Tony watched Lara as she tucked him bed. She’ve not been herself ever since she went to see her mother two weeks ago. No more TV cheerful-smiling Lara, the old Lara seem to be creeping back in place.
“Good night.” she whispered turning to leave.
“Lara?” he called out, just as she held the door knob.
“Yes?” she didn’t look back.
“Can we talk?” his voice was low.
“Can’t wait till morning?” she asked irritated.
“Please…” he sounded desperate.
With a sigh, lara turned and walked up to him.
“so?” she said crawling up the bed beside him.
“Lara…” he began, taking her hands.
She pulled away, he expected that too.
“Errm, I just wanna ask if you’re alright? Ever since you came from your mother’s place You’ve been moody….errrmm, is anything wrong?” he said in a cool voice.
Lara looked away. Why’s he asking her that? He cares?
“I’m fine.” she sighed.
“I know you are, but deep within you are troubled, talk to me Lara…” He said soothingly.
She looked at him briefly, he doesn’t sound like Tony at all, did the illness change him?
“Is there anything the doctor said about your health apart from your legs?” she asked.
Tony felt his heart beat increase.
“Your mother told you right?” his voice was faint.
“she did, and I wonder why you never told me that…” she replied getting off the bed.
“Lara…I just felt you shouldn’t know, I know it’l hurt you..”
“It hurts more that I heard it from someone else…” her voice was rising.
“I’m sorry, its just that….errmm…Lara please, understand me….” he looked confused.
“Understand you? Of course you know Lara is daft! An Illiterate can never understand!” her voice became harsh.
“No Lara…what I mean is that, I would be treated, and everything would become fine…” he tried to explain.
Lara shook her head slowly.
“Your legs will be treated not your ….your…your…Impotency!” she replied angrily.
Tony’s eyes narrowed, he looked hurt. He wore a painful look that made Lara regret her words.
“That’s not true Lara..its just that…that…some things got complicated…once my spinal cord gets back in place, I’ll normal again…” his voice was shaky.
“Normal again? Were you normal before?” Lara made a face.
“When you were busy sleeping around Sophia…have…have …you ever thought if…if…if…I’m human with needs?” tears filled her eyes.
“This marriage is almost two years now..and…and…” sobs choked her.
“Lara please, I know I’ve wronged you…but please…” he was crying too.
“I guess you want me stay right? But how am I sure you aint trying to be nice just because you’re ill! I’m sure when you get back on your feet again; you’l become the real Tony, and I’ll no longer be Lara but a daft-illiterate girl!” Lara said angrily, before turning to leave the room.
“Lara please wait” he called after her.
But she left banging the door behind her.
Tony stared at the door in horror. He knew he was doomed, should Lara decide to end the marriage.
He was at her mercy.
“God help me!” he clasped his palms in prayer.
Maybe she was right, that if he gets on his feet, he might not regain his manhood! Perhaps the doctor lied to him? The doctor told him, all would be well…
“Tony you are in deep mess:” he muttered fighting back tears.
If Lara should leave him, he won’t survive it. He might lose his life, cos he was madly in love with her.
Tony winced a little, he felt like easing himself, he had pressed the beeper for more than twenty times now but Lara is yet to show up.
He wondered if she was trying to punish him, because on a normal day, she’d have cleaned him up and served him his food..
He pressed the beeper five more times but she didn’t come.
He decided to help himself into the wheel-chair standing by his bed side. He pushed himself towards the bed’s edge, he took hold of the wheel chair and attempted to hop in. He lost his balance and almost toppled over…
“Hey! What are doing?”
It was Lara, he didn’t look back, he wasn’t sure if the scowl he saw yesterday was still there.
“Errrm…” he tried to speak as she balanced him on the wheel.
“Morning to you Tony…” she wheeeled him towards the Loo.
“I was answering a call when I heard the beeper…”
“Here…steady…sorry…easy…” were her words a she helped him into the the bath tub.
“I’l be back in a jiffy” Lara said looking away, she could bear to see him unclad.
Tony smiled, she’s too shy he thought.
“I want you to stay…” he smiled revealing his teeth.
“No thank you.” lara left the bathroom.
::::::::******::::::
“hmn Deji na wa for you ooo, that’s how you are ehn? You can’t
To be continued......
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