Pearls of Love (Episode 9)



Twelve years ago, after the first night we slept together it soon became a routine, we could hardly stay away from each other for a few hours. We were simply living together even though she had her room in the hostel, but we were practically living together because we couldn’t do an hour without seeing each other.

People who didn't understand talked about us, actually we had great admirers, but there were obvious jealous ones, who wished the relationship would not work. Some thought I was taking advantage of Ann, and that I would dump her any time, some thought I was much older than her, but I was just two years older than Ann.

I realized that many people talk about things they have little or no idea about. Even some of her room mates thought I was taking advantage of her. I wouldn't say I blame them, they were probably acting or reacting to information they have about other people and used it to judge me. If only they knew how much I loved Ann.


At a time we gave up many friends particularly those we felt would impact us negatively. One of such friends was Adams, you would have noticed I haven’t mentioned him for a while now; this is because as soon as he realized we were serious about our relationship, I think he became jealous. I didn’t stop being friend with him, but I gave him some healthy distance so that he wouldn’t come between Ann and me. At least I felt no guilt at all, knowing that there was nothing that was ever between him and Ann.

Our relationship was based on strong trust, Ann wasn’t the jealous kind of person, I think I even get more jealous than her a times. Though I never had any reasons to cheat on her all through our stay in school, honestly I had no reason to cheat on her; she was very beautiful and we had great sex at will.

I remember once when we discussed about possibilities of any of us cheating on the other. And she said she didn’t care what I do with other girls, that I could date as many girls as I wanted, but that the day she gets to catch me with one, would be the end of our relationship, at an afterthought she said no, if she gets to catch me having an affair with any girl, she would embarrass the girl and maybe kill me and let the girl go. It was very funny the way she said and we laughed over it but I never got caught anyway because I did not cheat.

But one of the things I didn’t like about Ann is her temper. She’s the best woman any man could wish for, but don’t push her to anger. She has a bad temperament. I remember the first quarrel we had; I think it was an argument about something which I can’t remember now, but from one argument, she kept on. Another thing is that she argued a lot, and I hate a woman that argues so much, that’s why I have never considered marrying a lawyer. I hate to argue. I understand lawyers like to argue, whether they are in court or not.



And so that day, the argument got so intense, I was so angry and couldn't control myself, I slapped her. You know, I agree that it was wrong of me to slap her, but she pushed me that far too, I was very angry. But to my shock, Ann didn’t let it go; she slapped me back as well. No girl before that time, ever slapped me, well maybe, because I never slapped any girl too. I wasn't sure what gave her the courage to hit me back, and so I slapped her again, very hard this time, and she cried. I remember begging her after but she wouldn’t accept my plea for forgiveness, she packed her things and left my place. While leaving, she promised never to come back again. Sincerely I wouldn't think of any reason on earth to lose her but I couldn’t do anything more than to beg her.

After she left, I laid on my bed unable to sleep. I thought of all the things we had done together and how sweet she had been. I felt so ashamed that I could do a thing like that. I truly loved her and never would want to lose her to any man, not for anything on earth. It was past eleven at night, I took my photo-album and kept looking at her pictures over and over again, hoping it would help me get over the hurt, I was really sad and upset about my action.

I shouldn’t have done it! Why did I slap her? I was almost shedding tears now. That was one girl that had given me so much joy, I had never found much peace as I had during the time I had been with Ann, and I didn’t want it to end. I didn’t want what her friends said to come true.

I looked at my strong palm; I have a very strong palm, some times I deliberately put my palms into hot water as a kind of exercise for my palm, and so I have very strong palms. I thought of her tender skin, particularly her beautiful face, how did I get angry to the extent of slapping her. It was truly silly of me. I felt like touching her face and petting her and begging her and telling her how sorry I was and how much I loved us to be together again.

She must have felt so much pain, no wonder she cried. The look in her face was that of unbelief, that I could hit. I remember while leaving that night, she called me a “Wicked guy," saying, "I wish I never knew you” I know she didn’t mean that, but I think I was truly wicked.

She shrugged, and I knew she had forgiven me. That was the thing with her, she has a forgiving heart, and she hardly holds grudge for long. I am different in a way, I am quick to apologize when I am wrong but I do not forgive easily when I am wronged. But Ann forgives but most times does not apologize first. But whichever way it was, I know we were both attracted to each other, there was something in us, we do not see but that made us both so attached.

We walked into the hostel’s common room and sat at the back row. I wasn’t sure how to start the talk because I didn’t want her thinking I was taking advantage of her.

“Ann, please I beg of you, please forgive me. I regret my action, it was a mistake and it will never happen again”.

I prayed in my heart to God, not to let her leave me, perhaps I could amend what I spoiled. The next day, as early as six, I was at the female hostel, hoping to see her. Though it is a difficult time to get someone to call a girl out of her room for you.

I wonder what people would think, seeing me hanging at the female hostel at that time, but that didn't bother me. All I could think about is how to see her and hold her again. It was less than 12 hours the whole thing happened, but it was almost like a year to me.

I eventually got someone to call her room for me, it didn't seem like she bothered at all that I called at that time, Ann, seemed to be expecting me..

“Good morning Ann”, I greeted, very soberly, standing away, to be sure she won’t react by slapping me there in public, you know sometimes I am never too sure about Ann.

"Good morning”, she answered in a cold response. A smudge on her cheek in spite of her make-up.

“I want to talk to you please” I pleaded.

“I was about coming to your place too, to return this”, she shoves folder into my hand.

“The cards you gave me and all the photographs are inside”.

“Please Ann, there is no need for these, I am truly sorry please” I paused, not sure if she was listening.

“Please forgive me, I beg you, please"

We were standing on the walkway and people were passing by. I think some of them have early morning lectures, some were just coming in, probably from a night out.

“You don’t have to be sorry, you only did what you wanted to do”, she said looking at me and I knew she still loved me.

“Please can we talk?” I asked her anxiously.

She shrugged, and I knew she had forgiven me. That was the thing with her, she has a forgiving heart, and she hardly holds grudge for long. I am different in a way, I am quick to apologize when I am wrong but I do not forgive easily when I am wronged. But Ann forgives but most times does not apologize first. Whichever way it was, I know we were both attracted to each other, there was something in us, we do not see but that made us both so attached.

We walked into the hostel’s common room and sat at the back row. I wasn’t sure how to start the talk because I didn’t want her thinking I was taking advantage of her.
“Ann, please I beg of you, forgive me. I regret my action, it was a mistake and it will never happen again”.

“I’m sorry too Dan”

I wasn’t expecting her to say she was sorry, after all I was the one who first slapped her. I was emotionally moved and if there is a way a woman could make a man fall for her especially a man like me, it’s by being very humble. I was taken aback by her meekness. She made it so easy for me; she always made things easy for me. My heart melted and I felt like crying. A lot of girls are not like this, they would rather make things more difficult and everything would get worse. They would rather squeeze your balls so that it falls out from your mouth, and then chew it so that you are left without balls. That makes them happier and comfortable; they would rather prefer an imbecile guy. Girls! I wonder a lot about them. I think I agree with the person that said, “Women make the world go round”. Well, Ann is different from most women I have read or heard about, I think she was the best example of a virtuous woman, if there is any!

We held hands and looked into each others eyes. She blushed. She was so beautiful.

“Thanks Ann” I said still sober

“How was your sleep?” She asked trying to make us forget what had happened.

“I hardly slept’, I told her.

“I didn’t too” She said “I thought we had come to the end of it!”

“But did you really mean to end the relationship?” I asked wanting to know the truth.

“I had to go along with whatever you were doing. If you wanted a break-up, what can I do about it? You’re the guy”

Up till now, I can’t still explain the kind of person Ann is. She has a smooth way of doing her things. She can easily adjust to situations. The same way her adjustments can be of advantage is the same way there are negative aspects to it sometimes. I know this has happened several times during our marriage and caused us some setbacks long after.

At this time I wasn’t sure of what she had on her mind, just like I was never sure on several occasions what she had on her mind. I remember an author saying, the heart of a woman is a ocean of secrets. That day she went back with her folder containing the cards and pictures.



Categories: Short Stories & Articles

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