CHAPTER TWO

"A cold relationship can only be revived by faith." -Expressions of Wisdom, Webster Mwima.

Cherry struggled to sleep as the noise from the main bedroom grew stronger, making her toss from side to side on her bed. She curled herself up in her bed as tears streamed down her face. She had been hoping that her parents would stop fighting all the time but things seemed to get worse each and every day, proving her hope and faith baseless. Every day was like this day. If they were not hailing insults at each other then they would fight, breaking vases in the room and the following day would be a day of visiting the hospital. Everything that was happening made Cherry realize that her home was broken and that love had flown out through the window. Cherry cried herself to sleep as the Queen size bed became so big for her to fully occupy and early in the morning, Cherry woke up to the bickering of her parents.

"Jannetta, stop right there!" Cherry heard her father's angry voice growl. Jannetta was her mother's first name.

"Charles, let go of me! And please stop shouting, Cherry is going to hear you." her mother replied in an equally angry voice.

She swung the door open and slammed in his face before walking down stairs. Just when Cherry was thinking that everything was alright, the bickering started all over again and this time she would learn why her parents always fought.

Cherry crept out of bed and walked to the door, slightly opening to peep through the little space. She watched them argue down in the lounge till her father walked out of the house infuriated. Jannetta turned and climbed up the stairs, heading to Cherry's room, making her daughter withdraw back into her bed, covering the sheets. Jannetta opened the door and smiled, knowing that she was awake. She walked to her daughter's bed and sat down on the side, placing a hand on Cherry.

"I know you are awake, Cherry. Please wake up and face me." Jannetta said. Cherry frowned under her sheets and uncovered herself, looking at her mother with a sad face.

"How did you know?" she asked.

"You always toss your sheets away when you are fast asleep." Jannetta chuckled. "You have had this habit since you were nine."

"Don't call telling people about this." Cherry laughed before taking her mother's hand into hers.

"I know you are aware of mine and your father's fights but this time things cannot be resolved." Jannetta said as she placed her free hand on top of Cherry's hand. "I tried to make things work between your father and I but I just cannot go on with this charade especially now that I know who his latest fling is."

"Who is it, mother?" Cherry held onto her mother's hand. She looked at her mother teary-eyed, making Jannetta emotional. She threw her arms around her daughter and began weeping.

"I am sorry, Cherry."

"Tell me, mother who is it?"

"It's Eyvon, Sweetheart." Jannetta confessed with her voice breaking as she wept, making her daughter weep too. "I cannot believe they both had the nerve to do this to me."

It was 4pm at noon when Jannetta and Cherry heard tire screeches outside the house, and soon they heard the front door open and close with Charles coming into the lounge where mother and daughter sat side by side watching the most popular love story ever told in a movie, Titanic. Cherry's head on her mother's shoulder as she sank deep into the message of the movie but all this was distorted with the presence of her father. He was home earlier than usual and this made Jannetta suspect that her promiscuous husband was up to something shady. Charles kissed his daughter's forehead like he always did but this gesture of love had lost meaning to Cherry, and without warning he asked Jannetta to follow him into their bedroom for a serious talk. Jannetta hesitated; she was under the impression that Charles wanted to apologize to her about his rendezvous behavior but she had grown tired of these sequences by now.

"Jannetta, this will benefit both of us. Come with me please." Charles said and went on ahead of her.

"Let me go and hear what he wants to say." Jannetta said as she stood up and walked out of the lounge and up the stairs to her room where she found Charles standing by the window with his eyes fixed on the outside world, lost in reverie of his new catch. Meanwhile, Cherry had tiptoed to their door in the bid to eavesdrop on their conversation.

"I am here." Jannetta said, taking a seat on the bed.

"I know this marriage has been a wreck because of me and I am sorry." Charles began but Jannetta interrupted him.

"This is what you always say, Charles. Tell me something I don't know."

"I am in love with Eyvon. I tried to fight this feeling but I failed. I am sorry." Charles finished his statement and this time Jannetta looked shuttered.

"Could you not have someone else other than my best friend, Charles?"

"I am sorry, Jannetta. It just happened. I didn't mean to cheat on you with her or fall for her."

"How long has it been?" Jannetta sniffled.

"Four years. That is why I have to have a divorce."

"Fine, I will not stress on this issue. She was always envious of me and you but she was only able to see your romantic side, so I will give the chance to see the beast in you."

"Jannetta, please don't sound this bitter. I did not plan this; love just happened and there is nothing I can do."

"I am not complaining, Charles. Actually I was fed up with the infidelity, violence and insults that I was going to ask you. I am done with the cats and mouse games."

"…..and about our daughter? Will you explain to her?"

"I explained my part to her. You should do it too." Jannetta said, standing up. "I am curious about one thing though."

"What is that?"

"What did I ever do to you? What didn't I ever do for you?"

"Is it not too late to ask that question?"

"I suppose you are right." Jannetta said, watching him open the door to their room, only to find cherry standing here in shock.

"What are you doing here, sweetheart? Were you eavesdropping on our conversation?" Charles asked, kneeling down to have eye contact with his daughter because he was taller than her. Cherry began crying immediately as she looked into her father's eyes.

"Please do not leave me." Cherry pleaded.

"You are a big girl now. Please don't make things harder than they already are." Charles said.

"Please don't leave…"

"I am not leaving. I just need space from your mother." Charles said as he turned back, walking to the closet. He packed a few clothes in a small travel bag and carried it downstairs as Cherry followed him while Jannetta stood in the doorway of their bedroom watching her daughter plead with her father. Charles walked to the door and stopped, turning to look at His daughter and wife for the last time.

"I am sorry…" He said before walking out. He thrust his travel bag into the trunk of his car and drove away without looking back as Cherry's pleas echoed through the yard. Cherry sobbed profusely before returning into the house, hugging her mother tightly.

"He has left for good. It is that witch's fault." Cherry sulked, weeping profusely.

"I am sorry but we are better off without him. But always remember that that daddy loves you." Jannetta said as she patted her daughter's back.

After a week of not hearing from Paul, Cherry was unaware that she would meet him in one of her favorite places in the world. Cherry walked into the University library and strode across the gigantic reading area to the bookstore at the far end of the spacious library, walking past the shelves that were twice as tall as she was, causing chills to run down her spill because of fear. During the week, she had peered into these shelves for a specific book she wanted and when she could not find it, she went to the book seller and asked if they had it in stock and was told to return after two days. Cherry stood at the counter, hoping that her book was finally available but the book seller ignored her presence, carrying on with her work. Cherry snorted, wondering why this lady was being rude to her before opening her mouth to speak.

"Has my book arrived yet?" Cherry asked, trying not to lose control of her boiling emotions.

"Which book is that?" the lady asked without raising her head.

"Existing and Living...I ordered it two days ago."

"O, that one! It hasn't arrived yet." the lady replied, forcing a smile.

"But you yourself told me that it would be available in two days."

"I am deeply sorry for the inconvenience."

"But Sonia didn't you just give her book away to that handsome guy over there?" another lady chipped in with dismayed expression.

"Excuse me? You gave my book to someone else even after I made all necessary payments. What is happening here?" cherry asked in a frustrated tone. She was going through a hard time with her parents' divorce and now she had to deal with a girl who didn't know how to do her work properly. "Is that even allowed?"

"I am sorry. I told her that you would soon come for it but you didn't listen to me."

"Hush, Jenny!"

"Don't shush her. I need my book right or I will be followed to report you to the library manager." cherry said, glaring at Sonia.

"He paid for it too. I thought you weren't going to come for it."

"…after paying a huge amount for it. Are you thinking at all?" Cherry was burning with anger. "I am definitely reporting this…"

"No, wait. I will go and get the book for you." Jenny said before rushing after the guy who had taken Cherry's book. Cherry stood at the counter glaring harshly at Sonia while she waited for Jenny to return and in no time, the girl was back with the book and the person who had taken it.

"Here is your book. I didn't know you ordered it first." he said, placing the book on the counter. Cherry didn't say a word. She picked up the book and tried to leave but her eyes fell on Paul who smiled brightly before greeting her.

"Hai, Paul." Cherry gave him a big smile. She was actually thrilled to see him.

I couldn't have guessed that you are the girl burning with anger over the book."

The book has important lessons I want to learn."

"Me too!" Paul was thrilled.

"Turns out you two know each other." Jenny chirped.

"Oh, yeah. We met last week at a charity concert." Paul said.

"O, she is a singer too? This is a wonderful coincidence." Jenny chuckled. Cherry eyed Jenny as she wondered why she was talking to Paul so casually. Was she his girlfriend or something?

"Pardon my cousin. She is too talkative for her own good." Paul told cherry, giving her another shock.

"Your cousin..?" Cherry repeated with an eyebrow raised questionably.

"Yes, I am only his cousin. Don't you worry..." Jenny smiled mischievously, making Cherry feel a bit embarrassed.

"Jenny, you are making her uncomfortable." Paul reproofed his cousin.

"I need to go now. See you around." Cherry said, ready to leave but Paul held her back.

"Wait for me." he said before turning to Jenny and Sonia. "Please order the book for me. I will pick it up next week, Monday."

"Sure Paul. See you on Monday." Sonia chirped.

"Bye." Jenny said as Paul and Cherry left together. "Don't they look good together?"

"She cannot compete with me."

"Truth is, she is the type of girl my cousin would go out with. it turns out they have similar taste in books too. They are definitely going to be a good match."

"Whatever, you say. Paul is mine."

"….and what happened to Crispin is mine?" Jenny said, laughing and patting Sonia's back before returning to her work of filing, making Sonia glare at her angrily.

"You are supposed to be helping me win one of them over." Sonia sneered.

"Crispin is wild and outgoing. He likes the rich and classy girls that fit his status. Paul is humble, reserved and loving; he prefers a gentle spirit. Sadly for you, you don't fit in any of these." Jenney laughed.

"What gentle spirit is she? She literally looked like she was going to gauge my eyes out when she was glaring at me. Anyway, sometimes I wonder if I am really your friend, Jenny."

"I am your friend, Sonia. What I am doing is right because friends don't lie to each other. I just don't want you to get hurt especially when it comes to Crispin. He will just use you and leave you broken."

"Then, I will go for Paul." Sonia smiled.

"He will reject you without second thought. Either way you will be hurt so stay away."

Meanwhile Cherry and Paul decided to take a walk at the University soccer pitch because he had practice in the next one hour. He had offered to help Cherry carry the book, making him peep through the book to read out specific paragraphs that impressed him before Cherry stopped him.

"You have half an hour left with me and you want to waste on reading a book?" she said, making him turn to her with a smile.

"What is your proposition?" Paul asked her.

"Focus on me." cherry replied.

"Sounds good to me." Paul said, gazing at her fondly. "What are you doing this Sunday?"

"I will spend the entire morning doing a cleanup with my mother and then I will be free for the rest of the afternoon. Why do you ask?"

"We should go for a drive to the city or the countryside. Which one would you prefer?"

"Both places are tempting."

"What is tempting about the city?"

"….Cinemas and amusement parks."

"….and the countryside?"

"….beloved Mother nature's fresh air, beautiful sceneries and serenity."

"Fine then. We will go to both places." Paul chuckled.

"…really? In one day?" Cherry chirped.

"Not in one day, silly." Paul laughed as he ruffled her kiss curls.

"You are ruining my hairstyle, Paul." Cherry said, attacking Paul with her gentle hands, making him laugh.

Suddenly, someone hollered his name, prompting him to turn to see who it was. Crispin and some of his friends were standing on the soccer pitch.

"I guess it's time for you to go." Cherry said in a sad tone, making Paul smile.

"Yes, it is. But I am not leaving for good." he said, handing her back the book. "I will see you on Sunday."

"Right, Sunday." Cherry said smilingly. Paul chuckled and took her hand into her before grabbing a pen from his pocket and tried to write something on it.

"Not on my hand, silly." Cherry yelped cheerfully as she withdrew her hand.

"Where should I write my number then? on your new book?" Paul laughed as he tried to grab her book.

"No, not the book either. It's you to call me so, I will just give you my number. Take out your phone."

"How do you know that I have a phone?"

"Just do it or I am leaving."

"Yes, yes, my lady." Paul chuckled as he took out his phone, giving it to cherry. The latter typed her number and saved it with her name and gave it back to Paul who smiled and bade her farewell, blowing her a kiss. Cherry blushed, and turning away from him, she hurriedly walked away while Paul went to join his brother and friends.

"That's your new fling. Your standards keep going down." Roland, the spoilt son of the City's mayor commented inconsiderately.

"That is harsh." Joshua, Paul's closest friend remarked.

"Cherry is a beauty. The fact that she is smart and wears glasses doesn't make her less of a standard girlfriend. I think she is prettier than you sister." Crispin chipped in.

"What is the definition of a standard girlfriend anyway?" Jute asked with a confused expression. "Girls are girls."

"There is a sharp lesson from casanova." Joshua laughed.

"Cherry is my choice. It doesn't matter what anyone thinks." Paul said, making his brother pat his back.

"…did you hear that Roland? …..wise response, sonny." Crispin added.

"Guys can we start the match, my legs are itching." Nathan, Paul's best friend and Vida's ex-boyfriend said with a sulking voice.

"Dude, we are talking about girls. What could be more serious than that?" Jute asked.

"A soccer match!" the rest of them replied at the same time.

"Gosh, guys. You always kill my vibe." Jute said. "Come on, let us start the march."

***

Cherry walked into her yard and found two cars packed in the front of the house. She assumed that her father had come with Eyvon and this made her angry. She rushed to the front door, swinging open from inside and walked in, ready to give Eyvon an earful for breaking her family apart but the only people she found in the living-room were her mother' workmates Cassie and Matilda. Both these women were unmarried although they had children and financial jobs to sustain them. Jannetta often talked about these ladies when chatting with cherry and this is how she knew one or two things about them.

"Hai, Darling. How was school?" Jannetta asked her daughter.

"School was great." cherry replied before greeting her mother's guests.

"Your food is in the dining hall." Jannetta said.

"Thank you, mum." Cherry said as she walked up the stairs to her room.

"Poor Cherry. How will she manage to leave without her father?" Matilda remarked as soon as cherry was out of sight.

"You are right. Eyvon is a devil." Cassie added. "You should fire her immediately."

"I will not stoop to her level no matter what." Jannetta chuckled. "Besides, I wanted this divorce."

"But Cherry-" Matilda started to talk but Jannetta interrupted her.

"My daughter is strong, ladies. I know she will get used to this sooner than you expect."

"If you say so…." Matilda said.

"We should officially welcome you to the single ladies club." Cassie chirped, raising her glass of Champagne.

"Cheers!" Matilda chirped.

"Cheers to Eyvon's sorrowful beginning too!"

"What does that mean?" Cassie asked.

"Oh you will see when the drama unfolds." Jannetta chuckled as he drank from her glass of juice.

Eyvon got off the phone with Cassie as she pulled into the parking area of her apartment building. she had planned to meet up with Cassie and discuss what had been said at Jannetta's house. Jannetta knew that Cassie was a vapid gossipy woman who didn't belong to any group of friends. She expected Cassie to tattle on her to Eyvon and this is why she said what she said. Nonetheless, she made sure she didn't give out the important gist as she wanted to see it as the true nature of Charles unfolded and ate away Eyvon's pride. She was eagerly waiting for that day when Eyvon would regret having snatched Charles from her. Eyvon got out of her car and placed her car key in the hand of the Caretaker, eyeing him with a luscious look. The man smiled at her as his hand brushed hers seductively but unknown to her, Charles was in her apartment, eyeing them from above. They seemed to be saying something to each other but unfortunately for Charles, he could not hear them and this made him so angry; cursing the long distance between him and them. After what seemed to be a long dialogue, Eyvon left the man and walked to the entrance. It only took her ten minutes to arrive at her floor and another ten to reach her apartment. Smiling brightly to herself, Eyvon reached into her bag for the key and unlocked her apartment. She had opened the door halfway when Charles dashed to her, aggressively pulling her into the apartment, slamming the door behind them.

"Charles, darling. You are here." Eyvon said, trying to remain calm and collected.

"Who is that man I saw you flirting with?" Charles' eyes were bloodshot.

"O him? that is Damien. He is the caretaker here. I befriended him so that I can avoid paying parking fees. You know I cannot afford to pay rentals and parking fees. I am not as rich as you are." Eyvon flashed Charles her brightest smile but it was filled with an ounce of sadness, enchanting him. Eyvon was manipulative and opportunist and she definitely knew how to control him.

"I will transfer $40,000 in your account. That should cover rentals and parking fees for two years." Charles said.

"O honey. you truly are the best." Eyvon chirped, planting a kiss on Charles's cheek in the hope that he would free her from his painful grip.

"I don't want to see you talking to him ever again. I don't like the way you talk to him." Charles admitted as he let go of her hand. Eyvon was definitely in aftermath pain because of that strong grip on her wrist but she composed herself.

"Is my boo bear jealous?" She asked, putting her hands around his neck as she gazed into his eyes lusciously. "I love it when you get jealous."

"Really? How about I punish you for making me mad like that." Charles said, looking in her eyes with a known desire.

"I will accept whatever punishment you give me, boo bear." Eyvon replied, closing her eyes to receive his kisses. Charles kissed her lips repeated before he moved to her ear and then neck, planting a number of kisses there.

"Lower…" Eyvon muttered repeatedly as she received kisses of love from Charles, making him move lower and lower until he was kissing her bosom. He swept her off her feet and took her to the room where he laid her on bed and made love to her. After their blissful moment of happiness, Charles and Eyvon lay in bed, snuggled up to each other and talking as Charles stroked Eyvon's hair.

"You should move in with me, boo bear." Eyvon said skittishly.

"I can't even if I wanted to." Charles replied with a sigh.

"You are getting a divorce, boo bear. So, what is still keeping us apart?"

"I don't want people to see us together. It will be a plus for Jannetta in Court."

"Honey, everyone knows we are together. They knew even before you decided to divorce Jannetta."

"That is because you have a habit of kissing and telling." Charles was getting angry.

'I can't believe you said that." Eyvon sulked.

"What do you want me to say? ….words of praises when you are wrong? Do you know how much I stand to lose because of your carelessness?" Charles bellowed as he pushed her off him.

"Boo bear, you aren't the only one who will lose out. I am bound to lose my job at Jannetta's firm too. Even if she won't fire me, I have to preserve my dignity and leave on my own."

"Dignity? Do you even have any dignity in you? Stop talking rubbish and accept the fact that you have made a grave mistake." Charles told before getting out of bed. He picked up his clothes and stormed into the bathroom in his nude state, making Eyvon wonder what she had done to warrant his hostile treatment.

A few minutes later, Charles came out and stood facing Eyvon with a devouring look.

"I will leave you to contemplate on your mistakes. Don't contact in a week's time. I am not going to deposit the $40,000 anymore. That is your second punishment." Charles said and stormed out of the room. Eyvon rushed out of bed and chased after him with nothing but a bedsheet. she caught up with him in the hallway, a few inches from her door and struggled to pull him back while pleading but Charles's ears had been shut. He pushed her to the floor and walked away, leaving Eyvon to be a spectacle of the neighbors.