Between Two Worlds

Rollercoaster

Ryan's Pov

It has been a hell of a rollercoaster.

I tell you, it was.

I'd never intended that we go our separate ways.

I met Sheila while she was in college, she was the enthralling beauty that one would long to have. I wasn't the typical boy that I felt she would have dated.

But then, the way she made me feel...

I remember meeting her when she was buying coffee. We talked for a while and I found her fascinating. I was drawn by her intelligence, and so I never thought to stop seeing her.

Most times, I would stop by her school to catch a glimpse of her.

After our second meeting which was under the rain, I was compelled to ask her out on a date. Strangely, she believed in me. I was merely an upcoming producer who made measly money from local artists.

Her faith in me was overwhelmingly soothing. It pushed me to scout out and grab more opportunities to attend social events. These helped me in my field, I met with some celebrities who were astounded by my talent.

That was where my breakthroughs started from and Sheila was my blessing. I love her with the whole of my being. Sheila was my life. She breathed life within and around me.

Later, she broke the news of her pregnancy to me.

At first, I was shook. I wasn't ready to be a father, in fact I'd never thought of playing one. I grew up under an alcoholic father, he was never one to be emulated.

I ran away from home before I finally had to do something about my love for making beats. So, being a father was something I'd never dreamt of.

I consulted with some friends of mine who knew Sheila at that time. They encouraged me to test the waters with her, after all, she wasn't like the rest of 'em who wanted my money.

I was afraid, partially because making a family out of the blue wasn't part of my plans. I proposed to Sheila and she was the happiest on earth.

She regretfully had to tell me that her mother told her to leave her home. Ma Emilia was a single mother and convincing her of the love I had for Sheila was a hell of a rollercoaster.

Ma Emilia was bitter, angered, and heavy-hearted, the old creases on her face made her way older than she was.

She was never happy to meet or see me. She was all bent on me having nothing to do with her daughter. Sheila never gave up on me though, her love and faith in me bubbled my love for her.

A blessed day came when Sheila went into labor, a famous celebrity called and reached out to me, signing me as her producer. I believed Shay was my bigger blessing.

Jobs started troping in like water from a pipe. Things turned around for good for us both. I got us a new house and decorated the house to Sheila's taste. I also included a maid, chef, and chauffeur on the payroll.

Emilia finally believed in me when Shay clocked 5 years old, she came around and made peace with us. But, I knew she instinctively didn't acknowledge me in her daughter's life. Pleasing her was like pleasing a rock.

This was my excuse, I guess.

I needed an escape.

Emilia was in my house frustrating the life out of me yet playing the adoring mother to Shay. It infuriated me. I started sleeping out late at least which prompted me to look at other women younger than Sheila.

It only started of curiosity. Then it budded out and grew into having numerous affairs, to sleeping with much more women. Then the drinkings followed.

Emilia later left some months later. But all these never stopped. Sheila confronted me when she discovered how I disrespected her by bringing younger girls to our home.

And that confrontation led to me beating her to a plum. Shay was in elementary school then, she would jolt down to a corner, crying as she curled herself there.

This was not how I'd intended our home should be. I wanted to be a different man than my father. But, I suddenly realize that I was replicating him.

Sheila had to leave and everything felt daunting when she left. Things felt out of place. I started losing authentic jobs, jobs which were so early at first. I lost more jobs which devasted me. I'd known Sheila was my blessing so I knew I had to get her back.

It was easier getting her back because I knew how entwined she was about me. Our love blossomed again but I still kept extramarital affairs behind her back.

As previously, the past played out again, and Sheila had to leave. This went on until Shay finally came of age.

"Dad, I love you but you can't keep hurting Mum," Shay was saying to me.

"What do you mean?" I'd asked her.

"You guys preach so much to me about love, will this go on, and we call this love? Please, let Mum go. You both are not compatible."

I gave her flimsy reasons why this had played out. I knew I loved Sheila but the distance between us only proved such.

"I will be fine seeing you guys are finally at peace with each other. Give Mum the peace she deserves. I don't want to see her get hurt anymore," Sheila explained.

Of course, this broke my heart. Shay was right, I believed Emilia would certainly be happy wherever she was. And I had to do the hardest thing that I'd never thought I would do. I told Sheila that I needed a divorce.

Hell broke loose of course.

She drove down to our family house and started creating havoc, breaking down the objects which I'd bought for our beautiful home. Neighbors had to reach out to me to relay such news.

Sheila was angry I believed, and I was thoroughly shattered. But, we both had to live with this hurt and let go while it was still early.

Early?

How hilarious to state such a lame word. We both love each other. We both can still find love again but the distance between us was essential.

Then, another terrible news breezed by. Somehow, I'd wished this had happened in the time past. If only...

I felt terrible for saying this, but I knew that I had to say it either way. The person who made me this way was finally out of earth.

Emilia was dead and the earth certainly felt at peace.