by Boadi, Lilly
“Stop it Alex!” she retorted, and he gave a sudden break.
He stared at her, his nostrils flaring “Did I get you flurried by that question because the answer is a yes?! Is he still in your heart that is why you need time to get him out before you can see me as your boyfriend? Or really, that you’ll need that much time to convince your people you are through with him because you really are not and they know that fully well?!” he yelled. Haida remained silent, swallowing hard and flaring her nostrils. Of course, that was the meaning of her earlier statement. Alex felt worse when she didn’t respond, and he vented his anger on the wheel, as he smacked the surface. There was a pause. “Have you met him when you arrived in the country?” he asked without looking at her.
“No, I haven’t” she said neutrally.
“You’ve really not met him?”
“I said no! He is not even in the country!” she snapped
“Are you telling me the truth?!” he asked, and she felt irritated. She couldn’t believe he could be that jealous. Oh, why not?Butthe blood that runs through Mellis is the same blood that runs through him?
“Did you pick me up to take me out just to talk about my ex?!” she snapped “Alex why are you doing this?! I’ve never seen you like this! Do you really doubt me?” she asked in an offended tone. He exhaled deeply and was very apt. He knew he was going far, but he thought his action was understandable. Of course, it was wrong to mention her ex at the first place “I’m sorry darling. Forgive me” he said softly “You see, your statement was quite ambiguous. I took it as you were still in love with your ex, and though you’ve accepted to be with me, yet he is the one in your heart, and that is the reason you find it difficult to introduce me to your family as your boyfriend. I only wanted to be sure that wasn’t the case”
“If you have to be with me, then you have to believe in my love for you” she said, quite miffed
“Yes I know; you are right. Guess I can’t bear the thought of losing you” he said softly once more, wiping his face with his palm, and putting his nostrils in between his thumb and index finger. He sat silently in thought, and then took her hand and smiled into her eyes “I’m sorry for almost ruining our evening” he said, and pecked her cheek “I’m sorry, forgive me ok?” he said and smiled into her eyes once more, and then he sped off. Haida sighed, and then suddenly, she couldn’t help but feel guilt. And why at all was she doing that? Maybe Mellis had induced her act, for yesterday, he portrayed in Alex’s presence that he never knew her. And why at all did Mellis act that way? Why wouldn’t he let his brother know immediately that she knew her?
As he halted the car at the parking lots, she couldn’t believe it was the same place Mellis had proposed love to her. He took her hand and led her into the restaurant. And as she walked beside him, her hand in his, she couldn’t stop recalling the similar way Mellis had walked her inside. Then more memories ran through her mind, when he took her to the same table-for-two she had sat with Mellis on that day. It was then that she found herself, missing and yearning for the beautiful times she had with Mellis. She tried hard to stop the reminiscing, but it was hard to. She started feeling too uncomfortable and guilty, and she wished she could leave the place. Alex saw she was quiet and a bit apt “Are you ok?” he asked
“I…I think so” she stammered
Alex sighed and looked at her with shame “Haida?” he whispered, taking her hand “I’m really sorry for my awful behavior. Please forgive me”.
“Never mind. I understand where you were coming from” she said neutrally “But we would have to be leaving soon”
“But why? We just got here? Or don’t you want to be with me? Haven’t you forgiven me?” he was dismal
“Not that Alex. I told you I lied about this outing. They are actually expecting me to be home not later than one and a half hours’ time” she said “and we’ve already wasted some time on the way” she added, almost in a murmur. Of course she might have forgiven him but she wasn’t so happy with him – if the evening spoilt for them, then it was his entire fault, so he mistakenly thought.
When he dropped her at the junction almost an hour later, he realized she was still wearing that look of despondency. He took her into his arms and then hugged her tightly, hoping she would feel his love in that. “I love you Haida. I really do love you” he said, increasing his tight, and yes, she felt the warmth of his love. She smiled into his eyes and he returned. Then he kissed her passionately. They were so engrossed that they didn’t see the vicar wheel past them.
When the vicar reached home, his wife was in the living room with Jolly “Where’s Phoebe?” he asked
“Oh, she went to Kiara’s. I’m sure she’d be home any moment from now” said Mrs. Morgan, and the vicar sighed “I see” he said
Later in bed, the vicar asked out of the blue “Did Phoebe tell you she was going to Kiara’s”
“Yes. I think I said that” said Mrs. Morgan, wondering.
“And did you believe her?”
“Yes. Is there a reason why I shouldn’t?”
“Have you been paying attention to your daughter closely of late at all?”
“Ben, have you seen anything unusual about her? Why do you sound so skeptic? She must have really gone to Kiara’s if she said so?”
“Then what was she doing necking with that boy she claims is only her friend – what is he called? Alex – for the whole neighborhood to see?” the vicar burst
“You saw her with Alex? When? Where?” Mrs. Morgan was surprised
“Just when I was coming home this evening! She was standing, necking with that lad just at the junction up there, near the Embassy, you see. How is it possible that she is with two men at the same time? When did she pick up that character? Is that how you brought her up?” the vicar was upset. “Why would she even choose an open place to indulge in her shameful acts?” said the vicar, getting very personal with the sight he beheld not long ago. Mrs. Morgan remained silent, dumbfounded by what her husband was telling her. She knew Haida had problems in her relationship with Mellis, but that was long ago, and she had believed whatever problems they were having had been solved already. Could it really be the other way round, which could have led Haida to flirt with that lad? “You could be getting it all wrong, Ben. Maybe he really is only her friend” defended Mrs. Morgan
“If that is so, then why did she lie about going to Kiara’s?” asked the vicar, and Mrs. Morgan was speechless. “When did she start lying to us in such a manner? For all we know, the stories about her going to and being at Kiara’s aren’t true at all. What if she actually ends up with other men, and that she is a harlot now?!” snapped the vicar. He was angry and devastated, for the reason that Haida’s acts and attitude could mar the good reputation the family enjoyed.
“Calm down dear. I’ll find out from her what is really going on with her and that boy” said Mrs. Morgan, slightly upset
“What I know is that Mellis is her boyfriend; at least, he is the one she has introduced to us as her boyfriend, and the boy has proven to be decent and I wouldn’t like to see her hanging around with another man – it isn’t respectable for a lady to be seen with different men in uncompromising situations at different times! Do you realize it will be a shame and disgrace to her and the family?” Surely, as a man of God, the vicar was concerned about the picture his family creates to the outside world. “For all we know, Mellis isn’t even aware of that Alex; not even as a so-called friend to her” he snapped once more “And why hasn’t Mellis even come around since she came back from the US? Is she really becoming a bird who hopes from one nest to another?!”
Mrs. Morgan wanted to tell him it was possible Haida was having problems with Mellis, but that might raise other issues, and the vicar might even be offended she kept that from him for that long.
The next morning, Mrs. Morgan didn’t waste anymore time, finding out about what she had discussed with her husband last night. She was alone with Haida in the kitchen when she pinned her do
wn with the issue “Phoebe, tell me the truth; what’s going on between Alex and you?” she asked, and Haida’s heart jumped out “Nothing mom. We’re only friends. I told you that?” she stammered
“Do you go about being in uncompromising situations with your male friends – like necking with Alex at the Embassy Junction?” asked Mrs. Morgan neutrally
“What are you talking about mom?” Haida feigned innocence
“Your father saw you and Alex at the junction last night so cut off that lying tongue. Why did you tell me you were going to Kiara’s instead of seeing him? What is going on Phoebe? Let me know the truth, come on” said Mrs. Morgan, giving Haida no breathing space before explaining herself.
Haida was upset, not knowing what to say. Mrs. Morgan’s tone was quite neutral, and she didn’t know how she would react to the truth. Yet, she knew she could count on her mom. It seemed the best opportunity to tell her what was actually going on between Mellis and her – it could be the first step she could take in the process of introducing Alex to her family “Mom…Alex is…em…. I’m going out with him” she said the last sentence sharply. She thought her mom would raise an alarm, but then, she only stared at her for a while – a stare that made Haida uncomfortable – and then she sighed “What about Mellis?” she asked “Don’t tell me you are now seeing two men at the same time”
“No, mom. I…Mellis and I are no more” said Haida
Mrs. Morgan paused “Since when?” she asked sharply.
“About a year and a quarter now”
“What happened between the two of you? I thought you solved your problems a long time ago?”
Haida sighed dejectedly “Mom, it’s a long story”
“But I want to hear it” said Mrs. Morgan, and Haida was edgy. Mrs. Morgan saw she was getting her daughter tensed up “Let’s talk about that after breakfast. But I need to know more about Alex, so that I’d know what to tell to your dad. Where did you meet him, and how long have you been together with him?”
“I met him at the university; in the US. We started going out this January”
“Almost a year now?” Mrs. Morgan was quite astonished “Why have you kept this from us for such a long time?”
“Mom, I thought I needed to settle the issue about Mellis with you first” said Haida. And then suddenly “Mom, are you going to tell daddy about Alex?”
Mrs. Morgan smiled, seeing the nervous look on her daughter’s face “No. At least not until I know what’s really going on between Mellis and you. How do you expect me to explain that to him anyway, when I don’t know why you broke up with Mellis? Besides, it’s Christmas Day and I don’t want your happy day to be ruined by your father getting upset with you” she said softly, and then she sighed deeply “I don’t know why Mellis kept giving the impression all was well between you two the times he came around when you were away, when, in fact, the opposite was the case”
“Mellis came here when I was away?” it surprised Haida
“Yes; quite often”
“You didn’t tell me, mom?”
“But how was I supposed to know you two had broken up when my own daughter wouldn’t tell me anything?!” said Mrs. Morgan sarcastically. “Of course, like he made it seem, the fact that you were away didn’t mean he should stay away from us; as if you were the only thing that interested him and not your family – in fact, only true lovers would do what he did, and that could only tell how much he was in love with you then. It was supposed to mean things were splendid between the two of you, isn’t that right?” said Mrs. Morgan sardonically, cutting the lettuce.
“Don’t forget mom, that he was like a son to daddy before I met him” Haida pointed out, reaching for the boiled egg from the cooker. Of course, she didn’t believe Mellis visited her family frequently because he was still crazily in love with her; he might have done that to save himself any tension the vicar’s suspicion might make him fall into, for it would be difficult for him to reveal his shameful promiscuity and unfaithfulness as the causes of their breakup. “Mom, I bet you you’d like Alex so much, even above Mellis” she said gleefully “He is really a wonderful man”
“Really?” said Mrs. Morgan skeptically, spreading the pieces of carrot over the lettuce. “You have to learn to be responsible Phoebe, and stay with one man!” she sneered mercilessly without looking up and Haida felt offended.Taking the bowl of salad from her mom, she grabbed the salad dressing from the table and started pouring it over the salad devastatingly.
Haida wished she could tell her mom that Mellis was Alex’s senior brother. In fact, she was about to disclose that truth to her until Mrs. Morgan’s immediate sarcastic comment discouraged her. She then knew that the talk of it would come as a bombshell to her for it was obvious she preferred Mellis. It was then that it dawned heavily on her that her family may never accept Alex, and more so, as being a brother to Mellis. Much possibly, they would have the same concerns as Kiara.
“Is Mellis aware you are going out; and with Alex? Watch the cream” said Mrs. Morgan
Haida almost banged the salad dressing on the table, pausing. To her, that was so many irritating questions at a time, and she felt uneasy “Err, it’s a no to all mom, and it would be better if they never knew about each other”.
At breakfast, the vicar poised as if he saw nothing the previous night – he didn’t ask Haida about last night, neither did he look upset with her; it made her feel he had something under his sleeves. This was made significant when he eventually asked “When is Alex visiting?”
“Urr, tomorrow dad. He said he’d visit on the Boxing Day” stuttered Haida
“Aah, that would be fine. I’d like us to hold a small get-together tomorrow. You can call up Kiara, and for Mellis, tell him it is obligatory that he be here tomorrow” said the vicar, and Haida glanced at her mom with horror. What was he up to? Of course, she wasn’t going to say anything to Mellis – he definitely shouldn’t be here with Alex – but Alex’s presence in the house would do just about the same harm, especially when the vicar would be around. Now that he had asked about Alex’s visit to the house, it was obvious he might interrogate Alex in a way, and the obvious querying might give away the fact that he was a brother to Mellis.
Mellis was at the dining table when Alex appeared with a pale face “Merry Christmas!” said Mellis with a grin.
“Merry Christmas” Alex responded sullenly.
“Come over. I prepared something delicious for you” beckoned Mellis with a mouthful of toasted bread and sausage.
Alex walked towards the dining table reluctantly and collapsed on the chair “Mm, looks delicious” he said with a contrived smile on his lips
Mellis watched him for a second “You don’t look too well; is something wrong?” he asked
Alex pursed his lips and sighed deeply “Yeah…I’m not too fine” he said
“You have an ailment? Where are you suffering from?” asked Mellis, and Alex was upset
“No, it isn’t about my health” said Alex and paused “It’s about Haida!” he snapped and was apt
“You guys had a quarrel last night?”
“Sort of a light argument” said Alex, looking more apt “Urr, I don’t think I really have appetite for food right now” he said and got on his feet
“At least eat something, and after that you tell me about this” said Mellis, but Alex walked off towards the TV set. He inserted a movie and went and lied on his back on the couch. “Aren’t you going to church?”
“No, I feel tired” said Alex, and Mellis knew whatever happened between him and Haida was something more than just a light argument. He had never heard him give such an excuse just to skip church service, and especially not on a Christmas day. Finishing up his last piece quickly, Mellis walked towards him “Alex, speak to me. What happened?”
“It’s nothing serious brother. I’ll be fine” said Alex, raising his knees up and trying to sound ok
“Don’t tell me. Whatever could make you look blue throughout the w
hole of last night till this morn must definitely be something serious. You look like you didn’t have any sleep at all last night. Come on, let it out of your chest” said Mellis. He knew that wasn’t only an act of care, but also intrigue. He matter-of-factly wanted to know what was going on between the woman he loved and his brother – whether with the hope that things were bad between them so to get Haida back into his life, or only to know about the daily transpiring issues between the woman he ever truly loved and his brother, was not something he was thinking about at the moment. And so, he kept his mind focused on the genuine care he had for his brother with ease – despite all odds, he would always protect his brother from any pain or harm caused by a woman, and most especially, the one he loved; for he knew Alex was vulnerable towards women, something though Alex had defended was only a thing of chivalry.
For a fact, Mellis was in a dilemma. One part of him was caring for his brother’s happiness in his relationship and the other part was raging with jealousy against his brother for the woman he has ever loved that deeply; he still loved Haida deeply, and wanted her back badly and this was made significant two days ago when he saw and talked to her again after a whole year. She looked more beautiful, quite sexy and somehow matured. Besides, though he would have nothing to do with her again when he saw her, he realized few hours after that that the sight of her had intensified whatever love he had for her, and yes, his passion and affection for her had also intensified. It was somewhat difficult to accept he had lost this woman, and worse of all, to his own beloved brother! He knew it would be difficult to fight for her – not because he couldn’t fight and win, but for his brother’s sake. So, he would have to consciously shun any thought of competing with his brother for the same woman, the woman they both ever loved deeply. He knew it was morally right to, but as to an absolute resolution, he hadn’t yet made.
Last night, Mellis couldn’t help raging with pure jealousy when Alex announced gleefully his special outing with Haida; it would have been better if he hadn’t told him about it, for he fought with the seemingly inevitable thoughts of the obvious scenes he could behold his love and his brother at the outing. In fact, he was imagining both of them in similar acts and scenes, just as it were for him and Haida at their first outing. Maybe he shouldn’t have told him to take her to Blue Moon Restaurant and to sit with her at the left corner table-for-two, when Alex solicited his help for a special treat for a woman like Haida. He knew Haida loved that place when he took her there, and made her feel very special. Therefore, with the genuine intention of helping his brother feel good and happy with his girlfriend, he wasted no time in telling his brother that with all sincere happiness “I bet you that place is excellent!” he had said “In fact, it is a place where you can get a woman fall for you immediately, and if she is already in love with you, she would fall over and over again”. Both men had laughed out cheerfully about that
