CAUGHT IN THE ACT BY GODFREY EMUZE
CHAPTER SIX
A few days later, Charles decided to do some clean up around the house and to be honest, the house could use some serious cleaning. He misses Jenny a lot but he knew that he had to prove to her that he was worthy of her forgiveness and that he truly wanted to get back together with her. Last week, she finally told him that she had been staying at Comfort's place and he was somehow relieved that she hadn't run into the arms of another man. But then again, she wasn't that kind of woman. Though he now knows where she stays, he hadn't gone there to see her yet; he decided to give her enough time and space to heal first. They talk on phone regularly so he's hopeful that they can mend things.
After reminiscing for a while, he decided to get started with the cleaning. He started from the kitchen and then the living room, an hour later he was sweaty and half covered in dust but he was pleased with his progress so far, he shook his head in satisfaction. He decided to also clean up the room Jenny uses as her office, or at least she used it while she was with him, he hesitated in front of the door as he hadn't entered that room ever since she left. He finally entered the room and made his way to the shelf, he saw all her published books line up neatly and he realised he has never read any of the books she wrote after they got married. While they were dating, he was her muse and she always used to run her ideas through him even though he wasn't that good with words. But after they got married, he was always busy and never paid much attention to her books, now he regrets it.
'I'm sorry I neglected you and the things you care about, I'm sorry I wasn't there for you when you needed me the most and I apologize for hurting you.' He said, thinking out loud. He picked one of the books and started reading, he plopped on the floor and continued reading until his eyes got tired and he slept off. By the time he woke up, he realised it was night fall but he was determined to make up for his past mistakes whichever way he can so he continued reading. After two days and nights, Charles was finally done with the last book and he heaved a sigh of relief. His phone rang and he picked up as the caller id showed it was from Wale.
"Hi man, hope you are good? You just went awol on us for two days, What have you been up to?" he said sounding worried.
Charles chuckled, "I'm sorry, I didn't mean to. I just had some things to sort out at the house."
Wale sighed, "I can understand, the MD was asking of you though but I covered for you."
"Thanks man, I owe you one!"
"You are welcome but don't forget the contract with Alexander and co, your job is riding on that."
"I know, I know…don't worry I'll be back to work soon enough."
"Alright, I trust you. Just take your time, I got you covered."
"Thank you, I really appreciate." They said goodbyes and the call got disconnected.
Bob and Jenny had been going out every day since he came back, having dinner together and occasionally lunch too. This particular evening, they had gone for dinner at Benny's bistro, one of Jenny's favourite restaurant. As Bob drove her home, she couldn't help but smile. As they arrived Comfort's house, he parked the car in front of the gate and they decided to spend some time in the car as they didn't want the night to end.
Bob spoke first, "you are such a sweetheart and I've enjoyed every time spent with you. I wish it never ends."
She smiled, "I've enjoyed your company too, thanks to you I've been able to smile and forget my worries these past few days."
"I'm truly sorry about your marriage and all you went through, you deserve better," he said with all seriousness.
"It's okay, it's nobody's fault, we just didn't see it coming," she said with a sad smile.
"I cherish you, you know and if you were mine, I would never look away from you let alone trade you for another."
She chuckled, "that's what they all say until you are left heartbroken and alone, there's really no guarantee in love."
"You may be right, only God knows the future and hence only he can guarantee it. A love ordained by God is sure to succeed you know…"
She looked at him, surprised, "you are sounding religious all of a sudden…is that part of your plan to win me over? Or you really think my marital woes and you being a factor in my equation was ordained by God…"
He looked straight at her, "I wouldn't mind you know, but sincerely I hope you work things out with your husband, but if you don't want your old life back, I would love for you to come with me to the states. We can build a new life there, together," he said placing his hand on hers,
"That sounds really nice, I'll keep it in mind" she said, he held her gaze for a few seconds and the air became charged between them. His breath fanned her face as they were only inches apart, her heart was pounding in her chest and even though her rational side told her to pull back, still her body inched closer. He cupper her face in his hands as his lips inched closer to hers…
Knock! Knock! The sound of someone tapping on the car window broke the moment and Bob was irritated at the interruption. The knock came from the passenger's window so jenny rolled down her window and she was surprised to see her husband standing there.
He looked angry, "Jenny, please can I talk to you."
She looked at him, sceptical "alright, just give me a minute." He excused her while she said goodnight to Bob.
"So who is he?" he asked as soon as she approached him.
"He's a friend, a very good friend."
"I can see that…is he the reason you've been reluctant to come home?"
She shrugged, "perhaps…"
"What are you saying…are you falling in love with him?" he questioned.
"What if I am? What's wrong with that? After all you fell in love with another woman while you claimed to love me, so that means I can have the best of both worlds too." She replied.
"I was never in love with her, it wasn't about love."
"And that's supposed to make me feel better?" she shouted.
He matched her tempo, "then tell me what to do to make you feel better…to make you forgive me. I know I hurt you, believe me if I could undo what I've done, I would but I can't."
"Exactly, you can't undo the past so don't expect me to just take you back as if nothing happened."
He ran his fingers through his hair in frustration, "I know but I'm prepared to do anything to earn your forgiveness. If I have to keep apologizing every day for the rest of my life, I will. I'll spend the rest of my life making it up to you…please"
"I can't do this right now, I have a conference coming up and I don't want any distractions," she said and turned to leave but he held her back.
"I know I haven't been the best of husband to you and I've made so many mistakes and I realize that now, all I'm asking for is a chance to make it up to you," he pleaded earnestly.
She looked torn, "the conference will be over by next week, let's talk about this by then," she said as she loosened her arm from his grip and went inside the house. Charles looked longingly at her disappearing figure and he suddenly felt cold as if he was standing at the North Pole.
Immediately Jenny shut the door behind her, she released the breath she had been holding and she clutched her chest in relief. She really wanted to forgive her husband but she just couldn't get past the hurt and the pain, she felt torn. She sank to the floor and covered her face in her palm.
She wept and prayed silently.
Comfort came out of the room and found her on the floor behind the door, "finally she comes in!for a minute there, I thought he was going to kidnap you and take you home."
Jenny stood up and made her way to the couch, "oh come off it, Bob is a really nice guy once you get to know him."
"Well you are always out with him and never invites him over so how will I get to know him…not that I'm interested in getting to know him anyway," she smacked.
Jenny chuckled, "wow, did I just detect a hint of jealousy? So you miss having me around all day huh, to think sometimes ago you were pushing me to go out."
"Well I wouldn't call it jealousy…as for missing you, maybe a little, after all when you are here it's all about Charles and when you are not here, it's Bob. Now I'm not even sure which of them has your heart," she said with a little laugh.
"What if both of them has my heart? What if I don't want to choose between the two of them, can't I have both? After all that was what Charles did, why does he get a free pass and I don't…all I hear is forgive him, forgive him…how about I do the same and we are even."
"So you want to take revenge? An eye for an eye…a heart for a heart right?" Comfort asked.
"That would be great wouldn't it? To let him have a taste of his own medicine," Jenny replied.
"But to what end? Would that really make you happy? No one cheats in marriage and gets a free pass, whether the man or woman. Even if no one ever finds out, you get to live with that guilt and internal conflict that you are a cheat and an ingrate. My dear, the other word for it is called Conscience, I think of it as God's deposit of good in man till nemesis catches up with him if he refuses to repent."
"That sounds good in theory but does that really stop anyone from cheating?"
"Well I guess that's also personal, it might not be a sufficient reason to stay faithful but it's definitely not negligible if you are going to be faithful. If you decide to take the path of revenge, you might up end up destroying whatever chance you and Charles have to patch things up. In which case, won't it be better to just get a divorce and live your life as you deem fit?"
Jenny smiled sadly, "you know sometimes it's hard to tell whose side you are on."
Comfort smiled, "my dear, I'm on the side of the truth and by doing that am also on your side even if you don't see it that way; I just want what's best for you."
Jenny chuckled, "I knew you were going to say that, you don't give free passes do you?"
"Oh please! I'm not that harsh, I just want you to be careful with this Bob of yours, stop flirting with him," Comfort said sternly.
Jenny made an innocent face, "well it's not really me that's flirting with him, it's my heart that's doing it," she said placing a hand over her chest.
Comfort just rolled her eyes at her, "yea, because your heart is from mars and has a mind of its own," she said with sarcasm and they both laughed.
"Alright ma'am, I've heard you, I will be very careful."
"Now that's what I like to hear," Comfort said and they both laughed. Jenny was still smiling as she went inside to change.