Sacrilege - Season 1 - Episode 13

4 years ago

Sacrilege - Season 1 - Episode 13

She heard footsteps and turned to see Mrs Aderigbe. Since the woman had been friends with her mother, Teju had always known her to be a trifle heartless, but now, she saw that she had gravely underestimated the older woman. But then, who was she to judge?

“Come on, Teju, you need to eat”. She held a tray of pounded yam and egusi soup in hand, obviously the remains of the ruined party. How could she expect Teju to eat from what she had destroyed?
Teju walked dejectedly around the chair. “I’m not hungry”

Mrs Johnson rolled her eyes. “For how long would you behave like a fourteen year old child? What has happened has happened, for once, stop thinking about others and think about yourself. I know you like my son”

Thinking about myself got me here, Teju thought as she sat at the edge of the couch, feeling like a glorified w---e. “I know your son loves Laura” she returned. No one loves me.

Mrs Johnson shifted impatiently. “Love grows, all these would change, trust me. But for now, you need to eat. Your child – my grandchild – cannot survive in an empty stomach. You have to eat”

Teju lay on the couch, folding her knees to her chest. She closed her eyes, blocking the tears that threatened to seep out. “Maybe it is better if it doesn’t survive” she muttered.

*****

Teju opened her eyes. She was covered in darkness and she blinked several times until her eyes adjusted to her dark surroundings. Her body ached as she pushed herself up until she was sitting on the couch. She was surprised that she had been able to sleep after all but after checking the time, she saw that she had only been asleep for about an hour. Mrs Aderigbe had tried to convince her to sleep in Deolu’s bedroom but she would never do that, never take Laura’s place on her matrimonial bed. She’d rather sleep on the street.

Her eyes went to the guests room. She longed to talk to Laura, to explain what had actually happened. She wanted her to know that it was all her fault, maybe that way she could rectify the family that was crumbling all because of her foolishness.

She pushed herself up, wincing as she felt a sharp pain towards her waist region. She took a deep breath and walked towards the guests room, hoping Laura would be calmer now.
She knocked gently on the door after taking in a calming breath. There was no answer. She knocked again and again before finally pushing open the door.

The lights were out but something on the bed drew her attention. Her hand went to the wall instantly, groping for the switch. Immediately the lights came on, blood drained from her face, leaving her as white as snow. She shook her head in denial as her hand came up to her throat in fright. “No… No…. Laura” she gasped.

*****

It was just the stroke of dawn when Deolu drove back into the compound. It didn’t feel like his home anymore. His heart picked up pace when he killed the engine, too scared to come out to face the remains of his marriage. His eyes were heavy from lack of sleep. He had spend half of the night driving round and the other half staring at the moon, hoping for answers. But while he was out of the house, his heart remained stuck in the guests’ room with Laura. He wondered if she was finally able to sleep, hoping she had so she could forget what he had done, even if it was for a few hours.

Running his hand over his aching head, he got out of the car and walked into the house.
On entering the sitting room, Deolu saw the last person on earth he wanted to see. Mrs Aderigbe raised her eyes from the flat screen TV to him with a dry smile on her face. “I take it you’ve finished sulking.” she muttered.

Deolu stared at her in silence, biting back everything he really wished to say to her. She didnt deserve it. It was a little too early to be up and watching TV but his mother was always odd. Swallowing, he walked towards the guest room. He had to see how Laura was doing, even if she didn’t want to see him.

Abruptly, Teju came out of the adjoining toilet. She had tears in her eyes as she rushed towards Deolu. “Oh God, Deolu, where have you been all night? And you didn’t take your phone”

Deolu blinked as his heart raced. A feeling of unease settled on him as he frowned at Teju. “What’s wrong?”
“It’s… It’s Laura”

Deolu froze. His eyes involuntarily went to the door of the guests room as fear engulfed him. “What’s wrong with Laura?” he said, storming towards the guests room without waiting for an answer. Teju sobbed as she tailed along. A million things played in Deolu’s mind as he approached the door, his brave exterior not doing a good job of masking his fears. His mouth felt dry and his head felt heavy as he yanked open the door, ready for whatever la!d beyond it.