Tiwa The Therapist (Vol 1)

eight: "...a form of relaxation"

Eight

"...a form of relaxation"

She didn't say another word until she emptied the entire bottle and I let her; mostly because she had the familiar look of emptiness in her eyes as she drank her wine, a look that I recognize myself when I stare at my reflection in the mirror.

"I know what you're thinking. You're thinking that I am ungrateful because I'm famous and I look like I have a good life, or you're thinking I was forced into marriage by my family *hiccup*, You're very wrong."

"My job doesn't require me making assumptions Mrs...Stephanie, I can only think based on whatever you share."

"Hmm"

"Yeah. So, do you want to share what's going through your mind right now?"

"The question should be, do you want to know? or do you feel some kind of financial obligation?"

"Want my honest answer and not some professional scripted jargon?" I picked my notepad.

"That would be nice" she tore her eyes away from the view and smiled at me. It was the closest emotion to genuine that she'd expressed since her arrival.

"Both. I'm dying to know what has got a beautiful woman like yourself worked up, and I'm glad I'm getting paid as well."

I watched as she closed her eyes and threw her head back for a moment before opening her mouth to say the words, "Thank you...for your honesty."

"You are welcome."

"Of course I'm welcome, 1.5 million naira isn't 500 naira," she smirked and this time i smiled in return at how her words came off as playful rather than boastful this time around.

'THANK YOU DEAR WINE!'

"Can I walk around?" she threw me a questioning glance for a second before rising to her feet before I said that it was fine. "I find it more relaxing when i work my muscles."

"I perfectly understand" I lied. I'd rather sit as a form of relaxation any day and any time.

"How do your clients begin their depressing and traumatic narration?" She paused mid-walk, turned around and threw me a hearty smile that surprisingly lighted up the room.

"It usually helps when they start from the beginning." I returned her smile.

"Oh! for real? people remember that?" She gave a sarcastic expression that tore a smile out of my face.

"Everyone can remember the root of their problems if they let their mind go on that journey."

"Nice. Did you just come up with that, or was that from a not-so-popular TED talk?"

"It's probably out there already, with an even better word construct; I came up with that one."

"Maybe you're not so bad after all." She resumed walking. I thanked her for the compliment.

"So, you want to tell me about your husband?"

"Sure. He's the reason why I'm here anyway."

"Great."

"Where should I start from?, the good part, the bad tales or the ugly situations."

'dicey'

"We can do a little bit of each to save time."

"Save time? we have 9 hours more sis! i'm sure that's enough time to cover my four years of marital blissss" She dragged the word, bliss as she ran a finger down one of my awards. "You went to Allenville College?"

'Tada!'