Where are you?" My best friend's voice ask from the other end of the call.
"I'm in my car. I'm moving, why?"
"Where to? Girl, I just saw your husband"
"How? Where? Was he alone?"
"Calm down. One question at a time" Maya says "I don't know if he was alone but he was coming out of Luxury Mart. I see he's getting you something different —other than jewelry or makeup—and bigger this time. Ouuuuuu"
I let out a sigh. Even if Leonard is getting me something, I'm not interested in whatever he is getting. At this moment, I'm pissed.
"Ohh, okay. I suppose he is"
"Wait, aren't you supposed to be happy? He was carrying a large bag. I'm sure it won't be the regular small jewelry box this time"
"I guess so…" I reply not knowing how else to respond. I don't want Maya to know how I'm feeling or what happened today but I'm partially failing to hide my feelings completely.
"Why are you sounding like that? Are you not happy?"
"No, I am. I'm just a bit under the weather. I just started feeling that minutes ago. And before you say anything, I'll see a doctor soon"
I hear her breath in and out with relief before talking. "Alright. I'm so happy for you" Then she giggles "I can't wait to see what he got for you. Talk later. Tell me all about it soon, bye"
"Bye," I say as the call comes to an end.
I heave a sigh. So he didn't really forget about our anniversary but that lady, why was she with him if he didn't forget? Why didn't he text me or say anything before leaving the house this morning? Why didn't he say anything about her?
I almost think of going back home. What if he goes straight home? But then, I shake my head. I can't stand him. I won't be able to stand him if I see him right now.
Soon, Mikel pulls over in the parking lot of a fancy bar far from the little crowd. I can hear the music blaring out from the bar. The music in the bar is loud, almost too loud, but it's better than the silence I'll meet at home.
Mikel comes out of the car and opens the back door. "What drink will you like me to get ma'am?" He asks.
"Anything is fine Mikel," I say. He walks away after closing the door, I take my phone and start going through. I'm not going through anything I'm particular about.
Seconds later, Mikel comes back. He hands me a drink, but my focus is already on my phone as the headline pops up in my notification.
"Leonard Sinclair Buys the Most Expensive Lady's Handbag at Luxury Mart!"
My breath catches. The headline is bold, impossible to ignore. Beneath it is a photo of him, clear as day, carrying the oversized Luxury Mart shopping bag.
For a moment, I freeze. So it's true. He didn't forget. But why didn't he tell me?
I toss my phone into my bag and down my drink in one go. I order another—something stronger, staying just long enough to feel the tension ease from my shoulders before heading back home.
My legs feel weak from the effect of the alcohol I had earlier as I step out of the vehicle. Mikel catches me before my legs can give away and send time to the ground.
"Thank you, but I can handle myself" I tell him, forming a determination to walk by myself. As I make an attempt to take two steps forward, my legs give up and I fall back but Mikel catches me before I can find my body close to the ground.
He crosses one hand around my shoulder, holds my hand with the other to steady me, then he helps me to the door.
Mikel pushes the door open and guides me into the house. It's late and the house is quiet, eerily so, as Mikel helps me to the couch. I sink into the couch. The dim lighting casts long shadows across the room, and for a moment, I feel like a stranger in my own home.
"Do you need anything, ma'am? Water?" Mikel asks.
I shake my head and stretch my body as I lie on the cushions. "No, "No, thank you. I'm fine."
He hesitates, clearly unconvinced but he eventually nods. "I'll wait outside a little longer just in case you need anything" he says.
Seconds later, I hear the sound of the door open and click shut. I let out a long sigh and close my eyes. My mind replays the image of the woman in Leonard's office, and the headline of the blog post just as I allow the buzz of the alcohol wash over me.
Minutes later, the alarm ring of my phone wakes me up. I didn't realize that I slept off. I tighten my eyes and struggle to stand. That's when I realize that I crashed on the couch. I rub my forehead as a resounding headache resurfaces. When I finally rise from the cushion, I glance at my phone for the time.
I don't hear any sound or anything that says that another being like Leonard is home with me.
I struggle to stand up, then I drag myself to the bedroom. I check my phone for any texts or missed calls from Leonard but I'm disappointed when I see none. For some seconds, I wonder if he's with her? I wonder where he is and what he's doing.
I change out of the uncomfortable dress. Instead of replacing into a night dress, I slump unto the bed. I feel too lazy to move my bones and muscles.
When I wake up in the morning, I realize there's no one in the house besides me—its still as quiet as it was when I came in last night. That means Leonard didn't come home last night.
I take my robe and go down stairs. I go straight into the kitchen where Anabel and the rest of the kitchen staff were doing their thing.
"Where's my husband?" I ask Anabel who came running to me the moment she saw me at the kitchen entrance.
"I'm sorry Ma I've not seen him since I resumed work this morning." she replies with her thick African accent being more evident than usual this morning.
"Okay," that's all I say and walk back to my room.
Minutes later while I'm having breakfast I hear the front door open. From his heavy scent, I know it's Leonard the moment he walks in. I don't say anything to him as he walks past me. He returns later with a change of clothes.
He comes closert to me and plants a kiss on my cheek "Good morning," I say to him instinctively.
He walks over to sit across from me.
"I'm sorry I didn't come home last night. I had a lot to do at the office. I'm working on a new project" he explains before taking a fat bite of his sandwich.
"You should have at least called" I say. A part of me wants to say something about yesterday but I decide not to. I don't want a ruin of my morning.
"I couldn't. But I'm here now. You understand me right?"
I nod my head and swallow the lump forming in my throat.
Breakfast goes on in Silence until he finishes first and leaves for work.