THE WIDOWER.

CHAPTER 35.

CJ looked at the posh fashion house and went in before he changed his mind. He had battled with this decision for the last two days after his conversation with Nora. He thought it was best to find out from a close friend of Shona than an ex-boyfriend.
There was a tall lady maybe a receptionist who welcomed and asked what he could do for him.
"I am here to see Phoebe Muli." He stated.
The lady stared at him in what seemed like she wanted an explanation.
"She is a friend." He said curtly for he had less patience with her.
The lady reluctantly left and disappeared behind a door.
She came back with Phoebe on tow.
"CJ?" She halted from the shock of seeing him.
"Hey Phoebe?" He greeted the lady who was now walking towards him.
"How are you ? When did you return from America? She questioned as she smiled at him and hugged him.
CJ stood with a nervous smile regretting his impromptu visit, "almost three months ago." He said.
"Wow! Well let's talk in my office." She urged him toward the room  she had come from earlier.
"Regina, bring us some refreshment." She ordered her.
CJ entered her office that was filled with bolts cloth materials and sewing machines. There illustrations and drawings on the table. It was a pretty messy as she tried to tidy it up.
"Forgive my place,designs and orders that have short deadlines make my place look like a bomb fell here." She apologized.
CJ waved to show it was alright and he did not mind. He anticipated their conversation hoping she had answers.
"Well, what brings you here?" She asked after settling down.
She took off her measuring tape that was around her neck.
"I am sorry to show unannounced but I found out some troubling information about Shona and I had to find an explanation for it." He jumped head on for the anticipation would not hold on any longer.
Phoebe closed her eyes with a sigh. CJ saw how much she had changed from the trouble making girl to a now responsible woman.
"I knew this day would come." She sat now her eyed filled with intensity.
"Before anything,I want to say I am sorry that I never said anything but I hope you understand she was my best friend and I had to protect her." She defended herself.
"I do." CJ responded.
"I think by now you know her and Malik's history. After Malik left for Saudi Arabia, Shona's brother Jamie passed on after two weeks. Shona was inconsolable and wanted to be far away from her family. She grieved and Malik flew all the way to come for his funeral. After seeing Shona's devastation and broken hearted he offered her to leave with him. Her parents were angry and bitter but Shona had made up her mind.
They left and Promised to call me after she settles in. Malik's father was not happy with the arrangements but Malik was determined to fight for her. They stood their ground but threats came to her from Malik's relatives. They left the family house of the said town and started life outside the family but she was called 'haram'. Malik's grandfather talked about disinheriting him and Malik was succumbing to the pressure two months Later She discovered she was expectant but the hostility started getting into their heads and arguments became every day's cup of tea. Shona called me to pick her up one day from the airport. I went out of shock and brought her home with me. She was shattered and depressed. I asked if she was going home but she refused and said that nobody from her family should know of her return until she gave birth.
It was dangerous for her to stay with me. She would not have gone home for her father would have killed her then Malik and her mother would have been disappointed because Shona would have secured a good marriage that had political benefits for her power gluttonous father. Malik phoned me and asked if she was with me and I replied that I was worried about her health.
Malik flew in the country the next weekend and came to convince her to return with him. Shona refused and Malik said he will do whatever it was for the sake of their child. The next day Malik rented an apartment for her to live in." Phoebe paused to gauge his reaction.
CJ was still if it was not for the blinking of his eyes one would think he was a statue.
"Malik left to go and convince his family about Shona. His father said it was their best interest she left. One week later Malik was brought a girl to marry but he refused every woman  who was shoved his way for marriage. He told his father he needed a break and came to see Shona who was five months pregnant. They stayed for a month until Malik's father came to find his prodigal son. After seeing Shona's condition,it reminded him of his own youth and how much he wanted to marry Malik's mother but his parents were against it. His father was angry and told him he had to honor his family first. He gave them one month to break the relationship. They were devastated but they went fighting.
One month notice was over and Malik gave in to his father's demands. He did not want to feel torn between his family and His love for Shona. He did not want to be rejected again by his father or left behind  again. It was an opportunity to be with his father on a long run. He choose his family and Shona agreed because she was too tired of the fights and bitter resentments she harboured for his family. She pleaded with Malik family to allow him come during their child's birth. Malik's father agreed. Malik sent upkeep money and everything she needed.
She went into Labour two months down the line and she gave birth to a baby boy. Malik came to see his son.
Shona was all happy and tears but she knew she and Malik will never be.
Shona gave up her son a few days later asking Malik to make sure he takes care of him and she must tell him that his mother died when she was a baby. I have never seen two broken hearts like those. Malik went back home with the help of his father and they never contacted each other again. Shona regained her strength and health.
Two months later she went home with a hollow heart." Phoebe finished narrating the story with a sad smile.
CJ was more heartbroken and he stared off a far.
"Did they contact each other during the time we dated or married?" He asked.
Phoebe kept quiet.
"Please Phoebe, I need to know." CJ pleaded though his heart was torn into two.
"When you started dating Shona they never contacted each other but when she got engaged Malik called her to tell her that he had left his family and he wanted her back so they could raise their one year old son. Shona refused saying she had met someone else and she was already engaged. Malik did not contact her out of respect. You two got married. I think you saw him on your wedding day." Phoebe stated.
CJ remembered how the guy stared at her with something akin to pain.
He nodded.
"After wards Shona came and told me of how much she regrets marrying you. She still loved Malik very much but she could not break her marriage vows especially now that you were expecting a baby together. She would be depressed all the time and sad. One time they met up after Malik had settled in Kenya and started his real estate business. He brought their son along,Ajay Malik.
She was happy to see her son but it was too late. Malik told her he respected her decision regardless. Shona was torn. She had made up her mind before the accident to divorce you and move on with Malik." Phoebe whispered the last part.
CJ could not hide his disappointment.
"So the whole job with an NGO was a lie?" He questioned bitterly.
"No,she was offered one but they were going as a family." She corrected.
"She was to abandon me and our daughter for some guy.." CJ caught himself up before he said what he should not.
"I am sorry CJ. Shona loved you but she knew she loved Malik and their son more." Phoebe confessed.
CJ's ears were buzzing with anger and he stood up to say his farewell.
He left their refreshments untouched.
"CJ, I hope you forgive her for she didn't know any better. I ask you forgive me too." CJ gave a stiff nod and left.
Outside he wanted to kick something or someone.
"Why now Lord? Why now?" He asked God.
"I mourned for her,I loved her more than myself. Why did she do this to me." He talked to himself as he drove off.
"Lord is this why you brought me here? Back here so that my heart can be broken again?" Anger was simmering.
"Father, I need some help or else Lord I will falter and sink in despair. I might push everyone away from me again." He prayed in anguish.
Rick called him.
"Hey buddy? I need your help with Nora's surprise birthday." He asked for help from his new friend.
"Wow! I totally forgot. I will be there anything I need to buy cause I am in town." He asked.
"The birthday is two days away and you must be here for decorations. We are in charge buddy but Jade has promised she will kill us if it is not according to her great idea." Rick warned.
"We cannot disappoint her for I would love my life intact." He laughed.
"I will see you soon. I am tagging Olive along so she can help." CJ added.
"No problem. See ya!" He hung up.
Despite everything he was grateful of his new friends.
He reminded himself to text Daniel as an invite.
"Lord I am going to be Still and know you  are God and that You know better than I do after all I am just a man. Lead me Lord and take up the burden of Shona's betrayal and remind me of your faithfulness. No one can love and protect like you do. I need you Lord in this journey. I pray for peace over my heart as I await for your promise. In Jesus mighty name I ask. Amen. He prayed and turned on worship songs and let his mind wander on how much good the Lord is.