Taking the bullet

Taking the bullet

I met Kelvin a year and half into my job as an escort what most of you call ‘call girl’(oh please don’t start judging me).

He was the PA of a client and was in charge of arranging the meeting. Of course we didn’t say a word to each other neither did we see each other again until three weeks later when he saved me from being gang raped.

 I could only mutter a ‘thank you’ wondering why he saved me despite what I did for a living. He took me home and as stupid as I was, I offered to sleep with him as an appreciation (what? That was the only thing I could offer na). 

After much hesitation, he agreed. We set a time and date and surprisingly, instead of having sex, we had a long talk. He asked me why I chose the profession and I came clean with him. I’m an orphan that had to drop out of school. 

I could deal with that but I could never let my sisters drop out of school so I had no choice. I sent them to a boarding school because I didn’t want them to find out. 

Kelvin was a good listener. 

For the first time in a long time, I felt happy. At least someone didn’t despise me or spite me because of what I do. That one night opened doors for us. We became best friends. He went against practically everybody who criticized me including his family. Kelvin transformed me. He talked to his boss and got me a job in the place where he worked.

 He supported my sisters in school and together, we made a great team.

He proposed on Valentine’s Day one year later. A month after the proposal, we were married. But what seemed like the perfect happy ending was actually the beginning of a nightmare.

Our first week of marriage life went blissfully. One afternoon, I stopped by a shop to get a drink. I ordered for a bottle of Fanta and found an empty table to sit on while I downed my drink. 

Suddenly, someone walked up to me. I didn’t even need a second look to know who it was. Mr. Fred, my husband’s boss. He sat down and without a word of greeting, started blabbing how he had been noticing me for two months now and he had fallen for me. He gave me a thousand reasons why I should leave my husband who he called a broke ass for him. 

Now that was me. 

Hit me, fight me, curse me, make fun of me, but Kelvin? 

He was my Achilles’ heels, my reverse scale. My no-go area and this man had just insulted him. 

Anger surged inside me and I ended up emptying the bottle of Fanta on his head. If not that Kelvin had warned against using bottles to fight, he would have lost so much blood by now. 

Angrily, I walked out of the shop. Well, you can guess what happened. Kelvin got fired the next day at work and I didn’t bother going back there to work. I told him all about his boss and he hugged me. Some girls would have left without a second thought under this circumstance but I chose to stick to him. 

Kelvin was a graduate. He even had a degree in pharmacy. Deep down, I knew Kelvin deserved more than just being a PA (welcome to Naija). I decided it was high time he began to achieve his dreams.

It was a fateful Saturday, our one month marriage anniversary. It might not make any sense to you but it does to me. I had decided to spoil my man on that day. 

I had told him I wanted us to go out and of course he conceded. I got dressed in his favorite dress –a red, long, fitting gown with a big white floral design on the waist. 

Don’t get me wrong. Kelvin compliments me in any dress but this one always sends him to the moon and back. 

I had already booked a hotel seat for two and off we went. I didn’t know why but the moment we entered the hotel, I felt something was wrong but we were already there. There was no point in leaving just like that. 

Killing that pessimistic feeling, we settled down and ordered for a drink. In less than ten seconds, the waiter appeared with our drink. As we were clinking glasses, I noticed an insect in Kelvin’s drink. I called the attention of the waiter who apologized and took away the glass replacing it with another glass of drink.

That guy….

Why did he look kind of familiar? 

Well, it was better to be safe than sorry. I nagged my husband and you know ladies na… I made him swap his glass of wine with mine. If the drink was indeed poisoned, it would be fine if I was the one drinking it. 

Moreover, my life was already a pathetic one but Kelvin? That guy had so many unfulfilled dreams and it would really torture me if he died now. 

We clinked our glasses and drank. I was being careful and only drank half of my glass but Kelvin gulped down his and even refilled his glass. I waited for it.. 

One minute. 

Two minutes but nothing happened. I relaxed. Maybe I was just being paranoid.

We talked some more, ordered a variety of dishes, joked and did all the things you know couples do on a date. Finally, we were done and our bill was presented to us. I folded my arms smiling as I watched my husband ransack his pocket for his wallet. 

He caught me smiling and knew it was my hand work and yes it was. I told you, didn’t I? I wanted to spoil my man with my own money so I had to get rid of every obstacle including his wallet. Smiling, I handed over my credit card to the waiter and soon, we were out of the hotel. 

Just as we stepped out of the hotel, it came. My worst fear.

I felt a kind of sharp pain in my chest. It was then I realized I hadn’t been just paranoid. 

I was right. 

The drink was indeed poisoned. I didn’t know what to do but there was no way I was telling Kelvin. I managed to retain my cheerful mood despite the tearing pain I felt deep down. 

We reached home and immediately, Kelvin’s phone rang. I smiled as I already knew who was on the other end. I waited patiently for him to hang up. He then turned to me looking at me straight into the eyes with eyes filled with admiration and tears. He hugged me tight and it consoled my aching chest.

I had gotten him a job at the best pharmacy in town. (Mind you, I didn’t sleep with anyone to do that. My best friend in secondary School helped me out). He was short of words and I was glad he was. At least, it was my own way of being grateful to him. The pain in my chest intensified but there was no way I would let it ruin our evening.

To cut the story short, we ended up in bed. He waited and watched me sleep off before he did.

I didn’t even know how long I slept but I found myself awake. Beside me, Kelvin laid fast asleep. He looked extremely handsome while asleep I must confess. 

I suddenly remembered who that waiter was – he was with Mr. Fred that day. That monster!

I sat up surprised at how light I felt. Even the pain in my chest was gone. I felt so different. Perhaps, it was high time I told Kelvin. 

I turned to the bed and was shocked when I saw my sleeping body still on the bed. 

I covered my mouth. 

I hope it wasn’t what I was thinking. I can’t be dead. I can’t leave my husband. I can’t be cut off from him. 

I was still praying for a miracle when his scream filled my ears. He kept shaking my body violently like it would bring me back. 

I am going to miss this man. I really am.

Writer Details:Nnamani Rita

Location:University Of Nigeria,Enugu State,Nigeria 🇳🇬.