AFTER ALL THESE YEARS Episode 25

There’s something about the past, it always have its way of catching up on you.

That week was not so good, Olu is not helping matters either, he bombarded me with text since I’ve stopped picking his calls. Henry calls every day but I still sounded cold. I want to tell him everything, but I lacked the effrontery.

When will you get out of this mood for God sake he asked me during our conversation over the phone.

I’m fine I said

This weekend is our double date you know

I’m sorry I forgot Sincerely I did not remember, I already have enough on my plate.

I’ll come pick you up early so we could sought out things before the dinner date in the evening

Ok I’ll be expecting you I said

See you on Friday. I love you

OK

Henry, I said I love you

I heard you Dee, I’ll see you on friday

I was worried, I knew its wrong for me to withhold the truth from him. All I need is the courage to say it.

On Friday he got to my house around 6pm.

Nice dress, you look gorgeous

Thanks I said with a faint smile.

We got talking in his car and I think his charms worked on him. I felt free with him again.

Some minutes later, we left my place and headed straight to the restaurant.

A table for four has already been booked.

On entry into the restaurant Mr Mike sorry Mike waved at us. We joined him and his fiancee. We all settled down.

Mike did the introduction, it was nice meeting.....

Lizzy, shes fair, average height and shes beautiful. Mike and Lizzy looks good together.

Hmm, I always knew you have eyes for good things Henry said pointing to Mike.

Look who’s talking Mike said teasingly.

A waiter came by and we all placed our orders. We all introduced ourselves briefly. We talked about growing up and all.

From our conversation, I got to know little about Lizzy, she’s a banker by profession. One more thing i like Lizzy already, she's simple, down to earth and the way she comport herself wowed me. "This man is really lucky" I said to myself.

The evening was great. Mike also informed us they’ll be getting married in three month. Henry and I congratulated them.

Henry took me home after our date.

He stopped in front of my house, alighted and helped me with the door.

Good night my love he said

when I stepped out of the car.

Good night Dee

He held my face in his palms and kissed me good night.

Two weeks later, Henry came to my house during the week and we are in his car parked in my compound when he changed the topic.

Henry I have a feeling that you are hiding something from me. Is there anything you think I should know about you. I mean both past and present he asked.

I jerked when he mentioned the past. Many things were going through my mind. I don’t know whether to tell him the truth or not about my past.

Dee I already told you about my ex and that’s the only guy I’ve been with before you. The only thing I can say for now is that I’m not a saint

I’m not a saint either, but if there is anything I need to know please don’t hesitate to tell me, I don’t like secrets

OK, that was all I said and that changed my mood again. He left some minutes later.

I got back to my room, I took my bath and was about to sleep when I received a text message. It was from my ex Olu. I click on the message and it read.

"You don’t want to come back to me because of that Americana right. Don’t worry, he will soon dump you once he finds out the truth about you"

"So Olu has been stalking me I said to myself. Now he’s even planning on blackmailing me. I wonder why he refused to leave me alone. I called him back.

So you can actually call me, my baby is scared right he said

Who is your baby, I can see some nuts are loosened in your brain, you this shameless loser I said

He laughed " Really!"

Get this straight into that thick skull of yours, I will never be yours

He threatened me, he even gave me one week ultimatum. He said its either I come back to him all hell spill the beans.

I was shocked when he told me he knew Henry's office. I know for sure that’s he’s talking about the abortions. Now I have no other choice than to tell Henry. its better he hears it from me than from that loser ex of mine.

Henry also called me that night before I went to bed. He told me he knew I’m hiding something from him but he said I should take all my time. He said he won’t push me to say anything I’m not ready to share. He said his good night and ended the call.

Now is the time, I have to tell him everything I said to myself when the line when off.

The following week, I called Henry on. I told him I’ll come to his office after school.

I got to Henrys office later that afternoon, I wasn’t in a good mood and of course he noticed immediately I stepped into his office. Have your sit he said and I sat on the sofa. What can I offer you he asked

Nothing, I’m OK

What’s eating you up sweetheart

I came to tell you about my past

I’m listening he said and sat beside me.

I suddenly went dumb. I tried to speak but words are not coming out.

Henry go ahead, you can talk to me

Still I couldn’t talk; I was just staring at the floor.

Is it that bad Did you kill someone, are you an ex convict, do you do drugs or you have a child He bombarded me with questions.

 I wished I had a child but I don’t because I aborted it

What Abortion!

Despite the fact that abortion is legalized in the state, Henry detest it.

You murder an harmless child You should have prevented that by using protection

I didn’t say a word, I just sat down crying silently. He went back to his sit and said nothing.

My ex want me back, he threatened to tell you himself if I don’t break up with you and come back to him

And that is why you are here

Please don’t put it that way, I didn’t mean to hide it from you

Henry! you are not even planning to tell me before, but you could tell me now because your ex is blackmailing you

I’ve always wanted to tell you, I just lack the courage to do it earlier

And you expect me to buy that

I’m sorry Dee, maybe I don’t even deserve you in the first place I said

He didn’t say a word, he was just staring at me. For like 15min, the room was quiet.

Please say something I pleaded

I need time to process all this and please I want to be alone he said

I couldn’t believe he just walked me out of his office indirectly. Tears started streaming on my cheek.

I stood up, cleaned my face with my face towel and left his office. With all hopes lost, to be sincere I don’t know where all this will end.

To be continued.........