35 FLIP: A Brads State of Mind Pt. 3 (2/2)

I wanted to make sure that she could antagonize me. That will become her force to live by. It worked with Priscilla. It'd work with Blessing too.

I took my phone out more last time and made the call.

”Hello?”

The connection was poor, but I could make up what she was saying,” He* **ddy! Can **u *ear me?”

It hit me that it was the last time I was hearing her voice in this context. She was eager to talk to me. She was looking forward for me to come home. It had been so long that we had sex. My college and work, when did all my priorities shift?

””Blessing? I can't hear you. Can you?” Please god, make the line clearer. I want every word coming out of that woman's mouth to be loud and clear. I wanted every second I spent on the phone to be memorable. Normal every day talks were the most precious ones.

”Mad, I *ant hea* y**. H**lo?”

”Hold on!! Yes, hi. How are you Blessing.”

”Hey. I'm good. Where are you? You were supposed to be here ten minutes ago.”

I could hear her voice without cracking. I could hear it loud and clear. She sounded happy. I was relieved. She was looking out for me AND scolding me. I'd miss that.

”Yeah, I'm sorry. My car broke down.”

”Well hurry up now or you'll be late for work.”

I was nearing home anyway, so I thought we'd settle it right now. So, I said,” I have taken a day off from work. You do the same too. I'll be at home in two minutes.”

I hung up and gunned the car. I had one thing in mind: My chequebook and account book. I needed those documents to withdraw a huge sum of money. Thus, I rushed to reach home, or the place I knew as my home.

I screeched my car while parking in front of our house. I exited the car and rushed to get in the main bedroom. So I swung open the two doors that stood in my way. I had one target in my scope and I didn't want to stop before I had my documents with me. That also meant that I had to ignore Blessing who was standing in the kitchen waiting for me. It took every fibre of my body to avoid turning in her direction, but I was successful. I entered the bedroom and locked it behind me. Next, I started going through my documents. The pile of papers in my drawer did not help the case. I hurled lumps of notepads and envelopes when I heard knocking on the door. I ignored it and went back to task at hand. Finally after two or so minutes I found both of my required documents sitting at the bottom of drawer. I pocketed it and proceeded to exit the room. then I realized. There are many ways to hurt yourself or any third party at home. And if that is something Blessing could resort to while experiencing emotional distress, that'd be really bad. What I was about to do was not any better. but it didn't result in fatality right away. I myself needed to survive if I had to make this payment.

I took another piece of paper and wrote down the nearest place I could think of. It was a club. I knew the owners, and it'd be easy to buy three hours during daylight. So I inscribed the name and time on the piece of paper and stuffed it neatly in the envelope. But the biggest hurdle was yet to pass.

I opened the door and saw Blessing in the kitchen. I walked up to her and tried to hug her, but she jammed her elbow in my stomach. Thinking nothing of it, I pulled out the envelope and gave it to her. then I bolted through the front door. I called the manager of Black Caffeine and booked the whole place. I specially requested him to bartend for us, giving him specific instructions regarding Blessing and alcohol. He was not going to give any kind of beverage to her until I left. And after that, he'd make sure Blessing reached home.

Thinking back to all the factors in y strategy, I sighed deeply.

It had finally come to this.

I had to be strong once again.

And then, I'd have nowhere to be, again.

I hope I never see you again, Blessing, because all I can bring to you is pain. it has become habitual of it to follow me and affect my surroundings like a parasite. And I could not see you getting pushed in that hole. Not for my sake at least. So, I'd make an enemy out of myself. So you can have enough hate for me to make it your life force.

Its better to live with hate than dying of self-deprecation.

And so, with all love in my heart…

I hope I never see you again.