The Pain – Chapter 10

Abayomi tried Tina’s number for the fourth time and it kept saying it wasn’t available. He became slightly worried. He decided to call Mike to find out.

“Hey my guy” Abayomi said as the call went through. “How far? He said

“I dey o” Mike replied. “What’s up? You still dey Naija ni? I thought you said you were leaving this week” He said

“Yes I was, but some things came up.” He said. “By the way, I’ve been trying to call Tina, her line isn’t going through. I hope all is well”

“She’s doing great. She left for the UK two days ago.” Mike said.

“Really? Why?” Abayomi asked.

“Her parents insisted she needed a change of environment to help her recuperate faster” He replied. “You know how parents can be, especially Tina’s parents” He stressed.

“I was actually planning to go over to visit her today.” Abayomi said sounding disappointed. “So, where in the UK is she staying? Can I get an address?” He asked. “I could visit her when I get back.”

“She’s in Birmingham with her Uncle, but I don’t have an address.” Mike said. “Sorry man.” He apologised. “You can contact her via email you know?”

“That’s true, thanks.” Abayomi said “I guess I’ll do just that. We’ll talk later. I’ve got to go”

“Alright. Bye man” Mike said as he cut the call.

Abayomi sighed as he stared into space lost in thoughts. This is getting interesting. Uuummm… Birmingham. I’ve got to get this girl off my mind. I’ll visit once I get back to the UK. 

 

The nightmares had returned with full force. Tina had a nightmare every time she laid  her head to sleep. She knew that it was her seeing Ugo the other day that triggered this. Ugo had been her senior in secondary school. Seeing him at the airport brought back horrible memories she had succeeded in blocking out for years. In fact, until she had seen him again, she had thought she had gotten over her past. How she managed to have a sane conversation with him at the airport that day was nothing short of a miracle. Perhaps the presence of his wife and baby boy helped conceal all the horrible things she would have said. Her mum had been curious as to why she treated him unbecomingly and she had mumbled up some explanation to keep her from prodding. Thankfully, all the preparations for departure distracted them. Thinking about sitting through an almost 6 hours flight knowing that this evil man was on the same plane with her almost sent her into panic. She had to text Mike to pray along with her. She had so much to say and do to Ugo. She was angry!

Lord, help me.  She thought. Life was just so unfair! How could this man, this wicked man, have a happy life? How come he got married to such a pretty and decent looking lady despite all he had done? Did she know the kind of horrible person he was? Hate, pain, anger and all the emotions she had kept in washed up to the surface. The terror of her past had been unleashed. She sat back in bed as she closed her eyes. Maybe this was why I had been having weird dreams and nightmares some months back. Maybe this was why weird things kept happening to me back home. She thought. I should have taken this more seriously.  

Not knowing what to do, Tina picked up a book and tried to read. She couldn’t concentrate as her mind was too preoccupied to focus. Her heart felt like it was going to burst with the ache and pain she felt. Tears began to flow from her eyes. She was tired of everything. Tired of holding on to all the hurt, pain and agony she had held on to since she was 13 years old. She was tired of keeping this secret that had unconsciously held her bound. She had thought that giving her life to Jesus and ignoring her past would put an end to everything. She couldn’t believe that merely seeing Ugo could have this much effect on her. She wept as she poured out her heart to God. She felt raw and sore. She had never told anyone exactly what happened, not even Mike. Mike only knew Ugo did some nasty things, but he didn’t have details and he never pressed.

Oh Lord, help me! Tina cried out. I need you to heal my heart Lord. Help me to fully forgive Ugo. I feel so hurt, angry, bitter and ashamed. Oh God! She wept bitterly.

 

Motun and Abayomi sat opposite each other at the popular Nando’s restaurant close to the airport at Gatwick. Abayomi had driven down to see Motun. They had this ritual where they met up from time to time. Sometimes Motun went over to Birmingham, and at other times, Abayomi came over to Gatwick, as it was the case this time. They both enjoyed their meals in silence.

“How’s the start-up in Nigeria going?” Motun asked breaking the silence.

“It’s going on fine” Abayomi replied. “Still waiting on Tina’s team to implement some of the things we discussed in our last meeting.”

“Oh that’s great!” She said enthusiastically.

“You know, I’ve been thinking a lot about Tina” Abayomi said, changing the topic. He didn’t know why he just said that. I must have this really bad he thought.

Motun froze on her seat. “What kind of thoughts?” She asked feigning indifference.

“I’ve not been able to process that yet. But she’s been on my mind since the accident” He replied.

“Really?” She replied. Motun’s mind went into a riot. Here she was, trying to snag Abayomi and he was here analyzing his thoughts and feelings about another woman she hadn’t even met. “Perhaps it’s because it happened on your birthday” She tried to reason with him.

“Perhaps” Abayomi replied. “So, how’s work?” He asked changing the topic yet again. He wasn’t ready to go into details with her. Details he didn’t even know yet. He looked at Motun carefully and noticed she seemed shaken by his confession. “Are you okay?”

Motun shook her head, blinked a few times, put on a smile as she replied “I’m fine” she said, her voice sounding raspy.

“Are you sure? You had this look like something was wrong” Abayomi probed. He definitely knew something was wrong. Being Motun’s friend after all these years made it easy for him to read her. “You can talk to me, you know?”

“I’m fine” She said looking at him straight into his eyes. She smiled again “Work is fine. I may be traveling soon though.” She said, mentally reminding herself to call Toby once she was through. She had told him during the week that she wasn’t sure she would be able to go. But now, she knew she had to. She couldn’t believe she was so rattled by what Abayomi just said. She would never have viewed herself as jealous person. She needed to think and clear her head before she did something really stupid.

Abayomi watched as various emotions crossed her features. He wasn’t stupid, he knew a lot was wrong and that it all started when he mentioned Tina. He was really curious as to why but he knew his friend well enough not to probe. They had teased each other mercilessly in the past about their interests in the opposite sex, so he was surprised at her reaction. Or was there something she was hiding from him? There had to be. He kept watching her and had this feeling that his confession had just changed the dynamics in their relationship. It didn’t make any sense, and he didn’t like it at all.

“Where are you going?” He asked.

“Ghana” She replied. “I’m not sure for  long I’ll be there though. The company wants us to sort out some things there” she continued, sounding vague and offhanded.

Abayomi sighed. He wasn’t going to get through to her in this state. He didn’t understand what the big deal was all about, but he knew he had to get to the bottom of why she reacted that way. I’ll bid my time he thought.