WHEN LOVE HURTS…

es busy with work issues ma. ” he replied.

”On a Sunday? I keep calling her and she is not picking up my calls. ” The mother looks so worried.

”Im sorry ma. ” Usen apologized.

”You keep making excuses for my daughter. ” The elder Akpan said.

”I know you love Eno but shes been very busy these months. Too busy to see me for over eight months and she lives six minutes away ” The elder thundered and everyone at the table shivered.

” Im very sorry sir ” Usen apologized. Paul looked closely at Usen and he knew everything was wrong.

”When you see her, ensure that she comes to see me. ” The elder instructed.

Usen nodded in agreement.

After dinner, Paul took him outside for a quick chat.

”You can lie to everyone else. But not me. I am a filmmaker. I direct numerous people on set. I am a people reader. Chairman, I can always tell when situations are wrong. Right now, you are in the wrong situation, sir. What is it? ”

”Its my wife Paul. That woman is giving me a headache ” Usen went into details and Paul listened patiently to his soon-to-be brother-in-law.

”Have you spoken to her? ”Paul asked.

”I have several times. I even told her she is being inconsiderate in all she does ” Usen lamented.

”I do not know your wife very well. lets give her a benefit of the doubt. She may be through a rough patch and she can explain. Or maybe she found out something is happening to her and shes pushing everyone off. I say lets give her the benefit of doubt. ” Paul advised.

”This has been going on for more than two years. Im so frustrated. I love the Lord and I wouldn want to cheat on my wife. I don want another family except for this one I have but…. ” Usen lamented.

”Chairman its repairable. I don see anything seriously wrong but what I don understand is the character change. First, let us just find out what this new attitude is all about. Then we can see what to do. But in the meantime, chairman, lets go out and watch the game tonight. Lets get your guys Patrick and Matthew to meet up.

As planned, the men gathered together in Elder Akpans house. They bade the elder and his wife goodnight. Uduak choose to stay with her parents as she was leaving for school the next day. Paul also promised to take her to school the following day.

When the men drove in Usens Lexus, there was mini traffic not too far from the house. They chatted and laughed until they drove by Chief Brianss house. The party was reputably a loud one. There were several ladies and exotic cars parked around. The security was also so tight and it was evident no one could penetrate uninvited.

”A lot of these ladies here are prostitutes. All they want to do is sleep with these big men for business contracts and all ” Patrick said.

”Is that not your wifes car? ” Mathew mentioned

”No. My wife can be there. shes at home ” Usen said without looking at the car.

”Besides she is so tired. I don think….. ”

”Are you sure? ” Paul asked.

Usen was suddenly so quiet when he turned his head to see because it was obvious that was the car his wife drives. He stopped the car abruptly and came down. Paul quickly hurried after him.

However, the security men gave them a look despite how desperate and furious Usen looked.

”if you don have an invitation card, please get out of here, ” The first soldier said.

”Im looking for… ” Usen said

”Oga get lost! This is a strictly by visitation Birthday party. If you don have it, walk away ” The second soldier said.

”You can leave. Chairman, you can call your wife. ” Paul insisted

Usen dialed his wifes number and she wasn picking up. He did it repeatedly but she was not picking. He began typing messages.

”Shes not responding to my message. I don know what to do ” Usen complained.

”Chairman relax. Lets give her some benefit of the doubt. It could be that she brought her friends here or something. ”

Paul advised.

Just then they saw a group of businessmen laughing with glasses of wine in their hands and they all had skinny women by their sides. At the end of the line, Usen saw his wife in the arms of an elder businessman. She was laughing.

”What is this? Eno!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Usen screamed so loud that bouncers tried holding back. Eno glanced in his direction with a look of disgust in her eyes. She let go of the older man and dropped her glass of champagne. She walked out briskly towards them with anger brewing.

”What is the meaning of this embarrassment? ” she asked him looking so furious. His friends walked away into his car leaving him and his wife in front of Chief Brianss compound.

”I thought you wanted to rest at home? ” Usen said, fighting the urge to drag her.

”And so what? Are you monitoring me? See how you yelled at the top of your voice! Am I the first married woman? ” Eno replied.

”Am I not supposed to know where you are per time? ” Usen asked.

”Really? Usen please go home. I am networking. I will see you at home. ” Eno replied as she turned to go in.

”No… Way. You are coming with me. Look at the way you are dressed. Eno It is not proper for a married woman. How much more a Christian ” Usen stated.

Eno looked at him and she was filled with so much guilt in her eyes in an instant as she adjusted her clothes.

”Eno are you coming?Jessica suddenly appeared from the party. The couple turned to look at her.

”Senator Jake wants to meet you ” Jessica added.

”I have to go Usen. I will see you later at home ” Eno said as she followed Jessica into the party.

”Your husband is just monitoring and caging your life ” Jessica said as they walked into the party and Usen heard it.