by Boadi, Lilly
“Can you imagine? Carlos!”
“Oh, I can see you two are getting along well”
“Hey, don’t play innocence with me! How did he get my number?” Haida put it hard on her
“Ooh yes, I did give him your number. He asked for it. When you were gone yesterday, I saw him looking all around for you desperately. I only told him you were tired and had to leave. I didn’t know he fancied you that much until he asked for your number. Hey, he’s a nice guy anyway, don’t you think?” Kelly rapped out “I didn’t know you are a bidder for Carlos!” said Haida, and they laughed.
“Anyway, he asked me to spend the day with him, but I’d prefer being at your end….”
“You know, it’s good he asked you out for the day” said Kelly, cutting in quickly
“I have a very busy schedule today. My routine is going to be so hectic that I bet it’ll only get you bored should you be around me. Ooh how I wish to be around you too, at least, when I know what you’re going through now. But trust me, Carlos is a nice person; I know he will treat you well. Anyway, how are you now, and have you talked to Mellis?” she asked inquisitively.
Haida sighed deeply “No. And I don’t want to, at least for now” she said, avoiding the former question
“Well, I think it’s a good idea. Just give yourself a chance to be happy; at least for now. You are lucky; a nice guy’s already at your door when one has just broken your heart. You know, let me tell you this: the first time I was broken-hearted, this was what a good friend told me, ‘play the field, break a few hearts too, live life and be happy’. I laughed at this, but later it made sense and I never got broken hearted again…” she paused “…until I met Ricardo and I gave him my all. What happened? I was broken-hearted again. I realized the only antidote to heartbreaks was my friend’s advice”
“But this antidote may also have its negative consequences. Isn’t it risky?” came in Haida.
“To be honest, yes it is risky, but nothing is void of risks. Yet, as compared to that of the pain of heartbreak, this risk is insignificant. When you are not committed to anyone, you’re as free as an ex-convict; though you may suffer some disrepute, the fact is you have your freedom and that’s what matters most, I think. Though people might point fingers at you for not settling down, it’s better than committing yourself in a relationship that will only take away your peace and happiness. I think we all enter into relationships with happiness and companionship being our main quest, and so if we’re not finding that, then we must quit and go to where we can find one” Kelly talked on
“What if you really love this person who only hurts you?”
“Love does matter in a relationship, but to me, it’s not all. Relationships take more than just love to blossom. Two people may love and be so much in love with each other, but their relationship may be full of quarrels and pain, and the only reason is that they are not compatible. But relationship is all about compatibility. Compatibility is what enhances the happiness and companionship we all seek in a relationship”
Haida chuckled “What are you trying to say - that two people can love each other so much but may not be compatible?” asked Haida scathingly
“Perfectly so” Haida chuckled
“But…how? Then what kind of love do they have for each other? In my opinion, love should be everything; everything to enable the two to live together happily. If they cause each other pain, then to me, they don’t really love each other! The party that causes the pain is the one void of love, ‘cause if you love someone, you’d never do anything you are well aware would hurt that person!” Haida snapped.
“Haida, you are not referring to Mellis, are you?” asked Kelly softly and Haida was quiet. “Don’t you think that’s too quick a conclusion to make about him?”
“I don’t think so!” snapped Haida “You know what? Upon second thoughts, I think you should talk to him. Maybe things aren’t as you see them. Give him a chance to explain himself” said Kelly. Did she really say that? She was trying to sound like a concerned and good ally, but this advice was too far out of the way, since it could be a minus for her. What if Mellis was able to convince her and Haida decided to forgive him? That wouldn’t help at all. She must retract her statement or act quickly. The latter seemed attainable, but what would she do? “Will you do that, I mean, talk to Mellis?” she asked quickly.
Again, Haida sighed deeply and said “I don’t really know…Maybe….” there was a pause. Then she broke the silence. “I…I think I will” she said indistinctly
“When? Now?” Kelly asked sharply, and Haida remained silent again. Kelly waited desperately for her response
“You know what Kelly? I wish to see him and question him why he did that to me, but on the other hand, I feel so angry I don’t want to see his face” Haida stammered through and paused. “I think I’ll go and find things out for myself and take a decision. I’d get prepared and go right away”
Kelly’s heart jumped out - she wasn’t sure what exactly she was scared of, but she was sure it wasn’t a good idea Haida saw Mellis now. She must keep on hating him till Carlos won her attention and before that.
“What about Carlos? You’re supposed to spend the day with him” she said, getting quite restless
“Thank God I haven’t given him a response yet”
“What?!”
“I’ll tell him something came up and had to attend to it, but will make it up to him some other time. You know, right now as I speak, I feel the strong urge to go and question him, and I’d better do that now before I feel otherwise”
“Err…” Kelly was confused “…ok, but please be careful and control yourself. Hoping you don’t do anything silly” she forced the words out Haida smiled
“It’ll depend on what he’ll say” she said “But don’t worry, I’ve taken your advice in good faith. I’ll try to be as civilized with him as possible. Kelly, thanks for being there for me. I appreciate it”
“Never mind. It’s my pleasure” said Kelly grudgingly, forcing a smile out, as if Haida was watching her. As soon as she cut Haida off, she sunk into a deep thought - what could she possibly come up with now before Haida forgave Mellis and made up with him? She had to act fast.
THREE
It was 11.30 late in the morning, and the vicar had long left the house. Haida was set to go to Mellis’. As she descended the stairs, her mom took a second look at her; why did she have dark spectacles on?
“Morning mom” Haida greeted
“Good morning. Why didn’t you come down for breakfast, and where are you going this morning?” asked Mrs. Morgan looking at Haida strangely.
“Oh, I’m off to Mellis” she said, avoiding the first question “We’re going somewhere and I’d better catch up with him as quickly as possible before we missed the appointment” she rapped out, forcing smiles out “See you later mom” and planting a kiss on her cheek, she walked briskly towards the glass door.
“Haida!?” her mom called after her Haida paused
“Yes mom” “Are you ok?”
“Sure mom. I’m very fine…see you” said Haida and rushed out of the hall.
“Take care dear” said her mom after her. Mrs. Morgan watched her daughter through the glass door till her car was out of sight. “Father, protect her….” As an instinctive mother, she knew something wasn’t right with her daughter, yet she didn’t even know how to fish out from her what was wrong. Last night, when Haida came home, Mrs. Morgan saw sadness in her daughter’s eyes, but she couldn’t even ask her what the matter was. Haida and her mom are not used to discussing personal issues as to a mother and daughter. Hardly had Mrs. Morgan concerned herself with Haida’s relationship with Mellis; even her job. At twenty-six, Mrs. Morgan could not recall when she sat with her daughter to discuss womanly issues of any nature. At this juncture, she felt guilty for not being a good mother to her daughter in that sense. Marley married at an early age and left the country with her husband; Jolly was still growing and had not
reached that stage where she would concern herself with relationships, or so she thought. She thought it was time to get closer to her daughters and make it up to them as a mother, and Haida was the one who needed that most, moreso as she was in her first relationship. Despite her distance from her daughters as a mother, Mrs. Morgan found her daughters sound with Christian values and virtues, and she attributed this to the grace of God, thanking Him for His favour. It was divinely purposed that she would have a Christian home, elected by God to do His perfect will and purpose. She needn’t use her strength, but God through His favour had shaped her family to be a light to the world. That notwithstanding, she thought she had to take up her motherly responsibilities to the fullest as pleasing to God, at least, to show her appreciation to Him, and that the best she could do was to concern herself with her children’s relationship lives in every sense. Though she didn’t have much to say out of experience, she was intelligent enough to give them sound advices.
En route to Mellis’, Haida felt sharp pains in her head intermittently. She was feeling quite weak too. The previous night’s cry must have exhausted her. As she got out of the car, Bambi rolled with excitement behind her. He felt an unexplainable joy each time he saw her.
“Is Mellis inside?” she asked
“Unfortunately, no. But he’ll be with you soon” said Bambi
“Where’s he?” she asked suddenly
“At the salon” he said, and then in a whisper “He wants to look good for you all the time you know”
“Oh really? How sweet”, and they laughed. Inside the hall, Haida almost collapsed on the sofa.
“I think he said something like coming to see you soon” said Bambi, joining Haida with a glass of fruit juice.
“Oh, I see…. Thanks” she took the glass of juice
“Didn’t you give him a call before coming here?”
“I decided to give him a surprise visit. I only thank God I made it here earlier then, I guess my surprise would have been ruined by his absence” she giggled dryly, and then sipped.
“I guess so” said Bambi and there was a pause.
As Haida took the glass to her mouth, Bambi watched her silently, and immediately felt guilt; the girl was sweet, good and altogether beautiful, with that innocent face making her lovelier - she had a soft spirit and good heart. How could he betray her? How could he be an accomplice to her downfall? She had done him no wrong. All Haida has done Bambi is good. In fact, she was the reason he was having such a place to lay his head after the traumatic armed-robbery experience in his company. The robbers bolted away with every penny and expensive thing he had on him, including millions of cedis belonging to his clients. He owned a travel and tours company, and his angry clients would not take pity on his plight. Eventually, he had to sell every asset he had, including his four bedroom house to pay off his huge debts. Being an orphan, his sad situation worsened when his family had no pity on him and abandoned him. Even his fiancée left him, as he had virtually turned into a pauper. As once quite a wealthy young man, he couldn’t help turning into a rapacious person, as avarice gradually stole its way into his life, all made easier by the presence of Kelly in his life. Kelly was apparently taking advantage of the situation, and since she had lots more to give, she got from him more than she wanted. Mellis, after hearing his plight wanted to give him capital, but Bambi knew how difficult life would be for him from the time he invested the capital till the yielding period; for goodness sake, he had nowhere to lay his head even. As he pleaded with Mellis to work for him to earn some income, Haida realized that was his concern, and she was able to convince Mellis to at least, give him a chance. Yes, Mellis didn’t like the idea of a friend working for him, much more as a house help, for Bambi had asked to take up every chore in the house. Upon Haida’s influence, Mellis had actually sacked his workers in the house and had given him a place to lay his head freely. Haida has been like an angel to him thereafter, until Kelly came with her tempting money.
The first time he met Kelly, couple of years ago when things were well with him, Bambi sensed some kind of chemistry between them and Kelly had actually expressed consent to this effect. Upon their last meeting, he had sworn to himself to have her the next time he saw her. When he saw her eventually, barely a month ago, there was no doubt he still felt attracted to her, but immediately reminded himself of whom he was now. She would have had the pleasure of reminding him of his status now even if he didn’t, for the few times she’d seen him secretly within this month, she made sure she made him feel too insignificant, as if there had existed nothing like a chemistry between them before. When she started showering him with money and gifts, he foolishly thought she was trying to shape him to her taste. But now, it seemed quite obvious what she was actually doing - investing in him. She was gradually buying his conscience with money, for now, he could hardly say no to any of her whims, even if it was too treacherous for him to do. Several times, he had thought of the possibility of Kelly bewitching him with a spell.
The loud sound of the car horn woke Bambi from his thoughts “Ah, that must be him. Just a minute” he said and made his way out quickly to the gate.
Haida began to feel uneasy; she was suddenly nervous and anxious. Though she was dying to know what really happened, she was scared and thought it would be better if she didn’t hear what she feared. As Mellis’ voice echoed at the corridor, her heart jumped out, and the pain in her head intensified.
“Hello lovey! I missed you like crazy. I’ve been trying to reach you on your handset since the previous evening but to no avail” said Mellis, hugging Haida on her seat and giving her a dry kiss on the lips.
Haida wriggled away, making Mellis end his kiss on her cheek. She looked unhappy – he could see it in her eyes which were slightly puffed up. There must be something wrong.
“Bambi, can you let the lovers be?” he said
“Sure! Why not” said Bambi, smiling his way out “Have a nice time, I’ll enjoy mine at my usual”
As soon as Bambi was gone, Mellis sat closely beside Haida and took her hand. She felt the warmth in his palm, but immediately pulled her hand away when the images of the scene the previous night came running through her mind’s eye.
“Sweetheart, what’s the matter?” whispered Mellis “You don’t look happy, is something wrong? Or have I done anything wrong?”
Haida remained silent, burning with anger and sadness within, not knowing where to start. Mellis sighed deeply
“Like I said, I tried reaching you yesterday evening, but I couldn’t get you, I’m sorry if….”
“Where were you yesterday evening!?” she asked grimly; she actually snapped.
Never had she snapped at him this way, with so much bitterness, and it cut through his heart. He felt shock to silence.
“I’m asking you a question! And don’t lie to me; tell me the truth, nothing but the truth!” she said, getting on her feet.
‘What’s this all about?’ he thought. “I was at the Celebrities Night Show” he said calmly
“You lied to me!” said Haida, as tears filled her eyes “You told me you weren’t going anywhere, and that you’d be at home. You lied to me!” she shouted
“Sweetheart, yes it’s true I said I wasn’t going anywhere, but I changed my mind later on. I called your cell phone several times to tell you about this, but there was no response from your end….”
“Oh that’s not true! It’s not true Mellis!” and then she was crying “How could you call me and tell me you were going out with your many women!?” she snapped again
“What!?” Mellis was shocked
“You think I’d be a fool forever? You really thought I wouldn’t know huh!? Mellis why? Why did you make me believe I was so special to you? Why didn’t you let me know I was just one of your play cards? Why did you make me believe you were different from the rest? How did you go about that!?” she was shouting on top of her choked voice.
All the while, Mellis sat calmly, looking into her eye
s which was full of tears; the girl was in pain, she was very sad and he felt her pain. All he wanted to do was to comfort and calm her down. He stood up and took her in his arms, but she wriggled violently away, beating all her anger and pain on his chest with all her strength and might.
“I hate you! I hate you! Leave me alone! Don’t touch me with those filthy hands of yours! These are the same hands that touch other women, and it disgusts me!” she burst
“Sweetheart, I don’t have any other woman apart from you!” Mellis felt he should tell her something “You are such a liar! You think I didn’t see you - kissing all of the girls at the show!? I was there Mellis, I was there and I saw you!”
Oh, so this is it! She must have seen it then when that naughty girl kissed him. There was no need lying about that one.
“Sweetheart, I swear to you I didn’t do such. I don’t even know that girl; she claimed to be a fan of mine, just like the others, and I was being nice to them all. She was the one who kissed me; it happened so fast, she did so before I could stop her” he said desperately yet softly
“You are such a jerk Mellis Hansen! You really believe I’m so stupid to believe your lies!? Why are you so bent on lying to me, even when I caught you red-handed!? Could you be that wicked to me!?”
“Sweetheart, I’m not lying to you, it is the whole truth. I love you and you alone. You’re the only woman in my life, I swear to you” he said, trying to take her in his arms again, but she pulled back
“Don’t you dare touch me with those hands!” she snapped
“Sweetheart, please…please Haida…” he said, drawing closer to her.
But as she kept pulling back, her knees gave away and she fell. Mellis caught her immediately before she could fall on the floor. She was unconscious.
“Haida? Haida!” said Mellis, quite scared. He splashed water on her face and she came back to life, but she was very weak. “Haida are you ok?” whispered Mellis, as she opened a lazy eye.
He carried her to his bedroom and laid her on the bed, when she started shaking slightly. He felt her forehead which was warm. He reached downstairs and within some few minutes, got back to her with a warmly soaked towel, which he placed on her forehead. He took her hand and looked into her eyes. Then, he recalled the first time they met; he remembered how she fell unconsciously into his arms similarly and how he carried her to his car, sat beside her bed at the hospital, waiting eagerly for her to come back to life. How when she finally did, he gave her something to eat…. The rest were not worthy of recalling and so he avoided thinking about that. At this point, he thought of getting her something to eat.