Rowland’s eyes were fixated on the wedding dress in my hands, his gaze travelled to my fingers, where the diamond engagement ring sparkled.
“So it is true?” he asked, his tone laced with bitter realisation. “You’re really getting married. What I’ve been hearing are not rumours after all.”
I nodded, my voice steady. “Yes, Rowland. It’s real. David and I are getting married.”
A strange mixture of emotions flickered across his face – regret, longing, and perhaps a hint of envy. For a moment, I saw a glimpse of the man I had once loved, a man who was now just a shadow of the person he used to be.
His eyes were filled with disbelief, his voice laced with hurt and confusion. “You’re getting married to that idiot from the club that you just met?” he asked, looking at me as if searching for answers in my eyes. “Is that why you blocked my number? You prefer him to me?” he added, his voice cracking with emotion.
I took a deep breath, trying to find the right words to explain, even though I knew deep down that some things are impossible to explain to a wounded heart. “Rowland, it’s not about comparing you to David,” I began, my voice gentle yet firm. “It’s about finding someone who understands me, respects me, and supports my dreams. David came into my life unexpectedly, but he’s shown me a kind of love and understanding that I never thought possible.”
Rowland shook his head, his hands clenched into fists at his sides. “But I love you, Chioma. I always have. Can’t you see that?”
I looked into his eyes, seeing the pain and desperation there, but I couldn’t let an opportunity to gloat pass me by, “It’s difficult to see, considering you cheated on me.”
He took a step closer, his voice pleading. “Give me another chance. We can work things out. I’ll change, Chioma. I’ll be the man you want me to be.”
I touched his arm gently, my heart aching for him. “Rowland, change has to come from within. I can’t make that decision for you. I’ve made my choice, not because I want to hurt you, but because I have to be true to myself.”
For a moment, there was silence between us, the weight of our unspoken history hanging in the air. “You’re going to regret this,” he said, pushing past me and shocked and angry Ugochi and Ella.
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Few hours later, Ugochi and I left the mall. Ella stayed back, as she had an appointment at the hair salon in the mall. She had been experiencing traction alopecia and was scheduled for some “miracle” hair treatment which was supposed to make her hair grow.
Traction alopecia is loss of hair that is caused by repeated pulling on your hair. It can happen if you wear braids, cornrows, weaves or dreadlocks often, especially if they are tight and are pulling on your hair and if you use chemicals like hair relaxers or heat on your hair. Hair loss may be permanent, if necessary precautions are not taken.
Traction alopecia may begin as little bumps on the scalp that look like pimples and then progress to your hair starting to break or fall off. The hair along the front and side of the scalp are usually affected more.
To reduce your risk of traction alopecia, Avoid using hair relaxers and other chemicals on your hair as they damage your hair, making it more likely to break, use low heat setting when using dryers and hair straighteners or curlers, don’t wear braids or weaves for too long,rather, change them regularly, don’t use rubber bands to hold your hair in place as they can pull out your hair, and avoid doing tiny braids as they are more likely to pull your hair than thicker braids.
I offered to drop Ugochi off at her apartment. As we stepped out of my car in the parking lot of Ugochi’s apartment building, I felt a strange unease settling over me. Something didn’t feel right. It was Ugochi who noticed it first, her eyes widening as she glanced past me. “Chioma,” she whispered, her voice tense, “I think we’re being followed.”
I turned around just in time to see Rowland’s car pulling into the parking lot. My heart quickened with anxiety. How had he found us? Why was he still pursuing me?
Fear gripped my chest as Rowland approached us clutching a bottle of beer in his hand. His eyes were bloodshot, and the acrid smell of alcohol hung in the air around him. It was evident that just between the time we had bumped into him at the shoe store and then, he had been drinking and seemed to be somewhat tipsy.
“What do you want?” I shouted, “why are you following me?”
“Chioma, please, just talk to me!” he shouted, his tone a twisted blend of pleading and rage.
“There is nothing to discuss Rowland. By this time next month, I will be happily married to David. My mind is made up already.” I said, “you should have cherished me when you had me, it’s too late now, MOVE ON!” I added.
Upon hearing those words, he became even angrier. Within the twinkle of an eye, he charged towards me, holding me firmly by the wrist and shoving me against the car, “What is wrong with you Rowland? Leave her alone ” Ugochi shouted, “Stay out of this” Rowland warned her, squeezing my wrist even tighter and pushing himself against me.I was leaning uncomfortably against the car with Rowland holding one of my wrists firmly against the car and pushing his body so close to me. The smell of alcohol from his mouth was so bad that I was holding my breath. “Move away from her, you could hurt the baby” Ugochi screamed, trying to pull Rowland away from me by the back of his trousers. Ugochi’s words seem to hit wrongly, as the meaning of what she had said suddenly dawned on Rowland. “You’re pregnant?” he questioned, with a look on his face that mirrored the betrayal he felt. “Yes, she is. Now run along.” Ugochi said, still tugging hard on the waist line of Rowland’s trousers.
“I know you’re trying to get back at me for cheating on you” he said, looking deeply into my eyes, the pain and hurt he was feeling was evident. “You didn’t have to go this far,” he continued, almost close to tears.
“What we had was good while it lasted,” I managed to say, “but I have moved on. Please try to do the same” I pleaded, “I refuse to move on. I will not let you choose some guy you met yesterday over ME” he shouted, smashing the bottle of beer he was holding in his hands against the car. I could tell his anger was getting to its peak. I knew that whenever he was angry, he was uncontrollable, he usually did things he would eventually regret.
I could sense great danger ahead. I tried to break free, but he tightened his grip around my wrist and pushed harder against me. “You belong to me, Chioma. We were destined to be together.” he said as tears began to trickle slowly down his cheeks. “Maybe we need to go somewhere where David can’t find us. Somewhere where he won’t be able to interfere or come between us.” he added. “You go first and I will join you soon,” he said, holding the sharp edge of the broken bottle to my neck.”
Find out what happens next tomorrow in episode 30 #checkwithdoctoro
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