Chapter Seventy-Three

Chapter Seventy-Three
Quickly we readjusted, each individual taking on their role. I picked up the box that I’d dropped on the doorstep step and the instrumentalists had their instruments set for action. 

Nelson opened the door and the melody began. Simultaneously, Kel and Marvin played the tune of a happy birthday song while Marilyn and I sang along, our faces bearing the brightest smiles that they ever had.

Nelson was really surprised. We’d never talked about any birthday surprises before now. All we did was exchange gifts when it was a special occasion, and for that, I was glad. I pulled a good one on him and like I’d intended, it got to him.

“You’re unbelievable! Why didn’t you tell me you were throwing a surprise? Damn!” He remarked, grinning from ear to ear. 

“Because it was supposed to be a surprise!” I screamed, moving my hands in demonstration. 

“Come here,” he said, beckoning me with his arms wide open.

As I moved closer to him, everyone made sounds of admiration for our love, and quickly I jolted back into reality. I’d long forgotten that my surprise crew was still present in the premises. 

This was what I referred to as ‘the Nelson’s effect’. 

As I fell into his arms, he wrapped me in his warm embrace, pressing me gently against his chest, so that I could feel the beat of his heart. 

“You’re so sweet,” he whispered into my ear, and my skin became covered in goosebumps. 

I breathed hard, leaning more into him, and it was as though our souls were reconnecting after a long while of being apart. 

“I love you,” he whispered again, and then he kissed me on the lips. I melted on the inside, feeling weak in the knees. 

“I love you too,” I replied, taking his lips into mine. They were the softest and juiciest.

“Do you guys need a room? I hope we’re not interrupting something,” I heard Marilyn speak after Marvin attempted to clear his throat.

“Thank you so much for pulling this surprise with me guys, you did a great job,” I said applauding the team.

“Let’s get the gift items into the house,” I requested, and Nelson opened the door to grant them entrance. When we were done offloading the items in hand, we went for the boxes in the car and did the same.

When the noise had died down and everyone was gone, Nelson and I settled in the living room, unboxing every item and getting the gifts out of each one. 

He seemed so fascinated by each item and I just knew immediately that I’d played my cards well. He opened a box and inside it was a pair of Reebok sneakers, and the smile that played on his face was so wide and expressive.

“You like it?” I asked, smiling, my hand supporting my chin, and my face slightly bent in his direction.

“Like? Girl, I love it!” I’ve been wanting to get a new pair of these since my last pair got worn out. You are just a perfect mind reader, because what?” He exclaimed, hands up in the air in excitement.

As he opened more items, I went ahead to the dining table and cut out some slices of cake from the side that he’d previously cut open.

Inside it, there were layers of brown, red velvet, and cream. I sat on the couch with him and with the fork, I fed him a piece of it. 

I waited for him to have a bite before I said anything.

“This is so delicious! Not like I expected less anyway, because you’re the baddest in the baking and pastry game!” 

I covered my face with one half of my left palm, shyly. “You’re making me blush so hard, Nelson.”

“Fair enough, but after now, I’d love to make you moan,” he said, smirking as he did, and immediately I felt my stomach flush.

I called myself back into character, almost immediately. I was forgetting that I had a mission here today. I stole a glance at his face and he seemed so engulfed with carefully unwrapping his numerous presents which was a deliberate attempt by me to keep him glued and invested.

“Nelson, there’s something I’ve always wanted to talk to you about,” I finally let out, my mind skipping a bit as I spoke.

“Sure baby, go ahead,” he responded nonchalantly.

“Okaaayyy. It’s about us, I mean, our relationship.”

“What about us? What about our relationship?”

“Today has been such a good day but the days preceding it have not been the best. We’ve been fighting, keeping away from each other, you’ve been ignoring me and it has really been hard coping with these, and babe, you make it all seem so normal.” 

I paused to see his reaction or probably get a word or two from him but he said nothing, so I thought he was giving me enough time to speak, and so I continued.

“Baby, I know you take care of me so well, and you constantly provide anything I need and you keep no record of the huge amounts you send for my upkeep, but I’ve been thinking, what it is exactly that you do for a living; like I really want to know you beyond the surface and…” but he rudely interrupted me with full rage.

“Don’t you dare! I repeat, don’t you dare pry into an affair that is none of your business. Is it for the cheap gifts or the silly surprise you threw out there a while ago? You know I’d spare no time in refunding you a double gold everything!” 

I was amazed at the quick switch and I could only contain my surprise by covering my agape mouth with my palm. 

“Nelson?” I called out very softly, tears already streaming down my cheeks. 

“There you go again, with those crocodile tears. Look, I didn’t beg you for a relationship, nor did I beg for some stupid surprise or presents. As a matter of fact, you can go to hell with them!” He screamed, throwing the items on the tiled floor and kicking the ones that got in his way as he made it out of the living room.

My heart shattered into pieces, but also, anger rose slowly within me at the sight of the items which I’d painstakingly arranged and wrapped, scattered all over the place.

“Are you crazy? Nelson! Have you gone nuts? Come back here! I’m talking to you! Come back here this minute!” I thundered.

I had never raised my voice in an argument like I’d done today but this was beyond me. As I called out to him, I jeered at him, clapping my hands as I did.

Today, I wanted to know what it would feel like belling the cat, but a few seconds later, I wish I hadn’t attempted that. 

In the twinkle of an eye, he stormed into the sitting room and pounced on me aggressively and I yelled for help but he didn’t let go. He punched me in the face, stomach, ribs, and hands.

“Please, don’t kill me, Nelson. Please don’t kill me,” I cried, writhing in pain. 

When he had done enough of the punching, he lowered his face into mine.

“And don’t you dare report me,” he roared into my ears and he let out a scornful laughter. 

And no, don’t try to run away, or else, I’ll find you and have you wasted and feed your carcass to the vultures! You’re bound to me, and bound, you will continually be!”