Must Read: As Deep As The Sea

Episode 7 years ago

Must Read: As Deep As The Sea

Gbenga sat at the dining lost in thoughts. He pushed away his plate of half eaten white rice and chicken stew, almost knocking down the glass of water on the table. He didn’t sleep a wink the other night. The ache in his heart seemed to intensify with each passing minute. He had thought he had found the woman he could spend the rest of his life with, but, her past had shattered his dreams. Unfortunately, he was back to square one.


What was he going to tell his mum and siblings? They were expecting to see his fiancee.
“God! What kind of problem is this?” He placed both hands on his head.



He wondered how Mr. And Mrs. Daodu felt. Were they angry at him? Was his position at the company stable or would the break-up earn him a sack letter? He folded his hands across his chest. All the years he had been working for them, he had never seen them act partial, even towards family. They were role model Christians who had enviable integrity.



He loved Promise, but, he couldn’t live with her past. He admired her for her honestly. It would have been disastrous if he had found out the whole truth about her past after they had gotten married.



He glanced at the wall clock. It was exactly eleven a.m. It was too late for him to prepare to go to church. He wouldn’t have been able to concentrate during the Sunday service if he had gone. He might as well drive down to the beach and take a walk, in hope that it would clear his mind.


*********


Gift knocked and walked into her sister’s room.


Her mum had asked her to stay at home and check up on Promise, while they attend the church service. Her father had informed them during breakfast that Gbenga had called off the wedding. She had sensed that something was up when he left their house on Saturday looking like a zombie. Her sister must be devasted. She felt so sorry for her.



She found her sprawled on the bed in her pyjamas staring at nothing in particular.



“Morning Promise, hope you slept well,” she sat at the side of the bed. Her sister remained motionless. Her heart beat quickened. Was she all right? She reached out and placed the back of her palm on her forehead. Her temperature was normal. She sighed with relief.


“Why are you not in church?”
A smile brightened her saddened face. Her sister spoke! That was a good sign.
“I will go to church next week Sunday,” she drew closer.



Promise pulled herself to a sitting position and eyed her sister who was clad in a blue tee-shirt and matching blue jeans trouser.
“You were asked to stay at home because of me. I am not a baby. I can take care of myself.”
“Fantastic news. Why don’t you take a shower, dress up and let’s bounce to the beach? I am bored already.”



She slumped on the bed with a thud, “I am not going anywhere.”
Gift eyed her, “Then you are a baby,” she pointed an accusing finger at her.



She threw a pillow at her and she ducked.
“Get out of my room Gift! Leave me alone!”
She threw back the pillow.


“You are the one who needs to leave this room, this house. You need fresh air,” she tried to cajole her.
She hissed, “You just want to go to the beach.”
“True. You need to go too. You need the fresh air,” she la!d beside her sister.
“There is fresh air in here,” she stuck out her tongue.
“The air at the beach is fresher,” she winked at her.



Promise raised an eyebrow, “Hmmm… “
“It is going to be all right.”
“I know, but it hurts so much,” her eyes smarted with tears.
“I feel you,” she felt so sorry for her sister, “Come, let me hug you,” she sat up and pulled her up.
“Thanks,” her voice trembled.
They both hugged. Promise started to cry. Gift tried to console her but ended up crying too.


********


Gbenga parked his Prado Jeep at the open space close to Kuramo beach. He paid some boys hanging around a sum to look after his car.



They thanked him and promised to watch over it.
He walked down to the beach. The cool moist breeze greeted him. He inhaled it and exhaled, feeling refreshed. A group of young men and women, numbering five, circled him and offered to get him a good seat and whatever he wanted to eat or drink. He declined their offer and took a stroll.



There were not too many people at the beach. Some people stood at the mouth of the ocean while a few daring ones swarm comfortably, despite the fierce waves. He walked past a group of youngsters having a picnic and dancing to the music blasting from one of the speakers of one of the bars.


Most of the bars at the beach were filled with young girls who traded their bodies for money.



He pitied the men who patronised them.


He heard a woman screaming. He turned towards the direction of the noise and saw a man chasing her. He caught up with her, lifted her and spinned her round. The coupled made him to remember the love he shared with Promise.



He sighed and went on walking. He had been here with her on a few occasion. He shouldn’t have driven to the beach. It brought back memories he was trying not to indulge in. He took a u-turn and headed out.