The hanging vine episode 8 – 9
The Hanging Vine (episode 8 & 9)
Instincts are God’s gifts to mankind that helps prevents unforeseen danger from occurring in our lives. Whenever your instincts hints about something, it’s best you listen and quickly act accordingly because there are chances that danger is ahead. If I hadn’t listened to my instincts which hinted that Oscar could be cheating on me, I won’t have found out about the mysterious caller buzzing his phone that fateful evening which I knew deep in my guts was a lady. The fact that he was hesitant to pick the call when I asked him to, only made me began to question his commitment and loyalty to our relationsh¡p.
At that point, I was scared that the worst had happened and was at the verge of crying. The last thing I needed in my life at that moment was the realization that Dora was right all along when she warned me to stay away from Oscar. It would be a bitter and sad pill to swallow knowing that I ruined my friendsh¡p with my best friend for a man that didn’t deserve it. So many things were at stake and the most of it all was my fragile ‘heart’ which was deeply in love with Oscar. Without even confirming or verifying if he was truly cheating, I was already shattered.
Immediately I alighted from the car and banged the door, Oscar alighted too and chased after me. “Babe I can explain, it’s not what you think I promise” he said in between breath. Curious to hear the explanation he had to give as to why a strange number had been calling all evening, I stopped walking and gave him my attention. “Go ahead, explain to me what’s going on” I bluntly said and without hesitating, he began to spill.
“Babe, I would be as honest as possible to you because you don’t deserve anything but the truth. Firstly I want to apologize for lying when you asked who was calling. The call isn’t work related but rather, the caller is a female friend I have been talking to for a while now. We were supposed to meet up today at her house but I changed my mind last minute when it dawned on me that you didn’t deserve to be treated in such manner by a man who promised to have eyes for only you. I know I would’ve cheated on you if I had stepped my feet into her house today as scheduled. It took a lot of discipline on my path to talk myself out of what I wanted to do with the lady in question today. Sophie, I know you are disappointed in me right now but before you judge me, I beg you to consider the fact that I am really trying to adjust into this new lifestyle with you. It isn’t easy for me to go from having s-×ual intercourse on a daily basis to not having any at all for over two months now since we started dating. It’s been a huge struggle for me to be the man you want me to be in order for this relationsh¡p to work, especially when it comes to our intimate life. Do you know how much I want you on a daily basis but can’t have you?. Babe I want to feel and touch you more than you can imagine but can’t because it is prohibited by you. It isn’t easy for me, especially when there are so many ladies tempting me on a daily basis out there. Listen babe, in as much as I am all in and committed to you in this relationsh¡p, I’m still human and have needs. I want to wait with you till whenever you are ready to share your body with me even if it’s till our wedding night but I have to admit that it isn’t easy for me. Please forgive my actions tonight, I promise to try as much as I can to be faithful to you and this relationsh¡p because I don’t want to lose you under any circumstances. Babe I’m sorry” Oscar soberly said.
When Oscar was done talking, I didn’t know how to react to all he had said. There was just too many thoughts in my mind which led to mixed feelings and emotions. I wanted to believe everything he said but at the same time, I was still sad. If he could nurture an intention to cheat, then he might actually do it in due time. All it would take is a little more hunger and urge for intimacy and he would give in. Knowing that I had a partner who couldn’t be trusted a hundred percent was a big challenge to my mental wellbeing. After few minutes of trying to process everything that had happened that evening, I finally spoke up.
“We all have choices in life no matter the situation we find ourselves in. If you choose to stay committed and faithful to this relationsh¡p, it’s a choice and if you choose to cheat, then it’s also a choice. No matter how much you try to twist or justify any intention of yours that could have led you to cheat, the buttomline of it all is that you made a choice to cheat and there’s no other explanation that can counter that. I understand your needs as a man and know that things can be difficult at time for you but that doesn’t in anyway justify your intentions to cheat. Do you think I’m plain wood that doesn’t have blood running through my veins? Do you think I don’t want to feel you too? Do you think the decision to abstain from premarital s-×ual affairs isn’t taking its toll on me too?. The fact that you even considered cheating is highly worrisome to me because it means there’s a tendency for you to actually do it someday. Listen Oscar, It’s no doubt that I love you so much but that’s not going to be enough for me to stay in a relationsh¡p that isn’t Inclusive to just you and I. Once another woman has a taste of you, I’m out and would never come back. This whole decision to abstain isn’t easy for me either but what would you rather prefer; that we lose the presence of God in our relationsh¡p at the expense of our carnal cravings? No, I don’t think so. Whenever you feel overwhelmed, talk to me and I can help you get pass that hunger and urge. I really want us to work because I do love you. Please don’t make me regret giving you my heart” I sadly said.
Immediately I was done giving Oscar a piece of my mind, tears began to cloud my eyes yet again. Despite trying so hærd to keep my emotions in check, I failed woefully and before I knew it, tears began to fall uncontrollably from my eyes.
As I stood there sobbing, Oscar wrapped his arms around me and hugged me tightly. “Baby I’m so sorry” he whispered into my ears and k!$sed my eyes afterwards. I was still shedding tears when he k!$sed my eyes but that didn’t stop him. He planted several k!$ses on my cheeks and neck before he finally landed a soft k!$s on my l-ips. “I’m sorry babe, please stop crying. I promise to do better and promise not to hurt you this way again” he calmly said.
While being k!$sed all over my face by Oscar, the tension in the atmosphere died down a bit and I suddenly began to feel much better. I looked deep into his eyes in search of even the slightest deceit but couldn’t find any. It was frustrating to be in my shoes at that moment because Oscar was very difficult to read. It was hærd to tell if he was genuinely sorry or was just doing all that because he was caught. I truly wanted to believe him but there was just this tiny seed of doubt in my heart. However, in other not to go against the saying that goes “there’s no love without trust”, I decided to let go of every doubt and trust me boo all over again like nothing happened. Was this a good decision on my part? Well, we would find out as we read on.
It’s been a week since after the cheating incident and things were gradually getting back to normal. Oscar took me out of town for a weekend little getaway trip so we coud bond and strengthen our relationsh¡p once again. While away on the trip, we visited many cool hangout s₱0ts and resorts. I had the best time of my life and it was even more fulfilling because I had the one I loved by my side.
Depsite the fact that we shared the same room all through the trip, we were still able to keep our emotions and feelings in check. It wasn’t easy but we did it because we were on the same page. When one person is weak, the stronger one pulls him/her up and that goes vise versa.
Immediately we got back from our mini getaway trip, Oscar’s birthday was coming up and I had no idea what to do for him. I tried asking him what he would like for his birthday but he didn’t really give me anything to run with. “I don’t like my birthdays because my arrival on earth isn’t a day I look forward to celebrating” he sadly said. That was shocking to me because it was the first time I was hearing someone detest their own birthday. However, regardless of how he felt, there was no way I was going to let such a beautiful day slip through my hands without making it special for him.
“Well I love birthdays and yours is definitely worth celebrating so you better brace up because I’m definitely doing something for your birthday” I said with a smile on my face. After saying that, I could see Oscar’s face lit up with joy. “How did I ever get this lucky to have a good woman like you in my life?” He asked and I smiled even more, “You aren’t lucky, you are just blessed” I replied. He chuckled and moved closer to me; “For real babe, I love you. Like you have no idea how much you make me happy. I know I’m complicated but you never stop believing in me. Every morning I wake up from sleep, I pray I don’t screw up this relationsh¡p because I honestly can’t imagine my life anymore without you” he said.
While we were having a beautiful moment, Oscar brought up Dora. “Babe, don’t you think it’s high time you forgave your friend ‘Dora’? It’s been a while since you both spoke to each other last and I feel bad knowing that I’m the cause of whatever beef you both are currently having. I know you miss her and can equally tell you still love her. Why not try and talk to her and see if you both can work things out. Seeing you ignore her whenever I come to pick you from school kinda breaks my heart. I wish you could let by gone be by gone and work things between you both” he said.
Sincerely speaking, Oscar was right. It’s been a long time since I spoke to my best friend ‘Dora’. I hate that we aren’t in good terms anymore and needed to change that for the best. Regardless of what she did to me in the past, she needed my forgiveness and holding back was me being a hypocrite. I missed my best friend and sincerely wanted her back in my life. Being convinced that it was time to work things out with Dora, I waited till after class one fateful evening to talk to her.
It happened one day after class as everyone was leaving one after the other, I waited till Dora was about walking out the door before approaching her. At that point in our friendsh¡p, she had given up hope that I would ever be friends with her again and that was why she no longer waited for me as she used to after lectures. As she was about leaving the class, I tapped her shoulder. Immediately she turned and set her eyes on me, I could see the shock on her face. Before she could say any word, I leaned forward and hugged her. “It’s ok, I’m sorry too” I said and tapped her back.
At that moment, I needed no more explanation or apology from Dora, all I just wanted was for peace to reign without the need to iron out any unresolved issues. We spoke for a while in class before heading out together like old times. Oscar was waiting at the gate to pick me up and was happy when he saw Dora too. He happily greeted her before opening the door for us to seat.
That evening, Oscar dropped me off first before heading to Dora’s house. When we arrived at my place, I pecked him on the cheek before saying “Goodbye”. When I alighted, Dora moved from the back seat to the front and I waved ‘Goodbye’ to her too.
Surprisingly, life was good and it seemed as though everything was falling into pleasant places. I was at the happiest place in my life at that time but sadly, not for too long. At least not until my whole world came crashing one fateful day.
On that day, I was done with work quite earlier and decided to visit Oscar at his house before heading to school. He lived alone in town and his house wasn’t that far from his school. I didn’t have a spare key to his apartment yet because I barely visited him, I just knew he would be home because he told me earlier that he wasn’t feeling too strong. He informed me that their family doctor was going to check in on him later that day. If only I knew it would end up being the worst day of my life.
When I got to Oscar’s house, I knocked but no one responded, I knocked twice, same thing and finally, I knocked the third and forth time before hearing footsteps approaching the door. “Please who’s that?” A familiar voice inquired but I remained mute due to the subtle shock I felt upon hearing that voice.
Still shocked, I knocked on the door again and guess who opened it wearing Oscar’s tshirt?. It was no other person than my best friend ‘Dora’.
End of episode 8 & 9 😉