THE COLD WAR

THE FIRST PUNCH

  *The first punch*

           Shortly after Derenle and Lola's return from the hospital, her phone beeped. She picked up the phone, and realized it was her friend. She had to return the call, but she couldn't do that in the presence of her husband. She thought of ignoring it, and then, call back later but the call came in again, this time, it was persistent. She reduced her ring volume, stared for a while at her husband whose sleep was disrupted by her call, but pretended to remain asleep because he noticed her uneasiness. She stood up from his side quietly and proceeded to the room.

       "Hello Tara. "
    Derenle, who had trailed her, stood behind the door, eavesdropping on her conversation.
     "Oh, Tara. I've told you not to worry about me. Sort out the conflict in your family first." She paused to listen to the caller.
     "I met Derenle at home, there was no way I could hide the injury from him. I just had to lie that I had an accident because I know what he is capable of doing, and that is not new to you too. I've really been asking God to help him overcome this particular weakness of his before it gets him trapped." She furrowed.
   "I'm really getting scared. Recently, I've been receiving calls from different people reporting how Derenle did this and that to them." She relaxed her back against the wall.
    "Yes." she nodded.
  "But his anger affects me more even when I'm not always his direct prey. It might sound weird if I tell you I bear the pain longer, but I still have to stand by him. I understand this is a battle he can't fight all alone and that's why I just have to be there for him plus I want to prove my parent wrong, they insisted I mustn't marry him if I want to live long because they also tasted a bit of his anger." she picked up a paper from the floor, and threw it into the trashcan beside her.
     "My dear." She laughed.
  "Use those advices to save your marriage. Mine is still better than the monster you call a husband. That monster, knowing fully well that I'm pregnant said that nothing good can ever come out of me, he said my husband is miserable, and when I tried to shut him up, he almost killed me. You still call that a husband? I think you should get rid of him first before telling me to get rid of mine." She said furiously.
      Aderenle, on hearing this stormed out of the house and drove straight to Tara's house.
     "Who is the mad person without shackles on his wrist honking like that?"
     "Iwọ ni Derenle (it's you Derenle). I'm sorry I omitted your rank in the mad people association when I was talking about you."He jeered.
      Derenle forced himself into the house, pushed him to the ground and rained punches on his face.
    "How dare you lay your filthy hands on my wife. You will die in her stead." He ranted as he continued to punch him. 
     "Tara will def be grateful for this."  He looked up and saw a plank close to him.
     "Good "He muttered, and then, picked up the Plank.
     "Don't do that to him Derenle." Tara cried out as he was about hitting it on him. She had earlier heard noises in the compound but she ignored thinking it was another normal confrontation from someone her husband had insulted, it had become a norm to her. She was forced to rush out when she heard groanings from her husband.

     "Have mercy Derenle." She knelt before Derenle crying.
      Derenle, who did hate to watch a woman cry was forced to drop the plank. Tears rushed down from his eyes as he tried to hold back his anger.
      "That woman you tried to mess with is my life. I don't joke with her." He said with a trembling voice.
     "Forgive me for causing you this much Tara. Use this to take care of him." He handed over some money to her, and then, turned to leave.
      Tara immediately picked up her phone, put a call through to her friend and explain all that had happened to her.
      "Hello Lara!" She dreaded.
   "Derenle left here just now inflicting so much pain on my husband. As I talk to you, he is unconscious in a pool of blood. But you told me you didn't tell him what happened, how did he get to know about it?"
         The announcement left Lola fidgeting.
    "You know what Tara, take him to the hospital. I will call you back." she hung up.
 
   "This is the height of it." She cried as she dropped the phone on her bed.
     "Why does Derenle delight so much in causing me pain? He is going to pay for it this time around."  She snickered, and then, cleaned her tears.
     
       As soon as Derenle drove in, she stood by the door ready to confront him.
    "Derenle, your actions irritate me." She stammered.
   "Why would you do that to him? Fine, we all know that he's an animal, why must you act like one too?"
   "Take it easy Lola, I was only trying to fight for you and...."
     "Did I ask for your help?"
    "Do you want to implicate us. What if he dies in the process? Oh, he is unconscious now." She threw her hands in the air. only God knows what will happen next. Derenle, I promise that you will bear the cost if anything happens to him."
     "Woman, you're getting on my nerves already, and I wouldn't like to do anything silly. Let me go in peacefully."
    "Derenle, do your worst, I dare you. You want to beat me too?" She scoffed.
    "I won't leave until you lay your hands on me. Beat me." She screamed.
        Derenle clenched his fist, laughed and dropped his hands. He then pushed her out of his way, making her fall on her belly.
    "Yeee!" she groaned as she felt a sharp pain in her tummy.
     "Derenle, I'm bleeding." She cried out after some moments when she noticed that blood was oozing out of her vagina.

         ************************

Will Lola eventually lose her pregnancy? If Yes, what do you think will happen next? Will Denrele learn this time around, do you think the veil covering Lola’s senses will finally be removed for her to see that she’s in danger? Wait, what do you think is keeping Lola in this abusive marriage; Love?

    Let’s just wish them well as we wait for the next chapter.