[Story] Empty promises – S01 E14

Read Story: SEASON 1 EPISODE 14

I sent several messages but Israel did not reply. After three days I decided to call him.

“Hello Israel.

“Ava, how are you?

“I’m not fine. I have been wondering if you got all the messages I sent to you. Because I know if you received them you would have replied me. Israel, I miss you and I’m serious. I wish I can fly down to Lagos to see you. I miss everything about you…don’t you miss you?

He was quiet for sometimes as I waited for his answer unashamed.

“Ava, you are a married woman. I’m surprise to get all those love messages from you and hearing you say you miss me. The last time I checked I wasn’t in your league. I was just some common guy that you were managing to put up with. I was a nobody with only HND holder that cannot relate to your high status. You took me as a houseboy that does your laundry, cooking and run errands for you. I’m only allowed to touch you at your request, I dare not get you angry or talk more than I’m allowed to. I heard you over the phone talking to your husband about me…have you forgotten so soon? You told him that I was a pest, a guy with no name. Even after hearing all that I still want you due to the kind of love I had for you but you blocked my every means of reaching you. Is been over three years, suddenly you resurfaced out again. Calling me sweet names and acting all nice. I don’t understand neither do I know how to reply to your love messages or what to say right now to you…

I couldn’t utter a word. Israel was right, I never regards him in the past and I’m only doing so now because of Tony, who was annoying me and getting on my nerve. But Israel loves me and it will be hard for him to move on and forget me.

Tony is still higher in everything. Israel do not have much to offer except his HND but Tony has PHD, Tony schooled at Harvard business school. Tony is well to do and he is building his own business.

But Tony does things that hurt me deeply, maybe that is the reward of being with a great man like him.

I can use Israel now and spite back at Tony and make him jealous.

“Israel, I’m sorry about everything. Is all in the past now.

“Ava, I know is in the past but it doesn’t change the fact that I’m still not in your league. You married the man of your dream, the exact type you have always wanted. Is all good and I will continue to wish you the very best of life. I’m also getting married in few weeks from now….so I’m channeling all my energy in planning my wedding and living with the woman who accepted the little I can offer and never failed to love and support me. I’m working hard to give her everything that she deserve…my wife to be is a rare gem and her type is hard to find. I may not have PHD or school in Harvard but I have peace of mind with my little qualification and loving the woman God brought my way. This alone is more important than anything”.

I felt a pang of jealousy with the way Israel praise his supposed wife to be. I wish I’m the one he was showering with so much praises.

I wanted to know who this lucky woman was. I was angry that Israel was getting married so fast. He was moving on with life. I thought he will hang around and wait maybe I will come back to him since he claims to love me.

Why was he moving on so fast just within a space of three years? Maybe he is just pulling my legs. He can’t be serious because I need him now that Tony was causing me harm.

“You are getting married…are you for real? Isn’t it so soon to start thinking of marriage? I have only be gone for three years and some months, why so much in a haste and who are you getting married to?

I asked boiling inside for an unknown reason.

His answer came like a time bomb.

“Diane. I’m getting married to Diane…you former friend. I’m not sure you two are still friend because I wouldn’t want my wife to be in a toxic relationship with a mediocre. Somebody with your kind of negative mind set. Diane is the woman for me and I love her with my life. I can boldly say she loves me too and our wedding plan is already ongoing. You are invited. If you happen to be in Lagos by then you are cordially invited to witness our union….”

“You mean Diane…whaat…i..s..t…

I stammered. I was dumb founded and quickly end the call.

I was angry and began to think maybe Israel is trying to spite me. Diane cannot have my man. Israel was supposed to be my man and all that praises he showered on her was meant to be mine.

Diane will not even agree to marry Israel, they are not in the same caliber.

Calling Israel was because I miss the love he used to show to me back then which Tony cannot even compete with but I end up getting insulted. He even called me a “Mediocre” a whole me Avala.

Both Israel and Diane and very stupid.

I angrily concluded and kept fuming.

I sigh sadly. My phone was ringing again and the caller was Tony.

For few days now I have been ignoring both his messages and call. But after Israel disappointed me or hurt me with his word I saw a need to speak to Tony.

But I wasn’t going to make it easy for him.

“Yes, what do you want Tony? Why are you disturbing my phone with your calls and messages…?

“Baby, please where are you? I’m dying…I need you home. You drove off with my car for over four days now and left no trace. I checked you at your work place and you are not there. I don’t know where to look for you. Please come home darling. I’m sorry. I miss you so much. I love you darling. I don’t know what came over me that made me to act the way I did. I promise it won’t happen again. I have turn a new leaf and will be the man you have always wanted. I’m dying here…please come back…please baby. Come home so that we can talk about it. My world is empty without you in it. I know I have hot temper but I will work on my anger and I will never raise a hand on you again. But baby you also need to work on your own anger. You almost killed me with your high heel shoe. If I die will you be happy? I know you won’t. I have not been myself ever since you disappeared…

He kept talking and pleading for me to come home. I was already planning to go home because I also miss him.

The plan with Israel did not work out, I’m left with no choice than to go home so that I can also go back to work.

Been away from work for almost a week when I’m not on a casual leave can attract punishment from my boss if he hears of it.

I picked up my few things that evening and checked out of the hotel.

I drove back to the house and make amend with Tony.

He gave me another promises that may not be fulfilled but I hope this time it will be different.

I even apologies for smashing his head with my shoe.

I gave him back his car key and resumed work the following week.

He saw the messages I sent to Israel which I forgot to delete and asked me about it but I told him it was not important anymore and I apologized. Tony did not make any further comment concerning that.

It looks like Tony was determined to keep his promises this time because after three months went by he was still very nice.

Five months came then a year moved. I became pregnant again and I was very happy.

We talked about the loan and Tony said I should give him time. He was gathering up the money and will start paying soon.

Despite my company were already on my neck about the loan but I assured them that my husband was capable and there was nothing to worry about.

My happiness right now is I’m going to be a mother in 8 months time. I can’t wait to welcome my child.

The first one was miscarried and it took me so long to conceive again and this time around, I will protect this one with everything in me. Tony has changed and wasn’t violent anymore.

I forgot about Israel and Diane and focused on my family.

I hope things remain this way.