HEALING BONDS

FOURTY SEVEN

Pendo was grappling with a many   emotions. The raw, fervent desire that Femi had displayed recently left her feeling unsettled and confused. The intensity of their interactions had stirred something within her, a newfound awakening of desires she had never fully confronted before.

She found herself questioning the nature of Femi’s feelings. Was the passion he exhibited a genuine reflection of his emotions, or was it a manipulation masked by desire and control? The ambiguity of his intentions gnawed at her, leaving her torn between the intense attraction she felt and the doubts about his motives.

In the quiet moments of reflection, Pendo tried to piece together the fragmented truth. The way Femi had kissed her, with such urgency and need, had ignited a fire within her that was both exhilarating and disconcerting. It was as if he had tapped into a part of her that had been dormant, and now, she was struggling to understand whether this awakening was a genuine connection or a byproduct of his controlling behavior.

The duality of her experience—being drawn to Femi’s passionate displays while questioning his true intentions—left her feeling increasingly vulnerable. She was caught between the powerful pull of her emotions and the rational part of her mind that warned her to be cautious. As she sought clarity, Pendo knew she needed to understand not only her own feelings but also the true nature of Femi’s intentions before she could make sense of the overwhelming desire that had been ignited within her.

Femi, unable to contain his emotions, went after Pendo with a sense of urgency. He finds her in her bedroom, the door slightly ajar. Without knocking, he pushes it open, his expression a mix of frustration and longing.

He stood in the doorway, towering over her with an intensity that made her heart race. His eyes, dark and intense, lock onto hers, and for a moment, the world outside the room vanished . Pendo, sitting on the edge of the bed, looked up at him with a mixture of shock and confusion.

“Femi, what are you doing?” she demands, her voice trembling.

Femi didn't respond immediately. Instead, he took a step closer, his presence overwhelming and almost suffocating. The air between them crackles with tension, the unspoken emotions swirling around them. He leaned in, his face inches from hers, his breath warm and unsteady.

“I can’t stand this distance between us,” he said , his voice low and raw. “I need you to understand how much you mean to me.”

Pendo’s pulse quickened , her mind racing as she tries to process the raw intensity of his words and the proximity of his body. She could feel the heat emanating from him, the palpable desire that lingered in the air.

Before she could react, Femi’s lips captured hers in a fervent kiss, his hands gripping her face as if he’s afraid she might slip away. The kiss was fierce, filled with a desperate need that leaves Pendo breathless and disoriented.

As they part, Femi’s eyes search hers, filled with a mixture of regret and need. “I’m sorry for barging in like this,” he murmured , his voice strained. “But I need you to know that this—what I feel—is real. I can’t let you go without knowing that you feel the same way even in my dreams .”

Pendo, still reeling from the intensity of the kiss, struggled to find her voice. She felt a whirlwind of emotions—desire, confusion, fear—all mingling together in a chaotic swirl. “Femi, I… I don’t know what to say,” she finally managed , her voice barely above a whisper.

Femi's gaze softened slightly, but the intensity of his feelings remained. "I’m trying to understand, Pendo. I need you to be honest with me. Is this...is this something worth fighting for ? Or is it just me trying to hold onto something I don’t fully understand?"

Pendo’s heart pounded in her chest as she tried to find her words. The room was charged with tension, the air thick with the weight of their unspoken emotions. She knew that this confrontation was a turning point, one that could either bring clarity or further complicate the tangled web of their relationship.

Femi’s voice broke the silence, low and heavy with a mixture of anger and anguish. “Pendo,” he began, his tone edged with frustration, “I need to tell you something. James came to confront me today.”

He paced the room restlessly, struggling to keep his emotions in check. “He was loud and aggressive, making a scene in front of everyone. It was humiliating, and he didn't care who saw or how it affected me, you or his wife.” His eyes flashed with a fierce intensity. “He’s trying to undermine everything between us, and I need you to know how much it hurt, how much it affects me.”

He stopped in front of her, his gaze piercing. “I’ve been dealing with this constant pressure and jealousy, and it’s tearing me apart. Seeing you with him, hearing him act like he has a claim on you—it drives me crazy. I can’t stand the thought of losing you, and it makes me do things I didn’t plan or want. But I need you to understand that I’m doing all this because I care deeply. I want you and Mara to be safe and secure, and I’m struggling with these overwhelming feelings.”

Femi’s voice cracked slightly, betraying the raw emotion behind his words. “I didn’t mean to force anything on you, but I need you to see that my actions come from a place of deep concern and affection. I’m trying to protect what we have, even if it means nothing to you .”

Femi's expression softened slightly as he approached Pendo. "There's something I want to do," he said, his voice gentler now. "I’d like to take Mara out for a bit. She’s been cooped up inside, and I think some fresh air would do her good. Would that be alright with you?"

Pendo hesitated for a moment, her mind still reeling from the confrontation with James and the intensity of Femi’s emotions. But as she looked at Femi, she saw a glimmer of sincerity in his eyes that made her lower her guard. Without fully processing her decision, she nodded. "Alright. You can take her out."

Femi’s face lit up with a mixture of relief and gratitude. "Thank you," he said softly. He gave her a brief, almost hesitant smile before turning to leave.

As he walked away, Pendo remained where she stood, her thoughts swirling with questions and doubts.