TOXIC ATTRACTION

TOXIC ATTRACTION EPISODE EIGHT

Susan and I prepared the dinner and when we could not wait for Julia anymore we decided to have our dinner and then save some food for Julia who sent a text and said she was running late. Susan and I talked for a while then I decided to retire to bed but that night I ported to sleep on the sofa so that I could leave the bed for Susan and Julia.

Susan went to the bedroom after clearing the table on claims that she was going to talk to her man before she fell asleep and on the same note I got a text message from my mother beginning MN e to talk to her and after the talk with Susan earlier on, I decided to call and talk to her. Her phone rang a few times than she eventually picked up but after hearing her voice, I did not know what to tell her so I hang up...

Cleopatra clicked then tried to go call again but the phone went unanswered and there was a change of mood yet again. Her heart had limped with joy when Robina tried to reach out but the joy was short-lived and her sudden change in mood attracted Ronald's attention

Ronald: what is going on with you?..

He asked putting out the newspaper that he was perusing through. He took off his glasses and looked at Cleopatra waiting to hear what was really bothering her.

Cleopatra: Robina tried to call. I have not heard anything from her and she has not picked up my call when I've called.

Ronald: you never listen. I told you to leave that child alone so that she can enjoy her marriage. They are in the honeymoon face of their marriage and your constant interference is not helping.

Cleopatra: are you listening to what I'm trying to say, she reached out.

Ronald took his newspaper and got up to leave for his bedroom but just before he walked out, a call came through his phone. It was Nerea, Richard's mother...

Ronald: hello my in-law.

Nerea: don't even think of calling me your inlaw. Your so-called daughter has run away and left my son.

Ronald: what?

Nerea: I don't know if you know she is expecting Richard's child but she said she was going to abort that child.

Ronald looked at Cleopatra quite surprised at what he was hearing. His eyes were almost popping out.

Cleopatra: what is it?

She whispered but Ronald ignored him.

Ronald: when did that happen?..

Nerea: stop asking me things that will not help me or my son. If your daughter aborts that baby or leaves my son for good, you will return all the money we used on that wedding. We have tried to be good to her but turns out she is just a spoilt brat.

With those words, she hung up...

Ronald shouted in anger and threw the newspaper on the wall...

Cleopatra: what is it, Ronald?

She was getting scared because Ronald's reaction clearly indicated that there was a big problem.

Ronald: I will kill that girl before she succeeds in killing me.

Cleopatra: what did she do?..

Ronald hurriedly walked to the bedroom and she followed him there.

Cleopatra: what had Robina done this time round?..

Ronald: she ran away and now Nerea is threatening me. That woman is threatening me!..

Cleopatra sat on the edge of the bed watching him process whatever conversation he had with Nerea.

Ronald: did you know about that?

Cleopatra: don't even start with me. You know too well I've been trying to reach her but thanks to your greediness she won't even talk to me.

Ronald: you have tomorrow to find her and talk some sense into her. She is your daughter... I hear she wants to abort her unborn baby too.

Cleopatra did not react. The abortion part caught her tongue. She knew that age had to do something but how was she going to start looking for someone who didn't want to be found?..

Julia was driven back home and she looked hesitant to get off and go to the house. Her boyfriend Jack was a man of few words. Very handsome, cool, and collected most of the time. He loved Julia despite her very evident not so loving character. Sometimes he thought she was only with him for money and the flashy life he gave her or she had just been hurt way too many times that she didn't want to love and trust again. He knew her stories and especially the ones related to love, it was a complete mess and he had tried so much to be different. Julia was like a chameleon, one moment she could be very happy and the next she was just the complete opposite. At times one could think she was demon possessed because her tantrums and reactions were out of this world.

Jack: is there something bothering you?..

He asked leaning in to towards the steering wheel so that he could have a good look at her face that was turned towards the window.

Julia: my friend Robina will be living with me.

Jack: is that a problem?

Julia: she's pregnant...

Jack: I still don't see the problem.

She turned her face to him and the look on her face made him lean back and stop talking.

Julia: her being pregnant is a problem because it will mean she won't have to work. Just lazy about and wait for me to feed her and her unborn baby.

Jack: you've always had enough food to spare and besides, I can do some more shopping.

Julia: more shopping for who...her?

Jack: c'mon babe, you don't have to be like that. If Robina ran to you it's because she probably doesn't have anywhere to go.

Julia: did I tell her to get married to a disabled man, you should have seen her wedding, the guy pretended to be from. a well-off family. How could he not afford to feed her?

Jack: don't talk like that, being in a wheelchair is not something impossible it can happen to anyone even to me and when that happens, I will lose the ability to do some things. I might end up losing my job and so does that mean you will refer to me the same way and hate me for something that is not my fault?..

Julia did not respond to that. She told Jack she was going to the house and so she got off and he. watched her walk to the gate and when she got in. He drove off.

When I heard the door open, I pretended to be asleep because I knew she would wake us up and tell us how her date went but I was too tired to engage in any conversation. I heard her go to her room and Susan might have still been awake because I heard them talk and Julia seemed to have been upset about something but I could not hear what the conversation was about.

Julia: she cannot sleep on my seats, what if she sweats and leave stains there?..

Susan: Julia!

Julia: she should have looked for some sheets and made a soft spot on the floor if the bed wasn't going to be big enough for all of us

Susan: she's your friend and you can't treat her like that.

There was a little bit of silence.

Julia: she's my friend but she should know a seat is not a bed and if I'm going to be the one to feed and take care of getting she should learn not to get on my wrong side.

Susan: you know what, I just can't stand you right now.

She got out of bed, checked the top shelf of the wardrobe, and pulled an extra blanket then she started walking out but Julia stopped her.

Julia: I didn't ask you to leave the room, I'm not upset with you.

Susan: I know that but I'd be more comfortable on the floor than on that same bed with you.

She opened the door and walked out.

I heard someone come into the living room and I didn't bother to look but I thought it was Susan because she was making herself comfortable on the floor. What a sleepover that had turned out to be so boring.

The night was long, as usual, I kept turning and tossing with a million thoughts crossing my mind. I had seriously considered the abortion and I was going to do it because I had made up my mind that I was not going back to Richard and I didn't want to keep anything that would remind me of him.

The morning came and Julia was the first to wake up. She seemed happy because we could hear her sing from where we were. She cleaned the dishes from the previous night and then started making breakfast. I checked my phone and it was around 7:40 am. I looked down beside me and Susan was waking up too.

Me: good morning?..

Susan: morning...

She yawned and stretched her back.

Me: you slept on the floor?

Susan: on the carpet.

Me: yeah but still.

Susan: I couldn't stand your friend last night, she was just being extra.

Me: was she drunk?

Susan: no.

We were speaking in low tones though it was not really gossip. What could have really made them argue that night?

Susan got up and started folding the blanket then told me to do the same if I didn't want trouble.

I got up and Susan helped me fold my blanket and while at it, Julia walked in all smiley and excited. She called us darlings and even told us that breakfast was almost ready. Susan looked at her unbelievably and since I had no idea what had transpired the previous night, I decided to play nice.

I took both mine and Susan's blankets to the bedroom.

Julia: I'm sorry about last night. Everything I said was so insensitive of me.

I walked back into the living room and Susan still did not seem happy.

Juliana brought breakfast to the table and we all sat to have breakfast.

Juliana: so, Robina... Have you decided on the abortion?..

Susan looked at me then at her...

Juliana: you mentioned that right, I mean I'm not making this up. I know a person who can do that for you. All you need to have is four thousand shillings.

Susan: When did you do all this research?..

Julia: well I thought since our friend here is contemplating abortion then maybe I should help.

Me: did I ask you to?..

Juliana: listen, babe, living with me here means I will have to feed you and your unborn baby, I don't have so much food to spare for you both unless you decide to be cleaning this house, wash clothes and cook then maybe the money I pay the laundry lady can help buy some more food item...

Susan: unbelievable.. are you going to charge us for the food we have eaten too?..

Julia: don't let me be wrong I'm not being mean or anything but I can't just feed her and she does nothing in return...

Julia poked me a lot with her careless words and I had heard enough. What did I do to deserve such cruel words, I mean I was not just going to be lazy about and wait for gor her to feed me but were all those words necessary? Was I just another burden to her? Why did she welcome me into her house if she didn't want me in the first place? I was so angry that the anger choked me.. so much I couldn't breathe...

I got up and left the table tears falling from my eyes. I was a very emotional person and any little thing could get to me and especially after my forced marriage, carrying a child I might never get to love, and ending up seeking refuge from friends who had laughed at me on my wedding day and pointed to the man on the wheelchair. Maybe it wasn't enough to lower my esteem but still, I was hurt.

Susan quickly followed me into the room and found me packing up my stuff. I had barely stayed there a day but I couldn't take the insults anymore...

Susan: where will you go from here?..

Me: I don't know...

I said zipping my suitcase and pulling it from the bed.

Susan: I'm sorry about everything Julia has said. I don't share the same sentiments with her...

There was silence as I dragged my suitcase out to the living room and Susan was still behind me wanting to know where I was going.

Julia: I did not ask you to leave, is it a bad thing to want some help as I cater to your needs.?

Me: I thought I had a friend in you, I didn't come into your house to cause you discomfort. Thank you for welcoming me even for a few hours but I wish you never welcomed me at all...

I dragged my suitcase out and left the house.

Susan: I have never seen someone as mean as you are...

Julia: what I'm offering her is better than that cripple who begs money in town to feed her.

Susan: what?..

Julia: I bet she doesn't know that huh?.. I was just doing her a favor but since I'm Julia I'm so mean, let her go back to that good for nothing man.. at least his other legs are functioning...

Susan landed a hot slap across Julia's face and then hurriedly walked out to chase after Robina.