All Or Nothing…

EUNICE ANSAH-AGYEMAN

ALL OR NOTHING

The Author

EPISODE 4

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Demel slowly turned his neck in a bid to release the tension he was feeling. He was at work and his last client had just left. He had been a bit unenthusiastic about work the whole time but he had done his best under the circumstance.

His heart was in a turmoil and gradually he was becoming desperate. And now, he had to wait till his shift was over before he could see Diamond, his Diamond. The only woman who loved and understood him like no other.

Things had not been very smooth between them after the near-fatal accident. Diamond had just refused to talk about it no matter how hard Demel tried to broach the subject. She had just said nothing and that had been a source of worry for Demel.

He had dated Diamond for a while and if there was one thing he would vouch for as far as she was concerned, that would be her unbeatable communicative skills. He really admired that about her. She had always voiced her worries, appreciation, disappointments and any other emotions she might be going through. She had always talked about issues and so for her to behave as if nothing had happened really unsettled Demel.

With a deep sigh he swivelled his chair from the desk and got to his feet and walked to the sink in his office. He pressed the soap dispenser and allowed the soap to just pour in his right palm in excess of what he really needed. He rubbed his hands together and then turned on the tap. Demel enjoyed the lukewarm water on his hands for a while, then he washed his hands thoroughly, turned off the tap and pulled out the sanitized towel from their storage box and wiped his hands gently.

He sat behind his desk again, picked his phone and turned to WhatsApp. As usual, there were a lot of chat threads from his Boy-Z platform but for once he did not want to read anything from them that day. He was worried he was losing the only woman he ever loved and was at a loss as to what to do to bring things back to normalcy.

He flipped to Diamond’s contact and read through their chats, laughing at some point and scowling at another point. Even the chats, getting to the latter portions, showed a dull Diamond.

Sadly, he admitted being very irresponsible that night even to the extent of endangering her life and his. It was one act he was very sorry for and even though he had apologized extensively for it, he still felt something went off in Diamond by that single incident.

He freshened up a bit after removing the doctor’s tunic he was wearing and picked his keys and other personal items on his desk. He walked briskly to the car park still deciding whether to drive to Diamond’s place or not. Finally, he settled on picking an uber from his home to Diamond’s place. Indeed, he was planning to surprise her with his presence and hoping that would bring her back to her usual self.

He opened his car and lowered himself into the seat.

He turned on the engine, switched to one of his favourite songs folders and manoeuvred smoothly out of the car park.

Later, he stopped at the florist and picked a bouquet of assorted roses and then picked a box of chocolates, scented candles and red wine from a supermarket on his way. He also picked up packs of two of Diamond’s favourite food.

When he got to Diamond’s apartment she had not returned from work. He paid for the Uber service and let himself in with his set of keys. He was happy about the fact that he got there before Diamond even though she was supposed to be home by then but since it suited him, he brushed it off and went to work.

Whistling, he went to the kitchen and picked the beautiful white table cloth after placing the packs of food in the microwave for safekeeping. He quickly set the table for two and placed the flower beside Diamond’s plate together with the box of chocolates. He placed the wine in the ice bucket after filling it with ice cubes he got from the chest freezer in the kitchen and waited in the dark with only the light from his phone as a light source.

A whole hour passed and Diamond was still not back. He started getting worried then. Had there been some kind of an emergency and she had to travel to see her family without telling him?  Had she been in an accident or something worse and could not call?  They had spoken briefly that morning and so he knew they were both on the morning shifts and that meant they should be done by three in the afternoon and be home an hour or two later depending on the traffic situation. He got to her apartment a little after six since he went home to change clothes and freshen up.

A lot of questions run through his mind and made him more uneasy. Just as he navigated to her number to place a call, he heard a car pull up in front of the house. He turned off his phone screen and moved to the tinted glass window.

The white Ford Escape had come to a complete stop and the driver was already out and heading towards the passenger side. The car windows were up and thickly tinted so Demel could not make out the occupant in the passenger seat. But there was something familiar about him. He opened the front passenger door with a satisfied smile on his face as the occupant stepped out also smiling.

Demel’s heart missed a beat.

Diamond stepped out of the car with a smile on her face.

The stranger turned to her as he closed the car door and Demel remembered him. He was the same guy at the party. The same one at the scene of the accident. And the same one who had followed them home. He had even checked on them the day after the accident!

Was that all a coincidence or he was looking to impress Diamond?

Was he the reason Diamond had become adamant and totally unresponsive to him?

Suddenly, Demel felt anger and fear rising up inside him. He was sure the guy wanted Diamond and that thought did not sit well with him at all.

Diamond was laughing heartily about something the guy said, making Demel realize he had not seen her that happy and contended since the accident. He watched them as they bid each other goodbye with a hug and a brief peck by the imbecile on Diamond’s cheek. He felt like rushing outside to smack that smug smile off the guy’s face but fought hard to restrain the urge.

The guy waited for Diamond to get inside before he got in his car and drove off.

Diamond made to switch on the light but Demel pulled her towards him and whispered her name. He could feel her going rigid in his arms but that did not stop him from planting a kiss on her lips and gently prying her lips open to receive his gentle but deep kiss.

Demel led Diamond to the table for two he had expertly laid after they showered, fighting the urge to bring up the guy who had dropped her. Dinner went well but Diamond still gave him the cold shoulder of sorts. She only answered questions posed to her with direct and short answers.

They retired to the living room to watch a movie after they were done eating.

Demel placed her head on his laps and ran his hands through her silky hair for a while.

” I’m really sorry for all the wrongs I’ve done you, Diamond. I’ve been a jerk most times. Please forgive me. I miss your warmth, your tenderness and your smile. Please marry me… I’m ready when you are. Will stay clear of my friends for you. I do love you. Will put you first at all times and make sure you are safe around me. I really regret exposing you to danger the last time we went out. I acted stupidly and hurt you badly. I’m deeply sorry. You need to believe me when I say that I love you.”

“You don’t have to dump your friends because of me. We all need friends.”

“Talking of friends, I see you have a new one. That guy who dropped you. What’s his name again?”

“Cyril just was around at the right time to offer me a helping hand. My car was acting up this morning so I left it with the mechanic who later called to say it was an electrical fault so an electrician was working on it and wouldn’t be ready until tomorrow. I was waiting for a cab in front of the hospital when he drove by and offered to help.”

“And that was a coincidence? He seems to be popping up at any time you are in need. I don’t seem to trust his motives.”

” And what are his motives, Demel?”

” Do I have to spell it out?  It’s obvious the guy is going all out to impress you. And I don’t like that one bit.”

“Impress me? The guy was on his way to get something from the restaurant close to the hospital and just chanced on me and you say he was trying to impress me?  You are making it look like he knew I’d be there at that particular moment. It’s not every guy who helps a lady out that seeks for rewards or benefits like sex or a relationship,” Diamond shot back.

“All I’m saying is, I don’t trust him. Why did he buy you food too? Did you tell him you were hungry?”

“What’s going on with you?  Is it not just courteous to buy something for a lady when you stopped over at a restaurant to get something when she’s with you?  That was very sweet of him so stop making it look like he was trying to buy me with food. He’s a gentleman.”

“Look at the way you are defending him, he’s already getting to you. He’s a player so beware of him.”

“You are just being obnoxious and jealous. He is a nice person, actually. Stop fretting over nothing.”

“Was he also being courteous when he hugged and pecked you too?  He’s just a smooth operating Casanova.”

“Are you here to fight me on who helps me?  I was stranded, someone helps me out and suddenly he’s a bad guy. Don’t you do worse? You hug and peck all the lady friends when you are with me yet you sit there and condemn me?  Am I to take it that you are trying to impress those ladies?  Until he gives me a reason to doubt his intentions, I won’t think bad of him so stop selling him short.”

“I’m not here to argue. The next time you need help, call me instead of riding with him. You can even use an Uber. I don’t trust him.”

Diamond’s fury got the best of her. She got to her feet, aiming to walk away but Demel held her by the hand and tried to get her to sit with him. She would not budge.

“I’m really desperate here, sweetheart. I want things to go back to the way they were between us. You don’t even smile around me anymore. I saw the way you were happy around that guy and it got to me. I’m supposed to be the one to make you happy and smile the way you did out there with him but now you are always completely shut down around me. I don’t know what to do anymore. I know I disappointed you and I’ve tried to make amends for my irresponsible behaviour. Please, forgive me. Don’t leave me, please. I love you. Don’t give up on us.”

Tears of pain formed in Diamond’s eyes. She looked into Demel’s eyes briefly and looked away. It was not like she had not tried to get her groove back but no matter how hard she tried she just could not seem to snap out of the gloomy feeling that had taken over her heart.

“Do you love him?” Demel asked in a pained voice.

“Love who?  The guy just gave me a lift home and you are behaving as if I went on a date with him.”

“But you were very happy when you were around him. I saw you hug him and then he… “

“Stop it, Demel. Cyril is not a problem. Your lifestyle is our problem. Ever since you reunited with your friends it’s like I don’t matter. It’s always your friends, your space, your time and honestly, I’m tired of it. It looks to me that you are happier with them than with me and that is not a good feeling at all.

We’ve talked about this countless times. You change for a while and then things slip back to the boozing, partying and whatever. If I mean anything to you, I should have my time with you. You should want to be with me. I should be your priority but what do we see?  It’s always my friend this, the boys that and so on. I’m tired of craving for your attention Demel. If you love someone, these things come naturally. I’m not seeing that. It looks like you want your space so I’m cutting you that slack and see where that will lead us.”

“You mean to say that you are giving up on me, on us?  That hurts Diamond, it hurts really bad. You know you are my lighthouse. You always manage to get me back on solid ground. Don’t give up on me, please. My heart beats for only you.”

“I don’t want to fight Demel. Let’s just leave things the way they are. I love you too much that’s why it’s so painful hearing you say sorry for the same thing over and again. It’s as if you don’t care about how I feel. Am beginning to feel like it’s only me who wants this relationship to work out and that is frustrating.”

“I’ve said it time and again that I’m sorry. I know you’ve heard it from me a lot of times and it must have lost its value over time but I really am sorry for all the heartaches I’ve caused you. If it’s any consolation, I’ve not tasted alcohol after that night. I put you, the most important person in the world to me, in grave danger and I’m deeply sorry for it. Don’t give up on me, please. I came here to make peace and it tears me up when you put on that indifference attitude around me. Please find a place in that beautiful heart of yours to forgive me.”

Diamond’s eyes were filled with tears now. It was not like she wanted to be difficult. It was just that something died in her that day. Maybe she was still in shock and needed therapy or counselling.

It was true she would have been thrilled in the not too distant past by Demel’s kind gesture of a candlelit dinner for two. She would have been beaming with a lot of smiles and gratitude by now. They would have been on cloud nine and possibly making love right at this moment but she was so numb right now it even surprised her. Maybe, she should cut him some slack and try harder to make things work between them. She knew she was still in love with him.

“Let’s just forget about what happened and move on, Demel. Talking about it hurts me more.”

Demel got to his feet and stood facing Diamond. He took her hands in his and looked deeply into her eyes.

“I agree we move on but can you tell me you have forgiven me?  It will put this poor heart of mine at peace.”

” I do forgive you, Demel. Just…”

“Sssh, don’t say anything more please,” Demel said as he placed his finger on her lips. He traced a line on her lips with his finger and used his other hand to wipe the tears in her eyes. It did break him a whole lot to see her so shattered because of his irresponsible behaviour. He lowered his lips to hers and the resultant kiss, although tasted salty, was powerful and seemed to mend the broken heart of yesterdays.

 

All Or Nothing, Eunice A, All Or Nothing, Eunice A.  Eunice A, All Or Nothing, Eunice A, All Or Nothing . All Or Nothing, Eunice A,  All Or Nothing, Eunice A.  Eunice A, All Or Nothing, Eunice A,  All Or Nothing. All Or Nothing, Eunice A, All Or Nothing, Eunice A. Eunice A,  All Or Nothing, Eunice A. 

 

 

 ALL OR NOTHING :: CHAPTER 3

ALL OR NOTHING :: CHAPTER 2

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