THE TRUTH

The neon display clock on the bedside table shone; 11.17pm. I blinked slowly, and then jumped wide awake. 11. 17pm! Omilord! Scrambling from the bed, I hurriedly put on clothes I had discarded the same way some hours ago, and was knotting my tie before the woman on the bed moved.

“I thought you were sleeping here tonight. You are leaving…isn’t it a bit late?

I shrugged on my jacket and smoothed down the sleeves before I turned to look at her; Tonia. Again, I felt that low shiver of desire as I stared at her; sitting up in her bed, hair tousled, eyes blinking sleepily, lips wet, curved and softly inviting. I had to jerk myself away from the sight of her clutching the bedspread to her naked chest and hurried out.

“Gotta go….I’ll call you tomorrow.”

Outside, I carefully unlocked my car, got in and put on the inner light. Then I opened the pigeonhole and pulled out the most important part of my dressing; my wedding ring. I looked at it for a moment and then feeling reflective put it on the dashboard where it gleamed with subdued pride. It was white gold; Lola had picked it and paid for it, saying “Nothing but the best for you, babe.” and waved away my complaints about the cost. I had some thinking to do, and since I was still going to Ajah, there was enough time.

I switched off the inner light and gunned the engine. Maneuvering the car expertly, I slid into the almost deserted streets of Ogba and headed for Berger. In less than two minutes, I was on the express tearing towards the Secretariat. There was little traffic on the highway, so I pressed my accelerator down and was rewarded with a surge of speed. The speedometer was showing one-sixty, so I held it even; checked the time and sighed. 11.42pm. I sure was not getting home earlier than twelve.

Home. 

I felt uneasy. What on earth was I doing? Was I even thinking? How did I become a lying, creeping person? Shifting in my seat, I glanced over at my ring where it lay on the dashboard; then swung my attention back to the road. Now I was feeling depressed.

What is wrong with me? I asked myself again. You see, I was never a wayward young man, even while I was in the University. Brilliant I was, and I combined that with a focus and intensity that frightened the fairer sex. Even during service, I had no time for ‘flings’ or ’short-spice’ as they were called; I rather spent all the time studying Jos’ topography. A year after that, I was holding one of the top jobs at Shell and then I met the only girl who made me realize there was more to life than moneymaking. Lola.