How He Killed His Best Friend Chapter Three

CHAPTER THREE: UNREQUITED LOVE.

Kennedy called Sylvia the moment he went back to the room. At first, Adaora seemed pleased to see him, but as she lay on the bed pressing her phone, listening to the call drag on while Kennedy explained why he couldn’t keep the appointment, her mood changed. She became restless, made faces and sulked. Kennedy didn’t notice until he ended the call. She ignored him totally, pretending to be serious with her phone

.

                “Hey, I’m not going again”, he said pleasantly.

                “I don’t care.”

                That was odd, he thought. “What’s wrong with you?”

                “Nothing. Just leave me alone.”

                Kennedy lay beside her and tickled her. “I won’t until you laugh.”

                That was all the invitation she needed. She laughed and wriggled free then pounced on him. She tickled back, leaned clos and kissed him lightly on the lips. Kennedy instantly pushed her off.

                “Stop Ada. You shouldn’t do that.” He faced her, a stern look on his face. “What has gotten into you?”

                Adaora lowers her head shamefully. “So you don’t like me?”

                “Like you?” Kennedy stared at her in total disbelief. “I love you like a sister.”

                “I am not your sister!”

                Jeez, what had he gotten himself into, he thought. “Look, you’ve been like family to me all these years. Ifeanyi is like a brother. Your parents are like my parents. Apart from that you’re still too young to date.”

                “So you think I’m a virgin?”

                The question shocked Ifeanyi more than anything. To him, Adaora was still innocent. To think otherwise would be unpleasant. It was not that Kennedy was morally upright. He had even lost his virginity at thirteen. But like every older Nigerian, he expected teenagers dear to him to be morally pure. Sadly, Nigeria had become too westernized. Seventeen year old virgins were becoming rare.

                “What will Ifeanyi say if he hears this?” That was all he could ask.

                “I don’t care. I’m an adult.”

                “You’re only seventeen”, he reminded.

                “And in five months, I’ll be eighteen. I know what I want.”

                Kennedy got impatient. “I won’t have this conversation with you.”

                “Fine”, she retorted angrily. “Go have it with your girlfriend and ignore me.”

                Kennedy sighed in frustration. He already had enough to deal with. A horny teenager should not be part of it.

Ifeanyi passionately hated Obiora because Obiora had once managed to trick a girl he was in love with and attempting to date into sleeping with him. Ifeanyi had been terribly shaken when the girl diverted from his room to Obiora’s in the blink of an eye. They had argued and nearly ought over it. To make matters worse, Obiora dumped the girl after the act. Ever since then, they had remained enemies, sharing nothing but polite greetings.

                Kennedy knew this so he decided to keep the events of the day secret. He didn’t want to start a world war. Ifeanyi was quick to anger and had traces of violence. Kennedy had witnessed first-hand how he dealt with those who crossed him.

                As they say outside the room later that evening, Kennedy instead chose to share his family problems. He narrated the events of the previous day to him, how his dad had sent mom away. When he finished, they sat in silence for a while.

                “So you think they will break up?” Ifeanyi finally asked.

                Kennedy sighed. “What else is there to think? They can no more stand each other. Dad is not helping matters.”

                “You should talk to him.”

                “As if he’d listen. Remember Finotel?”

                “Yes but this is different. They can’t break up.”

                “What will I say to him that he hasn’t heard? All he wants is to chase UNIZIK girls and his workers. I’m just tired of it all.”

                “Don’t worry. Be positive.”

                “Guy, there’s nothing positive about divorced parents. What I wonder is why now? How can two people who have been together for twenty five years suddenly grow apart?”

                Ifeanyi shrugged.

                “And he’s close to sixty”, Kennedy continued. “Did he suddenly realize he has been missing good sex at sixty?”

                Ifeanyi burst out laughing.

                “Guy this is not funny oh”, Kennedy protested but joined in.

                Ifeanyi patted his back. “I wish my exams were over. We’d have gone out and had drinks. Forget these things.”

                “Yeah.”

                “Anyway, let’s do that tomorrow. But first, you have to talk to your dad.”

                Kennedy thought about it. “I’ll try.”

                There was no talk about Adaora and her strange acts.

Kennedy heeded Ifeanyi’s advice and presented himself at Dad’s office the next morning. The secretary, definitely the one dad had been sleeping with, made him wait for thirty minutes. She had informed him that he was in a business meeting. She was a pretty, fleshy girl with big bosoms and some arse. He could see why his dad was having sex with her but he could not see why he would leave his wife for her. Kennedy felt uncomfortable. He could feel her gaze on her. He always had that effect on women. Sometimes it was tiring. He pulled his phone and logged on to whatsapp but his thoughts lingered.

                Last night he had done his best to avoid Adaora while Ifeanyi read. Everyone had been quiet. Adaora sulked and sulked but Ifeanyi was too engrossed in his books to notice. Kennedy hadn’t cared.

                He had spoken to mom this morning and she had not sounded happy. She had regretfully informed him that she had consulted a lawyer. Only a matter of time before divorce proceedings commenced.

                “What’s your name?” The secretary interrupted his thoughts.

                He looked at her with indifference. He was not interested in starting a conversation with the girl that was destroying his home. “Kennedy”, he replied politely.

                “Are you still in school?” The girl was smiling.

                “Any problem?” he asked rudely.

                The girl looked upset. “Did I offend you?”

                Yes, you did, you slutty cow, Kennedy thought. But he kept his cool. Instead he gave her a long look. He was not bad. On a good day, he’d want to poke that big arse. She was just a cheap slut. Well if his dad wanted to leave his mom for her, he would show him how mistaken he was. So Kennedy forced a smile.

                “I’m sorry”, he said sweetly. “I had something troubling my mind.”

                “Do you want to share?” She asked flirtingly.

                “Well…” Kennedy held her gaze, hints of desire in his eyes. “You work for my dad.”

                “So?”

                “Where do you stay?” He asked quickly. “And do you live alone?”

                The silly girl giggled. “Ifite. I have a roommate but she travelled. I’m in CEP.”

                “Cool”, Kennedy said, not interested but playing along. “So give me your number and I’ll visit you.”

                “Just like that?” The girl was smiling.

                How foolish, Kennedy thought. “Why? Is it a bad thing?”

                “No”, she said then hesitated. “Let’s not talk about it here. Give me your number and I’ll call you.”

                “You know what? Give me yours.”

                Suddenly the intercom buzzed. She picked it. “Yes sir?” She listened. “Okay, Sir.” She hung up. “It’s your dad. He said you can come.”

                Kennedy rose. “The number?”

                “Okay, type it.”

                “Please just write it on paper. My phone is bad but I’ll repair it once I leave.”

                “Okay.” She smiled and wrote the number on a piece of paper. Kennedy took it, brushing her fingers intimately as he did. She giggled again. He winked at her and headed for dad’s office.

Kennedy’s father watched him coolly as he presented his case. He did not interrupt as Kennedy listed all the reasons why they should not get a divorce. When Kennedy finished, he sat up and looked directly at his son.

                Kennedy’s dad was a bulky, pompous looking man with a smooth shaven bald hair. His beards were grey and immaculately trimmed. He had cold, hawk like eyes partly hidden in recommended designer glasses. He seemed to be a man interested in his looks and today, he wore an expensive suit, sparkling white shirt and a red tie. A Cartier watch and Italian shoes completed the ensemble.

                “You spoke well”, he now said in his deep, commanding tone. “But words are no more enough to keep us together. I don’t expect you to understand but it’s of no use.”

                “You’re right, I don’t understand because there’s no good reason why you’re doing this. You complained she’s fat and unattractive. How many women are attractive at her age and have their husbands left them? Can you even tell me one good reason why you want to break up?”

                “I cannot tell you everything.”

                “Because there’s nothing to tell. You can’t just decide to leave a woman you’ve been with for over two decades. What will people say? How do we go to the village in December and people will ask about her? How do you explain her absence during Harvest and Thanksgiving and all the other activities?”

                His father leaned back.

                “And what about me? Do you ever think of how it affects me? Dad, whatever the issue is, you have to work it out. If you want her to lose weight, then encourage her. You want her to be fashionable, buy her magazines, clothes and bags. Make her the way you want. She’s worth more than all these cheap girls you carry about…”

                “Will you shut up your mouth!” He thundered and sat up. “So you think this is about Finotel?”

                “I don’t care about Finotel. I heard you two. I was there two days ago. You’re sleeping with your secretary.”

                “You and your mother don’t know what you’re talking about”, the man said angrily. “This issue is not about girls. I won’t live with your mother anymore. Period.”

                Kennedy sighed. It was time to play his hand. He took out the piece of paper. “So you abandon us because of that slut?”

                The man controlled his rage but Kennedy could feel it.

                “Yes dad, she’s a slut. See, she gave me her number just now and accepted my offer to visit her room after work.” He placed the paper on the desk. “Dad, none of these girls can be like mommy. Just think about it.”

                The man sat staring in disbelief at the paper.

                Kennedy rose to leave. “I’ll remain with Ifeanyi for now. Our house is no more a home.”

                Dad watched him leave.