BROKEN

BROKEN EPISODE THREE

I couldn't do anything for the better part of the day. I was confused and sad. I had a pot of anger boiling inside of me and I didn't know what to think or what to believe. I tried to calm down and focus on my son but my mind kept roaming around Leo's words. He knew something. Could it be that he knew Melvin was cheating on me with Jade and that's why he despite her so much?

I decided to take Ethan out just stroll and maybe shop for a few things. That would keep my mind off everything that was going on. I needed to forget what I saw or how Jade talked to me just until leo came back to tell me everything he knew. It was only Saturday meaning it was going to be a long wait but I didn't mind. I had to..

Two weeks before Melvin and Benta's wedding, a few of Benta's friends threw her a bridal shower. Most of them were the girls that were going to be in her wedding line up. Two of them she lived with in the orphanage and one was her friend from college then there was Jade. Jade was slightly older than them but Benta and her became friends after Jade visited the orphanage and Benta was among the ladies who caught her attention. Benta was very beautiful and from the reports of the lady who mothered them at the orphanage, she was most likely to get a scholarship to study abroad. They hooked up and started talking and they become good friends that Jade decided to take Benta out of the orphanage and rent her house then she also hooked her up with a job as an office Clark...

Jade: I can't believe you are finally getting married..

She said fanning her face to prevent tears from falling.

Me: I know right, it scares me too but I want to give it a try...

I smiled and took her hand in mine.

Me: thank you so much Jade, for everything. You took me out of the orphanage and gave my life some meaning. I don't even think I would have met Melvin if I was still there.

I hugged her then she gave me my bridal shower gift and when I opened it, it was a very pretty laced panty and a matching bra.

Yeah, those are some of the things ladies receive on the bridal shower. I got other gifts too and when we were done with all that, we ate, drank and parted ways. Melvin picked me up and took me home.

On the wedding day Jade was supposed to help me get dressed alongside my orphanage mother but she was nowhere to be seen. We were all supposed to sleep in the same house to make it easy for all of us so that we don't run late and stuff but Jade called me the previous evening and said she was working late so she was going to show up early in the morning. I was okay with that since she needed to submit whatever she was working on before 8:00am the following day which was the wedding day...

My orphanage mother Betty dressed me up and that kind of made me so emotional. I kind of wished my mother was there to see me on my wedding day. I wanted her to be there and see how good life had turned out for me..

Betty: don't cry sweetheart, you will ruin your make up.

She said soothing me and I had to try. Betty loved me as if I were her own child. She taught me everything I knew and she did everything my mother would have done were she still alive. Betty helped me look for my brother and she wanted to bring him to the orphanage but she didn't find him.

Betty: I feel bad that we will nolonger see each other much often but you will forever remain my daughter. If you need anything, anything at all. Feel free to talk to me. Marriage is a huge responsibility my girl, it's not just the promises at the alter. You will face alot more than you can endure, but put God above everything else.

Elsewhere

Melvin slept at Jade's house and that morning even as Jade's phone was ringing countless times, she didn't pick not because she was not hearing it ring but she was busy. She was busy making out with Melvin who missed a call from Leo and his best man too.

Melvin: I have to get going Jade.

Jade: are you sure you want to do this?

Melvin: that was the plan right, are you developing cold feet now, this was your idea

Jade: I know but I'm afraid I will loose you to her.

He kissed her and hugged her then looked into her eyes.

Melvin: I love you. This marriage is only going to be for show. We both know where my heart belongs, you are mine Jade that's official but it's good we keep everyone else fooled. Once we get what we want, we take it and run. It will be just us..

The groom's men were begining to freak out because no one knew where Melvin was and he was not picking his calls either. Leo had left to go look for him and he had a cop friend who could easily track down Melvin's car so he called him and read out Melvin's number plate and phone number so that they could trace him and after a few minutes the cop friend gave him Melvin's location.

Jade: are you sure babe?

Melvin: yes, why would you doubt that, I mean it's my wedding day and I spent the night with you.

Jade: I'm not doubting. I just need assurance that things won't change after you get married to her..

Melvin: I promise.

Jade: can we have one last round before we leave?..

Melvin flipped her over, got her on top of him and let her ride him like she would never get the chance to do it again..

Leo drove to Jade's house. He wasn't surprised that he would be there because they both had a history. A history only Melvin's family and a few close friends knew. Leo was mad that Melvin would even afford to spend the night at Jade's place on his wedding day and keep everyone else worried about his wareabouts.

He got there like twenty minutes later and got inside the gate to the apartment where Jade was staying. He saw Melvin's car parked at Jade's parking as he went up the steps...

He got to the door and knocked, something that made both Melvin and Jade jump out of bed.

Melvin: are you expecting someone?

Jade: no.

Melvin walked to the bathroom butt naked as Jade tried to get decent enough to get the door...

She hurriedly walked to the door and when she asked who was there, no one responded but a follow up knock came through so she just had to open.

Jade: Leo?

Leo: where is my brother?

He asked pushing her and finding his way in then when he got to the living room, he stopped and turned to look at her.

Leo: where is he?

Jade: you can't just walk into my house like that and...

Leo: save me your lectures Jade, do you know what time it is,I thought you were the best maid in your friend's wedding?

Jade didn't respond to that. She was probably embarrassed because she knew he already figured out that Melvin had been there the entire night.

Jade: Melvin is taking a shower. He should be out in a minute.

She said starting to walk back to the bedroom but Leo stopped her and she turned to look at him.

Leo: why would you do that to your best friend?

Jade: I don't owe you any explanation. Melvin was mine first, he still is.

She walked away and Leo sat on the couch waiting for Melvin as he made a call to the best man telling him he had found Melvin and would be there with him in a short while but the best man advised that they meet at the church and Melvin would get dressed from there.

Minutes later Melvin walked into the living room and when Leo heard steps, he got up and came face to face with his brother.

Melvin: how did you know where to find me?

Leo: let's get moving Melvin. You will end up keeping people waiting at the church.

With those words, he walked out not asking Melvin for an explanation and Melvin followed him.

Benta was all dressed up and everyone else was but Jade was still no where to be found and Benta insisted she couldn't go to the church yet not knowing if Jade was really okay. She couldn't help but think something bad had happened and maybe that's why she was not picking her calls.

She got her phone and called again and this time it was answered. Jade said she had to rush to the office as her boss has insisted that she drop off some files she had before she could get back but she had showered and was already on her way.

That was a relief to Benta. She never saw Jade missing her wedding for whatever reason.

Leo: of all the days you chose to sleep with her it had to be on your wedding day?

Melvin: I'm not having this conversation with you Leo, you picked me up to drop me to church so do that with your mouth shut.

Leo: wow!...and now you are being arrogant about it.. how would you like to have this conversation with Benta then, you don't want to marry her, how about I feed her in on your extra curricular activities then maybe you will have s*x with Jade all you want.

Melvin : you can't do that.

Leo: why not.

Melvin: because I'm your brother and I'm asking you not to. Listen, this thing is more complicated than you think, I will explain but please don't ruin her day... Not like that..

They got to church and the boys were glad to see him. He had no time for explanation and the wedding had to go on anyway.

Melvin got out of surgery and was taken to a private ward to rest. Jade was there and was quite relieved when she was told the surgery was successful and that Melvin was going to be okay. She asked the doctor to let her see him and she was allowed though she was asked not to stress him up or give him anything to eat unless the doctor advised so.

She took a seat next to Melvin's bed and sat there staring at him. He was peacefully asleep and she couldn't help but think he was handsome she always thought he was..

Jade: you are mine Melvin and no one will ever take you away from me. Not your mother and not Benta either.

She took his hand in hers and held it for a while..

Jade: once you get discharged, I'm taking you home, our home. Benta can go to hell for all I care, she has enjoyed you way too much and it's about time I claim what's really mine.

She smiled then got up and gave him a kiss on the forehead and continued rubbing his hand.

Benta had gone to visit Betty, not that she went to tell her what was going on but she needed to be away from home. She took Ethan once in a while to Betty so that she could see him. Betty felt like all was not good with Benta but when she asked, Benta told her she was okay and she seemed sad because Melvin had gotten into an accident.

Benta wanted to cry but she kept her tears intact. She didn't want Betty to know that Jade was involved with her husband because she didn't want Betty to overreact. If Betty knew about Melvin and Jade, she would definitely confront them and Jade would stop helping the children at the orphanage. Benta didn't want to be the reason for that. All she wanted was to get to the bottom of everything before she could tell Betty everything.

Benta visited the rest of the kids at the orphanage and gave them some snacks she had carried with her and played with them then when it was time, she left them and went back home. Ndegwa didn't go for her as she opted to use a cab instead..

Benta got home and the house was still filled with emptiness. Ethan was awake so she lay him on the couch and he was busy eating his hands and throwing his tiny feet in the air. She walked to the TV stand and stared at the photo of her and Melvin on their wedding day then she picked it and sat with it on the couch. She caresed it gently and when she couldn't look at it anymore, she put it on the table facing down.

She then took her phone and called the hospital to get updates on Melvin. She needed to know if the surgery was successful because she wanted Melvin to live for explanation sake. She still had not accepted that her Melvin would cheat on her not with anyone else but with her best friend.

Dr.Mila: hello?

Me: hello. This is Benta and I'm calling to check if Melvin's surgery was successful.

Dr.Mila: yes Benta, Melvin was out of surgery three hours ago and he should be okay.

Me: thank you.. when is his discharge?

Dr.Mila: as soon as he is stable. Maybe a few more days then he can recover from home.

Me: okay.. I will clear the bills when he is ready to leave the hospital.

Dr. Mila: you don't have to worry about that. A lady called Jade said she will take care of it. She even asked for Melvin to be discharged as soon as possible so that he can recover from home.

Me: I'm his wife, what home is she talking about?.

Dr. Mila: I don't know ma'am but she has been here since morning. Maybe you both can agree on who takes him home as long as the bills are cleared we will release him.

Me: okay. Thank you.

Dr. Mila: you are welcome and have a good evening.

I ended the call and I couldn't believe Jade's guts. What was wrong with her and what was she trying to prove?.

I called her number because I wanted to hear straight from her what she was upto and she didn't pick my calls so I had to go to that damn hospital and put that b***h in her place, I didn't care about what they did behind my back because to me, Melvin was still my husband.

I didn't know what to do with Ethan because I didn't want to subject him to the hospital environment. I didn't want to take my baby to the day care either but did I have a choice?

In my hood, there was a woman who had started a day care and women who worked day shifts took their babies to be taken care of. I went there and talked to her and she agreed to baby sit though I would pay extra cash because it was evening.

I left my baby in another woman's care and called Ndegwa to pick me up and drop me at the hospital. He did, and I asked him to wait for me because I wouldn't take long. I went inside the hospital and asked to see Melvin but I was told only one visitor at a time was allowed. I tried to convince the receptionist that I was his wife but she couldn't let me so I decided to let myself in and whoever tried to stop me would meet my wrath.

I hurriedly walked towards the wards and I could hear the receptionist calling after me but I didn't care to listen. I knew by the time she sent someone after me, I would have rained enough slaps on Jade's face knowing I didn't have time for explanation.

I opened the door to Melvin's ward and stormed in and when Jade saw me, she quickly got up from the chair and came face to face with me.

Jade: what are you doing here?

Me: what I'm I doing here, really? You have forgotten that the man lying on that bed is my husband?

Jade: well he wasn't a few hours ago when you refused to sign for his surgery.

Me: what is going on Jade?

Jade: are you sure you want to know? I don't want to be responsible for your death.

Me: what are you taking about?

Jade: you don't have a husband in Melvin Benta. You are not married to Melvin. It was never real.

Me: what?

Jade: should I take a microphone?.

Me: what do you know about my marriage to Melvin, you were nothing but my maid in my wedding, you saw us sign the marriage certificates and you were there when we exchanged our marriage vows...

Jade laughed out so loud that she supprised me.

Jade: what vows?...

She sounded as if she was mocking me and I didn't like it. She went back to sit on her chair but I couldn't let her. I folded the sleeves to my blouse and got to her with blows, I grabbed her hair but she fought back and now we were literally beating each other though it wasn't long before Dr. Mila and the receptionist checked in. Dr.Mila pulled us apart and pushed Jade out then me, he grabbed me and took me to his office then gave strict orders that no one was allowed to get into Melvin's ward.

Jade was forced outside the hospital as Dr. Mila decide to have a talk with me. I couldn't listen to anything he had to say, all I wanted was to show Jade that I was the wife to Melvin and she was just a w***e who couldn't settle down with one man and make a home for herself... What did she mean when she said my marriage to Melvin wasn't real? Is that what Leo wanted to tell me about, did Melvin really not marry me and how was that even possible...

I was confused. Really confused and in tears as well because I didn't know what that meant. I had no idea of what was going on and only Melvin could answer my questions.

I tried to get up from the chair and storm out of the office but Dr. Mila got a hold of me and had me sit on the chair again. He told me I was not going to leave that office until I was calm... I didn't want to be calm. I wanted the truth....