EPISODE 19
WEDDING OF MY EX
Aaron A.A
IRIS’ EAST LEGON RESIDENCE – MAGIC HOUR
Chris sits up slowly, and Iris drops her hands. He leans his head back against the sofa and closes his eyes. Iris speaks gently.
IRIS
And that’s it? That’s how it ended between you and Effe?
CHRIS
Basically, yes. I took my Mom to see Dr. Anaman that fateful night. She received a couple of stitches, and I took her to her house. Next day I checked into a h0tel. Remember I told you that my phone got lost? Yeah, I was unreachable. That week I learnt Effe and her parents were looking for me, but I didn’t want anything to do with them. I got a pal of mine from the university called Michael Ameyaw, a brilliant professional accountant, to move into my home and run the supermarket with my mother.
He is quiet again. Iris moves close and t©uçhes his hand.
IRIS
Then what?
CHRIS
I moved out of Takoradi. First I went to Kumasi, you know, to get out of the heat and cool down. I had always wanted to design and make a name for myself. It has always been my dream, but my Mom didn’t see any good in it. The time in Kumasi gave me something to do. I drew a lot of sketches, and then I brou-ght them to Accra, straight to Evelyn Boampong at Slash Designs. She took me on. I began calling Elaine, who was alre-ady in Accra. The old flame re-ignited, and here we are.
IRIS
(frowns and shakes her head slowly)
You never spoke to Effe? You never confronted her?
CHRIS
What for? I didn’t want to hear her say she made a fool of me, that she loved that Bright Koffie guy. She was ashamed, and that was enough. Secondly I didn’t want to humiliate her, to make other people hear what went down. I loved her too much to do that to her, although she totally deserved it.
IRIS
You ran away from it all. You should have confronted her, thrashed it out, you know. And then you would’ve healed ages by now. As it is now, she still has that power over you. Damn, I thought I was bad, but that girl is something else! And Steve? You forgave him totally? Amazing!
CHRIS
It wasn’t his fault, okay? I had seen just what Effe was capable of. If she can str!p for strangers and sleep with married old men, what do you think she’s not capable of?
IRIS
But then, if she was so much in love with that Bright guy, why’s she marrying this South African man?
CHRIS
I don’t know. I’ve not seen her in four years. I cut her off totally. When I go to Takoradi to visit my Mom nob©dy mentions her. Trust me when I tell you it wasn’t easy because Effe totally ecli-psed my heart with her love. She really made me fall head over heels in love with her and dropped me just like that. I’ve never totally recovered from that fall.
I know I will never love anyone the way I loved her. I also know she is not worth it. She is a viper. She is the devil’s advocate and has wondered why she picked me as her victim. As for her reasons for marrying Rupert, I cant really say but maybe it’s a perfect plan to land on some fortune. Maybe as soon as she becomes Mrs. Henderson something terrible might happen to her husband, and she might inherit a fortune; don’t forget, the man is filthy rich.
IRIS
That lady is really something else if she means to pu-ll off a caper like that! She sounds like a real demon. But you still have strong feelings for her, don’t you?
CHRIS
It is ha-rd to ignore the Devil, don’t you think? Hell, I thought she was buried, you know. Maybe it is just the surprise of learning she’s going to marry one of our sponsors. But yeah, hate her as much as I do, I must admit I still feel jealous about the fact that she’s gonna get married.
IRIS
Maybe Elaine is right. Maybe it is time to leave Slash Designs. I can’t imagine you in South Africa with Effe as Mrs. Henderson, always at your elbow. It is a recipe for a possible volcanic eruption.
CHRIS
You’re right, of course. At first I thought I could handle it, but now, I just don’t know. But I don’t want to think about it tonight, dear. I will burn that bridge when I come to it. This night, for the first time in four years, I’ve spoken about what happened between me and Effe. Who knows, it might be the balm to heal my heart. Just now, I feel so free, as if I just shed a ton of load off my shoulders. I think I can go home now, and I think I’m going to sleep just fine.
IRIS
Yes, I think you will. And I thank you for telling me. It makes me un-derstand why you’re so unique, why you’re such an exceptional man. Elaine is lucky to have a man like you, although I know you might never love her as much as you loved Effe.
CHRIS
I love her enough to spend the rest of my life with her, and that’s the most important thing. Well, thanks for the shoulder, my dear. I think I might run along now.
He stands up and holds his hand out to her. She gr-abs it, and he pu-lls her to her feet.
They stand very close to each other.
Her eyes search his face, and she begins to breathe a bit fas-ter again.
IRIS
You can stay if you want to, Chris. I promise not to haras-s you again.
CHRIS
I’m not afraid of you, Iris. I’m afraid of myself, because you’re so beautiful, and at this moment the only thing I want to do is make love to you. But you see, I can’t do that…
IRIS
You don’t want to justify Effe’s behaviour. Oh, Chris, it is so sad, but it seems to me you’ll always be in her shadow. All your actions are now dictated by your experiences with her!
CHRIS
No, my dear. It only made me a better man, I guess.
He takes her in his arms, and she moulds herself into him.
He k!sses her, long and de-ep, and when he lets go, she sways.
IRIS
(she whispers)
Chris…
CHRIS
That’s my last act of unfaithfulness, Ir is, dear. Good night.
He turns and walks out to his car.
To be continued
⬅️ Previous episode