Loved
1544 Words
Nathan
I am still chatting with Isaac when a group of around twelve church members my age approach us. They hesitate before pushing Leah forward. She is Mrs Gail’s niece.
“Ehh…Brother Lord… we were wondering if you could join the church choir.”
I frown. I don’t think any of them have heard me sing before, making their request very odd.
“Why?” I question. They are all around my and Amari’s age group, yet they hardly spoke to me until now.
“We…ehh…” Leah hesitates.
“We need Amari back so we can win the choir competition,” someone at the back blurts out.
“Okay?” I say expectantly.
I recall Isaac mentioning something about the church having branches all over the country and about a very competitive and publicised choir competition they hold every year.
“She won’t return if we ask,” Leah adds with a dejected tone.
I can’t help but be amused at the implication of their request.
“And you think recruiting me will achieve that?”
They all nod while I raise my eyebrows.
“She loves you,” Leah says and they all nod in agreement.
My heart dances at her statement. I don’t think I will ever get used to owning Amari’s heart.
“It does not mean that she would agree to return to the choir,” I point out.
“We were hoping that you would convince her,” Leah says and I can’t help but laugh at how much influence they think I have over my wife.
“Why don’t you tell me why she left in the first place,” I say and they shift uncomfortably before casting down their eyes. There is definitely a story here.
“Well?” I press on.
“You were trending a few months back,” Leah says with her head still down. “You lost everything, impotent and homeless. We… we sort of made a joke about it and Amari was not impressed. Sorry,” Leah squirms, her voice barely audible, but I am strangely not affected by that. It’s Amari’s reaction that piques my curiosity.
“When was this exactly?” I ask.
“Four months ago. We apologised, but Amari did not want to be associated with us anymore. She does not come to our events and many other members quit the choir after her,” Leah explains with a melancholic tone. “We are really sorry for being judgmental and stupid. Amari is our soprano and keeps everyone in check. Mrs Gail said only you can help us,” she adds.
I study them for a moment. They look and sound really remorseful, but I know how tough Amari is.
“You are forgiven and I will talk to her,” I say and see their faces light up.
“Really?”
“Yes, really, but I am joining the choir too.”
I absolutely adore the older men and women of this community, but it would be nice to get to know other people my age.
“Of course!” Leah beams and hands me a file. “The auditions are tomorrow. That’s all the songs and notes. Thank you, brother Lord.”
I watch them leave and analyse our conversation. It was three months before we got married when the group made fun of me and Amari quit the choir. Isaac’s words about Amari loving me before she was tricked into marrying me are proving to be true. I knew that she had a crush on me, but this is just awesome.
“Seriously?”
I am snapped out of my thoughts by Isaac who does not look impressed. I completely forgot that he was here.
“I am standing right here and you are fantasising about your wife,” he complains.
I chuckle and shake my head. I really did not realise that I was lost in my thoughts.
“Sorry, man. Everything about her is …”
He waves his hand dismissively. “Chill, I completely understand and here comes Belle of the ball,” he teases when Amari approaches.
“You joined choir?” My gorgeous wife asks way before she could reach us. News travel very fast here.
I can’t help but pull her to sit on my lap. “I love you.”
“What?” she asks, her cheeks getting flushed.
“I said I love you, Mrs Lord…”
“I am gonna go now, see you tomorrow, lovebirds,” Isaac says and disappears.
Amari wraps her arms around my neck and studies me.
“Are you trying to twist my arm into joining the choir with you?” she asks.
I chuckle. “They are really sorry for joking about your man.”
She rolls her eyes while I laugh. It feels great to know that someone had my back when I thought everyone deserted me.
“So they coerce you instead?” she asks.
“You are really hard on your family, Love,” I repeat my sentiments. Even the older members of the church don’t just speak anyhow around my wife. That is because she is known for being upright and strict.
“I am not being hard. I hate gossiping, judgemental and superficial idiots.”
I can hear the irritation in her voice. Mrs Gail told me about this.
“I was once that too. I took Ella’s word that you deserted me for our project back at school and never spoke to you again, yet you love me,” I remind her and she lets out a sigh.
“And I would love to hear my wife’s angelic voice,” I add while she shakes her head.
“You don’t even know if can sing.”
“My wife is perfect in everything she does,” I declare and plant a kiss on her forehead.
“Fine, I will return to the choir. Happy?” she concedes and I am thrilled. I love this woman.
“Very.”
We are heading towards the exit when I give Leah a thumbs up and hear cheers behind us. They really love and value my wife here. I need to come up with ideas on how we can remain here when my poor guy cover is blown.
We are approaching our appointment elevators when two police officers approach us.
“Mr Lord?” one of them questions.
My heart immediately starts racing. Police officers don’t just visit one for nothing.
“How can I help you officers?”
“You are under arrest for assaulting Mr James Connor.”
I am speechless.
“What?” Amari asks, shocked. We both have not seen James since the day he assaulted me and Amari broke his leg. We know that he has a broken leg because Mrs Gail told us about it.
“Mr Connor has laid charges against you. Please come with us,” the officer proceeds.
“No, you are mistaken. Nathan did nothing wrong, I broke that bastard’s leg,”Amari says, but she does not get it. I can bet on my life that this is not a mistake. The sneaky bastard is trying to take me out of the picture so he can try his luck with Amari.
“No mistake, Ma’am. Nathan Lord is the accused. A witness saw him knocking Mr Connor with his wheelchair yesterday,” the officer responds before putting cuffs on my hands.
“That’s a lie!” Amari cries. “Why would Nathan even do that?”
The officer laughs. “Jealously makes people do crazy things, Ma’am. Mr Connor is your ex, is he not?” he asks. “It’s no secret that disabled spouses feel more threatened than most,” he adds and I can already tell that they have made up their minds that I am guilty as charged.
“That manipulative bastard is my ex, but Nathan never touched him. He is the one who assaulted Nathan!” Amari cries, flabbergasted.
“Oh really? Did your husband lay charges against Mr Connor?” the officer asks and Amari shakes her head.
“No, but that’s the reason I broke his leg. Nathan was even attended to at the emergency department in the hospital,” she explains, but it only convinces them of my guilt.
“Knocking him with a wheelchair was revenge then. That is motive,” the officer concludes.
“He did not!” Amari snaps. I can feel her frustration. My hero.
“Nathan was with me the whole day yesterday.”
That is the honest truth, but I don’t think my alibi matters here, leading to the conclusion that I will be arrested no matter what I say.
“Of course, you will say that. Mr Connor’s injuries have been assessed by a physician and support his allegations.”
“I don’t care if he has a witness or a physician’s opinion, he is lying!” Amari snaps again.
The officer ignores her and turns to me.
“Mr Nathan Lord, you are under arrest for assault. You have a right to remain silent, anything you say can…” he continues to recite my rights while my head starts spinning.
- Writer
