Destined hearts

Chapter XXI

Aisha

Christian was having his friends over for a game. I was never a football fan so I had never understood men's crazy obsession about it. I had just returned from a brief trip to Jake's, since the baby. She was the most adorable little girl and was the spitting image of her mom and hyperactive. But I guess that was normal for her age. She was also very inquisitive - always asking questions at every opportunity she got. She sure would grow into an extroverted person.

I would have loved Christian coming along, but he said, he would be busy with work. Though I suspected it was more of the slight friction between them. Not that Jake disliked him, but things always turned sour when they're together for one reason or another, but he was really trying. Apparently, the only thing they had in common was their love for football and their good looks. Besides that, everything else is static and awkward. So I was obliged to return home sooner.

We were on our way to the airport to drop off his mom for her flight to relatives out state and as usual, she went on gushing about her perfect son, her amazing friends and the activities they did and how much she couldn't wait to join her relatives out state. To be honest the conversation was just between her and Christian. I mostly shot up and watched the scenery out the window, while doing a couple of things on my phone once in a while. I really didn't have much to add to their conversation, given that madam had decided to make it a two people discussion and sent me to the back seat. I wasn't really particular about car seats but she made it abundantly clear that the car was her son's and she got to seat infront. And as usual he had nothing to say about it.

"You have been awfully quiet. Everything ok?" He asked looking at me through the rare view mirror. I glanced up at him with a scowl

"All good." I replied with a fake smile. I watched him swallow hard and focused back on the road.

"I guess she's just waiting on me to leave so you guys can be alone." His mother chipped in. I was a little surprised by her reply and mostly especially how lightly she said it with a smile. What's going on here.

"Oh no mom. It's not..."

"You don't have to pretend. I know how much pressure it is on you to have a perfectionist mother in-law like me. But, I won't tolerate any lackluster behavior on your part. You're the homemaker and he's the bread winner. Society values aside."

Is she for real?

"So make sure you feed my baby properly and tend to house chores." She said sternly. I looked at him in disbelieve. Wasn't he going to say anything. "I would have rather Larissa since she's more of traditional type but alas, I need to go with what makes my baby happy. " she said pinching his cheeks. I scoffed not surprised at her remark.

"Sorry your stuck with me" I mumbled and rolled my eyes.

Fortunately we dropped her off and the wait wasn't long enough before she left.
We were back on our way home but had to stop at the grocery stores to get stuffs to make snacks. The whole thing with his mom was always irritating but I was already getting used to it sadly. I was regretting coming back from Jake's. Maybe moving to his state would be better than dealing with her and Michael everytime. Our drive was quiet throughout and he kept asking if everything was ok but I just kept shrugging and saying I'm fine.

Once at home, I made a beeline for the kitchen to get started on the snacks and putting the drinks in the freezer to chill faster. I came face to face with him when I shot the freezer door.

"Christian stop playing around what if I had hurt you with the door?" I sighed moving away but he stopped me, holding my wrists and pulled me closer.

"You're upset."

"I never said that. Now would you let me go? We need to get things ready before..."

"I'm sorry." He said earnestly.

"Are you? And why exactly? It's not like you are responsible for the things she says."

"I know but I..."

"There is no need to apologize Christian." I replied with finality.

"Please..." he plead giving me the puppy dog eyes and I snickered which made him smile. I really couldn't stay mad at him. "Did I tell you how much I love your smile? " he asked with his ever charming smile.

I pushed his face away with a grimace. "Yeah, now move away."

"Not after you give me a kiss." He teased.

I sighed, "Christian." I groaned.

"Just a little..." he tease.

I felt a cold surface touch my calves. I never even realized he had me backed against the fridge. "Christian..."

"C'mon, I know you want it." He said with a cheeky grin.

"Just a...." I tried replying but his lips descended on mine without warning and my shoulders relaxed. His tongue pushed it's way into my mouth and I gave up resisting. He deepened the kiss, his full lips engulfing mine. He pinned my hands above my head with one hand and grabbed my neck with the other. I moaned into his mouth basking into the feel of it all till the door bell interrupted us. Well mostly me because he let go of my hands, his hands moving down on either side of me and proceed to kiss me from my chin down to my neck. His grip on my waist was rough and I clung onto him. The door bell went off again and I had to stop him.

"Babe, we need to stop. Someone's at the door." I said breathlessly

"Just ignore it." he mumbled against my neck then returned to my mouth with feverish and ravenous kisses, pressing against me.

"Chris." I breathe. He groaned but break off the kiss, and let me go. He rested his head against the door of the fridge. I grabbed his face gently and stared into his now dark eyes.

"Are you ok?" I asked through ragged breath.

"Yeah." He replied on a taut tone. "Just need to calm myself. " he said with a weak smile but I could still feel how hard he was and it was very much still twitching against me. He pushed himself back and let out a loud sigh. "I'm sorry, I got carried away...'

"Don't be" I said with a weak smile. "I'll get the door, just wait here.," I said walking away but he stopped me.

"No, I'll get it. You get the things ready." He replied. He straightened up and walked to the door. I felt bad for having to put him through this. I arranged my hair and clothes and got on fiddling with stuffs on the counter like I was working before walking into the living room to greet and welcome them.

I left for the kitchen after exchanging a few pleasantries and greetings. People were not really my thing unless necessary so, for the most part I was out of reach. Only reappearing when they needed food or drinks. At some point, I was out in the backyard reading a novel but went to get something from the kitchen and overheard their conversation.

"Mehn. You got yourself one fine ass woman."

"Bro, for real, you one lucky mofo. You got looks and always manage to snatch the good ones." Another chipped in

"You seen the other chick that has been ringing his phone? What's her name again? " I stopped in the hallway to listen.

"Lari I think" One replied. I frowned.  Lari? It couldn't be ...

"Yo what's her deal man?" One asked

"Can't help it if I'm a man high in demand." He replied smuggly.

"Man, get the hell out 'er." The jeered.

"Cocky ass nigga." His friend muttered

"But jokes aside, she's just an old friend." He replied. My knees buckled when he said that and I leaned back on the wall for support.  No. It can't be her, right? ...

"Oh c'mon mehn, we're your homies, the way that girl talk to you ain't no old friend shit."

"Not my fault if they can't have enough of me" he said with a shrug. No. This was just stupid men talk. It must be.  It had to be. I pushed to walk up the stairs but my legs were still weak and I sunk at the bottom of the stairs covering my mouth so they don't hear my muffled ragged breath.

Everything was going on so perfectly, why now? He said he had dropped his pursuits long before. That he had changed. No, I must be in over my mind right? Yes I must be. C'mon get your shit together. ***I stood up and walked silently up to our bedroom.

Once in, I closed the door and sat on the edge of the bed, my head in my hands. My mind reeling in confusion and denial. I must be overthinking this. He's not been with any woman like that aside from you since you guys came back. But he's been slick about this before. No.you can't let doubt cloud your judgment.  You need to learn to face adversity and most of all trust him. Don't you love him? Goodness! I was downward spiraling again.

I was deep in thought when I heard the vibrations from a ringing phone. I looked to the night stand and noticed it was Christian's other phone. I decided to ignore it but the call persisted. I sighed annoyed and stood up to see who it was. My face fell when I read the name on the screen. My feet rooted to the spot on the carpeted floor. My entire body froze.  I didn't want to believe my eyes but the name was clear on display. The room door opened unexpectedly and Christian walked in.

"Yo babe have you seen my..." he stopped dead in his tracks when he saw me stare blankly at the phone which was still ringing. He walked up slowly in my direction and picked up the phone, dropping the call. I looked up to him in hope he had say something... anything... offer an explanation atleast... but he was dead quite and it was irking me. And the heavy airy in the room was making it hard to breathe.

I crossed my arms and tried remaining calm. "Who was that?" I asked finally finding my voice.

He sighed loudly. "A friend. " was all he offered.

"Really now." I said sarcastically.  "Who's Larissa?"

"A friend. " he replied, his face stoic.

" Is it the Larissa I know?" I asked

"Oh God" he groaned.

"Don't you dare. Don't freaking act like I'm tripping. Don't act like I'm being over dramatic," I warned, " You know my worries are valid."

"No they aren't, she's not even here. "

"And yet she keeps calling you - So much that your friends fucking know about it. and I'm the only one out of the loop? They know about it so much it doesn't bother them talking about it in our home. "

"It's not like that. It's just stupid guy talk and you know that. " he dismissed.

"Is it? They keep coming back because  they can't get enough." I threw his statement at him.

"For heaven's sake Aisha..." he cried rubbing his face.

"You know damn well why I'm getting like this. We've been here before."

"And where did it lead to?" He retorted and I stared back at him hard. "...exactly. and now we're right back to it again because some how you still don't trust me even after everything I've done to prove my loyalty to you."

I laughed sardonically. "You  did say the same once and still managed to be around with other women."

"Oh my God! I was a teenager back then.... will that be a death penalty over my head forever? We all did stupid things when we were young. "

"And I wasn't a teenager? And yet I had eyes just for you." I said weakly.

"I'm not that person anymore and you know that." He said in

"Yet you seem to still prove otherwise and contradict your words."

He walked up to me and grabbed my shoulders, "don't raise your voice they're going to hear us." he gritted

"Get off me you hurting my shoulders." I said pushing him back. I paced around for a short while before walking up to him again.  "How long?"

"What? "

"How long has this been going on."

"There's nothing going on..." he sighed.  "You always do this. Always go on this self destructive path this downward spiral each time you feel things are too perfect. "

"Don't you dare turn this on me."

He grabbed his phone, placed it in his pocket and turned to leave but I stopped him, pulling on his arm

" where do you think you're going? We've not done here.  I need answers Christian.  And truthful ones, not cooked up answers to emotionally manipulate me with." I said, my grip still tight on his arm.

He faced downwards as if to cool down before answering. "I'm going down to watch my match.  when I'm back, I expect you to have lost that attitude. " he replied coldly.

"You're not going to disrespect me that way. I've tolerated enough of your shit from you and your entire family to have you talk to me like I'm some kid."

"Would you rather I smack sense into you then? " he said in all seriousness and I backed up. "Yeah, that's what I thought." He said pulling out his arm from my grasp.

I was still in shock from how hostile he had become all of a sudden. He never acted like that even when he was angry or upset. He looked at me with a sour look placing his hands in his pockets reluctantly.

"When you chose to marry me, you were taking me as a complete package - flaws and all. I have taken you as mine just the same. I could have taken anyone else it's not like I was short on choices. But I chose you. And I understand you're a perfectionist and are always guarded but I already explained that I'm not about that anymore. So it's either you love me and trust me or don't and continue punishing yourself in a dark limbo you keep running back to." He said and walked away.  He stopped at the door and turned to look at me. "I told you once that I love you. It still hasn't changed. And I will do whatever it takes to keep you. Even if I loose myself in the process." He said before leaving and shutting the door loudly after him.

I crumbled to the ground with hot tears streaming down my checks after trying so hard to hold them back.