Ifeoma's POV
The change in Femi was too good to be true, he kept bringing flowers each day, begging me to forgive him even swearing on his children's lives that he would never ever cheat on me.
He would wake up, say a prayer which he has never done since I knew him and even read the Bible. The one that got me was when he told me one Sunday that he was going to church.
I became suspicious. I remembered Jasmine. This was exactly what he did. He deceived her, made her believe he has changed while he was fucking me. I wouldn't be that foolish.
I sent my private detective to help check if he was seeing anyone and to my surprise, he wasn't seeing a soul. He wasn't even having the casual sex as he used to.
Or has he really changed? No, people hardly change, there has to be something, only that I couldn't find anything. All the facts proved that he was clean.
I decided to embrace his sudden change with an open mind. Maybe he has changed for real and I was just overthinking
I had already made up my mind that if it happened to be that he was in love with someone else, I would divorce him before he disgraces me did way he did Jasmine but I never expected that he would change for real.
If he has changed for real, then my happiness will know know no bounds. It would mean I won and my snatching him wasn't in vain after all.
I was working in my office when he strolled in with a bouquet of rose Flowers.
"Here, I got you these" He said handing the flowers to me.
I looked at him, he looked different, his eyes seemed puffy like he has been crying but the Femi I know doesn't cry. He's not an emotional person, it's probably stress from work. He also seemed quiet and distant, like he has a lot on his mind. I've been trying to see if he could open up but he kept assuring me that all is well.
"You've been buying me flowers everyday, just like when we started.What's with this sudden change? I'm still finding it difficult to believe this is real?" I said as I collected the flowers.
"I know, i have broken your trust several times and i understand if you might not trust me now but I promise to prove myself with time"
I looked into his eyes, there was this remorse and genuine brokenness I've never seen before. He was like a child and you just want to hold and protect him.
I hugged him tightly and kissed him. I couldn't believe my luck. I silently thanked the stars.
"Look, I want you to give me a second chance and I promise never to let you down ever again. I'll be the best husband in the world" He said holding me tightly and refusing to let go.
I simply nodded not trusting myself to speak. It was too good to be true. I decided to have an open mind and see where this new change of his leads.
"Get ready tonight, we're both going on a date after work. I'll text you the address. Don't be late" He said as he pecked me on the cheek and left.
That night we had a dinner date at an expensive restaurant. I could still feel the tension emanating from him but I understood perfectly that he was just tensed because of how he treated me in the past. He didn't even want to make love to me when we got home. He said he wasn't worthy but I insisted. He was distant and couldn't even look at me. I tried my best to reassure him that it was okay and that I have forgiven him.
The next few weeks were heaven to me. It was then I knew he had changed for real. He came home early unlike before, would make dinner sometimes. He would even insist we pray together as a family before sleeping and first thing in the morning.
We also started going to church together. I have never known him to be religious but I followed him nonetheless. If it was religion that made him change then it's high time I became spiritual myself. I felt such peace and happiness that I haven't felt in a long time. The man he was now was far better than the man I married.
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It was a beautiful Saturday morning. Femi decided to take Ethan to the grocery store to get some household items while I settled down to do the family laundry.
Ever since Femi and I drifted apart, I only did mine and Ethan's but since we're now patching things up, I decided to do his.
I was sorting out the clothes when I noticed a piece of paper in one of his pockets. I brought it out and was about to throw it in the waste bin but something about the paper caught my eye. I opened it.
I immediately dropped the trousers.
This can't be true, it has to be a dream. This can't be femi's but the name boldly written on the result sheet said otherwise. I became sick and dizzy at the same time, my feet became wobbly. I called femi's driver to take me to the nearest hospital. I couldn't afford to drive in the current state of my mind. I was literally going crazy
The air around me became hot, I could barely breathe, my head began to ache and a big knot formed in my chest.
I got to the hospital, though I was sure I had contracted the virus, it still came as a shock when the results were handed over to me. I fainted on the spot.
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I got home after two hours of recuperating. The doctor kept assuring me that all hope wasn't lost and my condition could be well managed but I wasn't hearing him.
My mind has drifted to a place unknown, a place cold and unreachable. It was numb and icy. I couldn't see or hear anyone. Everything was blank and everything seemed to be over.
As I strolled into our house I saw him pacing round worriedly as he called my number repeatedly. I stared at him. It all made sense now. His sudden change of heart made perfect sense. I have just been a fool.
"Babe, where have you been, you got me scared. Why are you crying?"
I didn't even realize I was crying. The tears seemed to be pouring on their own accord and I seemed oblivious to them. He gathered me in his arms but I couldn't see or feel it. Something within me had snapped and it was as if my soul was no longer part of my body.
"Babe what's the matter?" He kept asking
"You're HIV positive" I said. My voice was calm.
"What?" He looked at me clueless and I couldn't help smiling. He really should be an actor. It's amazing how callous he could be yet put up an innocent and sweet persona. He was so good that I fell for it.
"There's no need to deny. I found the test result in one of your pockets while doing laundry. I went to the hospital to confirm and I am also positive. You did the test over a month ago and didn't even have the decency to tell me"
I saw the horror on his face as realization hit him. He went on his knees and began crying like a child.
"Ifeoma please forgive me. It was that witch called Ọmotola that infected me. She knew her status and gave it to me on purpose before disappearing. I've always wanted to tell you but was scared of your reaction. Please forgive me"
I could barely hear him. All I saw was theatrics. He was acting as usual. He wasn't sorry, he was just sorry he got caught.
"Femi when were you going to tell me?" My voice was surprisingly calm. My tears didn't choke my voice and the madness going on in my mind didn't affect it either.
"Soon, I swear I was going to tell you soon"
"Are you on antiviral drugs?"
"Yes" he replied
"So you found out about your status, started treating and taking care of yourself while I am left to die?" I couldn't imagine how someone could be so callous.
"No, not at all. I meant to tell you. Please forgive me. I promise never to cheat on you again. Let's go to the hospital and get your drugs. Please this isn't the end of the world. We can go through this together"
I couldn't help laughing inside my head. The fact that he still thought there was a together was amusing.
"It's okay, I have forgiven you. I said"
"What, are you serious?" He looked up at me unbelievably.
"The deed has been done. There's nothing else to do about it. Let's forge ahead"
He stood up and hugged me tightly. I reciprocated but like I said, it was just my body. My soul was far away..
"My mum just called me. She said she misses Ethan. I promised to bring him over today. Let him spend the weekend with his grandparents. We'll go to the hospital tomorrow for my own medication" I said
"That's a good idea. Babe you're a wife material. Thank you for forgiving me, I'll never take it for granted"
"It's okay, let's not dwell on that"
We went on about our activities normally. I still did the laundry, prepared lunch and took Ethan to my parents house before going to get exactly what I needed.
I got home and prepared his favourite meal of Amala. I took my time to prepare it because it was our last. I sprinkled the poisonous substance and served the meal.
As we ate in silence, he would reach out and squeeze my hands lovingly.
It was funny how as an actor, he couldn't spot out my good acting skills as well. The poison was a slow and painless one. We would go to sleep together and drift off together to the world beyond for I could not bear to live in this world anymore. It was better I ended everything before pain and depression does it for me.
As we went to bed, my whole life flashed before me. I played it my head like a movie. For the very first time, I deeply regretted my actions of sleeping with my best friend's husband.
I picked up a pen and paper and wrote a suicide note. My family should at least know the reason for my actions.
I don't believe in Karma but I believe in cause and effect, action and consequences. I was simply reaping the consequences of my actions. I embraced my punishment with the little courage left in me. I relaxed and breathed deeply as I allowed myself to be covered in a blanket of darkness.
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Jasmine woke up next to stanely in his bedroom. He kept staring at his sleeping frame. They had sex almost all through the night and she knew they would go one more round this morning before anything.
She couldn't get enough of him.
His mouth was opened in a funny way as he slept. She picked up her phone to get pictures of him. She had told him that he sometimes sleeps with his mouth opened but he keeps denying so she was going to get evidence. As she started to take pictures, a pop up notification on Facebook got her attention.
She opened it and to her horror, the news of Femi and his wife who was poisoned to death was all over the place.
Jasmine screamed out loud that stanely jolted from sleep which an alertness..
"What's the matter?"
"See this. She said handing over her phone. She couldn't help the tears that streamed down her face.
"Oh my God! This is terrible. I'm so sorry babe" He said as he hugged her.
"I know they betrayed me and I probably hate them but Femi is still the father of my children. Their dad is gone. How am I going to tell them that their father is no more?"
"It's okay dear, I'll go with you, we'll tell them together"
Judith seemed a bit young to grasp the concept but she cried along with her elder sister who seemed to understand a little even though she might not know the gravity till she's a bit older.
They all went for their funeral. Yes they betrayed her but she couldn't possibly hold grudges against them even in death.
The thought that it could have been her who Femi would have infected with HIV sent shivers down her spine. She was glad someone took her place. The divorce was actually a blessing in disguise. She just wished it was a stranger and not her bestie. Anyways, it is what it is.