the side door close to chorister’s stand. I tried his number, but was not going throu-gh. I was about turning away from the sto-re room, when I heard the voice of the man I was looking for.
“What was that ru-bbish you were saying?” He barked, but kept his voice down.
“You know Victor, that is no ru-bbish!” She yelled back in a low tone. How I never like the speaker. How I wish I never get to see her again. I wondered what she wanted again? Why was she back again? I heard a hand slammed on the wall, and I knew it was no one else but Victor. “We both know you’re the liar here. That kid isn’t mine, and you know it. The fact that I sle-pt with you without my concern, and that was because you drugged me! You fv¢king drugged me!” His voice was extremely harsh. I prayed in my heart the news wasn’t true.
Tears were threatening to come, but I didn’t allow it. I love this man, and I was sure he loved me too. I’ve known that man, and lived with him for ten years of my life. The way he just talked shows that he regretted what happened. He doesn’t want the matter to be discussed again, and having brou-ght the matter up really pissed him up.
Wait… Was that after he got married to me? Those tears rolled down with the thoughts that he cheated on me. No! He won’t! My Victor would never cheat on me. I wondered what I would do if he actually cheated?
Leave him?
Run away?
Cry my eyes to death?
I didn’t want to accept that. How come I didn’t see any sign of him cheating? A cry from the sto-re room brou-ght me back to pres£nt. “Because I fv¢king love you!” She shouted. “I wanted you to st©p thinking about her. It was just about her, and it was affecting your studies. You couldn’t have fun. You couldn’t think well. You refused to d@t£ anyone, and was just living like a lonely person.” She cried. “Everything I did was because I care about you.” Her cry increa-sed.
“And now, you refused to accept that have moved on,” his voice was calm. “You nee-d to get this. We once have a thing together but not anymore. What happened was a mistake, and was alre-ady in the past. I have a family now. You do as well. Why did you leave him Betty? I’m not going to marry you because you have my kid or not.” Everywhere bec@m£ silent, except Betty’s cry. She must be crying so ha-rd , because it was so loud. But those tears I heard was not for just love. Those tears were mixture of love and something unknown to us. But suddenly she st©pped.
“I swear on my life Vic. He’s your son. I really nee-d to talk to Suzy be…cause…I’m…I’m,” she stammered.
“I’m dieing!” Slow tears followed. “Victor I have cancer of the ovary, and I’m dieing. My boy nee-ds a mother. And I know Suzy will love him just like hers. My boy nee-ds her,” she cried.
Immediately, my anger was gone, replaced with pity, and worry. Ovarian cancer is one deadly cancer. I felt water spilled all over my legs, and that means…
My water broke.
My Junior was about to arrive.
??????
Story_Continues?