Tony watched Lara as she tucked him
bed. She've not been
herself ever since she went to see her
mother two weeks
ago. No more the cheerful-smiling
Lara, the old Lara seem
to be creeping back in place.
"Good night." she whispered turning
to leave.
"Lara?" he called out, just as she held
the door knob.
"Yes?" she didn't look back.
"Can we talk?" his voice was low.
"Can't wait till morning?" she asked
irritated.
"Please..." he sounded desperate.
With a sigh, lara turned and walked
up to him.
"so?" she said crawling up the bed
beside him.
"Lara..." he began, taking her hands.
She pulled away, he expected that
too.
"Errm, I just wanna ask if you're
alright? Ever since you
came from your mother's place
You've been
moody....errrmm, is anything
wrong?" he said in a cool
voice.
Lara looked away. Why's he asking
her that? He cares?
"I'm fine." she sighed.
"I know you are, but deep within you
are troubled, talk to
me
Lara..." He said soothingly.
She looked at him briefly, he doesn't
sound like Tony at all,
did the illness change him?
"Is there anything the doctor said
about your health apart
from your legs?" she asked.
Tony felt his heart beat increase.
"Your mother told you right?" his
voice was faint.
"she did, and I wonder why you
never told me that..." she
replied getting off the bed.
"Lara...I just felt you shouldn't know,
I know it'l hurt you.."
"It hurts more that I heard it from
someone else..." her
voice was rising.
"I'm sorry, its just that....errmm...
Lara please, understand me...." he
looked confused.
"Understand you? Of course you
know Lara is daft! An
Illiterate can never understand!" her
voice became harsh.
"No Lara...what I mean is that, I
would be treated, and
everything would become fine..." he
tried to explain.
Lara shook her head slowly.
"Your legs will be treated not your
....your...your...Impotency!" she
replied angrily.
Tony's eyes narrowed, he looked
hurt. He wore a painful
look that made Lara regret her
words.
"That's not true Lara..its just
that...that...some things got
complicated...once my spinal cord
gets back in place, I'll
normal again..." his voice was shaky.
"Normal again? Were you normal
before?" Lara made a
face.
"When you were busy sleeping
around Sophia...have...have
...you ever thought if...if...if...I'm
human with needs?" tears
filled her eyes.
"This marriage is almost two years
now..and...and..." sobs
choked her.
"Lara please, I know I've wronged
you...but please..." he
was crying too.
"I guess you want me stay right? But
how am I sure you ain't trying to be
nice just because you're ill! I'm sure
when you
get back on your feet again; you'l
become the real Tony, and I'll no
longer be Lara but a daft-
illiterategirl!" Lara said
angrily, before turning to leave the
room.
"Lara please wait" he called after her.
But she left banging the door behind
her.
Tony stared at the door in horror. He
knew he was doomed,
should Lara decide to end the
marriage.
He was at her mercy.
"God help me!" he clasped his palms
in prayer.
Maybe she was right, that if he gets
on his feet, he might
not regain his manhood! Perhaps the
doctor lied to him?
The doctor told him, all would be
well...
"Tony you are in deep mess:" he
muttered fighting back
tears.
If Lara should leave him, he won't
survive it. He might lose
his life, cos he was madly in love
with her.
To be continued